Success stories

We've already helped tens of thousands of individuals to start and grow their business. Learn how with our library of success stories.

We've already helped tens of thousands of individuals to start and grow their business. Read on for the full story on some of our most inspiring loan recipients: why they became their own boss, the challenges they faced and overcame along the way and how a Start Up Loan helped them to achieve their dreams.

 
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Start Up Loans

Collected

Emma Hamlett took out a £25,000 loan to open Collected, an independent bookshop specialising in work written by women.

Start Up Loans

Real Life Role Models

Michael Hughes secured £7,000 from Start Up Loans – through The Hub – to launch a new service providing respite and mentoring sessions for young people with autism.

Start Up Loans

Eden Education Centre

Father and son team, Trevor and Peter Jones, run the Eden Education Centre, the largest innovation education studio in Europe.

Start Up Loans

JC Social Media

JC Social Media, founded by Jodie Cook when she was 22, turns 6 years old in August 2017. Based in Birmingham city centre, their team of 14 provide social media training and management services to local and international clients, including the likes of Nandos and Mariott Hotels.

Start Up Loans

Enlighten-Ac

Steve Wileman used funding from the Start Up Loans scheme to help co-found the eLearning consultancy business, Enlighten-Ac. Steve and his business partner Suzanne Edwards have a passion for educational solutions, and, along with their lead content developer Billy, and their technical knowledge they constantly exceed customer expectations. They offer eLearning solutions customised to each of their clients’ visions, which can include everything from course writing to augmented and virtual reality services.

Start Up Loans

Bilingual Beats

Almudena and Claudia, two childhood friends from Southern Spain, set up Bilingual Beats in October 2013. Bilingual Beats provides music language classes to children in London schools and nurseries, as well as hosting parties and family classes.

Start Up Loans

DALE Coaching Ltd

Jacqueline Hall from Essex decided to set up her own business, DALE Coaching Ltd, after she had been made redundant and turned down from various job interviews. Jacqueline is a self-motivated, strong and determined lady who wanted to offer coaching services in areas such as leadership, executive coaching and youth leadership in and around the Greater London area.

Start Up Loans

True Crime Museum

Joel Griggs grew up fascinated with all things crime related. After spotting some abandoned caves along the Hastings waterfront -caves which turned out to have previously housed everything from hotel generators to druid groups at the turn of the 19th century- he immediately saw their potential.

Start Up Loans

Plant & Play Wildlife Garden

Vikki Bustard had always wanted to be a teacher but had dreamt of teaching outside rather than in a traditional classroom situation. While working as a Horticultural Training Officer Vikki had the idea for Plant & Play Wildlife Garden and by chance she came across the perfect site to locate the business.

Start Up Loans

Cherry Tree Nursery

Roger and Angela Jennett have fulfilled their ambition of opening a friendly family-run day nursery in the heart of Lincoln.