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CHARITY TO HOST FESTIVAL EVENT FOR SMALL BUSINESS START-UPS

by News

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is delighted to once again be hosting a FREE event at Leicester Business Festival, with tickets now available for: OMG! I’m starting a business but don’t know where to begin…

Taking place inside The Gallery at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium on Thursday 7 November (10am-12pm), this free event will showcase real business owners who have experienced fear, imposter syndrome, sleepless nights and survived it all, talking to those who are treading the same path.

We also want our event to be dynamic, engaging, interactive, supportive and memorable. The event is for people who have started a business but feel a bit lost, clueless and scared. We want people to feel heard about the realities of risking their savings and reputation and also feel safe and supported in the environment we create for them.

In the format of ‘Question Time’, we’ll have a panel of people comprised of business experts and new business start-ups – all familiar with starting new businesses or helping those to do so. Our Fiona Bruce will be Lucy Womack, our Chair. She will initially introduce and then ask questions of the panel and then field questions from the audience.

Featured on the panel will be our Patron and successful business owner, Barrie Stephen, our Ambassador Steff Lee (founder of Kino Bino), a borrower of our interest-free loan, Scott Moore, as well as Pete Hitchings of Loughborough University and HR expert, Paul Dickinson.

As well as a fantastic learning and networking opportunity, attendees will also be able to find out more about our interest-free business loans, which are available up to £20,000 over a 9 year term-length, to support the start-up or growth of businesses in Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland.

Parking will be available at King Power Stadium on the day for event attendees.

To book your place for FREE, please click below:

BOOK YOUR PLACE FOR FREE HERE

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INTEREST-FREE LOANS TOTALLING £112,100 AWARDED TO PEOPLE IN LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND

by News

We’re delighted to announce that we approved nine interest-free loans to people within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in the second quarter of 2024.

Totalling £112,100, the latest sum in interest-free loans is to be utilised to either fund business start-up or development, or postgraduate education.

Six interest-free business loans totalling £82,100 were approved to support local businesses in a variety of industries, including domiciliary care, property development, a children’s play area and a glamping site.

Meanwhile, three education loans totalling £30,000 were approved to support the studies of a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and Master’s degree in Directing & Producing Science and Natural History Films.

“The worst that can happen is we say no – but the chances are, we’ll say yes!”

Lucy Womack

Established in 1542, STWLC hosts quarterly application windows each year in which people aged over 18 and under 45 can apply for unique interest-free loans of up to £20,000 to aid local businesses, or £10,000 to support students wishing to return to postgraduate education. The Charity’s loans are interest-free for nine years, and become repayable by equal instalments after three years.

Lucy Womack, Chair of STWLC, said: “We set the benchmark high last year with a record-breaking loan approval amount, but the early signs of 2024 show that we’re continuing on the same positive trajectory, with £229,600 approved in the first two quarters already.

“Among other things, this illustrates the commitment and ambition that young people have in our great county. The interest-free loans will help more small businesses to establish or grow, and support with postgraduate tuition and living costs for others. If an interest-free loan could help your business or education aspirations, then please visit our website for more information. The worst that can happen is we say no – but the chances are, we’ll say yes!”

Application packs are available to download upon completion of a contact form on our website.

The next deadline for applications is 3.30pm on Monday 1st July 2024.

Esme Nicholson Title

Esme’s Dog Grooming Business Blooming

by Business Success Stories

When it comes to business, sometimes the timing is just right – even in the most unusual of circumstances.

That certainly proved to be the case of Esme Nicholson, who in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic utilised the time available as a result of lockdowns and restrictions to focus on becoming her own boss.

The 24-year-old, born and bred in Leicester, runs Lulu Dog Services, a dog grooming studio based in Clarendon Park. Whilst many of Esme’s friends opted for university, she decided to revisit Brooksby Melton College to study dog grooming. After completing her course with distinction, Esme found employment and, in late 2019, was met with the realisation that she had the ability to start her own business.

Lee Tomes

Orange Fox Studios’ Growth Continues

by Business Success Stories

Throughout the last couple of unprecedented years, which saw the COVID-19 pandemic turn many people’s worlds upside down, stories have been told of silver linings.

From more time spent with families to the ability to reflect and make life-changing alterations, many people have spoken of the positives found with regard to the impact lockdowns and restrictions had.

Sir Thomas White Loan Charity business loan borrower and ambassador Lee Tomes is one of those people to be able to reflect on the past two years and highlight professional positives, as he revealed how fortunate he feels to have seen his video production company, Orange Fox Studios, grow during the pandemic.

“When the pandemic started, it was so unprecedented that, as a business owner, the worry was there immediately,” Lee admitted. “I actually had a bit of a slow period at the back end of 2019 leading into 2020, but there was so much going on that I sort of expected that. However, from 1 June 2020 to now, it’s not slowed down. It’s been full-on in terms of work and we’ve come through really strong, which is great.”

Alexander Saunders Title

Saunders Multi-Media: Providing The Means To Create A Business

by Business Success Stories

Alexander Saunders always knew he wanted to build something within Leicester and, thanks to an interest-free business loan from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, he has been able to do just that.

The founder of Saunders Multi-Media found opportunities to work within the media locally hard to come by following graduation from university. Having worked on a freelance basis for a number of companies within their production departments, Alexander made the leap and set off on the path of becoming his own boss.

“When I left my role with (retailer) Next, I started to pick up more freelance work, starting with the odd favour for friends, but soon it started to snowball and pick up from there,” explained Alexander. “It was at that point that I realised that, with a bit of funding, I could turn what I was doing into a legitimate business.”

Saunders Multi-Media specialises in the fields of videography and photography, working extensively within music sector, crafting music videos and covering live events, in addition to producing material for a variety of promotional purposes.

That bit of funding he required came courtesy of The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, which Alexander discovered through connecting with business support provider NBV. That support through NBV provided Alexander, admittedly a complete newcomer to the world of running a business, with knowledge and insight to accompany his professional skills.

“Looking back, I wish I’d applied sooner,” admitted Alexander when discussing The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity. “I was probably a bit taken aback, thinking it was too good to be true. When I first heard about it, I thought it sounded amazing. If I didn’t have the support of the charity, 100% I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.

“I was able to undertake a couple of business courses, which I took prior to applying for the loan, which were useful. At the start, it was very hard. I had the knowledge and entry level equipment, but didn’t have the business acumen needed to run a business. I found out about the charity through NBV, as one of the advisers there – Gau Naik – is a trustee. I was directed onto NBV’s courses, which helped form my business plan and I was able to then go through the charity’s application process. The support I received from NBV and the courses was excellent – and if it wasn’t for those courses, I wouldn’t have been in the position to develop a realistic business.”

From that point, Alexander felt in a position to put his business idea and what he’d learned from NBV into practice by applying for an interest-free loan to get his business up and running.

“The application process was relatively easy, especially with the support that I had” said Alexander. “It was a case of tweaking a couple of bits from my business plan. It helped me look at things in depth and be realistic. Sometimes you have to mediate and be grounded, realise where you are actually at, rather than where you think you are. NBV’s guidance helped with that. It helped me grow as a person.

“I felt confident going into the interview, of course nervous to start with as you always are in those situations. You quickly realise that the people you’re speaking to want to help you.”

After seeing his application for a loan approved, Alexander utilised the funding to purchase professional videography equipment, which in turn enabled him to deliver a greater service than ever before, whilst a sum was also set out for marketing purposes; namely a new website for his business.

“I’ve always encouraged anybody interested in applying for a loan from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity to go for it,” admitted Alexander. “I’ve got friends in similar situations to me when I left uni, working in a corporate job and not enjoying it, and I say to them that they should go for it and take a risk while they’re young. When you have a charity like The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity that has terms which enable you to build something, you owe it to yourself to try. It’s a personal loan, so it’s not held against the business. Me personally, I’m only paying back £80 a month.

“It’s a worthy investment in your future. I wouldn’t be where I am without the charity.”

To learn more about Saunders Multi-Media, please visit https://www.saundersmultimedia.com/

Alternatively, please click here to find out more about The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity’s interest-free business loans.

Grant Scheme Launch Website

Charity To Deliver Grants Of Up To £5,000 To Businesses Within The County

by News

Having provided interest-free loans to help support aspiring and existing business owners within Leicestershire and Rutland since 1542, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is delighted to announce that it is now welcoming applications for grants of up to £5,000 to support businesses within the county.

Following a hugely successful pilot business grant scheme in 2021, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity has ensured further support be delivered in the same way this year, as the country continues to recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of £50,000 has been allocated by The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity to be delivered in business grants for 2022, and provides an additional opportunity for one of the city’s oldest charities to help more businesses at what has been an unprecedented period. Whereas the charity’s interest-free business loans are to be repaid, these grants of up to £5,000 require no repayment by recipients at all.

Sophie Elise Title

Creating Award-Winning Relaxing Moments for Many

by Business Success Stories

For many of our borrowers starting a new business, it’s industry experience and knowledge that provides a key platform for success. After all, your product or service is what your business is built on. However, when experience and opportunity collide, more often than not, it’s a perfect match.

That was the case for Sophie Haynes, who applied for one of our interest-free loans in 2016. Over the course of the start of her career within the beauty industry, Sophie had worked in various areas. However, when mobile working, an opportunity presented itself which was too good for Sophie to ignore.

“At the start of my career within the industry, I was lucky enough to explore so many different avenues,” she explained.

“From working in salons and a beauty academy, to later beauty halls in department stores, I then worked aboard a P&O cruise liner which sailed the South Pacific. When I returned to land, I started doing a little mobile work whilst working as a make-up ambassador for an American brand. During that time, a quaint Grade 2-listed building came onto the market in Melton Mowbray. That gave me the inspiration to open my own beauty salon in my hometown.”

Scott Moore Grant Title

Coming Back Stronger

by Business Grant Success Stories

In September 2021, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity – for the first time in the charity’s long history – delivered individual business grants up to the value of £5,000 for ventures in Leicestershire and Rutland needing investment in the wake of the impact of COVID-19.

For Scott Moore, his business, CEL Sports Ltd, was hit massively. Providing sports coaching from grassroots to the top level, the closure of schools and suspension of grassroots sport just as his business was starting forced a quick change in direction. With help from an interest-free business loan from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, CEL Sports Ltd was able to open a gym in Glen Parva which, with social distancing in place, enabled the business to continue operating.

However, as Scott explains, the impact of COVID-19 in full led to a huge loss in revenue. When lockdown came to an end, Scott was quick to apply for further help from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity through a £5,000 grant.

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Space to Teach

by Business Success Stories

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the dedication and importance of the nation’s teachers was deservedly highlighted, through the adaptation to remote learning or the continuation of educating children of key workers across the country.

However, for many, the pandemic also provided an unprecedented opportunity for individuals to reflect on all facets of life: work, family, living; many people were able to obtain fresh perspective.

For Victoria Corcoran, a foot was in both of the aforementioned camps. A teacher with 14 years of experience, Victoria was employed by one of the county’s schools throughout the early stages of the pandemic. However, eager to juggle her passion for teaching with a busy family life, Victoria identified an opportunity to become self-employed and start her own business – and Victoria Corcoran Tutoring was born.

Stock Photo - Business Owner

£75,000 Approved In Interest-Free Loans in Opening Quarter of 2022

by News

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is pleased to announce that a total of £75,000 was approved in unique interest-free loans to people in Leicestershire and Rutland, at the culmination of the opening quarter of 2022.

Based in the heart of Leicester city centre, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity provides loans of up to £20,000 to new and existing businesses within the county, and loans of up to £10,000 for students wishing to study at postgraduate level.