business stories

Over a portion world famous breakfast pancakes at the Langdale View Guesthouse, Ann-Marie and Paul told us how they decided to give up the day job, move to the Lake District and set up their Bed and Breakfast. After much searching they ended up buying a business that was failing and came with a bad reputation. This left them with only one option – they had to start from scratch and aim to build a four star business in as…

Andrew Burton, founder of ABC Gym, is an incredibly likeable guy with his own, very personal story. After signing as a professional footballer, Andy was released from his contract at Middlesbrough FC, which led to an incredibly low time in his life and a battle with mental health that was sadly coupled with further health difficulties. But Andy used this experience to his advantage when it came to setting up a business unique to him and, in itself, this has…

When we met Paul at his home he told us where it all began. “I was flying for the air force and had received an MBE for services to defence, then I lost a toe on my left foot and then lost my leg due to diabetes. But I couldn’t just sit around and wallow, I wanted to go and do something with the rest of my life.” After going volunteering to look after owls as a way to rehabilitate…

We met Di in her workshop at the bottom of her garden where she told us the story of how she set up her own small business before going to work in a larger organisation and later leaving to once again set up her own thing that she runs today. “Things have changed a lot. There are so many new technologies, channels and ways to sell that you have to get your head around now – you have to be…

We met Harry down in his Orchard and chatted about his business and his dreams over a pint of his delicious cider. Harry told us that his whole life has been in farming, starting as a dairy farmer milking cows in 1982. But after farming regulations made things tougher and Magners released its multi-million pound campaign that made drinking cider trendy, it became clear he needed to ‘pivot’ – cider was on the up and Harry wanted a bite of…

Monty, who set up the firm, started his first business venture at the tender age of 12 selling sushi kits on eBay. By 18, he had found his niche in selling furniture. On the face of it, the business model for Furniture Box is very simple. Monty and Dan choose a series of products (all flat packed) from a supplier in China, get the furniture shipped over, sell the product ranges on various websites and then ship to customers whenever…

Rob came over to the UK from Australia, and after working in hospitality for a number of years wanted to set up a business that brought some of the Australian culture to the UK – namely good coffee and the social culture that surrounds the coffee shops. Lynwood opened its first shop in the small town of Letchlade in Gloucestershire, and when we went to meet Rob there the sense of the community around the business was clear to see.…

When I met with Mike and Lara they were busily preparing to launch Dela Bristol, their Scandi-inspired café-bar-restaurant that is located on the bottom floor of a studio full of artists and creative businesses.…

When we met the owner, Chris Wildman, in his butchery on the farm he told us about his dreams for the future and the importance of keeping up with current trends and moving with the times. “I was born a butcher’s son, so I was born a butcher. It’s what I’ve always known. It’s born into you, so I don’t see it as being anything out of the norm. We used to have a long running family business until changing…

We met Iain in his office surrounded by videogaming memorabilia – heaven for nerds like us –where he told us his story and his encounter with near failure. “The biggest thing you think about when you start your own business is what’s the worst than can happen. And then the absolute worst does happen and it’s a strange feeling. It’s sort of like you’re watching a film with yourself in it and thinking ‘I wonder what he’s going to do…