About FUNDED: Brilliant Entrepreneurs and Founders
At the heart of their towns and cities, wonderful local businesses and social enterprises are the vital spark in their communities. Our guests may all be brilliant but they're also real and relatable, with practical insights and tips to share.
All are united by one factor: they had a dream to grow, and used finance from the Business Enterprise Fund, a non-profit social enterprise, to make it happen. And our guests give us the inside story about their business journeys and all the lessons learned on the way in these fascinating and candid interviews with people facing the same business challenges you do.
How to Escape the High Interest Business Loan Trap with SME Champion Steve Waud
"Absolute tosh!" Our very own Steve Waud doesn't hold back on trickle down economics, but is one of the most passionate advocates for the trickle up effect of growing and supporting small businesses. He covers launching BEF 21 years ago, initially as an 18-month project and his own journey from apprentice engineer to commercially-savvy business developer to CEO of BEF. "I knew what it was like to go to banks and ask for money," says Steve, who is characteristically forthright about the ...
17 Jun 2025
An Entrepreneur's Guide to Intellectual Property with Liz Ward, Virtuoso Legal
Intellectual property specialist Liz Ward of Virtuoso Legal shares key insights on protecting your intellectual property and avoiding infringement in this interview episode.
5 Jun 2025
A Rocket Boost for Business Growth with the Human Touch: Michelle Atkinson, Apollo Cloud
Michelle Atkinson, Apollo Cloud Co-founder, discusses the company's rapid growth and success by prioritizing the human element in their omnichannel telephony and communication services, in this interview.
1 Apr 2025
"Kids Played Maths for Two Hours on Christmas Morning": The Mi-box Live Story with Chris Withers
"I thought, right, I'm 43 and this is the thing that I need to do. This is my thing," says Chris Withers, inventor of the board game combining sports challenges with maths, Mi-box Live. The former teaching assistant has designed and created an innovative board game and app that transforms mathematics learning into a fun, interactive experience. Drawing on his background in education and his own experiences at school – "I was a good sportsman, but struggled to read and write at school. So I st...
25 Mar 2025
Combating isolation and changing parenthood with Mamma Social founder Kayleigh Laverick
Today's guest Kayleigh Laverick describes how she launched Mamma Social Co and, in just a few years, built it into national brand that is changing the landscape of parenthood. In 2021 Kayleigh found herself feeling increasingly isolated and struggling after the birth of her second child. She is frank about how this culminated in thoughts of suicide. She reached out to friends and met up with other mums, which swiftly confirmed that new mothers need more help. This and the knowledge of an 18-m...
28 Feb 2025
How to Get a Start Up Loan with Amber and Habib
What can Start Up loans be used for? How do you apply for a Start Up loan? And what information do you need to provide to give yourself the best chance of a successful application? In the last few episodes we've heard from some of the entrepreneurs supported by BEF. There are many more to come. But today, BEF Investment Manager Habib Karimi and Associate Investment Manager Amber Kershaw give us the benefit of their experience as they spill the beans on what makes for a successful Start Up loa...
12 Feb 2025
Making metalwork, advertising on Etsy, and building diverse income streams with blacksmith Ellie Barden
Ellie Barden set up Grace Forge, her blacksmithing and metal fabrication business, six years ago. She creates unique metalwork in mild steel, beautiful copper jewellery, and runs workshops. In this inspiring conversation relevant to independent craftspeople, makers and anyone interested in the art and business of blacksmithing, Ellie: Describes her journey from an apprenticeship as a farrier to running her own blacksmithing businessGives invaluable tips about advertising on Etsy, a platform u...
17 Dec 2024
How to run brilliant fundraising events and grow a social enterprise with Rob Cairns, Fund A Fest
Rob Cairns, founder of Fund A Fest CIC, shares expert insights on how to run successful fundraising events and grow social enterprises by focusing on fun and community engagement.
3 Dec 2024
Hyde Accessible Transport: from the pains of invoice finance to a lender that backed growth with Shaun Delaney
Shaun Delaney, founder of Hyde Accessible Transport, shares his journey from struggling with invoice finance to securing growth capital, revealing the key to scaling a socially responsible business.
3 Dec 2024
A Wizard who turned down a Dragon: Ben Fry, The Potions Cauldron
Ben Fry, Chief Enchantment Officer of The Potions Cauldron Group, shares his experience turning down Dragon's Den offers, weighing equity and debt finance, and navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurial magic.
2 Dec 2024
Lyndsay Watterson: selling handmade walking sticks worldwide from York
Lyndsay Watterson shares how her handmade walking sticks changed her life after a leg amputation and now employs ten people worldwide.
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