Added by Love Business East Midlands | 16 September 2024
UPDATED: 17 September 2024
Breast cancer survivor, Alexandra Perry, founder of H.E.R Bodywear in Nottinghamshire, announced as East Midlands Ambassador
Start Up Loans recognises 14 smaller businesses from across the UK as inspiring examples of UK start-ups supported by the programme
The programme has delivered more than £1.1bn of finance to over 115,000 businesses
H.E.R. Bodywear, took out a loan of £14,500 in 2023 via First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans to start the business, commence the production process and market the products after completion. The post-surgery bras are medically approved and designed to enhance women’s confidence by offering modern, bold, and fearless bodywear for all women’s bodies.
Alexandra is a two-time breast cancer survivor who found it difficult to find attractive post-surgery bras after her operations. As a result of this, Alexandra identified a gap in the UK market for bras specifically designed for post-surgery or mastectomy patients.
The annual Start Up Loans Ambassadors programme, now in its ninth year, celebrates inspiring UK business owners who have launched an enterprise using finance from the government-backed scheme. The Ambassadors have been selected as they demonstrate the resilience, creativity, and determination required to make a smaller business successful and to provide inspiration for entrepreneurs across the UK.
Alexandra Perry, Founder of H.E.R Bodywear, said:
“Since I founded my business I have received tremendous support and have been able to share my story across multiple platforms. To be chosen as the Ambassador for the East Midlands as an example as a success from the Start Up Loans programme is flattering and further extension for that support I have received – I am excited to see what’s next for my business.”
This year, in addition to 12 Ambassadors drawn from each of the UK’s Nations and regions, two more Ambassadors have been selected. These business owners represent two important groups supported by the programme, who may face challenges in accessing finance elsewhere – one from the ex-forces community and the other from the 18-24 Gen Z age group.
The 2024 Ambassadors will be introduced at an event in central London that marks the start of a year-long programme which will see the new Ambassadors take part in a series of local and national activities, helping inspire and encourage aspiring start-up founders to take the leap into business ownership.
Richard Bearman, Managing Director of Small Business Lending at the British Business Bank, said:
“I am delighted to welcome Alexandra Perry of H.E.R Bodywear as the new Ambassador for the East Midlands. Her story is particularly inspiring and will resonate with many people. We welcome her as an Ambassador and hope she can inspire other would-be entrepreneurs in the East Midlands and beyond.”
Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas said:
“Access to finance is crucial for SMEs to succeed, and the startup loan scheme is a lightning rod to that success. We know that when small businesses are given the tools to thrive, it leads to growth, more jobs and helps to boost the whole economy.”
