Helen Stephens opened Our Fun House in Middlesbrough in 2008 to cater for parties and after-school activities for under-12s as well as offering adventure and educational play for toddlers, reports The Journal.
She said: “I can’t deny that it was difficult to start up a business in the recession. A lot of people said we wouldn’t do it, but I was determined and have worked extremely hard to build the business from scratch.”
She needed extra funding to build and sustain the business in its first year and was able to source a loan from the Regional Enterprise Loan Fund (RELF), a £2.25m fund for new and growing enterprises which cannot fully finance their ambitions through traditional funding sources.
having a professional accountant on board and the support and advice I have received. I’ve never worked closely with an accountant before and I thought it would be a hassle but the reality has been that it’s been a complete blessing.
“It’s meant that I have been able to focus my energy on growing the business and serving customers, safe in the knowledge that my finances are in order and that the funding is secure.”
Photo by The Journal.