Nobel Ironing Services

Champion Boxer hooks business cash from DSL

 A former heavyweight fighter has exchanged his boxing gloves for an ironing board in order to launch his own business thanks to a cash boost from not-for-profit DSL Business Finance.

Djuma Lubassa (50) was once the sparring partner of Joe Frazier, known as Smokin Joe, the Olympic and world champion heavyweight boxing legend who famously fought Muhammed Ali in several historic matches.

Now Djuma and his wife Medi, who are originally from French speaking Congo in Central Africa, have set up Noble Ironing Services in Glasgow’s Bridgeton Cross offering ironing and laundry services to local people and businesses.

Noble Ironing Services can be found at 63 Main Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow G40 1QB. Tel:  0141 554 2408

Etiquette Bridal Couture

Brides get the glamour touch with the help of DSL

It was whilst working for an airline that Victoria Ajao first came up with the idea of setting up a wedding shop, offering exclusive dresses from designers such as Spanish based La Sposa as well as shoes and accessories.  Although supportive Victoria’s bank was unable to offer her the money she needed to make sure the shop reflected her style and quality.  Victoria applied to DSL in February   2008 for a loan and got £25,000 towards making her shop a success. 

"I cannot recommend DSL enough! At a very stressful time, setting up business it's not always easy to get finance to complete your project for one reason or another. DSL helped me & guided me through the process. The great thing was always dealing with the same person, who in my case was Sandra Mclean. Sandra was fantastic & talked me through everything, explaining the procedures etc in great detail. The unique thing about DSL is the fact that you get to present your case to a panel. Initially a scary prospect, but think of it as your chance to sell your business/ideas & state your case!

I would definitely advise people to contact them as they work hand in hand with you to help you realise your dream...." Quote from Victoria Ajao.

See Victoria’s website for more details on her wedding dresses and what she offers: www.etiquettebridalcouture.com

Truly Scrumptious

Sugarcraft school is a piece of cake thanks to cash from DSL!

An innovative Lothian cake business has launched Scotland’s first ever Sugarcraft School thanks to a cash boost from not-for-profit business support agency DSL Business Finance.

Truly Scrumptious Designer Cakes is one of the first firms in the Lothians to secure funding from DSL since it expanded into East and Central Scotland from the West last year.

The Sugercraft School, which teaches students the intricate art of cake decorating, is the latest venture from Paul Bradford and David Brice of the Linlithgow-based award winning business Truly Scrumptious Designer Cakes. The firm is well known for its unusual cake designs including a Gucci Handbag, Jimmy Choo Shoes and a Dr Who Cyberman!

David Brice said: “We approached DSL for funding and found them really helpful.  They had a very personal approach and weren't’t just interested in our finances. We had to make a case for the loan in front of a “Dragon’s Den” style panel of business and financial experts. But it was a really positive experience as they also gave us guidanc

e on how to make the business more profitable by changing our business plan and introducing a new accounting system. “

For further information on Truly Scrumptious Designer Cakes and the Sugarcraft School, go to www.designer-cakes.com

Paul Bradford, of Linlithgow-based Truly Scrumptious Designer Cakes with his Angel Cake which is decorated with cut and shaped rice paper to create a feather affect.

Safe Hinge Limited

DSL HELPS OPEN DOOR TO SAFE HINGE START-UP

Two young Entrepreneurs have defied the credit crunch by raising £250,000 of investment to launch their Glasgow-based start-up Safehinge Ltd.

Business Partners Philip Ross (25) and Martin Izod (26) have invented a unique new door hinge which could stop thousands of children getting their fingers trapped and damaged and save local authorities and health boards millions of pounds.

The duo raised the investment package, which includes £30,000 from not-for-profit business support agency DSL Business Finance, in October last year when the credit crunch and bank lending were at their worst.

Graduates Philip and Martin came up with the idea of Safehinge while working with Yorkhill Sick Children’s Hospital in Glasgow, as part of their design engineering course at Glasgow University and Glasgow School of Art.

They discovered that research by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents estimates that 30,000 children seriously injure their fingers in doors every year. Of these more than 1,500 require surgery costing the NHS more than £200 million a year.

Commenting on DSL, Philip said: “We found DSL incredibly helpful and efficient, not lengthy and bureaucratic like some other business agencies. The whole process was very quick. We appeared before the DSL panel to explain why we needed the loan and DSL rang us the same day to tell us it had been approved. “ 

For more information on Safehinge Ltd go to www.safehinge.com

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