Start Up Loan funding for event styling franchise
A Plymouth businesswoman has taken her first steps towards making happy couples’ dreams come true with the help of a £20,000 cash injection from the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme.
With the help of SWIG Finance, Mihaela Cociuba has used the funding to invest in the South Devon franchise of Ambience Venue Styling UK, which has more than 40 franchisees across Great Britain, all working towards creating elegant and stress-free nuptials at local venues.
Start Up Loans is part of the British Business Bank and offers personal loans of up to £25,000 and free mentoring to help anyone start or grow a new or early-stage business.
SWIG Finance is the Bank’s Business Support Partner for the government-backed programme in the South West, and last year alone delivered £7 million in Start Up Loan funding to over 400 new and early-stage businesses.
Mihaela has plenty of experience in the hotel industry, organising conferences, team building exercises and other corporate events. “When the franchise opportunity popped up, I saw it as an opportunity to transfer my skills to weddings as well,” she said.
“You’re selling more than just an item – you’re selling memories and feelings and making people’s dreams come true. I think that’s incredible, and they will remember how they felt when they walked into a well-styled room.”
As an established brand, Ambience provides training and basic stock (such as vases, candle-holders and napkins) as well as a support network of fellow franchise-holders. “We’re individuals but work together, which is better than working on your own and hoping for the best,” said Mihaela, who launched the franchise in February 2025 with a view to serving venues around Plymouth and the wider area.
Mihaela found Start Up Loans on Google, and was linked up with Start Up Loans advisor Suzy Lowe at SWIG Finance.
“I’d considered Angel Investors but I preferred to keep the equity for myself at this stage,” said Mihaela. “The Start Up Loans experience was even better than I expected. I was scared I would have to spend hours on paperwork before being accepted or declined, but Suzy explained every step of the way. I’m so grateful, and happy to tell others about Start Up Loans so they can benefit too.”
Suzy added: “Mihaela is a force of nature – creative, hardworking and ambitious. She has a great business model and is very capable of implementing her plans to great success. I was thrilled to support her and will follow her progress with great interest.”
About Start Up Loans
The Start Up Loans programme is operated by The Start-Up Loans Company, a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, registration number 08117656, registered office at Steel City House, West Street, Sheffield, S1 2GQ.
The Start-Up Loans Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of British Business Bank plc. British Business Bank plc is a development bank wholly government-owned by DBT and is not authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The British Business Bank and its subsidiary entities are not banking institutions and do not operate as such.
Start Up Loans provides borrowing of up to £25,000 at a fixed interest rate of 6% per year, over a term of 1-5 years, plus 12 months of free mentoring.
Free guides on a range of subjects related to starting a business are available on the Start Up Loans website: https://www.startuploans.co.uk/free-start-up-guides/. You can find recent media press releases here: https://www.startuploans.co.uk/media-centre/.
The British Business Bank makes finance markets for smaller businesses work better, helping the sector to prosper, to grow and to build economic activity.
About SWIG Finance
SWIG Finance is a people-based lender that provides loans and support to help smaller businesses in the South and West Country grow. We base our lending decisions on potential rather than collateral, which means that we can often support businesses when others can’t.
We’re growing every year. In 2023/24, we lent £14m to 500 businesses, helping to create and secure over 700 jobs and generate £71.5m in social impact. Download the report here.
If you’d like an informal chat about your funding requirements, get in touch with our friendly and professional team to see how we can help: [email protected] / 01872 227 930
