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50 . Glasgow Business October 2016


ADVERTORIAL FEATURE BOOST THIS AUTUMN GET A BUSINESS


Vanilla Blush founder Nicola Dames with Director Thomas Rannachan


B


Lingerie boss on how her world-leading business grew in Glasgow’s east end Founded by Nicola Dames in 2008, the


usiness owners can access expert advice and support from Business Gateway to give their ventures a boost this autumn.


With a network of local advisers, Business


Gateway is ideally positioned to provide support that specifically addresses issues from those businesses working across Glasgow. In addition to a comprehensive online


resource and one-to-one support from a team of experienced advisers, Business Gateway’s free workshop programme covers a range of issues of importance to the business community. New workshops are being added to the


programme all the time so keep an eye on www.bgateway/events to see what is on offer.


Future is looking good for lingerie business


One company that has been helped to grow by Business Gateway is Glasgow-based global lingerie brand, Vanilla Blush (www.vblush.com).


award-winning business is now established as a world leader in the design and manufacture of post-surgery lingerie and swimwear for people who have had operations like colostomies. “We opened our shop in Glasgow’s east end


in 2014 and following our expansion into a second unit last year, it has now become the headquarters for our global business,” said Nicola. “Te east end of Glasgow is going through a period of revitalisation and we wanted to be part of that process. It is the perfect location for us and I am proud to live and work in the area. “Tere is no doubt growing the business


has presented a number of challenges, however we have had great support from a number of organisations, including Business Gateway. Our advisers identified a number of funding sources which have helped us increase stock levels and develop the business. “Tey also introduced us to the Glasgow


Guarantee – a legacy of the Commonwealth Games – that provided support to allow us to take on more staff.” Not only does Vanilla Blush have a string


of impressive clients, including a contract with NHS UK and Ireland, but the business also has a foothold in nine European countries, a position that Nicola is keen to develop over the coming year. “Our aim is to build both our UK and


overseas presence and we will be looking to Scotish Enterprise – who Business Gateway have passed us over to now as we are in a much bigger growth phase – to help us move this forward. Te brand is becoming stronger all the time and our goal in the longer term is to ensure that anyone who thinks of stoma fashion automatically thinks of Vanilla Blush.”


To find out how Business Gateway can help you visit www.bgateway.com/glasgow or call your local office directly on 0141 530 2405.


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