76
IN VIEW
FUNDING SUMMIT
Rachel Williams Continued on from 75
She added: “It made me feel really positive about the direction I was going in. I felt confident that I could say why I’d made those tough decisions, because I didn’t have a million pounds at my disposal like most beauty brands.”
Derry Green, founder of Secret Garden Glamping, secured a £100,000 investment from Deborah Meaden in return for a five per cent stake after pitching his business, which began during lockdown when he built a glamping pod for his children at his home in Skelmersdale.
Reflecting on the experience, he said: “Everyone told me not to do it but I said, ‘Nah, I’m going for it’.
“It was about challenging myself and putting the business under scrutiny. It’s all well and good me shouting about it from the rooftops and thinking it’s the best thing since sliced bread.
17 Categories across all industries and career stages
Enter yourself or nominate a colleague, employee,
apprentice or team member Celebrate the people
shaping Lancashire’s future nominate here! Enter and
Closing soon! Deadline:
Friday July 24 2026 #Sub36
VIEWS FROM THE ROOM
“I’m the managing director of the business and we’re looking for funding. I’ve only been in the role for two years, so today was about understanding what’s available locally and finding the best route to help the business grow.” Carly Jackson, Bee Seeds, Blackburn
“We’ve seen there’s a huge amount of support available in Lancashire. It was great to hear from businesses that have used Rosebud and it reinforced the strength of the county’s funding ecosystem.” Simon Turner, Freshfield
“I’m going to pick up the phone to 10 different people. Coming to events like this gives me a kick up the backside. I always leave with ideas and things to do, so tomorrow I’ll be making those calls.” Derry Green, Secret Garden Glamping
“It’s about understanding what’s out there and building relationships. The knowledge I’ve gained will help me support clients better and point them towards the right advice and funding.” Nasik Shakeel, Pierce
“The biggest takeaway is how connected the network is. If one funder isn’t the right fit, they’ll often introduce you to someone who is. That’s a huge support when you’re going through the process for the first time.” Simon Dickinson, Personnel Checks
“Listening to James Cole reinforced the importance of having a clear plan. There are some great businesses here and their success hasn’t happened by accident. It’s a reminder of the importance of setting a clear vision and following it through.” Ben Smith, Kingsley Asset Finance
Fuelling Ambition
We’re here to help you realise your ambitions whether you’re starting, growing or acquiring a business.
Our funds are regionally focused so if you’re based in the North West let’s explore how we can work together.
Derry Green
“Actually, if you put it to the test, does it stand up or is it worth investing in? It wasn’t really about the funding. It was about me testing the business and seeing how robust it was.”
The television exposure also delivered significant commercial benefits. Derry said: “We aired on 16 January 2024 and by 1 February we had an extra half a million quid in bookings.
“Two years ago people were booking for the summers of 2025, 2026 and 2027, so we’ve still got bookings that haven’t happened yet.”
Rachel said demand for her products also surged following the broadcast.
She added: “I’ve got this amazing opportunity and have to get a lot of stock, because if I sell out in 24 hours, I won’t get that interest back.
“When we broadcast we were getting one order per minute at one point, which was really overwhelming. Our email list grew by 9,000 people overnight.”
rivercapitaluk.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
