Let’s Do Business Finance (LDBF) is a leading provider of business advice, training and access to finance. Whether starting-up or expanding a business, the organization exists to grow the local economy by supporting businesses and increasing job opportunities across the county.
With support from Unity Trust, LDBF was able to access funding from the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) to support various businesses across Sussex, Kent, Surrey and Essex including Hastings-based Californian Classics and Tipz ‘N’ Toez in Tunbridge Wells.
Californian Classics, the classic Karmann Ghia specialists are bringing a taste of California to East Sussex. The business uses its wealth of expertise to help clients find the finest parts, accessories and engines to restore or improve their Classic Karmann Ghia.
Fueling his life-long passion for classic cars is the founder of Californian Classics, Pete Morley. Over the past 25-30 years, he has restored more cars than he can remember, constructing his very first Karmann Ghia in the late nineties, followed by a full-length magazine feature regarded as a rising talent in the engineering sector.
In these years, Morley identified a gap in the market for companies catering to specialist classic cars such as the Karmann Ghia. After putting his passion to the test along with his love for vintage vehicles, Californian Classics was formed in 2015.
The company is now the largest supplier of Karmann Ghia specific parts and accessories in the UK, with a global e-commerce customer base attracting sales from Europe, South Africa, Columbia, Asia and the USA.
With funding support from Unity Trust and RGF, LDBF was able to help Californian Classics to grow their business.
The purpose of the support was to expand their operation by refurbishing the office and purchase specialist machinery that would result in a higher quality service provided to clients and drive production levels for the business. The funding also allowed the business to employ two new staff members and safeguard nine jobs.
Pete applied for further funding through the South East Business Boost scheme (SEBB) offered by the county’s Growth Hub Business East Sussex. The additional support allowed the business to purchase more specialist equipment including a Baileigh machine hammer, helping to streamline the current operation process and result in a quicker turn around by bringing all elements of manufacturing in-house.
Beauty entrepreneurs and twins, Maria and Nicola have been in the trade since the age of sixteen and have years of expertise in the field, launching their very first Tipz ‘N’ Toez salon over eighteen years ago. Now opening their third salon in the Tonbridge high street, the sisters have gone from strength-to-strength.
Every Tipz ‘N’ Toez salon is equipped with a dedicated and fully qualified team of therapists and technicians committed to delivering a high-standard of service for clients, keeping up to date with the latest trends as well as leading the way for innovation across salons, by employing the most up-to-date technologies designed to achieve the best results.
A huge achievement for Tipz ‘N’ Toez as a reputable, leading UK salon has been the introduction of one of the biggest, highest-selling brands on the market, ‘Elemis’ for facials and other body treatments to treat clients, as well as stocking their brand range in the salon.
Tipz ‘N’ Toez is a business that is continuously growing and looking for opportunities to expand and build on their existing success. After receiving funding from LDBF, supported by Unity Trust and RGF, the entrepreneurs have been able to open their third salon and expand their team. As well as introducing two additional staff members, Tipz ‘N’ Toez was able to safeguard twelve jobs.
From starting out as first-time business owners to running a chain of three high-end salons with a training academy in the making, this thriving Kent-based enterprise is flying the flag for beauticians across the UK.
LDBF continues to build relationships with local businesses helping them to start-up, expand and fully reach their potential. The support received by Californian Classics and Tipz ‘N’ Toez has helped both businesses expand significantly. The funding has seen a boost in employment levels, not just a positive for local businesses, but a huge success overall for the growth of our local economy.