The Vintage Paint Company
Vintage Paints as the name would suggest manufactures and supplies specialist paint for the restoration and preservation of every kind of vintage item. With over 40 years experience in the field you would think that finding funding to expand the business would be a walk in the park… Read More
Between restoring classic cars or old Victorian ironwork to their former glory or providing paint to the model building community Vintage Paint was a business ready to tap into a small, but lucrative niche.
Initially Vintage Paints was being run by founder Melanie Pursglove as a very small concern using 3rd party suppliers. Other personal commitments meant influenced not only how much money she had available to expand the business but also how much time she had to focus on that objective. When her situation changed however and she wanted to move forward she found herself in a familiar Catch-22 situation. The best way to advance the business was to become a manufacturer and invest in the necessary equipment and premises. But despite expertise in the field and the demonstration of a proven market for her products no one was prepared to lend her the money because she didn’t tick all the boxes!
As Melanie so rightly points out, “on one hand everyone is being encouraged to go into business that small business is the backbone of the economy and yet when you actually try to do that you’re met with brick wall after brick wall.”
Often people in Melanie’s situation give up because they wrongly assume that the only sources of finance are high street banks or brand name institutions. But Melanie was determined to find a solution and jumped on the Internet.
And up popped Lochroe! Although she had never heard of the business and never met anyone face-to-face Melanie says that, “I simply couldn’t fault the service! Their communication was excellent and efficient at all times which goes to prove distance is irrelevant.” Lochroe assigned a dedicated consultant and point of contact and together they produced a detailed business case. Knowing how to present the information is a huge part of the puzzle. With the business case complete Lochroe were then able to trawl their vast network of funding possibilities to find the right solution for Melanie.
Melanie was so impressed with the service Lochroe provided and the solution they sourced that she is even considering becoming a franchisee! She says, “I think Lochroe are addressing a real gap in the market. There is no way that a business person starting out can maintain all the contacts and links with financial organizations needed to get the best deal. As any small business person will tell you, you’re so busy wearing all these different hats trying to get things off the ground or move things to the next level you just run out of hours in the day to find the money to fund it all. And yet it’s the most important step!”
With Lochroe’s help Melanie can now concentrate on what she does best – providing specialist paint to fanatical model builders and restoration buffs around the world.
If you are ever in near of specialist paint call Vintage Paints on 01902 843444 or check out their website www.vintagepaint.com And if you’re ever in need of finance call Lochroe on 0845 257 7888