Member Article

Transmit Start Ups in Government Pilot Scheme

DATE: 22 October 2013

TRANSMIT START UPS JOINS GOVERNMENT ENTREPRENEURS PILOT SCHEME

Gateshead-based Transmit Start-Ups, which specialises in loans for young creative entrepreneurs, has been given the green light to offer its services to older budding business owners who are over 30, as part of a national Government pilot scheme.

This opportunity will help Transmit Start-Ups increase its client base still further on top of its current achievement of £750k of loans awarded since the company was created in May this year. To date over 100 people who have needed essential, initial funding to launch their creative ventures have been supported. Transmit had previously only been able to offer funding to people aged 18 – 30.

The first loan within the newly extended age range has been awarded to 35 year old Paul Morales from Cullercoats who has launched a skate board business including a shop, skateboard lessons and school demonstration team. He decided on his enterprise to exploit the potential and growing market for skateboards and clothes from clients on his doorstep at the Links Skate Park, Whitley Bay.

Paul’s business has been launched against serious odds as just it was going to open originally he became ill and nearly died from septicaemia. He was critically ill in hospital for several weeks but is now fully recovered and at the helm of his Whitley Bay Skate Shop on Park View, Whitley Bay.

He said: “It is fantastic to have this financial support from Transmit Start-Ups. The loan will help me stock the shop and develop the website so I can attract clients from all over the country. As I have never been self-employed before the business mentoring will also be extremely beneficial.”

Damian Baetens, director, Transmit Start-Ups said: “Paul has overcome terrible personal challenges to launch his business. His grit and determination to succeed is clearly shown in the fact that he has been able to open his shop and has ambitious plans for further development. The market for skateboards and accessories seems to be booming at present so it is a perfect time to launch.”

Whitley Bay Skate Shop specialises in all the main brands of skatewear and boards such as Santa Cruz, Powell Peralta, Alien Workshop and more. It also caters for the growing demand for retro and vintage skateboards and clothing along with a selection of retro roller boots to coincide with the revival of roller discos and roller derbys in the North East. It is also the only shop specialising in Heelys on North Tyneside.

Paul Morales is currently sponsoring local talented skaters and has plans to help them do demonstrations in North Tyneside Schools to help ensure children skate safely. The schoolchildren will also learn how to do various tricks and jumps. Next summer he plans to launch a skateboarding competition on the Links skate park as well as trips to other parks around the region. Whitley Bay Skate Shop is open Monday – Saturday 10 – 5pm.

As well as his new business Paul has an extensive background in the creative industries as he is also an Artistic Liaison at The Sage, Gateshead where he looks after artists who are playing the venue from Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys to Roger Daltry of The Who. He is also a musician in a band called Hot Bullets of Shotgun and in the past has released two singles and supported bands such as Babyshambles, the Futureheads and Goldie Looking Chain on tour. In his personal life Paul has two children, Lola, 8 and Eva, 3.

Further information is available at the shop at 67 Park View, Whitley Bay, facebook.com/whitleybayskateclub or via tweet @whitleybayskate.

Nicholas Dear, Head of Partnerships for The Start Up Loans Company said: “Transmit Start -Ups works mainly within the creative industries, with an emphasis on the music and digital sectors. This, combined with their existing relationships with initiatives such as Generator and DigitalCity Innovation in the North East allows Start Up Loans to successfully support a growing and important sector outside of London. We look forward to continuing to work with Transmit Start-Ups as a strong delivery partner.”

Information on Transmit Start-Ups and how to apply for a loan is available on www.transmitstartups.co.uk.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Kay Wilson, kay@kaywilsonpr.co.uk, mobile 07985 276973.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Transmit Start Ups .