Stockport entrepreneur uses £25k loan to launch digital consultancy

An entrepreneur in Stockport has used five-figure funding to launch his own digital consultancy.

Simon Fuller founded Elegant Digital with £25k secured through Stockport Council’s Business Finance Scheme.

The company’s digital consultancy services, targeting both agencies and clients, will centre on modern technologies and marketing methods.

Elegant has already worked on several partner projects and is currently overseeing the development of a refreshed online presence for operational consultancy Newton Europe.

Simon’s career over the last decade has seen him lead on web and app development at several agencies, including Attercopia, The Raft and TBWA.

To drive his consultancy forward, he employed Dan Crowley as head of relationships. Plans are in place to expand the team to five by the end of the year.

Th Stockport Business Finance Scheme provided the funding through GC Business Finance, North West delivery partner of the Government’s national £310m Start Up Loans programme.

Simon commented: “The starting capital from GC Business Finance and the support from Stockport Council meant that we were able to invest in and focus on doing the work, rather than struggling to get and up running.

“Having worked both client and agency side, we know that marketing agencies are at their best when they are being creative and strategic and we’re here to help them do that, by taking care of the practical and tactical side of building a great online presence.”

GC Business Finance senior loan manager Andrew Nicholls said: “Simon is at the forefront of a real trend in the digital sector which is seeing talented and experienced people setting up and growing their own boutique agencies.

“Thanks to services like Start Up Loans, the funding is available to enable him to build Elegant Digital into a really successful and thriving business that is expanding and creating employment for others.”

Caroline Simpson, Stockport Council’s Corporate Director for Place, said: “I’m delighted to see Elegant Digital thrive thanks to the Stockport Business Finance Scheme.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Simon to help his business grow sustainably whilst he expands his consultancy. The Stockport Business Finance Scheme is a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurs to start up a new business or expand a current one, whilst creating new jobs and boosting the economy across the region.”

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