Newcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell, has today (5th December) visited award-winning local business owner, Andy Stephenson, to hear more about the success of his business start-up in its first 18 months.
Andy, a Newcastle North constituent, set up his business Weekend Box with the help of a £7,500 start-up loan from the Government-backed scheme, the Start Up Loans Company. Catherine was keen to visit his firm, and congratulate Andy on his success, as part of events to mark Small Business Saturday which is being held across the country on 6th December.
Weekend Box is designed to stimulate, educate and occupy children aged 3-6 by providing families with educational material. Boxes can be delivered straight to the family home once a fortnight. The boxes contain guidance and materials around four activities which include something to make, something to eat, something green and something to explore.
The business took on a Start Up Loan to help fund growth after three months of trading. As a result, Weekend Box grew to send 1,000 boxes in six months, 10,000 boxes in 12 months and 20,000 boxes after 18 months. The business is going from strength to strength, now employing a team of eight and aiming to expand further, with ambitious plans to deliver over 50,000 boxes in just the next 6 months.
Last month, Andy’s success was officially recognised when he won The Big Start Up Loans Competition 2014 – at a prestigious national awards ceremony held in London. The competition judges felt that Weekend Box Club was an excellent business run by a passionate and committed entrepreneur.
The firm was also commended for its ethical commitments – with everything in a Weekend Box either reusable or recyclable, and 95% of each box made from recycled materials.
Commenting on the visit Catherine McKinnell said: ‘I’m always keen to support local businesses, and particularly innovative new firms like Weekend Box. Andy has come up with such a fantastic idea and it was a pleasure to hear about his company’s growth and future plans.
‘We have so many excellent small firms in Newcastle, and Andy’s success over the last 18 months speaks for itself. But we can’t take our small businesses for granted, and that’s why events like Small Business Saturday are so important – to remind people of the importance of buying from local firms like Weekend Box.’
Andy Stephenson said: ‘It was great to show the local MP around the warehouse today and introduce her to the rest of the team that have helped to make Weekend Box a success so far.’
‘I look forward to hopefully inviting her back in the near future to update her on our progress.’