Female Entrepreneur Uses her Plastering Company for Philanthropic Aims After Securing Start-Up Investment

A Derbyshire based Female Plastering service, joins the industry after receiving a £3,500 Start-Up loan from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans through the Start-Up Loans Scheme by British Business Bank; the funds were used to buy the equipment needed to begin trading.

Overcoming her mental health barriers and attaining a qualification in plastering, Naima Ben-Moussa gained first-hand experience by volunteering in the local community. The entrepreneur, then successfully launched The Lady in Red Plastering Service in spite of prejudice among male builders. Described as the first local female plasterer in a male dominated industry, Naima has decided to use this to her advantage and target women who are more comfortable with female workers in their home. 

"In order to get my business off the ground I was referred to First Enterprise for a Start-Up Loan which has helped me to achieve my goals, which I never thought in a million years I could achieve. When I started to work with FE-EL The impossible became possible!"

After receiving funding from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans Naima began repairing the broken homes of women who had suffered from domestic abuse. This led her to start a crowdfunding campaign. Donations have now rocketed to over £70,000, and she is able to employee tradespeople to help take her business to the next level.

The business has inspired the launch of Rebuilding Lives UK - a charity that helps beneficiaries recover from domestic abuse; offering repairs to their house with the aim to rebuild the homes and lives of vulnerable women.

"First enterprise – Enterprise Loans have been supportive throughout and a pleasure to work with. When I began my journey with First Enterprise my adviser supported me throughout. 

Due to suffering with anxiety, PTSD, and past trauma I found starting the business very overwhelming. Once I explained my difficulties and barriers to the First Enterprise adviser his approach changed as he took everything into consideration and was extremely patient and kind, going the extra mile to put in extra work and time to support me. Additionally, he put me in touch with Steve Nelson from the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce, who still to this day continues to support me.

I am now the founder of ‘Rebuilding Lives UK’ and I feel like none of this would have happened if it hadn’t been for their support, I can’t thank them both enough!’

- Naima Ben-Moussa, Founder of The Lady In Red Plastering Service

"We have a long tradition of supporting female tradespeople working in male dominated industries. It’s been a pleasure to support Naima and to see how things have grown since accessing the Start-Up Loans funding."

- Victoria Copestake, Operations Manager at First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans

 

"We are proud to see Naima Ben-Mousa thriving since taking the step to start her own business. Start Up Loans is proud to support women in business, with 40% of our loans going to female applicants. We wish Naima every success as she continues to grow The Lady in Red Plastering into an inspiring philanthropic venture."

- Richard Bearman, Managing Director Small Business Lending, British Business Bank 

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