I design clothes just for curvy women with big boobs and The Sun gave me £5k to expand

FORMER fashion buyer Jayne Lasley used her Sun grant to design clothes for big-busted women – including a hit leather jacket which has taken the internet by storm.

After losing her job during lockdown, Jayne stumbled on her old university fashion design collection while clearing out her garage and decided to use it as an online style guide for curvy girls like her.

She set it up under her maiden name Fairlie and within weeks, her Instagram page had 1,000 followers clamouring to buy her designs.

She decided to go into business and was soon sending orders across the globe.

Jayne said: “As much as designing and developing the range after all these years makes me happy, it’s the feedback that really brings me joy.

“I’m so pleased that this 42-year-old mum of two has been able to start her dream business and can make ladies feel good about themselves.”

The Sun's £5k grant helped me get a new van and powerwasher for my bin business

I'm so grateful The Sun gave me £5k to boost my black businesses marketplace

Jayne has moved into larger premises in Paisley to cope with demand and, with the grant money, has been able to buy more stock and to launch new ranges, including her now famous zip-up leather jackets and evening dresses.

She said: “The Sun grant has definitely helped.”

Jayne Lasley:

Fairlie Curved
fairliecurved.com
Facebook: @fairliecurvedstyle
Twitter: @fairliecurved
Instagram: @fairliecurvedclothing

‘WE THINK OUR COMPANY IS UNIQUE AND WE ARE GOING PLACES. THIS GRANT WILL MASSIVELY HELP US TO ACHIEVE ALL THAT’

FOODIE Andrew Reid struggled to train as a surveyor when his college closed during lockdown and lessons were moved on to Zoom.

But the healthy microwaveable meals that he was preparing for himself and his girlfriend each week proved so popular with pals that he realised he could make a business out of it.

Andy Reid and chef friend Robert Noble have built a business selling healthy microwaveable meals

He and chef friend Robert Noble, 27, began prepping meals from their local rugby club kitchen in Glasgow but were soon cooking up to 700 each weekend and rapidly outgrew the premises and the cooking equipment.

The news of their successful application for a Sun grant came at the perfect time for the pair to taste success.

They have now moved into a former Chinese take-away where they are able to prepare meals and open a café.

Andrew, 25, said: “We believe our company is unique as our menu changes weekly and just as restaurants do themed nights, so does Prep To Plate.

“But we needed better equipment. Now things are really moving forward. This has helped us massively.”

Andrew Reid:

Prep To Plate
preptoplate.co.uk
Instagram: @prep.to.plate
Facebook: @prep2plate
Twitter: @preptoplate20

‘THANKS TO THIS MONEY, WE’RE NEARER OUR GOAL OF REDUCING PLASTIC WASTE AND DEVELOPING ENVIRONMENTAL ALTERNATIVES’

ECO expert Anthony Ajanaku set up his plastic waste management business in 2020 to develop planet-friendly ways to reuse single-use plastics.

The Cambridge-based firm is creating bespoke methods, including waste sortation units to capture different plastics, separate them and recycle them.

Engineer Anthony, 34, said: “Thanks to the grant we have been able to hire an apprentice research-and-development analyst to help us look at different plastics and find the best ways to convert them into reusable materials.

“We are also looking at buying a 3D printer to use recycled plastic to make things like phone cases.

“It is all helping in our goal to reduce the amount of plastic waste ending up in incinerators or landfill.

“We want to reuse, repurpose, remanufacture and refurbish as much plastic waste as possible and to develop environmentally friendly and sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.

“We are really excited, so thank you so much to The Sun and Camelot.”

Anthony Ajanaku:

Whistleplast
whistleplast.com
Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @whistleplast

THEO’S TOP TIPS

THEO PAPHITIS is one of the UK’s top entrepreneurs and the force behind big-name brands Boux Avenue, Robert Dyas and Ryman.

The TV Dragon roared his approval at the standard of our competition entries.

He said: “Small business owners never cease to surprise me. Judging the entries was so difficult as there were so many great ideas.”

Here are Theo’s top tips to get you started:

1. Believe in your idea and have the confidence to start.
2. Start small but don’t think small. Advertise online and use social media and you can reach anyone.
3. Made a mistake? That’s OK. Identify and deal with it quickly, then learn from it.
4. Always look for the next opportunity.
5. Join small business communities and network groups for support. You can talk to me at theopaphitissbs.com.