Cash injection sets stage for marketing academy’s expansion

A Nottinghamshire-based marketing academy is set to expand after securing a £30,000 loan from the Community Investment Enterprise Fund (CIEF), delivered by BCRS Business Loans.

Touchpoints Marketing, founded by marketer Vic Taylor in 2021, will use the funding to scale up its operations.

Plans include moving part-time staff into full-time roles, launching a new portfolio of training programmes, and securing trademarks to protect key intellectual property.

Specialising in online and in-person marketing education for students, graduates and business owners, the Mansfield company works with clients ranging from universities to business groups.

The funds will also support attendance at business fairs, investment in new equipment, the publication of its first book, and maintaining cash flow while awaiting payments from institutional clients.

Taylor said: “Securing the finance from BCRS Business Loans has enabled us to put in place the changes we need to grow as a company, delivering marketing training which will enable the next generation of entrepreneurs to build businesses which have a positive impact on their communities. There is a large demand from people who want to start and grow their own business and need to understand how they market their offering, which is where Touchpoints Marketing can teach them the tools they need to grow.

“BCRS have a very personal approach to lending. I had a main point of contact throughout the process, and they took the time to find out what we were doing with the finances.”

Mark Savill, business development manager at Wolverhampton-based BCRS Business Loans said: “BCRS is a story-based lender, and we support businesses to make a positive social and economic impact. We look forward to seeing Vic and her team progress to the next level in their growth plans while enabling new entrepreneurs to create employment opportunities not only for themselves but for others, benefiting the wider economy.”

Funded by Lloyds Bank, Better Society Capital and managed by Social Investment Scotland, the £62m CIEF aims to back 800 small businesses and support over 10,000 jobs nationally.

BCRS provides loans between £25,000 and £250,000 to SMEs across the Midlands and Wales that can’t access traditional finance.