Calpa Menswear

Business Requirement

Carl’s vision was to establish a unique, independent retail offering in Stirling at a time when many high street stores were closing. His goal was to create a niche destination for menswear shoppers and offer an elevated in-store experience with the convenience of e-commerce.

To launch successfully, Calpa required funding to cover the upfront costs of shop fit-out, stock purchase, marketing, branding, a rent deposit, and working capital for the first few months of trading. Carl also planned a strong social media and digital marketing campaign, including pre-launch promotions and mobile billboard advertising to generate buzz.

Securing the Business Loan from DSL Business Finance

Carl was referred to DSL Business Finance by Business Gateway and secured a funding package of £50,000, split equally between:

• A £25,000 loan from DSL Business Finance via the Investment Fund for Scotland (IFS)
• A £25,000 personal contribution by Carl and invested into the company as a director’s loan

The funding enabled Carl to complete the shop fit-out, purchase opening stock, cover branding and digital marketing expenses, and maintain cashflow during the critical early trading period.

Key Success Factors of Successful Loan Application

Several key elements contributed to the strength of Carl’s application and the decision to approve the funding:

• Local Market Research: Carl spent time monitoring footfall and understanding his target customer base. His location has no direct menswear competitors, giving Calpa a first-mover advantage in Stirling.
• Industry Experience: With a background in fashion retail and existing relationships with reputable clothing suppliers, Carl demonstrated both sector knowledge and operational readiness.
• Multi-Channel Strategy: Calpa’s combination of physical retail and online shopping through Shopify improves accessibility and revenue potential.
• Prudent Financial Planning: The business plan was carefully costed, with realistic turnover assumptions, a clear marketing plan, and contingency built in for lower-than-expected sales.
• Community Contribution: Calpa created a new full-time role at launch, with plans for additional part-time employment in year two, supporting Stirling’s local economy.

Carl Lamming, Founder, Calpa Menswear Ltd, said:

“Found Lesley to be very supportive and she patiently guided me through the process start to finish. There’s a lot of criteria that needs to be met, and as you go through the process, you can see that this is designed to ensure you are prepared and fully set up for your new life as an entrepreneur!”

Iain Burnside, Chief Operating Officer, DSL Business Finance, said:

“Calpa Menswear is a great example of a well-planned and thoughtfully executed retail start-up. Carl’s dedication, attention to detail, and understanding of his market are evident throughout the business. DSL is delighted to support a venture that brings independent retail back to Stirling’s high street and demonstrates confidence in the power of in-person shopping experiences.”

Investment Fund for Scotland

The £25,000 loan from DSL Business Finance was provided through the British Business Bank’s £150 million Investment Fund for Scotland (IFS), launched in October 2023. The fund offers loans from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investments up to £5 million. DSL Business Finance manages the Smaller Loans Fund, which provides loans between £25,000 and £100,000 to support growing Scottish businesses like Calpa.