Pictured above: Designer Jan Frost, John O'Reilly of emda, Mani Johan of FEBA and Lynn Lawless of Wild & Lawless

One year since receiving a Small Loan For Business to help launch two dancewear brands, a Hinckley-based company is creating the stage costumes for Britain's Got Talent winners Diversity, for their appearance at the Royal Variety Performance on Wednesday 16 December on ITV.

Pete Wildrianne and Lynn Lawson, who run the urban and dance clothing business Wild & Lawless, received funding to create an online store and promote their new LAW and DanceLaw brands at dance trade events in London.

Established by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and managed by the First Enterprise Business Agency (FEBA), Small Loans for Business (formally EnterpriseLoans East Midlands) is a sustainable source of funding which provides businesses and entrepreneurs with loans of between £3,000 and £20,000.

"Being approached by Diversity is the result of months of hard work promoting our business in the dance industry, and we're already looking at other collaborations with them, particularly for their UK tour early next year, said Lynn. "The funding from Small Loans For Business really helped us to launch ourselves into the dancewear market. We were able to exhibit at trade shows in London and made some valuable contacts there, including Diversity.

"We've enlisted the services of Theddingworth-based designer and manufacturer Jan Frost to fulfil this special order and have had several meetings and fittings with the dance group over the last few weeks. It's great to think that when the guys are dancing in front of the Queen and on TV, their stage outfits came from right here in Leicester!"

"I'm thrilled that Lynn and Pete's hard work and dedication seems to be paying off and that Small Loans for Business has played a part in helping their business ideas become a reality," said Quamar Zaman, Chief Executive of FEBA. "I hope that their story inspires more budding entrepreneurs with viable business propositions to contact their Business Link Advisor and find out about the support services available to them."

"If you do apply for a small business loan, you will get help and assistance with your application, but it's important that you are prepared and organised.  Getting your loan approved depends on how well you present yourself, your business and your financial needs."

John O'Reilly, emda's Business Support Director, added: "Securing finance to support your business through its early stages is often the biggest challenge for entrepreneurs like Lynn and Pete. This makes initiatives such as Small Loans For Business crucial and I am sure there are many other businesses with solid foundations and excellent people behind them, who could benefit from this fund."