A video gaming champion has proved she is no novice after receiving a business loan from Small Loans for Business (formerly Enterprise Loans East Midlands) to develop a computer game training company.

Kathy Zablotzky, 54, from Gainsborough, runs the Professional Gamer Training Academy (PGTA), which offers gamers online access to expert advice and lessons from experienced gaming instructors.

Established by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and managed by First Enterprise Business Agency (FEBA), Small Loans For Business provides start up and existing businesses with loans of between £3,000 and £20,000.

Kathy, who has previous experience in the gaming training industry and is a former video gaming champion herself, used the loan to purchase specialist gaming equipment and re-design her website. She employs five trainers in the UK, with plans to take on her first group of American trainers this year and promote her company on Youtube and Facebook.

"PGTA is a unique service," said Kathy, "because all instructors have to pass a final assessment before being allowed to offer lessons through the website. They are also taught how to structure training courses, which are rigorously tested before they are offered to gamers via the site.

"Unlike other companies, our rates are fixed, which, coupled with our stringent assessments, means that gamers are not paying over the odds for what may be a less than adequate training session.

"I couldn't have done this without the support from Small Loans for Business. With the economy as it is, it's great that the loan fund is there to help strong business ideas and their support has given me the confidence to build PGTA into a successful business." 

Offering advice for other budding entrepreneurs, Quamar Zaman, Chief Executive, FEBA, said: "Small Loans for Business is a sustainable source of funding which addresses the current difficulties of accessing finance that are faced not only by start ups, but by businesses that might need funding to help with opportunities to grow or become more competitive. 

"If you do apply for a small business loan, you can get help and support 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 help you start a business or develop an existing business is often the biggest challenge for people like Kathy. This makes initiatives such as Small Loans For Business crucial.

"I would encourage people with determination and viable business ideas to contact their Business Link advisor and find out about the support services available that could help them make their business propositions a reality."

Existing entrepreneurs or individuals who are thinking of starting up in business should contact Business Link on 0845 058 6644 or visit www.businesslink.gov.uk 

For more details about Small Loans for Business, telephone 0845 602 7355. 

For more information on the Professional Gamer Training Academy visit www.pgta-training.com