Experiences

ML first came to HBV Enterprise in 2000, for support with his new company he was setting us. Applepie Toys Ltd is a wooden toy design and distribution business which is committed to producing quality toys at affordable prices.

ML had previously been a cameraman and producer, but after the seismic upheaval in the film industry from celluloid to digital film production, and the birth of his twin children, he decided to start a toy design business.

He had been a resident of Hackney since 1979, so HBV Enterprise was his first ‘port of call when considering the start-up of Applepie Toys’. HBV assisted with the development of his business plan and provided a loan for start-up capital of £10,000. He was impressed by the HBV team because of ‘their professional attitude and willingness to assist’.

ML thinks that best thing about going into business has been ‘being able to meet many, many interesting people and the responsibility and freedom to make our own decisions’. Applepie Toys has also received awards and media coverage in both the UK and abroad.

The easiest thing he has found about going into business has been designing good quality merchandise. Problems have included getting the products to a wider audience, which is getting easier because of increasing brand recognition and because they are now distributing their own products.

They plan to expand the business further, and will be seeking advice about this from HBV. One key piece of advice ML would give those starting up is ‘to be through in everything you do…professionalism is more of an attitude, rather than a qualification’.