Enviro-Enterprise in practice

Anyone trying to pin Alice Whiteley down for a quick chat at the moment will have their work cut out. But then so has she. Founder of Loop, Alice currently spends most days instructing fitters and furnishers at her soon-to-open shop in Ealing, west London. She is passionate about her business – providing parents with a facility to buy and sell quality recycled children’s clothes, toys and equipment - and plans to open her first shop in three weeks’ time. This is the ‘proof of concept’ store – beyond that her plans are to roll out in London and then nationwide.

"I have been very busy since the School – finding my first premises, hiring staff, figuring out my branding and marketing, buying stock," says Alice. "It has been non-stop, hard work, but great, great fun."

Alice joined thirty other aspiring enviro-entrepreneurs for the QED Consulting School in July 2006. She recalls making some very useful contacts and enjoyed being with other like-minded people with similar ambitions in the environmental business field. The School sharpened her awareness of the skills she would need to plan thoroughly and then get things off the ground.

"The biggest hurdle I faced was convincing future landlords to allow me to rent from them. I was competing with the multiples in retail who have a track record, so I needed to demonstrate that I had a sound business proposition and could open successfully. It took a lot of perseverance but we got there in the end."

Loop is about to open on New Broadway, Ealing and Alice and her staff are already sourcing supplies from parents who would rather recycle their kids stuff than see it end-up eventually in landfill. Equipment is checked, especially if there is a safety issue and store visitors will be able to purchase items at a fraction of the original price.

"My advice to anyone thinking of starting a business in recycling or using recyclable materials is to get a place on this year’s schools. It will definitely be a worthwhile experience and could have lasting impact on your business."

For more information on Loop or the Entrepreneur Schools please call Amanda Edwards on 01302 761222.