Sketching out success: C&S Design
At ART Business Loans, we have a mission to ensure businesses and social enterprises across the region can access appropriate loan finance that is tailored to their specific needs.
Here, we speak to Tim Johnson, Director at C&S Design, who secured a five-figure loan from ART in 2022, helping the business draw up plans for future growth.
The business:
C&S Design was launched in September 2019 by Founder and Director Tim Johnson. The business, which designs and manufactures eco-friendly backpacks, was over a decade in the making for Tim, whose professional background is in design and product development.
With a strong focus on sustainability and innovative design processes that create products made to last, C&S Design backpacks use natural, bio-degradable materials, and are handmade in the company’s own workshop near Delhi, India.
Tim is committed to ethical business practices and delivering community impact through his work. As the business has grown, he has taken the opportunity to support and work with local creatives, suppliers and contractors from the business’ base in Warwickshire.
The loan:
Following its initial launch to market in 2019, C&S Design attended its second major trade show in early 2020, supported by Tim’s personal investment of £10,000. This proved to be a vital launch pad for the business and within the first five months of trading, customer feedback was overwhelmingly positive and there were immediate requests for stock.
With more demand than supply, C&S Design needed a cash injection to help fulfil its orders and pursue continued growth. After his initial attempts to secure funding through traditional lenders were unsuccessful, Tim was recommended to contact ART Business Loans.
With the support of Graham Donaldson, Business Loans Manager at ART, Tim secured a loan from ART in 2022.
Tim says: “ART’s personal approach and sector expertise immediately set them apart from other lenders. I only work with people that I genuinely enjoy working with, and Graham had a deep understanding of both the operations and aspirations of the business – which made a huge difference for us, as a small but rapidly growing company.
My expertise and skillset is in product development, so Graham’s support was invaluable in helping me to better understand the financial needs of the business, and the process for submitting a funding bid. His mentoring and guidance helped me to secure crucial investment which not only met the business’ immediate needs, but also set us on course for future growth.”
The outcome:
Initially launched as a wholesale business, C&S Design now sells to independents across the UK and has an e-commerce site to support its expanding product range – which now encompasses travel bags, wash kits, pet accessories and socks.
The business has secured major partnerships with leading brands and organisations including David Hockney at Tate Britain, the V&A Museum, The National Trust, and the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, with more exciting projects in the pipeline – both in the UK and internationally.