Punny Business: Start Up Loans reveal the quirkiest small business names in the UK
What’s in a name? Quite a lot, it seems, especially when carving out a niche in the UK’s busy business landscape. Since 2012, Start Up Loans has seen a plethora of businesses with names that tickle the funny bone. From pun-laden monikers to clever wordplays, business owners know that before a customer steps through the door or clicks on a website, it’s often the name that catches the eye and sparks curiosity.
Here we unveil six of the punniest and most inventive names that have emerged from the Start Up Loans programme, showcasing the spirited side of UK entrepreneurship, including Baldy Lox Boutique, Dice Dice Baby, Dirty Harry’s, Hippy Hut Pottery, Moody Cow Nails and Ramen Electra.
Baldy Lox Boutique, Totnes, Devon
Stephanie Barber is the driving force behind Baldy Lox Boutique, a bespoke wig brand that’s redefining the conversation around female hair loss. The inception of Baldy Lox Boutique stems from Stephanie’s own journey with Alopecia Areata, which led to hair loss at the age of 17.
When confronting the emotional challenges of alopecia, she found solace and solidarity in an online community of women facing similar experiences. This sense of connection and support is now woven into the very fabric of Baldy Lox Boutique.
Dice Dice Baby, Shipley, West Yorkshire
In the heart of West Yorkshire, Ryan Troy has transformed a passion for play into Dice Dice Baby, the town’s premier destination for board game enthusiasts.
Within the walls of this vibrant store, an array of board games, gaming accessories and trading card treasures await discovery. It’s a place offering not just games but also a cosy spot for a coffee break and a treat.
Dirty Harry’s, Craigavon, Northern Ireland
Dirty Harry’s Specialist Cleaning Services, founded by the meticulous Norman Allen, stands as a sharpshooter in the world of specialist cleaning. Norman and his team take on the toughest of cleaning challenges, from crime scene and trauma clear-ups, to needle sweeps and hoarding interventions.
One of the first jobs the Northern Irish owner Norman Allen took on involved cleaning up a home with “perhaps a foot of free space from the ceiling down, but every other square inch of the home was filled with rubbish.
“When I made my way deeper into the premises, I realised I wasn’t alone and the eyes watching me belonged to more mice than I could count.”
Hippy Hut Pottery, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Meet Cally Jones, the creative force behind Hippy Hut Pottery, where the art of ceramics is celebrated through pottery classes. The whimsical name ‘Hippy Hut’ harks back to a glass and palette wood summer house Cally crafted in her garden – a project that earned her the affectionate title of ‘Hippy’ from her daughters.
Now, as the founder of Hippy Hut Pottery, Cally extends the warmth and eccentric charm of her garden creation to her masterclass workshops.
Moody Cow Nails, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
At the age of 27, TJ Bouchada took an entrepreneurial leap to establish her own business with a vision to reintroduce a touch of wellness to the nail care experience.
Her business, with its tongue-in-cheek name, certainly captures attention and sets the stage for a unique and private pampering session.
Ramen Electra, St Albans, Hertfordshire
When James Fraser was missing ramen during lockdown, he used his ingenuity to turn his newfound skill into a business opportunity.
James was working as the general manager of The Beehive Pub in St Albans when the pandemic hit in 2020. Unable to work, he taught himself how to make ramen noodles, and since they lend themselves to being cooked in large quantities, he began selling them to hungry locals and Ramen Electra was born.
Richard Bearman, co-chief banking officer, British Business Bank, British Business Bank: “Operating in a crowded marketplace demands creativity to stand out, and one effective method is choosing a business name with a great pun, or one that is funny. A memorable name can capture attention and ensure memorability —whether scrolling through social media, searching the web, or walking down the high street, it is one way to pique customer interest and introduce them to your business.”
Start Up Loans is a government-backed initiative that offers fixed-interest loans to budding entrepreneurs, aiming to fuel the growth of new businesses across the UK. The programme has been a catalyst for innovation and enterprise, delivering over £1.2 billion in funding to more than 120,000 entrepreneurs nationwide.