Business in a Box

  • Key partners Vanarama, Metro Bank, Vistaprint, Just Vehicle Graphics
  • Provides ex-military with initial deposit for a new vehicle and
  • Help with marketing materials, social media set-up, vehicle signwriting and free business banking for one year

VEHICLE leasing company Vanarama’s Business in a Box helps ex-military personnel set up their own business when they start a new life in civvy street.

Vanarama, which signed the Armed Forces Covenant in May this year, launched the scheme – combining a range of products and services vital to people  starting their own business – at Aldershot Military Museum.

The company already reaches out to potential customers via its high-profile sponsorship of the National Football League.  Vanarama’s Business in a Box scheme is another example of its innovative marketing strategy and a win-win concept for Vanarama and ex-military personnel alike.

Along with Metro Bank, Vistaprint and Just Vehicle Graphics, Vanarama has launched Business in a Box, which takes away many of the costs and difficulties involved in establishing a start-up, with the aim of making life simpler for those ex-service people wanting to go it alone in civvy street

Vanarama MD Andy Alderson said: “As a business that deals directly with the construction SME sector we are constantly talking to people starting their own business and saw an opportunity to help make the start-up process easier for ex-service people taking the plunge into a new business.

“As well as the financial burden faced by everyone, ex-military can be presented with additional challenges when launching a new business start-up.

“These can include a difficulty in potential customers understanding their previous role in the armed forces, a lack of credit history after years living in the services, and a poorer knowledge of the up-to-date business skills needed to ‘sell themselves’ and market their new company.

A van is one of the biggest things for your business, but funding an asset of over £15k isn’t realistic when you’ve just left the services.  That’s why the support of Vanarama and the valuable business banking advice from Metro Bank will be so vital to those starting out

“By offering Business in a Box, we aim to help ex-military start-ups overcome these issues and run the thriving business of their dreams.”

As well as the initial deposit for a new vehicle which is key to many businesses, the Business in a Box will also include essential help with marketing materials, social media set-up, vehicle signwriting and free business banking for one year.  Many of the essential elements to help start a new company.

The launch saw a host of military personnel and dignitaries offer their support including Brigadier Hugh Robertson QVRM TD, Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Reehal, chairman of Aldershot Town FC Shahid Azeem, and Michael More-Molyneux, Lord Lieutenant of Surrey.

Alan Cooke, a Vanarama customer and ex-military man himself, who now runs his own successful firm AC Plumbing and Heating Services said: “I would have jumped at the chance of something like Business in a Box when I left the military.

“A van is one of the biggest things for your business, but funding an asset of over £15k isn’t realistic when you’ve just left the services.  That’s why the support of Vanarama and the valuable business banking advice from Metro Bank will be so vital to those starting out.”

Lieut Col Reehal added: “Our ex-servicemen already receive invaluable support via the Career Transition Partnership and X-Forces but it’s fantastic to see that some of the country’s successful business names are joining together to help our ex-military further.

“I’m sure that the Business in a Box will provide a massive boost to those that want to go solo once they’ve left the armed forces and help masses of truly talented people establish a business which will set them up for life.”

Vanarama is offering the Business in a Box product to ex forces personnel and those going through career transition. Applicants can find more information and apply via the Business in a Box website or by calling the team on 01442 838197

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