The MP for Bosworth, David Tredinnick, today welcomed local entrepreneurs Paul and Elestren Vassalli owners of Start Up business ‘Palestren’, to his constituency office to hear more about their business’ recent success.
Paul and Elestren Vassalli, Bosworth constituents, founded their online health, beauty and lifestyle business, Palestren, with the help of a £5,000 loan from the Government-backed Start Up Loans Company. They decided to start their own business after Paul was made redundant from his previous job in London. With a child on the way, Paul and his wife decided to make the move from London to Leicestershire to start their business.
Palestren are an online retail and wholesale business selling a range of health, beauty and lifestyle products. The husband and wife team source their products from various locations worldwide. Palestren are always on the lookout for new and exciting product lines. Paul and Elestren take on an average of one to two new products each month. Palestren also offer a supplier/retailer service, offering to source products via their extensive supplier network, from the ‘one-off’ item to bulk orders.
Palestren have plans to build up a network of account managers in the local area that will work on a commission basis selling Palestren products directly to local businesses.
Commenting on the visit, David Tredinnick MP said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy and have contributed greatly to Britain’s ongoing economic recovery over the past few years. Start Up Loans with their continuing assistance and mentoring offer new enterprises such as Palestren vital support in the early stages and I congratulate Paul and Elestren Vassalli on their success so far and wish them and their company well for the future.”
Elestren Vassalli said: “Here at Palestren we were thrilled to meet David Tredinnick MP to discuss some of our current and future products and our shared interest in herbal, homeopathic and alternative treatments.”
Paul Vassalli added: “We started our business just over six months ago after our 'Dragon's Den' moment with Kate Cowan and the Panel of Spring to Action who are a delivery arm of Start-Up loans. The whole process was straight-forward and the team were really helpful. The post-loan help and support, with seminars and events, by Start up Loans has been fantastic. Together, Spring to Action and Start-up Loans, have enabled us to realise our idea and our dream of a better life outside of London with our daughter. We look forward to working more with both companies and we are delighted to discuss our business with our local MP.”