Shrink Wrapping Supplies

Eighteen months ago, Lola and her husband decided to pivot from property into business acquisition. They were drawn to businesses whose owners were looking to exit but didn’t have a succession plan in place. After a proactive outreach campaign, they connected with the owner of Shrink Wrapping Supplies. Discussions progressed positively and an offer was agreed upon; the acquisition process began.

“This is my first business acquisition. We looked for businesses that complemented our skill set, and Shrink Wrapping Supplies stood out as a great opportunity to build something long-term.”

Lola Johnson, Shrink Wrapping Supplies Ltd

Referred by a seasoned investor and mentor, Lola connected with Roxanne Goodman at Female Founder Finance at a crucial stage. Traditional funding routes had proved tricky, Lola’s lack of sector experience created stumbling blocks, and many lenders had rigid criteria she couldn’t meet.

Initially, she explored stock and invoice finance, but lenders were hesitant due to her limited trading history. That’s when Female Founder Finance stepped in to construct a bespoke solution.

With guidance and persistence, Female Founder Finance secured:

• A second charge mortgage on one of Lola’s investment properties through Together Mortgages

• Invoice finance with RBS to support day-to-day working capital needs

“Roxanne and the team worked so hard to unlock different funding angles. The mortgage route gave us a solid foundation, and RBS’s invoice finance now keeps us running smoothly.”

Lola’s legal support came from  Farringford Legal, another trusted member of the Female Founder Finance ecosystem. The introduction ensured a smooth, focused legal process which is crucial during a first-time acquisition.

Female Founder Finance regularly collaborates with Farringford Legal, bringing trusted legal expertise to the table for many of our female founder clients. 

Roxanne added “Sarah-Jane Bulter and her team are a joy to work with, knowledgeable and supportive. It makes it so much more streamlined for everyone in the process if your aligned with those you’re working with.”

Nick Butler, Founder & Legal Director, Farringford Legal (who looked after Lola), shared: “We are always excited to work on deals with Female Founder Finance, so we were delighted when they introduced us to Lola for support in the acquisition of Shrink Wrapping Supplies Limited.

 “Our work included drafting and agreeing an SPA, together with the negotiation and agreement of the related disclosure letter, security documentation in relation to the deferred consideration and all relevant ancillary documents.

 “We were able to work closely with the client to ensure the process was as smooth as possible, and our experienced team helped Lola navigate any challenges she faced during their acquisition.”

Lola faced a series of challenges typical for a first-time buyer navigating the acquisition process. From the outset, she encountered difficulties securing funding, especially with lenders who had strict eligibility requirements. “We were thinking we could get some stock funding, but unfortunately, that didn’t go through because we weren’t already in the industry,” she explained. Several alternative finance routes were also explored but fell through due to rigid criteria such as staffing levels or financial records that didn’t meet thresholds.

The nine-month journey was not without its setbacks, including delays from traditional funders. Despite the obstacles, Lola stayed the course thanks to the consistent support of trusted advisors. “Roxanne was great at looking at different opportunities, different funding routes… she was really patient and just didn’t want to give up on finding something for us.”

Roxanne Goodman, founder of Female Founder Finance, shared: “Supporting Lola through her first acquisition was such a rewarding experience. From our very first conversation, it was clear she had a bold vision - we simply needed to find the right structure to fund the purchase while making sure her business had the working capital it needed to thrive.

Like many women founders, Lola faced a few bumps along the way - but we tackled each one together, with clarity and confidence. That’s what this journey is about: finding smart, sustainable paths forward, even when things get complex. The outcome? A deal that truly works for Lola and sets her new business up for success.”

Now three weeks post-acquisition, Lola is focused on getting to know every aspect of the business and identifying areas for improvement. “We’re still finding our feet in terms of the business, but I think the route we’ve ended up with has been quite good,” she said. 

The funding package, which included a secured loan and invoice financing, has provided essential breathing room. “It’s helping us so far with managing cash flow, and it’s also helped us to actually complete the acquisition purchase itself,” Lola explained. Her current priorities include making efficiencies and enhancing the sales process to drive profitability.

Just a few weeks after completing the deal, Lola is already thinking about the future. “Bigger picture wise, we’re hoping to do another acquisition—something that would be complementary to this business,” she shared. Her vision is to grow strategically, using this first acquisition as a launchpad.

Lola’s journey through her first business acquisition highlights the power of the right support system. With funding arranged through a secured loan and invoice finance, legal expertise provided by Sarah-Jane Butler of Farringford Legal, and ongoing guidance from Roxanne at Female Founder Finance, Lola navigated a complex process with resilience. 

The acquisition of Shrink Wrapping Supplies stands as a brilliant example of how female-led collaboration can break down barriers and open doors to growth. At Female Founder Finance, we’re proud to have supported Lola every step of the way.