Digital Support Gains Rapid Growth with the Help of Funding
- Feb 10
- 2 min read
Co-founded by Lee-ann Cordingley, her husband Bertie, and their son, Oliver, the family-owned business brings a unique level of care and commitment to every project they take on at NotLuck.
Funded by Start Up Loans
£20,000 boost towards:
Hiring additional staff
Investing in new equipment
Exploring AI agents
Region: Nottingham
What does your business do, and how is it different from competitors?
We’re a digital agency specialising in:
CRM implementation
Web development
AI-driven marketing automation
We combine all of these capabilities under one roof, so small businesses don’t have to juggle multiple vendors for their websites, lead management, and follow-up processes.
Because we’re a family-run business, we bring a unique level of care and commitment to every project; we genuinely love working together and it shows in the tailored, personal solutions we deliver.
What inspired you to start the business?
We saw so many small businesses struggling with disjointed systems or missing leads because they didn’t have a proper CRM or marketing automation in place. That inspired us to launch NotLuck, where we could help SMEs streamline their day-to-day tasks and free up owners to focus on building genuine, profitable relationships.
What challenges have you faced, and how did the loan help?
Our biggest challenge has been keeping pace with rapid growth. Clients appreciate our integrated approach, so we see a continuous influx of new projects. Before the loan, we risked stretching ourselves too thin – especially since we’re committed to giving each client a personal touch.
With First Enterprise’s support, we can expand our team, maintain our family ethos, and invest in AI-driven solutions that let us handle more projects without compromising on quality or attention.
How is your background related to the business?
My (Lee-ann) background in operations management, including corporate banking in London, equipped me with strong analytical, budgeting, and systems-thinking skills – all essential for running a strategic, digital-first business like NotLuck. Just as importantly, I’ve always been driven by people and purpose.
NotLuck blends my experience in data-driven operations with a people-first approach, helping clients build efficient, values-led solutions that deliver real impact. As a family-run business, we share a deep commitment to both excellence and empathy.
Additional comments from one of the founders and our Investment Manager
“I can’t say enough good things about the experience. From day one, First Enterprise made the process transparent and supporting, taking the time to understand our vision of helping SMEs via integrated digital solutions. Our Investment Manager offered clear, tailored guidance, which made it easy to structure our loan application and present our growth plan.” Commented Lee-ann Cordingley, Co-Owner of Peppercord Ltd (NotLuck)
“Lee-ann and her family’s business growth plan really blew me away, the kind of support they’re offering to entrepreneurs is exactly what business growth should look like. It was a pleasure working with Lee-ann and I’m excited to see how far their business will thrive and grow!” Commented Lottie Naylor, Investment Manager at First Enterprise
First Enterprise is a responsible finance provider offering unsecured loans ranging from £500 to £250,000 to support both start-ups and established businesses across the UK Since 2011, First Enterprise has lent over £77 million to 7,305 businesses.
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