Dive in with Jack, who shares insights on SME finance, cash flow strategies, and building resilient businesses in today’s uncertain economy.
Can you share a bit about your professional background and your journey as co-founder of Lovey?
I’m the Founder and CEO of Lovey, one of the UK’s fastest-growing SME lenders and brokers. We’ve built the business from the ground up into a trusted, high-performing platform that makes it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises to access the finance they need.
I started my career working in my father’s finance company, which is where I learned the fundamentals of lending and, more importantly, customer relationships. During that time, I saw first-hand how slow, traditional and heavily paper-based systems made it unnecessarily difficult for small businesses to secure funding. It just didn’t make sense to me, I knew there had to be a better way.
That realisation led me to launch Lovey (formerly Love Finance) in 2016. I started the business with very limited resources and no external funding. In the early days, I taught myself everything from digital marketing and analytics to building internal systems. Taking that hands-on approach allowed us to build a lean, efficient business model and gave me a deep understanding of every moving part.
Since then, we’ve grown consistently year on year. Our turnover increased from £4.7m (£48m in loans funded) in 2023 to £9.3m (£96m loans) in 2024, and then to approximately £19 m in FY2025 (£195m loans), representing 106% year-on-year growth. We’ve remained profitable throughout, now employ over 110 people, and have funded more than £400 million for over 10,000 SMEs across the UK.
In 2025, many SMEs faced rising costs, higher taxes, and economic uncertainty. From your perspective, how did these challenges impact small business owners?
For a lot of founders, 2025 was about staying steady rather than scaling. Rising costs and higher taxes squeezed margins, and uncertainty made long-term planning harder. Many business owners ended up working longer hours just to keep things stable. Unexpected costs became more common, and growth plans were often put on hold. Survival and stability came first. It was about protecting cash flow and making sure the business could ride things out.
Cash flow has been cited as the number one concern for most businesses. What strategies have you seen founders use to manage it effectively?
The difference is usually planning and transparency. Founders who manage cash flow well treat it as a strategic priority, not an afterthought. They forecast conservatively, build buffers where possible and understand their working capital cycle in detail. They know exactly when pressure points may arise and prepare accordingly. In uncertain markets, cash flow is not simply an accounting metric. It is the foundation of optionality. Businesses with liquidity have choices. Those without it are forced into reactive decisions.
Research suggests fewer SMEs are using external finance compared to pre-pandemic levels. Why do you think there is a gap between funding availability and business owners’ confidence?
A lot of it comes down to understanding. Many business owners still think finance only means going to a traditional bank for a loan. They are not always aware of the wider range of funding options available today.
There is also still a stigma around borrowing. Some founders associate debt with failure or losing control. In reality, when structured properly, funding is simply a tool. Used responsibly, it can support stability or unlock growth.
How can technology help founders gain better insights, identify risks, and make informed decisions for their businesses?
Technology gives founders access to real-time information about how their business is performing. That visibility is powerful. But data alone is not enough. The real benefit comes from interpreting it correctly and making strategic decisions based on it. Technology should support good judgement, not replace it.
What role does data-driven decision-making play in helping SMEs navigate uncertainty and spot opportunities?
Many SMEs do not struggle because finance is unavailable. They struggle because the full picture is not always clear to lenders or decision-makers.
Better insights and clearer data help founders identify risks early, present stronger cases for funding and spot opportunities they might otherwise miss. When decisions are based on solid information, businesses move forward with more confidence.
In your experience, what differentiates SMEs that remain resilient in turbulent economic conditions from those that struggle?
The businesses that remain resilient prioritise clarity and practicality. I believe success in 2026 will come from making informed decisions, maintaining strong cash flow discipline and building a business that can adapt quickly to changing conditions.
How has Lovey approached simplifying and improving the finance process for small businesses, and what impact has that had on your clients?
- We have focused on removing friction from the funding journey. By using Lovey, SMEs can submit an enquiry in 60 seconds, receive an eligibility decision within minutes and, where appropriate, access funding in as little as four hours. This speed is underpinned by disciplined underwriting, robust affordability assessments and continuous portfolio monitoring to ensure responsible lending at scale.
- That balance between automation and human oversight has made a real difference. Throughout 2025, Lovey maintained an industry-leading Trustpilot rating, reflecting consistently positive SME outcomes, transparent communication and a strong focus on suitability. This reputation positions Lovey as an established partner for SMEs rather than a purely transactional lender
Looking ahead to 2026, what trends or strategies should SMEs focus on to maintain cash flow and adapt to changing conditions?
The fundamentals still apply. Prioritise cash flow. Make informed decisions. Stay adaptable. Businesses that stay disciplined while remaining open to opportunity will be in the strongest position.
Finally, what key piece of advice would you give to founders striving to build successful, adaptable, and resilient businesses?
- Do not be afraid to fail, you should in fact embrace it. Every setback is an opportunity to learn and come back stronger which is how you succeed
- If you do find yourself in a situation where you need to borrow money, you shouldn’t feel ashamed to do so.
- Debt, when used wisely, is such an important tool for growing a business and is part and parcel of running a business.
A quote or advice from the author
Strong businesses are not built on optimism alone. They are built on clarity, disciplined cash flow management and informed decision-making. When founders truly understand their numbers, finance stops being a safety net and becomes a strategic growth tool.
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