EALING is fast becoming a hub for entrepreneurs as thousands of people turn away from a 9-5 job to set up their own business.

New figures from the Start Up Loans Company shows that its scheme has lent more than £3 million to small businesses in the borough since the Government-backed scheme launched seven years ago.

A total of 402 business in Ealing – and more than 60,000 across the country – have received low-interest loans. The average loan size in Ealing is £8,900.

Miles & Mia is one of 402 start-ups to benefit in Ealing.

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Michaela Alexander launched it in 2016 after she noticed a lack of ethnic diversity in children’s story books. She received a £10,000 loan from the Start Up Loans Company to kick-start her business.

Miles & Mia A to Z is an educational, picture book that teaches children different letters of the alphabet in a fun way.

Her children, Miles and Mia, are the inspiration for the tales, based on their adventures of growing up in London.

Michaela said: “Since starting my business three years ago, I haven’t looked back. It’s been hard work at times, particularly in the early stages, but there’s no better feeling than becoming my own boss.

"My children have inspired my story ideas, so it’s extremely rewarding to be able to share these stories with other families across the UK.”