Mural artist paints rosy picture for her future after funded business support

A Skelmersdale-based professional artist has shaped a thriving business creating mural artwork after receiving funded business support from West Lancashire District Council and Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub.

International artist Lisa Yates is turning her passion for art and painting murals into a growing business that not only brightens up the community but also inspires creativity in others. 

She set up her business The Mural Lisa in June 2024, having previously enjoyed mural art as a hobby. Lisa has since developed a reputation for transforming spaces with striking murals that range from large-scale public art installations to intimate, personalised illustrations for private and commercial clients.

Lisa is being supported by West Lancashire District Council and Boost; Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub, to give her the best possible chance of making the new business a success.

As a business startup, Lisa had no previous experience in running a business and had no formal business plan or strategy for her new venture. She joined Boost’s Flying Start service in July 2024 to help her address the challenge of putting her plans in place, and to focus on her sales and marketing, financial planning and cash flow management. 

Boost is Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub and is led by Lancashire County Council. It has received £2.6m from the UK Government for its current programme of business support through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund contributions of ten local authorities in Lancashire, in addition to funds from Lancashire County Council and the Department for Business and Trade.

Boost’s Flying Start service is for early-stage businesses and aspiring individuals with a great business idea. The service focuses on building business and financial acumen and the core skills to establish a new business and drive sustainable growth.

Through the Flying Start service, Lisa has a dedicated Boost business adviser, Alistair Clarke who has helped her plan out key areas of the business. She’s also attended a series of Flying Start seminars, including a marketing masterclass.

The support from Alistair has included devising a business plan, discussing her approach to sales and marketing and accessing new clients and sectors, especially schools and the NHS.

Among the services that she’s been able to access, Lisa is now also part of the Skelmersdale Ambassadors scheme and is on a peer-to-peer programme in West Lancashire that puts like-minded new businesspeople together to share their experiences.

Lisa said: “I’m passionate about creating murals to bring colour and imagination to dull walls but this is my first venture into self-employment and I’m really pleased there’s help and support available locally.”

Equipped with a clear business plan and vision, The Mural Lisa now offers key services including bespoke mural art and custom-designed murals tailored to specific spaces. Lisa also offers high-quality illustrations and an art consultation services. Based in the North West, she delivers a nationwide service, providing flexibility and scalability for projects of any size.

Most recently Lisa spent the summer working on a commission in Australia to create mural artwork at several schools and has recently been engaged by a Lancashire prison to brighten up a family meeting room and several outdoor areas.

Taking the business to the next level, Lisa hopes to expand her business into schools, the NHS, and through community and public arts projects. She also aims to grow her prison service contracts.

Councillor Melissa Parlour, lead member for economic regeneration and green growth at West Lancashire Borough Council, said: “I’m delighted we’re helping Lisa and all the other entrepreneurs in the borough that are looking to set up and grow businesses here.”