Business Central

Business

Central

The monthly guide to business in

North Lanarkshire!

In this issue:An Internet business founder

aged 19 talks to us!

Performing and teaching in the

music industry - why it’s cool to

play guitar

Business Gateway North

Lanarkshire talk to us

Setting up a brand new film pro-

ducing business in 2014

Contents Page:

Page 3:

Andy McLaughlan talks about his guitar studio and

his life in music.

Page 4:

Film producer John Rae discusses his budding

business and why he chose to go rogue.

Page 6:

19-year-old Adam Cairns shows us how he started

his own online clothing business.

2

Page 8:

Business Gateway

Back Page:

What’s in the next issue of Business Central!

“Success is often achieved by those who don’t

know that failure is inevitable.”

- Coco Chanel

3

School of Rock!

ANDY McLaughlan runs a guitar workshop in

Wishaw, North Lanarkshire. Teaching people of all

ages to play the guitar and also working on his own

musical projects, Andy has a very busy lifestyle.

The Wishaw Music Centre is co-run by Andy who

has had years of experience in the music industry.

He has worked with several musicians such as Tom

Hess and Greg Howe. He helps teach at the music

centre but also works on his own musical solo proj-

ects. His previous work includes a composition on

the CD ‘Sonic Bridges.’ The balance between teach-

ing and performing is tricky but Andy appears to

enjoy the latter more: “Probably playing it more. I

do enjoy teaching though.”

Setting up a business that revolves around your pas-

sion is always risky but Andy is certain that although

he enjoys music, the music centre is primarily a

business.

Wishaw is a large town in North Lanarkshire but its

high street has suffered a lot in the past five years. A

lot of the independent businesses previously seen on

Main Street are now gone. Extensive road works on

a lot of the roads running through the heart of the

town have resulted in travel routes being closed for

months, making businesses suffer.

Andy’s business is positioned on Wishaw Main

Street but it is doing well. He enjoys teaching people

the instrument but is also aiming to succeed with the

business: “It’s a business, we’re trying to make

money but it’s enjoyable as well. We enjoy playing

guitars and that’s part of it.”

Andy has performed for the BBC and has also

played at T in the Park. He was inspired by guitarist

Slash from Guns N Roses to start playing the instru-

ment. When working with younger people, Andy

uses this to encourage more to take up guitar lessons:

“You can be cool if you play guitar. We show the

kids that it’s cool playing the guitar, we introduce

them to those guys [Slash and Jimmy Page] and that

usually works.”

He is currently working on his own projects as well

as teaching at the workshop; he will be releasing an

EP soon named ‘Chunga’s Revenge’ and is planning

on working on several projects with other bands.

Andy believes that learning to play any instrument is

a great hobby and a valuable skill to obtain: “Defi-

nitely, 100%. It’s just a good thing for people to do,

especially young people.”

The Wishaw Music Centre is the only one of its

kind in the town. It has expanded from once a week

sessions in the local library, to a proper independent

business with its own premises on Main Street.

Andy’s enthusiasm for teaching and performing

comes through in his speech, he is genuinely pas-

sionate about music and thinks guitar lessons are a

great way to get children and teenagers interested.

When asked what music means to him, Andy added:

“It means a lot… Music has become a part of my

life. It’s like a passion; some people enjoy painting, I

enjoy playing and teaching guitar.”

Andy regularly posts free lessons and videos on his

website as part of his blog for people who are inter-

ested in getting into the music industry or for people

who are even just looking for a new hobby and be-

lieve that the guitar is the right instrument for them.

He also publishes interviews and discussions with

other musicians on his website on a number of sub-

jects related to teaching and hosting guitar lessons.

For more, visit Andy’s website www.andymclaugh-

lan.com or to book your own set of guitar lessons

from him, visit www.wishawguitarlessons.co.uk

Andy McLaughlan discusses his two passions; music

and teaching.

By Rebecca Ryan

“You can be cool if you play guitar.”

Starting up from Scratch...John Rae talks about setting up a film production company, social networking and starting a business today.

STARTING up a new business after the economic downturn is a risky

move but one that is encouraged by the Government. Despite signs of re-

covery, the British economy is still a major factor when it comes to putting

off potential entrepreneurs.

Shops in local high streets lie empty and a lot of the independent busi-

nesses that make each town unique are now gone. The economy is now

showing more positive signs or growth and more and more people are tak-

ing the plunge and starting up their own businesses.

John Rae is the co-founder of a film production company, which only

started up in January. RBA Films has officially been up and running since

January this year but John has been working freelance in film production

for five years, gathering contacts and clients who he could now help

through the new business. Because of this, John’s experience when setting

up the business went without difficulty: “I’d taught myself Word Press over

the Christmas period to create the website, we already had a slate of

clients.”

Setting up your own business is a major step that can have huge benefits if

it goes well. John’s business is based in the West of Scotland, an area hit

hard by the 2008 recession where the unemployment levels remain high.

One of the main reasons why John decided now was the time to start his

own production company was because of bad experiences working at simi-

lar businesses: “I’d experienced a lot of frustration working within various

institutions and felt that my work was being compromised.”

Having years of experience in film production gave John the confidence to

start up his own business and focus on not making the mistakes he felt

other companies had made. Another factor in this decision was the possibil-

ity of making more money when starting an independent company.

Film production in Scotland is a relatively niche market so John’s decision

to create another company was a big decision. While working for other

companies, he felt he would be financially better off if he worked inde-

pendently: “My work was generating significant revenue for the institutions

I was involved with.”

Social media has become a vital tool for many business owners for raising

awareness and finding new potential clients and customers. Because John

had already worked in the film production industry, he already had numer-

ous contacts and even a few clients, but social networking was still neces-

sary: “I’ve not had any problems raising awareness. Words filtered out

within the industry due to the fact it’s quite a small community within Scot-

land. The major trick will be raising awareness amongst media buying

firms and the various outlets we’ve identified as potential clients. Twitter is

an excellent device in this respect.”

A lot of businesses, new and old, are using Facebook and Twitter to expand

and develop their work. The rise in popularity of social media with busi-

nesses means that companies of all shapes and sizes can very easily find

their target market and advertise and alert customers to new developments.

RBA Films has only been active for three months but Twitter has given the

budding business a new platform for finding clients.

Since January, RBA Films has gained almost 500 followers including blog-

gers, journalists, marketing agencies and people within the film industry

such as composers, actors and artists. This provides the business with a

huge supply of customers or even people just willing to spread information

about them to other people who may be interested in working with them.

The film production industry in Scotland is relatively small but growing.

Business owners like John prove that there is still room for new companies

to take hold in this industry and expand it. John’s advice for people consid-

ering getting into the industry is: “Keep your clients happy, give 100% to

your projects, be efficient and always deliver on time. It’s actually fairly

simple.” It has been predicted that by the end of 2014 the economy and em-

ployment in Britain will be back up to levels seen before the market crash

in 2008. This will hopefully mean that more people who have been consid-

ering starting up their own company will take the risk and bring a boost to

local economies across the country.

4

Starting up from Scratch...John Rae talks about setting up a film production company, social networking and starting a business today.

STARTING up a new business after the economic downturn is a risky

move but one that is encouraged by the Government. Despite signs of re-

covery, the British economy is still a major factor when it comes to putting

off potential entrepreneurs.

Shops in local high streets lie empty and a lot of the independent busi-

nesses that make each town unique are now gone. The economy is now

showing more positive signs or growth and more and more people are tak-

ing the plunge and starting up their own businesses.

John Rae is the co-founder of a film production company, which only

started up in January. RBA Films has officially been up and running since

January this year but John has been working freelance in film production

for five years, gathering contacts and clients who he could now help

through the new business. Because of this, John’s experience when setting

up the business went without difficulty: “I’d taught myself Word Press over

the Christmas period to create the website, we already had a slate of

clients.”

Setting up your own business is a major step that can have huge benefits if

it goes well. John’s business is based in the West of Scotland, an area hit

hard by the 2008 recession where the unemployment levels remain high.

One of the main reasons why John decided now was the time to start his

own production company was because of bad experiences working at simi-

lar businesses: “I’d experienced a lot of frustration working within various

institutions and felt that my work was being compromised.”

Having years of experience in film production gave John the confidence to

start up his own business and focus on not making the mistakes he felt

other companies had made. Another factor in this decision was the possibil-

ity of making more money when starting an independent company.

Film production in Scotland is a relatively niche market so John’s decision

to create another company was a big decision. While working for other

companies, he felt he would be financially better off if he worked inde-

pendently: “My work was generating significant revenue for the institutions

I was involved with.”

Social media has become a vital tool for many business owners for raising

awareness and finding new potential clients and customers. Because John

had already worked in the film production industry, he already had numer-

ous contacts and even a few clients, but social networking was still neces-

sary: “I’ve not had any problems raising awareness. Words filtered out

within the industry due to the fact it’s quite a small community within Scot-

land. The major trick will be raising awareness amongst media buying

firms and the various outlets we’ve identified as potential clients. Twitter is

an excellent device in this respect.”

A lot of businesses, new and old, are using Facebook and Twitter to expand

and develop their work. The rise in popularity of social media with busi-

nesses means that companies of all shapes and sizes can very easily find

their target market and advertise and alert customers to new developments.

RBA Films has only been active for three months but Twitter has given the

budding business a new platform for finding clients.

Since January, RBA Films has gained almost 500 followers including blog-

gers, journalists, marketing agencies and people within the film industry

such as composers, actors and artists. This provides the business with a

huge supply of customers or even people just willing to spread information

about them to other people who may be interested in working with them.

The film production industry in Scotland is relatively small but growing.

Business owners like John prove that there is still room for new companies

to take hold in this industry and expand it. John’s advice for people consid-

ering getting into the industry is: “Keep your clients happy, give 100% to

your projects, be efficient and always deliver on time. It’s actually fairly

simple.” It has been predicted that by the end of 2014 the economy and em-

ployment in Britain will be back up to levels seen before the market crash

in 2008. This will hopefully mean that more people who have been consid-

ering starting up their own company will take the risk and bring a boost to

local economies across the country.

By Rebecca Ryan

“I’d experienced a lot of frustration

working within various institutions

and felt that my work was being

compromised.”

5

INTERNET businesses have grown significantly in the past five years. When high street stores close, online com-

panies flourish. They have often been blamed for the fall in popularity of high streets across the country but it can-

not be avoided that the Internet has became a major platform for entrepreneurs.

Adam Cairns is a 19-year-old who has been running his own online clothing business for the past six months.

Scallywag Apparel provides young people with a unique style of t-shirts, hats and jumpers that are completely dif-

ferent from other mainstream designs.

Stepping into the British clothing market is a major move, especially since it is one of the biggest commercial in-

dustries in the country. An already diverse sector, clothing and fashion are noticeably difficult areas to start up a

business from scratch in. Adam realised there was an almost lazy attitude in big clothing companies: “I was notic-

ing a lack of properly thought out and well done art on garments now. What people are currently wearing now is

the brand name.”

This was what encouraged Adam to start up Scallywag. Bringing a new angle to young people’s clothing, he has

found his niche market. Finding a small and unexplored area is crucial in surviving the first six months of active

business. Adam knew that he would have to work hard and prove his capabilities early on to attract new customers:

“Bigger brands can get away with poorly designed clothes because they’re already established as fashionable, no

matter what products they put on the market.”

The products available on the Scallywag website consist of Adam’s own designs including the Mutiny collection

which features t-shirts with a unique nautical theme. One of the challenges entrepreneurs face is keeping cus-

tomers interested in their product. Adam regularly posts on social media sites about new designs and regularly

hosts competitions on Facebook to attract more customers. All of this proves to be hard work, but worth it: “It’s

continuously a lot of work, so the setup was the same, but I do it because I enjoy it.”

Adam’s business is now six months old and the business has already expanded slightly. Initially Scallywag sold t-

shirts, now it sells jumpers, hats and other accessories with more designs being released each season. Adam’s de-

signs can even be bought just as wall prints. His confidence in setting up this business was crucial: “There will

always be a need for clothing – I just feel I can do it better than what is currently available.”

Scallywag’s target market tends to be teenagers and young adults, the models used for the website are all in this

age bracket but Adam insists that if people really like his work they can wear his product. It is a relatively new

business but Adam has a positive attitude towards keeping the company afloat, his plan is to “Just keep producing

new ideas and see where it goes!”

Internet businesses are now considered more popular and economically viable than opening up a store. In the av-

erage high street, there are more empty lots than open and functioning independent businesses. The Internet is usu-

ally sited as the cause of this but many business owners consider it to be a lifeline. Their businesses can still

operate without the risk of closure due to rent costs.

Social media has proven to be a vital promotional tool for many large and small businesses. It provides a free plat-

form for advertisement but because Adam is running Scallywag Apparel almost by himself, he finds it very diffi-

cult to track all aspects of his business. Adam’s story is a prime example of taking a major risk to set up an

independent company and hoping it all works. For six months now Scallywag has worked well and Adam’s usage

of social networks has proven vital in making people aware about his new products: “It’s definitely not easy as I

have to deal with design, promotion, advertising, social media, emails, orders etc – but it’s worth it and it’s what I

like doing.”

You can see Adam’s products on www.scallywagapparel.co.uk

From Student to

Scallywag...Adam Cairns discusses how he created his own

internet business aged 19.

6

By Rebecca Ryan

“There will always be a need for clothing -

I just feel I can do it better than what is

currently available.”

INTERNET businesses have grown significantly in the past five years. When high street stores close, online com-

panies flourish. They have often been blamed for the fall in popularity of high streets across the country but it can-

not be avoided that the Internet has became a major platform for entrepreneurs.

Adam Cairns is a 19-year-old who has been running his own online clothing business for the past six months.

Scallywag Apparel provides young people with a unique style of t-shirts, hats and jumpers that are completely dif-

ferent from other mainstream designs.

Stepping into the British clothing market is a major move, especially since it is one of the biggest commercial in-

dustries in the country. An already diverse sector, clothing and fashion are noticeably difficult areas to start up a

business from scratch in. Adam realised there was an almost lazy attitude in big clothing companies: “I was notic-

ing a lack of properly thought out and well done art on garments now. What people are currently wearing now is

the brand name.”

This was what encouraged Adam to start up Scallywag. Bringing a new angle to young people’s clothing, he has

found his niche market. Finding a small and unexplored area is crucial in surviving the first six months of active

business. Adam knew that he would have to work hard and prove his capabilities early on to attract new customers:

“Bigger brands can get away with poorly designed clothes because they’re already established as fashionable, no

matter what products they put on the market.”

The products available on the Scallywag website consist of Adam’s own designs including the Mutiny collection

which features t-shirts with a unique nautical theme. One of the challenges entrepreneurs face is keeping cus-

tomers interested in their product. Adam regularly posts on social media sites about new designs and regularly

hosts competitions on Facebook to attract more customers. All of this proves to be hard work, but worth it: “It’s

continuously a lot of work, so the setup was the same, but I do it because I enjoy it.”

Adam’s business is now six months old and the business has already expanded slightly. Initially Scallywag sold t-

shirts, now it sells jumpers, hats and other accessories with more designs being released each season. Adam’s de-

signs can even be bought just as wall prints. His confidence in setting up this business was crucial: “There will

always be a need for clothing – I just feel I can do it better than what is currently available.”

Scallywag’s target market tends to be teenagers and young adults, the models used for the website are all in this

age bracket but Adam insists that if people really like his work they can wear his product. It is a relatively new

business but Adam has a positive attitude towards keeping the company afloat, his plan is to “Just keep producing

new ideas and see where it goes!”

Internet businesses are now considered more popular and economically viable than opening up a store. In the av-

erage high street, there are more empty lots than open and functioning independent businesses. The Internet is usu-

ally sited as the cause of this but many business owners consider it to be a lifeline. Their businesses can still

operate without the risk of closure due to rent costs.

Social media has proven to be a vital promotional tool for many large and small businesses. It provides a free plat-

form for advertisement but because Adam is running Scallywag Apparel almost by himself, he finds it very diffi-

cult to track all aspects of his business. Adam’s story is a prime example of taking a major risk to set up an

independent company and hoping it all works. For six months now Scallywag has worked well and Adam’s usage

of social networks has proven vital in making people aware about his new products: “It’s definitely not easy as I

have to deal with design, promotion, advertising, social media, emails, orders etc – but it’s worth it and it’s what I

like doing.”

You can see Adam’s products on www.scallywagapparel.co.uk

7

8

Getting StartedHow Business Gateway helps people build their busi-

ness and sustain those already up and running.

By Rebecca Ryan

THE recession in 2008 not only hit business owners financially but it greatly affected their confi-

dence. Nearly six years later, with the light now visible at the end of the tunnel, people are begin-

ning to take more business risks. Business Gateway is a nation-wide institution which specifically

helps business owners.

The advisory service is available to both long-term business owners and people who are consider-

ing starting one up. In North Lanarkshire, where the recession hit some towns such as Motherwell

very hard, the local high street now looks very grim compared to pre-recession times. Graeme

Currie from Business Gateway outlined some of the aspects of setting up and maintaining a busi-

ness that they help with: “We are an advisory service. It’s about market research to check there is a

market for your business – it’s advice, not opinion.”

Carrying out market research to establish a potential niche customer area is crucial when deter-

mining whether or not a new business can survive in the long run. Business Gateway has several

offices in Lanarkshire where people can schedule appointments to speak to people about their

business and what can make it more successful.

The service provides advice about all areas of business, including working with technology and

improving a business’ finances. Despite Business Gateway being a national organisation with of-

fices all over the country, Graeme argues that each person gets different advice and treated differ-

ently: “Each individual client will get something ever so slightly different. Each person that comes

in the door gets a service that is bespoke to them.”

A lot of local, independent businesses struggle to keep up with the low prices and wide range of

products sold by national chains and brands. Supermarkets are often cited as the main culprits for

this. Financial advice may not be able to solve this problem completely, but in some cases it is

able to relieve the pressure on business owners.

Business Gateway has no grant funding and cannot give out financial relief. It purely deals in ad-

visory matters but argues this provides business owners with long term assistance, rather than a

temporary financial incentive to keep them afloat for another month. Offices regularly hold busi-

ness workshops for local entrepreneurs to attend and learn about things such as promoting a busi-

ness through social media or marketing. Graeme argues that these workshops play a huge part in

the advice that Business Gateway gives to people: “There’s a range of workshops that are avail-

able to them and are very helpful.”

Business Gateway has several offices in Lanarkshire, including one in Motherwell. Its aim is to

have locations across Scotland to make sure local businesses across the country have an advisory

service close to them in case they need help. For more information, visit www.bgateway.com

99

THE recession in 2008 not only hit business owners financially but it greatly affected their confi-

dence. Nearly six years later, with the light now visible at the end of the tunnel, people are begin-

ning to take more business risks. Business Gateway is a nation-wide institution which specifically

helps business owners.

The advisory service is available to both long-term business owners and people who are consider-

ing starting one up. In North Lanarkshire, where the recession hit some towns such as Motherwell

very hard, the local high street now looks very grim compared to pre-recession times. Graeme

Currie from Business Gateway outlined some of the aspects of setting up and maintaining a busi-

ness that they help with: “We are an advisory service. It’s about market research to check there is a

market for your business – it’s advice, not opinion.”

Carrying out market research to establish a potential niche customer area is crucial when deter-

mining whether or not a new business can survive in the long run. Business Gateway has several

offices in Lanarkshire where people can schedule appointments to speak to people about their

business and what can make it more successful.

The service provides advice about all areas of business, including working with technology and

improving a business’ finances. Despite Business Gateway being a national organisation with of-

fices all over the country, Graeme argues that each person gets different advice and treated differ-

ently: “Each individual client will get something ever so slightly different. Each person that comes

in the door gets a service that is bespoke to them.”

A lot of local, independent businesses struggle to keep up with the low prices and wide range of

products sold by national chains and brands. Supermarkets are often cited as the main culprits for

this. Financial advice may not be able to solve this problem completely, but in some cases it is

able to relieve the pressure on business owners.

Business Gateway has no grant funding and cannot give out financial relief. It purely deals in ad-

visory matters but argues this provides business owners with long term assistance, rather than a

temporary financial incentive to keep them afloat for another month. Offices regularly hold busi-

ness workshops for local entrepreneurs to attend and learn about things such as promoting a busi-

ness through social media or marketing. Graeme argues that these workshops play a huge part in

the advice that Business Gateway gives to people: “There’s a range of workshops that are avail-

able to them and are very helpful.”

Business Gateway has several offices in Lanarkshire, including one in Motherwell. Its aim is to

have locations across Scotland to make sure local businesses across the country have an advisory

service close to them in case they need help. For more information, visit www.bgateway.com

Business Gateway Offices:

Coatbridge:

Atrium Business Centre, North Caldeen Road

Cumbernauld:

Cumbernauld College, Town Centre

Motherwell:

Motherwell Concert Hal, Civic Centre

East Kilbride:

East Kilbride Arts Centre, Old Coach Road

Hamilton:

Barncluith Business Centre, Townhead Street

Business

Central

The next issue is available in June!

With more North Lanarkshire business stories like:

Hearts and Flowers Jewellery - Creating bespoke, handcrafted delights!

Coping with the rise in internet business and adapting yours to cope!

And much, much more!