#askSCOTT - Question 1 - Business Start Up

I've been in the electrical trade since 1992 and started my first business in 1996. Over the years I've been asked many business related questions from family, friends and colleagues, so #AskSCOTT is my new weekly question and answer post which I'm hoping will help provide helpful business information and advice to some readers.
​
If you have a business related question you think I may be able to help with then please email me.

#askSCOTT
Question 1 - How and when did you start up in business and with what funds?

It all started in late summer of 1996 when I had just successfully passed my electrical trade test after serving an enjoyable 4 year apprenticeship with Stirling based Alex Brewster Electrical.

After coming to the end of my apprenticeship and just about to start my tradesman's career 'Brewsters' were worried about their short term order book and as I was amongst their newest tradesmen it was procedure that I would be one of the first out of the door should they have to lay people off. I was told to look for another job and that I did but my attention quickly started to focus on working for myself.

So just a few weeks later and after sound and helpful guidance from my future father-in-law my self employment and business journey began. 

Many of you will be thinking at this stage that this would have been the point when 'Stirling Electrical Services' was born but for the first two years I traded under the name 'Central Appliance Testing'. This was because in the beginning I solely concentrated on carrying out Portable Electrical Appliance Testing but most of the people I worked for knew I was an electrician so it was difficult not to refocus on carrying out general electrical work and I changed the name to Stirling Electrical Services in 1998.

So my business journey began in October 1996 with a massive help from my father-in-law but I also received professional advice from Stirling Enterprise (STEP) who mentored my set up for the first couple of years and they also put me in touch with The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT). 

With guidance from STEP I was awarded a £2000 loan from PSYBT which was invaluable in supporting me in the early stages in setting up with a vehicle, tools and equipment and not forgetting the business essentials such as insurance.

Today, STEP still provide business start up and growth support and along with partner Business Gateway they should be the first place to call upon if you live locally in the Stirling area. 

in 1996 I hadn't set out to start up my own business but fate opened up the opportunity to me. Support from my family was a major source of guidance but there is information and support out there to help you get started. 

---