Danz Designz is the new business venture of young Moffat graphic designer Daniel Warwick.
Daniel is one of a number of businesses in Annandale and Eskdale taking advantage of the networking opportunity provided by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Inspiring Entrepreneurs events.
Aimed at 18 to 25 year olds in Dumfries and Galloway, these events encourage young people to develop their self-employment ideas. Experts in their field headline the events with workshops and lectures and the business owners get the chance to mingle with their peers, sharing experiences.
Daniel said, “When I graduated, I was convinced that to use the skills I had developed at university I would have to leave Moffat and live somewhere like Glasgow. I was fortunate that Job Seekers gave me a contact for Business Gateway who put me in contact with Lindsey Mason from the Council’s Young Entrepreneur Project.
“With the information from Lindsey I was able to set up my business over the summer. It was a great push for me to find out about grants and loans and I was delighted to find I could stay in Moffat and use my skill set straight away. Since I started in September I have had a lot of business, particularly from young start-ups looking for logos and branding. Some of that business has come from the Inspiring Entrepreneurs networking events. It’s also great to meet other young businesses facing the same challenges and to learn from the great guest speakers.”
Councillor Colin Smyth, Chairman of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee. He said, “Our Council is committed to supporting more young people into employment. The Young Entrepreneur Project was a first amongst Scottish councils and the figures for business survivals show that we are having some successes. We often lose our talent to the large cities, so I am particularly pleased that the advice and support from our Council’s Young Entrepreneur Co-ordinator has helped Daniel to stay in the region. ”
John Grierson, Chapelcross Site Director for Magnox, said, “We appreciate that there may be reduced prospects for employment for young people for long term careers in the area with the decommissioning of Chapelcross. Our support for this project acknowledges that change and helps young people find alternatives. I am impressed at the success of the networking events in attracting numbers of young people with a desire for self-employment. The events have obviously led to a number of business start-ups and to business contacts that they can benefit from in both the short and long term.”
Young business owners between the ages of 18 and 25 years can apply to the Young Entrepreneur Project for either a pre-start up grant or a start-up grant if their business is in the Dumfries and Galloway postcode areas of DG10 to DG16. In certain, limited circumstances support is available for business owners up to age 30.
To keep up-to-date with future events and find out about funding opportunities, visit the Inspiring Entrepreneurs Facebook page.
For more information contact Lindsey Mason, Young Entrepreneur Co-ordinator on 01387 260171 or by email at [email protected]
Businesses outside the age limits, but within the same postcode areas can enquire about funding from the CX Project.
For more information on the CX project contact [email protected]
Inspiring Entrepreneurs
Dumfries and Galloway Council is one of the first local authorities in Scotland to deliver a project which adds value to the work of other young enterprise support agencies including Youth Business Scotland. The project is targeted at young people who would like to take advantage of the opportunities offered by self employment. A package of support is available to anyone between the ages of 18 and 30 (subject to certain criteria) who is considering self employment or would like to find out whether self employment is for them.
Through the Young Entrepreneur project, would-be entrepreneurs can access:
•One to one advice and support with market research and business planning.
•Resources and support to write a business plan.
•A package of grant funding to help kick start their business idea.
•Access to low cost loans via Youth Business Scotland.
•A business aftercare adviser to support and assist them in the first two years of trading.
•Invitation to attend regular local Inspiring Entrepreneurs events offering training and networking opportunities.
•Signposting to Business Gateway workshops to learn business skills including bookkeeping and marketing.
For more information contact Lindsey Mason, Young Entrepreneur Co-ordinator on 01387 260171 or by email at [email protected]
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