Name:
Richard Servranckx.
Age:
31.
What is your business called?
Inspired by Scotland.
Where is it based?
What does it produce, what services does it offer?
Everything we create is to showcase Scotland and share our passion for this fantastic country. We have three core elements to the business which include hosting small bespoke events for clients and visitors to Scotland (such as a Scottish beer and cheese tasting evening), organising major public events which have included the Duke Triathlon, Edinburgh’s Meats & Beats festival, Scottish Fan Fest and the upcoming Edinburgh Craft Beer Experience. We also create tailor-made programs for individuals and companies who want to discover Scotland.
To whom does it sell?
Our festivals have brought people from all around the world: We had more than 30 French visitors at last year’s Craft Beer Revolution who were celebrating a birthday and have hosted a lot of Americans keen to discover Scotland’s fantastic food and drink culture. But the majority of our customers are more local coming from Scotland and the north of England.
The tourism part of the business receives 70 per cent of its custom from Europe - from Lithuanian football teams to companies based in France.
What is its turnover?
In six figures.
How many employees?
Three.
When was it formed?
2017.
Why did you take the plunge?
My life has always been about finding the next challenge. I come from France and travelled the world from Australia to Jamaica before finding my home in Scotland. Once I decided to hang up my travelling backpack and settle in Scotland the next challenge was to set up my own business. Sharing my passion for Scotland with new people on a daily basis seemed to be the best way to thank everyone here for their warm welcome.
What were you doing before you took the plunge?
Experimenting with lots of different jobs. I’ve been an import export analyst, social media manager, a kitchen porter at Nandos and a business development manager for a major hotel group. When I arrived in Scotland, I joined a destination management company and learnt lots about Scotland while developing their sales abroad. My first foray into running my own business was when I branched out into creating small events and festivals with my first one being Craft Beer Revolution.
How did you raise the start-up funding?
Luckily my first event was successful enough to help kick-start the ones that followed. This would have been impossible without my friends who supported me by giving their time and knowledge to reduce my costs and I’ll be forever grateful to them.
What was your biggest break?
The Duke Triathlon, which launched in March.. I have now developed sports events as another aspect of the business. Triathlons are one of my personal passions.
What do you most enjoy about running the business?
Meeting new people and creating great partnerships is what drives us. We love working with people who have the same philosophy.
What do you least enjoy?
Administration and finance, but they are mandatory for a successful business. So I normally do them on a Sunday then it does not count as work!
What are your ambitions for the firm?
In the long term our ambition is to create more events with the purpose of showcasing Scotland. We are all passionate about food & drink so we want to contribute to The Scottish Tourism Alliance’s Tourism Scotland 2020 as well as Ambition 2030.
We believe that Scotland should be the next trendy destination in Europe so we will be focusing in the next few months on meeting foreign companies in order to attract them to Scotland for their next corporate trips.
What single thing would most help?
For Brexit to be avoided!
What could the Westminster and/or Scottish governments do that would help?
Provide more advice and financial help for young entrepreneurs to help them understand how to launch a successful business that they can be passionate about.
What was the most valuable lesson that you learned?
Relationships are so important and I have learned in the last few years that you need to carefully choose everyone surrounding you, from employees to business partners to suppliers. They will definitely be part of your success or failure!
How do you relax?
Sport. I normally play football once a week and squash twice a week as well as training for my next triathlon races. I really believe that sport is the best way to relax, think outside the box and create good relationship with friends and to make future friends.
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