Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust

Craig Crosbie of Skidz Limited.

Even with a business plan, three years experience as a car salesman (having left school at 16) and a few thousand pounds saved up, Craig Crosbie couldn't find a bank willing to back his business idea.

Fortunately, PSYBT stepped in with a loan of £5,000 and Skidz Ltd was born in 1995, supplying car parts and accessories from a small shop. At the start it was tough as Craig tried to break into the more lucrative end of the market, selling car hi-fi, allow wheels and security systems. Craig says "If it wasn't for my business advisor, I might have thrown in the towel. But I stuck at it, learned to manage my time and my cashflow, and made those vital sales." Today, Skidz Ltd operates from it's own 6,000 sq. ft. building, has a turnover of £1.5 million and employs eight full-time staff.

How can we help?

The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust is a unique organisation supporting the passions and ambitions of young, would-be entrepreneurs in Scotland.

If you're between 18-25* and thinking of starting up a business in Scotland, the PSYBT can provide the basic finance and professional support to help you get going. And if you've already shown the initiative to go it alone, we can even help you expand your existing business!

* Where the applicant is disabled, we can sometimes extend eligibility to 25-30 year olds.

Support, Cash, Aftercare

Whether you want to be a sole trader, form a partnership or a limited company, we offer the support you need to develop your idea and build it into a realistic business. Our help is not just financial - you'll receive professional advice on researching your market, defining your goals and putting together a winning business plan. And once you're up and running, we provide aftercare support and access to training programmes, so you don't have to tackle the challenging first two years in business alone.

• Concerned your business idea won't be taken seriously because you're wrong?
• Been cold-shouldered by the banks because you're unemployed?
• Don't worry PSYBT can help.

Turn your business idea into reality

• Free and confidential advice on business start-up
• Help with your business plan and application for money
• A loan for up to £5,000 and in some cases a grant of up to £1,000
• Assistance with bookkeeping and accounts
• A minimum of 2 years aftercare from an experienced business advisor

The process is simple:
First contact your nearest Regional Manager and arrange a meeting to discuss your idea - in the strictest confidence.

Our manager will help you to prepare a business plan for review by an independent panel. When you feel you're ready, you will present your proposal at an informal interview and will learn, there and then, whether or not the PSYBT can back your idea.

If your application is successful you can collect your cheque within a week and start trading. If you're not successful first time round, don't lose heart: take the advice and guidance offered along the way and re-apply at a later date.

PSYBT has helped thousands of businesses to start-up successfully in Scotland. Give your nearest office a call or visit our website to find out what we can do for you.

www.psybt.org.uk
email firststep@psybt.org.uk
0r we're only a phone call away

Argyll and the Islands 01546 606 584

Borders 01896 750 900

Central 01324 483 300

Dumfries & Galloway 01387 266 644

Dumbartonshire 0141 578 0021

Edinburgh 0131 477 8000

Fife 01592 655 339

Glasgow 0141 334 8268

Highland 01463 702 559

Including Shetland and Orkney Inverclyde 01475 7310 246

Lanarkshire 01698 429 425

North Ayrshire 01294 315 120

Paisley & Renfrew 0141 887 1888

South Ayrshire 01563 544 602

Tayside 01382 205 000

West Lothian 01506 777 920

Western Isles 01851 810 876

Realise your full potential.
Learn new skills.
Build self-confidence.

PSYBT,
Mercantile Chambers 6th Floor
53 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, G2 6TS
Telephone : 0141 248 4999