GARDENING duo, Aoron and Aidan Campbell, have been named Forth Valley’s top young entrepreneurs at the regional finals of the 2013 Prince’s Trust Youth Business Scotland Young Entrepreneur (PTYBS) Awards.
The joint founders of A Class Gardening Services in Stirling were announced as regional winners at a ceremony held at The Enterprise Zone in the Library of the University of Stirling yesterday.
The brothers were presented with a £1,000 cash prize by Stirling Provost Mike Robbins.
Aoron (22) and Aidan (20) Campbell started their garden maintenance and landscaping business in 2011.
The enterprising brothers had both worked in the garden landscaping industry, gaining valuable hands-on experience.
They took the bold step on the path to self-employment with assistance from Business Gateway in Stirling and funding from PTYBS.
Through effective marketing which has generated good leads, the pair have secured a large number of domestic and commercial contract wins including a contract to build allotment sites in the Raploch Estate.
A further application to the Trust funding panel earlier this year allowed them to purchase more equipment and future plans for growing the business include increasing their gardening contracts in the local area and beyond.
The runner-up is 21 year-old publican, Kirsty Hamilton, proprietor of The Pirn Inn in Balfron, Stirlngshire.
Kirsty was only 18 when she took over the Pirn Inn in 2010 making her possibly one of the youngest publicans in the country.
Kirsty was assisted in the early stages by Business Gateway in Stirling who then put her in touch with PTYBS to help with her plans.
When she took over the Pirn, Kirsty was determined to ‘bring it back to life’.
A key achievement has been her development of the entertainment side of the business.
Kirsty has brought in live bands and musicians, focusing on new performers, as well as local charity evenings, comedy nights and a very successful beer festival.
Kirsty is highly focused on managing her staff and investing in their development. Her determination, enterprising spirit and focus on customer care paid off recently when she won a Customer Service Award at the Prince’s Trust Moffat Awards in Glasgow.
Future plans include further staff development, bringing in new products and entertainment ideas, and continuing to promote the Pirn Inn in the local community. Kirsty was presented with a £500 cash prize and runners-up certificate.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Prince’s Trust Youth Business Scotland Forth Valley regional manager, Eddie Reynolds said: “Both these young entrepreneurs have exemplified determination, the will to succeed and the ability to turn a good idea into a viable business.
“They are great role models for other young people and deserving winners of these awards.
Provost Robbins said: “We are delighted to celebrate the determination and innovation of our young people by recognising and rewarding their achievements through these awards.”
Ends
Issued on behalf of Youth Business Scotland by Jen Nash, Panache Communications t. 07971 466 220 e. jen@panachecommunications.co.uk For further information contact, Prince’s Trust Youth Business Scotland Regional Manager, Eddie Reynolds on tel. 01324 483300.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About The Prince’s Trust
Youth charity The Prince’s Trust helps disadvantaged young people to get their lives on track. It supports 13 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed and those struggling at school and at risk of exclusion.
Many of the young people helped by The Prince’s Trust are in or leaving care, facing issues such as homelessness or mental health problems, or they have been in trouble with the law.
The Trust’s programmes give vulnerable young people the practical and financial support needed to stabilise their lives, helping develop self-esteem and skills for work.
Three in four young people supported by The Prince’s Trust move into work, education or training.
The Prince of Wales’s charity has helped 750,000 young people since 1976 and supports over 100 more each day.
Further information about The Prince’s Trust is available at princes-trust.org.uk or on 0800 842 842.
Aoron and Aidan Campbell
A Class Gardening Services
Business Tel: 07950 823 873 or 07557 478 865
Email: aclasservices@hotmail.co.uk
Kirsty Hamilton
The Pirn Inn
Business Tel: 01360 440678
Website Facebook@ pirninn10@gmail.com
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Contact: Jen Nash
Phone: 07971466220
Email: jen@panachecommunications.co.uk
Website: http://www.panachecommunications.co.uk
