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Sarah Playfair is a tenacious 19 year old racing driver working her way up the ranks with the ambition of getting into Formula 1. She admits that raw racing talent is only a small factor in a driver's chance of success. Of more importance seems to be the ability to get sponsors on board and to do that a business approach is key. Sarah's business,
Black Widow Racing , has attracted backing from PSYBT and many others and this ability to acquire money comes from developing the skill to attract, and retain, backers and sponsors.

Sarah has a fascinating story to share about her progress to date. From the very early stages she realised the importance of a clear, business-like approach to her racing and cites Jackie Stewart as an influence. Come along and hear her story, and check out her website at: www.bwr-spiderweb.com . View more info about Sarah by clicking here: Sarah Playfair Biog

In addition, Scott Downie from Hungry Boy , a successful new media business, will give invaluable advice about the importance of brand and image in developing a credible business idea. Hungry Boy is an exciting young local business with strong branding - we love the logo so check it out at: www.hungryboy.com . View more info about Scott by clicking here: Scott Downie Biog

Come along and meet like-minded people and race through some food and coffee!

To book for you and your friends call Marion Murray on 01382 305580,
email marion.murray@scotent.co.uk or text TYN and your names to 0774 8147205.

See you there

Elaine Reilly

Facilitator

Previous Events

Martin Halstead

Alpha One Airways - www.flyalpha1.com

Martin Halstead is an ambitious and visionary 19 year old. He runs Alpha One Airways, based on the Isle of Man and much has been made of the fact that he is hailed as the next Richard Branson - his own website calls him 'baby Branson'!

Martin knew he wanted a career in aviation from the age of six. A former pupil at Abingdon School and then D'Overbroecks College, he decided not to continue with his A' levels (he was studying Business/Commerce, History and English Literature) and instead pursue a pilot's career. He then signed up to take an air transport licence at the Oxford Air Training School, aged 18.

Prior to setting up Alpha One last June, Martin set up a flight simulation software venture, for trainee pilots. He used the money made from this venture as working capital to start his airline. He also secured a family friend as a small investor from a modest inheritance from his grandmother to finance Alpha One Airways.

The airline initially looked at starting flights between Oxford and Cambridge, but switched its plans in September following a fortuitous meeting with the Isle of Man Government, which convinced Martin to start flights there. Martin moved to the Isle of Man early in January and crews will be based there.

Alpha One Airways now employs 10 people. Scheduled services commenced between Edinburgh and the Isle of Man on 14 December, initially with an eight seat Navajo Chieftain turboprop. Alpha One's first BAE SYSTEMS Jetsream 31, 18-seater debuts on 30 January. Once the Edinburgh route is firmly bedded in, Alpha One will look to develop other routes. It is interested in Leeds and Cardiff, both from the Isle of Man.

Martin was quoted in the Times saying "My passion is starting things up and nurturing them. I'd like to be comfortable, but it's not about millions of pounds. I want to make a mark. There's something very satisfying about knowing there's a plane going from one place to another because you've told it to. It's not megalomania, it's doing it because you've come up with the idea."

Stuart Reid

Dynamo Games - www.dynamogames.com

Stuart Reid at 22 years old is the Technical Director of Dynamo Games. Dynamo is a young, innovative and incredibly exciting company. Established in 2004, the company has successfully developed the latest version of Championship Manager, a football management game, for mobile phones. For Stuart and his colleagues, Brian McNicoll (Managing Director) and Stuart Anderson (Development Director) this was a dream come true - they are all avid football fans. As well as developing games, Dynamo has created innovative applications such as Mobi-Medic, enabling users to download first aid advice via their phone. The company also developed a version for car maintenance, called Mobi-Mechanic.

Stuart has enjoyed a whirlwind year since the company started up in its present form. In May they attended the massive annual E3 global games industry event held in Los Angeles, as part of the Scottish Development International (SDI) contingent. In June they picked up the coveted Global Potential Award at the UK final of the Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

Stuart, Brian and Stuart have worked very hard in the last year but all agree that it's been incredibly rewarding. Along the way Stuart has had to develop many skills and benefited from the advice and support from Scottish Enterprise Tayside and The Business Gateway.