2008-05-16T14:48:46Z Businessbuzz Copyright 2008, Businessbuzz SPHPBLOG Austin recently won the Fife Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award with his company AMsportstours/AMsoccerschools being nominated as one of only six out of 700 businesses to go forward to the Scottish National Final.
He has passed the coveted UEFA Licence working along side candidates such as Alan Shearer and also recently completed the SFA Youth Award.
In his first season as a Head Coach (2006/2007) he led Cupar Hearts to their most successful season in their 117-year history, winning the Fife Cup and reaching the Scottish Cup Final - becoming the youngest ever Head Coach to lead a team out in a National Final at Hampden Park.
Through his company’s partnership with Falkirk Football Club (Scottish Premier League) he is in charge of International Development and is Director of Football at the University of St. Andrews.
Austin has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington (USA) and passed the Japanese Language test at Meijo Univeristy in Nagoya (Japan).

1) Were you born an entrepreneur in your opinion? I don't think entrepreneurship can be taught.

2) At what point did you decide that you would work for yourself?
With all my contacts I thought football tours would be fairly simple and was a better option than getting a job. I started the soccer schools because I think youth development in Scotland is flawed compared to what I have witnessed in other countries.

3) What has been your greatest achievement to date?
As a footballer coming back to play professionally after 2 doctors told me I would never play again, as a coach leading my home town team to Hampden Park in my one and only season, in business - having one that works.

4) What do you see yourself doing in 10 years time?
Hopefully working at my own football academy where children from around the world can attend for free.

5) Any advice for anyone wanting to start their own business?
If you don't believe in yourself and your idea don't. If you do do - don't wait then wonder what if.

6) What has been the hardest lesson to learn in business?
It is not a hard lesson but maybe a real one - if it fails it is your fault, but remember if it succeeds its down to you too.

7) If you could be any fruit, what kind would you be, and why?
This is not an ambition of mine...

8) How important would you say PR has been in the growth of your business? It's relevant but reputation for quality has been the main thing. I only want to increase advertising and PR at a level which can be matched by a quality product. I now have this infrastructure for sustained growth in place.

9) Would you ever work for anyone else again?
If I returned to football management/coaching when I have my business big enough that I can take a backward seat this may be an option.



You can read about Austins Business at www.amsportstours.com ]]> http://www.businessbuzz.org/index.php?entry=entry080221-010355 2008-02-21T00:00:00Z 2008-02-21T00:00:00Z 1)Please explain who you are, and what you do.
My name is Richard Tinto, 28, Managing Director, Tinto Architecture Ltd. I have been in Business for 5 years delivering architectural and project management services to the construction industry. Tinto Architecture specialise in "Building Solutions Beyond Client expectations"

2) Were you born an entrepreneur in your opinion?
Yes, i bounced around various practices prior to taking the plunge to setting up in business, i never felt wholly satisfied working for someone else and the autonomy having your own company gives is liberating !!! I may also be regarded as a control freak but i genuinely dont want this to be the Richard Tinto Show.....Building Tinto as a brand is very important.

3) At what point did you decide that you would work for yourself?
Age 22 and a bit. i was very disgruntled making other people money. The industry was going through massive change in terms of technology and project procurement methods and i though that i could place myself right at the forefront of new thinking.

4) What has been your greatest achievement to date?
Greatest Achievement to date has been in my own personal development. Not a cop out from the question but the learning curve endured is the dramatise to say the least. Makes you a fully more rounded person

5) What do you see yourself doing in 10 years time?
A yacht in the Caribbean......Seriously, i think the business will have developed primarily into property development and investment and in 20 years the yacht might be home ......

6) Any advice for anyone wanting to start their own business?
Do it ..... Many people think you need to be mid forties with greying or thinning hair to run a company, as a famous football manager said...."if your good enough, you are old enough" People who spend time discouraging aren't courageous enough themselves to have a go.

7) What has been the hardest lesson to learn in business?
Hardest Lesson is Trust. It really is a big bad world and learning to judge characters and interpret different people is a hard thing to do. Rightly as a younger person you are not so cynical or worn which means you are more willing to trust. Be careful and second guessing yourself is not a bad thing prior to trusting someone....check them out, make sure you are calling the shots whether it be new clients, suppliers, do gooders....whatever .......

8) If you could be any fruit, what kind would you be, and why?
Plum..........Excuse the pun for Plumb !!! On the level but with a soft attractive exterior loads of good juice inside and a rock solid unshakable core......

9) How important would you say PR has been in the growth of your business?
Vastly, along with word of mouth. The power of both written and spoken words is immense and truly the best form of marketing....It should not be confused with advertising as the two are not the same

10) Would you ever work for anyone else again?
......Eh I dont think so...I am a nightmare !!!!!!


You can see Richards companies website at www.tintoarchitecture.co.uk

]]> http://www.businessbuzz.org/index.php?entry=entry080219-093543 2008-02-19T00:00:00Z 2008-02-19T00:00:00Z