Austin had a colourful professional football career spending time in Scotland, USA, Romania and Japan. He returned to Scotland after 8 years abroad when his career was ended through knee injury.
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