Home  Latest News Award-winning businesswoman follows in parents’ footsteps
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Award-winning businesswoman follows in parents’ footsteps |
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 A entrepreneurial businesswoman has followed in her parents footsteps by opening up her own design and build steel framed construction company.
Emma Stuart set up Main Design and Build with the help of Business Gateway Tayside, after working for her parents business for over thirteen years.
Award winning Main designs and builds agricultural and industrial steel framed buildings, ensuring customers have a one-stop shop for their construction needs.
After completing her accountancy degree in 1995 Emma went home to Perthshire for the summer and never left. With no real intention of working for the family firm, time lapsed and before she knew it she was keen to learn about all aspects of the family business.
And when her parent’s sold the business nearly twenty years later she discovered that there was nothing else she wanted to do and so followed in their footsteps and started her own company.
She said: “I had no plans to work for my parents company but when I went home for the summer it made perfect sense to stay and work there. I was wet behind the ears and knew I had much to learn. Finance was my key knowledge base but steel framed buildings excited me. I wanted to learn as much as I could. I went out on sites, worked with draftsmen and soaked up as much as possible.
“In 2007 my parents were made an offer that made perfect sense in their so called ‘desire to retire’. Having left the former family firm and having taken a short time to myself, it was obvious to me and all around me that steel framed buildings were what made me tick. Acceptance of this love was the hard bit, taking the next step was the true excitement.”
Emma wanted to start a construction business that not only built but also designed and fabricated steel framed buildings. Using her contacts she soon established potential clients and took on four employees. She then gained support from her local Business Gateway office and by the end of May 2008, Main Design and Build had erected their first building.
In just under two years the company has expanded to now having eighteen employees, turnover is projected to be almost £2 million by the end of their first full years trading and has contracts across the country.
So far the company has built offices, warehouses, cattle buildings, grain stores, berry buildings, potato stores, the new SoccerWorld complex in Glasgow and much more.
Emma believes her small team of workers who have over 100 years collective experience in the trade are the reason the business is so successful. “We are a close knit team with different skills and we all want to make the company a success. I’ve been really lucky both with the staff and customers. My father has also recently come back to assist, realising that retirement was not for him and it is great to have his experience and both my parents support behind me.
“Starting my own company is the best thing I could ever have done. Some people might think it is strange that a woman owns a building company but I love it and don’t think my gender matters.”
Recently Emma won the Rising Star Award at the Women Ahead awards, a networking community for businesswomen. She admits that despite her previous knowledge of the industry Business Gateway gave her vital support.
She added: “I would definitely recommend any business person going to see their local Business Gateway adviser - whether they think they have experience or not. I was comfortable with the financial aspects of the business but that’s not enough. Business Gateway gave me advice on how to market my company, network and generally gave me more confidence to go out on my own.”
John McQueston, adviser at Business Gateway Tayside said: “Main Design and Build has shown that a business can succeed even during difficult economic times.
“Emma was very experienced in her field and had been part of a successful company but she still came to us for additional support. Since launching the company Emma and her team have built up a wonderful reputation across Scotland and have continued to grow and develop. The turnover from the company has been exceptional and they are well on target for even more success over the next year.”
CONTACT:
T: 01764 686 866
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www.mainbuildings.co.uk
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