Young Entrepreneur
CAMERON Williamson, 26, founder of mobile all-terrain vehicle servicing company, YMac Engineering has been named Dunbartonshire’s top young entrepreneur after winning a prestigious PSYBT Business award and a cash boost of £1,000.
Cameron beat the business talents of Dunbartonshire’s best young start ups to win the regional final of the 2008 Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.
Cameron formed YMac Engineering in 2007 to fulfil a growing specialist demand from farmers requiring on-site servicing and maintenance for their quad bikes and other all-terrain vehicles. YMac has seen healthy profits in its first year with all contracts won solely from word of mouth referrals.
Following on from his early success, Cameron will later this year launch a full marketing campaign and hopes to hire an additional person with a view to being able to offer a more in-depth service and even stronger support to customers.
The award ceremony took place at Titan Crane where John Corcoran from event sponsors Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce presented Cameron with a cash prize of £1,000.
YMac Engineering will now be considered by the judging panel to go forward for the national final taking place in Glasgow’s Barony Hall on Monday, November 17.
Six of the 18 regional winners will be selected to compete for the coveted national title of this year’s Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ and the opportunity to win £1,500.
The runner-up in the awards is Graham Brownlee of Integrity Forensics Ltd, who provides analysis of computers and mobile phones to police, solicitors and the commercial sector.
All of Graham’s business presently comes from word of mouth referrals but Graham will soon focus on marketing his business throughout Scotland. Graham received his cash prize of £500 from East Dunbartonshire Council.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, the PSYBT regional manager, Pauline Bell said “These young entrepreneurs represent some of the most talented, creative and dedicated business people in Scotland today and we are delighted to be able to recognise and reward their achievements through these awards.
"They should act as a true inspiration for us all in terms of demonstrating commitment, self belief and determination to not only take the first brave steps into working for themselves but to go on and create successful and sustainable businesses that contribute to Scotland’s economic future.”
John Corcoran of the Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce added “These awards are a wonderful opportunity to showcase some of Scotland’s most talented young entrepreneurs. We are delighted to be involved and to be able to celebrate the determination and innovation of our young people.
"Both Cameron and Graham have shown great entrepreneurship skills in identifying a gap in the market and then making sure that customers receive excellent service so that they not only win repeat business but they gain more contracts.
"It is wonderful to hear about them and their companies and we wish them both the best of luck in the future as they continue to grow their businesses. ”
PSYBT was launched in January 1989 and is a national organisation with offices in 18 Regions across Scotland. To date 8620 (10,209 proprietors) businesses have been assisted with £31.2m awarded - £27.8m in loans (89%) and £3.4m in grants (11%).