Matt Scott

Name:

Matt Scott

Business:

Mes Footwork

Web site:

www.mesfootwork.com

Years in business:

1

Number of businesses:

2

A present for my girlfriend was the trigger for my business idea.

I wanted to do something different and personal combining what she liked, and all girls like shoes! I got blank trainers and covered them in pictures of us. I used transfer glue to stick them on and she loved them.

They sparked a really good reaction and her friends loved them and asked me for pairs. I thought if so many people like the idea then I would start a business for people to design their own trainers on the internet, and I set about researching it.

I’m studying for a marketing management degree at Newcastle University which has really helped me with my business. I carried out market research on the streets on Newcastle and everyone seemed to love the idea.

I looked into where I could get the shoes from on the internet and found somewhere in China. They sent samples of shoes and I decided which type I wanted. I also got a specialist company to come up with software for people to design the shoes on.

I set up Mes Footwork in January and sales have gone well so far. I’ve sold about 50 trainers since then. Once the customer has designed them on the website I make them in my bedroom and then they’re delivered to their door.

I’m hoping to develop the website more and I'm putting a lot of time into that at the moment. It will take about a month but there will be a whole new feel to it. After that I’m going to have a launch event to generate publicity.

I’ve had to put a lot of time into the business. I’m a student so while everyone else is going out I’ve sacrificed that to put the time into this. I’ve also put a lot of personal capital into it, including £2,000 of my own money and my parents have also invested.

I got a grant from Newcastle University as well. I’ve spent the money on stock, software and machinery to make the shoes, but I have made mistakes along the way as I tend to buy things then realise I don’t really need them.

I’ve got bigger plans for a production line in mind. It would be mainly machinery with a few operators and I would like to base it in the North East. I’m meeting the head buyer for a major footwear retailer to discuss the possibility of them stocking limited edition trainers.

This is the other aspect to what I’m doing. I’m bringing in a team of designers from around the country so come up with special exclusive designs with themes such as graffiti.

Through university I am part of a five strong team who have set up a pancake stall business. We run it in university time and we come up with a menu, we buy the ingredients, and then we make them ourselves.

I find it really exciting, stressful, enjoyable and challenging at the same time. But I love it and wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s also something I’ve always wanted to do – start a business doing my own thing.

I never thought about getting a job. University was to give me the time and tools to work out what to set up as.

The advice I would give to others is to look to the future. Think of the short term sacrifice for the long term gain.

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