Geoff Leask
Regional Manager, Opportunity & Enterprise, The Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust
I have been a The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust Regional Manager in the Scottish Borders since 1999, helping a large number of young people from all backgrounds and all parts of the region to start up their own businesses. Over these years I never cease to be amazed by the enthusiasm and energy that the budding entrepreneurs have when they are first bitten by the business bug.
The Scottish Borders is a rural area with a small population which makes it even harder sometimes for young people to find viable business ideas – but with their creativity they still succeed. At a recent presentation I was asked by someone in the audience to describe a typical working day – an impossible question!
Working for PSYBT, two days are never the same. From assisting with business plans and ideas, recruiting volunteers and promoting the work of the charity, each day brings different challenges. However, one of the best things about working for PSYBT is seeing, over the years, how much the clients have grown both in business and personally since first starting their businesses.
What’s also really great is to see so many of the businesses giving back to the organisation by becoming volunteers or joining the Alumni scheme and helping the next generation of entrepreneurs to start up successful businesses. Here in the Borders, I am very proud to say that we have a growing band of former clients who are now volunteers.
