They are the future for Glasgow and the west of Scotland's economy and are working hard to achieve success in the face of continuing economic hardship.

Many new businesses are struggling to take off because of the economic downturn, and this new column will offer advice for potential start-ups.

Each company will answer the same questions about their business and their answers will appear in the Evening Times each Wednesday.

This week we highlight Fuze Management Services Ltd, which is involved in Entrepreneurial Spark, Scotland's first business accelerator programme.

We talk to founder Anne Widdop -

What does your business do?

We add tradition, poetry and music to create and deliver a personal experience for all kinds of ceremonies, including marriages, funerals and baby namings. We also support families by providing speech writing and speech coaching.

Where are you based?

In the E-Spark office in Gorbals, Glasgow.

How did you get started?

When I decided to give a tribute at my mum's funeral. My brother, sister and dad had all died previously, and I felt short-changed by all of their ceremonies – little was said about them and I was left feeling sad and angry. So I wrote and read a 15-minute tribute to my mum. After this, people started to ask me to conduct ceremonies. I had so many requests I decided to train my niece, Victoria, also to conduct ceremonies. In September 2011, I left my full-time job to focus on starting a business doing that. Victoria joined me full-time four months ago.

What is your background?

After leaving Paisley University I worked for IBM for 15 years. I have a BSc in Computing Science, Diploma in Management, SVQ Assessor/Verifier as well as NPMI Executive Member (National Project Management Institute). I have spent most of my career in the IT business

What is your top tip?

Make sure the numbers add up and you have tested your business idea in the market. Do not launch into something without doing your homework.

How long has your business been running?

We incorporated six months ago, but had started conducting ceremonies in January when we gained authorisation from the Registrar General to conduct Humanist marriages. We will have conducted 110 weddings by the end of 2012 and 20 naming ceremonies. We have 55 bookings for next year and 10 for 2014. We are conducting two or three funerals every week.

Has anyone helped you get started and how?

Entrepreneurial Spark has assisted us enormously with practical, logistical and emotional support. We have had no support from any other source.

What was your biggest mistake/ or what would you do differently?

Spending what little cash we had on a website that we had to throw away, it was so bad. I should have found out more about the company that provided the service. Lesson learned.

Who was/is your mentor/or inspiration?

My inspiration comes from all the immensely brave people I have met who have had to deal with terrible tragedies and have done it with courage and dignity. Also, my dad, who always told me I could achieve anything if I was prepared to work for it and had the passion for it. I am still looking for a mentor.

Where do you plan your business to be in five years?

To be a recognisable brand in the UK; to franchise the funeral part of the business and have 10% of all funeral ceremonies and 5% of all weddings in Scotland. I also want to create a demand for the naming ceremonies, for our speech writing services and to have developed all our other products (proms, homecoming, Highland weddings in America, to name a few).

Contact details: mail a_widdop@hotmail.co.uk and victoria.bisland517@btinternet.com Or call Anne on 07789 507832 and Victoria on 07530 643195.