EACH week the Evening Times will throw the spotlight on one of the dozens of new businesses determined to succeed.

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 talk to Leah Hutcheon of Appointedd.com

WHAT DOES YOUR BUSINESS DO?

Appointedd is a dynamic booking and review website for the hair, beauty and spa industries. We target Scotland's best salons and spas. Customers can access deals and offers for salons, make appointments and read reviews.

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?

In the Entrepreneurial Spark business accelerator, Lawmoor Street, Glasgow.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

I had the idea while working as a magazine editor. I used to forget to make hairdresser appointments until I had finished working and I wished there was somewhere I could go online and book at that time. I also travelled a lot and wanted access to salons when in a new city so it made sense to build a site that did both.

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?

Before I went into media I worked as a theatre and comedy producer. I still help out on Mark Watson's shows any time he does something for charity – it's great fun and always an adventure.

HOW LONG HAS YOUR BUSINESS BEEN RUNNING?

We have been building the software for two years and are now opening up our beta system free to salons that qualify for our exclusive invitation.

WHAT IS YOUR TOP TIP?

'Be the change you want to see in the world'. I don't think Ghandi was talking about hair-dressing when he said this, but I wanted to be able to book salon appointments online, so I set about making it happen.

HAS ANYONE HELPED YOU GET STARTED AND HOW?

I have been lucky to be part of the Entrepreneurial Spark business accelerator. This has opened doors for me – and I have taken advantage of the services of Business Gateway. I have also got through to the final 100 businesses in the EDGE Fund competition.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST DEAL?

It was with GlamCandy, a fantastic makeup school with venues in Edinburgh and West Lothian.

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST MISTAKE / OR WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?

I didn't realise how long it would take us to build the software. That said, I'm so proud of what we have built, I now know it was worth it.

WHO WAS / IS YOUR MENTOR / OR INSPIRATION?

I have been lucky to engage with quite a few mentors as part of Entrepreneurial Spark. I also have some people on our advisory panel who are at the top of their game in the salon and spa industries field. Where do you plan our business to be in five years time?

I hope Appointedd becomes the go-to website and app when people want to make salon appointments. We believe that the salon industry has been churned up by the daily deals websites and we want to give them a way to connect with potential customers without being forced to slash their prices.

USEFUL CONTACTS:

We welcome enquiries from innovative and creative salons looking for a new way to connect with customers. Salons accepted onto our beta testing programme will receive a year's subscription to our all-inclusive package free of charge.

leah@appointedd.com

www.appointedd.com

07871 052178

@appointedd

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