The latest Glasgow Means Business features Simon Laird, sole proprietor of Premium Czech Beers.

Who are you?

Simon Laird, owner of Premium Czech Beers

What does your business do?

We are specialists in the import and retail of Czech craft beers. The Czech Republic is the biggest beer drinking nation on the planet - the Czechs have a 'beer purity law', where their beers are not allowed to contain additives - additives block flavour and give you a hangover (it's not how much you drink, it's what you drink).

The beers we import tend to be from smaller to medium sized breweries, with traditions that date back centuries. We stock Czech unpasteurized and premium lagers, ales, wheat beers, dark beers, flavoured beers and gluten free beer.

Where are you based?

I'm based in Whiteinch, Glasgow. I work from home, but store goods in a local warehouse. Ideally located for target market of the Central Belt area.

How did you get started?

I started on a PC at home. I was growing increasingly frustrated that the beers that I liked, I couldn't find in this country. I started emailing the Czech breweries direct, to find that they would happily sell to me, but I would have to arrange collection. Their responses planted the seed that if I liked their beers, then surely other people might too, so the idea of www.premiumczechbeers.co.uk was born. From then on, time was spent on formulating a business plan and understanding the legislation involved in becoming licensed and dealing with Customs and Excise.

What is your background?

I have absolutely no experience or qualifications in this industry whatsoever. My background is in Accounting - I worked for over 20 years within the Construction Industry, working in a number of different Accounting roles. In the end, I became burnt out, and decided I wanted to do something for myself. Every day is bringing new challenges, requiring skills I never knew I had.

What is your top tip?

If I could offer up advice to a new business start, it would be to try and source some sort of part time work, whilst in the early stages of business start up, to bring in steady, reliable income. I did not do this - I did not want my business to fail through being preoccupied doing other work - this was a mistake, though I have been very fortunate to rely on the support of my wife and family through these early stages.

How long has your business been running?

We've been going for around 15 months now.

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

Rather than seek advice and support in getting started, from organisations such as Scottish Enterprise, I tried to do everything myself. This has cost me time through mistakes I have made, and precluded me from obtaining start up grants and funding. I wanted to control and do everything - I realised too late.

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

Work will continue to expand sales through the website and seeking wholesale opportunities. I would like to be more active in the festivals circuit. Whilst I have no immediate plans to open a shop as such, I would like to open a 'Beer Emporium' type establishment, where people could pop in for a drink, whilst selecting what beers to take home and enjoy.

Contact Details

Website - www.premiumczechbeers.co.uk. or email - info@premiumczechbeers.co.uk