EACH week the Evening Times will turn the spotlight on one of the dozens of local 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 businesses are struggling to take off because of the economic downturn, and this column will offer advice for potential start-ups and small businesses.

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 Matt Marais, co-founder and director of VU Equipment

What does your business do?

We are focused on delivering beautifully designed and skillfully manufactured camera accessories. Our first project is Slidestrap: the must-have camera strap and mounting plate. Our strap keeps the camera close to your body as you move around, but free to slide up the strap to eye level when you want to take a photo, without having to adjust the strap. We have a number of projects in the pipeline, some even using 3D printing capabilities.

Where are you based?

Having graduated in Product Design Engineering from Glasgow School of Art and the University of Glasgow back in 2012, I couldn't leave Glasgow, so that's where we are based.

How did you get started?

I was a senior design engineer for a leading Glasgow design consultancy and it was after seeing the success of various projects on crowdfunding sites that I decided the time was right to set-up on my own and take a risk. I have spent a lot of time working on ideas for different bits of camera gear and I decided that re-designing a camera strap would be a good launch project as there is no tooling required and the stock straps supplied with cameras are pretty bad.

What is your top tip?

If you are wanting to develop an idea, make sure you research your target market really well first and run some of your ideas by a focus group. It's always best to get some validation before spending what could easily be thousands of pounds on patents and prototypes.

How long has your business been running?

About three months.

Has anyone helped you get started and how?

Product Sprout, a Glasgow design consultancy, has been a great help with support and advice on launching my product.

The Cultural Enterprise Office and the Business Gateway have also been invaluable in helping develop business plans.

What was your first deal?

I'm hoping that the success of the crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter will help land that first deal. You can find out more about it at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ 57703184/slidestrap-the-must-have-camera-strap-and-mounting

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

As my background is in design and not business, I launched into the design straight away and didn't focus on the business plan too much.

I don't think it mattered too much but there were a few times when I could have done with setting myself a bit more direction.

Who was/is your

mentor/or inspiration?

The PDE tutors at GSA were always great at helping push the students and I think this helped develop my drive. They are also great at supporting us even after graduation.

Where do you plan

your business to be in five years time?

I plan for my business to be a recognised and well-regarded name in photographic and cinematic equipment.

Useful contacts

Scottish Institute for Entrepreneurs

Scottish Enterprise

Business Gateway

Cultural Enterprise Office

MAKLab

Contact details

l www.vuequipment.com

l contact@vuequipment.com

l twitter @vuequipment

l www.facebook.com/vuequipment

l matt@scratchideas. co.uk

l www.mattmarais.com

l Twitter @mattmarais