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 week.

Today, we highlight Chris Moore, director of Trick Creative.

WHO ARE YOU?

Chris Moore, director of Trick Creative.

WHAT DOES YOUR BUSINESS DO?

We are a web marketing company in Glasgow. I started the business in my bedroom at my parents' house and it grew.

We now have five full-time members of staff and I'm planning on our sales being a least £500,000 within 12 to 18 months.

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?

In Tradeston, on the South Side. We decided to set up office here because of the easy routes in and out of the city, the lower cost of business space and, very importantly, free parking.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

I started the company when I was 22. A friend and I started selling website-building services.

I had £30 and bought two domain names. I began by walking round the shops in Hamilton, where I'm from, to sell our services door-to-door. We just had to make it work.

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?

I don't have any qualifications. I taught myself most of it.

I am looking to go to university, but right now I'm focused on building Trick Creative.

I was offered an opportunity to enter the Saltire Foundation's undergraduate business programme but now is not the right time. Maybe next year.

WHAT IS YOUR TOP TIP?

Build your network and never give up. We have secured some big contracts, all through our contacts and the people.

It has been a tough few years for us. During that time I had a serious illness, now sorted, so plenty of excuses to quit, but I resolved to never, ever, give up.

HOW LONG HAS YOUR BUSINESS BEEN RUNNNING?

Since summer 2010

HAS ANYONE HELPED YOU GET STARTED AND HOW?

No, the company has been built on sweat, blood and tears. I don't believe that its "support" that you need, it's the right support. My business has sky rocketed since I got a business coach.

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST MISTAKE AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?

I have made so many mistakes, but mistakes are important - the only way to learn.

Strangely I wouldn't do anything differently. I feel that my lack of knowledge was what helped me to learn and bring me to this point.

However maybe getting a part-time evening job to keep some money coming in would be a good idea.

WHO IS YOUR MENTOR/INSPIRATION?

My absolute business is hero is Elon Musk.

Elon was the inspiration behind Tony Starks Iron Man. He invented PayPal, he then sold it, and developed Tesla, the worlds first sustainable electric sports car, and is the owner of SpaceX which will be the first privately owned company to colonise on Mars.

WHERE DO PLAN YOUR BUSINESS TO BE IN FIVE YEARS' TIME?

As one of the UK's brightest and best digital marketing business with offices in Glasgow, London and hopefully in America and Australia.

Contact details

Chris Moore, chief executive, Trick Creative, 54 Cook Street, Glasgow. T:0141 387 6492. E: info@trick-creative.co.uk