• Who are you?

Graham Hanlon, joiner and owner of East End Carpentry Studios in Bridgeton

• What does your business do?

The business rents out workbench space and tools. There are six workspaces and a large selection of hand a power tools available for hire on an hourly basis. The studios are designed to be more than just a place for professionals to work and are open to students, luthiers, hobbyists and more.

In the long-term, it will develop into a support service for Glasgow residents to offer skills workshops to ex-servicemen, charitable organisations and those who are socially excluded, isolated or out of work. I’d like to offer it as an alternative place for people like widowers to use and socialise.

• Where are you based?

I’m based in Unit 19, Abercromby Business Centre, Abercromby Street, Bridgeton.

I chose Bridgeton because I wanted to be in the east end, where I’m from, and think the area needs something like this. There’s massive regeneration taking place in the east end and this is my way, as a member of the local community, to get involved.

I had been looking for the right space for a long time and the unit at Abercrombie was ideal for size and location.

• How did you get started?

My journey towards setting up the business got started four years ago, by doing a two year adult apprenticeship at Allstar Joinery in Cumbernauld. I already had the skills but needed the formal certificates to go it alone.

• What is your background?

I’m a joiner to trade and have been qualified for two years following my apprenticeship. I started off as a labourer and worked up to dealing with tools as a dry wall fixer, which meant erecting things like metal stud partitions.

• What is your top tip?

Don’t sit and wait for anything to happen – go out and get it. People might think I’m a pest, but, if I see an opportunity, I go for it. I even chapped Nicola Sturgeon’s door the other day to invite her to my launch!

• Has anyone helped you get started and how?

I’ve invested over £13,000 of my own money to launch the business and now I’m getting help from Jobs & Business Glasgow to develop a business plan, look for additional grants and also set up as a Community Interest Company, which will allow me to diversify into offering skills workshops and training programmes.

A local company, Community Build, is helping me out by donating scaffolding boards and my boss during my apprenticeship, Robert Hoey, has remained supportive by donating material for the classes I’ll be offering.

Hamilton Academicals FC has also helped me get started, with a contract to provide some pieces for the club.

• Who was/is your mentor/or inspiration?

I’ve come across a lot of mentors and inspirational people over the years. Firstly, my grandfather was the main inspiration in setting up the business, as he was not only an army veteran but I also understood how lonely widowers could be when I read his diaries following his death. I also have many friends who were in the forces, and their experiences of life after service reinforced my ambition to support ex-servicemen. On top of that, there were many joiners who took the time to teach me during all my years working in the trade.

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

I’d like the business to be a big training centre providing training for joiners, wood machinists and many others and ultimately providing people with proper skills that gets them into work. By this time I’ll also hopefully be on my way to opening up another couple of training centres across Glasgow.

• Useful contacts

Jobs & Business Glasgow, www.jbg.org.uk / 0141 274 3333

• Contact Details

www.eecarpentrystudios.co.uk

eecarpentrystudios@mail.com

0141 554 3908