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 Jane Quigley, owner of QuigleyFilm

Who are you?

Jane Quigley, owner of QuigleyFilm. I started out as a documentary filmmaker working in London and the USA. I have directed, arts, science and history programmes for BBC, National Geographic, Sky One, Channel 5 and after many subsequent roles, decided to take the plunge and form my own independent production company.

What does your business do?

QuigleyFilm Ltd is an emerging multimedia production company.

Its first production, Fashion Futures, was as a result of the Commonwealth Games and an ambitious pitch to the BBC about Scotland's fashion design talent.

It involved 25 models, 100 garments by 36 designers from nine colleges and institutions from all over Scotland and was supported by a full editorial and technical team from the BBC and DF Concerts.

It became a 45-minute event streamed worldwide.

WHERE ARE YOU BASED? I am based at The DEG Hub at Pacific Quay as I approached Glasgow City Council for support and a base that would help facilitate business grants and proximity to Channel 4, BBC and STV for meetings and pitches.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

I got started in a cubby hole in my brother John's restaurant Red Onion on West Campbell Street, Glasgow.

Stuart Cosgrove of Channel 4 suggested I should hot desk in his offices with TRC support, which allowed me to network and establish Rob Brydon's comedy company in Scotland.

I then went to establish the Scottish office of Talkback Thames, part of Fremantle Media, makers of The X Factor and The Apprentice.

Stuart also linked me to other Scottish sources of funding like Creative Scotland and helped focus my energies on establishing creative critical mass in Glasgow.

WHAT IS YOUR

BACKGROUND?

I graduated from the University of London's School of Slavonic and East European Studies with an honours degree in Russian and French Language and Literature, which I will never regret as it allowed me to travel and make films in Russia and Eastern Europe for international broadcasters and film studios.

I have made four films about Chernobyl and three in the Siberian wilderness - from overland expeditions to tiger poaching in Vladivostock.

This has tended to label/typecast me as a guerrilla style filmmaker.However, having my beautiful Russian daughter helped me settle down in Scotland and work to establish firstly Rob's company, then Talkback Thames Scotland, then Millarworld Productions, comic book legend Mark Millar's dabble into television.

WHAT IS YOUR TOP TIP? It's all about the idea. And perseverance.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST DEAL?

My first QuigleyFilm deal was Fashion Futures, showcasing original talent from Scotland's leading design colleges and institutions with a finale by the iconic Pam Hogg, internationally established Scottish fashion designer and rock rebel.

WHO IS YOUR MENTOR/OR INSPIRATION?

Artists Georgia O'Keefe and Tracey Emin; filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow, and punk rock.

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

We have an exciting concept in development with Channel 4 which could take the company on an exciting global digital journey over the next year. I'm collaborating with my other brother, James, who is heading up Creative direction across all platforms.

CONTACT DETAILS

www.quigleyfilm.com and info@quigleyfilm.com