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

Each company will answer the same questions about their business and their answers will appear in the Evening Times each Wednesday.

This week we highlight Lisa Davis of REvamp

Who are you?

Lisa Davis of REvamp, a refreshing new interiors business set up by myself, an experienced interior designer.

What does your

business do?

Every home is full of possessions we love with stories attached to them.

At REvamp, this is foremost in my mind when looking at how homes can be improved to reflect our changing needs.

As well as providing a full bespoke Interior service, I can also help you create the home you desire from what you already have - an affordable alternative to "starting from scratch" from furniture up-cycling to home and room restyling.

Where are you based?

I work from home at Newton of Barr, Lochwinnoch.

I have little costs working this way and most of my work has been in and around the village.

How did you get started?

I started doing small projects for friends and family. Hanging gallery walls, revamping pieces of furniture, garden tidy-ups during summer, along with home styling for viewing preparation.

The small workshop at the bottom of my garden is where most of the creative pieces come from.

What is your background?

I am a graduate interior designer who has also studied product design. I have a track record in some of the most design conscious companies - for the past 10 years I have been with Danish design company BoConcept.

What is your top tip?

As they say, "being creative is not just a hobby, it's a way of life," and it certainly is for me.

I had to lose my fear of being wrong which has helped me overcome many fears and anxieties that are associated with starting up on your own.

Has anyone helped you get started and how?

The continued support of my husband has been invaluable. I have also had enormous help from friends who specialise in areas I do not, such as IT.

I have also been on courses held by the Business Gateway.

How long has your business been running?

I have been trying projects for the past year, but the business really only started six weeks ago.

What was your first deal?

A friend's living room. She had a wall dividing her living space and dining room taken down - I gave her a full DIY plan and will be going back to hang her gallery wall along with a final restyle.

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

At first I was very open about ideas when asked, and I lost a lot of work that way. Lots of people loved the creative input but were not engaging me any further.

I am now much more business minded and charge for an initial consultation. The fee is agreed at the start of any project and details outlined in a schedule, enabling both myself and the customer to be 100% clear on what is expected from the start.

Who was/is your mentor or inspiration?

I was inspired from a young age, attending dance classes with Rosina Bonsu. I think back to how she influenced my creative aspirations and gave me the confidence to pursue what I believed in.

Where do plan to be in five years' time?

I would love myself and my husband to have a unit within the village, to have a front of shop that will sell various items along with consultancy space.

A workshop out the back for furniture revamps along with an online shop and couple of employees would be just perfect.

Contact

www.revamp-yourhome.

co.uk

email: lisa@revamp-yourhome.co.uk

Tel: 01505 843225