Q. What does your business do and who do you run the business with?
We organise Continental Markets as a way of attracting people back to the high street. We have a group of traders from around the world who sell a variety of products from their home countries to give the local people here a taste of something different, something that may remind them of their holidays or even make them want to visit the country for themselves. I run the business with my partner, Angela Scott and have had help along the way from Graeme Allan at Business Gateway Fife.
Q. How and why did you start in business?
I have lived abroad for a number of years and grew up with markets being a part of everyday life. When I moved to Scotland I was surprised that there were very few markets for people to go to and decided it would be a good idea to try to bring a market with the same atmosphere as those abroad to Scotland.
Q. How did you get to where you are today?
With a lot of help from Business Gateway Fife and my partner. I couldn't have got to where I am if it wasn't for their help.
Q. What was your biggest mistake?
My biggest mistake was to try to focus on too many things at the same time. I have a lot of ideas for things I'd like to do, but have learned it is better to focus on one thing at a time.
Q. What is your greatest achievement to date?
Securing four markets this year in Edinburgh.
Q. What do you hope to achieve in the future?
To be able to bring our market to the whole of Scotland, similar to the Farmers Market.
Q. Do you want to recruit in the future and what are your expansion plans?
We are always looking for people to join the market. We would like to move from having one group of traders, to two or three groups all travelling around the country.
Q. What is the hardest thing about running your own business?
Lack of funding makes it really difficult to expand the business in the way we would like. We also have problems with publicity, because we do not go to the same place every week we find it very difficult to publicise the markets properly so the local people know we are coming.
Q. Any advice to wannabe entrepreneurs?
Don't give up. The worst thing you can do is to think you have a good idea and not to go for it. That will be your biggest regret in future.
Q. What sports team do you support and why?
Real Madrid because they are hard workers and are always good to watch.
Q. How would your friends describe you?
Hard working. I spend most of my time working to try to achieve my goals.
Q. Favourite film and book?
My favourite film at the moment is any of the Transporter series. I don't get much time to read so don't really have a favourite book.
Q. How do you relax?
If I get any time off I like to go away and relax in the sun.
Q. If you could host a market anywhere in the world where would you host it and why?
Norway because I've heard the people there love to go to markets and I would like to tour the country and see all the beautiful scenery they have.
Q. What do you love most about your work?
Being able to travel to different places and meet new people.