Good Design is for Everyone

A young Scots web designer helping small businesses to change their online image has been recognised by the BT Scotland E-ntrepreneurs award scheme.

Sarah Jane Robertson originally set up her business in Edinburgh with the aim of helping established and new businesses get online. She creates new images and revamps a tired logo or brand. Sarah was helped in business by the BT scheme, which encourages young people to use e-commerce to boost their start-up companies.

The BT awards scheme, now in its sixth year, is run by Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) which helps young people aged 18-25 to set up and grow their businesses. Via the initiative, BT Scotland is investing a total amount of £50,000 in new or young Scottish businesses this year.

Sarah Jane left school at 17 and joined Scottish Life in their e-commerce department, training as a web author. Over a five year period she developed skills in online marketing, e-business and print and graphic design. With a wealth of contacts in financial services and her industry experience, Sarah set-up Creative State.

Her aim is to help the small one-man business to compete online and offer a more professional image. "Small businesses such as independent financial advisers and property consultants are highly skilled in their roles, although their branding and marketing materials do not often reflect this", commented Sarah.

Sarah's clients include everyone from an interior designer and a local handyman to photographers and local bands. Sarah added: "I focus on smaller clients as I have more in common with them and can relate to their businesses and needs, including helping them to maintain their websites. I don't encourage them to buy products they don't need or set them up and leave them to it. I ensure they have the best products which are cost effective for the stage of their business."

Alan Bonas, head of communications for BT Scotland, said: "The internet is for everyone and all businesses, no matter their size, can benefit from modern, high speed communications. Sarah has spotted a gap in the market and is offering a quality service at an affordable price to her target audience. We welcome the chance to recognise such innovation through the BT Scotland E-ntrepreneurs project."

PSYBT Chief Executive Mark Strudwick added: "Sarah is a great example of a young person who is able to take her industry experience and turn it into a successful business. The experience of taking those first steps in business will be with her for the rest of her career."

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Further information:
BT Scotland press office: 0800 0850 660 or Margaret Gibson and Louise Cochran of PSYBT on 0141 342 5942. You can also check out the PSYBT website at www.psybt.org.uk.