Press Release

Young disabled entrepreneur looks forward to a soapy future

6 November 2007

There can be few people more inspiring than 24-year-old Glasgow entrepreneur Steven Brockett. Overcoming the many barriers associated with a physical disability, he has proved he has just what it takes to develop his own business.

And in the lead up to National Enterprise Week (12-18 November) he has backed a campaign by Working Links to encourage others to take the plunge and launch their own venture.

Steven is just one of 600 people that Working Links has helped to establish a business over the past seven years. But Steven faced more challenges than most. When he first came to the Glasgow office of Working Links, Steven had never worked. Not because he didn’t want to but simply because he hadn’t had the opportunity.

While he had been for numerous interviews over the years, his feeling was that his disability had been a stigma. He has reduced mobility in his left arm as his arm only grew to the elbow. While he was young he had had two of his toes grafted on to his arm by a surgeon to give him extra mobility.

But well educated and determined to succeed, he wasn’t going to let anything stop him. He went to see Drumchapel Opportunities and then to Working Links, who specialise in helping people break down the barriers that prevent them from finding work.

Steven worked with personal consultant, Craig McAllister, and John Howard, self-employment consultant, at Working Links. And it was through the help of both organisations that they found the solution of self-employment. Steven came up with the idea of a mobile car valeting service and from there the dream was born.

At this point, Steven worked with Working Links’ specialist self employment consultant, John Howard, who again worked with Drumchapel Opportunities. Together they were able to access funding from various sources including Business Gateway and the Princes’ Trust. Due to Steven’s young age and his disability they were able to access a total of £10,000 - including a low interest loan of £5,000.

John helped Steven throughout the process with business plans, setting up a business bank account with Lloyds TSB and a Street Traders License from Glasgow City Council. Business started slow for the first couple of months as he got all of the equipment in place but once Steven got the word out to potential clients his new business ‘Soaperb’ has gone from strength to strength with Steven now valeting over 20 vehicles a week. Steven is looking forward to a very soapy future.

Steven said: “I had real troubles at interviews and I always had the feeling that my disability was the problem. I know that I am a hard worker and that I will be a success but I just wasn’t getting the chances. Now that John and Craig at Working Links have helped me with my car valeting idea I can’t wait for the future.”

John said: “Steven is a great guy and we were delighted to help him. It’s great to see a young guy really give it his all and start to make the most of what he’s got. Working Links have now helped over 600 people in Glasgow to start their own businesses and Steven is a great success story for us.”

Working Links, which has already helped more than 15,000 people across Scotland into work since its launch in the year 2000, offers employment solutions with a difference. Across the projects that Working Links run, 70% of their clients are still in work 12 months after they are found a job.

Each jobseeker is treated as an individual and support packages developed for each person. They are able to gain the advice of their own personal consultant, who provides help to find the job that they want. Consultants guide them through job searches and application forms and provide practical support by helping them with CVs, training and work experience.

But the role of Working Links goes beyond employment issues as it provides the assistance needed that in the long-term will create education opportunities, reduce crime and boost the wealth of the community.