Carnegie College Student Becomes Disco Entrepreneur

Bradley Stewart, aged 32, from Ladybank in Fife received the Small Business Gateway Prize at Carnegie College’s Annual Awards Ceremony held at the end of May this year. He was nominated for his award in recognition of his entrepreneurial skills and determination to succeed. He has set up a very successful mobile disco service – Blitzdiscos. Brad, confined to a wheel chair since the age of 20, attended the College’s Access Centre in Methil. A former time served bricklayer, he was involved in a motor accident in 1996 only hours after taking delivery of his first car. His injuries were extremely severe and Brad knew he would never return to his former career. He wanted to work but knew that full-time employment which would be able to accommodate his subsequent ill-health would be impossible to find. Eventually he approached Carnegie’s Access Centre and was able to chat through his ideas for self-employment. Speaking about his Carnegie experiences Brad said ‘I have always had a passion for music and an interest in sound equipment, but it was just a hobby providing ‘sounds’ for friends birthdays and weddings.  John Soep, a tutor at the Access Centre, put me on the road to starting up my own business. I was able to use the facilities at the centre, study over 50 different LearnDirect modules which gave me an insight into subjects such as Financial Record-keeping and Marketing. It has all been a great help to me. Through the centre I have also met others who are also setting up their own businesses. I have become a member of Fife Chamber of Commerce and this is a great networking group. I am really pleased with the way my business is progressing. I have been able to employ a part-time assistant and travel all over Scotland providing a service for weddings, parties and other special occasions. Through email facilities I have even set up the Scottish ‘leg’ of a wedding party for someone from Russia. John and the Access Centre have given me great support and I was even more pleased, if a little shocked, when I received the news that I was to receive a prize at the College’s Award Ceremony.’ John Soep, Brad’s tutor said ‘Brad is a great example to all who are looking to start their own business. Despite his health problems, he had exemplary attendance for all his course work and has helped many of his fellow students. It is very easy to forget he is confined to a wheel chair, he never looks for, or expects, special treatment and he deserves recognition for his efforts and we all wish him every success in the future. I had no hesitation in nominating him for the Small Business Gateway Award’.