A SCOTTISH fitness business is going from strength to strength after accessing expert support and signposting to funding from Business Gateway, Scotland’s national business advisory service.
Based in East Ayrshire, CP Sport and Fitness is the brainchild of 22-year-old Callum Corbett-Peters. Callum, who holds a degree in Sports Coaching, wanted to start a business to share his passion and knowledge of health and fitness with others. Offering personal training and football coaching services, the business is open to anyone from amateur to professional level. The business also accommodates those with additional support needs, providing a fun environment to explore a variety of sports and fitness activities.
Having never run a business before, and in need of expert advice to get up and running, Callum first approached Business Gateway in 2021.
With support from a dedicated business adviser, Callum was put in touch with a local accountant, who helped him to prepare a robust business plan. Business Gateway’s Market Research Team were able to provide insights to inform this plan. He was also signposted to DSL Business Finance, who were able to provide a £10,000 loan which helped towards securing a new state-of-the-art facility. This funding was critical to help Callum purchase the right equipment for his gym and astroturf facility.
Through Business Gateway, Callum was signposted to support from the Ayrshire Chamber, successfully applying and securing a place on the Future Chamber programme. Through this, Callum was matched with a mentor, who was able to provide advice and support for developing and growing CP Sport and Fitness further.
Through Business Gateway, Callum received help in developing a marketing strategy from a specialised consultant, which included researching competitors and identifying his target market. This support has helped Callum establish a solid customer base, as well as helping to generate new ideas for additional services that CP Sport and Fitness could offer in the future.
Over the last two years, thanks to guidance from Business Gateway, Callum has accessed £1,000 from The Prince’s Trust, which helped to get his new premises up and running, as well as £1,000 from East Ayrshire Council which has gone towards branding and signage to market CP Sport and Fitness.
Buoyed by his ongoing success, Callum has been working with Business Gateway’s digital consultancy experts to develop his website and increase his social media presence.
On top of this, Callum has benefited from free workshops and webinars, focusing on business planning and tips for start-ups, ensuring he has the practical skills to manage and grow the business.
Since opening the CP Sport and Fitness arena last year, the business has enjoyed a steady stream of growth, with camps taking place during school holidays proving very popular with the local community. Callum now works with a football coach, and together the duo offers a variety of services, including football coaching, personal training, toddler sports classes, birthday parties and football camps. The business also provides football coaching for those with additional support needs.
In the last two years, Callum has fundraised over £2,000 for Glasgow’s Children’s Hospital, and has even run 100km around his hometown in just one day to encourage donations.
Callum Corbett-Peters, founder, CP Sport and Fitness, said: “Support from Business Gateway has been absolutely fantastic. The advice I’ve received has been instrumental in the development of my business and has really helped me grow my customer base.
“Being a young business owner can be daunting, but I have really developed confidence in my ability and can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store for my business.”
Anne Quinn, Business Gateway adviser, said: “It has been fantastic to see how Callum has used all of Business Gateway’s start-up services so effectively. From creating a solid business plan that enabled him to get funding for his arena, to working with our marketing and digital consultants, to building a robust marketing strategy and strong social media presence, Calum has really made the most of all the support available. He has ensured he is now in the best possible position to drive further growth.”
To find out how Business Gateway can help your business, visit https://bgateway.com.
