PKBEM Business Showcase - JustLeaving

Perth and Kinross Business & Enterprise Month Business Showcase - JustLeaving

Business Owner Name/Names:Craig Forsythe

Business Name: JustLeaving

Date Business Started: Pre-trading

Where the business is based: Aberfeldy, Perthshire

Today, we'll be looking at a Perthshire business that is set to revolutionise work collections and buying presents for departing staff. JustLeaving, owned by Craig Forsythe aims to streamline the group collection of money for purchase of leaving gifts to make it more efficient and take up less work time of employees.

Despite having not yet officially started, Craig who also operates another business, Motion Coaching offering individual and team development programmes, has already made big progress and has some big plans for the JustLeaving. Craig is also determined that the core of the business's goals is always to produce a thoughful and effective leaving gift.

While the development and growing use of E-Wallets has made e-commerce event busier, Craig has spotted a gap in the market that makes JustLeaving stand out:

"JustLeaving is specifically focused on the already established tradition of collecting money for leaving gifts in the workplace."

Craig also notes the support he has recieved in his start-up process and how this has shaped the company:

"We have been helped greatly by Business Gateway and Scottish Enterprise and without their help we would not be where we are now.  I have also been helped and supported by Perth and Kinross Council’s Business Development team.  They have included me in the Angel’s Share programme which involved one day of training to help me pitch to a ‘dragons den’ style group of investors.  The lessons I learned and feedback I received through that process was invaluable."

The future for JustLeaving is looking bright, and Craig has already got big aspirations for the up and coming business:

"We are currently trying to raise some money to take our prototype website to a Minimal Viable Product (MVP) and then we can begin to BETA test it. Then we hope to develop that in 2017 and gain some more funding, some corporate endorsement and build up a range of trusted suppliers.  We need to develop our USP and the service that we are offering has an attraction to corporate companies who increasingly see the value in people leaving their organisations well.  Making sure they receive a thoughtful and well organised gift is a part of that.

 My aim is to establish a brand in this area and then move out JustBirthdays, JustMaternity and JustWeddings."

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If you have a business idea that you would like help in getting started, then Elevator and Business Gateway would love to help. Get in touch with your local office now:

Perth: 01738 448310, Pippa@ElevatorUK.com

Dundee: 01382 443400, Margaret@ElevatorUK.com

Aberdeen City & Shire: 01224 289700, Nicola@ElevatorUK.com