Niall Grant, 21. Chief Executive Officer of Recruitwork and winner of Young Scot Enterprise award in 2010.

Overview of the service your company offers those seeking work and those recruiting?

Fully-fledge recruitment platform designed to help young people connect with businesses, create CV's, cover letters, keep track of your job applications, watch our YouTube videos and listen to our iTunes Podcast for some inspirational and wise words from industry leaders, local heroes, to young stars. For businesses it provides a great platform to engage with the youth of today in their local area. 

So how did it all begin?

I was in the car with my dad on the way back from Glasgow and I was struggling to find a summer job at the time, after a bit of discussion and a quick bit of Googling when I got home that evening "East Lothian Teenwork" was born.. I then wrote to a company I had just completed work experience with asking for £100 to pay for website hosting and I got to work building the website. Then discovered I needed some more money to help publicise it so went to Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust - I was 16 at the time so was chancing my luck a bit but it paid off and I got a grant for £1000 (massive highlight of my life). Since then it’s all sort of snowballed. We have just launched a flashy new site across the UK. 

What made you give it a bash?

It was a good idea and I had nothing to lose

How did you get started?

I went to Google and taught myself how to build websites and start business/business planning.

Background in entrepreneurship?

None.

Related Training/Education?

At the time I started I had just sat my Standard Grade exams. I am currently (sort of) studying Finance and Economics at Strathclyde Business School. 

Support you utilised?

PSYBT funding and mentoring. Get a good mentor - makes the world of difference. PSYBT are great. 

What role do you adopt within the team?

CEO - sounds fancy but there is no glamour what-so-ever. It just means if something goes wrong it’s my fault. Very busy most of the time, Ihave to ensure everything is running smoothly. 

Where did the company name come from?

Ten minutes with a note pad jotting down some ideas. Wanted something with consistency so we could have a platform for all ages/stages i.e. teenWORK, uniWORK, gradWORK - with the employer site being recruitWORK.

Where do you see yourself and the company in 5 years time?

Our vision is to create the best online recruitment experience in the world. We definitely want to be a global company, but we also want to be the best choice for any recruitment not just young people. 

Who/What inspires you?

My Mum, Dad and Sir Tom Hunter all inspire and have a pretty big influence on me.  

What’s the best thing about your job?

Seeing an idea come to reality and being useful to someone is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my life. I like trying out new ideas; even if they don't work you can still learn from them. 

High points?

Winning Young Scot of the Year Award for Enterprise in 2010 of course!  The time the first young person who found a job through the site was a great feeling, and launching my business on BBC Breakfast News to 7 million people across the UK the day after my 21st was also pretty cool (and pretty nerve-wracking).

Challenges in starting your own business?

There are lots. It's not easy, but it is very fun and rewarding and you never know what other opportunities are around the corner. Money is not as big issue an issue as some might think, just as long as you are not trying to start a Nuclear Power company. Remember keep it simple - if you can start up without spending anything (or very little) that is the best way to go. 

Top tips for budding entrepreneurs?

Just get stuck in and do it - if you get stuck use Google. If you need something ask family and friends, if they can't help ask if they know someone who can, social networks are pretty powerful. Also get inspired, start reading about other entrepreneurs etc finds a role model and aim to be like them.

Top tips for those seeking work?

When applying for a job, be specific to that company, research it well, and choose something you are actually interested in. If your CV is generic, forget it. Also businesses want to see you are more than just grades so make sure your CV is well rounded and imagine a complete stranger reading it - what is on your CV that says "LOOK AT ME"