Andy Winning: Scotland Is Very “Traditional” When It Comes to the Employee Market Which Makes It Really Hard To Hire the Right People Here

Andy Winning of Credabill.

Where in Scotland are you located?

Glasgow

Tell us about yourself?

I started 2 business from scratch in 2015/16 that went on to have combined revenues of £25m per annum when at peak. I exited from both in 2020/21 to found Credabill

What lessons has being an entrepreneur taught you?

That things can change very quickly, and the need for agility when operating in any fast moving industry is a necessity

If you could go back in time to when you first started your business, what piece of advice would you give yourself?

Treat every single day like it is day one. Even when you start to get some success, do not stop and think that things will continue if you do not.

Also that in the early days, cash trumps profits on all levels… an company can operate without profit as long as it has cash, a cashless company just stops everything.

A lot of entrepreneurs find it difficult to balance their work and personal lives. How have you found that?

I used to spend every minute of everyday “working” – late nights, weekends etc. What I now realise is that it is all about time management and being realistic. There’s always tomorrow

What is the inspiration behind your business?

That every single business, regardless of age, size or turnover should be able to offer their customers monthly payment finance at point of quote.

What do you think is your magic sauce? What sets you apart from the competitors?

We have levelled the playing field by allowing small home improvement businesses compete with the larger outfits by offering monthly payment finance.

Our platform doesn’t discriminate against a smaller business just cause they don’t have £500k or £1m of turnover – we welcome businesses of all size and status on to our platform

How have you found sales so far? Do you have any lessons you could pass on to other founders in the same market as you just starting out?

Our userbase and revenue has grown steadily since our hard launch in Jan 2022, following our MVP period in late 2020, and through 2021. Again my advice is any startup founder is to make sure you have enough cash, either via bootstrapping to see you to investment, or investment to see you to profit

What is the biggest challenge you have faced so far in your business, and how did you overcome it?

Our biggest challenge has been under estimating how hard it would be to get investment

What do you consider are the main strengths of operating your business in Scotland?

actually, I cant think of anything specific no.

What if any are weaknesses of operating your business within Scotland?

Yes, lack of understanding of the tech start-up culture amongst potential employees. Scotland is very “traditional” when it comes the the employee market which makes it really hard to hire the right people here.

What influence does being part of the UK have on your business?

UK is very developed when it comes to spreading the cost of purchases and taking out finance to pay for things… Its a pretty normal thing to do in the uk and this helps . The UK is also crazy for home improvements.

What do you want to accomplish in the next 5 years with your business?

£1bn in lending.

How has Brexit impacted your business (if at all)?

It hasn’t

And finally, if people want to get involved and learn more about your business, how should they do that?

email me on [email protected]

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