Member Article

North East student launches boredom-battling business

North East student Scott Anderson has launched his own business aimed at battling boredom by promoting what’s on in the region.

Juggling his time as a full time student Northumbria University and working at the North East Autism Society, Scott wanted to help people plan days out with their families.

Not actually intending to start his own business; Scott began by regularly planning days out that the children could enjoy and would post his feedback through his social media. This resulted in getting a lot of messages from others in the region wanting more information on the days out, resulting in I’m Bored North East becoming established.

He explained: “It wasn’t my intention to start a business, but after answering a lot of people’s questions on individual events I decided to create my own Facebook page detailing what’s on, saving myself time in replying to thousands.”

He then visited the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) and was appointed business adviser, Ron Anderson. The programme run by the BIC is being part financed by the European Union’s ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-13, securing £1.47m ERDF investment.

Working in a consortium led by North East Enterprise Agencies Ltd (NEEAL) local Enterprise and Development Agencies in the North East have matched this ERDF investment with £1.47m of their own funds.

Scott said: “I visited the BIC after a friend recommended them. Ron made me understand how to start making a profit from the page and how I could make it become a viable business.

“Ron has been great and within a week of taking his advice on board the page began making money.

“The fact that the website has spread through word of mouth alone makes me incredibly proud and my page on Facebook has now 22 thousand likes. The support and feedback have been amazing.

“It is also about helping the businesses too, raising awareness of what’s on in the region so people can use it or lose it. People mistake me for a large company but it’s just me with the strapline go make memories.”

Ron added: “As soon as Scott came to the BIC I was overwhelmed by his enthusiasm and determination for keeping families up to date. As well as studying full time and his work with the autism society Scott still finds the time to make his business venture a success and I look forward to seeing it grow and grow.

“If there is anyone out there wondering if self-employment is for them I urge them to get in touch with the BIC. We offer a wide range of products and services to anyone wishing to start their own business.”