From Dubai sunshine to North East success

A couple from Dubai have swapped their tax-free salaries and sunny lifestyle for a North East business venture.

Paul and Laura Robinson, who met in the UAE, have launched Fourteen Twenty-One, a company offering custom premium golf apparel and accessories.

Paul, a former professional golfer, was working with some of the biggest brands in golf and distributing products throughout the Middle East while living in the UAE.

But after the birth of the couple’s daughter, they decided to take more ownership of their careers.

Within just five months, their business has secured contracts with top Scottish golf clubs including The Old Course Hotel in St Andrews and Dumbarnie Links. 

And thanks to support from business adviser Rita Callender at North East BIC, as well as funding through the Enterprising North programme, the couple are expanding with other golf venues across the UK and into corporate branding with the likes of distilleries, banks and car companies.

Gateshead-born Laura, who was a nurse in the UAE, said: “We’ve lived all over the world, but nowhere compares to home when it comes to setting up a business. 

“It’s so much more secure here, and there is excellent support to help you get started.

“We had a bit of a rocky start in Dubai with some bad decisions with suppliers.

“We quickly realised how many sharks were ready to take our money and provide terrible service.

“Then we came home and met Rita - it was a huge relief. 

“The fact she has no hidden agenda and no expectation from our relationship was like a breath of fresh air. 

“She just has our best interests at heart and wants to see us do well.”

Rita added: “It’s a real coup for the North East to be able to attract the talent and ambition of Paul and Laura, and the Enterprising North programme is all about getting these exciting businesses started on our doorstep.

“I’m so pleased to know that the warmth of our business community more than makes up for those sunny days of Dubai, and I’m excited to see where the Fourteen Twenty-One brand goes next.” 

The Robinsons are also working on a new app for Fourteen Twenty-One – named after the birth of golf in Scotland – that will let customers collaborate on designs. 

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