Jordan continues to Aspire to be the best
Funding for young entrepreneur
21.07.2018 A d r i ven Pa i s l e y entrepreneur who was once told he wouldn’t even become a cleaner has become the youngest recipient of a prestigious funding grant.
Jordan McPhail, 20, has been awarded £22,000 by Firstport to take his social enterprise Aspire Community Solutions to the next level.
The Ferguslie Park innovator’s company provides construction, landscaping and groundworks as well as cleaning services in the area, whilst training up those with barriers to employment and enhancing community spaces.
The cash boost, which is provided through the Scottish Government’s Social Entrepreneurs Fund, will allow Jordan to fully dedicate himself to his company.
He said: “The funding will allow me to go full time into Aspire – currently I juggle this, plus two part-time jobs.
“At the moment we provide our services mainly to domestic customers, local authorities and housing associations but there’s an opportunity to expand and deliver more in the private sector.
“Now I can focus on the business full time. We’re hoping to double our income and double our social impact over the next two years and hope to continue this on into the future after the grant period.”
Jordan started Aspire during his Standard Grades and has now supported around 30 individuals from a variety of backgrounds, including long term unemployed, ex-offenders and young people, achieving great success rates with 90 per cent moving into employment, and a further seven per cent progressing into education or training.
He first received Firstport funding at the age of 18 and over the past two years he has also secured a loan that allowed him to purchase a van and have working capital for the business.
The former St Andrew’s Academy pupil says he was once told by a teacher that he would amount to nothing – which only made him more determined to succeed.
Jordan added: “I grew up in Ferguslie Park, an area of high deprivation and a lack of opportunities.
“To have a teacher in secondary school tell me that I wouldn’t even be a cleaner in Asda just added to my fire – not only to prove them wrong, but also help other young people and those with barriers to employment.
“I established Aspire as in my eyes the only way to do business is through a social enterprise.
“Being a social entrepreneur is a way of life and I certainly wouldn’t change that as the impact you have on others is life changing.”
Josiah Lockhart, chief executive of Firstport said: “Jordan’s enthusiasm and drive for his enterprise is key to its success.
“Not only is he driving his business forward, delivering competitive services, but he’s focused on maximising his social impact.
“Young people are increasingly seeing business as a way to deliver social impact and Jordan is a fantastic example of this.
“As Scotland continues to celebrate the Year of Young People, at Firstport we have two great opportunities to support the next generation of social entrepreneurs to try out good ideas.”