Former taxi drivers, Graeme Duncan and David Maughan, are being hailed as talented glassmakers.
Last March the friends gave up their profitable Glasgow hackney businesses to turn their talents to making kiln formed glass and, their new company - Intaglio - is already making waves in the industry.
Partner, David Maughan, came up with the initial idea after visiting his brother Douglas in Brisbane. "Looking back, it really seems like fate that we should go into glassmaking. I hadn't seen my brother for twenty years and, after a lot of catching up, he suggested I should think about setting up a glassmaking business like his back home in Scotland.
David Maughan"I was really impressed with his set up and thought it could be a real goer. So on my return I met up with Graham and after a lot of talking and months of research, we put together a viable business plan."
This was a very brave move on both men's part as neither had any artistic background or formal qualifications in the field.
Not scared by a challenge, they remained committed to their idea and after being turned down by neighbouring authorities for support funding, turned to South Lanarkshire Council for help.
"We instantly got a lot of support from the South Lanarkshire business team which was very reassuring. They helped us to put our plan into action and offered £7,000 of support funding from their Business Loan and Business Venture Funds. With this financial backing we were able to set up shop at an industrial unit in College Milton, East Kilbride."
Since then, the duo have gone from strength to strength building up an enviable client list which includes the likes of Glasgow's premier new hotel, Langs, who commissioned abstract wall plaques, signage for Cranberry's Tea Rooms in the Merchant City and, lighting and shelving for Glasgow restaurant, Italiamania.
Graeme Duncan"We have a wide range of commercial and domestic clients predominantly across the Central belt. However, we have plans to expand our client base throughout Scotland and even europe. With this in mind, we are setting up a web-site and have just quoted for a private job in Portugal which requires windows, doors, mirrors and a variety of decorative glassworks to be created for a villa.
"We really enjoy this side of the business and have worked for many customers who want individual glass pieces such as breakfast bars, created for their home," explains Graeme.
As well as producing decorative glass, Intaglio are currently the only specialist supplier in Scotland of glass bends i.e. curved glass made in a steel mould. This glass is mainly used for replacement, sash and store front windows. In fact, recently they supplied glass bends for Balmoral Castle!
"We have plans to expand our client base throughout Scotland and even Europe."
"Glass bend is a large percentage of our current business and we are excited about the expansion of our decorative and commission based work. We already have a bank of interior designers and architects using us regularly and very much see this area as the future of our business," said Graeme.
The team has already expanded to three with the recent appointment of Marketing Manager, Terri Hopkin. The future looks very bright for this young company which is great news for anyone considering setting up a new business.
For further information on South Lanarkshire Council's Business Fund or Business Venture Fund contact 01698 455153