The fourth BPCC/PBlink event for Polish entrepreneurs of 2014 took place in Aberdeen on 5 June, a day after the celebration of Poland's 25th anniversary of the ending of communism. The seminar-mixer was a chance for local Scots businesses to learn about the dynamic Polish market – and about the dynamic Polish entrepreneurs who've made Scotland their home since Poland joined the EU in 2004. The host of the even was the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
After an introduction and welcome from the BPCC's chief advisor Michael Dembinski and PBlink's founder, Bartłomiej Kowalczyk, Fiona Gammie from Enterprise North East Trust and Business Gateway talked about the broad range of support offered to start-up businesses in Aberdeenshire, including mentoring, finance, employing people and office space. Robert Brechin from Santander in Aberdeen explained what banks were looking for from entrepreneurs, and the lessons they've learnt after the financial crisis.
Michael Dembinski presented the BPCC's Trade Team, highlighting the growing trade gap between the UK and Poland and how the chamber is geared up to support UK exporters, in particular by matching them to Polish importers, distributors and agents.
There were then three case studies looking at successful businesses set up in Scotland by Polish entrepreneurs. Krzysztof Kieryś from BC Printing outlined his company's growth from dealing with small print orders for Polish businesses to handling large jobs such as shop and restaurant signage, wrapping car, van and bus fleets with advertising, while still carrying out conventional print jobs.
Aleksandra Głowczyk talked about Auto-Spa Mobile, the company she set up with Łukasz Kozioł three years ago, to steam-clean cars at their owners' premises. The company is doing so well that the two founders are planning on expanding the business in a franchise model.
Piotr Wojtalewski from Polish Cleaning Services talked about how the company was set up – when the landlord of the flat he was renting was so impressed with how clean it was, he offered Piotr and his partner the chance to set up their own property-cleaning business. This has since flourished, and Polish Cleaning Services now cleans offices and factories – all to an exceptionally high standard.
After the presentations, there was the now-traditional networking session, at which everyone had the chance to introduce themselves and their business. The Scottish hosts were visibly impressed by the success and vigour of the Polish entrepreneurs, who had very quickly established themselves in Scotland, in part due to the ease of doing business that the country could offer.
The event was supported by MoneyGram, Santander and BC Printing.