Fitness boss in running for award

Louise opened her first centre in Motherwell in 2004

A Lanarkshire-based businesswoman is among six finalists hoping to be crowned Scotland's Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Louise McDonald, 26, set up her first woman only health and fitness club in Motherwell in 2004.

She now has four Curves franchises with 1,500 members and an annual turnover of £350,000.

The other hopefuls for the prestigious award include a plumber, a ceramics retailer and a smoothie maker.

The title of Young Entrepreneur of the Year is given annually to a start-up business by the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The winner receives £1,500 to further develop their company.

By building successful businesses and contributing to their local communities, they are playing an important part in Scotland's economic future Mark Strudwick, PSYBT

Louise McDonald, who is originally from County Armagh in Northern Ireland, told the BBC News website that she decided to set up her business in Lanarkshire after seeing a niche in the Scottish market.

The Curves concept - where women only members take part in a 30 minute circuit workout - originated in the United States.

The 26-year-old said: "In Northern Ireland there was a Curves in almost every town but in Scotland I knew there was only one franchise and I saw it had huge potential."

"I found the perfect start-up location in Motherwell and it grew from there."

Busy schedules

Louise now runs four franchises, and across Scotland there are 39 Curves centres.

She said: "I think it's a success because there's nothing else quite like it. It's completely different from going to a normal gym.

"It's designed specifically for women and their body shapes and they can fit it into busy lifestyles and schedules."

Marita Dominci, 30, has been a member of Curves in Motherwell for two and a half years.

She said: "I used to go to another gym but found it hard to motivate myself when I was there. However, here you have to complete the 30 minute circuit.

"There's a nice mix of members, with women of all ages, so you can have a wee chat as you do your workout."

Stiff competition

Louise McDonald is up against some stiff competition for the coveted Young Entrepreneur title.

The five other finalists are Iain Withers from the Borders who runs a mountain biking firm; Ruth Colsten who has a ceramics shop in North Berwick; Austin McPhee who owns a sports tourism company; Michael Docherty from Larbert who has built up a successful plumbing and heating business; and Callum Johnson from Glasgow who runs a chain of juice and smoothie bars.

Mark Strudwick, Chief Executive of the PSYTB, said: "It is our role to support and help Scotland's young people take those first few steps in business and our six finalists are wonderful examples of what can be achieved.

"By building successful businesses and contributing to their local communities, they are playing an important part in Scotland's economic future and we are delighted to recognise their achievements with these national awards."

The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Glasgow on 19 November.