The Road to Here

Hey there,

My name is Martin and I am the owner and designer at Blueprint Effect.  Here is a little about my past and how I came to be here.

My first venture into paid work came in the kitchen of a little place called the Chapters Bistro, in Gattonside, in the Scottish Borders.  I was an assistant chef. My role was to prepare the starters, assist with the main course and prepare the deserts. Not that hard you say? This was my first job at the age of 15, still at school and at the critical time of exams. This was a resturaunt that was always filled, when one table became empty another filled, at most times it was as if the customers were playing musical chairs. Alongside the head chef we served nearly 60+ people a night in the short space of about 5 hours.

Although it was a difficult job it was probably the most important point in my life.  I gained so much from that little place from being able to work under a lot of pressure to maintaining a consistantly high quality service.  This is also where I learned how to manage my time ( I would still say being about 20mins early is good).

When this job came to a close I travelled around for a while and then I attended a computer course at Telford College in Edinburgh.

I was diagnosed with asthma when I was 17 which reacts badly to steam and bleach cleaning products so any potential work in another kitchen was lost.

That put me down a fair bit.  Knowing that I had restrictions on my life, knowing that I couldn't do what I enjoyed as a job.  After a kick up the butt from my nana I decided to volunteer at my local Cancer Research UK. I quickly became a voluntary assistant manager and ran the shop while the manger was on leave. The work I was doing there was noticed and I  became well known by the regulars .  I was then snapped up by a friend to become their floor manager in a computer repair shop.  I loved it there.  Computer accessories everywhere, my very own space at the front of the shop, I was in full control of the shop floor.

Unfortunately I became part of an abusive relationship, not something I really like going into or even mentioning it especially with being male but the past is in the past and it only made me a stronger person. Due to this I had to move on from my job and from my area.

This move was a good one,  I met my partner and I am now a part of a wonderful family.  I became interested in clothing and accessory design and soon found that I could turn this into a business. I did not think I would get to where I am but with a lot of planning and support from the Be Creative Studio I managed it.  My own business, my name above it and a supportive family by my side.