A ONCE-dilapidated BMW that symbolised rock bottom for entrepreneur Andrew Scott is now being used to inspire struggling business owners.
Twenty years ago, Andrew found himself at his lowest point—sitting in his clapped-out BMW on Weston-super-Mare beach grappling with a collapsed business, £100,000 of credit card debt, and a failing marriage.
But in his moment of despair, he had the inspiration to start over and launch a new venture, and the Ascot Group was born.
Over the next three years Andrew travelled the UK in his trusted old BMW promoting his consultancy business, until the car finally gave up and was taken away for scrap.
In a remarkable twist of fate, nearly two decades later Andrew spotted the car still on the roads of Weston-super-Mare. It turns out the scrap dealer repaired the car and sold it to a retired construction worker, who had had the car ever since.
After months of negotiation, Andrew bought back the dilapidated old car for £3,000 – ten times what it was worth.
Having gone through a full restoration, and now with over 335,000 miles on the clock, the BMW has become a mentoring tool in his mission to inspire and guide the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Andrew said: “I use this car to show others that rock bottom can be the foundation for incredible success’.
Today Andrew oversees a multi-million group of companies, has mentored over 1,000 start-up and scale-up entrepreneurs globally and founded Business Leader, Britain’s biggest business magazine for entrepreneurs, which he recently sold to business tycoon Richard Harpin.
He invites struggling entrepreneurs to sit in the very seat where he once contemplated his own failures, now transformed into a symbol of resilience and potential.
“And just like I’ve rebuilt this BMW, anyone can rebuild their business and their life. It’s not about where you start, but where you’re determined to go.”
Andrew’s journey from a rainy beach to business success exemplifies the resilience and determination that define true entrepreneurial spirit.
As he continues to innovate and grow the Ascot Group, Andrew remains committed to nurturing the next generation of business leaders, using his own story—and his faithful old BMW—as inspiration for those facing their own challenges.
“Now, it’s not just a reminder of my journey, but a powerful tool to show others that whatever you face in life or business, there’s always hope.”
To find out more about Andrew visit AndrewScott.bio
