Renfrewshire design agency celebrates 200% growth year-on-year for 8 years running 

About the business

Yellow Slate Design is a one-stop-shop design agency that offers a range of end-to-end branding services, including logo design, marketing campaigns, social media, websites and printing. Its client base covers many industries, including those in the hospitality, fitness and beauty industries.   

How Business Gateway has helped

Founder, Xander Campbell, launched the business in 2016 after spending several years working as a self-employed graphic designer and artist. Armed with a passion for creativity and design, but in need of the practical skills necessary to start a business, Xander initially approached Business Gateway for support in bringing his vision for Yellow Slate Design to life.  

Xander accessed a suite of Business Gateway’s start-up services, including one-to-one support from a dedicated business adviser, as well as advice on his business plan, company regulations, and marketing, which helped ensure a solid start for his new agency. 

After establishing a solid customer base, Xander continued to work with Business Gateway, and received expert support when the business relocated to a new premises in 2021 to keep up with demand.  

Business Gateway was also instrumental in helping Yellow Slate Design secure funding to appoint a key member of staff, and signposted Xander to a Council discretionary grant programme which enabled the team to invest in new capital equipment.  

Most recently, Xander participated in the Renfrewshire Management Accelerator Programme, which included themed workshops and one-to-one focused sessions to create an action plan for the future.   

Since launching, Xander has grown his business to a team of four, employing a photographer, studio assistant and a studio manager. The studio space has also doubled in size, with the studio fully equipped with a design studio, presentation room, production area and photo studio.  

Looking to the future, Xander plans to continue growing the business with expansion into technology, which will allow clients to take more control of their marketing assets, reducing costs and the amount of time spent on repetitive tasks.  

Xander Campbell, Founder, Yellow Slate Design, said: “I always knew that I wanted to set up my own business, and thanks to support from Business Gateway, I’ve been able to pursue my dreams. With their guidance, I’ve not only honed my craft, but also gained the confidence to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.”