From Rock Bottom to a Multi-Million Business: One entrepreneur and a BMW companion

In a remarkable twist of fate, a once-dilapidated BMW that symbolised rock bottom for entrepreneur Andrew Scott has now become a beacon of hope for struggling and aspiring 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.

Andrew had previously enjoyed a successful career, gaining recognition as a turnaround and growth expert. But in 2001, after acquiring a struggling retail business, the Twin Towers attack on 9/11 triggered global panic devastating the company. Andrew pushed forward, taking on more debt, but a legal dispute ultimately brought the business down.

“I had lost almost everything, I was drowning in debt, and I had no income. But as I sat in my car contemplating my future, I knew I had two young boys to provide for. I made the decision to start over—and came up with the idea for a consultancy and mentoring service to support other entrepreneurs,” Andrew recalls.

That decision led him to build a multi-million-pound group of companies and an impressive property portfolio.

Over the next three years, he clocked up 250,000 miles in his trusted BMW before it finally gave out and was taken away for scrap.

In a near-cinematic twist, nearly two decades later, Andrew spotted the car still on the roads of Weston-super-Mare, now driven by a retired construction worker. After months of negotiation, Andrew bought it back for £3,000—ten times its worth.

Now with 335,000 miles on the clock, an inspired Andrew Scott decided to restore the car to its former glory.

Today, the vehicle has become an integral part of his mission to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. Andrew uses the car to show that rock bottom can be the foundation for incredible success. The restored car is more than just a symbol of personal achievement—it’s a mobile mentoring station where Andrew transforms lives.

“When business people are facing tough times or need inspiration, I invite them to join me in the car, to sit where I once sat, and show them how to turn things around.”

That moment of despair two decades ago became the catalyst for an extraordinary comeback. Today, Andrew is one of Britain’s most successful entrepreneurs. His Ascot Group HQ near Bristol has become a powerhouse in the UK business world.

Awarded the prestigious ‘Director of the Year’ for Corporate Responsibility by the Institute of Directors, Andrew has mentored over 1,000 start-up and scale-up entrepreneurs globally. He also founded Business Leader, Britain’s leading business magazine for entrepreneurs, which he sold in 2023 to Richard Harpin, the tycoon behind the £4.1 billion sale of Homeserve PLC.

“Just as I’ve rebuilt this BMW, anyone can rebuild a business or their life. It’s not about where you are now, but where you’re determined to go.”

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—to inspire those facing challenges.

“I couldn’t believe it when I spotted the same BMW I sat in 20 years ago when everything had fallen apart,” Andrew reflects. “Now, it’s not just a reminder of my journey, but a powerful tool to show others that no matter what you face in life or business, there’s always hope.”