Support Paul in setting up his new business

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My Story

I have been involved in tourism since 2016 when I first contacted Invisible Cities. Invisible Cities are a Social Enterprise who train people affected by homelessness to become Tour Guides. I was actually homeless at the time, so I saw this as a perfect opportunity to become a Tour Guide. I had previously tried to set up a tour company in 2014, but my circumstances at the time scuppered this chance.
I completed my training with Invisible Cities and CRISIS, I then went to Edinburgh College to complete further Tour Guide training and I passed! I was working part time with Invisible Cities until 2020, when I actually got a full time job during Covid as I managed to turn my hand to live-streaming virtual tours to a worldwide audience. I became one of the top 15 Virtual Tour Guides in the world raising £1000’s for Invisible Cities. The virtual audience could be as high as over 500 people from all over the world watching you. It was one of the best periods in my life. I had been head-hunted by a major American Tour Company and I was offered a job as a Tour Leader in 2022 and I worked for them until last October.
I was trained by a Blue Badge Guide ( Professional guide ) to do panoramic coach tours and tours of Edinburgh Castle so I do this in between my 2-3 week tours.
Due to health concerns I have decided to stop doing 2-3 week long tours to concentrate on setting up my new tour company called Paul James Stewart Tours this year and concentrate on bringing tourists to my home town of Leith.

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Edinburgh Council are going to help promote my tours, as are Visit Scotland as they are trying to attract tourists away from the overcrowded centre of Edinburgh which coincides with the opening of the new tram line extended down to Leith last year. I am setting up a ticket selling agreement with Visit Scotland who are going to sell my tours online and in their shop on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. I am also on booking platforms, Viator and Get My Guide.  
I have a professional website and Fareharbor are my booking agents.
I plan to use whisper headsets for ease of use with my tour groups and these cost £1000, so a third of the crowdfunder will go on the headsets. Whisper headsets became popular during Covid, and they are great for tour groups, as people walk at different speeds and they allow social distancing which is still important to some people.
I also have to pay £2000 for my website development, maintenance and search engine optimisation.
I also need to spend £1300 on marketing and advertising materials, flyers, posters and workwear.
I have various other costs ranging from, paying for admin, promo videos, research, research materials, business help and other miscellaneous needs in a modern age setting up a business.
I also need money to survive until I start getting bookings and tours completed. Edinburgh is a very popular destination and I hope to start getting booking from late february onwards, peaking in June, July and August.
January is not so  busy, so I am launching everything at the start of February with the aim of getting some bookings in Feb and March and then get really busy. As a person with a

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background of homelessness, I have to be cautious with my spending, so please be assured that any donation will be greatly appreciated and used wisely.  
My medium term plan, if successful, would be to employ a young person, maybe someone who has come through the care system, or has had a difficult upbringing, as I know from personal experience how difficult it can be to get a job as a Tour Guide. Thank you for reading my story, and please only donate if you can afford to. Paul.