Former Dons player Ash Taylor and Aberdeen businessman Cameron Wilson are hoping to break into the world of sport nutrition with their new venture.
The pair are set to launch PWR Protein next month with the aim of becoming a “household name” within the UK sports supplement industry.
PWR will provide whey protein powders, meal replacement powders and gym clothing to begin with and hope to add snack alternatives by the end of May.
Ex-Aberdeen defender Mr Taylor was approached to start the new business after Mr Wilson realised there was a gap in the market.
The 32-year-old said: “I’ve known Cameron since my Aberdeen days and we’ve always kept in touch.
“He came to me because he knows how big I am into fitness and the gym.
“He said he had an idea and did I want to be part of it.
“Cameron is dealing with the majority of it with me concentrating on football and helping where I can with my input. I’ll try and bring it into the professional game and push it forward.
“I’m very confident in it with the right people and me knowing people in football and how important nutrition is in football.
“It’s something that I feel will be really good for us and do well.
“We are starting off with your typical whey protein, meals and gym clothing, then further along the line to add different snacks. We are looking to grow.”
Gap in the market
Mr Wilson added: “I’ve been involved within the sports industry for the past two and a half years running a sports management company.
“I was dealing with athletes such as Ash and found a lot were complaining about sports supplements.
“It was then I thought about setting up the business. In October I started coming up with branding, names and products before approaching Ash to come onboard in November.
“I knew he had interest within that area and a good passion for it.”
Strict standards
All products will be created and produced in the UK and it is hoped the business will soon be certified by Informed Sport which tests every single sports supplements batch for banned substances before being released to market.
Mr Wilson, who lives in the Dyce area of the city, said: “The powders go through all legal checks at our supplier’s factory to meet guidelines and trading standards.
“We will be getting certified by Informed Sport soon.
“The products are all created and produced in the UK as we believe in staying strong to our roots.”
Become ‘a household name’
PWR Protein has already attracted interest from a number of footballers including former Aberdeen FC player Calvin Ramsay who now plays for Liverpool.
Mr Wilson said: “We’ve got a great following and a lot of that is due to Ash.
“Calvin Ramsay who is now at Liverpool, various Aberdeen players including Ross McCrorie and Duk and other sports people engaging with us.
“Our eventual aim for the players to start using the supplements and the ultimate goal is to become a household name within the UK then expand worldwide.”
The company is also hoping to work with football clubs in Scotland and England in the future.
Life after football
For Mr Taylor, who made 178 appearances for Aberdeen, he is well aware of the importance of a career beyond football.
The dad-of-two, who now plays for Kilmarnock, said: “I always give advice to the younger lads now to prepare for life after football because football is a short career.
“For me, it’s always important to have that concentration on football and give everything I can but also have an eye on what’s happening after football.
“That’s something I’ve always carried with me because you need that. Football doesn’t last forever.
“I have a wife and kids myself and everyone has bills to pay at the end of the day and you always need to look at life after football.”
Confident of success
Despite times being tough due to the cost of living crisis and soaring energy bills Mr Wilson is confident it’s the right time to start a new business.
He said: “It’s more the case that I’m excited.
“I don’t see the current climate as a negative. I see it as a time to grow and establish yourself.
“If you can do it in a hard industry you can do it in an easier one.
“It’s a good time to get started and I know Ash feels the same.”
Mr Taylor said: “Everyone is suffering with the cost of living crisis as everyone has bills to pay with things doubling and rising.
“But I feel it is a good market to start ourselves with and we can grow the business within this crisis at the moment.
“If we don’t start it when is the right time. We thought we’ll go ahead and get it up and running.”
PWR Protein launches on January 1.
Conversation