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Stick to the knitting, says Sir Tom Farmer, a veteran of three recessions.

Aged 68, the grand-daddy of the Kwik Fit fitters is more of a man for re-tyring than retiring (his joke, not mine), and not at all well known for the production of woollen products.

It's the Leither's way of saying that entrepreneurs should stick to what they know when times get tough. Also have confidence in yourself. And within your team, have confidence in each other.

This comes with a plea to public authorities, including the Scottish Government, to look for ways of pulling back on red tape.

There's praise for some of what SNP ministers have done to cut through red tape on occasions that have brought them criticism for sailing close to the limits of planning protocol.

But they could do more, says Sir Tom. Regulation is necessary, but not enough is being done to hack it back.

If you want to hear more about his advice for budding entrepreneurs, you can hear him interviewed on The Business on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Scotland, on Sunday, 1 March, at 10am.

And he's keynote speaker at New Start Scotland, an exhibition and seminar event on March 27 and 28 at Glasgow's SECC. Find out more about that at www.newstartscotland.com.