Inspiring Women on International Women’s Day
This International Women’s Day, we are highlighting the inspiring stories of self-employed women who run an incredible variety of innovative businesses and enterprises.
Our CEO Jackie says: “Scotland’s economy needs more female entrepreneurs, and GrowBiz is proud to support women-led enterprises across rural Scotland. They play a critical role in the rural economy, running a diverse range of businesses in every sector.
“But there could be even more if we all work together to address some of the obstacles which still exist – including access to finance, childcare provision and appropriate business support and training.
“International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women business owners, while highlighting the challenges they continue to face.”
In this article, we have selected excerpts from a few of our most recent client stories to share with you, from women who are painters, social enterprise founders, carers, print designers, furniture restorers, and jewellers and copywriters. They show both the joys and challenges of self-employment, being realistic and motivating at the same time:
Victoria Gordon
Victoria Gordon Art was created in 2019. It all started in Victoria’s kitchen after she was diagnosed with a debilitating illness called ME. This left her homebound and unable to work or continue her degree. That was when she was gifted some watercolours by her partner and the journey started.
The tag line of the business is ‘Connecting you to Nature’ and this has been her guiding light since starting this business.
Victoria feels at the moment social media is making everything look like instant success and she wants to acknowledge that creating a sustainable business is mainly hard work and determination.
It is very important to Victoria to keep her business production within Scotland and as handmade as possible.
We asked Victoria if she has any advice to wannabe entrepreneurs? “Firstly, I would say go for it! Life is short and doing what makes you happy is so important.”
Helen O'Brien
Founded by Helen O'Brien, Creative Catalyst is a community interest company run by artists and supported by creative entrepreneurs who are passionate about and have a track record of delivering opportunities for young people to develop their potential, through creative, employability and enterprise programmes.
Now celebrating their 3rd Birthday, Creative Catalyst has a studio based at Perth Creative Exchange, and are always open to taking on new commissions and collaborations which offer hands on work experience to build young peoples confidence and interests in the creative industries.
Jane Ward
Jane is an experienced self-employed carer in rural Perthshire and Kinross, and tells us all about her journey to where she is now.
“I have always been involved in care and support. Originally a nurse in critical care, then in elderly care which I loved. Ended up running a care home and then had a child at aged 43. At that point I decided not to go back to nursing but instead took jobs here and there that fitted into family life.”
Eventually, Jane became a self-employed carer, supporting a few clients, particularly people who have had a diagnosis of dementia and also providing end-of-life care. She says: “It is a privilege and pleasure to support people this way. I love the role. I like being my own boss and planning with the person how best to support them at home. It seems to work really well.”
She also adds: “I wish I became self-employed earlier. I’m really glad I did. I like being my own boss and providing care on my terms and working closely with them and the family.”
Sophie Downes
Sophie Downes is one of the enterprising young people in our SEED (Self Employment and Entrepreneurial Development) Programme.
Sophie says: “I graduated from art school in 2021. And at the beginning of this year, I took the jump of leaving my job in retail to focus on my creative business from home.”
A print designer, she’s made fantastic progress in her business, achieving several milestones, including receiving her very first wholesale order, developing her own stationary collection with her SEED funding, and attending New Designers 2022 in London to showcase her work.
Read (or watch) Sophie’s story here.
Joanne O’Donnell
Joanne of reupholstery and restoration business 3Rs Rescue Restore & Reuse in the Cairngorms was running a sustainable business model, until the impending cost of running her high street premises forced her to rethink and close her premises.
However, the business has pivoted and, with support from GrowBiz, was successful with a funding application to the Cairngorms Community Led Vision fund that will see Joanne taking her workshops out into the community and working with community groups to make learning new skills affordable during the financial crisis.
She says of GrowBiz support: “It's been great, very approachable with lots of opportunities for support, learning and advice and local and relevant.”
Julie Steele
Julie lives in Nethy Bridge with her husband and two young daughters. With a work background in law, fiction and legal editorial work, tourism and the third sector, as for many the Covid pandemic prompted a re-evaluation of Julie’s work life and childcare provision.
Julie had started making beaded and silver jewellery over 12 years previously, and June 2020 she decided to take the plunge and embarked upon the Jewellers Academy online Diploma in Silver Jewellery, with the intention of setting up her own business, which would allow her to work in a flexible way around her family responsibilities, doing what she loves best.
While Julie builds her jewellery business, Marram Blue, she also provides copywriting services to other businesses, giving her an extra income stream.
Libby Scott
Libby Scott is a painter whose work captures both the drama of the remote Scottish landscape and a glimpse of a moment in time, evoking a sense of mood of the land and place. She previously worked in healthcare and also as an off-road driving instructor, but wanted more flexibility and freedom to pursue a creative career.
Initially, Libby says she found it difficult to turn elsewhere for help, as she is very independent. She says: “Recognising that I needed support and advice — and going to the right place for it — when my business was being so badly affected by the pandemic was a huge turning point for me.”
One place Libby turned for support was GrowBiz. “From mentoring to training and advice about accessing funding, they’ve made a huge difference to me,” she adds. “I’ve also been fortunate to become part of Perthshire Artisans, it’s a hugely supportive community of creatives.”
Browse the rest of our client stories for more experiences from inspirational women!