How and why did you start in business? For twenty years I had been working in the industry. I was made redundant in 2021 and decided, at the age of 45, that I was going back to university. This was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
My purpose was to increase my skills and understanding, with the intent of starting my own consultancy company. How did you get to where you are today? Looking back, my first business experience was when I was very young and helping out on my parents’ farm. There was a lot of manual work, but it was all good foundational stuff for becoming a business consultant in the future.
Even from those early days, I understood that in order to get anything done it can take a lot of support, encouragement and patience from others. I’ve also put the hours in. My business is only 11 months old, and one of the hardest things has been “getting out there” and getting known.
I joined the to take advantage of their free business networking events, and meeting and talking with other business owners continues to be very important. Who helped you? So, so many people have helped me along the way. Family, friends, and everyone I’ve met who are already involved in running their own businesses.
They’ve all given me advice, encouragement, and shared a few cautionary tales. It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes the world to show a person horizons. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever had? “A ship is safe in harbour, but that’s not what ships are for”.
In my business life, this saying reminds me to push myself out of my comfort zone, especially when I first started out. I’ve done the study and completed the training, now I have to get out there and do what I’m good at. What is your biggest mistake? Professionally, I unintentionally raised a requisition for a six-figure item due to an early career stock adjustment error.
The first I knew about it was a phone call asking if I had made a mistake. Yes, yes I had. This was a lesson learned, and I now keep my business finances under much tighter control.
What is your greatest achievement? At networking events in recent months, I’ve talked to a lot of people. An important achievement for me has been that, as I answer questions and discuss my business, I feel that I’ve gained some great insights about myself. As an example, I see how what may be obvious to myself is, to others, highly specialised or niche knowledge and understanding.
Also, you don’t have to spend all your life or career being who other people think you should or must be. How are you managing rapidly rising costs, and how could the government help? The same way as everyone else has always done; trim the sails, tighten your belt and get on with things as best you can. As for how the government could help, I’m afraid not an economist.
What do you still hope to achieve? I really enjoyed the time I spent at university. I’d like to get to the stage where I can split my time between working and studying for a doctorate in business administration. What do you do to relax? I spend time with friends, watch movies, listen to music, read and go to the occasional gig.
I have been known to wander up a hill or along a beach from time to time. Also, I like taking road trips around Scotland, so I often try to combine these things. What are you currently reading, listening to or glued to on TV? Still with my studying head on, I’ve been reading my course books from my MBA about ethics in leadership and decision making.
I’ve recently been interviewed by a young person who is writing an essay for the TechFest 2024 Energy in Action competition, and I didn’t want to let them down. Musically, my tastes are quite broad. Right now, I’m listening to the on YouTube.
What do you waste your money on? I wouldn’t say I waste it, but sometimes people just don’t understand why I’ve bought something. What’s the first thing you do when you get up in the morning? If I have the luxury of not having to immediately prepare myself to head out and go to a meeting or appointment, then I like to take a while to just think about things. Sometimes I get my best ideas in those moments.
What do you drive and dream of driving? I drive a Volvo V40. I’d quite like an Eagle E-type Jaguar..
