RECORD woman
Start your own business with some tips from these young entrepeneurs
THE number of women starting their own businesses has soared by 45 per cent in the UK.
But twice as many men become entrepreneurs and research has shown that if women matched that level, it would boost the economy by more than £7billion a year.
According to some of Scotland’s up-and-coming businesswomen, one of the most important elements in supporting fledgling firms is sticking together.
PR and social media business owner Sheri Scott and nail salon founder Tammy Koslowski were among the women taking part in a special Red Bull event in Glasgow this week to discuss entrepreneurship.
Sheri, 31, from Glasgow, has turned a successful social media presence and blogging profile into her growing business Forever Yours Betty.
Tammy, 28, from Stirling, started her nail salon business NAF in Glasgow two years ago and is now looking to expand and become a booming chain.
They both feel passion and good advice are key ingredients when starting out.
Tammy said: “There is no point pursuing anything you are not passionate about because that’s the only thing that is going to pull you through.
“You have to have something you will want to work on 24/7 and get some good support.”
Tammy began doing nails at university as a hobby. But when she graduated, she realised she didn’t want to turn her fashion degree into a career.
After expanding her nail art skills, she began to cash in on them by doing pop-up nail events and nail bars at vintage fairs and for brands in shops. She said: “I started designing and making nail decals and supplying to places like Urban Outfitters and ASOS.
“I opened my salon on Waterloo Street and I’ve been really busy.
“I started with myself and one nail technician. I now have nine nail technicians and a salon manager. We are fully booked for four weeks and are about to open our second location.” She enjoyed sharing tips and advice at the Red Bull Can Do event. Tammy said: “It was great. The audience were very friendly. “We had questions about employees and finding funding. “When I first opened, I had spoken to people who had salons and everyone was super helpful, with great advice on issues like staffing and legalities.” Sheri was also keen to share her experience. She spent five years blogging on fashion, beauty, business and lifestyle and using social media to engage with people. Sheri said: “I used to do PR for House of Fraser and then moved into another job which I didn’t particularly enjoy. “I started my own business with a friend and then went freelance in business on my own a year ago. “My business is a blog and social media side where I discuss brands, and also PR outreach, working with different businesses.
“It’s about creating your own job role with the internet. It was something I always wanted to do but didn’t think I’d have the confidence to do it when I was younger. “I’ve had a lot of mentors in other businesswomen like Lynne McCrossan, Mary McGowne and my mum Margaret Scott. “I’m lucky that I know a lot of strong women in business and can get good advice from them.” ● For more on the Red Bull Can Do sessions, visit www.redbull.co.uk/ CanDoSessions