The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Time in lockdown used to begin fresh ventures
RESPONSE: Female Tayside and Fife entrepreneurs upskill and create start-ups
At the start of the year the founder of Dundee Gin Fest was looking forward to her busiest 12 months yet.
Carrie Shannon had eight events planned for 2020 including beer festivals, a wellbeing event and a new food festival for people with allergies.
Covid-19 wiped out her year, with all the events cancelled leaving her with no income and not eligible to access government support.
But Carrie is one of several female entrepreneurs in Tayside and Fife who have responded to the pandemic to upskill and launch new ventures.
Realising people would be unable to go out and celebrate special occasions during lockdown, Carrie formed a We Love Platters that delivers locally sourced produce for special occasions.
She said: “The boxes are packed with cheeses, cured meats, antipasti, locally baked bread, chutneys and sweet treats, adding a wow factor to any gathering.
“Lockdown was a real opportunity for me to think outside the box.”
Carrie teamed up with Dundee-based Aitken Wines to offer wine and now has her own drinks licence.
Lockdown also created the motivation for Jenny Alexander to pursue her business dream.
Having freelanced for around 20 years as a prop buyer, set decorator and art director, including a spell with the BBC’S Eastenders, Jenny’s career had taken her all over the country.
However, looking to spend more time at home in Tayport and refocus on life’s priorities, she chose lockdown as the time to go it alone.
Her new business, Gathering Guild, will launch in the autumn.
She said: “I had wanted to leave the film and TV businesses for a while, everything involves so much travel.
“With around 20 years of experience behind me, I’ll be specialising in dressing and styling events – providing the inspiration, props and themes to transform and personalise weddings, hen parties, conferences and milestone family occasions.”
Donata Kick already ran Renew Your Body in Perth, which helps clients with mobility, posture and pain relief. Covid19 meant her clinic was forced to shut, so she responded by launching a second business, turning her hobby of making art from found objects and repurposed materials into start-up Art in the Attic.
“I’d always enjoyed making gifts for birthdays and Christmas but I would never have considered launching this as a business before,” she said. “Lockdown gave me the push to make it work.”
The businesswomen used skills learned through Dundee-based Women’s Business Station, which offers workshops and mentoring including its fast-track course for start-ups.
The group has received in-kind support worth £11,000 from the Tayside business community, with around 50 members receiving one-to-one support or group training.
Chief executive Angie De Vos said: “Starting up a new business is a tough enough challenge at the best of times. To continue on that mission during a pandemic, followed by the inevitable downturn, is something else altogether.
“Women’s Business Station went into crisis mode when lockdown started but our commitment to the women we support remained at the forefront of everything we do.
“It soon emerged that these entrepreneurs-in-the-making needed more support than ever before to stay focused, communicate with their customers and access financial support.
“In some ways this has been the perfect time for start-ups to make the most of their time and develop skills.
“We have seen a shift from survive to thrive with 85% of the women we support continuing to launch a business despite monumental challenges ahead.”
Lockdown was a real opportunity to think outside the box.
CARRIE SHANNON