Strathearn eco firm is enjoying organic growth

AQUILA ECOLOGY: Andrea Hudspeth wants to share natural beauty

Q. How and why did you start in business?

I started Aquila Ecology in 2015 with no particular business plan formed, I just knew it was time to work for myself.

It was something I had been considering for a couple of years.

I swapped my full-time job for a part-time job, which meant I still had a regular income whilst setting up the business.

Q. How did you get to where you are today?

Since starting, Aquila Ecology has had many repeat customers for ecological consultancy services and gained new customers through recommendations, which has been great.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing though. Establishing the wildlife tourism and education side of the business has been tough.

For this part of the business, partnership working has proved to be the way to go.

Q. Who has helped you along the way?

One of the first things I realised Aquila Ecology would need was a website.

A friend referred me to GrowBiz for advice and I had a really helpful conversation with them.

I put in an application for some funding and although it wasn’t a huge sum, it gave me the motivation I needed to get the ball rolling.

I’ve also been lucky in that my partner helps out with the business where he can.

Q. What was your biggest mistake?

My biggest mistake in the beginning was trying to focus on too many things all at once. I had, and still have, great ambitions for the business.

If I were to start again, I would set targets to reach along the way.

Q. What is your greatest achievement to date?

My greatest achievement to date has been finding and working well with other businesses and a team of sub-contractors. These are all people who I respect, like, and have similar values to Aquila Ecology, and that makes working alongside them a joy.

Q. What do you hope to achieve in the future?

In the future, I would like Aquila Ecology to reach new audiences.

This will enable the business to fulfil its mission of educating and inspiring people about the nature of Scotland.

Q. Do you want to recruit in the future?

In time, I would like Aquila Ecology to be made up of a small team of like-minded individuals who will help the business to realise its vision.

Q. What is the hardest thing about running your own business?

One of the hardest things about running your own business is the number of hats you have to wear, such as accountant, administrator, developer, designer. With all these facets to consider, sometimes it feels like you’re a pinball bouncing from one bumper to the next and sometimes falling down a hole. I could easily work all day, every day, and I still wouldn’t get everything done that I would like to.

Q. Any advice to wannabe entrepreneurs?

I would recommend any wannabe rural entrepreneurs to get in touch with GrowBiz.

Andrea Hudspeth wants to grow her business with a small team of like-minded people.