The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Forum to share best of Shire
Enterprise: Bid to encourage people to discover small businesses in rural areas
A woman keen to support rural businesses in economically tough times has set up an organisation to promote Aberdeenshire and encourage people to explore the region to discover small and unique businesses.
Michele Kevan, 44, learned about the challenges of running a business when the former primary teacher from Insch turned her hand to making soap and selling it at the Farmers’ Market in Inverurieandother local craft fairs but struggled to make a living.
She knows that the economic climate is tough especially for small businesses but says it is even more difficult for rural companies.
She said: “Aberdeenshire is a vast area with little businesses scattered throughout, so unless someone tells you about a great place they know, we very often don't know of their existence.
“We don't have the same influx of passing customers, and commuting is harder, as business locations are so spread out.”
While running Rowan Tree Soaps, Ms Kevan re-
“We don't have the same influx of customers”
alised she needed to focus on marketing her business so turned her attention to learning about website design and social media. She put her own business on the back burner to concentrate her new skills on promoting other Aberdeenshire companies to new and existing customers.
She said: “I wanted to help small businesses appeal to more people be- cause it is these places that give a town or village it’s character – without them everywhere would just be the same.”
Ms Kevan set up the social network page, Best of Our Shire, in February.
People are encouraged to post information about the places they have been and share their experiences while Ms Kevan also adds content and links about Aberdeenshire businesses.
She said: “My hope is that the page helps raise awareness about some of our great local businesses and arts and craft people. I feel that it is these businesses and talented people in Aberdeenshire that make our towns and villages all unique.
“There are so many towns where shops are boarded up and businesses struggling, and main streets that look more like ghost towns. It is such a shame.”