Community-based supportathandfor ruralenterprises

Jackie Brierton, chief executive of business development organisation GrowBiz, talks about the services it provides and how the charity has adapted to the new normal.

Q. Can you tell us a little about yourself and GrowBiz?

A. GrowBiz is a rural enterprise development organisation, based in Perthshire, assisting businesses and social enterprises to start and grow across rural Scotland.

We’re an independent charity and operate a unique relational model of support – providing learning sessions, peer support, mentoring, networking and tailored 1-1 sessions to a diverse range of enterprises in a wide variety of sectors.

I’ve led GrowBiz since 2012, with support from a very committed voluntary board of directors, and a great team of more than 20 self-employed contractors who provide expert help based on their experience of running their own businesses, and our core principles, which include empathy, listening and being non-judgmental. I’ve spent more than 35 years running businesses, managing enterprise organisations and working in policy development – and this diverse experience has helped me to shape the kind of support I know small and micro-businesses want and need in rural areas.

Q. How can the rural

economy be better supported?

A. This is a critical time for Scotland’s rural economy.

We’ve worked with more than 800 rural businesses since the initial lockdown in March, seeing at first hand the challenges faced by people who’ve lost everything they’ve worked hard for, and others who have managed to adapt or grow despite the coronavirus crisis. Rural enterprises are naturally resilient and resourceful, but many are struggling through a lack of access to the right kind of funding. Despite the financial support provided by the Scottish and UK governments, there is no specific funding for small, rural businesses, many of whom haven’t qualified for the existing programmes.

We’re actually seeing a sizeable increase in new start-ups, with individuals prepared to take the courageous step of starting a new business and creating their own jobs, as well as employment for others – yet there is no start-up finance available for them.

This would be my priority ‘ask’ of the Scottish Government. With more than twice the number of self-employed in rural areas, a disproportionate number of much-needed employment opportunities will come from new micro-businesses, and they will need grant assistance to start, survive and thrive.

Q. How will the digital revolution impact the services GrowBiz provides?

A. GrowBiz was already providing a programme of online learning sessions when the pandemic struck, and we’ve adapted to digital delivery very effectively.

Since March, we’ve delivered all our 1-1 support via telephone or Zoom, and we’ve held more than 80 online sessions with more than 1,000 attendances in the last seven months. We’ve had very positive feedback from the enterprises we support, but we’re also very aware that there are barriers to digital delivery for many in rural areas.

There are still pockets of poor broadband and mobile connectivity, and also learning, health or disability issues which make it difficult for some to engage.

If we can solve some of these issues, we’re very optimistic about the impact of digital on the rural economy in the medium to long term.

We’re seeing increased numbers of innovative and creative ideas, and talented individuals moving to rural areas, because it’s now possible – with the right technology and connections – to run a business anywhere.

Q. How do you see GrowBiz developing?

A. In the last two years, with assistance from the Scottish Government, GrowBiz has extended its enterprise support from predominantly Perth and Kinross, to rural areas across Scotland.

We’re excited to be working in the Cairngorms National Park area, supporting four communities to create Smart Villages, and working with businesses in the creative industries sector, as well as supporting a diverse range of microenterprises operating across the park.

We are increasingly working in collaboration with other eco-system organisations. We’ve established a new online initiative and directory for rural micros – REDS – which in less than two months has attracted interest from more than 200 businesses and will be launching the first gift card for rural enterprises in the next month.

We’re very optimistic about the impact of digital.

Q. What aspects of developing skills/ delivering training are becoming increasingly important?

A. As the importance of micro-businesses to Scotland’s rural economy becomes more recognised, delivering skills development to smaller enterprises will need a different approach.

Sole traders and entrepreneurs can’t commit to traditional blocks of training, or day-long events.

A more flexible and client-led approach will be needed.

The ‘peer’ learning and support model GrowBiz has evolved works well, and our unique mentoring programme – the only accredited business mentor initiative in Scotland – matches experienced, trained mentors to individuals at a critical time in their business journey.

SUPPORT: Jackie Brierton, far left, has led GrowBiz since 2012, and the enterprise development organisation offers support and advice to rural businesses, helping them to start up and grow.