Highland Top Young Entrepreneurs Gain Awards
11th September 2012
Café/Gallery owner Elspeth Knight is named Highland's top young entrepreneur at the regional finals of the 2012 Prince's Trust Youth Business Scotland 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year' Awards.
The 33 year old founder of Red Roof Gallery Café on the Isle of Skye was announced as regional winner at a ceremony in Inverness Town House today. She was presented with a £1000 cash prize by Freda Newton of Jacobite Cruises Ltd, sponsors of the winner's award. Ms Knight will now be considered by the judging panel to be entered into the national final taking place at Glasgow's City Chambers on Tuesday 13th November 2012.
With a background as a commercial artist, musician and experience in interior design Elspeth (Elly) Knight decided, to take a year out in 2007 to help her mum build a house on the Isle of Harris. During that year Elly developed plans of her own that included opening an art gallery and music café to exhibit her own work as a means of developing a livelihood that would enable her to live on the west coast. The discovery of a plot for sale in Glendale, on the Isle of Skye, that included a ruined Blackhouse seemed the perfect opportunity to realise her dream. Elly secured funding from Youth Business Scotland to help with the renovation of her premises and in May 2009 Elly and her partner Craig Dunlop moved into a caravan on the plot and started work renovating the Blackhouse and building their own house.
Over the next two years they transformed the dilapidated Blackhouse into a building with a quirky yet traditional exterior to suit the rural surroundings, and a fantastic contemporary interior with exciting features such as its cathedral ceiling and recessed display boxes. Since opening in April 2011 the Red Roof Café Gallery has provided a welcoming art and food space without the formality of a regular gallery. Traditional on the outside and sleek yet cosy on the inside, the Red Roof gives you a true taste of Highland hospitality serving quality, fresh, local produce with homemade breads, oatcakes and soups. Visitors can enjoy light lunches or afternoon tea surrounded by contemporary artwork, much of which is based on local scenery, wildlife and people. The Red Roof Gallery also host regular intimate evening dinners with live music and singing - a real modern ceilidh house for locals and visitors alike.
Last year Elly scooped the prestigious Moffat Travel and Tourism award for best Scottish business with outstanding economic and community impact, numerous press accolades and was shortlisted in the 2011 Highlands and Islands Annual Food and Drink awards.
The runner-up is 21 year old Mark Kelman, founder of Dress Code Solutions Ltd in Alness. Whilst working part-time in his local school Mark Kelman identified what he thought was a gap in the market for quality embroidered school uniforms. In January 2010 Mark received a Market Test Grant from Youth Business Scotland following research he had undertaken which demonstrated demand existed for a business specialising in quality embroidered school uniforms. Just one month later, Mark had secured two school contracts so he approached Business Gateway and was awarded grant funding to set up a website and finance his first embroidery machine.
In the early stages, Mark ran his business from his grandparent's conservatory and with hard work and tenacity, by the end of the first year he was fulfilling orders for 1300 pupils as well as a number of local businesses and sports clubs in the area. In May 2011 Dress Code Solutions relocated to a unit in Alness and Mark purchased a new embroidery machine which enabled them to increase production significantly. Since then the business has grown rapidly and has built a good reputation gaining additional contracts with schools and local businesses. In March 2012 Mark approached PTYBS for assistance to enable him to lease and refurbish the adjoining unit and also to purchase a six headed embroidery machine to operate alongside his single headed machine. His application was successful and he has now refurbished both units, the new machine is in operation and he has also opened a retail outlet specialising in schoolwear.
Dress Code Solutions now fulfil orders on behalf of 48 schools throughout the Highlands. He also has contracts in place with a large industrial Supplies company provide embroidered and printed work wear to a number of key businesses throughout Scotland and produces in excess of 1000 garments a week. Marie Mackintosh, Chief Executive of Highland Opportunity Ltd presented Mr Kelman with a £500 cash prize and runners-up certificate.
Both the winner and the runner-up received funding, advice and support from Youth Business Scotland, which during the last twenty three years, has supported over 13,000 young people to start over 10,500 businesses, providing £37.8million in funding and additional assistance.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Youth Business Scotland regional manager, Alithea Watson said, "These young entrepreneurs represent some of the most talented, creative and dedicated business people in Scotland today and we are delighted to be able to recognise and reward their achievements through these awards."
Freda Newton of Jacobite Cruises Ltd added "These Awards are essential in encouraging a culture that values business ambition and innovation and we are delighted to support Youth Business Scotland in creating this entrepreneurial environment."
The regional awards also recognised the expertise, mentoring advice and inspiration of aftercare adviser, Christine Wood, who was named Highland's regional Volunteer of the Year. A Youth Business Scotland regional manager assists with everything from compiling a business plan to securing premises. Once the business is up and running, an aftercare adviser is appointed, all of whom are experts in their fields. They work as volunteers for the organisation, with the sole aim of helping young entrepreneurs sustain their business and offering them crucial advice during the first two years in business. Ms Wood will go forward and have the chance of winning the coveted title of 'Volunteer of the Year' at the national award finals in November.
