Shaun Ward Owner of Dundee Photo Lab - Based In Dundee About the business Shaun Ward has spent almost 40 years capturing other people's stories through his camera. But after a career that has taken him to New York, up Mount Kilimanjaro and into the classroom, he is now focusing on a different kind of development. Shaun originally planned to become a journalist, but after leaving the RAF and enrolling on a media course at Perth College, he discovered a talent for photography. That chance discovery led to a varied career, including 10 years [...]

Raquel Smith & Verity Milne Founders of YOU Wellness Club - Based In Angus About the business Not every business begins with a sudden flash of inspiration. Sometimes a much-loved hobby or pastime can be the genesis of a feeling that it might just be possible to turn that passion into a career. That was the case for Raquel and Verity, founders of the ‘YOU. Wellness Club’ (‘YOU.’ for short) in Carnoustie. Both had long been interested in fitness and wellbeing. Having full-time jobs with the Fire Service and Social Security Scotland, the [...]

Luke Brown  Owner of Redcap Games - Based In Montrose About the business Redcap Games, founded by Luke Brown and partner Stacey in October 2023, has quickly established itself as a welcoming hub for gamers of all ages and abilities. Built on the ethos that “there is always a seat at our table”, the business combines a retail store, gaming café and events space, offering everything from board games and trading cards to tabletop roleplaying games and miniatures. Designed to appeal to both gaming enthusiasts and the wider public, the café creates an inclusive [...]

Marian Ojiba Owner of ChinyCouture - Based In Dundee About the business A hardworking husband-and-wife team balancing full-time employment and family life alongside their growing fashion venture are set to open the doors to their first city-centre premises, bringing bespoke African design and specialist tailoring services to the heart of Dundee. Founded by Marian and her husband Justin, ChinyCouture combines creative excellence with strategic business development. Marian leads as the head seamstress and designer, specialising in bespoke African traditional clothing and custom garments, while her husband manages social media marketing and customer engagement, helping [...]

Claire Simpson Training Manager at Craft Skills Scotland - Based In Perth About the business A Perthshire-based food and drink training business has strengthened its internal operations and embraced new digital tools after receiving tailored growth support from Business Gateway. Craft Skills Scotland, operational for over 50 years, is a specialist training provider delivering on-the-job training and Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) including Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) to employees across the food and drink industry – including cafes and restaurants, farm shops, butchers, breweries, distilleries and even ice cream parlours. The organisation was previously known as [...]

Sara Barr Owner of Kids Art Class - Based In Perth About the business Kids Art Class was founded by Sara Barr in 2022. Sara spent almost 20 years as a primary school teacher but she dreamed of becoming an art teacher. Sara graduated with an art degree from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee. In 2022, she began working part-time as a teacher to start her business. She initially planned to do this for five years, but after less than six months she was able to go full-time with Kids Art Class, [...]

Irene Hughes Owner of Clay Half - Based In Angus About the business Clay Half offers a dedicated space for pottery enthusiasts and creative minds in the heart of Montrose town centre. Owner Irene Hughes began teaching ceramics in 2016 at Springfield Creative Arts in Arbroath, after being invited to assist with weekly classes. The experience deepened her passion for the craft and for helping others discover the joy of working with clay. After years of honing her skills, she fulfilled a long-held ambition to bring art and creativity closer to home, launching The [...]

Hanna Dushkova & Vitalii Diakov The founders of Bring Together - Based In Dundee A Dundee-based social enterprise supporting Ukrainian families is set to expand its services across Scotland after receiving vital support from Business Gateway. Bring Together was co-founded in 2022 by Hanna Dushkova and Vitalii Diakov, who both relocated to Scotland following the war in Ukraine. Drawing on their personal experiences of displacement and background in law and mediation, they launched Bring Together to support others going through similar challenges and help create stronger, more connected communities. Since launching, Hanna and Vitalii have [...]

Tara Scott Co-owner of Enriched Being - Based In Perth About the business Husband and wife, Paul and Tara Scott, founded Enriched Being in 2023. Tara is a qualified nutrition coach and Paul has a background in biology and aquaculture, having recently earned a Diploma in Biomedicine as a refresher for going into the business. Tara first discovered the health benefits of microgreens after facing some health challenges in her thirties. She radically altered her diet to include microgreens and noticed huge improvements. Microgreens are tender, young shoots of various vegetable or herb plants which are [...]

Laura Findlay The Founder of Solo paws - Based In Perth With support from Business Gateway Solo Paws, a Scottish dog chaperone business, has seen wedding bookings double that of the previous year. After years spent working in social enterprise and navigating a challenging period of poor mental health, Perth-based dog lover Laura Findlay found a new sense of purpose through her passion for pets. In late 2023, she launched Solo Paws, a dog chaperone business that’s now helping couples across Scotland include their furry friends in their big day. Solo Paws offers a range [...]