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Business Start-Ups

Rebecca Johnston, Revive

Rebecca Johnston reflects the enterprise of Nairn's young people. Within a year of completing a higher national diploma in beauty therapy at Moray College , Rebecca (22) had set up her own beauty salon.

"It's something I had always wanted to do", says Rebecca. "Nairn was an ideal base for the business. There was no local salon and people had to travel to Inverness for the range of beauty therapy we offer."

Revive opened in June of 2002 and Rebecca and her three part-time assistants have established a good client base.

Marion McLennan, Health & Harmony

In April of 2003, Marion McLennan achieved an ambition to develop her interest in nutritional therapy by opening Health & Harmony, a health food store supplying health foods, supplements and gifts.

"As a vegetarian, I've had a long-standing interest in nutritional therapy and alternative medicine for which there is growing demand in and around Nairn", says Marion . "Over the next few years, I plan to expand my skills and increase store services which currently include a therapy room used by experienced practitioners."

Marion has returned to her native Nairn after many years away, during which time she looked after disadvantaged children in the and abroad.

"It's good to come back home. Nairn benefits from being a small town which offers opportunities and ready access to a wide range of facilities".

Gilly Allingham, Really Garlicky Company

Gilly Allingham set up the Really Garlicky Company as a diversification project on her family’s potato farm at Auldearn, near Nairn. Since its launch in 2001, the business has increased its crop year-on-year, sold it all and seen its contribution rise to 10 per cent of farm income.

“We are in an ideal spot for growing garlic", says Gilly. "The climate is good with low rainfall and warm, dry summers. We're targeting the gourmet market - through farmers' markets, delicatessens and farm shops - for fresh garlic and added-value products such as garlic bread, cream cheese, mayonnaise and relish".

Most production is sold in the but overseas mail order sales to , and the are climbing through the company's web site - www.reallygarlicky.co.uk

Ann Lockey, Moray Medicals

Ann Lockey had been spending her holidays in Nairn for 20 years before moving to the town at the end of 2002.

"It's been my ambition to live here", says Ann. "Nairn is a great base for getting to all part of the Highlands and Islands and the north-east."

A registered nurse with over 10 years experience, Ann applied her skills in a different direction by setting up her own business conducting medicals and screenings for the insurance industry.

"It takes me all over the Highlands and Islands and I value the freedom of being my own boss".

Kyle MacIntosh, Farm Account Records

With an honours degree in mathematics, Kyle MacIntosh spent two years in accountancy and two years as a consultant for the National Farmers' Union before deciding to branch out on his own.

"I was looking for the job satisfaction, flexibility, control and future development that I felt self-employment offered", says Kyle.

Returning to his native Auldearn, just outside Nairn and close to his family's farm, 28-year-old Kyle set up Farm Account Records in August of 2002 - meeting farmers' needs for VAT returns, accounting, payroll, livestock records and ensuring compliance with regulations. A year on, he is already considering employing a qualified member of staff.

"It's the best decision I've ever made", says Kyle. "I'm thoroughly enjoying the work and the community spirit of the Auldearn and Nairn area".

Diet to Go

State registered dieticians Hazel Ross and Janice Masson-Philpott have combined their skills to offer nutritional advice to private and corporate clients. Following a six-month pilot, they launched Diet to Go in March of 2003 and have already established centres in Inverness and Elgin .

"We believe we have a market of substantial untapped potential,” says Hazel. “Interest is strong over the range of services we offer - delivering private clinics giving nutritional advice to assist clients with obesity, diabetes and allergies and working with corporate catering clients to develop healthy options for their menus. As an accredited sports dietician, Janice can also assist the area's athletes".

The partners chose Nairn as their base as it offers easy access to all parts of their target market area.

Monica Lee-Macpherson, H.I.T.S.

Hong Kong native Monica Lee-Macpherson is fulfilling an important role in ensuring that Cantonese-speaking people are able to secure equitable treatment from public services.

"Many of the Chinese people who came to this country 50 years ago did not develop sufficient fluency in English", explains Monica, who founded Highland Interpretation and Translation Services last August after a start-up course with Inverness and Nairn Enterprise. "And while their children are fluent in English, they don't speak Cantonese, so there is often a serious barrier to understanding.

"As people get older, they also need more medical care. I help patients and doctors through Highland and Moray to communicate more effectively, and assist in contacts between clients and dentists, schools and the social services.

"Previous experience of working as a PA in a medical practice in Hong Kong has helped a lot, and I'm enjoying the friendliness and genuine neighbourliness of the people of Nairn".