January is always an exciting time of year. The prospect of a fresh start for businesses can be a hugely motivating factor for ambitious plans, sometimes despite the economic climate.
Many look to leave last year’s challenges behind them and strive to do better in the new year, but in time these motivations are worn thin, business returns to type and that spritely approach to a new ideal becomes impossible to maintain.
It’s after the initial burst that we see the dedicated really shine through, where you truly get a glimpse of the future talent staking a claim in the Scottish business world, and the next generation of entrepreneurs set on raising the bar for the country’s business aspirations.
That first glimpse for me came amidst the latest Top 100 list, unveiled by entrepreneur focus website Startups.co.uk, who revealed the key names that are making fresh, new waves in the UK business scene.
Rather than a flash in the pan, in recent years the website has pinpointed now household names as one to watch, such as Deliveroo and Not on the High Street.
Startups.co.uk says their acclaimed list not only celebrates the best small businesses in the UK, but offers an opportunity for them to grow a ‘community of like-minded entrepreneurs and business-owners who support and advocate for each other’.
Two fledgling firms from Scotland have secured their place on this respectable roster, which is billed as the longest-running index of the UK’s most promising new emerging businesses, with Edinburgh-based businesses, OK Positive and Ujamaa Spice, ranking 77th and 81st respectively.
Tech firm OK Positive was founded back in 2019 by entrepreneur Charlie Winton, with the aim of using tech to improve mental health in institutions such as schools, universities and GPs, ensuring appropriate intervention can come as soon as possible to offer vital support where needed.
Their commitment to building and utilising this groundbreaking tech to make a real difference in people’s lives, as well as their incredible work ethic which has seen their app seeded out to as many people and institutions as possible, has helped support their appearance on the Startups 100 list.
To work their way up from the seed of an idea to potentially revolutionising mental health within communities and institutions across Scotland and the UK in just half a decade is a commendable feat.
The second group celebrating the new year as part of the Startup 100 is Ujamaa Spice, an ethically and sustainably sourced spice business, established just back in 2022 by partners Jawahir Al-Mauly and Rist Van de Weyer.
With sustainability more than just a buzzword now for business, this enterprise sources and sells single point origin and ethical spices directly from farmers in Zanzibar with the goal to address issues of low-quality products of this kind, as well as prevent mistreatment of farmers such as unfair and low payment.
Working directly with these farmers to supply a mix of cafes, restaurants and sustainability organisations, Ujamaa Spice are boldly ambitious, aiming to become the leading ethical and sustainable spice company in the UK – ambitions that ground out a place for them in this new year’s entrepreneur honours list.
Despite just two names north of Hadrian’s Wall being recognised on the list, the Startup findings brought a glimmer of positivity for businesses in Scotland this year, as part of a survey of 550 UK firms.
Their research claimed that eight in ten Scottish companies say that strong and loyal relationships with their customers have contributed to their success, with 53 per cent claiming to be feeling optimistic about the next 12 months – a big leap from the uncertain responses we’ve seen in recent years.
It’s refreshing to hear that there’s a feeling of positivity at the beginning of the year, with many sectors having faced numerous challenges recently and just doing what they can to survive.
So, here’s to both businesses sparking some hope for the year ahead and to all other Scottish companies, no matter what year they were established, it is never too late to make new resolutions and strive to do better.
Marie Macklin shows how to build success from challenge
Many local areas are constantly fighting what at times appears to be an inevitable economic decline.
If only more were putting in the same amount of fight as Marie Macklin CBE however, the renowned Kilmarnock based entrepreneur who has transformed the narrative of her town.
When faced with the closure of the Johnnie Walker bottling plant, Macklin spearheaded a community movement to save jobs and breathe new life into the area.
Macklin is now leading a campaign to regenerate the site. Her plans are for a £95m HALO development with 210 homes, a skatepark, a “wave-surf” leisure centre and a forward-thinking ‘vertical farm’.
Her CV is impressive, taking charge of her father’s business, she brought the first Morrisons supermarket to Scotland in 2004, laying the groundwork for an impressive career to date.
The HALO Digital, Cyber, and Innovation Park exemplifies Macklin’s belief in the potential of small towns. It’s not just a redevelopment project; it’s a catalyst for higher-income jobs and economic prosperity.
Recognised with a CBE in 2014 for her contributions, Macklin symbolises the transformative power of entrepreneurial vision coupled with community engagement.
In a world often focused on metropolitan success stories, Marie Macklin’s journey stands as a testament to the potent entrepreneurial spirit thriving in our towns.
Her ambitious plans for the HALO development promise lasting positive impacts, not only in Kilmarnock but potentially across the UK and beyond.
Macklin’s story reaffirms that, with determination, innovation, and community support, small towns can thrive once again.
It Made Me Laugh
Small gestures from businesses often have the power to create positive sentiment that advertising just can’t replicate.
Just ask Taylor Snacks, who turned a potentially problematic situation into a real feel-good moment.
A 10-year-old girl, Grace, from Edinburgh, took matters into her own hands when her favourite crisps disappeared from shop shelves. Pulling together a strongly worded email to the Managing Director of Taylors Snacks, she demanded a return of the recently discontinued haggis flavoured crisps.
The to-the-point letter rewarded Grace with a full year’s supply of crisps, a haggis-filled taxi ride and backstage passes to the factory.
Taylor’s has won more than one fan with this lovely interaction with a young customer. In short, listen to your customers!
It Made Me Weep
The decline in commercial property transactions in Scotland signals a concerning trend for the nation’s economic landscape.
With a sharp fall from £2.25 billion in 2022 to £1.5 billion in 2023, a 33 per cent decrease in deal volume is unsustainable for the country, let alone the sector.
While Edinburgh experienced a notable 23 per cent increase in investment, Glasgow and Aberdeen saw significant drops of 72 per cent and 63 per cent, respectively.
International investors, comprising 62 per cent of total investment, are demonstrating worrying levels of caution.
There is evidence that the economy is picking up, so I expect this to slowly creep up again, but that optimism comes with a warning to all those looking at the commercial property space – tread carefully.
