|
|
August 2004 |
|
|
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
KURUBA STYLE |
Imagine the scene. A picturesque country get-away in scenic Gartmore, rural Stirlingshire. The services of a dedicated chef preparing fresh meals daily. An on-site stylist, should sir or madam require a quick trim and relaxing background music to while away the days….
Sound appealing? Well, perhaps you'd better ask your dog!
Set up by husband and wife team, Lesley and Grahame Allison, in 1997, Kuruba Kennels is equipped to comfortably accommodate and provide year-round care for up to 25 boarders. |
 |
 |
A walk round the spacious, tidy kennel block reveals a real mix of breeds with everything from Newfoundlands to Hungarian Vizlas to Parson Jack Russels finding a home-from-home at Kuruba while their owners are on holiday. |
Despite the obvious variance of colours and sizes, it's what these dogs have in common that speaks volumes; healthy gleaming coats and bags of vitality, providing proof - if it were needed - that Kuruba know just how to keep their canine customers happy.
The decision to set up boarding kennels grew from Lesley's own love of dogs, particularly Newfoundlands. Recognising that she could combine her grooming talents with her ability to breed pedigree pups as a means to earn a living, Lesley also - more crucially - began to note a definite gap in the market for affordable, quality kennels.
The couple's commitment and sound business judgement was enough to convince Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway that they had the makings of a viable business plan. Since then, the business has benefited from the ongoing support of a dedicated business adviser.
Additional support was also forthcoming in the form of Stirling Council's Dog Warden, who provided valuable guidance on how best to deal with regulations and ease the planning / build process.
And Lesley and Grahame have worked hard over the last seven years to ensure that Kuruba meets expectations. With the added assistance of 2 part-time members of staff now on the books, the business is making good progress.
Despite this rural local, Kuruba is situated a mere 30 minutes drive from the centre of Stirling. As a result, the kennels attract dog owners from a wide catchment area, including Glasgow's West End. And because clients are willing to travel from further a field, Kuruba benefit from a steady demand on their services thanks to the varying holiday periods from area to area.
Noting a consistent demand among visiting dog owners for a similar service for their cats - Lesley and Grahame set their sights on expansion.
A 22-place cattery was opened to the public in
November last year and clients wowed by the high standard of Kuruba
kennels are sure to be impressed.
Described as being 'of the latest spec', the cattery
or 'penthouse unit' boasts double-glazing and is
designed for ease of maintenance.
Based on the kennels success to date and, having recently received a £650 award for
promotional purposes as part of STEP Business Gateway's Focus On Growth initiative, Kuruba should have no trouble drumming up plenty of interest among prospective clients.
Kuruba Kennels, Gartmore. Tel: 01877 382706.
Website:
www.kuruba.co.uk
|
|
|
|
July 2004 |
|
|
WHAT KATY DID NEXT
|
|
Mention
Fintry, to anyone who knows the area and a misty, knowing look
is sure to cross over their face. Farms…fantastic scenery…rural serenity…life at a slow and sedate pace… |
|
At least that's what you might think. But pay a visit to Katy Rodger Making Interiors, housed within Knochraich dairy farm on the outskirts of Fintry and a whole new vocabulary of words may well be required…dynamic…innovative…forward-thinking… |
 |
 |
Established in March 2002, Katy Rodger Making Interiors is a family business with an impressive pedigree. Headed up by mother Katy Rodger - herself a former Business Woman of the Year in 1990 thanks to a successful ice cream business - this family are by no means strangers to the entrepreneurial scene. |
With her two daughters, Helena Johnston and Catherine Stirling on board this time round, theirs is a close-knit, but equally formidable, family force who are taking the exclusive end of Scotland's soft furnishings market by storm.
Katy Rodger Making Interiors are specialists in their field. One of only a handful of businesses in Scotland vying for a share of this small, yet lucrative niche market, the company specialise in the design and creation of hand-sewn curtains from fabrics sourced mainly from the Chelsea-end of the London marketplace, ie Osborne & Little, Cole & Son and Kandola Silks & Zoffany - to name but a few.
So unique and carefully selected are the fabrics on display within the company's immaculately decorated and purpose-built premises, that absolute exclusivity for the client is guaranteed. And that is not simply down to fabric. At Katy Rodger Making Interiors, because the client in encouraged to have maximum input to the design and manufacture of their individual product, the finished item is always a true reflection of the buyer's own ideas, thoughts and identity. And because Katy and daughters collectively meet clients, manufacture and hang the products - these three familiar faces form part of the client's unique buying experience.
Yet curtains form only part of the story at Katy Rodger Making Interiors. From cushions to lighting, bedspreads to ornate wallpaper, the company boast a wide selection of high quality accessories and co-ordinates.
Part of the company's success undoubtedly stems from the fact that Katy Rodger enjoys working with fabrics and making curtains. It is a long-held passion. Add to that the enviable kudos of having trained with the Queen's curtain makers and it's difficult not appreciate the obvious appeal that this company hold for the discerning buyer.
Both Katy's daughters have been fortunate enough to inherit their mother's skill and business acumen. Catherine - herself having studied textiles at Glasgow's Caledonian University - is very active on the production side of the business.
Daughter Helena, the natural business-woman of the
bunch, is determined that the company realises its obvious potential:
"The business has been well received in the two years that we have been trading. We have established a solid customer base and generated new commissions mainly by word of mouth, recommendations and repeat business. The feedback we have received from customers has definitely been encouraging. Based on this, our plans for the future are quite definite - we aim to forge ahead and grow the business - but not at the expense of the customer."
And what do customers make of the contrast, of travelling to a converted byre on a farm to buy curtains and accessories aimed - unashamedly at the top end of the market?
Helena:
"Rather than put clients off, the cottage industry image combined with being based in sumptuous countryside surroundings has an appeal above and beyond that of the high street. We feel confident that the high standard of our products, our show-house layout, and allowing clients the opportunity to see for themselves their products being hand produced - all combine to create a unique experience that you just can't get anywhere else. From this perspective, being based on a farm, in Fintry is actually a big selling point."
And just who is a 'typical' Katie Rodger customer?
"There is no such thing. Our clients are as varied and diverse as the fabrics that we work with. Yes, we're cornering the market on those individuals who think nothing of jumping on a plane to London to purchase a lamp or specific item of furniture. But equally, we are also there for clients who appreciate quality and luxury and don't mind paying extra for the right to be individual."
Tel: 01360
860202
www.makinginteriors.com |
|
|
|
July 2004 |
 |
|
ALL IN THE MIX
YOUNG STIRLING ARTIST MAKING HIS MARK
|
It's one thing to have an exceptional gift - but quite another to take that gift and turn it in to a successful profit-making business venture.
Fortunately for 25-year old Stirling artist, Douglas Cadoo, the combined support of three agencies; Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley, Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway and The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) was readily available, to help get his mural and paint effect business, 'Cadoodles Murals' off the ground.
It was while travelling around Australia after graduating last year that Douglas first realised that he could make money from his artistic talents by creating 3D window designs, children's theme rooms and murals for children's nurseries.
On landing back the UK, the idea was already firmly implanted in Douglas's mind that - despite just gaining a degree in music - painting was something he could feasibly make a living from.
Douglas' first port of call on returning to Stirling was to approach Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway to gain advice and guidance from a business start-up adviser - a service fully funded by Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley. Due to his age, STEP Business Gateway Adviser, Bob Ballantyne enlisted the involvement of PSYBT, thereby enabling Douglas to qualify for additional support and financial assistance to the tune of £3,200 - which he duly received.
Having last month moved out of the barn where he was originally based to 'escape the midges', Douglas has now let a small 'studio' in STEP's John Player Building, where the "abundance of natural light provides an ideal work environment." He has also purchased a van meaning he can transport his equipment and travel to jobs quickly and easily no matter where the location.
And business is brisk. A steady flow of incoming work generated - mainly by word of mouth and recommendation - has kept him busy over the last few months.
Douglas recently completed the first stage of some work he was commissioned to do in Culross, Fife. The owners of The Red Lion Inn wanted to create a 'historically-inspired' and 'eye-catching' ceiling for their restaurant, something that would be a real talking point among customers. Douglas took his inspiration from the village's rich history, particularly it's buildings, taking photographs of specific landmarks and transferring them in paint form on to the ceiling. He combined this with traditional 14th century patterns and effects, adding an aged effect to the overall finish for optimum impact. The end result is a spectacular use of what was previously a plain, rather uninspiring wooden ceiling. The owners have voiced their confidence in his work by asking Douglas to return to create a 'Jacobean' ceiling, this time based on Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Kidnapped'.
Although one of his more unusual projects to date and one he is clearly proud of, Douglas is keen not to pigeonhole himself with any one project or style and continues to count the children's theme rooms and nursery projects he is in demand for with equal weight.
"Whatever project I undertake - regardless of scale or cost - the principle remains the same, each is their own 'work of art' in the customers eyes and I try to approach the job with this firmly in mind."
|
|
July 2004 |
 |
|
START
UP SUCCESS
FOR BRIDGE OF ALLAN NURSERY |
There are no hard and fast rules about what makes a 'good' business idea. This is continually reflected in the diversity of ideas that people bring to the table at Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway 'Introduction to Business' sessions, which are held monthly and fully subsidised by Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley.
What matters however, is having the courage and conviction to 'make it work' and this is something that thirty-six year old Stirling woman, Lorna Jack, knows all about.
A married mum of two, Lorna was employed for over 15 years by Prudential (formerly Scottish Amicable), where she worked in training and team management.
In February of 2003, Lorna made the decision to commit to two things that would steer her in an entirely new career direction, taking her - quite swiftly - from the ranks of employee to that of employer.
Firstly, she enrolled on a STEP Business Gateway start-up course and secondly, she seized on the chance to purchase a property ideally suited to the business venture she had in mind.
The result was Lecropt Nursery in Bridge of Allan, an impressive childcare facility catering for children aged 3 months to 5 years.
Situated on the northerly outskirts of Bridge of Allan, Lorna has successfully breathed new life into this former Barnardos childrens home. Set in its own spacious grounds, with bright airy rooms spread over two floors, the nursery lends itself to being a quality childcare facility.
Almost one year on - and with valuable guidance from the Care Commission - the business is going from strength to strength. Lecropt Nursery now employs 12 staff, is up to a 72% capacity level and owner Lorna is pleased with progress:
"As a working mum I've been there. I've deliberated over which nursery to send my kids to, noticed how standards vary from establishment to establishment and, above all, felt more than confident that I could provide a better service to like-minded parents.
That's not to do a dis-service to other nurseries, because there are a lot of good ones out there. I was just convinced that by harnessing my proven management skills with my experiences as a mother, by employing good staff and giving them real input to the day-to-day running of the nursery, that we could provide a warm, nurturing environment for children where they can develop and thrive."
There is no doubt that this is just what Lorna is doing.
The nursery is close to achieving childcare partnership status with Stirling Council. This means that having reached set standards and undergone the necessary inspections, the council will - as of August - be able to direct parents to Lecropt Nursery and provide funding for 3 & 4 year old places.
With the assistance of Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley, Lorna is also aiming for Investors In People (IIP) status. Dialogue and interaction is ongoing and Lorna is confident that this will be achieved by the end of 2004.
Another success that Lorna is keen to stress is that the nursery is also integrating well into the local Bridge of Allan community, with Lorna inviting elderly residents from Allan Lodge to visit last Christmas and the children - much to the delight of residents - repaying that visit at Easter time this year.
STEP Business Gateway Start-up Adviser, Lorraine Taylor, is particularly impressed with Lorna's achievements to date:
"Lorna has worked extremely hard over the last year to get her business up and running. Knowing the amount of time and effort she has put in from day one, from initial market research to recruiting the right staff, it comes as no surprise that today she has a healthy thriving business with a bright future ahead."
Feedback from parents has more than re-assured Lorna that - despite being in business for just under a year now - that she is definitely on the right track. One quote, taken from a recent survey completed by parents, sums up the general consensus:
"The facilities in the nursery are excellent and are complemented by the even more excellent staff."
Ends.
Lorna started up her business with the assistance of Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway programme. She initially attended the evening start-up business course and has received on-going support and advice from a STEP Business Adviser. Lorna has also opted to enrol - both herself and staff members - on a series of training courses offered through STEP's IT and Business Skills Seminar Programme - which are subsidised by Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley.
|
| Back
to Top |
| |
|
Copyright
© 1999 Stirling Enterprise Park Ltd
|
|
|
|
