Networking in Laurencekirk
It felt like years since I first spoke to FSB members, Jacquie and Craig Donoghue, about hosting a networking event at their unique business premises. Their Blue Sky Swim Studio, on Laurencekirk High Street, supports local kids, adults and elite athletes in their swimming journey, and it has a fantastic reception area - perfect for hosting a bevy of local businesses. Check out this short video.
£20M UK Government Funding for Elgin & Peterhead
Both Elgin and Peterhead have received £20million Levelling Up funding from the UK Government, and they’re looking for ideas on how to spend it.
The Elgin Town Board is slightly ahead of the game, with the ideas process open until 28th May. Peterhead are on a later schedule and are looking to pull their Town Board together right now.
The funding focuses on three themes: Safety & Security; High Streets, Heritage & Regeneration; Transport & Connectivity. A 3-year investment plan will support a 10-year long term vision for the towns.
Shouting about FSB Members
This was another great month featuring interesting people in my Small Business Focus articles.
In the Press and Journal, I featured Sarah Smith, lightbulb.coach, and Sarah McBain, Razorbill Web Design, both based in Aberdeen.
In The Courier, I spoke to Broughty Ferry-based mother and daughter partnership, Suzie Law and Jen Gardiner, who run All the Colour. Next up was Gail Penman of NewSolutions CIC, which covers Tayside and the North East.
If you’ve got an interesting business story that you’d like to share, please get in touch.
AI Workshop with Instinct Marketing & PR
It was my pleasure to collaborate with FSB member, Debbie Rennie (of Banchory-based Instinct Marketing + PR), on this illuminating workshop at Aberdeen Science Centre. There was a great turnout for this free event, and I saw lots of notes being taken. Everyone took part in a fantastic discussion about whether AI was a marketing villain or hero.
Highland & Moray Boot Camp
We got some amazing feedback and have signed up some brilliant new FSB members following our Highlands & Moray Business Bootcamp at Inverness Caledonian Thistle stadium.
From a great list of speakers, I’ll give a special shout-out to Calum MacPherson, CEO of the Inverness & Cormarty Firth Green Freeport, and Tim Hartley, Delivery Lead at Scotland Can B. These guys made excellent contributions to my “Opportunities for Growth” discussion and left the audience feeling energised and positive about their future business ambitions. Thank you both.
Oh, and I got a selfie with big Duncan Ferguson, too.