Sandie Gordon, Rising Stars Participant from 2023 tells us about her experience of taking part in Rising Stars @ Highland Spotlight last year and why young entrepreneurs might want to take part this year.
What is your business?
Candles from the Croft is a small business based on a working Croft of five generations that offers an authentic range of products made using natural materials that are vegan friendly and cruelty free while ensuring they are non-hazardous and paraben/toxin free. We are hyper focussed on offering a diverse range of home fragrances and products that remain luxurious and affordable while having sustainability at the heart of the business. Evoking senses and illuminating the future in a sustainable manner as we currently offer refills for 90% of our range.
What stage is your business at?
We are still very much in the start-up stage of business. Having completed our first year our sights are set on reaching the year and a half marker in the next couple months.
Why did you want to attend spotlight last year?
The opportunity to be in the Rising Stars Zone was put to me and initially I shied away from the opportunity. Then when I stepped back and thought about it from a business point of view I realised it would be a missed opportunity if I didn’t. I realised I could gain valuable connections from attending and have a much further reach to showcase my brand all while supporting local businesses in a similar position. I began to realise this could be a major turning point for Candles from the Croft and achieving goals I’d set out at the beginning of my journey.
What benefits did it bring to you personally?
It made me see what I brought to the table. I was in a room full of ‘real’ businesses and at that point I made the realisation that I was classed as one of those. Being thrown into the deep end allowed me to be confident going forward in what I wanted to achieve, but also in what I had already achieved. This event was a major confidence boost for me. I felt supported and seen.
What benefits did it bring to your business?
The page isn’t long enough for me to answer this! Endless benefits, from new connections to product interest, product engagement and feedback. Offering support for me at that stage but also for when I got further down the line. Learning how to discuss my business with different people and talk about where I saw it going and what I needed to achieve that. I could go on and on.
Why would you encourage others to apply for a sponsored space at Highland Spotlight?
I would highly recommend showcasing your business through Highland Spotlight as it is a very well attended event with a real electric feel to the Rising Star Zone. There really wasn’t a minute to stop for breath last year and for weeks after opportunities came off the back of it for me. These then led to further opportunities and allowed me to learn invaluable information and knowledge from people I would never have crossed paths with had I not attended. It propelled me into the Highland Business network and I haven’t looked back since.
If you’d like to be considered for Rising Stars @ Highland Spotlight please get in touch with Sandra McCaughey, DYW Employer Engagement Manager at Developing the Young Workforce Inverness & Central Highland to discuss by emailing sandra@inverness-chamber.co.uk