Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Press Release
8th September 2009
Success Story For Outer Hebrides Top Young Entrepreneurs
A young businesswoman has been named Outer Hebrides young entrepreneur of the year at the regional finals of the 2009 Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ Awards.
Sarah Morrison (24), founder of Rock N Retro on the Isle of Lewis was announced regional winner at a ceremony at Bridge Community Centre in Stornoway on Friday the 4th of September and was presented with a £1000 cash prize by the award sponsors, Lloyds TSB Scotland. She will now be considered by the judging panel to be entered into the national final, which will take place in Glasgow on Wednesday 18th November 2009. Six of the 18 regional winners are selected to compete for the coveted national title of PSYBT ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ and the opportunity to win an additional £2000.
Sarah Morrison first started selling kitch jewellery and accessories on Ebay three years ago and has since transformed what was a part-time venture into a thriving business which has seen her products sell all over the world and be featured in the style pages of fashion magazines. Visitors to her online shop can choose from an eclectic range of jewellery and accessories. Such has been the demand for her products, that the Rock N Retro founder has recently opened a shop in Stornoway where she sells and hires fancy dress costumes. She has also recently launched a new successful line of Harris Tweed hair bows, earrings, rings and Gaelic pin badges aimed at the tourist market.
The runner-up in the awards is Anna Donachie (24), founder of Barraheads Salon, the only hairdressing salon on the Island of Barra. Established in 2007, Barraheads Salon offers a full range of ladies and gents hairdressing services. Ms Donachie plays an active role in the local community providing employment and training spaces, supporting other new businesses, and offering free pampering nights to youth groups in support of school and community initiatives. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar presented Ms Donachie with her runner’s up prize of £500 cash and a certificate.
Both the winner and the runner-up received funding, advice and support from PSYBT, which during the last twenty years, has supported some 11,000 young people to start almost 9,000 businesses, providing £31.7million in funding and additional assistance.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, PSYBT Regional Chairman, Roddie MacKay said, “Both companies have demonstrated drive, ambition and enthusiasm for taking good ideas and transforming them into successful, thriving businesses. We wish them every success.”
Marilyn MacDonald from Lloyds TSB Scotland added, “Youth enterprise is something to be recognised and applauded, as these young people are helping themselves, their local community and the economy. These Awards are essential in encouraging a culture that values business ambition and innovation and we are delighted to support PSYBT in creating this entrepreneurial environment.”
The regional awards also recognised the expertise, mentoring advice and inspiration of aftercare advisor, Iain Macaulay, who was named Outer Hebrides Regional Volunteer of the Year. A PSYBT regional manager assists with everything from compiling a business plan to securing premises. Once the business is up and running, an aftercare adviser is appointed, all of whom are experts in their fields. They work as volunteers for the organisation, with the sole aim of helping young entrepreneurs sustain their business and offering them crucial advice during the first two years in business. Mr Macaulay will go forward and have the chance of winning the coveted title of ‘Volunteer of the Year’ at the national award finals in November.
For further information contact, Margaret Gibson and Louise Moore at PSYBT head office on Tel no. 0141 248 4999. Visit the PSYBT WEBSITE at www.psybt.org.uk.
Soirbheachas Do Dhithis Ann Am Farpais Luchd Gnìomhachais Òg 2009
Chaidh boireannach òg ainmeachadh mar prìomh neach-gnìomhachais òg na h-Innse Gall aig farpais roinneil Luchd Gnìomhachais Òg 2009. Seo farpais a tha air a chumail gach bliadhna fo stiùir Urras a’ Phrionnsa airson Òg Luchd Gnìomh na h-Alba (PSYBT).
Bhuannaich Sarah Mhoireasdain (24) aig a bheil am bùth Rock N Retro air Eilean Leòdhais am farpais aig Ionad Coimhearsnachd Bridge ann an Steòrnabhagh feasgar Dihaoine a chaidh. Fhuair i duais de £1000 bho luchd maoin am farpais, Lloyds TSB Scotland. Thèid beachdachadh air an gnìomhachas aice le britheamhan am farpais nàiseanta gus faicinn an tèid i air adhart chun a’ chuairt dheireannach a thèid a chumail ann an Glaschu air Diciadain 18 Samhain 2009. Thèid sia den ochd-deug a bhuannaich aig ìre roinneil air adhart chun a’ chuairt dheireannach gus an cothrom £2000 a bhuannachadh agus tiotal ‘Neach Gnìomhachais Òg na Bliadhna aig PSYBT fhaighinn.
Thòisich Sarah a’ reic seudraidh annasach air Ebay bho chionn trì bliadhna air ais agus tha i air a dhol bho bhith pàirt ùine gu bhith a’ ruith gnìomhachas soirbheachail làn-ùine. Tha na tha i a’ reic a’ dol air feadh an t-saoghail agus chaidh fhaicinn ann an irisean fasan. Dh’fhàs cùisean cho trang do Sarah gun do dh’fhosgail i bùth ann an Steòrnabhagh bho chionn ghoirid agus an sin tha i cuideachd a’ reic èideadh annasach airson pàrtaidhean is eile. A thuilleadh air a sin tha i a’ reic seudraidh a tha a’ cleachdadh Clò Hearadh agus cuideachd bràistean Gàidhlig airson luchd-turais.
As an dàrna àite as am farpais bha Anna Donachie (24), a’ stèidhich an gnìomhachas BarraHeads, an aon ghruagaire air Eilean Bharraigh. Thòisich an gnìomhachas ann an 2007, agus tha Anna a’ toirt seachad seirbheis airson fireannaich agus boireannaich. Tha a’ Bh-Uas Donachie a’ dèanamh mòran as a’ choimhearsnachd ann a bhith a’ cruthachadh cosnaidhean, a’ toirt seachad trèanadh aig ìre ionadail, a’ toirt taic do ghnìomhachas ùra agus a cur oidhcheannan air dòigh do dh’iomairtean coimhearsnachd agus sgoiltean. Fhuair a’ Bh-Uas Donachie £500 bho Comhairle nan Eilean Siar agus teisteanas.
Tha Sarah agus Anna air taic-airgid agus comhairle fhaighinn bho PSYBT, a tha thairis air am fichead bliadhna mu dheireadh, air taic a thoirt do chòrr air 11,000 neach gus barrachd air 9000 gnìomhachasan ùr a thòiseachadh. As na bliadhnaichean sin, chaidh còrr air £31.7 millean not de thaic-airgid a thoirt seachad.
A’ bruidhinn aig seirbheis nan duaisean, thuirt Cathraiche Roinneil PSYBT, Roddie MacAoidh, “Tha an dà chompanaidh seo air dearbhadh gu bheil iad làn sannt agus misneachd agus tha iad gu math fiosrach ann a bhith a’ gluasad beachd-smuain air adhart gu bhith na dheagh ghnìomhachas”.
Thuirt Marilyn NicDhòmhnaill bho Lloyds TSB Scotland, “’Bu chòir moladh a thoirt don iomairt seo, oir tha na daoine òga seo gan cuideachadh fhèin, an coimhearsnachd ionadail agus an eaconamaidh. Tha na Duaisean seo cudromach ann a bhith a’ cruthachadh cultar a tha ag aithneachadh luach sannt ann an gnìomhachas agus tha sinn gu math toilichte taic a thoirt do PSYPT ann a bhith a’ cruthachadh arainn far a bheil gnìomhachasan ùra air am brosnachadh.
Dh’aithnich na duaisean roinneil seo cuideachd neach a tha gu mòr air a bhith a’ sàs, gu saor-thoileach, ann an bhith a’ toirt seachad taic agus comhairle do gnìomhachasan ùra. Fhuair Iain MacAmhlaigh an duais airson Neach Saor-thoileach na Bliadhna airson na h-Innse Gall. Tha Iain a’ sàs aig a h-uile ìre, bho bhith a’ dealbhadh plana gnìomhachas gu bhith a’ faighinn làrach iomchaidh. Tha iad seo ag obair gu saor-thoileach airson a’ bhuidheann, leis am prìomh amas daoine òg a chuideachadh gus am bi an gnìomhachas aca soirbheachail. Thèid Mgr MacAmhlaigh air adhart a-nis chun a’ chuairt dheireannach a thèid a chumail anns an t-Samhain.
Airson tuilleadh fiosrachadh, leig fios gu Mairead Gibson no Louise Moore aig Prìomh Oifisean PSYBT air 0141 248 4999 no thèid chun a làrach-lìn www.psybt.org.uk.
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Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tel: 01851 822622 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk
Ruairidh Maciver
Communications Assistant
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tel: 01851 822615 (Work)
Tel: 07881 774601 (Mobile)
email: ruairidh.maciver@cne-siar.gov.uk
