Biz Chats by Can Do Crieff: Recent Episodes
Can Do Crieff
Can Do Crieff's Biz Chat series is for anyone starting a business, has a business or cares about their local businesses! We interview a diverse range of local entrepreneurs in and around the rural town of Crieff in central Scotland, to hear their stories behind the businesses they created.
After years of working in various fields, Victoria Scott realised her true passion was floristry, something she had been doing since she was thirteen.
Listen to how Victoria made the leap from financial recruitment to setting up her own thriving floristry business in Crieff.
Back in 2006, with her young children in school, Sascha, a scientist, found there were few employment opportunities for a woman living in a rural area. So Sascha joined her husband Hugh on his family's farm and helped him to diversify the business.
Listen to how Sascha successfully grew the butchery side of the business until one day she felt she had come as far as she could; how she was able to hire someone to replace her, enabling her to find new and interesting challenges.
After catering college and three decades in the food business, Pierre Leger had always wanted to try his hand at making cheese made with locally sourced products in Strathearn. Over a pint of beer at the Crieff Rugby Club, Drew Watson decided to join Pierre in this new adventure. In 2016 Strathearn Cheese was born and the duo have gone from strength to strength winning prestigious awards along the way. Now they are navigating through the challenges of Covid and Brexit.
Listen to out chat with Pierre to hear about his and Drew's journey and how they are adapting to the current challenges.
After six years working in a start up business in Africa, Andrew decided to take the leap along with some other like-minded folk and build a place for people to connect with nature. Seventeen years later, Comrie Croft is a bustling business with a diverse offering: mountain biking, camping, glamping, weddings as well as a supportive place for micro-enterprises to grow.
Hear how Andrew and his team have grown this impressive business while keeping to their vision and principles and what pieces of advice Andrew has from his experience.
The Crieff Food Co, in the centre of Crieff was started by local foodie entrepreneur Jamie Landale in the latter part of 2017 taking the place of the old Edinburgh Woollen Mill.
Although there was a healthy dose of fear and scepticism that The Crieff Food Co would be in competition with existing local food purveyors, Jamie was adamant that his new shop and café would showcase the high quality food being produced in Crieff and its surrounds, bring people into the town and be a boost for the local economy.
Listen to our chat with Jamie to hear about the ethos behind his venture, his goals for the future and how he and his team have had to adapt during the pandemic.