Inverness Chamber of Commerce welcomed over 50 exhibitors and over 300 visitors to the Drumossie Hotel for their annual Highland Spotlight business exhibition this September. As well as plenty of networking opportunities, guests also had the chance to learn from #seminar hosts Adsmart from Sky and Dynam, who presented an engaging session on branding and TV advertising, and Vivid Roots Collective, who led a relaxing mindfulness workshop – just what was needed after a hectic day!
For the first time ever, Highland Spotlight also featured a dedicated zone for young entrepreneurs. This marked the launch of Rising Stars, a joint initiative from ICC and Developing the Young Workforce. It comes as part of a commitment from both organisations to support young entrepreneurs in achieving their business goals, creating a platform that allows them to showcase their products and services and how they are contributing to our local economy.
The zone featured talented young business owners across the Highland region who exhibited at this dedicated business to business event, providing them with the ideal springboard to make new connections and explore new opportunities.
Clare Armstrong, Head of Membership at Inverness Chamber of Commerce said “We’ve been delighted at the interest we have had for the zone and we had a great mix of new businesses exhibiting all run by young entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 35.
“We are looking to launch a new young entrepreneurs membership category next year and this was an ideal opportunity for us to speak with young business owners to get their thoughts and views of the kind of support they might need and help us to shape this.”
Sandra McCaughey, Interim Programme Manager at Developing the Young Workforce Inverness & Central Highlands said, “Through the work we do in schools across Inverness & Central Highlands we know that young people are more entrepreneurial than ever before, and many of them will go on to start their own businesses. They are the future, and we are keen to do all we can to support them and help them to reach their potential. As well as co-hosting the Young Entrepreneur Zone with Inverness Chamber, we will also be introducing Rising Stars entrepreneurial workshops. Several of the young entrepreneurs who attended Highland Spotlight this year will be going into schools across the region to share their experiences of setting up their own businesses and inspire pupils to take that first step.”
The Young Entrepreneurs and their businesses who exhibited in the zone in its first year include:
Dimitri Andreas, owner of the Highland Coffee Pod and Highland Coffee Academy
Aleksandra Czech-Seklecka, owner of VanFill Ltd
Nyomi Dixon, owner of Whisk Café & Gift Shop
Thomas Eccles, owner of Fly Highland
Sandie Gordon, owner of Candles from the Croft
Molly McGhee, owner of Molly’s Mixes
Stefan Quarry, owner of Highland Domes
Caoimhe Simpson, owner of Timeless Salon
Sophie Wink & Laura Walker, owners of Vivid Roots Collective
All attendees were impressed and inspired by the young entrepreneurs, who truly demonstrated that the future of Highland business is bright. Inverness Chamber of Commerce would like to thank associate sponsor Omniscot Limited, Media Partner Highland News & Media Ltd, and Story & Stage for their technical support. Thanks also to Drumossie Hotel for their beautiful venue and for keeping the coffee flowing, and to James Mackenzie for providing the photos.
