Growbiz event at Roy Sim Antiques

Over 80 people gathered for an evening of information and introductions at Roy Sim Antiques and the Antiquary Restaurant on 25 March 2009. GrowBiz clients set out their stall demonstrating that businesses ranging from boar-rearing to mole-catching, via life-coaching, are benefiting from the GrowBiz service. Guests heard clients speak about their businesses and the ways in which GrowBiz is involved with them.

The Antiquary Restaurant served wine and their delicious canapés and the evening was generously sponsored by Roy Sim who invited us into his showroom for the evening.

GREAT NEWS - WE'RE HERE TO STAY

This was the ideal the opportunity to announce to the community that GrowBiz has secured funding from the Rural Tayside LEADER programme to take us well beyond our initial two year pilot scheme. We were also able to inform this large gathering of local people about how the project works and the importance of individuals within the community contributing their knowledge, expertise, and their goodwill. Those interested can attend a meeting on 22 April to find out more.

Please email jcorrigan@blair-pkc.org.uk if you'd like to receive details of this meeting.

GrowBiz was featured in an article in Herald Society yesterday with one of our clients, Motorvate Scotland Ltd featured.

Journalist Kenneth Stephen visited all the Scottish Sirolli projects and his article appeared in The Herald on 3 February 2009. Here is a link to his article:

There is so much buzz around GrowBiz just now at the start of 2009. This is a brief summary of what is going on.

GrowBiz only works because people are talking about it to the people they meet and introducing the Enterprise Facilitator, Fiona, to new people all the time. If you are a panel member and haven't called Fiona for a while to do some introductions, do it now (07912 786864), and it doesn't matter how long ago you last spoke with her, or whether or not you've come to a recent panel meeting. The work is still being done - clients are still emerging from the introductions we did so successfully in the early months. Now we need to 'prime the pump' to stimulate a continuing flow of clients as this new year progresses. If you're interested in becoming involved with running the GrowBiz project, call Wendy on 01821 640238.

Fruits of our combined labours over the last year or so are now ripening - just look at what is going on:

5 January - we met with an administrator for the Rural Tayside LEADER Programme and finalised our application for funding from June 2009 to September 2010. We should hear from them at the end of the month.

8 January - Fiona and project Chairman Wendy met Kenneth Stephen, a journalist who has been commissioned by The Courier to do a piece on the two Tayside Sirolli projects. Look out for the story in the next week or so.

The analysed outcome of our December Client Survey has been presented, which is full of great positive feedback on the project so far. Many thanks to Doreen MacIntyre for this.

12 January - three panel members and Fiona are meeting with John Swinney to discuss the success of our project to date and to establish his attitude towards our future.

15 January - Wendy will be meeting with Shelley at the Economic Development Unit to discuss the design of materials for use in our February/March awareness raising collaboration.

19 January - we will be visited by an assessor for the BURA awards as we have successfully won through to the second round.

22 January - Sirolli representatives Ned and Linda will be in the area and will meet with Fiona, myself and attend our directors' meeting in the evening.

29 January -the first panel meeting of 2009 - we intend to start the year with renewed enthusiasm and commitment. 7.30, Alyth Town Hall.

2 - 6 February in conjunction with the council we will have an exhibition stand in Tesco in Blairgowrie. Panel members will be present some of the time handing out leaflets (new ones are in preparation) and talking to passers by.

14 February - a second gigantic book sale in Blairgowrie Town Hall. A great opportunity to support the project and meet volunteers already involved.

24 February - panel meeting time again at Blackwater Hall.

March - public meeting in Blairgowrie to follow up interest derived from the February exhibition in Tesco.

All the peripheral and PR activity is encouraging and good, but at the heart of our project are the people in the community at large. Keep talking about GrowBiz, commit to joining the panel and begin introducing Fiona to your contacts.

Fiona is on 07912 786 864. Wendy (chairman) is on 01821 640238.

Meetings are held at 7.30 p.m.

• Wednesday 17 December, Blairgowrie
• Thursday 29 January 2009, Alyth
• Tuesday 24 February, Blackwater Hall
• Wednesday 25 March, Coupar Angus
• Thursday 30 April, Blairgowrie
• Tuesday 26 May, Alyth
• Wednesday 24 June, Blackwater Hall

There will also be a great GrowBiz Fundraising Event incorporating a HUGE second hand book sale on Saturday, 14 February 2009 in Blairgowrie Town Hall.

The Growbiz project in the Blairgowrie area is managed entirely by interested members of the community who appointed Fiona McPhail as the area's dedicated professional Enterprise Facilitator. During her first year Fiona has met hundreds of local people and has been approached by seventy wishing to explore their business ideas on a completely free and confidential basis. Several clients attended the lunch and spoke warmly of the encouragement and support they had received from Fiona and the project.

The project was inspired by the philosophy of Dr Ernesto Sirolli and is run according to his methodology. He came from America to celebrate the anniversary with the Perthshire team and spoke of how his eyes were opened to the concept of Enterprise Facilitation and how important the elements of trust and respect are when working with people endeavouring to turn their passion into their livelihood.

Chairman of Enterprising Eastern Perthshire, Wendy Birse, said 'This has been a wonderful way to celebrate our first birthday and we are keen now to welcome new people onto our 'panel', which supplies Fiona with the local resources of knowledge which she needs.' Anyone interested in any aspect of Enterprise Facilitation in Eastern Perthshire can contact Fiona on 07912 786864 or Wendy on 01821 640238.

Wanting to diversify, Jenny made a bee-line for the phone when she heard there was free business mentoring available locally. Following discussions with Fiona McPhail, Enterprise Facilitator with the Growbiz project, Brookes Honey now produces a range of beeswax candles and other hive products.

'Fiona asks all the right questions and has helped us come up with ideas for unique products and distinctive packaging, and find outlets for our goods,' said Jenny. 'We hit on the idea of candles, and I've learned how different beeswax candles are from the paraffin wax ones we are used to. We're thrilled to be making candles that burn with a clear bright flame and give off no toxins.'

Brookes Honey products are in shops throughout Scotland and Jenny's stalls at markets and fairs now display beeswax candles and tea-lights alongside the honeys and other goods.

Their entertaining and informative website www.brookeshoney.com allows customers further afield to source their products.

'Seeing Jenny and David enjoying their business and helping them plan for a sustainable future confirms for me the value of the Growbiz project,' said Fiona.

The service is free and can be accessed by individuals or companies in Eastern Perthshire seeking to set up, expand or just deal with challenges, by phoning Fiona on 07912 786864.

Drawing on the coaching skills and moral support offered by Fiona McPhail, Enterprise Facilitator with the Eastern Perthshire Growbiz project, Barry took the decision to launch Denwell Driveways. With a background in landscaping and construction, Barry was ideally placed to spot the benefits of using the unique system of P.I.C. - pattern imprinted concrete - to create hard landscaping that is more than just paving.

Barry's clients can have their driveways, paved areas, even conservatory floors tailored to their own taste in stone, slate, cobbles, brick and even timber effect. Advantages over conventional paving include low maintenance, no movement, stain resistance and - how good is this - rapid installation, as is illustrated at www.denwelldriveways.co.uk.

Barry has completed the training in the use of the system, which has a history of 20 years successful use in over 17 countries around the world. 'I am confident I can now offer a service to the construction industry and to the public using this highly durable product of permanent colour and texture,' said Barry who can be contacted at 0773818237 or email info@denwelldriveways.co.uk

Enterprise Facilitator Fiona McPhail added, 'It's fantastic to see someone's dream become reality. Barry's clients can look forward to him continuing to do thorough groundwork and leaving them with outstanding concrete results.'