The Cheque Kurtis Did Not Ask For
Kurtis McMillan was building a fence for a woman called Louise when she asked him in for a coffee. He sat down, and she told him about her husband, who had been looked after by the home hospice before he died. Kurtis told her what he was trying to build, Ar Gàradh, a Highland community […]
Cobbs and the quiet art of building something that lasts
I spent an afternoon on the shores of Loch Ness with Willie Cameron and Fraser Campbell, the two men behind Cobbs, and I came away thinking about how little of a real business ever shows up in the headline figures. Listen to the full conversation with Willie Cameron and Fraser Campbell on the Growth for […]
How a Community Buyout Changed Everything for a Highland Village – Olivia Grant and Foyers Stores
There are roughly 800 people living along the south shore of Loch Ness, spread across a 35-mile stretch of road with no alternative to Foyers Stores. When the shop faced closure, the community faced something harder than inconvenience. For elderly residents, for families without a second car, for anyone who depends on getting the basics […]
From Classroom to Community Impact: Karen Simpson on Education, Enterprise, and Raising Standards in Tutoring
Karen Simpson, founder of My Primary and Secondary Tutor in Inverness, shares her journey from classroom teacher to education entrepreneur on the Growth for Good podcast. Discover how she built a team of 30-plus qualified tutors, co-founded Tutors Alliance Scotland, and is raising standards in private tutoring across the Scottish Highlands and beyond.
From Surviving to Thriving: Libby McDonald on Building People-First Businesses in the Highlands
For many founders, the journey into entrepreneurship is rarely neat or linear. Libby McDonald, founder of We Are Thryve, has been shaped by resilience and lived experience. She understands what it takes to lead people through complexity and change. Speaking on the Growth for Good podcast, Libby reflects on a path that began far from […]
Busy to Profitable – Why Looking Productive Isn’t the Same as Progress. Insight 9
From Busy to Profitable: In the Highlands, commitment and community spirit run deep. Here, being busy is almost a badge of honour. But busy doesn’t always mean profitable. Activity without return is risk disguised as effort. Too many SMEs wear exhaustion like proof of growth. If your time, team, or tools aren’t delivering margin, you’re […]
Leading for Capital Efficiency: a Growth for Good Insight
Growth for Good Insight: Leading for Capital Efficiency In the Highlands and Islands, small teams often get great results. Still, securing funding can be challenging. Business growth doesn’t come from doing more; it comes from leading better. This isn’t about borrowing money. It’s about unlocking the capital, time, and capacity already in your business. From […]