Island Candle Company gets nod for entrpreneurial spirit

The entrepreneurs, including Jamie MacGowan of family business Bùth Bheag Candle Co based in Harris, were handed the awards at a ceremony in the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness, after successfully completing the virtual programme.

The unique project is part of the Entrepreneurial Spark journey, a programme which is powered by Royal Bank of Scotland and is supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the Scottish Government and Harper Macleod.

Entrepreneurial Spark, the world’s largest free business accelerator, welcomed over 40 businesses to its Entrepreneuring Awards.

Jamie MacGowan of Bùth Bheag Candle Co. scooped the #GoDoAcceler8 award and £2,000 prize, having continued to grow his business significantly since joining the Virtual Accelerator. Employing new members of staff, securing new premises, and increasing the number of outlets his unique candles and diffusers are sold in, Jamie has scaled up Bùth Bheag Candle Co. to trade internationally.

The first programme of its kind in the UK, the 12-week course covers everything from business model validation; securing investment; increasing turnover; and the mindset and behaviours of an Entrepreneurial Leader, the Entrepreneuring Awards mark the end of the pilot.

To date, entrepreneurs on board Entrepreneurial Spark’s business accelerator have generated more than £85 million turnover, secured over £45 million investment, and created more than 1,800 jobs.