TRUDY MORRIS: Awards are a nod to fresh Caithness talent
In the North Highlands, we are not known for celebrating our successes, for standing up proud and shouting about our achievements.
Our culture urges us to stay humble and avoid drawing too much attention to ourselves.
However, we owe it not just to ourselves, but to our younger generations to show them anything is possible and that life and business in the North Highlands is ambitious, energetic and innovative.
There is a saying, “You can’t be what you can’t see”.
This principle highlights that children are less likely to be inspired for their future if they don’t have visible role models.
We need to show them that a vibrant future as business owners and entrepreneurs is within their reach.
That’s why our awards focus on showcasing and uplifting those in the early stages of their business journey.
Our awards provide a fantastic opportunity for young companies and entrepreneurs to shine.
As a vital part of the business community in North Highland, Caithness Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to supporting businesses at all stages of their development.
The Young Business Award is open to enterprises that have been operating in Caithness or Sutherland for no more than five years, and the Young Entrepreneur Award is for trailblazing individuals aged between 18 and 30 living in Caithness or Sutherland.
You only need to look back at some of our past award winners to see the huge impact these businesses are having on the North Highland economic landscape, creating employment opportunities, award-winning products, and internationally renowned services.
So why hold back, its your time to shine! Entries for the awards are open until 5pm on July 30, 2024.
Application forms and entry criteria can be found online at caithnesschamber.com
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Mandy Boydell, founder of CC Chocolatier, was the winner of the Caithness Chamber Young Business of the Year (Micro) 2023.
“It's been a whirlwind of a year since winning the Chamber Young Business Award.
“We've undertaken a major revamp of our kitchen workshop and opened our new shop!
“Alongside our workshops and renowned afternoon teas, we now offer a tempting array of patisserie cakes and treats for takeaway each week. The selection is mouthwatering, featuring delights such as Turkish Delight, rich buttery croissants, cheesecake, rich chocolate fudge cake, eclairs, fresh strawberry tarts, macarons, and, of course, my handmade chocolates – just to name a few!
“In addition, we've collaborated with local crafters and artisans, providing space in our shop for them to showcase and sell their products. This has been particularly beneficial as we've noticed a positive increase in tourism traffic this year.
“We are still focusing on our pre-booked chocolate-making workshops and legendary afternoon teas, but this way, with our shop we ensure that no visitor leaves disappointed or hungry!
“This year, our aim is to establish the shop as a must-visit destination.
“Locally, there's been tremendous support for our chocolate-making workshops, which are perfect for group events. As I always say, "The chocolates you make may only last five minutes, but the memories will last a lifetime!"
“The Awards Ceremony and Dinner Celebrations were incredible. It was fantastic to get glammed up and out of the kitchen. We were seated with some amazing local businesses, and it was great company to be in.
“I was absolutely delighted and completely surprised to have won the award. It was a total shock, and I was gobsmacked when they called our name!
“I would certainly recommend anyone thinking of applying to just go for it! We always knew we had an incredible product. I pour my heart and soul into my business, and that really shows in what we do. Having recognition with this award is a great endorsement for us. It truly means something special to have the title “award-winning business” beside our name.”
Alex MacDonald is co-founder of North Point Distillery, whuich was named Caithness Chamber Young Business of the Year 2023.
“Since winning the Caithness Chamber Young Business Award, our journey at North Point Distillery has been nothing short of extraordinary. Continuing from strength to strength we have expanded our premises and launched our new Highland single malt whisky brand, Dalclagie.
“Our distillery has already made waves internationally with our small-batch Highland rum and gin. We’ve been honoured with awards such as Craft Producer of the Year at the World Rum Awards, and Gold Medals at the International Wine and Spirits Competition and the World Gin Awards. Our latest accolade was winning London Dry Gin of the Year at the Scottish Gin Awards.
“With Dalclagie, we are staying true to our core ethos of sustainability, quality, people, and place. Our commitment to quality and our incredible team is what drives us. We believe in using the finest ingredients, adhering to traditional artisan processes, and embracing new technologies and sustainable practices. Every decision we make is geared towards crafting the best Scotch whisky possible.
“What truly sets us apart is our dedicated distillery team. From our humble beginnings, we’ve grown into a family of 14 passionate individuals who pour their hearts into their work every day. We might be small, but our ambitions are mighty, and it’s our people who make North Point Distillery so special.
“Creating Dalclagie has been a dream for years, and seeing it come to life is incredibly rewarding. We’re producing 200 casks of Dalclagie New Make each year, and our Cask Programme is now open. It’s an exciting time for us, and we can’t wait to share our latest creation with whisky lovers around the world.
“Winning the Chamber Young Business Award is something we are incredibly proud of. We are fortunate to have a fantastic, supportive network locally. The North Highland business community has been incredibly encouraging, and the awards provided a great platform to gain recognition for our brand and all of our hard work.
“Caithness is fast becoming a hotspot for Scotch whisky, making its mark on the global stage, and we’re thrilled to be part of that story!”