STEVE MCKENZIE OF CRAFTY CONNOISSEUR
What was your first job after leaving school/further education?
YTS Training Office Training College which lead to a role in a firm of Chartered Accountants.
When did you start your business & what prompted you to do it?
May 2015 and it was initially going to be an import/export business but grew into
something different with more emphasis on importing new and unusual products/brands.
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced to date?
Making a name for ourselves and letting people know we mean business.
How did you overcome them?
A lot of hours put in on social media and face to face events where people could meet us
and get to know us better. Both suppliers and customers.
What would you do differently now looking back?
Invest in a good website from day one.
What or who has helped you to grow your business the most?
Each other (my wife and I), we have supported each other and believed in the business and
that has gotten us through some tough times.
What achievement are you most proud of?
We imported one of the world’s first colour changing gins into the UK, Ink Gin from
Tumbulgum, New South Wales.
What are the future plans for your business?
To keep doing what we do and try and grow and keep ahead of the competition by
identifying trends before they become the next big thing.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to set up their own business?
Persevere – if it was easy everyone would be doing it.
Tell us something about you that isn’t commonly known.
Both my wife and I hold black belts in Shito Ryu Karate.
And finally, why did you join WeDO?
I was impressed by how WeDO helps small to medium sized businesses through all its
events. I wanted to be part of a network that is all about helping one another without
necessarily receiving something back.
If you’re interested in finding out more about WeDO Scotland membership, click HERE.
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