NEWS RELEASE
ROCK N SUCCESS STORY FOR
OUTER HEBRIDES TOP YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
4th September 09 – A young businesswoman has been named Outer Hebrides’ top
young entrepreneur at the regional finals of the 2009 Prince’s Scottish Youth
Business Trust (PSYBT) ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ Awards.
Sarah Morrison (24), founder of Rock N Retro on the Isle of Lewis was announced
as regional winner at a ceremony at Bridge Community Centre in Stornoway earlier
today and was presented with a £1000 cash prize by the award sponsors, Lloyds
TSB Scotland. She will now be considered by the judging panel to be entered into
the national final taking place at Glasgow’s City Chambers on Wednesday 18th
November 2009. Six of the 18 regional winners are selected to compete for the
coveted national title of PSYBT ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ and the
opportunity to win an additional £2000.
Sarah Morrison first started selling kitch jewellery and accessories on Ebay three
years ago and has since transformed what was a part-time venture into a thriving
business which has seen her products sell all over the world and featured in the
style pages of fashion magazines. Visitors to her online shop can choose from an
eclectic range of jewellery and accessories such as Russian doll necklaces, sea shell
earrings, skull cameo broaches, tape measure bracelets, as well as polka dot
hairbows, stargazer make-up, and false eyelashes. Such has been the demand for
her products, that the Rock N Retro founder has recently opened a shop in
Stornoway where she sells and hires fancy dress costumes, and has launched a new
line of Harris Tweed hair bows, earrings, rings and Gaelic pin badges aimed at the
tourist market.
The runner-up in the awards is Anna Donachie (24), founder of Barraheads Salon,
the only hairdressing salon on the Island of Barra. Established in 2007, Barraheads
Salon offers a full range of ladies and gents hairdressing services from cut and
blowdrys and wedding hair to perms and colour treatments. Ms Donachie plays an
active role in the local providing employment and training places, support to other
new businesses, and providing free pampering nights to youth groups in support of
school and community initiatives. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar presented Ms Donachie
with her runner’s up prize of £500 cash and a certificate.
Both the winner and the runner-up received funding, advice and support from
PSYBT, which during the last twenty years, has supported some 11,000 young
people to start almost 9,000 businesses, providing £31.7million in funding and
additional assistance.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, PSYBT Regional Chairman, Roddie MacKay said,
“Both companies have demonstrated drive, ambition and enthusiasm for taking
good ideas and transforming them into successful, thriving businesses. We wish
them every success.”
Marilyn MacDonald from Lloyds TSB Scotland added, “Youth enterprise is something
to be recognised and applauded, as these young people are helping themselves,
their local community and the economy. These Awards are essential in encouraging
a culture that values business ambition and innovation and we are delighted to
support PSYBT in creating this entrepreneurial environment.”
The regional awards also recognised the expertise, mentoring advice and inspiration
of aftercare advisor, Iain Macaulay, who was named Outer Hebrides’ regional
Volunteer of the Year. A PSYBT regional manager assists with everything from
compiling a business plan to securing premises. Once the business is up and
running, an aftercare adviser is appointed, all of whom are experts in their fields.
They work as volunteers for the organisation, with the sole aim of helping young
entrepreneurs sustain their business and offering them crucial advice during the
first two years in business. Mr Macaulay will go forward and have the chance of
winning the coveted title of ‘Volunteer of the Year’ at the national award finals in
November.
ENDS
For further information contact, Margaret Gibson and Louise Moore at PSYBT head
office on Tel no. 0141 248 4999. Visit the PSYBT WEBSITE at www.psybt.org.uk
Note to Editors:
Contact details for the winner and runner up:
Website Address
Email Address
Telephone Number
Mobile Phone Number
www.rock-n-retro.co.uk
[email protected]
01851 703939
07769652753
Email Address
Telephone Number
Mobile Phone Number
[email protected]
01871810919
07794807413