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Tuesday 14 June 2011

'Natty' Idea Wins Top Business Prize at College Awards

A ‘natty’ business idea secured a top prize for local artist Mandy Tait and Forth Valley College at Scotland’s Colleges Business to College Awards 2011.

Mandy (41, Alloa) and the College were announced the winners in the ‘Enterprise’ category at the ceremony which took place recently at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow.

The annual awards event is designed to recognise the support colleges offer to the business community and also celebrate successful partnerships.  Forth Valley College picked up the enterprise award in conjunction with Mandy’s  illustration and printmaking company ‘Natty Maid’ which she set up after completing the College’s ‘Creative Industries: Skills for Self Employment’ programme.

This innovative 26 week course was designed to support those with creative skills move towards self employment.  Delivered in partnership with Business Gateway, it provided training in a wide range of business start up skills including product development, branding, marketing, writing a business plan, finance and budgeting.  The programme also provided one to one sessions with both business and creative mentors.  The creative sessions focused specifically on professional practice and techniques.  In addition, Mandy was able to use the college’s print making facilities in order to experiment with new techniques and materials expanding her skills.  

Upon completion of the course, Mandy felt comfortable that she had the skills to launch her business and when a chance came up to rent a studio in the ‘Makers Village’ in Alloa she jumped at the opportunity.

Mandy is now working as a freelance illustrator and print-maker and demand for her work is slowly starting to increase.  She also has her own website and has plans to appear in four exhibitions this year.

Mandy is in no doubt that the support from the college has played a huge role in her success.  She said:

“The challenge of setting up my own freelance business was a daunting prospect, but even more so as the creative industries are so competitive.  In addition, I had no business experience and I was beginning to doubt if my ambitions were realistic.  

“I was wondering what to do next when a former college lecturer called to ask me if I would be interested in a Skills for Self Employment Programme which was aimed at helping creative people in particular.  It was the perfect opportunity for me – it helped me focus and gain the skills to turn my ideas into a reality.  The course provided me with business acumen, access to equipment and help with sourcing funding.
 
“I believe that the key to success is to acknowledge the help that can be given by others and there is no doubt in my mind that I would not be where I am now had it not been for Forth Valley College. In my entire journey from being a housewife, to mature student, to businesswoman - Forth Valley College has been at the hub of the wheel. From the outset I have been encouraged to believe that I can succeed in whatever I take on.”

The course was run jointly by the College’s Work Based Learning Department and Creative Industries Department, with support from Business Gateway.  Elaine McGeorge, Depute Manager for Work Based Learning attended the ceremony to receive the award on behalf of the College and also Mandy who was unable to go along on the day.  She said:

“We’re very proud of Mandy’s achievements and we’re delighted to have received this award in recognition of how we have helped her realise her dreams.  Mandy already had the vision but we provided her with the skills to make it come true.   

“We have put together a number of programmes recently which are designed to help people gain the skills to be successful in the workplace whether this is by becoming self-employed, gaining a new job or re-training.  We have been working very closely with industry to ensure the programmes are providing the skills they need.  This approach not only helps the individuals but also the economic recovery of the local area.”

Mandy also recently won the Scottish Final of the Lloyds TSB Art of Nurture Competition after being encouraged to enter by her college lecturer Linda Paterson.    As a national finalist, her work was on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Linda said:

“Mandy has an incredible work ethic and has put in a lot of hard work and commitment, previously to her studies and now to her business. It has always been an absolute pleasure to work with her and I was delighted to hear that she had become a Lloyds TSB Art of Nurture National Finalist.  To top that off with a Business to College award is the icing on the cake!”

Tags: Awards, Business

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