Wise move for talented local artist?

Jenny Dossor loves nature and was inspired by her surroundings in Tayinloan to start making ceramic owls... big owls, small owls, outdoor owls, indoor owls... all kinds of owls including quirky little chaps with kilts, mortar boards and round spectacles... they're adorable!

When referred to Opportunity Kintyre by HIE, what Jenny didn't have in place was an effective sales channel. She recalls,

"I am very pleased to have been put in touch with OK and with the Enterprise Facilitator Lynn Hammal. Lynn came to see me at my house a few weeks ago, and was like a breath of fresh air to listen to. I work on my own making clay owls. I was finding everything daunting trying to get everything in place - where do you begin? We now have a plan of action regarding marketing my products, and of course [the support of] the panel of professionals that are installed to help in all categories."

Jenny concludes,

"I would say to anyone who is thinking of starting their own business or indeed has an idea that they would like to put into action - get in touch with OK and make use of this free facility and the panel who are waiting to get you going... After all OK is for the people of Kintyre."

For more information about Jenny Dossor Ceramics or to buy an owl, contact Jenny here or call 01583 441169.

Happy Birthday OK!

Mid-March marked OK's first birthday – and a full year of providing Enterprise Facilitation throughout the peninsula. To celebrate, Opportunity Kintyre held an informal networking and birthday party at the newly refurbished Burnet Building in Campbeltown. Over 55 people attended the event, including clients, panel members, friends and supporters of OK. The cake was cut by Peter Sinclair and his daughter Eilidh from Glenbarr Nursery.

Peter, a very experienced and successful Kintyre businessman, engaged the services of Opportunity Kintyre to develop plans for expanding his family business to add more products and a coffee shop. He revealed,

"[OK] did a great job for us in the early stages of the project with words of wisdom and advice... The people the panel suggested [to complete our market research were] very useful too, first to have a chat and then to listen to their experiences and get questions answered on various points."

Peter added that he would be more than happy to speak to prospective clients to outline the benefits of the OK approach in developing local businesses.

For full story & more photographs, click  here.

Enterprise Minister hails OK's achievements

At a recent event held by Argyll & Bute Social Enterprise Network, of which OK is a member, Enterprise Facilitator Lynn Hammal was pleased to meet Enterprise Minister Jim Mather MSP to celebrate the launch of the new ABSEN Skillsbank.

Afterwards, Jim was pleased to highlight his support for Opportunity Kintyre's achievements,

"Opportunity Kintyre is an innovative community project. It is an approach that enables local people to help each other to get new businesses off the ground and discover the hidden potential we all have to collaborate and succeed.

"So far many people from all parts of the community have come together with the unifying common purpose of creating increasing levels of local economic activity and already it is clear that they are making a difference.

"At grassroots level, their efforts to help create & sustain local business is in line with national economic policy and have already boosted the confidence of local people and increased the chances of them succeeding in business.

"I would like to congratulate all those that have been involved on their achievements to date and wish them continued success for the future."

September Ball 2008

Please keep Saturday 27th September 2008 free to attend Opportunity Kintyre's second September Ball. For more information or to make a provisional booking, fill in an enquiry form with your details and we'll be sure to keep you posted. See archive to read about last year's success.