THE founder of an award-winning social enterprise has announced the launch of a new business incubator for start-up entrepreneurs in Berwickshire.
Hazel Smith, founding director of ReTweed, confirmed the organisation would be supporting graduates from its Textiles Training Programme, and other local makers, to set-up their own creative enterprises.
ReTweed will open a fully equipped workshop and workstations for women setting up their own creative businesses, and provide mentoring support and training with Scottish Borders Business Gateway, focusing on topics like marketing, sales, motivation and stress management.
Tom Ward, chair of Foundation Scotland – which provided funding for the project alongside the Women’s Fund for Scotland and Marchmont – said they have been proud to support ReTweed over the last few years.
He continued: “The Scottish Borders has a long history of producing high quality textiles, but much of the commercial production has now moved away. ReTweed draws on that long history but puts it to work in a new way, helping women develop their creativity and learn new skills – and most importantly, build their self-confidence.
“I’m also proud to own several products made by ReTweed including a rather special, made to measure tartan iPad cover – much admired in London business meetings.”
Smith announced the business incubator at ReTweed’s ninth annual graduation at Marchmont House, where those attending the organisation’s training courses received their certificates.
Hugo Burge, owner of the restored Marchmont House, welcomed ReTweed’s plans.
Burge said: “It is a delight to have a small part in supporting ReTweed, which combines creativity, recycling and social purpose to help inject some energy into nurturing making-skills, self-reliance and confidence into the community of the beautiful town of Eyemouth.”
MSP Rachael Hamilton, National Lottery Community Fund members, Foundation Scotland, the Women’s Fund and ReTweed sponsors Baillie Gifford attended the ceremony to celebrate the continued success of the innovative enterprise.
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