Deborah Cameron is a creative artist from Auchtermuchty in Fife, In 2017, she launched her business from a studio at home where she designed and made ceramic goods for the wholesale gift and tourism markets.
Business Gateway Fife has been working with Deborah since 2019, when she went through a period of rapid business growth, shortly after which, COVID meant she had to make allowances for all the tourist shops being closed, where she had 90 stockists across Scotland. During this time she had to develop an alternative retail element to her business by moving sales to online platforms like Etsy and Facebook. In the background she kept good relationships with her trade stockists and worked with them as they re-established post covid. Since then, this side of the business really took off again and in December last year, Deborah made the move into larger premises in Pentland Park in Glenrothes, where she has been able to grow her wholesale business and complement this with a retail shop where people can browse and purchase the giftware and an adjoining craft studio where she can deliver craft classes and workshops.
Deborah told fbm Update, “When COVID hit, the business really went quiet. I decided that I didn’t want to have all my eggs in one basket in the future so developing the craft studio and a retail shop alongside the wholesale side of things felt right. Having navigated the past few years, am very aware of the benefits of having space and time enjoy being creative. The craft studio offers a wide range of beginner classes and workshops for adults allowing people to come and develop their creative skills, as well improving their mental health and wellbeing. I am taking part in central fife open studios later this year and have a plan to create a community art installation which can be sold off and monies reinvested in the studio to allow me to offer as many places as possible free of charge. I am grateful to Catherine and Business Gateway Fife for their advice and support to help me manage the business better.”
Catherine Bartle, Deborah’s Business Gateway Fife business adviser said, “We have been able to give Deborah support and advice on stock control and business management as well as signpost her to wider support networks. She has really made great use of space in the new premises, giving her the opportunity to expand her business and take on additional staff in the future.”
For more information on DDCA Wholesale, email [email protected]
Whether thinking of starting a business or looking to grow or sustain an existing business, contact Business Gateway Fife on 01592 858333 for a variety of advice and support or visit www.businessgatewayfife.com
