Despite Covid challenges, the social enterprise sector has plenty to offer

Two female-led social enterprises are paving the way for their communities post-Covid.  

They are among 15 ethical businesses from across Scotland that have secured a share of £75,000 from social enterprise start-up agency Firstport.

Start It awards are part of the Scottish Government’s Social Entrepreneurs Fund, supporting individuals who are focussed on piloting new ideas that are yet to get off the ground.  

Rhoda Meek and Ivy Herbert are prime examples of the diverse range of ideas coming out of lockdown.

Rhoda, founder of Isle Develop CIC, is looking to celebrate small local businesses on Tiree, whilst East Dunbartonshire-based Ivy, is paving the way for black haircare through her social enterprise HairDreams Glasgow.   

Having already started work setting up her Salon in Glasgow, Ivy’s aim is to help people embrace their natural hair and provide a specialised salon for black individuals seeking haircare, as well as expert training for those entering the hairdressing profession.  

A little further north west on the Isle of Tiree, Rhoda has started her own community venture to bring together small businesses and celebrate local talent.

She plans to support local businesses through her social enterprise, ultimately looking to reduce the Isle’s dependency on tourism, and provide support for new start-up businesses on the Isles. Isle Develop CIC is utilising the shift to a more digital sales platform as a way of bringing more business to the region.     

Ivy said: “We are a natural hair training school in Scotland whose mission is to ensure that everyone with natural hair learns to love and nurture their hair and ensure that we continue to encourage care and creativity within the black hair industry.” 

Rhoda added: "The Firstport Start It funding is brilliant for us. Coming into the festive season, we're looking forward to doing lots of promotion around the isle20.com marketplace and directory. The funding is going to allow us not only to make sure we get off on the best possible foot in terms of setting up the organisation, but it is also going to give us a real boost when it comes to supporting all the businesses we have listed. I'm really looking forward to watching isle20 grow - and to figuring out what Isle Develop CIC will take on next." 

Firstport chief executive Josiah Lockhart said: “Both of these social enterprises highlight the potential of the sector coming out of lockdown. HairDreams Glasgow shows the significance of social enterprises to address current social challenges, whilst Isle Develop CIC shows the power of social enterprise to keep communities relevant and enterprising in the current period. This latest round of funding highlights the tenacity and strength of social entrepreneurs.

“The quality of the applications suggests that the social enterprise sector has plenty to offer even in the current difficult climate.”