A young Ross-shire woman is hoping her new business venture will grow and grow this summer.

Morena MacKenzie, an 18-year-old from Gairloch plans to make use of her natural horticultural talents to open a small plant nursery to serve local markets in the area.

Through the HIE Starts Scheme, Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE) is investing £3620 in the business to allow Morena to purchase some of the necessary equipment needed and it will provide Morena with a guaranteed income for the first year of trading.

Morena is looking forward to her new venture, which will be run from her mother's croft, eight miles outside Gairloch.

She said: "I carried out a thorough market survey in the local area and I am confident there will be sufficient sales to make a go of this. There are also opportunities available at local farmers' markets and craft events but it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for the HIE Starts Scheme."

Gordon Cox, chief executive at RACE said: "Helping new businesses is one of our priorities and we are able to assist a wide variety of people start up a very diverse range of businesses through the HIE Starts programme. We wish Morena every success with her new venture."
 
RACE provides tailored support to eligible individuals wishing to start a business by providing income for a period, a small capital grant and free business counselling and advice.  For further details please contact RACE on tel: 01349 853666.