Business Women Scotland BWS EDITION 47 | Page 7

#BWSMAGAZINE P TIPS O T ’S A C I S S E J Don't be ur dreams. e way of yo d filter what you th in t ge s s and view carefully to advise an other's fear • Don't let llow your vision. Listen fo afraid to t your instincts. need. Trus lf. and yourse ts. ture, others na to nd ki like ghost ne e • B models are ss ne si bu only your heart, profit- well out of • Without a rd, it is there, ha o to e m beco when things ens. • Don't stop ne, where growth happ e zo ed and in th rt comfo n you are tir lest one. he w ly al ci al love, espe en the sm passion and ard count ev • Work with lenges. All steps forw al face of ch “I needed to improve the product and push the boundaries of what was possible and I was able to do this with HIE’s support. The innovation project allowed me to experiment and find the right partners. Without HIE’s help it would have been impossible. I am now able to select and know how to produce the right quality for each type of fabric. “I can now focus on my production and supply chain and match it to each specific product. Through HIE’s innovation services I was able to find not just one solution for all but a specific solution for all the different materials I use and that’s given me the overall consistency which I’ve never had before.” Now based in a studio in the old teaching lab at the Scottish Marine Institute in Oban, Jessica officially started Crùbag in December 2013, in what she describes as a very ‘subconscious process.’ That process and the voyage of innovation can feel very isolating specific way. I had to learn a lot at times. and made many mistakes but it’s been really rewarding and Jessica accessed HIE’s incredible. innovation services very early on her innovation journey and With HIE’s support Jessica has said: “HIE has always been gone on to fulfil her childhood on my side from the very dream which was inspired by a gift beginning. They have helped from her grandfather: “When I was me access knowledge which four he gave me the complete has allowed me to become the Jacques Cousteau encyclopedia kind of company that can have of oceanography and it opened a product which can be sold at my eyes to a different world. So, the best shops in the world.” when I moved to Scotland it all came back and I just thought A huge advocate of innovation, yeah I need to do this. And I Jessica believes it’s something did it and it wouldn’t have been that we can all embrace: possible without HIE’s support. “Innovation is an amazing tool It’s been a very generous, very for everyone to use. It’s like a human, informative experience. An motor, a flowing energy that essential one too as its really given allows you to get out of your comfort zone, think and transfer me that extra edge.” knowledge. You can apply those Businesses looking to sign up to practises to other areas in your business and invent new things access HIE’s innovation services can visit www.hie.co.uk/ that could be helpful and keep hietime or call 0300 013 5041 you competitive.” for expert info on what funding and innovation resources are Jessica’s story follows the ebbs and flows of the ocean: “I available from HIE. wanted to combine science, design and innovation in a really www.crubag.co.uk [email protected] 7