An ‘egg’ sandwich…

I was asked to be a guest speaker at ‘egg’s’ first Scottish Borders event, hosted at the Schloss Roxburghe in the beautiful Scottish Borders.

Here’s a snapshot from our recent press release, featured in the Southern Reporter, supplied by the lovely Emily McGowan.

TWO Galashiels-based entrepreneurs took centre stage at a landmark business event held at Schloss Roxburghe.

Egg, the fast-growing platform for women in business, brought its signature energy to the region for the very first time.

The Women on Top event, hosted in partnership with Claire Drynan of Spark Dot Grow, welcomed more than 50 women for a morning of honest conversation and practical advice.

The gathering, held at the five-star venue near Kelso, focused on the realities of running and growing a business, particularly in rural and regional areas.

Claire, who launched Spark Dot Grow in 2023 after leaving her corporate role, said: “When the opportunity came up to bring Egg’s Women on Top event to the Scottish Borders, I knew I had to make it happen, even with just two weeks to pull it together.

“The response was fantastic. It really showed there’s a genuine appetite for empowering business events and making meaningful connections in our region.”

Emily McGowan, of McGowan Marketing, and Lauren Jamieson, of The Colourful Edit, shared their experiences of starting and scaling businesses in Galashiels.

Lauren said: “It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces connecting for the first time as there’s such untapped potential here.

“The Scottish Borders is a special place, full of remarkable businesses, and I felt proud to represent Galashiels, especially in my 10th year.”

Emily added: “Starting and scaling a business takes resilience and tenacity. But it’s all the more rewarding when you’re surrounded by a community that genuinely wants to see you succeed.

“Events like this remind us that there’s enough room at the table for everyone.

“When we lift each other up, we all rise together.”

The event forms part of Egg’s wider mission to support women in business, following the January 2025 launch of its business club and online hub, The Lounge.

Founder Kylie Reid said: “We chose to come to the Borders and to Schloss Roxburghe because we know how many brilliant women are building businesses here, often without the support or recognition they deserve.

“This event was about visibility, connection and starting something that we hope will grow roots in this region. We’ll definitely be back”

And here is my prep work in the lead up to the event….
Some insights you may not have heard before! With my take on The Colourful Edit and life in general.

Q: Can you tell us about your career journey – how did you get to where you are today?

I didn’t have a clear path after school. While most of my friends went to university, I threw myself into work—learning industries from the inside out, connecting with people, saying yes to opportunities, and getting promoted quickly. I travelled to see friends, asked questions constantly, and soaked it all up.

Looking back, I probably would’ve studied branding and photography, two things I adored, without knowing they could be careers. I was obsessed with movement, seasons, and fashion, and spent hours watching Fashion TV and flicking through Vogue. But no one was talking about creative careers where I lived. It just wasn’t on the radar.

At 21, I moved to the other side of the world in search of adventure and purpose. Ten years later, I came home with a dual passport, a husband, a starter business, a baby on my hip, and another on the way. I now have three! 

In New Zealand, I managed a restaurant where I built a rapport with a regular group, including Simon, a commercial photographer. That connection led to a role as his assistant, and I spent two years working on campaigns for brands like Nestlé, Coca-Cola, Bendon underwear, and Ford. That job opened up my world. I zipped around on my scooter, flew across the country, and soaked up the creative energy.

From there, I landed in Australia and joined a fast-paced advertising agency, where I quickly moved into a project management role. But I was drawn to the creative side, and ended up leading the Creative Services team. It was the golden era of craft—TV, radio, print—and the buzz was electric. We’d send the creatives into a beanbag room for a two-hour brief and find them eight hours later with magic in their hands.

At the same time, I was helping friends style outfits for events, and colour had become a huge part of how I expressed myself. I trained as a personal stylist and launched Scotch & Rose Style, my first solo business.

When I returned to the UK, I wanted to create something that brought together all my skills—styling, branding, creativity, and storytelling. I started with a mantra: “Editing life with a splash of colour.” Then it hit me—The Colourful Edit. I couldn’t believe no one had taken it.

That was ten years ago.

Since then, I’ve styled clients, branded small businesses, and, during maternity leave, accidentally launched a sustainable accessories line after breaking my favourite necklace. One colourful piece led to another, and before I knew it, I was in retail and wholesale—selling thousands of pieces, featuring on Trinny’s Elevator Pitch, raising funds for the NHS, and showcasing at Top Drawer, where I even met Holly Tucker.

Today, I’m back to my roots in personal styling and small business consulting, working independently so I can create my own schedule. I’ve launched the colourful edit collectives. I’m also an ambassador for Jigsaw and involved in a number of community projects that keep me grounded and connected. The Heartland Market, the Galashiels BID as a Board Director, Kelso Races and working with Heriot-Watt University. 

Q: What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far, and your proudest win?

You’d think I might say Covid, but actually, my business adapted well during that time. My biggest professional challenge came during Top Drawer. I invested so much—financially, emotionally, creatively—to take my product range wholesale. It was all set to fly. Then, the Queen passed away. The world paused, and so did the buzz.

Personally? Losing my best friend. That stopped me in my tracks. She was my biggest cheerleader. When she passed, I lost a bit of my colour too. It’s been one of the hardest chapters of my life.

My proudest win? It’s when my kids look at me and say, “Mummy, are you famous?” or “Just tell people to be themselves.” That reminds me why I do what I do. To build something joyful and authentic—and to show them you can live a life that’s yours.

Q: What one piece of advice would you give to someone just starting out in business or in your industry?

You need passion, but passion alone isn’t enough. You need a strong brand. You’ve got to graft. You’ve got to show up, even when it’s not glamorous. This industry asks you to be creative, but also effective. To miss out on things. To understand people, not just trends.

Break a few rules. Have integrity. Do the work when no one’s watching. And whatever you do, build community. Community is everything. It’s where the magic happens, and it’s what gives your work meaning.

Q: Is there a key moment or lesson that shaped your journey?

Yes. Realising that my superpower is being a cheerleader. For clients, collaborators, and even strangers. Helping people rediscover their spark through creativity—that’s what drives me.

My client’s feedback. Sparkly eyes. 

Also, I believe in the power of human connection and manifestation. You need vision. But you also need to believe you’re allowed to have the life you imagine. And then, you build it.

Q: What’s your top tip for getting noticed and standing out in business today?

Wear colour. Be kind. Leave an impression.

And most importantly, be yourself. Don’t worry about the crowd. I’ve never been a crowd-pleaser. I’ve always been on my own path. That’s where the good stuff is.