Strathearn-based Do It Outdoors was set up by Ian Macfarlane in 2009 and has the environment – and inspiring people to get out and immerse themselves in the outdoors – at its heart.
What does your business do?
I had a number of different career paths from print salesman, mortgage advisor, postman, chauffeur and finally an IT business analyst for about 12 years.
There came a point though where the office had become mundane and unfulfilling and I just felt there had to be something more to life.
I was able to reduce my hours to part-time and picked up a few other outdoor qualifications.
I was contracted by Perth and Kinross Council over three years where I went round all the primary schools as part of an educational project to promote awareness of David Douglas, the Scottish plant collector.
This, plus the offer of voluntary redundancy, gave me some confidence that I could make a career in the outdoors. It was not an easy choice as there was a considerable drop in salary and no certainty of success.
Why did you start in business?
In my 20s I did a summer mountain leader course as I had been helping locally with the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
Between jobs and studying risk management at Glasgow Caledonian University I spent two seasons with PGL – the UK’s leading outdoor education – in the south of France as a sailing and windsurfing instructor.
Although I had gathered a fair bit of experience over the years I was a novice at running my own business and also I was not really that savvy about the outdoor industry.
In hindsight I was a bit naive about everything required to create a real successful business.
One of my continual motivators has been to think about how grim life got in the office and however financially challenging my situation was I was earning my own money and making my own decisions.
Who has helped you along the way?
Definitely my wife. Community-based support organisation GrowBiz has also been helpful – the advice they provide is a bit more real and practical than other more traditional avenues of help and they provide great opportunities for networking and learning throughout the year with their many events.
Your biggest mistake?
Not going into business earlier.
Your greatest achievement?
I can’t think of one single achievement or particular event that stands out over others. Perhaps it’s just the quiet satisfaction that I have introduced people to the wonders of the outdoors.
Hopes for the future?
Ideally I would like to own a bit of land so I can have more of a centre where I can add value and develop some of my ideas.
Do you want to recruit in the future?
I would and I do occasionally take on freelance staff.
What is the hardest thing about running your own business?
Switching off.
Advice to wannabe entrepreneurs?
Follow your heart not the dollar.