A 12-year-old budding businesswoman has been hailed as a shining example of why everyone needs to choose local and set a springboard to success.
Chloe Lamberton, from East Kilbride, started her own enterprise – Chloe’s Crystals, selling at markets and to her school friends – two years ago.
The Calderglen High School pupil sells healing crystals and stones, as well as spell jars, which she makes herself – taking care of everything from sourcing suppliers and ordering stock to marketing.
“It all started with my mum telling me about crystals and tumblestones. I got really interested and decided I wanted to sell them to make some money. It’s all really grown from there,” said Chloe.
As well as selling at school markets, Chloe is a regular stallholder at Glasgow Witchy Bazaar and has also started selling to people via her instagram.
“I love talking, so going to the markets is great,” added Chloe. “I just want to keep going and see how this all builds up. Hopefully it all stays as good as it has been.”
Chloe’s enterprising spirit is being highlighted as part of Scotland Loves Local Week (August 26 – September 1), seven days of action highlighting the importance of supporting local businesses in order to build stronger communities.
Hers is a story which highlights the need to ensure the next generation of businesspeople are encouraged to succeed – with opportunities remaining for them to set up enterprises in their home communities should they wish.
Chloe’s mum, Jo Mulhern, is herself a small business owner, running the She Is Beauty salon in Giffnock. She is also the chair of Giffnock Village Business Improvement District.
She said: “I’m really proud of Chloe. She’s really good at what she does. In fact, her Instagram is better than mine.
“I think it’s so important to encourage young people who are interested in business.
“I worked with a business coach a few years ago and they really highlighted how we need to do more to teach young people how to run their own businesses.”
Scotland Loves Local Week – led by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) – highlights how support for local businesses of all kinds is the foundation on which wider work can take place to make town centres better places in which to live, work and visit.
A Scotland Loves Local spokesperson said: “Everyone wants to see communities thrive, so that opportunities can be there for young entrepreneurs like Chloe to set up businesses should they want to. We can all play our part in that by supporting the businesses that are there now, laying the foundations for the next generations.
“We want to help encourage a real spirit of enterprise and innovation across the country.”
Follow Chloe on Instagram @chloes_crystalss
