I’ve always believed that entrepreneurial spirit is a calling - and I was delighted to read that it has taken a more literal turn for two young bakers in Argyle.

Friends Holly Ford and Bron Campbell decided to think inside the box use by using their talents for baking and spreading a little sweetness to Cladich, a small village of 30 residents, and opening their new shop.

Making use of BT’s excellent ‘Adopt a Kiosk’ scheme, Holly and Bron gave a disused phone box some much needed TLC with little more than a lick of paint, some newly installed shelves and added decorations. Now, with their shop ‘Cakes in the Call Box’ cooking up a storm, they’re able to bring a selection of homemade cakes and tray bakes to sell to locals and visiting tourists every day.

What a fantastic idea! Not only turning their passion into a business, but transforming a neglected old phone box into a money-making, uniquely standout tourist icon.

Although not a new idea, with the Adopt a Kiosk scheme launching in 2008, more opportunities for like-minded Scots are certainly on the horizon.

BT last month announced it was taking nearly 1,000 phone boxes out of service over the next three years due to falling usage.

Reading the figures, you certainly get a sense of just how much mobiles have taken over. Telephone box usage has fallen by a massive 90 per cent over the last 10 years.

However, what an ideal opportunity it is for entrepreneurs. Many of the iconic red phone boxes in Scotland have already been transformed into mini art galleries, libraries, information points and defibrillator kiosks, making a huge difference to their communities.

Big ideas can launch for £1 - the cost to take over the phone booth - and start-up in a space 8ft by 3ft.  Who knows where those ideas might lead.

You just have to look to BrewDog. I’m sure owners James Watt and Martin Dickie, probably had a go at making their first craft beer in the bath, not much smaller than a phone box, before jumping head first into the industry.

Ten years on and what was simply a passion for the pair has turned into a global success story as BrewDog becomes one of the fastest-growing craft beers in the world, surpassing US brands such as Lagunitas, Ballast Point and Stone Brewing.

Earlier this year, it was announced that BrewDog was worth more than £1bn, and last week it saw a 61 per cent surge in turnover for 2016.

New figures show that the breweries’ global sales rose to £71.8m, leading with an eight per cent rise in pre-tax profits to £3.76m. Not bad for a small start-up that kicked off in Fraserburgh.

With eyes on further expansion into Asia, the business-savvy entrepreneurs certainly are flying the flag for Scotland and represent a great example for any budding business people.

I’m not sure if you can start a brewery in a phone box, but who’s to say that in ten years’ time we won’t revisit Holly Ford and Bron Campbell and find them posting seven figure profits, having moved on from a their tiny cake shop to much bigger things.

 

SIDE

I was intrigued to discover a rising trend amongst consumers who are opting for experiences and spending their money on the concept of making memories over buying products off the shelf.

Recent statistics from Barclaycard show that spending on experiences - namely entertainment, concerts, shows, pubs and eating out - rose by 10 per cent in the first quarter compared to a three per cent fall for spending in department stores.

It’s not a huge drop, and don’t get me wrong, people still need ‘stuff’, but the item itself isn’t enough.

Consumers increasingly want to attend an exclusive fashion show or blogger Q&A on upcoming trends, before we buy our summer wardrobe.  No longer do consumers just want to buy a bottle of gin off the shelf - we want to mix our own botanicals at a tasting event before going home with our one-of-a-kind bottle.

It could be argued that people are either investing in items to provide a talking point or simply have no interest in buying for desire over need - we are far more careful with our money.

People would more freely opt to buy a ticket to an event or dine in a restaurant that’s cooking up the latest craze, than go on a high street spending splurge.

The concept of de-cluttering and buying less physical ‘stuff’ could also be a reflection on the rise of digital – for many, our bookshelves are empty, with everything stored in a Kindle, while our photo albums exist exclusively on social media platforms.

As is the case with most things, consumer habits are ever-changing, but I believe businesses shouldn’t ignore these figures. Companies should embrace the rising trend, or risk losing profit to the competition.

 

LAUGH

There really is a job for everyone and everything.

I couldn’t help but chuckle after reading that Graham’s Dairy had appointed a milk taster, believed to be the first role of its kind in the UK.

Wine and whisky expert Doug Wood was given the role for his knowledge on identifying flavours, length of finish, acidity and sweetness of drinks to pair with food. Gone are the days you just choose your milk by the colour of the bottle top.

Certainly, food trends have seen milk becoming more gourmet in recent years, but appointing a Scottish milk sommelier really is the most hipster thing I’ve heard this week.

Udderly unbelievable. Doug will no doubt be laughing till the cows come home.

 

WEEP

Glasgow’s skyline has been changing this week as one of the city’s most iconic buildings - the Gray Dunn & Co factory, famously known for its Blue Ribands and Caramacs - was demolished.

Under Royal Warrant from the Queen to produce cakes and bread in the Victorian Era, the factory was hugely popular and a big revenue stream for the 130 years it was in production.

To be fair, the building has lain derelict for almost 20 years and attracted no more than dust and graffiti.

But with it now reduced to rubble, leaving a conspicuous gap on the Glasgow skyline, I wonder if the next business to paint on that blank canvas will produce an iconic product for Scotland the way Gray Dunn & Co once did.