From cheese experts to flower farmers, mortgage specialists and photographers, we’re celebrating seven inspiring women (and cracking good business eggs!) at the heart of Scottish businesses. These founders are scaling, growing and breaking the mould - and they’re sharing some of their top tips and lessons learned along the way.
1. Svetlana Kukharchuk, Founder of The Cheese Lady
Originally from the Soviet Union, Svetlana now calls the picturesque town of Dunbar home. She’s the founder and CEO of The Cheese Lady, a multi-award-winning fine cheese retailer with shops in Haddington and North Berwick, plus a thriving online store delivering the very best farmhouse and artisan cheeses across the UK.
Svetlana’s love for cheese was born in New York City at the iconic Murray’s Cheese, where she led tastings, guided customers through hundreds of cheese varieties, and learned the fine art of cheese maturation. That experience sparked a passion that’s lasted a lifetime.
Her cheese journey continued in Scotland, where she owned The Guid Cheese Shop in St Andrews until 2014. It was there she earned the nickname “The Cheese Lady.” In 2017, after moving to East Lothian, she launched The Cheese Lady brand and she hasn’t looked back. Today, she splits her time between her two shops and the busy online business, always finding new ways to innovate and grow nearly two decades into her cheese journey.
Can’t-live-without tool or system?
“I absolutely love ChatGPT! I use it for just about everything, content creation, planning, brainstorming ideas… even legal stuff like understanding documents, lease agreements, and applying for alcohol licenses.”
Biggest lesson so far?
“I’ve come to recognise that it’s the journey and not just reaching the goal that brings me the most happiness.”
Advice for someone starting out in business?
“Set your expectations realistically. It’s never going to be easy, but that’s okay! If you go in expecting challenges, you’ll be pleasantly surprised when things go well. Also, focus on building your personal brand. It makes a huge difference.”
2. Lynsey McMenemy, Founder of Hansar Mortgages
With over 20 years of experience in the property industry, Lynsey has seen it all, from estate agency and property portals to lettings and working for Scotland’s largest mortgage broker back in 2001. But it was during the challenges of lockdown, while juggling home-schooling with raising her son and twin toddlers, that she decided it was time for a bold new chapter.
“I wanted to look back on that time and see something positive,” she shares. So, she studied for her CeMAP qualifications and became a certified mortgage broker.
Starting her own business felt like the natural next step. Drawing on her deep industry experience and strong network, Lynsey put in the late nights and weekend hours to make her vision a reality and Hansar Mortgages was born.
Who do you turn to for support?
“My network of fellow business owners, my husband, my family and of course, egg! From a business point of view building a strong local professional network has been vital in taking Hansar to where it is now, this is something that I am continually look to expand.”
Biggest lesson so far?
“Things won’t always go to plan. Always have a Plan B, especially for your clients.”
Advice to your younger self?
“A positive mindset will carry you through anything. Keep working hard and the opportunities will come.”
And for someone just starting out?
“Enjoy the journey. Every experience, good or bad, will teach you something valuable. Steve Jobs once said, 'I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.' I couldn’t agree more."
3. Fay Gourlay, Director of The North Berwick Flower Co
Fay is the creative mind and green-fingered lady behind The North Berwick Flower Co, a flower farm based on the Archerfield Estate in East Lothian.
Her career has taken many forms (events, recruitment, HR) but it was during lockdown on a farm that the idea of a flower business bloomed. Seeds were in short supply, so she started arranging dried flowers... and just a month later, a large online retailer contacted her. Fay almost ignored the email, thinking it was spam, until she received another email and realised it was real!
After separating from her husband, she moved to North Berwick as a single mum and thought if she’s ever going to do a flower farm it had to be now. After 9 months of looking for someone to rent, she finally found a tiny patch of land at Archerfield Walled Garden. From there, The North Berwick Flower Co blossomed.
They grow beautiful cut flowers without using any chemicals or nasties. They’re open during the growing season (April-October) for pick-your-own flowers, workshops, weddings and event flowers and more.
Who do you go to for support?
“I have an online flower farmer community who are amazing, sharing the highs as well as the complete lows… and there are some of those. I joined egg because being a single mum and new to the area I found it a really welcoming and knowledgeable space to be in.”
Can’t-live-without tool or system?
“Instagram. It’s been amazing for getting is seen.”
Greatest lesson?
"Keep going and believe in yourself. When I was made redundant from my event management job (just 2 weeks after buying my first flat), it could’ve been a disaster. Financial ruin, even. But I kept going. Sometimes you have to pivot, start again and find a new path. Just don’t stop."
What’s next?
"I’ve just started a wellness magazine focussed on slow, seasonal living in Scotland. The idea came from seeing the change in people after they attended one of my workshops, where they were able to switch off and reconnect."
4. Claire Drynan, Founder of Spark Dot Grow
With 17 years in the corporate world under her belt, Claire founded Spark Dot Grow to help others build a life and career with clarity and confidence. Based in the Scottish Borders, she works with individuals and small businesses through coaching, mentoring and strategic consultancy focusing on everything from leadership and wellbeing to business strategy and employee engagement.
Whether you’re at a crossroads in your career or launching a new venture, Claire is the coach who’ll help you connect the dots and grow without losing sight of what matters most. She’s also the co-host of our Women on Top the Borders Edition at SCHLOSS Roxburghe on 11th June!
Biggest challenge?
"Marketing myself! I’m great at encouraging others to go for it and promoting their businesses, but when it comes to my own, it’s a different story. That’s when self-doubt and procrastination tend to sneak in. Thankfully, I have an incredible support network that reminds me I can do this (because even coaches need a little coaching sometimes!)."
Can’t-live-without tool or system?
"Canva is my go-to tool for anything to do with marketing and creating content. It is so easy to use!"
Advice for someone starting out in business?
"Find a sounding board, whether that’s a partner, family member, trusted friend, coach, or mentor. Having just one person to cheer you on and give you that much-needed pat on the back can make a world of difference.
In just over a year, I’ve worked with three different coaches, each with their own unique style and insight. Every one of them has played a part in helping me grow and get to where I am today."
Motto in life?
'If you don’t ask, you don’t get.' It has helped me land some amazing opportunities, including this very moment talking and working with egg. Total fangirl pinch-me moment!
5. Nikki Welch, Founder of Naturally High Performance
Nikki’s career has spanned cultures, industries, and continents. A love of languages led her to live and work in France and Spain, an experience that taught her to rely on her resilience, wits and capacity to work out what to do next, when the answer wasn’t always obvious. It was in France that she fell in love with how the French approached food and drink, running a successful wine/drinks training and events business.
Fast-forward to 2020, and like many of us, lockdown sparked a turning point. With her wine business on pause, Nikki focused on something she thought would have more impact in the world. Something that had always lit her up: helping people thrive. Alongside her husband, she co-founded Naturally High Performance, a business focused on unlocking potential and helping individuals and organisations be their best, no matter what the world throws at them.
Who do you go to for support?
“I’m super lucky to have my husband and niece. We worth together and make space to support and coach each other. I also have a couple of business mentors who work in the same field as me, they are amazing sounding boards and partners.”
Can’t-live-without tool or system?
“FreeAgent for finance. It’s so easy to use and means we're always on top of the accounts. Calendly for client bookings and Evernote for capturing everything in one place. It means we have a master library for all of our projects.”
Advice for someone starting out?
“Don’t try to do it all. Get clear on the one or two things that you really want to be doing and don't worry about the rest.”
6. Jenni McLuckie, Owner of Jennifer McLuckie Photography
Jenni has always been a storyteller, first with a pencil and notebook, and now through the lens of her camera. After years working in banking, she reached a milestone birthday at 40 and made a brave leap back into education to follow her creative calling.
Graduating with first-class honours in BA Professional Photography, Jenni launched her business, Jennifer McLuckie Photography. She describes last year as the most transformative of her life. One filled with growth, courage and the exciting challenge of building something entirely her own.
She now specialises in Business & Lifestyle sessions that help brands shine and capture their true essence. She’s also passionate about family portraiture, bringing out the warmth, chaos and connection that make those moments unforgettable.
Who do you go to for support?
“My mum! She’s always been a successful career woman and my absolute inspiration in life. Her advice is always right, even when it’s hard to admit. My other go-to is egg. It has been a huge source of reassurance and confidence.”
Can’t-live-without tool or system?
“Adobe Creative Suite, it’s essential to my work.”
Advice to your younger self?
“Stop worrying what people think about you. Most of the time, they’re focused on themselves.”
7. Laura Chapman, Owner of Chapmans, a Property Lettings & Management Company
Laura’s property journey began long before her business launched in 2011. It started during university, when she was dealing with ME. “It was tough,” she recalls, “but during that time, I managed to buy my first property. It’s amazing what you can do sitting in a rocking chair, especially with a relaxed mortgage market!”
Thanks to a graduate job offer (starting six months later), she secured her mortgage. “My childhood taught me to seize every opportunity and be grateful,” she says. And she did just that, getting the keys and welcoming her first tenant the very next day.
Buying that flat meant everything to Laura. Growing up with financial instability at home, she knew the security of owning a home would be life-changing. Unable to afford living there at first, she rented it out and furnished it entirely from a local charity shop. Six months later, she moved in. That “boomerang flat” is still hers, over 20 years on.
Eventually, she bought another property, all while juggling a full-time career in banking. That’s how she learned the ropes of being a landlord. In 2010, she traded the corporate banking world for a bold new chapter. Two key moments pushed her to start her own agency, Chapmans Property Lettings & Management: winning a magnum of Champagne at a landlord event, and helping a local woman rent out her family home with care and dignity.
Can’t-live-without tool or system?
“Trello is great for workflow management and ensures constantly high levels of service and accuracy across my whole team.”
Biggest Challenge?
“Disengaging with my first client! This was a really hard decision. I think this was property number 12 and we really needed the money. But the client was draining my energy, nothing was ever good enough. They should never have been a landlord.”
Greatest Lesson?
“You can’t please everyone and that’s okay. Know your values, stick to them, and give yourself space to rant, cry or run when you need to. Focus on now. Even if you’re dreading something, it's not happening right now.”
How has egg helped you?
“egg has been amazing, from referrals to inspiration. The group’s positive energy, shared wisdom and support have been invaluable. The standout for me? Last year’s egg Summit at Murrayfield Stadium. The buzz, the speakers, the unashamed networking, it was honestly one of the best events I’ve ever been to.”
All the female founders featured are part of the egg business club. It’s a membership which helps you grow your reach, build your brand and connect with a network of women who get it. It’s a place to make business feel a little less lonely. Sound like your kind of thing?
