Back in October (and to be honest, the feeling is lasting very well!) we were all over the moon when our very own MD Jess (Hartwell) came home a winner from the Women's Enterprise Scotland awards in Glasgow.
Jess picked up ‘Family Business Champion of the Year’ and we’re all still smiling.
The awards celebrate Scotland’s finest women-led businesses across the country, shining a spotlight on the innovation, resilience and impact of female entrepreneurs - and for Jess to win was such a proud moment for us all.
Skyeskyns was established over 40 years ago by Jess’s parents, Lydia and Clive and we are still as proud as ever to be a traditional and sustainable tannery and visitor attraction with two shops on the island, employing local people.
Now, in 2024, the vast majority of our staff team at Skyeskyns is female! Whilst we have loved working with our male colleagues over the years, we also believe that women often bring unique perspectives to running a business and Skyeskyns is no different. From our tanner to our managers, our sales team to our seamstresses (sorry Jackson, we are big fans), we are a proudly female-led and run business.
The wonderful women at Skyeskyns demonstrate every day their skills when it comes to problem-solving, collaborating and empathising. These skills mean that Skyeskyns is a truly inclusive workplace with incredibly strong connections with customers and the local community.
Jess and the wider team also work hard to prioritize sustainability and social responsibility, ensuring that Skyeskyns has a positive impact on both the island and its people.
Speaking last month about her award win, Jess said:
“I was incredibly honoured to bring home the Women’s Enterprise Scotland award for Family Business Champion. A massive thank you to the real family champion, my incredible Mum, Lydia, and the rest of my amazing family who hold and support me on this journey.
“This award is also a recognition of our whole team’s hard graft and dedication—they all work their socks off. I’m beyond proud of what we’ve already accomplished and excited for all that’s ahead. This is a special shout-out for our brilliant Skyeskyns dream team, especially the talented women shaping our business into something truly special.
“It was an unforgettable evening celebrating inspiring women breaking barriers across all industries and for Skyeskyns to be a part of that is truly humbling.”
