In our series on small businesses, we speak to Patrick Harrison, who runs Balliefurth Farm in Grantown and Balliefurth Farm Shop at Nethy Bridge with his wife Abby.
How and why did you start in business?
I worked in the shipping sector and Abby was a freelance outdoor instructor, yoga teacher and language teacher.
We ran a health and activity business and decided to up sticks for Tanzania. I went to help with preparations for the transportation of a hospital ship, and we wanted to give our family an opportunity to live in a completely different environment away from all the trappings of the western world. I also gave some advice to a dairy farming co-operative.
After trying and failing to find food-related business opportunities in Tanzania, we returned to the UK after 10 months determined to become involved in a local, meaningful business providing high-quality, authentic produce.
How did you get to where you are today?
Drawn to the Spey by the quality of life – strong community, safe, clean, lots to do and a great place to bring up children – we took on Balliefurth Farm in 2014, with no farming experience.
We started selling direct to the public via farmers’ markets and the internet, then, in 2015, the butcher’s shop in Nethybridge became available. It was a logical step for us to buy it.
On the farm, we have increased our shorthorn breeding cows by nearly 30% and breeding sheep by 15%, improved some of the buildings and installed a biomass boiler.In the shop, we converted what was a flat into retail space and significantly improved the production, chilling and freezer capacity. We now sell a wide range of butchery and delicatessen products.
Who helped you?
The local community is extremely friendly and supportive.
The previous owner of the farm, Alastair Maclennan, guided us for the first three years and the former owner of the shop, Mike Mustard, still does. We have a great team, with Vic Watson as farm manager and Jamie Barnett as shop general manager.
Clients, friends and family support us with encouragement, advice and money. The Scottish Agricultural College, Highland Business Ring and Federation of Small Businesses have helped develop our enterprise.
Your biggest mistake?
Being too gung-ho sometimes and not enough at others.
Greatest achievement?
Hearing clients say how much they have enjoy our products and the shopping experience.
If you were in power in government, what would you change?
The attitude of governments and their departments. There seems to be a complete lack of understanding of what people in business are trying to achieve. While we are not against regulations where they are fit-for-purpose, all too often they fail to achieve their goals because of the way they are administered.
Government should be working with business and vice-versa to make sure we produce great products, services and quality jobs – vital if this country is to compete in the international arena.
What do you still hope to achieve?
Aside from a better work-life balance, we want to develop more products. We want to improve profitability and invest more in employee training.
What do you do to relax?
With four children, a shop and farm, we don’t do “relax”. When we do get away it’s to sail, ski or ride horses.
What are you currently reading, listening to or glued to on the TV?
Our viewing is somewhat limited to Peppa Pig and In the Night Garden. I find Nikki Campbell very amusing, inadvertently, on Radio 5 Live.
What do you waste your money on?
Farming and owning a shop.
How would your friends describe you?
Abby is intelligent, loving and beautiful; I’m the grumpy b*****d.
What do you drive and dream of driving?
I drive a 15-year-old Zetor tractor. Abby enjoys driving me round the bend and dreams of driving me further round the bend.