Each week, we ask small businesses key questions. Here we speak to Jack Marris, owner of Applecross Photographic Gallery in Wester Ross
How and why did you start in business?
I developed a passion for photography at a very young age and spent my teenage years trying to work out how to make a business and career out of landscape and wildlife photography.
On leaving school, I worked in the Cambridge Jessops for two years before becoming a delivery driver, as it paid more.
I would save up all my holiday entitlement and invest it in exploring and photographing the Highlands. I really was inspired by the scenery – quite a contrast to flat and boring Cambridgeshire – and wanted to move here as soon as I could.
In 2012 I was offered a part-time job in Applecross and jumped at it. True to my ambition, I started taking more photographs and selling prints as soon as I arrived.
How did you get to where you are today?
My big break came when I secured business premises in an old telephone exchange.
Selling prints from my own gallery meant the public valued my artwork more than before and soon I had not only quit my other jobs but I was employing local people too.
The gallery is open seven days a week throughout the summer and we give all customers free, freshly ground coffee while they browse through my landscape and wildlife shots.
We have an amazing spread of visitors and also sell online, sending pictures all over the world.
Who helped you?
It would be rude and wrong to name only a few people when I have been supported by so many.
I have been warmly welcomed by the community of Applecross and must mention my incredibly hard-working parents above all – they have always been there for me. But can someone please tell my dad to retire because he still hasn’t figured out how to stop working?
What has been your biggest mistake?
Not being more organised with paperwork and my accounts from the start. Then again I might never have started the business at all if I had known what was involved from the beginning and that would have been a much bigger mistake.
My business has given me the confidence to become the person I am today.
I recently joined the Federation of Small Businesses, which helps small enterprises like mine with guidance and operational advice and I wish I’d known about the organisation earlier.
What is your greatest achievement?
Opening my gallery. It’s taught me numerous skills and life lessons.
If you were in power in government, what would you change?
I’d like to see more accountability and transparency from our politicians and any who lie should be barred from their positions for a time.
What do you still hope to achieve?
To grow my business, build a house and perhaps change opinion on the significance and wealth of the Highlands.
What do you do to relax?
Hillwalking, adventuring and generally getting outdoors always inspires me and while I enjoy sports and board games, I’m also looking forward to going down to the pub when lockdown ends.
What are you currently reading, listening to or glued to on the TV?
I prefer YouTube videos to the TV generally and I recently watched a hilarious series where GeoWizard attempted to walk across Wales in a perfectly straight line.
I’m hooked on Mark Felton’s Second World War documentaries and, bizarrely, walkthrough tours of multimillion-pound yachts with Aquaholic.
I never knew I’d be into that.
What do you waste your money on?
Not a waste, but camera kit is expensive. I used to spend a lot on petrol and repairs when I had an Audi S4, but I sold it and am now more sensible in saving money for that house-build.
How would your friends describe you?
Kind, loyal and optimistic, I hope. Maybe lucky too but they may try reminding me how long it took England to win the Calcutta Cup back.
What would your enemies say about you?
I hope I don’t have any, but if I do is it worth listening to them anyway?
What do you drive and dream of driving?
I’m a self-confessed petrolhead, but my Nissan work van is my only vehicle while I save for the new house.
I dream of restoring my old Land Rover one day and also of owning several motorbikes and an AC Cobra replica.