An award winning Elvis tribute artist and a professional boxing champion were among six young entrepreneurs from Edinburgh who recently received a John Connor Award for business achievement.
The overall award for Growth, Achievement and Innovation was awarded to Moray and Stephanie Johnstone, founders of Blackbirds Home & Garden http://www.blackbirdshomeandgarden.co.uk Moray, who was discharged from the army on medical grounds and his wife Stephanie, started their garden maintenance, landscaping, handyman and woodwork services business in November last year. The couple, who live in Ormistone and have three young children have overcome a series of challenges to establish a successful business which has maintenance and gardening contracts with a large estate agent in Edinburgh, B&Bs, bars and a number of small private clients. Moray and Stephanie also attend art fairs and office events at which they sell a variety of Stephanie’s woodcrafts which will soon be available to buy from their online shop which will be launched this month.
The five other individuals recognised for their achievements were; Elvis Tribute Artist, Danny Allan http://www.dannyallan2.webs.com from Drumbrae. He has been singing Elvis songs since he was a young boy and performing since he was 16 years old. In 2009 he was named European Gospel Champion and this year he claimed the title for best European artist representing the Vegas Era of Elvis. Danny competes and performs at events all over the UK and next year he hopes to participate in the World Elvis competition which is taking place in Las Vegas.
John Robinson http://www.johnboymccallumboxing.com from Canongate took up boxing at a young age, inspired by his Uncle who became a Scottish light-middleweight champion in the 1980s, competing against the likes of Clinton McKenzie, Lloyd Honeyghan and Gary Jacobs. John, who has recently turned professional, has four British youth titles under his belt along with 13 Eastern and Scottish titles in the amateur ranks and a silver medal at senior level in the Four Nations. He has competed all over the world representing Scotland and has ambitions to move to Los Angeles where he hopes to hit the big time and make a name for himself.
Laurence Hunter-Pratt from Crestonfield set up his furniture, architectural joinery and restoration business in January this year after being made redundant from a joinery firm in Edinburgh. He moved into a studio in Craigmillar where he works alongside other artisans, and he has already established a growing clientele who require bespoke carpentry skills, custom designed furniture, as well as kitchen design, joinery and carpentry work.
Karen-Marie Laverty, founder of Dolly Mixture set up her online business in October 2010 buying and selling discounted quality ladies clothing, accessories and branded cosmetics. Karen-Marie, who lives in Leith, sources a variety of affordable designer and high street fashion items and trades them on Ebay with 10 percent of sales going to charity.
The Awards were held at Framed Gallery Edinburgh on 4th August 2011.
