AN online beauty business based in the Highlands has received a funding loan of £25,000 from Scottish responsible finance provider, DSL Business Finance Ltd.
DSL’s investment, allowed a completed funding round that enabled independent start-up skincare brand, bubu, to acquire the necessary stock it needed to take its products to the market.
Alness-based bubu was first launched in November 2019 with UK fashion retailer Pretty Little Thing.
Despite Covid-19, bubu remains on a strong growth path, hiring three new employees during lockdown. It is currently preparing to open a new working warehouse and laboratory space in the Highlands.
Marianne Morrison, 36, bubu founder and chief executive officer, said: “Being a small company has allowed us to sustain the business during the pandemic and we have even been fortunate enough that we are in a position to grow, with our focus being on online retail. We have been fortunate to have the support of DSL and our funding partners during a historically challenging period.
“Our online business is now in a stable position and over the next 12 months we will be looking to balance that with an instore offering. Over the Christmas period we trialled a pop up store which was really successful. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances brought about by Covid-19, our retail plans have been put on hold for now, but we have big ambitions for bubu and a variety of new concepts in the pipeline.
“While we will remain a Scottish-based company, our ambitions are to trade internationally as soon as the business landscape allows more certainty.”
Murray Marshall, DSL business finance loan officer for the Highlands & Islands, added: “Marianne is a very driven individual who knows the industry well and presented us with a realistic plan and the information to back up her assumptions. She surrounded herself with the required individuals to give her the best chance of success and was willing to take on board advice. Her case and vision filled us with confidence and we were delighted that we could support her plans.”
