St Andrews is full of incredible independent businesses, and behind many of them are talented women working in all kinds of roles — from behind the scenes to the shop floor. This International Women’s Day, we caught up with some of these inspiring businesswomen to hear about their journeys, challenges, and the advice they’d give to others.
Alana Peden - The East Nook Studio
Q: Can you share the story behind how you got into your industry?
A: Having always studied and worked in the arts with a background in Textiles and ceramics, I returned to university to study jewellery and metal design and began teaching as part of my Designer in Residence post at DJCAD after that.
Q: What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in business?
A: I have found that in my area of the creative industry that women make up the majority and dominate the field which is quite refreshing. The only challenges that I have faced particularly as a woman in business are the additional roles that women still balance on top of work, where much of the responsibilities of home and family admin are managed by us on top of our workloads.
Q: Who were your role models growing up, and how have they influenced your career?
A: Growing up it was probably pop icons with their fashions and flair, I visited artists homes and exhibitions across the world with my family, but these were certainly always male dominated!
Iris Apfel has been an inspiration for me for many years. Born in the 20’s, her vibrant and unapologetically fun tastes are just fabulous! Like me, she started in textiles and interiors and went on to create wild jewellery and became a model at the young age of 97! Never stop dreaming! She died a year ago this week at 102 years old and will always be an inspiration to me.
Q: What advice would you give to other women aspiring to start their own business?
A: I’d love to say ‘Go For It’, but of course first lay out your plans! Find something unique that means a lot to you, speak to Business Gateway to get advise on making a business plan, gather as much research as you can and do your sums. They are a great and free resource to get you started.
Q: What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally?
A: For me, IWD is a day to reflect on all the hard work and resilience in which women of the past fought for us to have the life that we have today, with rights and a voice to bridge gender gaps and make the world a better place for all. It sounds very ‘miss world’ but just imagine where we would be without it.
It is a day to celebrate the women making a difference in the world today, be that global influencers or someone in your life with small gestures that make a big impact on your day. Happiness spreads confidence if we share it.
This Year, I will be celebrating the group of Women that make up the Nook Collective. Together we run a local makers shop in St Andrews next door to the studio, carefully curated with the work of 18 artists from across Fife and Tayside, you will find a different one of us in each day!
Lindsey Adam - Bonkers Original Gifts
Q: Can you share the story behind how you got into your industry?
A: I started Bonkers with my mother, it was a joint venture to open a shop selling mostly craft and hand-made items. Neither of us had any retail or proper business experience but we diversified into a wider product offering and somehow we made it work.
Q: What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in business?
A: In the early days not being taken seriously by bank managers, landlords, suppliers and others in authority.
Q: Who were your role models growing up, and how have they influenced your career?
A: I was still at school when Margaret Thatcher became leader of the Conservatives and I thought it was amazing that a woman might become Prime Minister. She was not a role model for me personally, but her appointment signalled that women should be much more ambitious and had the right to compete with men for the top jobs.
I have to mention my mother obviously, she was very encouraging, but she also had to learn that women could do more than traditional roles.
Q: What advice would you give to other women aspiring to start their own business?
A: Do lots of research, get organised, then go for it! If you can get some experience in a relevant field that is a big advantage.
Q: What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally?
A: A day to celebrate the equality women now have in many countries, and it’s a day to reflect on the status of many more women around the world who are not able to choose an independent life and we must not forget that. I never forget how lucky I am to be born in Scotland!
Clare Ferguson - The Crystal Shop
Q: Can you share the story behind how you got into your industry?
A: After graduating from St As University in 2004, I joined The Crystal shop team and have been the managing director for over 1news University in 2004, I joined The Crystal shop team and have been the managing director for over 15 years. We have expanded from a small family business to industry leaders in Crystal and Gemstone retail in the UK
Q: What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in business?
A:The balance of running a business with the responsibilities of motherhood. I have had the advantage of setting my own rules, and so taking my children to business meetings and allowing my family life to overlap with my professional life was something I was comfortable doing. But sometimes the high expectations of both can be a challenge. As a woman you are expected to juggle all aspects of your life seamlessly but there will always be sacrifices for women who want to succeed in business when they have a young family.
Q: Who were your role models growing up, and how have they influenced your career?
A: My mother owned her own business. Her relentless commitment to our livelihood and her company was an inspiration. She would be up early every day and work all through the weekend, she managed staff with fairness and compassion, and provided decades of employment to dozens of other women.
Q: What advice would you give to other women aspiring to start their own business?
A: Running your own business is incredibly rewarding and gives you the flexibility of life no other career will. Starting a business will take more hours and work than you could possibly imagine, but the benefits, particularly for women outweigh the challenges. Be compassionate with yourself, and remember that your work life balance is important. Be relentless, and constantly rework the business model, because the longevity of a business relies on moving with the industry and times.
Q: What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally?
A: I am of a small percentage of women on this planet who’s gender does not dictate their pay scale, their opportunities and human rights. International Women's day for me is a celebration of the achievements of women but mostly it is a reminder that women’s human rights are still under attack. Discrimination, inequality and violence still plague societies all over the world. Misogyny is not dead, women are not considered equal. Even in the world powers such as the United States, women's rights are being stripped away at an alarming rate. International Women's Day should be a day we shout loudly for equality, we celebrate those who strive for change and a reminder to all that so many women in society do not have the luxury to celebrate this day.
Chloe Milne - Fisher and Donaldson
Q: Can you share the story behind how you got into your industry?
A: I had a bit of a squiggly path to where I am now, helping to run our family’s baker business. I wasn’t 100% sure what I wanted in terms of a career when I left school, first studying music and sound production at college, before completing a degree in music business where I go a 1st. My passion was in events and marketing and I soon worked in marketing of theatres before working at DCA in Dundee, watching lots of films and attracting audiences to their incredible cinema programme - such an amazing job! It was never on my radar to come and work at my family’s business, but eventually in 2019 - our company’s centenary year - I decided to make that big leap. From setting up and managing marketing, I have since worked my way up into a role leading the retail side of our business, managing a team of 40 and serving over 40,000 customers a month.
Q: Who were your role models growing up, and how have they influenced your career?
A: My mum was my biggest role model. I honestly believe she can do anything she puts her mind to. She made me feel like there were no barriers to what I could do if I set my mind to it. She never pushed me to do anything, but always made sure I was making decisions that would make me happy first and foremost, which is a very important part of how I chose my jobs and where I’ve ended up. We now work together!
Q: What advice would you give to other women aspiring to start their own business?
A: Having taken over a 100 year old business, I don’t know that I am qualified to give advice on starting a business (!), but from my experience running one, I would say that there are a few things that are worth remembering: Surround yourself with positive people; stay true to your vision and values; ask for help; and something I have been saying to myself a lot recently: "done is better than perfect”!
Q: What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally?
A: IWD to me is an important day where we can celebrate the brilliant women in our lives, whether that is in the working world or at home. History hasn’t been so great at celebrating women and sadly it seems as important as ever for us to make time to look at how we value, respect and celebrate the wonderful things that women are doing in the world, and address any barriers that exist, of which there are many. IWD allows us to shine the light and do the work.
Victoria Scott - Victoria Bloom
Q: Can you share the story behind how you got into your industry?
A: My first job, at the age of 13, was working in a florist as a Saturday girl. I loved watching all of the senior florists create amazing floral bouquets and arrangements. Over the years, they taught me how to design bouquets, and I was trained in different aspects of floristry.
I left the industry for a while to go to university and ended up changing my career completely, working in recruitment. It wasn't until my early 30s that I realised I really wanted to get back into floristry. I started freelancing again, going to markets, and creating everything from my garage. Business quickly picked up, and that’s when we decided to open our first shop.
Fast forward seven years, and we now have three shops, a workshop, and an amazing team.
Q: What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in business?
A: I can’t say I’ve faced many challenges as a woman in business. I’m pretty resilient — if someone tells me no, I’ll always find a way!
Q: Who were your role models growing up, and how have they influenced your career?
A: My old boss in my first job. I was always in awe of how she ran 5 shops, a garden centre, and lots of staff, plus still had time to show me how she created all her wedding bouquets. She really did inspire me to pursue my career in floristry.
Q: What advice would you give to other women aspiring to start their own business?
A: Just DO IT! Life’s too short to wonder "what if." Is it easy? Nope. But is it worth it? Absolutely, 100 percent. I also found joining some women’s business networking events really helpful.
Q: What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally?
A: I think it’s a great day to celebrate all of us women, our achievements and our ambitions. It’s also a day to inspire those thinking of starting their own business and to empower the next generation.
Mariela Dominguez Leandro - Ostara
Q: Can you share the story behind how you got into your industry?
A: Fashion has always been part of my life, but for me, clothing and accessories are more than just style—they’re about feeling good in what I wear as I move through my day. I believe in ageless, genderless fashion—clothes should support who you are, not define you. That’s what led me to create Ostara, a space for conscious fashion that meets you where you are, both in comfort and values.
As an autistic and ADHD woman, I’ve learned to shape my life and work around my needs rather than forcing myself to fit into systems that weren’t built for me. This philosophy extends beyond fashion—I’m about to launch Nàdair, a sensory jewellery line designed with my sister to support self-regulation and tactile comfort while embracing sustainability and beauty. I believe everything we wear should feel good, be true to who we are, and meet us where we are—not the other way around.
Q: What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in business?
A: There’s always an expectation to balance everything effortlessly—to be resilient, adaptable, and always “on.” But as a neurodivergent woman, I’ve also had to navigate a world that often overlooks different ways of thinking, working, and experiencing life. I’ve learned to honour my energy and create a business that works for me, rather than bending myself to fit traditional structures. I believe we all deserve that—the freedom to shape our lives in ways that support our nature.
For me, true success is about being in harmony—with yourself, your needs, and the world around you. When you listen to yourself, respect your rhythms, and create a life that flows with you instead of against you, everything falls into place naturally.
Q: Who were your role models growing up, and how have they influenced your career?
A: I’ve always admired women who followed their own rhythm—who created on their own terms. Their courage to live authentically inspired me to do the same, building a business that reflects who I am rather than following trends or rigid expectations.
Q: What advice would you give to other women aspiring to start their own business?
A: Be true to yourself. Build something that aligns with you, not with external expectations. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to success—your way is valid. Honour your rhythm, create a structure that supports your energy, and don’t be afraid to set boundaries. Meet yourself where you are, and trust that your uniqueness is your strength.
Q: What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally?
A: For me, it’s about celebrating female energy—the nurturing, intuitive, and creative force that exists in all of us, beyond gender. It’s about freeing ourselves from limitations, embracing our true nature, and shaping a world that meets us where we are. True empowerment comes from living authentically, listening to our needs, and creating spaces where we—and others—can thrive.
When we are truly connected to ourselves, present in our own experience, and honouring our needs, we find harmony—not just within, but with everything that surrounds us. That’s what I strive for with Ostara, with Nàdair, and with the way I choose to live my life.
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