Each week, we ask small businesses key questions. Here we speak to Iain Montgomery, who design and branding agency Red Rebel Creative from Pitcaple, near Inverurie
How and why did you start in business?
I’ve always loved to create, fix and improve anything I could get my hands on. After going to art college in Aberdeen, I studied for a BA (Hons) degree in lens and digital media in Cambridge. It gave me a solid grounding in web-based digital media production, photography and motion graphics, while still allowing me to progress my artwork skills.
I went on to work in several design-related roles in a rapidly expanding oil and gas service company over the course of nine years, but chose to leave and eventually started Red Rebel Creative to create my own opportunities.
I’ve had the pleasure of focusing on my love of art to become a landscape and portrait artist, which has always been a dream of mine. After seeing how much meaning and emotion comes from handing over people my artwork, it’s one of the most satisfying and rewarding things I’ve ever done.
How did you get to where you are today?
A combination of hard work, some hard knocks, a touch of good timing, a large helping of determination and the love of a good woman.
Who helped you?
I definitely have my close family – my mum and sister – to thank, for they have always supported me and championed my work, as well as good friends and colleagues.
Joining the Federation of Small Businesses has been a positive step forward, thanks to its help, useful links and advice.
Most of all, Emma, my amazing wife, who has not only given me endless support, but also been my inspiration to succeed, especially encouraging me to turn my love of art into a career.
What has been your biggest mistake?
Not knowing enough about marketing channels along with the importance of social media in building a brand awareness and free advertising. That and not starting up on my own sooner.
What is your greatest achievement?
I should say something like hand-crafting business-to-business presentations which helped win multi-million pound contracts for previous companies, but it’s probably that I back-packed around south-east Asia at the age of 23 on my own and actually returned in one piece, relatively unscathed.
If you were in power in government, what would you change?
I would change the way in which our policies are decided and implemented to match Finland, which was recently named the most progressive country in the world. Sometimes rebelling against an established system is the only answer and we seem to be missing a trick.
What do you still hope to achieve?
To build Red Rebel Creative’s profile and help other companies grow and succeed. I would also love to achieve the success of an artist like Angela Davidson and become a renowned success in the art world.
What do you do to relax?
A mixture of outdoor pursuits like mountain biking, hill-walking and photography, mixed with indoor activities like drinking craft beer and eating cheese. Everything in moderation, as the saying goes.
What are you currently reading, listening to or glued to on the TV?
My musical tastes are really diverse – I’m just back from a small music festival in Ullapool, where we got to see memorable bands like Fatherson, Nicky Murray’s Band and even the Stranglers, who headlined.
I get bored easily, so tend to read a few design blogs and the philosophy section of Reddit.com at night which is not only perfect for expanding the mind, but also for sending you to sleep. I don’t get sucked into TV but I was hooked on Stranger Things on Netflix.
What do you waste your money on?
I don’t really like to waste money on anything. The most frivolous thing I spend my money on is unique and interesting craft beers from around the world.
How would your friends describe you?
Creative, adventurous and easy going. Life’s too short to sweat over the small stuff, and I’m known for working hard and playing hard.
What would your enemies say about you?
I try to be decent and kind to everyone I meet, so tend to build rapport and get along with most people quite easily. I can only imagine if people consider me an enemy, they’ve really missed something.
What do you drive and dream of driving?
I still have my trusty x-Type Jaguar SE, but my dream car would either have to be an Aston Martin Vanquish Volante or a Lamborghini Aventador SV. Both are stunningly designed and engineered machines and neither of them could make it up the country drive to my house.
