Each week, we ask small businesses key questions.
Here we speak to Bill Pitt, who runs Banffshire coast self-catering business Mill of Nethermill Holidays, along with his wife, Lynn
How and why did you start in business?
We were both semi-retired but looking for something to re-energise ourselves. Starting a small business seemed like a logical step.
We both had strong business backgrounds in our professional careers. We were also both involved in international shipping – Lynn was a licensed custom’s house broker and I was a shipping agent.
We had never worked together as partners in a business before. We’re alike in many ways but also have differences that complement each other when it comes to business.
How did you get to where you are today?
Fate and determination. We were not big believers in fate but this property and, ultimately, the business seemed to be our destiny.
If 15 years ago, when we were living in Charleston, South Carolina, in the US, someone had told us that someday we would be living in Scotland and running a self-catering business, we would have thought they were nuts.
In 2006, we moved to Scotland as part of a life-changing experience. We had been coming on holiday to Scotland for many summers and loved it.
Lynn’s heritage is Scottish and I was born in the UK, so the transition was easy. We looked at all the areas in Scotland and decided the Banffshire coast was our destiny. We love it here; the people, the environment and the opportunities.
Who helped you?
A variety of organisations, including the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Aberdeenshire Council’s economic development team and Business Gateway to name a few.
FSB met us during start-up and was very helpful. It’s still a great resource for us today.
Starting a self-catering accommodation business is by no means rocket science, however, we had a lot of questions and these organisations helped us in different ways.
We are members of several trade committees and organisations such as Discover Fraserburgh, Banffshire Coast, the Association of Scotland Self-caterers, the Scottish Tourism Alliance and VisitAberdeenshire.
This involvement and networking with other tourism-related entities has helped our business significantly over the years. We have always felt that we should give back to the industry that we make a living from, whether it was international shipping 15 years ago or tourism today.
What has been your biggest mistake?
Knock on wood, there haven’t been many big mistakes – just a few small ones. Most of our mistakes are a result of me not listening to Lynn.
What is your greatest achievement?
Winning the Thistle Awards 2016/2017 for the best accommodation provider in Scotland. It was an earth shattering moment for us. Aberdeen city and shire did quite well on the night, winning in three separate categories, and we were thrilled to be a part of that.
If you were in power in government, what would you change?
We would do more to protect Scotland’s natural landscapes and implement term limits for elected officials.
What do you still hope to achieve?
We would like to continue to provide quality self-catering accommodation that our guests wish to return to. Also, we hope to convince our grand-daughter to take over the business when we retire.
What do you do to relax?
We like to explore Scotland – there are so many wonderful places that we have yet to see. Why would we want to go abroad when we have this beautiful country on our doorstep?
What are you currently reading, listening to or glued to on the TV?
The Great Pottery Throw Down (BBC) for Lynn and for me, reading all I can about growing vegetables. I’m also a news junkie.
What do you waste your money on?
We don’t have money to waste. We reinvest in our business by upgrading and change.
How would your friends describe you?
Funny accents and “they really don’t know how to make a proper cup of tea”.
What would your enemies say about you?
We do our utmost to try and avoid making enemies. Not always successfully but we’re trying.
What do you drive and dream of driving?
We drive a small hybrid Toyota Yaris and dream of driving a VW camper van to tour Scotland.
