Each week, we ask small businesses key questions.
Here we speak to master craftsman Neil Oliver, owner of The Sealmaker,
an engraving company based in Logie, near Forres.
How and why did you start in business?
I was offered a job and training by a friend who had an engraving company in Birmingham’s jewellery quarter who had noticed my artistic abilities.
I took to it straight away and as my skills improved, my work was requested specifically.
Demand grew and I was offered premises and assistance to start on my own. The opportunity was too good to miss, so I grabbed it.
How did you get to where you are today?
I enrolled in evening classes to learn engraving from Sid Perkins, a fine master engraver and generous teacher. He and I got on well and he taught me the skills I have and am still developing today.
I have been based in Yorkshire and the Midlands, and am very fortunate to have customers who follow me. Someone said when I moved up to Scotland that I was still as near as the nearest post office.
Who helped you?
My wife, Kim, is a big help with the day-to-day administration that would take me away from the place I love – the workshop and my bench.
I am also fortunate to have a network of loyal and long-standing customers all over the UK, as well as from Africa, Canada and as far away as Australia.
When I made the move to Scotland I found new connections in business, and received help and support from my landlord at Logie along with advice from Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Lately, I have received great help from the Federation of Small Businesses. It offers a wide range of advice, expertise and support to help small businesses and sole traders flourish.
What has been your biggest mistake?
I served in the RAF when I was younger and was offered a promotion. I refused the new rank because I doubted my abilities, but ended up with the duties and responsibilities anyway – without the extra pay. Since then, I have not refused any opportunity and try not to doubt myself.
What is your greatest achievement?
I became a senior lecturer in engraving at Birmingham School of Jewellery, following my old master, Sid Perkins, when he retired.
My greatest pleasure was passing on skills to students, while still having the time and desire to run a successful hand engraving business.
If you were in power in government, what would you change?
There is a lack of emphasis on basic life skills, including people’s respect for one another and authority.
I would love to see education programmes and investment for the perpetuation of hand skills that are being lost in favour of machine and computer production.
What do you still hope to achieve?
I have gained so many skills over the years but still want to learn more. I am currently looking at carving and engraving rock crystal.
What do you do to relax?
My wife and I enjoy longbow archery, which is great exercise and keeps me fit.
To get away from it all I like to walk my dog and enjoy the beautiful countryside where we live.
What are you currently reading, listening to or glued to on the TV?
I love history so any informative non-fiction books and biographies, and also documentaries and the news.
For light entertainment there are some little gems of arts and crafts on TV, like The Repair Shop and Painting Challenge.
What do you waste your money on?
My occasional indulgence is a good single malt whisky, which is not a waste at all.
How would your friends describe you?
Feedback from good friends and associates was intelligent, interesting, a dedicated artisan who when he aims for achievement will hit the target, a fine old-school craftsman motivated by excellence alone, enthusiastic, open-minded, uncompromising, fair, kind, generous, talkative and funny in a good way.
What would your enemies say about you?
I haven’t come across any who have given their opinion.
What do you drive and dream of driving?
I drive a Land Rover Defender and my dream car would be a Bentley Bentayga 4×4. Bentley changed the badge in 1997 and I sculpted the model for those used on the cars today.