How and why did you start in business?
Both Shetlanders, Brian started out as a car mechanic in Lerwick before moving on to repair and operate hire plant machinery. He went on to set up his own company, Marine Autos, as a marine engineer.
I left school at 16 and worked in Lerwick’s public library for seven years, gaining qualifications through Edinburgh Napier University. In 1999 I left to become school librarian at Sandwick Junior High School.
But adventure beckoned and I left my job to help Brian, his brother, Dennis, and sister-in-law, Tess, get their 52ft yacht Enjah ready for a big voyage. Leaving in November 2007, the four of us sailed south to spend two very happy years touring the Mediterranean.
Dennis and Tess eventually decided to return home, but Brian and I continued our voyage of discovery. It was fun, challenging and life-enhancing.
Leaving the boat in Greece (they sailed it home the following year), we returned home in late 2009. Brian continued with his boat and car repairs, while I went into care work.
Gaining lots of experience and qualifications, I now work at a senior level in the care sector during the winter months when the boat is laid up.
Fast forward to 2017 and naturalist Jonathan Wills started speaking to us about selling Seabirds-and-Seals, which he’d established in 1992. We bought the business without any borrowing and have never looked back.
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