Business Gateway helps director Don make cash from dough
A top Scottish director will be producing more than just films this year when he turns his hand to making a Spanish delicacy that will be enjoyed by revellers at some of the Highlands’ best music festivals.
Don Coutts, from Cromarty, will juggle working on projects for the likes of the BBC with running his new mobile food business, Churrio which will sell fresh Churros – a Spanish doughnut that is served with a hot, runny chocolate dipping sauce – at more than seven festivals this summer.
The 61-year-old, who operates award winning production company Move on Up with partner Lindy Cameron, started his second venture in May this year after seeking advice from Business Gateway Inverness on how to introduce the sweet treat to the region.
Don said: “When I left school I was destined for catering school but saw Easy Rider and ended up in London producing music programmes with the likes of The Clash. When we moved back to the Highlands in the mid-90s we started Move on Up and opened our own restaurant which we’ve since sold. Starting Churrio is a way for me to indulge in two of my passions – rock music and cooking – whilst still being able to produce and direct. It’s been quite a stressful few months but our first event, The Tall Ships in Ullapool, showed it’s all been worth it as we found people enjoying the product and looking forward to our other Festival appearances. The highlight of the event was being approached by five Spanish people who wanted to buy some Churros. After a debate one of them turned to me and said ‘you have captured the art of Churros’ - phew!”
He added: “Although I’ve set up a successful business already I wanted advice on how to get Churrio off the ground, as a production company is as far removed from cooking in a van as is possible! Business Gateway gave me great advice and sent me off to write a business plan which really focused my mind. My adviser also made me realise there’s more to just pitching up at an event, you need a trading license, employee liability – a whole raft of things – before you can even get started.”
Kenny MacKay, Business Adviser, Business Gateway said: “Don is an accomplished entrepreneur with a passion for the region he grew up in. He’s not afraid of a challenge and has thrown himself into his new enterprise with gusto. He needed our help to get to grips with the basics of running a mobile catering outlet and with his business plan. We believe he’s the first person to bring Churros to the Highland festivals and we can vouch for just how delicious they are!”
Don flew to Spain earlier this year to buy authentic equipment – and £2000 worth of Spanish chocolate – to ensure his Churros tasted just as good as those enjoyed by Spanish families who eat them for breakfast and desert. But after returning home he discovered the equipment didn’t work and had to find someone who could fix it which meant missing the area’s largest festival, Rockness.
He said: “It was a blow but these things come to test you and it gave me more time to get everything in order, like finding cover for the business when I am off filming – our friend who is a chef will take charge – and training my teenage children who’ll be working alongside me. I’ve ploughed a lot of money into the business, and there are times when I think ‘what on earth am I doing?’ but I it’s an adventure and I hope to break even this season and maybe take the van to Edinburgh for New Year and to larger festivals next season.”
To find out where Don’s Churros van will next be pitched visit his Facebook paged called ‘Churrio’ or email churrio@rocketmail.com
Business Gateway provides practical help, advice and support for new and growing businesses in Scotland.
To find out more about how it can help you set up and develop your own business visit www.bgateway.com or call 0845 609 6611. Alternatively call your local office directly on 01349 880664.