isle20.com, the island business directory and shopping platform which grew out of the Covid crisis last year, is celebrating its first anniversary by welcoming the first member of staff.
Abigail Taylor
On the 22nd of March 2021, Melanie Mouat from Unst in Shetland will be joining the team as a Social Media and Vendor Manager, almost a year to the day since isle20 first appeared.
Rhoda Meek, who founded isle20.com from her home in the Isle of Tiree said: “Melanie originally moved home to Unst to set up Mella Handmade Soaps and so she is uniquely placed to understand the challenges faced by small island businesses. I’m absolutely delighted that she is joining us!”
In the 12 months since Rhoda sent the first tweet announcing “I made a thing”, the isle20.com directory and shipping site has gone from strength to strength.
There are 530 island businesses listed on the site, 150 vendors selling their products on the platform, and 3500 products for sale.
Originally backed by the Scottish Islands Federation who helped with the initial hosting costs, the site has attracted funding from Firstport, the SJ Noble Trust and HIE.
In the last 10 months isle20.com has generated £75,000 in direct revenue for small businesses across the islands.
Rhoda said: “It’s been incredible to watch isle20.com grow over the last year, and I’m delighted by the impact it has had. The Covid crisis – and the isle20 project – have highlighted the need for a more holistic approach to growing island economies. We’re facing climate change, a housing crisis, depopulation and a loss of dialect, language and culture – from Unst to Tiree and beyond.
Tourism is only part of the answer. The more that we can do at a grassroots level – working together across islands – the more power we have to effect change. The goal is not just for our communities to survive, but to thrive.”
With that in mind, Rhoda has created Isle Develop CIC, a social enterprise which includes isle20. Profits from its projects will be ploughed back into supporting small businesses and community led projects.
