Who are you?

Kevin Harvie - Founder of Hectares

What does your business do?

At Hectares we produce sweet potato crisps.

Sweet potatoes are packed with goodness and make great crisps.

Where are you based?

We are based at Entrepreneurial Spark Glasgow.

Entrepreneurial Spark has created an environment where new businesses can thrive.

The support of the enablers and mentors is first class and every day you're surrounded by like-minded people trying to turn their passion into a business.

How did you get started?

I've been a huge crisp eater all my life.

Around a year ago I wrote a list of how I could make crisps a more nutritious snack, starting with getting rid of the white potato!

What is your background?

I'm a Chartered Accountant and have worked for a large accountancy firm for five years since leaving university.

I'm currently on a sabbatical to start Hectares.

What is your top tip?

An idea accounts for only a small percentage of success.

Ultimately, the execution of the idea determines how successful you are.

How long has your business been running?

Our product will be launching before the end of the year.

Has anyone helped you get started and how?

Despite only just recently starting in Entrepreneurial Spark, it has been great at keeping me focused on the important decisions.

My employer, Grant Thornton, has also been a huge support to me.

What was your biggest mistake/or what would you do differently?

I've had many good ideas in the past but have failed to execute them. If you strike on a good idea be overly focused and determined about making it a success.

Who was/is your mentor/or inspiration?

Richard Branson is my inspiration.

It sounds like an obvious choice but what he has managed to create across so many industries is unbelieveable.

Quality of product and service being the two critical components of all his businesses.

Where do you plan your business to be in five years time?

We want to convert people to sweet potato crisp eaters and have very ambitious plans and targets for this.

We are creating a 'sweet potato crisp challenge' which we hope to tell you more about soon!

Useful contacts

Entrepreneurial Spark

Contact

kevin@hectarescrisps. co.uk