
29th Jul 2025
Meet the Member – Ciara McInnes – The Makkist
Name, business name
Ciara McInnes – The Makkist
Tell us about your businesses, the inspiration behind it and when you launched it?
I’m the founder of The Makkist – a curated marketplace for handmade goods, designed to help people shop more ethically and support independent makers across the UK. As both an architect and printmaker, I’ve always been passionate about craft, place, and thoughtful design. The Makkist was born from a desire to connect conscious shoppers with talented local artisans, making it easy to buy meaningful, slow-made work and know exactly who you’re supporting. I launched the business in April 2025, and we’re now getting ready to open the online marketplace – with our first pop up market taking place in Glasgow this December.
Best piece of advice you were given at the start of your business journey?
Don’t wait until you feel ready — you probably never will. Just begin. That advice helped me stop overthinking and start building.
What has been your biggest lesson/ challenge faced so far and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge has definitely been the tech side — building the website and learning to code enough to customise things myself. It was a steep learning curve, but the key was breaking it down into manageable tasks rather than seeing it as one overwhelming problem. Step by step, it started to come together.
What is your number 1 business tip for success?
Stop waiting for everything to be perfect, just start. When I was building The Makkist, I had a clear vision but kept holding back, thinking I needed to have every detail nailed before launching. The truth is, things will evolve as you go. You learn so much more by doing, testing, and putting your ideas out into the world than by planning behind closed doors. Progress over perfection, always.
What are the big business goals for the next year?
The big focus is launching and growing The Makkist online – building a platform that makes it easy to discover and shop from talented independent makers across the UK. Over the next year, I want to grow the community of makers on the site, build strong relationships with conscious customers, and host a series of in-person pop-ups – starting with our first festive market in Glasgow this December. It’s all about creating a space where slow craft, ethical business, and creativity can thrive – both online and in real life.
How can the GGC Business membership help?
I’m really excited to be part of a network of women-led businesses who are open, supportive, and full of ideas. As The Makkist grows, I’m especially looking forward to connecting with other founders, sharing knowledge, and getting the word out about what we’re building – both online and through future events.
What’s the dream?
Shout out to another local business you admire!
We really admire Bawn Textiles, a beautiful independent shop in Glasgow’s Southside founded by Bevan O’Daly, an Irish textile specialist. Since opening their doors, Bawn has been a thoughtful bridge between sustainable textile supply chains and the home sewer — offering responsibly sourced fabrics and tools while staying honest about the challenges in the industry. Their commitment to transparency, ethics, and slow fashion is truly inspiring