21st Nov 2025
Meet the Member – Claire Sutherland – The Wee Rhubarb Gift Co Ltd
Name, business name
Claire Sutherland, The Wee Rhubarb Gift Co Ltd
Tell us about your businesses, the inspiration behind it and when you launched it?
The Wee Rhubarb launched in April this year, we had started to do bits and pieces from earlier in the year but in April I decided to quit my corporate job and go full time with our own business. It all started when my daughter got married and we were looking to buy personalised things for the wedding. We found that although there is a lot of stuff out there the designs were not exactly what we wanted or they were super expensive. We had also organised someone to do the signage and place settings and she let us down at the last minute and we had to do it ourselves. I bought a Cricut machine and that was the start of the Wee Rhubarb. We went on to buy some lasers and several printers which allows us to offer a wide range of printing and laser cutting/engraving options today. We have a million ideas and are excited to start to see them come to fruition.
Best piece of advice you were given at the start of your business journey?
Be true to yourself and your bran, don’t just do what everyone else is doing
What has been your biggest lesson/ challenge faced so far and how did you overcome it?
The level of investment needed in both time and money, in this business you need so much equipment and none of it is cheap so you need to believe in yourself and your offering to not be terrified that you are chucking money away. The biggest challenge is keeping on top of the admin!!
What is your number 1 business tip for success?
Word of mouth is so powerful, so make sure your customer service and product are both top notch.
What are the big business goals for the next year?
This year is all about getting set up for success, we are moving into a new workshop next month and are starting to get more products on our website so its full steam ahead!!
How can the GGC Business membership help?
I think insight into what software programs etc are used for similar businesses and definitely social media strategies.
What’s the dream?
To make a successful business that can pay not just me and my daughter but some other staff too and allow us to expand into other areas and let us concentrate on designing really strong products.
Fave mantra to get you buzzed up for business!
Persist until you win
Shout out to another local business you admire!
The Braw Wee Craft Club, This Must Be the Place, Curated and Gifted
Three fun facts about you!
I’m a Fifer, I grew up in a small village in Fife and moved to Glasgow a few years ago. I love to paddleboard, although I’m not very good at it! Love going to live gigs – I saw Oasis in Wembley this summer! (EPIC)
