THEIR MARK

Carrington GM at The Golf View Hotel, Nairn

Sian Buchan –Co-Owner of Uno Mas in Edinburgh

Sian started her cocktail bar career in Aberdeen and then moved to Edinburgh in 2014 to help open Heads and Tales Gin Bar. After a brief stint in sales and brand ambassador work, she decided to move back to Panda and Sons. It was in early 2020 where she made the move into co-owning her own venue, Uno Mas in Edinburgh.

After navigating through Covid as best they could, with very little support due to the business being so new at time, I am pleased to say the venue is now thriving! Sian couldn’t be prouder, she told me, “That first weekend I just looked out at the people dancing, having a great time and drinking our drinks and thought ‘we did this’. People are here because of something you’ve created and it’s just a great feeling.”

Sian is an easy person to talk to and is passionate about supporting both her staff and the local community, she says, “I have an open-door policy - if anyone wants to chat about anything at all, I’m there. I’m also very hands on, I’m here 4/5 days a week on shift, plus doing admin.

“There are loads of positives to owning a business. You get to be your own boss and create your own vision, plus its so rewarding seeing your staff do well and to get great feedback from customers. At the same time though, it’s hard work and you need be aware of you limits and abilities and remember to look after yourself.”

She added, “It’s about finding your personality, I think that’s really important in hospitality - you can have the best bar in the world but people come to see people. So don’t change that for anyone. If you aren’t being you when you’re at work, then who are you?”

Carolyn took a job as a hotel receptionist when she graduated from university in Tourism Management and quickly realised it was a great industry to be in. She worked her way up to duty manager in a small hotel and then moved onto a Conference and Events manager role within the same company, where the hours were more suitable for her starting a family. It was then, 12 years ago, whilst Carolyn was in a Front of House Manager position, that Crerar Hotels bought the business but were struggling to find a suitable GM. Carolyn decided it was time to put her name forward, “I just kind of decided, you know what? To hell with this. I can do it, I’ve got the skills. I asked the question, and they gave me shot. Something I’ll be forever grateful for.

“I just realised this is what I wanted to do. This was who I was. This is what I was good at.”

Carolyn is still with Crerar Hotels and has spent the last 5 years at The Golf View in Nairn. She tells me, “I just love being around people and all the different things that are going on. I need the right people around me to support me and that have the same vision to help me succeed. I want every member of staff to have the opportunity to do what I did. I started as a receptionist, and in 10 years I was running the building.

“I interviewed a young lad the other day that had left school and he had no plan. I told him hospitality is one of the very few trades where you can start out the very bottom and end up at the very top - all you’ve done is learn everything on the job. All you need the right attitude. I will be 110% behind them if they tell me they’ve got a desire to move forward, because I love the industry.”

Carolyn’s advice to young people is, “Just go for it. Dip your toe in each part of the industry and decide which part is for you, you might just find something that sparks your interest or gives you a complete new vision for your future. All you need is determination, the desire to succeed, confidence in your own ability and a good sprinkling of stubbornness!”