In this month’s Business Spotlight, we meet the delightful Carrie Forbes from Tain, who is a Scottish Voiceover Artist.
How would you describe your business in one sentence?
I’m a Scottish Voiceover Artist with a commercial VO recording studio that I hire out so actors can record their VOs for film and TV in the Highlands.
How did you get started?
I used to be an Internal Auditor in a bank and a qualified mortgage advisor. When I relocated back to Tain, I wasn’t able to do either of these jobs so I chose to make my hobby of voiceover a career. It involved a year long course with MFR to get the sound engineering knowledge and then I launched the business.
…and how are things going currently?
All is going well. Voiceover side is busy and I have clients all over the UK and overseas. A few years ago I moved out of the home studio and into a commercial VO studio. I recently launched The Highland Voiceover Studio which is the studio hire side of the business. I also work as a music tutor and singer.
What are the small, super-niche things you love about your business?
I get to work with so many different industries and I’m always learning new info with VO scripts. That could be some exciting news a company is sharing, a training course when I’m recording e-learning or it could be the weekly deals in the supermarket.
I get to work with clients all over the world. Most of the studio hires are via companies in LA.
What is the biggest challenge about operating a small business in the Highlands?
Letting people know that we are here. The biggest challenge I have with the studio hire side of the business is that people wouldn’t ‘google it’ as they just assume the service won’t be available here. I’m trying to change that narrative.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since starting your business?
I’m constantly having to learn new tech and I’m not a techy person. I keep having to tell myself that being out of the comfort zone is a good place to be.
Why do you think the Highlands is the BEST place to run a small business?
There are so many amazing businesses operating up here and often from houses or garages. There is a great sense of entrepreneurship and people are so friendly and genuinely happy to see local businesses succeed.
What’s something your business offers that you’re really proud of?
I am the most northerly VO studio in the UK. I get to work with very interesting actors on global projects.