An Aberdeen business support company has helped a local businessman be recognised as one of the city’s up-and-coming entrepreneurs.
C Growth has nominated Christopher Farman, 31, for a prestigious award to encourage business excellence in the North-east. He is a finalist for the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Elevator Awards, which reward companies and individuals that are capable of leading the future prosperity of Aberdeen city and shire.
Chris is working with C Growth and has seen his businesses grow rapidly and 36 staff jobs have now been created across his four firms, at a time when Aberdeen is still suffering from the oil industry’s downturn.
After a period working in construction management and oil and gas, he decided to combine his hobby of mixed martial arts with a natural flair for business. He sold his car to fund his dream and opened Aberdeen Fitness and Combat Centre. He explains: “I have always been interested in business. I left school at 15 and joined my dad’s construction firm and it was really from him that I learned how to run a business.”
After the success of Aberdeen Fitness and Combat Centre, Chris realised there was a gap in the market and set up UK Fitness Food in May 2016, with the aim of delivering gourmet healthy food to the city. He found kitchen premises and worked with fitness experts, a nutritionist and an executive chef for several weeks to ensure the meals supplied were of good quality and nutritious. Providers, such as Cairnton Farm on Royal Deeside, ensure customers receive quality ingredients and produce all from the local area.
The business has grown from initially providing 70 meals a week to more than 2000 meals a week and recently won the Consumers Award at the Aberdeen Business Awards, thanks to the positive feedback from customers. The company was also approached by Aberdeen Football Club and now supplies meals for the first players and coaching staff for all away games, as well as partnering with stockists and distributors such as JK Fine Foods in Aberdeen, Haar Rock Coffee at Cove and the Larder in Inverness.
Chris said: “Shortly after I started UK Fitness Food, I was introduced to Kenny Dooley of C Growth Ltd and I cannot recommend their services enough. Over the past few months, they have provided unique opportunities within a tough industry, and enabled me to build brand awareness within the local and national Food Industry.”
Expanding on the success of the business, Chris opened Jack’s Steakhouse and Grill in Crown Terrace in September 2016 and has seen his restaurant achieving a minimum of 500 covers per week since opening. In true entrepreneurial style he has reinvested the profits and has introduced a new cocktail lounge at the restaurant. Another new business will also offer facilities management and corporate catering.
He said: “My main goal is to create dynamic businesses. We don’t offer a set service and can adapt to suit the customers’ needs. I see that as the key to our success.”
The businesses have also contributed to the Aberdeen community in a short space of time. Aberdeen Fitness and Combat Centre partnered with Ultra White Collar Boxing throughout 2016, offering training to participants in the charity boxing matches and raising over £200,000 for Cancer Research UK. On a weekly basis raffles are run giving away a range of prizes such as free meals at Jack’s Steakhouse and Grill, free monthly food plans from UK Fitness Food and free private training sessions from Aberdeen Fitness and Combat Centre.
Chris has continued to look to the future and is working with C Growth to introduce a media team including a videographer, social media experts and a graphic designer to further grow the brand.
The Elevator Awards will take place on Thursday June 29 2017 at the Mercure Ardoe House Hotel & Spa from 6:15 pm.