Two of the UK’s most influential young entrepreneurs drew a sell-out crowd to Aberdeen’s Music Hall last night for the latest instalment of the Ultimate Masterclass Festival, delivered by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) in partnership with TotalEnergies and event sponsors Robert Gordon University and Mission10.
Grace Beverley – founder of activewear label TALA, fitness platform Shreddy and new AI venture Retrograde – joined beauty entrepreneur Jamie Genevieve, creator of cosmetics brand VIEVE, to share their journeys from social-media stars to boardroom leaders.
Both women offered frank insights into scaling businesses, raising investment and maintaining balance while building brands with global reach.
Interviewed on stage by AGCC Policy Director Ryan Crighton, the pair spoke about the importance of resilience, authenticity and surrounding yourself with the right people.
Beverley recalled selling e-books from her student digs at Oxford - hitting £7million is sales before graduating - before creating multi-million-pound companies, while Genevieve described quitting her make-up counter job to grow an online following that launched a beauty empire.
Mr Crighton said the event delivered on the Chamber’s aim of “bringing people into the city centre and sparking new thinking in our business community”.
He added: “Grace and Jamie were candid, funny and hugely inspiring – proof that big ambitions and strong values can thrive, even in challenging markets.”
The evening was also supported by a range of local partners, including drinks reception sponsor Onboard Tracker, BoConcept, Luxe Scotland, and The Chester Hotel.