Highland single mum of twins overcame adversity to become business owner
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International Women's Day this week prompts stories of some incredible women in the Highlands. First up - meet Emma:
They say nothing hurts as much as a broken heart; however, most people will tell you that the pain of a relationship breakdown has only made them stronger in the long-run.
This saying is familiar to Emma McSkimming. When her long-term relationship broke down unexpectedly, she found herself as a single mum of young twins, with no source of income and in need of somewhere to live. Emma and her mother moved all her belongings from one house to a rented house across the street within a day.
Seven years on, Emma’s life looks remarkably different. She is now 18 months into running her own business: Pretty Little Princess Events & Luxury Wedding Corners – and has gained confidence and courage like she has never known before.
I met with her at her home in Ness Walk, which she confesses is decorated to her ‘girly’ taste and filled with various shades of pink. A tranquil sanctuary for her and her children.
Speaking about her business with a sense of achievement in her voice, Emma tells me: “We do little girls pamper parties and tepee sleepovers. I have little silk gowns, tepees, make-up, a candy floss machine and wee headbands for them all.
“We’ve also just added in the wedding event element with fluffy cushions, rugs and little fairy lights, and games. The package comes with two tepees so if kids want to go for a sleep when parents party then they can do.”
Creating pamper parties and events was always a dream of Emma’s, but she always lacked the confidence to do something about it. Over the last few years, she has navigated so many hurdles and challenges that she has been able to find the belief in herself to give it a go.
Explaining more, Emma said: “It was always a dream of mine to do pamper parties for little girls, but I didn’t have the confidence.
“I used to look at other people’s social media posts who did them and wish that I could. When I split with my ex, I had no choice but to start – I had to do it for my kids.”
Emma started off small by simply inviting her daughter’s friends to come along to their house, and provided them with a wee pamper party. She put a post on social media, and the business has grown from there.
“When I first started getting bookings for events, I felt physically sick and was so scared”, Emma says honestly.
“I look back now and wonder what on earth I was worried about.”
She is currently working with some high-range wedding venues such as Loch Ness House Hotel and Innes House Estate, and is in the process of creating her very own brochure for her business.
Emma has learned a lot about herself over the last few years, and has grown from being ‘scared of the world’ to being able to take anything on.
“It sounds cliché but I have done a lot of soul searching, and I really had to find myself again”, she comments.
“I had to strip back the stuff that didn’t matter. I used to be scared of everything and now I am the complete opposite – nothing scares me and you could throw anything at me, and I would know how to deal with it!”
