Carol Deeney (MA 2008) - Deeny's Scottish Flavour
Carol Deeney, MA 2008
Current position: Founder and owner of Deeney’s Scottish Flavour, London
Carol has been serving up a taste of Scotland at markets across London since 2012. The success of her haggis toastie – the ‘Macbeth’ – inspired her to launch the Deeney’s haggis range in time for Burns Night.
Q: How did you get into running your own business?
A: I moved to London to work in advertising. But after almost three years I really wanted to get back into hospitality – I grew up in my parents’ restaurant. Street food was a low-risk option to get things off the ground. I quite quickly built up some good markets and, now that I have some staff, we do weddings, ceilidhs and festivals too. 
Q: How did your time at the University help?
A: Some might struggle with where to start, but my degree gave me knowledge of every area of business planning. I was also exposed to some fantastic ideas at Enterprise Society meetings. But the big thing for me was doing my third year at the University of Toronto, that was a fantastic learning curve.
Q: How are you growing the business?
A: We have worked with Bel’s Butcher in Edzell to develop our own haggis range, which includes the 2kg Chieftain for the Address to a Haggis. We brought the range to our stall in time for Burns Night and now it’s about getting it into retail shops and small supermarkets to reach as many people in London as possible.
Q: What do you love about what you do?
A: There’s such a buzz. I love meeting new people and going to new places. That sort of freshness in my job is great. I like that it is quite demanding too. You have to constantly problem-solve – how do I get there, what will I need, what’s the weather going to be like – and the excitement keeps you going. There’s also fantastic flexibility. Essentially you make your own decisions.
Q: Where do you see yourself going next?
A: Ultimately, my dream is to have a restaurant, where I can just turn the key and everything is there. But there will also be the outside catering, the market stalls and stalls at festivals and other events. It’s about having as many different aspects of the business running at once. I have this opportunity – I might as well try it all and see what works.
Find out about Carol's business at: www.deeneys.com