You don’t need to be “urban” to be successful; Why going rural was the right choice for ETB.

By Nick?Stapleton, Managing Director at?ETB?Technologies

When starting a business, choosing the right location can be a make-or-break decision. Choosing to grow ETB as a rural business has been an interesting journey, with a lot of lessons learned along the way. But while being based in a small town has had its challenges, it’s also been the driving factor in our success, providing us with a loyal workforce, supportive customers and valuable opportunities to give back to those around us.

With a thriving digital technologies industry growing 150% faster than the overall economy, it’s easy to understand why Scotland is rapidly becoming the ‘place to be’ for tech startups. Home to Edinburgh, the city many consider to be the data capital of Europe, Scotland currently boasts more than 11,000 digital tech companies. And this number is only set to increase, creating a wealth of opportunity for local businesses and talent.

Of course, being part of Scotland’s cutting-edge tech corridor brings significant advantages to businesses looking to grow. While Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, and Aberdeen are well-known as prime locations for companies, going urban isn’t the only path to success—rural businesses have their own unique advantages.

Just over two decades ago, I founded ETB Technologies. A lover of the outdoors and a quieter way of life, I had been living in Dalbeattie for several years. While the hustle and bustle of the city might appeal to some, it wasn’t for me. So, I decided to build my business in the place I call home—the ‘Granite Town’ of South West Scotland.

Building a tech business from scratch in a rural area hasn’t always been an easy ride. Property options were limited, and finding suitable premises proved tricky. In the beginning, our small team worked from two rented offices, one of which we used as a workshop. Other factors, like connectivity speeds and ease of travel are, naturally, bigger considerations for us than for organisations in more central locations. As an ecommerce business, it’s absolutely vital that we get our stock where it needs to be, so we’ve had to work a bit harder to ensure we meet earlier courier collection times. Hopefully, with more investment in enhancing transport links to rural areas in the coming years, businesses like ours will have more capacity to compete with larger city players.

In addition to infrastructure challenges, staffing in rural areas can be difficult, particularly for a tech-based business that requires very specific skillsets. Yet, we’ve found it’s often easier to attract the kind of talent we’re looking for when career opportunities are scarcer. We’re proud to have a highly talented and loyal workforce in Dalbeattie, with many of our original recruits still with us after twenty years.

The key to success doesn’t lie in avoiding challenges, but in successfully navigating them. What I love most about being based in Dalbeattie is the sense of community, the benefits of which far outweigh any of the obstacles we’ve faced. The support and camaraderie we’ve found in our local area have been pivotal to our success. The community knows us well, and we know them, which is one of the key benefits of being in a more intimate location. It’s rewarding to have a close relationship with local people, and we do our best to give back by sponsoring events and creating employment opportunities.

But internally, the growth of our business comes down to a happy workforce, and work-life balance is essential to that. Gone are the days when people had to relocate for their jobs—they deserve the freedom to choose where they live, whether in the city or beyond. While it’s important to continue strengthening Scotland’s tech reputation in central areas, it’s equally important to expand opportunities into rural regions, bringing new skills and jobs to areas previously left behind.

Many tech businesses will continue to flock to popular city locations, but being situated in a less competitive space has given us access to skilled employees who have been integral to our growth. By recruiting locally, we’re not only helping to bridge the skills gap in Scotland’s tech industry but also supporting the growth of our local economy. To create a lasting impact, we focus on not just making a difference to the people at the heart of our industry now, but also those who will carry us forward in years to come.

Our recent partnership with Dalbeattie High School is an example of this, allowing us to implement modern ways of learning through the newly launched NPA Computing Technology course. A course we worked closely with the school and SQA to develop. It is designed to fully equip the next generation of tech talent with the skills they need to succeed. Unlike previous curriculums that were predominantly focused on computing science and programming, this new approach provides pupils with insight into a much broader spectrum of topics, covering everything from networking and data to emerging tech. It shows pupils the variety of opportunities that are out there. Opening their eyes to the many career options available means they’re more likely to find an area they love and join the industry in the long run.

From a talent, wellbeing, and business perspective, choosing to operate in a rural location has undoubtedly been a positive decision for ETB. Our journey hasn’t been without its challenges, but the dedication and support we receive from our team, customers, and the local community have made these obstacles easier to navigate as we grow long-term.

That said, rural life isn’t the perfect fit for every business. My advice to other entrepreneurs is to always plan ahead and think about where you want your business to be in the future. If your business is scalable, will a small rural town provide enough room for growth, or might you be better suited to a different location?

The past twenty years have shown us the power of good that comes with being a rural business, and choosing to locate in our Dalbeattie home is no doubt the best decision we’ve made. No matter your decision, what matters most is ensuring your business location aligns with your long-term vision.