Business growth is ‘in the bag’ for stylish Linlithgow sisters-in-law

The founders of Styled by Macs are gearing up for expansion and targeting customers across the UK following the success of their Linlithgow clothing boutique in its first 18 months.

Sisters-in-law Hazel and Kirsty McMartin have secured a loan from DSL Business Finance – delivered as part of the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme – to help grow the business.

The boutique, based on the town’s High Street, stocks a range of ladies clothing, occasion wear and accessories, catering for sizes eight to 20 and is open seven days per week.

Having always had an interest in fashion, Hazel and Kirsty both decided to leave behind full-time financial services careers to focus on Styled by Macs, which began as an online offering in 2022. The pair are passionate about providing stylish, affordable clothing for women of all sizes, helping them feel confident and comfortable in outfits for every occasion.

Styled by Macs follows a family tradition of incorporating the surname into business names. Kirsty previously owned Mrs Mac’s Bakery, while Hazel and her husband Grant ran Mac’s of Linlithgow, a beloved local ice-cream parlour which they sold last year.

Following a string of recent fashion shows and pop-ups, Styled by Macs has already started attracting new customers from further afield giving Hazel and Kirsty the push to try and reach even more clients across the UK via the online store and social media.

Future plans for the business include potential expansion into a larger store in Linlithgow, with the hopes of hiring new employees. Hazel and Kirsty are also keen to diversify the business to include colour analysis services, personal shopping experiences and an underwear range to complement the clothing on offer.

Hazel McMartin said: “Following a couple of tough years for our family, we both decided to step away from the corporate world and, with our love for fashion, decided to take the next step and launch Styled by Macs. We started as a small online boutique, and it has been amazing to see the business grow to what it is today.

Every day we get to help women feel confident in clothing that they love, and we want to provide this for others all over the UK through an improved online experience.

She added: “The funding from DSL Business Finance and the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loan’s programme will enable us to enhance our social media marketing, upgrade our website and bring in even more stock.

These improvements will help us better engage with our loyal customers and attract new ones, while showcasing our latest product lines. We are excited to see what the future holds for Styled by Macs.”

The British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme has supported 333 entrepreneurs like Hazel and Kirsty and delivered more than £2.9 million in loans to new business owners in West Lothian since it began in 2012.

Barry McCulloch, Senior Manager, UK Network, Scotland at the British Business Bank, said: “The Start Up Loans programme was designed to enable entrepreneurs like Kirsty and Hazel to access funding through alternative avenues helping local businesses to thrive. It is great to see a family business achieving such success and deciding to take the next step, expanding its customer base to reach shoppers all over the UK.”

Iain Burnside, Chief Operating Officer of DSL Business Finance Ltd, said: “We are delighted to support Hazel and Kirsty McMartin as they embark on the next phase of growth for Styled by Macs. Their passion for fashion and dedication to offering stylish, affordable clothing for women of all sizes is truly inspiring.

Their comprehensive Business Plan and Cash Flow Forecast clearly demonstrated growth potential and effective use of funds. The planned website development and shop refit reflect a solid strategy for expanding both online and physical operations. We look forward to witnessing the continued success of Styled by Macs.”