THE CAIRN COMPASS
The Cairn Compass is a community of women
across Scotland building lives
and businesses that matter –
supported, connected, and never walking alone.
Welcome to The Cairn Compass CIC
Where women find their bearings at pivotal moments in their entrepreneurial journey. We walk alongside those who are ready to claim their identity as founders, step into leadership, and grow ideas into sustainable, long‑term enterprises.
Our approach is simple and deeply human: small in-person cohorts, high‑touch support, and a community‑centric model that prioritises connection over volume. We believe women thrive when they are seen, heard, and supported – not processed.
Here, women learn to take up space with confidence and build businesses that ripple strength into their families, their communities, and Scotland’s local economies.
61%
of women-led businesses fail in the
post start-up phase in Scotland –
not for lack of ability, but for lack of
sustained community.
Source: Women’s Enterprise Scotland, 2025
The Cairn Compass exists to help you
change that.
we do this through
our programmes:
- The Growth Circle — a monthly online community for women leading micro and small businesses across Scotland
- The Empowerment Resilience Framework — structured 12-week programmes for women at every stage, from first idea to sustainable enterprise
- The Horizon Collective — a two-year resilience programme for committed women-led businesses
We also work with clients on their projects. We love working with social enterprises and community organisations to help them deliver larger projects for their communities.
our approach
Navigation,
Not Just Inspiration
A cairn isn’t just a pile of stones; it’s a marker on a path – a quiet reassurance that you’re heading in the right direction, even when the mist rolls in.
That is the heart of our work.
We don’t simply point women toward resources or send them off with signposts. We walk beside them – joining the dots, steadying the pace, and offering the kind of human guidance that turns uncertainty into direction.
Our work focuses on:
relational accountability
Every woman is seen, heard, and supported as an individual, not processed through a system.
specialised mentorship
Guidance shaped to the realities of rural, remote, and city regions across Scotland, recognising that context matters.
peer-led sustainability
Small cohorts that form lasting networks, reducing isolation and strengthening resilience long after the programme ends.
“I’ve attended two masterclasses with Strada Vision, and the impact has been truly life changing.
The team creates such a warm, safe and welcoming space where women feel truly seen, heard and supported.
The sense of community is so genuine – it really brings women together and makes you feel less alone.”
— Claire Noble, participant, 2026
“We help women find their voice through calm confidence,
addressing inner resistance, to step into who they truly wish to be.
Together, we foster a supportive community striving for
sustainable growth for all.”
our cic commitment
As a Community Interest Company, our “profit” is measured in the progress of the women we serve. Every workshop, resource, and future community initiative is designed to be accessible and impactful.
We are currently seeking the funding necessary to ensure this community becomes a permanent, self-sustaining feature of the Scottish business landscape.
Join our community
ready to find your bearings?
Whether you’re at the very beginning of your business journey or navigating your next chapter – there’s a place for you here.