Scottish Quest - a game plan that really paid off

Her company, 1745 Trading, turned over 500,000 last year, following a tougher year in 2009, when she sold 180,000 worth of games, and swung back into the black with a 50,000 pre-tax profit.

She launched the original game - which focuses on Scotland's history and culture - in 2004 and has followed up with English, Irish and Welsh versions, along with a Coronation Street special released last year to tie in with the ITV soap's 50th birthday.

Cadenhead, who launched her firm with 30,000 of her own money, says: "Inventing a new board game is incredibly difficult, the market is a very hard nut to crack, but I'm now in discussions to launch US and UAE versions of Quest."

While Cadenhead is exploiting opportunities connected with Scotland's past, Perth-based Kilmac Construction is focused on its future in renewable energy.

The firm has named Derek Ross, a former land director at Persimmon Homes, as director of its new Kilmac Energy venture, which will concentrate on erecting onshore wind turbines.

Ross says: "Part of the reason that this role appealed to me is because it gives me the opportunity to join an industry that's in its infancy, yet has the potential to become as vital as the oil and gas sector in Scotland."

Sticking with Perth, and a former runner-up in The Apprentice TV series, Ruth Badger, will be offering business advice during a free conference at Perth Concert Hall on 8 February.

Despite finishing second in the second series of the competition, Badger still went on to work for Lord Sugar for six months before starring in Sky 1's The Big Idea and presenting her own TV series, Badger or Bust. She says: "Although it can be difficult running a business in a recession, there are many opportunities to be grabbed.

"I have more than 15 years' business experience and I am looking forward to visiting Perth and sharing the secrets of my success."