Edinburgh Business Stories
Business & Finance
About
Hosted by ActionCOACH business coach Alan Smith and YouMore founder Alex Richards, this video podcast focuses on the stories of business owners in and around the great city of Edinburgh. Check it out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. And why not follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn too for updates and behind the scenes sneak peaks? Know someone with an awesome story who should be on this podcast? Let us know by emailing info@youmore.co.uk .
Episodes
- Ep86. Jera IT - Ally Hollins-Kirk and Austen Clark
In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, Ally Hollins-Kirk and Austen Clark of Jera IT discuss their company's merger, balancing leadership and management, and the reality of AI for businesses. They also reflect on how businesses sho…
- Ep85. LOOP Agencies - Vicky Hope and Ed Vickers
Vicky Hope and Ed Vickers, co-founders of LOOP Agencies, share their experiences building a creative agency, including securing the Edinburgh Fringe as a client and becoming Scotland's first employee-owned trust. They also discuss their ap…
- Ep84. The Lighthouse - Andy Hadden
Andy Hadden, founder of The Lighthouse Business Centre, joins Edinburgh Business Stories to discuss creating workspaces, the rise of hybrid working, and the importance of community. He also shares his insights on leadership and building te…
- Ep83. Paper Tiger - Michael Apter
Michael Apter, CEO and Managing Director of Paper Tiger, discusses his entrepreneurial journey. He shares insights on his early retail experiences, the origins of Paper Tiger, and the importance of building a strong team.
- Ep82. Component Sense - Kenny McGee
Kenny McGee, CEO and Founder of Component Sense, shares his journey of building a global business, including early struggles and the complexities of addressing electronic waste. He discusses the importance of resilience, risk-taking, and c…
- Ep81. Wilkinson & Associates - Guy Gracie
Guy Gracie, Managing Director of Wilkinson & Associates, explores what it means to build a people-focused recruitment business. He shares insights on the value of long-term relationships and the need for continuous evolution in the busines…
- Ep80. Campion Homes - Susan Jackson
This episode of Edinburgh Business Stories features Susan Jackson of Campion Homes.
- Ep79. Rutland Square Spirits - Nishant Sharma
Nishant Sharma, founder of Rutland Square Spirits, discusses his entrepreneurial journey from a £500 start-up to building a spirits brand. He shares insights on leadership, self-awareness, and overcoming challenges, including his experienc…
- Ep78. YOURGB - Gilly Bain
Gilly Bain, Founder and CEO of YOURGB, shares insights on establishing her creative agency, navigating a male-dominated industry, and her approach to leadership. She discusses the importance of innovation and collective effort in business…
- Ep77. LS Productions - Marie Owen
Marie Owen, Founder and CEO of LS Productions, shares her experiences in growing her company into a global business. She discusses building a locations database, managing complex productions, and the importance of relationships and reputat…
- Ep76. The Mayfield Clinic by Dr Nestor - Nestor Demosthenous
Nestor Demosthenous, owner of The Mayfield Clinic, shares his journey from NHS surgeon to building a renowned aesthetic medicine practice. He discusses business strategies, patient care, and the psychology of aging.
- Ep75. Land Technology and J Sives Surfacing - Colin Smith
Colin Smith, Managing Director of Land Technology and J. Sives Surfacing, shares his career journey from apprentice engineer to leading businesses in landscaping and infrastructure. He discusses the importance of creating opportunities for…
- Ep74. Will Rudd - Gillian Ogilvie
Gillian Ogilvie, Managing Director at Will Rudd Davidson, shares her journey from tunnel design to leading an engineering firm. She discusses her leadership approach, focusing on authenticity, empathy, and emotional intelligence within the…
- Ep73. Henderson Loggie - Shona Campbell
Shona Campbell, Partner and Chair of Henderson Loggie, shares her experiences leading through challenging times. She discusses the firm's history, its people-first culture, and its focus on community and future generations.
- Ep72. Simpson & Marwick - Rob Aberdein
In this episode, Rob Aberdein, Group Managing Director at Simpson & Marwick, shares his entrepreneurial background and experience leading change in the legal field. He discusses past ventures and the decision to transition from accountancy…
- Ep71. Mark to Market - Douglas Lawson
Douglas Lawson, CEO & Co-Founder of MarktoMarket, joins this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories. He discusses building his company on forensic data, the role of AI in finance, and establishing a powerful niche in the private capital mar…
- Ep70. Compass Roofing - Scott J. Miller
Scott J. Miller, Managing Director of Compass Roofing, shares the history and evolution of his family's roofing business in Edinburgh. He discusses his journey from an apprentice to leading the company, highlighting their traditional value…
- Ep69. BE Uniforms - Ross and William Smillie
Ross and William Smillie of BE Uniforms share the story of their family business. They discuss their growth from managing school uniform orders by hand to becoming one of the UK’s largest suppliers, detailing their adaptation to new techno…
- Ep68. Contini - Carina Contini
Carina Contini, a chef and restaurateur, shares her family's history in the hospitality business. She discusses her childhood and the traditions that influenced her business approach.
- Ep67. Forrit - Peter Proud
Peter Proud, Founder and CEO of Forrit, is featured on Edinburgh Business Stories. He discusses his career, building a company with strong values, and leadership through inspiration.
- Ep66. Dofos - Ross and Craig Davidson
Ross and Craig Davidson of Dofos, an independent pet retailer, share their business journey. They discuss the company's early days, growth, and community impact.
- Ep65. Stellar Omada - Colin Frame
This episode features Colin Frame of Stellar Omada, who shares his entrepreneurial journey, including the company's origins, challenges, and partnership with Hearts FC. He also discusses the personal sacrifices and resilience required in b…
- Ep64. Forth Resource Management - Tommy Dale
Tommy Dale, co-founder of Forth Resource Management, discusses entrepreneurship, sustainability, and balancing profit, people, and the planet. He also shares his approach to circular economy thinking and purpose-driven leadership.
- Ep63. Legado - Josif Grace
In this episode, Josif Grace, Founder and CEO of Legado, discusses reshaping how regulated industries communicate with customers. He shares his perspective on scaling tech businesses in traditionally slow-moving sectors, focusing on buildi…
- Ep62. EQ Accountants - Sheryl Macaulay
Sheryl Macaulay, Partner at EQ Accountants, shares her career path from early work experience to specializing in tax planning. She discusses navigating challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field, building confidence, and her dedicatio…
- Ep61. Tayburn - Richard Simpson
Richard Simpson, Joint Managing Director and Co-owner of Tayburn, shares his career path from media sales to leading a creative agency. He discusses Tayburn's services and his perspective on sales.
- Ep60. Muckle Media - Nathalie Agnew
Nathalie Agnew, Managing Director of Muckle Media, is featured in this episode. She discusses leading award-winning campaigns, business acquisitions, culture-building, and running a successful agency while raising a family.
- Ep59. TBCo - Emma Macdonald
Emma Macdonald, founder and CEO of TBCo, is featured in this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories. She discusses the growth of her B Corp-certified brand, which specializes in sustainable fashion and homeware, and shares insights on balan…
- Ep58. Little Flyers Childcare - Sharon Fairley and Nicole Crane
Sharon Fairley and Nicole Crane of High Flyers discuss their childcare agency, early years education, and the challenges of recruiting staff. They also share insights on child development and advocating for skills-based hiring in childcare.
- Ep57. SSR Removals and Storage - Adam Sinclair
Adam Sinclair, Managing Director of Stirling Sinclair Removals & Storage, shares his experiences transitioning from a professional rugby career to entrepreneurship. He discusses applying lessons from rugby to business growth and leadership…
- Ep56. The Row Dental - Stuart and Slaine Ker
Slaine and Stuart Kerr, co-founders of The Row Dental, are featured on Edinburgh Business Stories. They discuss their journey in building a luxury cosmetic dental clinic, focusing on their patient-first philosophy and business strategy.
- Ep55. Shot Scope Technologies - David Hunter
David Hunter, founder and CEO of Shot Scope Technologies, shares his journey of growing the company from a startup to a global business. He discusses developing GPS wearables, laser rangefinders, and performance-tracking solutions for golf…
- Ep54. Spring Solutions - Jonathan Ward
Jonathan Ward, Managing Director of Spring Solutions, shares his journey in supply chain solutions. He discusses discipline, efficiency, and innovative approaches that led to significant business growth and a four-day workweek for his team.
- Ep53. Margiotta - Franco and Joe Margiotta
Franco and Joe Margiotta of Margiotta, a family-run retailer in Edinburgh, discuss their business journey. They share insights on growth, partnerships, and customer service philosophy.
- Ep52. Umega - Andy Whitmey
Andy Whitmey, Director at Umega, is featured in this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories. He discusses Umega's growth, values, and challenges in the property sector.
- Ep51. Frank Dick OBE
This episode features Frank Dick OBE, a figure in coaching and high performance. He shares insights from his career, including working with iconic athletes and applying his expertise in sports leadership and business.
- Ep50. Commsworld - Ricky Nicol
Ricky Nicol, Co-Founder & Vice Chairman of Commsworld, joins Edinburgh Business Stories. He discusses his journey building Commsworld into a leading network operator and shares entrepreneurial wisdom on resilience, innovation, and leadersh…
- Ep49. Fayre Play - Craig Neilson
Craig Neilson, co-founder of Fore Play Crazy Golf, shares his journey from an investment banking career to establishing a popular competitive socialising experience in Scotland. He discusses entrepreneurship and the hospitality industry.
- Ep48. Cox & Co - John Cox
John Cox, Managing Director of Cox & Co, discusses property investment, leadership, and team culture. He shares his journey and insights on creating winning strategies and building a motivated team.
- Ep47. IDEA - Abhishek Bhatia
Abhishek Bhatia, an engineering leader and Managing Director of IDEA, discusses his journey and leadership in engineering. He shares insights on IDEA's innovative approaches and his commitment to promoting STEM education as Chair of the In…
- Ep46. Lost Shore Surf Resort - Andy Hadden
Andy Hadden, founder of Lost Shore Surf Resort and Lighthouse Business Centre, discusses his entrepreneurial journey. This episode explores the development of a surf resort in Scotland and innovations in the surfing industry.
- Ep45. The Paint Shed - Michael Rolland
Michael Rolland, Managing Director of The Paint Shed, discusses his journey from recruitment to leading a family business, its rapid growth, and acquisition by Brewers Decorator Centres. He shares insights on overcoming challenges in trans…
- Ep44. iFire UK and The Bonnie Barista - David Boyle
David Boyle, Managing Director of iFire UK Ltd and Boyle Property Ltd, and Founder of The Bonnie Barista, shares his entrepreneurial journey. He discusses his experiences in fire protection, property, and hospitality in both the UK and Spa…
- Ep43. AFG Media - Fraser Smeaton
Fraser Smeaton, co-founder of MorphCostumes, is interviewed on Edinburgh Business Stories. The discussion covers the company's origins, challenges of international scaling, and achieving significant turnover and growth in 2022.
- Ep42. M&M Consultancy and Training Services - Ben Martin
Ben Martin, co-founder of M&M Consultancy and Training Services, discusses his experiences in the ventilation and healthcare sectors. He shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey and his work with the NHS and BESA.
- Ep41. Mimi's Bakehouse - Michelle Phillips and Ashley Harley
This episode of Edinburgh Business Stories features Michelle Phillips, owner of Mimi's Bakehouse, and her daughter Ashley Harley, event manager. They discuss the growth of their family business since its establishment in 2010, the importan…
- Ep40. Jenkins Fabrications - Jonny and Shona Jenkins
Jonny and Shona Jenkins of Jenkins Fabrications discuss their family-operated steel fabrication business. They share insights into their journey, team building, and challenges, from the business's founding in 1958 to its current work with…
- Ep39. Rollo Developments - Sean Rollo
Sean Rollo of Rollo Developments discusses his career path from a young tradesman to a successful managing director. He shares lessons on confidence, branding, social media, and the importance of values and work ethic in hiring.
- Ep38. Social Bite - Josh Littlejohn
Josh Littlejohn, founder of Social Bite, discusses his journey as a social entrepreneur, his mission to eradicate homelessness in Scotland, and the origins of Social Bite. He also shares insights into finding a rewarding career and attract…
- Ep37. 56three Architects - Gordon Beaton
Gordon Beaton, Director at 56three Architects, shares insights on real-world experience, the origin of his company, and workplace culture. He also discusses learning from mistakes.