In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Carina Contini - chef, restaurateur, and director of Victor & Carina Contini, one of Scotland’s best-loved hospitality families.

Carina shares a journey steeped in heritage and flavour — from crates of sun-ripened lemons and figs arriving from the markets of Milan, to her grandparents’ adventures on The Queen Mary’s maiden voyage, bringing back the first choc ice machine to Glasgow. She paints vivid memories of childhood summers outside the family café, early lessons in work ethic, and the traditions that have shaped her approach to business.

If you’re passionate about building a values-led brand, balancing heritage with modern business demands, or simply love hearing stories of family, food and resilience, this is one to watch.

This episode of Edinburgh Business Stories is brought to you by Henderson Loggie Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, who help owner-managed businesses grow—from those first steps as an entrepreneur through to a happy retirement.

Based right here in Scotland, Henderson Loggie knows what it takes to succeed locally, and through their membership of PrimeGlobal, they help clients thrive internationally too. Their purpose? Helping their people, clients and communities unlock their full potential.

To learn more, get in touch with the Edinburgh team at Henderson Loggie today!

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Peter Proud, Founder and CEO of Forrit, a company quietly powering some of the world’s most secure and scalable digital platforms.

Peter takes us through a career that’s anything but ordinary: from his time at Microsoft to launching Forrit, building not just a product, but a company rooted in strong values, technical excellence, and a genuine culture of care. He talks about the importance of leadership through inspiration, why culture always comes before product, and how he’s helping create opportunities for the next generation through apprenticeships.

If you’re scaling a tech company, leading a team, or thinking about how to build something that lasts, this is a must-watch.

This episode of Edinburgh Business Stories is brought to you by Henderson Loggie Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, who help owner-managed businesses grow—from those first steps as an entrepreneur through to a happy retirement.

Based right here in Scotland, Henderson Loggie knows what it takes to succeed locally, and through their membership of PrimeGlobal, they help clients thrive internationally too. Their purpose? Helping their people, clients and communities unlock their full potential.

To learn more, get in touch with the Edinburgh team at Henderson Loggie today!

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Ross and Craig Davidson; brothers, business partners, and the team behind Dofos, one of the city’s most iconic independent pet retailers. Ross and Craig talk about the early days, including how they turned a cupboard into a grooming salon with nothing but YouTube and grit, and how lockdown helped cement their place in the local community. Throughout it all, they’ve focused on doing things the right way—even when it’s harder. If you’re building a brand rooted in values, thinking about succession in a family business, or just love hearing how people grow something special in their own way, this is one to watch.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, Colin shares the journey behind the business: from scribbling ideas after a night out, to developing a brand that now partners with Hearts FC, and navigating the intense highs and lows of entrepreneurship along the way.

This conversation covers everything from the real meaning behind the Stella Omada name, to launching a digital greeting card company during lockdown (and watching it completely flop), to the deep personal sacrifices that come with chasing ambitious goals. Colin speaks candidly about burnout, risk, reinvention and resilience—with plenty of humour woven through it all.

If you’ve ever wondered what building a business really takes, this episode offers an unfiltered glimpse into the mindset, mess, and magic of growing something from scratch in Scotland’s capital.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we sit down with Tommy Dale, co-founder of Forth Resource Management, for a wide-ranging conversation that’s equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and thought-provoking.

From composting garden cuttings into premium topsoil, to pulling tonnes of marine waste off Scottish beaches, Tommy’s work straddles entrepreneurship, sustainability, and a deep love for the land. He shares how a single heartbreaking moment with a guillemot led to a nationwide clean-up effort, why he believes business should always balance profit, people and the planet, and what he'd like done with his body when he dies.

Whether you're growing a business or planting deeper roots in your community, Tommy’s approach to circular economy thinking and honest, purpose-driven leadership offers plenty to reflect on.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Josif Grace, Founder and CEO of Legado, a company reshaping how regulated industries communicate with their customers.

With a background in investment management and time spent immersed in the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem, Josif brings a unique perspective on scaling tech businesses in traditionally slow-moving sectors. At Legado, he’s building digital tools that offer secure, compliant, and genuinely human-centred ways for businesses to share information and build trust.

Don’t miss this episode if you’re interested in the future of fintech, the power of resilience, and how strong ideas, backed by the right team and mindset, can scale far beyond expectations.

In this episode, we speak with Sheryl Macaulay, Partner at EQ Accountants, about her journey from Accounts and Audit at Douglas Home and Co to specialising in Tax Planning. Sheryl shares how leaving university early and taking a summer placement led to her successful career, and how she overcame challenges as a young woman in a male-dominated industry.

She also discusses the importance of stepping outside her comfort zone, building confidence, and hosting women’s networking events to connect and support local businesses. Sheryl’s passion for mentoring school leavers and helping them grow within the firm highlights her commitment to developing future talent.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on career growth, building relationships, and personal development.

Since the age of 16, Richard Simpson had a clear ambition—to own and run a creative agency. After starting out in the fast-paced world of media sales and building experience at a global brand design consultancy, that vision became a reality. Today, he’s Joint Managing Director and Co-owner of Tayburn, now part of Limitless Innovations Group following its recent acquisition by LEWIS.

Tayburn helps clients find clarity in their marketing by offering expert-led strategy grounded in insight, brand creative that drives enterprise value, secure technical digital solutions, and packaging artwork services that protect brand integrity.

Richard sees sales not as persuasion, but as facilitation. If you're ever interested in a no-pressure, no-obligation conversation about your brand or marketing strategy, he's always open to chat.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we sit down with Nathalie Agnew, Managing Director of Muckle Media—an agency built on purpose, people, and bold ideas.

As Managing Director of Muckle Media, Nathalie has led award-winning campaigns for private and public sector clients across the UK. With over 20 years of experience, she’s built a purpose-led agency with kindness, results, and impact at its core. In this episode, Nathalie reflects on bold decisions, business acquisitions, culture-building, and what it really takes to run a successful agency while raising a family.

This is a story about resilience, reputation, and redefining success in business and beyond.

Join us in this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories as we speak with Emma Macdonald, the visionary founder and CEO of TBCo, a B Corp-certified brand that’s making waves in the world of design-led accessories. Since founding the company in 2014, Emma has built TBCo into a leader in sustainable fashion and homeware, using natural and recycled fibres to create stylish, high-quality products that make a positive impact on both your wardrobe and the planet.

In this episode, Emma shares the journey of growing TBCo from its early days to its current success, offering invaluable insights into building a brand that balances sustainability, design, and purpose. Learn about the challenges she’s faced as a female founder and how she navigated the complexities of ethical sourcing, product development, and building a business with a clear social and environmental mission.

Emma's passion for positive change is evident in TBCo’s Positive Impact Pledge, where 2% of all profits are dedicated to supporting the planet and communities in need.