In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Gilly Bain, Founder and CEO of YOURGB, a creative agency known for delivering innovative events and experiences across the UK.

Gilly shares how saying yes before you had all the answers, the support of one key person, and a relentless drive to do things differently shaped her career. She also reflects on the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry, how she supports the next generation of female leaders, and why building a business as a true collective makes all the difference.

This episode is full of insight for anyone starting a business, leading a team, or looking to create work that inspires and connects.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Marie Owen, Founder and CEO of LS Productions, one of the UK’s leading film and television production services companies.

Marie shares the story of how LS Productions grew from a small, hands on operation into a global business trusted with some of the world’s biggest shoots. From building a powerful locations database to managing complex productions across the UK and beyond, she explains what it really takes to make ambitious creative work happen.

She talks about problem solving when things go wrong, why relationships and reputation matter just as much as logistics, and what she has learned from working with A list talent on high pressure shoots.

This episode is full of insight for anyone building a business behind the scenes, leading teams through uncertainty, or creating systems that allow great work to happen at scale.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we sit down with Nestor Demosthenous, Owner of The Mayfield Clinic by Dr Nestor, one of Scotland’s leading names in aesthetic medicine.

Nestor shares the journey that took him from training as a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon in the NHS to building a clinic known for its clinical excellence, evidence-based treatments, and patient-first approach. He talks openly about the misconceptions around aesthetics, the psychology of ageing, and why the work is far deeper than lips and lines.

He also reflects on the business decisions that helped him stay focused in a fast-growing industry, why specialisation matters, and how emotional intelligence shapes every patient conversation.

Whether he is discussing the thrill of opening day, the pressure of constantly improving, or the lessons he learned from his no-nonsense mum, Nestor brings the kind of honesty and clarity that every leader can learn from.

This episode is full of insight for anyone building a business rooted in trust, expertise, and a deeper understanding of the people they serve.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Colin Smith, Managing Director of Land Technology and J. Sives Surfacing - two companies shaping landscapes, outdoor spaces, and infrastructure across Scotland.

Colin shares the story of how he went from crawling through centuries-old clock towers as an apprentice engineer to rebuilding his career in landscaping, winning national skills competitions, and eventually leading businesses with a real focus on people, systems, and future talent.

He talks about the importance of creating opportunities for young people, why strong processes matter just as much as strong projects, and how a single book reshaped the way he approaches leadership, culture, and compliance. At the heart of it all is his belief that progress happens when you lift others up with you.

This episode is full of insight for anyone leading teams, developing the next generation, or building a business with foundations that last.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Gillian Ogilvie, Managing Director at Will Rudd Davidson, the consulting civil and structural engineers behind some of the UK’s most recognisable landmarks.

Gillian shares the story of how she went from designing tunnels at Heathrow to leading one of Scotland’s most respected engineering firms, and why authenticity, pride, and emotional intelligence sit at the heart of her leadership.

She talks about the importance of creating a culture built on empathy and openness, the thrill of seeing your work come to life, and what it means to lead with both strength and vulnerability in a traditionally technical industry.

This episode is full of insight for anyone leading a team, building a legacy, or finding purpose in the work they do every day.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Shona Campbell, Partner and Chair of Henderson Loggie - one of Scotland’s longest-standing accountancy firms, known for its people-first culture and community spirit.

Shona shares what it’s really like to lead through crisis, from supporting struggling charities to steering complex insolvencies with empathy and clarity. She reflects on the legacy of Henderson Loggie, a firm founded in 1909, and how today’s partners see themselves not as owners, but as custodians for the next generation. From guiding businesses through their hardest days to welcoming primary school pupils into the office to learn about entrepreneurship, Shona’s approach is rooted in purpose, people, and the long view.

This conversation is for anyone leading a team, building a culture, or trying to make a difference that lasts longer than their own tenure.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Rob Aberdein, Group Managing Director at Simpson & Marwick - a lawyer, entrepreneur and lifelong hustler.

Rob shares how his early ventures, from selling cookies at family barbecues to trading posters and pizzas as a teenager, shaped his business instincts long before he stepped into law. He talks about the bold decision to walk away from a “safe” career in accountancy, the lessons he’s learned leading change in one of Scotland’s oldest professions, and why he believes the legal world must evolve or risk being left behind.

If you’ve ever questioned convention, led through change, or built something by trusting your gut, this is one to watch.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Douglas Lawson, CEO & Co-Founder of MarktoMarket, the platform setting new standards for accuracy in the private capital markets.

Douglas shares how the company was built on forensic data, why AI can never replace human oversight, and how focusing on the often-overlooked smaller end of the market created a powerful niche. He reflects on the challenge of building critical mass before credibility, the importance of transparency in a world of “AI hallucinations”, and the early clients who took a chance on something new.

This is an episode for anyone building in tech, navigating the balance between people and machines, or learning how to turn data into the foundation of a successful business.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Scott J Miller, Managing Director of Compass Roofing, a family business with deep roots in the city and a reputation built over decades.

Scott shares his journey from leaving school at Christmas and knocking on doors for an apprenticeship, to leading one of Edinburgh’s most trusted roofing companies. From the black donkey jackets and ankle-cutting boots of the 1980s, to shaping Compass into a modern business that still holds onto its traditional values, his story is as honest as it is inspiring.

He talks about the early days of growing a name, why Compass was designed to stand out in the Yellow Pages, the lessons learned from apprentices past and present, and why his business plan has always been simple: do good work, spend less than you earn, and make sure everyone gets home safe.

If you’re building a trade business, thinking about apprenticeships, or simply enjoy stories of local businesses that have stood the test of time, this is one to watch.

From a family business collating school uniform orders by hand to supplying embroidery for global brands like Ralph Lauren and Barbour, Ross and William Smillie’s story is one of graft, adaptability and vision. Today, as joint managing directors of BE Uniforms, they run one of the UK’s largest school uniform and workwear suppliers, but the journey has been anything but straightforward.

In this conversation, we hear how the brothers balanced tradition with change, from the days of fax machines and handwritten order forms to a rapid pivot online during Covid, and even opening their own coffee shop as part of their retail spaces. Along the way, they reflect on what it means to run a business rooted in family, community, and identity.

This is a story about resilience, reinvention, and recognising that sometimes a uniform is about far more than just clothes.