In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we sit down with Sharon Fairley and Nicole Crane of High Flyers, a family-run childcare agency providing expert staff across Edinburgh and West Lothian. Since 2020, High Flyers has been dedicated to supplying high-calibre, experienced childcare professionals to nurseries, playschools, out-of-school clubs, and more.

Sharon and Nicole share their insights on early years education, the challenges of recruiting the right people, and why confidence and resilience matter more than rigid milestones when it comes to child development. They also dive into the ongoing struggle to challenge outdated regulations and push for a more skills-based approach to hiring in childcare.

Whether you're in childcare or another industry, hiring the right people isn’t always about formal qualifications—it’s about finding those with the passion, skills and adaptability to thrive.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we sit down with Adam Sinclair, Managing Director of Stirling Sinclair Removals & Storage. His journey to business wasn’t exactly traditional—after years of playing professional rugby in South Africa, France, and the UK, he spotted an opportunity in an industry he had plenty of personal experience with moving.

What started with a single truck has now grown into one of Central Scotland’s leading removals and storage companies. Adam shares how he applied the lessons of rugby—discipline, resilience, and teamwork—to build and scale his business. He talks about the challenges of leadership, the bold decisions that turned struggling operations around, and why taking risks is sometimes the only way forward.

From high tackles to high-growth business strategies, this is a must-listen for anyone thinking about taking the leap into entrepreneurship.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Slaine and Stuart Kerr, co-founders of The Row Dental, a luxury cosmetic dental clinic in the heart of Edinburgh. Together, they share their journey of building a standout clinic that combines cutting-edge treatments with a patient-first philosophy, all set in a beautifully designed space inspired by the elegance of Harley Street.

From Slaine’s expertise in minimally invasive smile makeovers, honed during her time on London’s prestigious Harley Street, to Stuart’s focus on strategy and operations, the duo reveals how their complementary skills have driven the success of The Row. They discuss everything from the challenges of balancing innovation with tradition to creating an environment that makes patients feel at ease—even those who are nervous about visiting the dentist.

This episode offers fascinating insights into creating a brand rooted in excellence, maintaining quality while scaling a business, and the dynamics of running a company as a husband-and-wife team. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a professional in the healthcare industry, or just love a great business story, this conversation is packed with lessons and inspiration!

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we sit down with David Hunter, the founder and CEO of Shot Scope Technologies. David takes us through his journey of transforming Shot Scope from a start-up to a scale-up, delivering innovative GPS wearables, laser rangefinders, and performance-tracking solutions to golfers in over 160 countries worldwide.

With a background in electronics design and embedded software development, David shares how his passion for golf and his expertise in engineering led to the creation of Shot Scope’s game-changing products. From gathering data manually in his early days as a golfer to developing a seamless tech solution that tracks performance in real time, David’s story is a testament to the power of innovation, problem-solving, and perseverance.

This episode is packed with valuable insights for entrepreneurs, innovators, and anyone looking to understand how a combination of passion, tech, and vision can scale a business globally. Tune in for a fascinating discussion on growth, innovation, and the future of sports technology!

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we sit down with Jonathan Ward, Managing Director of Spring Solutions, a company specialising in supply chain solutions for industries like Aerospace, Defence, and Oil & Gas. 

Jonathan takes us through his fascinating journey from the high-pressure environment of call centre sales to leading a business that partners with some of the world’s biggest players. He shares how discipline and efficiency have been at the heart of his team’s success, enabling them to adopt innovations like a four-day workweek while maintaining high performance. Jonathan also opens up about the bold steps that helped Spring Solutions secure a transformative multi-million-pound contract, beating out one of the largest companies in the industry. With a customer-first mindset, his team has developed innovative approaches that significantly reduce waste, build trust, and create lasting partnerships. 

This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and leaders looking to scale their businesses, foster strong workplace cultures, and innovate within their industries. Tune in for insights, inspiration, and an inside look at the Spring Solutions story!

Step inside the world of Margiotta, Edinburgh’s beloved family-run retailer, in this heartwarming and inspiring episode of Edinburgh Business Stories. Founded by Pierino and Eleonora Margiotta in the 1960s, Margiotta has grown from a single sweet shop on St. Mary’s Street to a household name across Edinburgh, known for its local charm, exceptional customer service, and quality products.

In this episode, Franco and Joe Margiotta reflect on the incredible journey of their family business, sharing how a bold partnership with Waitrose transformed their product range, the entrepreneurial lessons they learned as children that still guide them today, and the Southern Mediterranean philosophy of hospitality that has shaped their approach to customer service. They also discuss the challenges of balancing growth while staying true to their roots as a family-run business.

This conversation is packed with insights for business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone passionate about creating lasting customer relationships.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we sit down with Andy Whitmey, Director at Umega, Edinburgh's leading letting and estate agency. Andy shares the incredible journey of Umega—from its beginnings as a challenger in a traditional sector to becoming one of the highest-rated property agents in the UK.

With a passion for people and property, Andy discusses the core values that have fueled Umega’s growth—openness, positivity, playfulness, and progress. He opens up about the big decisions, the ones that aligned with their values and those they had to walk away from, and how those choices led to unexpected growth.

Andy also reflects on the emotional highs of industry recognition and the challenges of disrupting outdated practices in lettings, estate agency, and home repairs. His insights into building a purpose-driven business and smashing stereotypes in the housing sector are packed with lessons for anyone looking to lead with integrity and innovation.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with one of the most forward-thinking leaders in the property sector!

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we sit down with Frank Dick OBE, one of the most respected and inspirational figures in the world of coaching and high performance. Frank has coached some of the most iconic athletes, including Olympic gold medallist Daley Thompson, tennis legend Boris Becker, and golfing star Justin Rose. 

Beyond his work in athletics, Frank’s expertise has extended to global sports leadership. He’s served as High-Performance Director for SASCOC, delivering outstanding results at the Rio Olympics, and was a strategic consultant for Eddie Jones and the England Rugby Leadership Team ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Frank is also a prolific author, motivational speaker, and mentor to leaders in business and sport. His timeless lessons on “mountain and valley people,” storytelling, and building trust are as relevant in the boardroom as they are on the track.

This episode dives into Frank’s journey from imposter syndrome to becoming a world-renowned coach, his experiences working with legendary athletes, and the key ingredients for building high-performance cultures in both business and sport. If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or sports enthusiast looking for inspiration and actionable lessons, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we’re joined by Ricky Nicol, Co-Founder & Vice Chairman of Commsworld—one of the UK’s leading Next Generation Network Operators. 

From humble beginnings to spearheading one of the fastest-growing telecom companies in the UK, Ricky’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and leadership.

Over the years, Ricky has transformed Commsworld into a powerhouse, managing the largest privately funded optical core network in the UK while supporting thousands of businesses, from SMEs to major public sector organisations. Now semi-retired, Ricky remains active as a non-executive board member and investor.

In this episode, Ricky shares his entrepreneurial wisdom, from the risks that shaped his career to the bold moves that built his legacy. If you’re looking for inspiration and actionable lessons in leadership, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

What happens when a former investment banker swaps Wall Street for the world of crazy golf? Meet Craig Neilson, co-founder of Fore Play Crazy Golf, a wildly popular competitive socialising experience in Scotland that combines mini-golf, cocktails, and street food—all tailored for adults.

Craig shares his journey from 10 years at investment powerhouses Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to building one of Scotland’s most vibrant hospitality brands with his wife, Kasia.
If you're curious about entrepreneurship, the hospitality industry, or the challenges and rewards of starting a business with your partner, this episode is for you!

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