Join us for an insightful episode of Edinburgh Business Stories with John Cox, Managing Director of Cox & Co, a top property investment specialist firm known as "stockbrokers for bricks & mortar." With over 40 years in the Scottish property market, Cox & Co offers a true turn-key service for all residential property needs, including mortgage advice, lettings and property management, estate agency services, off-market property sales, and investment sourcing.

In this episode, John shares his journey from rugby fields to boardrooms, offering lessons in leadership, team culture, and the importance of bold moves in business. Hear John's candid thoughts on creating winning strategies, cutting ties with negative influences, and building a motivated, empowered team that truly thrives. Beyond his role at Cox & Co, John is a passionate speaker and co-founder of both the West End Wine Club and the Leuchie Leaders Club.

Whether you're in the property business or just love a good story on leadership and growth, John's insights are sure to inspire.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, Alan and Alex dives deep with Abhishek Bhatia, a seasoned engineering leader and the Managing Director of IDEA.

Abhishek brings over a decade of experience in design, engineering, and project management across high-hazard industries, the energy sector, and chemical manufacturing. Leading a dynamic team of over 20 engineers and designers, Abhishek discusses his journey from technical expertise to steering one of Scotland's innovative engineering consultancies. Through fascinating insights, Abhishek shares how IDEA transforms project standards with cutting-edge approaches, collaboration, and innovation.

He opens up about his background as a Chartered Mechanical Engineer, and how early career challenges instilled in him the resilience and adaptability needed in a demanding field. As Chair of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Scottish Region, Abhishek also touches on his commitment to promoting STEM education and volunteering, sparking passion for engineering among Scotland’s future generation.

Join us to explore Abhishek’s inspiring career path, his work with IDEA, and his dedication to advancing the field of engineering. Whether you’re in the energy sector or simply interested in dynamic leadership, this episode is packed with insights!

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we sit down with Andy Hadden, Founder and Managing Director of Lost Shore Surf Resort (formerly Wavegarden Scotland) and the Lighthouse Business Centre. 

Discover how Andy turned his dream into reality with the creation of the Lost Shore Surf Resort, set to become a world leader in the inland surfing industry, and hear about the success of the Lighthouse Business Centre in North Berwick. Andy's story is one of resilience, vision, and the drive to create something unique that brings people together through sport and community.

Andy talks about his experiences with the surf industry’s groundbreaking wave technology and how it's transforming surfing, We explore how innovations in surfing can be compared to the rise of ski resorts, with technology offering more accessible experiences, Andy discusses the vision behind creating a surf resort in Scotland and the driving force of building a destination from scratch and learn how Andy hopes to use Scotland as a model for surf resorts globally and why he believes in Scotland’s potential as a hub for surfing excellence.

Tune in to hear valuable lessons on entrepreneurship, following your passion, and building businesses that make a difference!

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we sit down with Michael Rolland, Managing Director of The Paint Shed and fourth-generation leader in the paint and coatings industry. 

Michael shares his journey from working in recruitment to leading a family business dating back to 1875. He dives into the rapid growth of The Paint Shed, the business' acquisition by Brewers Decorator Centres, and how he's successfully navigated the challenges of transitioning the company into one of the UK’s leading omnichannel paint retailers.

In this episode Michael and the team cover a range of topics from discovering a market gap and how he capitalised on it, navigating the shift from owner to employee after selling the business, how customer commitment drive success and the everyday logistical challenges of running a paint supply business. Don’t miss his tips on seizing opportunities, adapting to change, and the power of resilience in business!

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we sit down with David Boyle, the Managing Director of iFire UK Ltd & Boyle Property Ltd, and Founder of The Bonnie Barista. 

David shares his entrepreneurial journey from starting businesses at a young age to his current ventures, including helping homeowners in the Costa Del Sol with security solutions. His hands-on approach to business and passion for innovation has seen him grow multiple successful ventures in diverse sectors, from fire protection to property and hospitality.

Tune in to hear David’s inspiring story, his approach to risk-taking, and how he's continuously driving his businesses forward in both the UK and Spain.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we sit down with Fraser Smeaton, the co-founder of MorphCostumes, the UK's leading direct-to-consumer fancy dress retailer. 

Originally skyrocketing to fame with their iconic Morphsuits, MorphCostumes now offers over 1,000 costume designs for every occasion, from Halloween and Christmas to stag and hen dos. With major licensing deals with Marvel, Hasbro, and WWE, the business has expanded globally, selling in markets like the USA, UK, and beyond.

Join us as we discuss how this entrepreneurial journey began, the challenges of scaling a business internationally, and how they achieved a record £33.1 million in turnover in 2022, marking a 72% year-on-year growth. Whether you’re into e-commerce, retail, or just curious about the business behind your favourite fancy dress, this conversation is packed with insights on risk-taking, decision-making, and the power of continuous innovation in a competitive industry.

In this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories, we're joined by Ben Martin, a leading figure in the ventilation and healthcare sectors. Ben is the co-founder of M&M Consultancy and Training Services Ltd (MMCTS) and has served as an Authorising Engineer for the NHS. With nearly a decade of experience as Managing Director at Duct Clean Services (DCS), Ben has been at the forefront of industry innovation.

During his time at DCS, Ben spearheaded the launch of Scotland's first and only Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) accredited training academy, showcasing his commitment to raising industry standards.
 
In this conversation, Ben shares the ups and downs of his entrepreneurial journey, the importance of accountability, and some golden nuggets of business wisdom.

Get ready for a sweet and inspiring episode of Edinburgh Business Stories! This week, we're thrilled to welcome Michelle Phillips, owner of Mimi's Bakehouse, and her daughter Ashley Harley, event manager.

Mimi's Bakehouse is a second-generation family business established in Edinburgh in 2010, when Michelle Phillips sold her family home to open a bakery café in Leith. Since then, Mimi's Bakehouse has become a local success story, known for giving people a 'hug when they walk in the door.' The original café has doubled in size, and the business has expanded to five more shops and a successful website selling cakes online.

Join us as Michelle and Ashley share their journey of building one of Edinburgh’s best-loved bakeries. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of growing a family business, the importance of great customer service, and the joy that their delicious cakes bring to people's lives.

Tune in to Edinburgh Business Stories on your favourite podcast platform and discover the heartwarming story behind Mimi's Bakehouse. Don’t miss this episode filled with insights, laughter, and of course, cake!

Join us for an insightful conversation with Shona and Jonny Jenkins, Directors of Jenkins Fabrications, on this episode of Edinburgh Business Stories!

Jenkins Fabrications, based in Falkirk, is an award-winning steel fabrication company with a rich history dating back to 1958. As a third-generation family-operated business, Jenkins Fabrications has grown to work with major UK housebuilders and construction companies across the country.

In this episode, Shona and Jonny share their unique journey, from their serendipitous meeting at the gym to building a strong, close-knit team at Jenkins Fabrications. They discuss the challenges and rewards of working with family, the importance of maintaining a work-life balance, and their unwavering passion for steel that drives their success.

Tune in to hear valuable lessons on building a thriving family business, fostering team loyalty, and turning personal connections into powerful business partnerships.

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Edinburgh Business Stories! This week, we sit down with Sean Rollo, Managing Director of Rollo Developments, to dive into his incredible journey from a young tradesman to a successful business leader.

Sean started in the trades at a young age, following in the footsteps of his dad and grandfather. Over the years, he honed his skills and built a thriving construction company known for its customer-centric philosophy. At Rollo Developments, the focus is on providing customers with an exceptional experience, working closely with them to bring their vision and style to life.

In this episode, Sean shares valuable lessons from; How confidence and the willingness to put yourself out there can open doors, the importance of getting your branding right for effective marketing, using social media to build trust through authenticity rather than pushy sales tactics and why values and work ethic can sometimes be more important than qualifications in hiring decisions.

Join us as we explore Sean's journey and uncover the golden nuggets of wisdom he's gathered along the way.