Forever Great in Conversation

Alison Edgar MBE, also known as The Entrepreneurs’ Godmother, is a mentor, boardroom advisor, successful businesswoman and mother. She has advised No10 on start ups and guided multiple entrepreneurs including Dragons’ Den winners and The Apprentice champion Alana Spencer.

Alison is a 2 x best-selling author and was awarded the MBE for services to Entrepreneurship and Small Business in October 2020.

SMASH IT! The Art of Getting What YOU Want is Alison's second book, following Secrets of Successful Sales - a WHSmith top ten business best seller, international Amazon #1 and voted one of the 10 best business books written by women by The Independent.

The conversation covers Alison’s entrepreneurial journey from Clydebank, Glasgow to becoming MBE and best selling author. We discuss her new book, ‘Smash It’, where the idea came from and how young people inspire Alison the most.

Enjoy the podcast. You can also watch on YouTube: https://www.forevergreat.co.uk/forever-great-in-conversation/

#WhereStoriesInspire

Follow Alison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-edgar/

Alison Edgar website: https://alisonedgar.com/

Forever Great in Conversation | #WhereStoriesInspire ✔️🏅🎬

Enjoy the conversation with Alison.

Forever Great in Conversation | #WhereStoriesInspire

Alan is the founder of Brewgooder, the profit-for-purpose beer brand whose beer is Brewed on Purpose(r).

Each Brewgooder beer creates waves of people-positivity with every pint unlocking 100 pints of clean water on projects in over 20 countries. Since 2016 Brewgooder has unlocked over 100m litres of empowering clean water, impacting the lives of over 155,000 people.

Inspired by his love for beer and personal illness from an unsafe water as a 22 year old, Alan has built the brand into a £1m a year business which is setting trends within the craft beer industry. He was recognised as one of the Big Issue's 100 Changemakers in the UK in 2019.

Alan talks about how the past year has been challenging, yet unique both personally and professionally and how the time has allowed the business to find its authentic voice. We also talk about mental health, entrepreneurship and how you may see him enjoying Portobello beach once in a while.

Follow Alan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-mahon-7659b15a

Brewgooder website: https://www.brewgooder.com/

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It’s time for episode three of Forever Great in Conversation and I’m pleased to welcome the 'Genergy' that is, Genna Masterton, the Founder of ‘The Gifted Kind’ a Community Interest Company that is on a mission to raise children and young people to be ‘leaders of their own happiness.’

A graduate of Strathclyde University and former primary school teacher, Genna’s specialism and credentials exist now within personal performance and life coaching, mindfulness and positive mental health to name a few. Last year, the business incorporated as a Social Enterprise with Genna appointing co-directors Louisa and Caron to champion the ‘being happy begins early message. The social enterprise was recently awarded £30,000 from Scotland’s Social Entrepreneurship Fund for their early years innovation plans.

During the inspiring conversation we discuss Genna’s journey from teacher to social entrepreneur and how the past year has fast tracked the business digital infrastructure. Genna shares her thoughts on some of the societal pressures facing our young people today and how The Gifted Kind is ready to make a difference to ensure young people have the toolkit to be leaders of their own happiness. You also get to hear how Genna’s cousin inspires her most and how Lochaline in the North West of Scotland holds treasured memories. 

Enjoy the conversation with Genna. 

You can follow the business on social media:

http://twitter.com/GiftedKindCIC

http://www.facebook.com/thegiftedkind

 Find out more about ‘The Gifted Kind’ on their website: 

http://thegiftedkind.com/

 Forever Great in Conversation | #WhereStoriesInspire 🎬

Prior to the world facing the challenges and pain that has arisen due to COVID-19, the Climate Emergency was very much at the core of global conversation. The problem hasn’t disappeared, it’s of course, very much still with us and we have much to do in order to save our most important asset – our planet. With COP26 landing in Glasgow this winter, Scotland will be the epicentre of the global climate conversation. I wanted to speak with someone who knows about the challenges we face, someone who understands the problems and that can share solutions on how we can collectively make a difference. 

I reached out to Sarah Wilson Knight - a Consultant with NIRAS-LTS, which is an International Development consultancy; and is also Chair of International Engagement for the Board of Trustees for the 2050 Climate Group. Based in Edinburgh, Sarah works in research and programme management on climate resilience and adaptation. She is particularly interested in research into use and advocacy as a means to helping those suffering the most from the climate crisis, and how these solutions can benefit people and nature. 

During the conversation we discuss her role and passion for a greener, more sustainable world, what we can do as a society to make a difference and contribute to the wider climate strategy, how we can get involved with the 2050 Climate Group and more...

You can follow Sarah on Twitter: @SwKnight21

Find out more about the 2050 Climate Group: https://www.2050.scot/

Enjoy!

Forever Great in Conversation | #WhereStoriesInspire

It's a wellbeing special to kick-off the new season and I'm excited to share this conversation with you all, especially at a time when we all need some ideas and inspiration on how best to look after ourselves. In this episode, I welcome Lorna Dougan, Ricky Singh and Ayesha Shahid as they collectively share their thoughts, wisdom and ideas on all things mind, fitness and nutrition.

We talk about the power of ‘language’, the significance of the ‘why’, and how starting with small changes is always best. Get ready to power up your wellness. Enjoy the conversation. 

About my guests…

LORNA DOUGAN  is the founder of Mind Positive which is a coaching company in Kilmarnock. She used a combination of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and Hypnotherapy to help people create positive change. Lorna helps her clients to unpack their challenges so that they can accept who they are, so that they can take full charge of their own lives. | www.facebook.com/LornaMindPositive

AYESHA SHAHID is a food and health enthusiast and the founder of For the Love of Lemons, she’s a huge believer in the power of eating for health and holds a passion for good food, keen to share simple nourishing wholefood recipes to help fuel our body and mind. Her mission? To inspire us in the kitchen through recipes, workshops and health tips - making healthy eating easy for all. | fortheloveoflemons.co.uk

RICKY SINGH is an award winning Personal Trainer and Gym Owner from Glasgow. His fitness career commenced in 2010 with classes and outdoor bootcamps in hometown of Ayrshire. He’s now preparing to open a new small group training facility in the City centre. | rickysingh.co.uk/about-ricky-singh/

Thanks for listening! 

Enjoy | Rate | Share |  #WellbeingSpeciall | #WhereStoriesInspire

Season 1 Episode 10  with Scottish entertainer, Barbara Bryceland . 

For the final episode of the season and this year, ‘Forever Great in Conversation’ welcomes Scottish entertainer, Barbara Bryceland. After winning a singing competition in the Spencer Snooker Club, Stirling back in 1989, Barbara has never looked back appearing on the X Factor, The Voice and more recently All Together Now. With the industry coming to a standstill back in March, Barbara has continued to share her powerful vocals and warm persona to thousands each week online. 

Barbara shares with us how she’s loved singing from her dining room each week since March, and what she misses most from the live stage scene. She talks about her experience on the X Factor and The Voice TV shows and opens up about how she underestimated the challenges with starring in a Pantomime. Enjoy this smashing, warm, funny and festive conversation with Barbara Bryceland, ending with a beautiful performance by the lady herself, singing, ‘’Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. 

Enjoy, Merry Christmas and thanks for all your support this year | 🎬🎄

 #ChristmasSpecial | #WhereStoriesInspire

You can follow Barbara Bryceland on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Barbara-Bryceland-296957643711481/

Forever Great in Conversation | #WhereStoriesInspire with Barbara Bryceland 

I’ve been so excited for this conversation with someone that I admire very much, as many of us do, the one and only Sir Tom Hunter. 

Tom’s entrepreneurial journey literally started from the back of a van and grew to become Europe’s largest independent sports retailer, Sports Division. He sold the business in 1998 for £ 290m going on to establish his private equity business, West Coast Capital ("WCC") and philanthropy, The Hunter Foundation ("THF")

Both entities back entrepreneurial leaders, WCC for profit, THF then invests the majority of those profits for the common good across poverty, education and entrepreneurship believing as a fundamental the best social policy ever created is a good job…

Tom sits on the Presidential Advisory Council of President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.  He was Knighted in 2005 for services to entrepreneurship and philanthropy and was awarded the prestigious Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2013.

We talk about the pandemic, retail, the High St, opportunities for entrepreneurs and how they will help lead Scotland through this. Tom also shares his recent Scottish Munro achievement and optimism about Scotland qualifying for their first major tournament since 1998, plus much more…! 

You can follow Sir Tom on Twitter @sirtomhunter

Find our more about The Hunter Foundation online: https://www.thehunterfoundation.co.uk

 Forever Great in Conversation | #WhereStoriesInspire with Sir Tom Hunter 🎬

We are now in October 2020 (crazy), and episode eight of Forever Great in Conversations guest is Scottish, mindfulness and behaviour change expert who’s multimillion download self help apps are being enjoyed the world over – the empowering, Andrew Johnson. 

For over 25 years, Andrew Johnson has been helping people relax, change and create the lives they want through his range of self-care recordings, guided meditations, apps, online courses and workshops. His work has motivated and empowered people across the world and helped them cope with stress, overcome anxiety or fears, break habits and achieve their full potential. With over 15 million downloads and streams to date, Andrew’s recordings are the best selling “Self-help” recordings on the Apple and Android App stores. 

Recorded at night, we talk about Andrew’s path on arriving at where he is today with Relax, Change and Create and his need to adapt, and adopt emerging technologies to stay relevant in order to engage with his ever growing global audience - from cassette to streaming, Andrew shares his experiences. He also talks about what  he’s focused on now, and as always on FGIC, we hear about who inspires him, the all important favourite quote and not one, but two places he enjoys visiting in Scotland. 

This is a conversation that will highlight why so many people listen and engage with what Andrew has to say. Enjoy.  

Find out more about Relax, Change and Create with Andrew via his website andrewjohnson.co.uk

 You can also follow Andrew on Twitter @andrewjohnson

 Forever Great in Conversation | #WhereStoriesInspire with Andrew Johnson 

It’s time for Episode 7 of ‘Forever Great in Conversation’ with the ever inspiring Fiona McKenzie. If you’ve had a conversation with Fiona previously, or indeed heard her speak- you’ll know why the word ‘inspiring’ is used. 

Fiona McKenzie founded Centrestage in Kilmarnock back in 2006 with Paul Mathieson, after spending 16 years as Principal Teacher of Music at Grange Academy, Kilmarnock. Pre Covid-19, the charity delivered various activities, projects and performances to 1000’s of members of the community weekly - picking up ‘Best Theatre 2019 at the Scottish Hospitality Awards.’

Fiona herself has been recognised over the years for her work and commitment, most recently with an Honorary Degree from Glasgow Caledonian University for her outstanding contribution to leadership development in young people through the arts and community. 

With our coffee on hand, we talk about how Centrestage has supported the Ayrshire community differently since lockdown with their business model changing overnight with Fiona sharing some of her learnings as a founder and why we should always go with ‘gut instinct.’ 

Not only that, we hear more about ‘Centrestage Village’, who inspires Fiona the most and not one, but two quotes that resonate with her. After this you’ll feel awake, driven and ready to make things happen. Enjoy. 

Follow ‘CS Village’ development on the Centrestage Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Centrestage

You can also follow Fiona on Twitter @fionacs

Forever Great in Conversation | #WhereStoriesInspire with Fiona McKenzie

Welcome to ‘Forever Great in Conversation’ Episode 6 with David Duke MBE. 

Founder of Street Soccer Scotland a social enterprise that uses football inspired training and personal development as a medium to empower people who are affected by social exclusion, to make positive changes in their lives.

More recently David has set up Change Centre Scotland, a new social enterprise whose vision is aimed at tackling homelessness by a creating personal development and self management centres. 

Named as The Sunday Times ‘Change Maker’ of the Year in 2012 and a CNN Hero in 2016. David has also been recognised by both Glasgow Caledonian University and Edinburgh’s Queen Margaret University which awarded him an Honorary Doctorate for his work in his field. David was awarded an MBE in the 2018 New Years Honours List.

We talk about his journey as a social entrepreneur, how ‘Street Soccer’ empowers positive change and what activity he champions in order to tackle homelessness in Scotland and beyond... 

Find out more about...

Change Centre Scotland: http:/www.changecentrescotland.org

Street Soccer: http:/streetsoccerscotland.org

Forever Great in Conversation | #WhereStoriesInspire 🎬