I was gonnae

‘If a job is worth doing, do it right’ says Janet Haugh CEO of YPeople in the latest #IWasGonnae🎙 podcast. These were the words of advice passed on by her father and that she has lived her life by. Janet’s life journey starts with her mum probing and testing her to see if she had what it takes to become an accountant she recalls. Having worked within several Accountancy positions within the public sector Janet saw an opportunity within Marys Wheels ‘an amazing organisation which she says she had the privilege to be a part of’ she tells us with a proud smile and within 6 years had become CEO. Traveling to Liberia she remembers that she couldn’t eat and was ill for all the time she was there, but it was ‘irrelevant when you saw the amazing work being done by the people of Liberia’. seeing the difficulties endured by families there ‘puts life into perspective’ ‘these people don’t need our sympathy they just need our help and support’.

Listen to more of her life story on the IWasGonnae podcast.

This week our guest on the #iwasgonnae 

This week we had the opportunity to speak to Mike Smith, MD of The Orb Group. Mike’s life story begins In London at the age of 23 working as a Financial analyst and then quickly moved into working within the marketing department at Tennent’s brewery and having ‘an amazing amount of fun’ procuring merchandise mike realised ‘hold on I could do this’ and set up on his own. Mike reflects and suggests that at the age of 15/16 he always knew wanted to run his own business however his early career development showed him the specific niche for the business idea.

Mike tells us of the steps they had to take in business to achieve the success they have now within the ORB Group and indicates that it wasn’t until he stood back from handling client accounts and started to run the business that it quickly developed from £1m to £3m turnover business.

Listen to Mikes fascinating life story now and don’t say I Was Gonnae just say I am Gonnae. 

Pat Nevin turned down opportunities to play at Clyde FC and then Chelsea because football was his love, not his career plan. ‘Chelsea couldn’t get their head around it. I wasn’t interested in the offer of fame and wealth.’ Of course, he relented on both counts and went on to win 28 caps and scored 10 goals for Scotland ‘I always saw myself as an outsider.’ Says Pat who is never afraid to retain his individuality and avoid peer pressure. That says Pat, is ‘gallusness - confidence without arrogance.’  When he and fellow university-educated Brian McClair, joined the Scotland squad, Kenny Dalglish and Alan Hanson, tried to take the rip out of them but failed miserably. Pat and Brian had to be moved to another table. Outside football, Pat enjoyed a long-time friendship with legendary DJ John Peel. Listen to the podcast to hear Pat’s extraordinary story about his determined effort to make John’s birthday party. Pat Nevin is first and foremost an individual. His advice? ‘Be who you are. Don’t push yourself and don’t chase fame. You probably won’t get it and it’s rubbish anyway.’

This week I Was Gonnaes guest is David Scott, Singer-songwriter and member of The Pearlfishers and BMX Bandits.

We love examples of the ‘gallusness’ we promote at #Iwasgonnae, David tells us how he knew before he left school he wanted to be in a band and had the determination and developed the skills to pull together his own band by the age 16. Since then he has been the main songwriter, producer and vocalist of Pearlfishers since their inception. David discusses how he has managed to work with some of Scotlands top music royalty and how he has been motivated by lots of incredible artists but none more so than Brian Wilson of The Beachboys.  Listen to this amazing podcast now. And, never say #Iwasgonnae

This week I Was Gonnaes guest is Graeme Duffin, Singer-songwriter and member of Wet Wet Wet.

We love examples of the ‘gallusness’ we promote at #Iwasgonnae, Graeme tells us how first fell in love with the guitar whilst having piano lessons! And how this love of the guitar took him from being bullied at school to being a member of one of the biggest 80s pop bands Wet Wet Wet.

This week I Was Gonnaes guest is Connie McLaughlin, Sports presenter and journalist.

We love examples of the ‘gallusness’ we promote at #Iwasgonnae, Connie tells us how her love for football and journalism has made her one of the most recognised names in the business having over the last 13 years been a broadcaster for BT Sport, BBC, Sky Sports and Bauer Radio. She has covered football matches at all levels in the UK and can be found on BT Sport's The Score program and BBC 5's Live's football coverage.

This week I Was Gonnaes guest is Ian Donaldson, Singer-songwriter for Glaswegian band H2O and novelist.

We love examples of the ‘gallusness’ we promote at #Iwasgonnae, Ian tells us the story of visiting his career adviser at Govan High whilst still at school his adviser's advice was incredible. Ian also tells us of his musical inspiration came from watching David Bowie (his hero) on Top of the Pops and how he managed to make the transition from Govan in Glasgow on to Top of the Pops. Listen to this amazing podcast now. And, never say #Iwasgonnae

This week I Was Gonnaes guest is Martyn Robertson, BAFTA winning Video/Film Producer/Director working across the UK and worldwide.

FROM THE GREENS OF CASTLEMILK TO A RED CARPET IN LA

We love examples of the ‘gallusness’ we promote at #Iwasgonnae, so when during a podcast interview with Film-maker Martyn Robertson we heard this one, we were cock-a-hoop. Martyn was at first an accomplice in an extraordinary story and then made a film about it. It started when jobbing Castlemilk actor, Martin Docherty landing a role with Tom Hanks in the film Cloud Atlas, also starring Halle Berry and Hugh Grant. Invited to the premiere in LA, Martin didn’t have the money to travel. So, Martyn and a friend started a campaign to get him there. After a media stir, anonymous donors came good to cover their costs and off to LA they travelled – only to be told by Warner Bros, not to come. ‘Your story might distract from the Premiere’ – news travels fast. Just as they were ready to disguise as cinema ushers – Warner Bros relented. Listen to this amazing tale now. And, never say #Iwasgonnae