In this episode of Risking It All, we speak with Fergus McCoss, founder of Hinba, a Scottish company known for exceptional speciality coffee and in-house bakery pastries, paired with warm service and community-focused locations in Oban and Glasgow. Fergus has also expanded by opening Ziques, a Spanish tapas restaurant in Glasgow.

Fergus has lived around the world, including Palma, where he worked as a deckhand, before launching and successfully exiting his own furniture business.

He shares the risks he’s taken, the lessons he’s learned, and the decisions behind building Hinba into a respected and growing brand.

In this episode, you will also hear:
• 💡 The mindset shifts that shaped his entrepreneurial journey
• 🌍 How global experience influenced his approach to business
• 📈 What it takes to scale hospitality while protecting culture and quality
• 🚀 Why calculated risk is essential for long-term success

👉 Tune in for an honest and inspiring conversation about growth, resilience, and building something meaningful.

🖥️ This episode is sponsored by Jolly Media Marketing.

🎥 A specialist, video-first advertising partner to local businesses all across the U.K.

🎯 If you need a reliable marketing partner who can help you generate more enquiries every day, check them out at:

www.jollymediamarketing.com

Risking It All: Malcolm Morrison on Building Businesses that Balance Growth, Purpose and Community Impact 🌍

In this episode of Risking It All, we speak with Malcolm Morrison, Managing Director of GMG Energy and an award-winning Scottish entrepreneur recognised for his leadership and impact.

Malcolm shares how he built his business from the ground up in the Highlands, creating a company rooted in sustainability, resilience and long-term thinking. Starting off in Farming, he opens up about the risks he has taken to innovate and grow, the leadership lessons learned along the way, and how purpose has shaped every major decision.

In this episode you will hear:

* 🌱 The mindset behind building a sustainable and future-focused business

* 📈 The challenges of scaling while maintaining strong values

* 💡 Lessons in leadership, resilience and strategic growth

* 🌍 Why community impact matters just as much as profit

This conversation is packed with insight for founders, leaders and entrepreneurs who want to grow with intention while staying true to their mission.

👉 Tune in for honest reflections and practical lessons from a business leader who truly embodies risking it all.

In this episode of Risking It All, we’re joined by Corrinne Gardiner, founder and director of Sixty Steps Productions, the creative force behind some of the UK’s most memorable live events and now the Scottish Podcast Awards. With a career spanning over 25 years in events, Corrinne shares what it really takes to build impact, resilience and community in business.

Corrinne opens up about:

•⁠ ⁠🌍 Her entrepreneurial journey from live event production and coordinating the queens grand opening of the Glasgow Science Centre to launching the very first Scottish podcast awards platform

•⁠ ⁠🎤 The lessons and risks behind growing Sixty Steps Productions and championing Scottish podcasters

•⁠ ⁠💥 Leaving high end events managment in London behind and moving back home to start her own business

•⁠ ⁠🚀 How she is now focusing on getting recognition for scottish podcasters through the scottish pdocast awards which is launching this year

Whether you’re a creator, founder, marketer or leader, this episode offers real insight into risk, resilience and opportunity in modern business.

👉 Tune in for a story of passion, strategy and celebration and learn how Corrinne is helping shape the future of Scottish podcasting and events.

Risking It All: Colin Frame on Building Stellar Omada and Leading with Purpose

In this episode of Risking It All, we speak with Colin Frame, founder and Managing Director of Stellar Omada, one of the UK’s fastest growing technology consultancies 💼

Under Colin’s leadership, the business has grown from a small startup into a recognised force in programme delivery and digital transformation, earning him Entrepreneur of the Year at the British Business Awards 2025 🏆

Colin shares his honest entrepreneurial journey, from humble beginnings and early setbacks to scaling a thriving tech company with major clients and a clear long term vision.

In this episode, you will hear:

🚀 How Colin shifted from playing it safe to embracing calculated risk

📈 The key decisions that accelerated Stellar’s growth

💡 Lessons learned from failure, pressure and resilience

🌍 Why purpose driven leadership creates sustainable success

Whether you are building a startup, leading a team or scaling a consultancy, this conversation delivers real insight into the mindset and strategy behind meaningful business growth.

Tune in to hear how Colin Frame turned risk into opportunity and built a company with impact.

In this episode of Risking It All, we feature Kevin Brown and Michael Larkin, the founders and directors of Solar Specialists Scotland, a Scotland‑based solar installation and renewable energy business providing solar panels, battery storage, and energy‑efficient solutions across the UK.

Kevin and Michael share their entrepreneurial journey, the risks they’ve taken to grow their business, and the key decisions that helped them navigate challenges in the renewable energy market. You’ll hear:

🌞 Why they chose to focus on solar energy and sustainable solutions

📉 The early struggles and strategic choices that shaped their company

🔧 How they balance quality, efficiency, and customer trust in a competitive industry

🚀 What’s next for them and their vision for the future of renewable energy

Whether you’re starting your first business, scaling a service company, or interested in clean energy entrepreneurship, this episode delivers real insight from two founders making an impact in Scotland’s renewable landscape.

👉 Tune in now for honest leadership lessons, smart strategy, and the mindset behind risking it all to build a sustainable business.

In this special episode of Risking It All, Jolly Media Marketing directors Barry Jolly, Brian McGill, and John Conway take the lead, as they unpack the pivotal experiences of the past year and the bold strategies driving them into 2026.

From navigating personal and professional highs and lows, to pivoting their agency’s focus in the renewables and lead generation space, this conversation is rich with insight and inspiration for business owners, marketers, and ambitious founders alike.

🎙 In this episode, we talk about:

🔹 The challenges and realisations that reshaped their leadership and business strategy

📈 Lessons learned from evolving JMM’s services and market positioning

💡 How resilience and innovation are fueling their 2026 vision

🚀 Actionable insights for entrepreneurs navigating change and scaling with confidence

Whether you’re building a company, leading a team, or simply passionate about growth and leadership, this episode offers raw reflections and strategic perspectives straight from agency directors who are risking it all to make an impact.

👉 Tune in now for an honest, forward-thinking conversation with Barry, Brian, and John.

Risking It All with Stuart Davie: Scotland’s Renewable Energy Trailblazer -

In this episode of Risking It All, we sit down with Stuart Davie, the driving force behind Solar Dynamix UK, a Scottish-based renewable energy and efficiency solutions business, helping homeowners and communities save energy and reduce costs.

Stuart takes us through:

🔋 His vision for sustainable energy and what inspired him to build a people-focused business

☀️ The challenges and risks of growing a renewable energy company in today’s market

📉 Key business lessons on team leadership, customer trust, and scaling responsibly

📈 Practical insights for entrepreneurs and leaders looking to turn mission into momentum

Whether you’re passionate about purpose-driven business or navigating your own growth journey, Stuart offers honest lessons on risk, strategy, and making an impact.

👉 Tune in to discover how one Scottish entrepreneur is powering change: one roof at a time.

From Sales Struggles to Strategic Growth: Peter Barclay, Sales Geek Scotland, Helping change the perception of sales..

In this week’s episode of Risking It All, we sit down with seasoned business leader Peter Barclay, a sales strategist and fractional sales director with over 30+ years of experience helping businesses grow from the inside out

Peter shares the real-world lessons that shape his journey from his early days in sales, to helping both family-run firms and global PLCs scale their operations and now, helping SME's all across Scotland to improve sales output using effective sales leadership & training, You’ll hear:

🔍 What it really takes to build a high-performing sales engine

📈 How to turn sales challenges into strategic business wins

💡 The mindset shifts that separate passive leaders from growth drivers

🎯 Actionable insights you can apply today to boost your revenue and team performance

Whether you’re a founder, sales leader, or entrepreneur looking to scale smarter, this conversation unlocks the practical playbook for sales-led growth.

👉 Don’t miss Peter’s stories of risk, resilience, and results and how embracing strategic sales leadership can transform your business.

On this episode of Risking It All, we’re joined by Mike Lally, Founder and Managing Director of Freedom Boat Club - Loch Lomond, a company transforming how people experience boating.

Mike has spent his career building and scaling service-based businesses, blending operational expertise with a passion for innovation. At Freedom Boat Club, he has pioneered a membership-based model that makes boating accessible, convenient, and community-driven, challenging the traditional boat ownership model.

In this episode, we explore:

✅ Mike’s journey into entrepreneurship and leadership

✅ How Freedom Boat Club disrupts the boating ownership industry with a shared-fleet, membership model

✅ The challenges and opportunities of scaling a leisure and corporate lifestyle business in competitive markets

✅ Building community, sustainability, and customer experience into a thriving service brand

✅ Key lessons for entrepreneurs and leaders looking to innovate in traditional industries

Whether you’re interested in entrepreneurship, scaling a membership business, or simply curious about the future of boating, this episode is full of insights and inspiration from someone who’s risking it all to redefine an industry.

🔔 Subscribe to Risking It All for more stories from entrepreneurs and business leaders who dare to take bold risks

💬 Comment below and share your thoughts or questions for Mike, we may feature them in a future episode!

Mubbasher Khanzada is the Founder & CEO of Welltime Ltd. and a proud Saltire Fellow. Growing up in a small village in Pakistan , Mubbasher was deeply shaped by family values and a drive to succeed that led him to travel halfway across the world to Scotland for education. That decision would lay the foundation for a career dedicated to transforming digital healthcare experiences Today, Welltime helps clinics streamline bookings, automate patient journeys, and improve engagement — with innovation at its core 🌍🔍 What you’ll learn in this episode:• 💪 How Mubbasher’s upbringing instilled resilience, discipline, and long-term vision• 🚪 His bold decision to transition from traditional work into tech entrepreneurship• 🧠 The founding story of Welltime and its impact on UK healthcare providers• 🌐 What the Saltire Fellowship taught him about leadership and scale• 🎯 Practical insights on growth, mindset, and navigating uncertainty• 🤖 Progressing exciting projects in AI, helping businesses adopt new exciting technology to push them forward and be more efficient👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to Risking It All for more real founder journeys full of risk, resilience, and reinvention 🎧