Risking it All

In this episode of Risking It All, we speak with Andrew Graham, entrepreneur and founder of Tailored Digital Systems. Passionate about helping businesses move beyond simply making money, Andrew works with founders to build systems and processes that create scalable, sustainable businesses. Andrew shares his journey into entrepreneurship, the lessons he's learned from building businesses, and w...

In this episode of Risking It All, we speak with Steven McNee, founder of SM Electrical Services, an entrepreneur who has built a reputation in the electrical contracting, solar and battery storage industry through innovation, customer service and a commitment to quality standards being held to the highest possible level. Steven shares his journey from working as an apprentice electrician in his f...

Dr Rashmi Mantri was born in India as one of six children. Growing up in a traditional, high-caste family, she faced significant cultural expectations that limited opportunities for women, particularly in education and career progression. Despite these constraints, she was determined to carve out her own path and challenge the norms placed in front of her. Her early journey was shaped by challenge...

In this episode of Risking It All, we speak with Gavin Bell, entrepreneur and founder of performance marketing agency Yatter, which he built into one of the UK’s leading agencies before successfully exiting to Velstar Group in 2024 all within just three years and before the age of 30. At the time of acquisition, Yatter had worked with over 250 brands globally, managing more than £10 million in ann...

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...

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...

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: •⁠ ⁠🌍 He...

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...

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...

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 w...

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 h...

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 jour...

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...

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...

Our guest in this episode is Jamie Steel, founder and managing director of Squinty Pixels, a dynamic creative agency based in Glasgow. Jamie grew up in Paisley in the 80s and 90s and began his career in the structured world of corporate marketing. Over the years, he held leadership roles across construction, manufacturing, and engineering sectors — managing multimillion-pound marketing strategies...

This week on Risking It All, we sit down with John Conway—a man who grew up in a mining family on the outskirts of Edinburgh and charted an unlikely path from telecom production lines to becoming a clean energy entrepreneur. John shares how he made the leap from managing teams in telecommunications to breaking into solar with eco2solar, rising to Sales Director, and later working with Sunamp and P...

This week on The Risking It All Podcast, we sat down with Martin Lightbowne, Managing Director of On Point Finance Group — and a true M&A powerhouse.🚀 Martin has personally completed 7 business acquisitions and now helps a mastermind full of dealmakers to structure and finance their own deals — often with none of the buyers own money down.🎙 But his story didn’t start in finance. He began as a...

Dinesh Hallan left a successful banking career to build DA Accountants from the ground up. In this episode of Risking It All Podcast, we talk about his journey as the son of immigrants in Glasgow, his career shift from engineering to accountancy, and how he took the leap into entrepreneurship. Dinesh shares how he secured his first clients, the financial mistakes he sees business owners make, and...

In this special year-end episode, Barry Jolly and Brian McGill, cohosts of the Risking It All Podcast and owners of Jolly Media Marketing, reflect on their journey as podcast hosts over the past year. They dive into the highs and lows of podcast hosting, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, challenges, and the incredible benefits podcasting has brought to their careers and lives. Thinking of startin...

In this episode of the Risking it All Podcast, we dive into the incredible story of John Loudon, Managing Director and Founder of Hybrid Anchor. Starting his career in call centers, John overcame countless rejections before breaking into the creative industry as a graphic designer. With a passion for web development and an entrepreneurial spirit, he has since built a thriving digital agency empire...

In this week's episode of Risking It All, we sit down with Michael Tonner, the founder and managing director of Matchless Energy Group, a leading eco and renewables installer based in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Michael shares his incredible story of transformation, from struggling in school and facing time in prison in his youth, to becoming a successful gas engineer and launching his own thriving business...

In this episode of Risking It All, we sit down with Ryan Smith, Managing Director of Keane Premier Group, to explore his incredible journey from studying engineering to working in telecoms sales, and eventually joining the family business his mother started in the care industry. Ryan shares how they built a thriving business with both elderly care homes and adult care services, focusing on providi...

In this episode of the Risking It All Podcast, we sit down with Nick Sherman, CEO of EnergyAid, California's largest solar and battery service provider. Nick shares his journey from a collegiate golfer and failed business owner to building a thriving solar service company. Learn the ins and outs of the solar market in California, the incentives that make solar affordable, and the business mode...

In this episode, we sit down with Jamie Simpson, a leading business investor and Partner at Monopoli Capital. Jamie takes us through his remarkable transition from a call center employee to founding and selling a successful wheelchair taxi service. He shares expert insights on buying and selling businesses, emphasizing the significance of planning your exit strategy from the start and setting up e...

🌟 Get inspired by Steven Pettigrew's incredible journey from family business roots to becoming a top business investor and turnaround specialist! 🌟 In this week’s episode, we sit down with Steven Pettigrew, co-owner of Monopoli Capital, to explore his entrepreneurial path . Steven started out in his parents' business, which peaked at a staggering £35 million in revenue, and now, he has i...