Edinburgh Business Stories You More

Join us for an insightful conversation with Daniel Hill, Owner and Game Designer at Escape and Noughts & Coffees, on the latest episode of Edinburgh Business Stories!

With over a decade of experience in the industry, Daniel is the mastermind behind Escape. Under his leadership, Escape has grown to become the largest operator in the UK and Ireland, boasting 76 escape rooms worldwide. 

In this episode, Daniel shares insights into the importance of laying a solid foundation for success, managing stress effectively, and fostering collaboration within the industry. Dive into discussions about innovative business models and the integration of Board Game Cafes into Escape's portfolio.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Colin McAndrew, Managing Director of Medusa Hairdressing, on the latest episode of Edinburgh Business Stories!

With over 30 years of experience in the hairdressing industry, Colin brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table. From owning and managing six exceptional salons in Edinburgh to serving as a distinguished Wella Creative Artist and board member at the Fellowship of British Hairdressing, Colin's journey is nothing short of inspiring.

In this episode, Colin shares his insights on the importance of laying the right foundation for success, managing stress effectively, and fostering collaboration within the salon industry. He introduces the innovative 'Brandchise' model, emphasising mutual growth and support among salon owners.

Kirsty Allan, Director of City Access Scaffolding, joins Alex and Alan on this week's episode of Edinburgh Business Stories!

Kirsty has helped City Access Scaffolding grow by over 1000% from year one to year four and continues to execute her growth strategy as we arrive in our 9th year of trading. Kirsty takes pride in thinking outside the box and has the confidence to execute a growth strategy in a new industry.

Kirsty shares her journey through the entrepreneurial spark, navigating a male-dominated industry, embracing her chaotic personality, and learning from competitors. Join us as Kirsty's experiences shed light on the triumphs and challenges of entrepreneurship. Don't miss out—subscribe now for more inspiring episodes!

Steven Smith-Hay, co-founder of Vault City Brewing, joins Alex and Alan on this week's episode of Edinburgh Business Stories!

In 2018, Smith-Hay started on a journey to create remarkable sour beers using simple ingredients and the magic of fermentation in his very own kitchen. As a result of his passion and dedication, he proudly became one of the select few to have an HMRC-registered excise warehouse right in the spare bedroom of his tiny two-bedroom flat! Now Steven has his beer on offer in the biggest UK supermarkets. 

In this insightful episode, Steven shares stories about the start of his brewing operations, the issues they faced, how sour beer propelled their business and even how they got beer onto the shelves at a major UK supermarket! 

David Wither, Chairman of the Montpeliers group, joins Alex and Alan on this week's episode of Edinburgh Business Stories!

Montpeliers Limited was created in 1992 and is a bar and restaurant group in Scotland. It is known for providing high-quality service throughout the UK. Montpeliers has eight bars located in Edinburgh's city centre, where they serve premium food and drinks. The group has won numerous awards over the years for its excellent service, quality, and operational expertise within the industry.

During the episode, David shares stories about the success of the Montpelier group, the values and standards that have led to their success and even some of the celebrities he has had the pleasure of meeting.

Ian Stirling, the Founder and Co-CEO of Muckle Brig Ltd, is featuring in this week's episode of Edinburgh Business Stories alongside Alex and Alan.

Ian established Muckle Brig, a Scottish spirits and wine producer, in 2014. The company has three significant brands, namely The Leith Distillery, Lind & Lime Gin, and The Leith export company.

During the episode, Ian shares stories about how he came up with the idea for the company, the inspiration behind some of Muckle Brig's brands, and the workings of the drinks industry.