Claim OwnershipRisking it All
Subscribed: 1Played: 20
Subscribe
© Barry Jolly, Andy McDade, Brian McGill
Description
"Risking It All" is a weekly podcast that explores the real stories of those who have dared to venture into the world of entrepreneurship. Our guests come from diverse backgrounds and industries, sharing their unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs in building their careers and businesses.
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business professional, or simply fascinated by the world of business, "Risking It All" offers insights and inspiration. Join us as we delve into the into the highs and lows of business, learning from real people stories.
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business professional, or simply fascinated by the world of business, "Risking It All" offers insights and inspiration. Join us as we delve into the into the highs and lows of business, learning from real people stories.
45 Episodes
Reverse
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 energyWhether 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.
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 profitThis 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 yearWhether 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 PurposeIn 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 successWhether 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 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 confidenceWhether 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 momentumWhether 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 outPeter 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 performanceWhether 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 industriesWhether 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 🎧
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 and large cross-functional teams.But in 2022, Jamie made a bold move.With nothing more than a bedroom setup, a drone, and a vision, he walked away from the corporate ladder to launch Squinty Pixels — a full-service creative agency delivering web design, branding, video production, and aerial content across the UK.In this episode, we unpack:📈 Jamie’s early career journey from corporate marketing to creative entrepreneurship🎯 Why he gave up a stable executive role to start Squinty Pixels from scratch🚁 How becoming “the drone guy” opened unexpected doors in content production🤝 The principles that drive his business today: transparency, collaboration, and adaptability🎬 His creative process, real client stories, and how he’s grown a thriving team from the ground upWhether you're a creative professional, a corporate employee dreaming of something more, or just curious about what it really takes to start your own agency — Jamie’s story is packed with insights, honesty, and inspiration.
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 Powergreen Renewables. Today, he’s the co-founder and Managing Director of the Commercial Solar Exchange, where he’s helping businesses navigate the energy transition.In this conversation, John opens up about:✅ The realities of leaving a stable corporate career✅ Lessons learned in business development and sales leadership✅ Challenges and opportunities in the renewable energy sector✅ What it really takes to build a company in clean energyWhether you’re considering your own career pivot, want to understand the renewable energy industry better, or just love hearing the raw truth about entrepreneurship, this episode is for you.🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more conversations with people who risk it all to build something new
🌟 Welcome to the very first episode of the 'Risking It All Podcast' 🚀
👔 Meet our hosts:
* Barry Jolly, co founder and owner of Jolly Media Marketing.
* Brian McGill, co owner of Jolly Media Marketing
* Andy McDade, owner of McDade's Coaches.
In this episode, each host dives deep into their personal and professional journeys, sharing the highs and lows of building a business from the ground up. They're here to offer valuable lessons, a dash of humour, and insights that you won't find in any business textbook.
Whether you're a seasoned business owner, a budding entrepreneur, or just curious about the world of business, this podcast is your ticket to unfiltered stories of risk, resilience, and real talk.
🔗 Connect with us on Social Media:
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiskingItAll1
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/risking-it-all-podcast
* TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@risking_it_all
* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@riskingitall-podcast
Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes where we lay it all on the line, 'Risking It All' for business success and beyond!
#RiskingItAllPodcast #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #Startups #BusinessGrowth #Storytelling
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 manufacturing improvement consultant at global giants like Shell and Colgate, before pivoting to the U.S. to sell digital marketing courses — making over 70 sales before he even had a product ready to ship!In this episode, Martin shares:✅ How to buy businesses using other people’s money✅ The #1 mistake first-time acquirers make✅ Why his time at Shell & Colgate taught him how to spot hidden profits in any company✅ The exact strategy he teaches M&A entrepreneurs todayWhether you’re a business owner, investor, or future dealmaker — this episode is PACKED with practical insights.🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly interviews with entrepreneurs who are risking it all to build something great.
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 key strategies to keep your business finances in check. From working with fish farms to aerosol can manufacturers, his career in accountancy has been anything but ordinary!If you’re an entrepreneur or business owner looking to understand the financial side of running a business, this episode is for you.🎧 Follow & Subscribe for More Business Stories!
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 starting your own podcast? Barry and Brian offer invaluable tips and insights for anyone considering launching a business podcast. This episode is a must-watch for entrepreneurs, podcast hosts, and fans of the show!
🎉 Thank you for an amazing 2024! We appreciate all our guests, listeners, friends and family support so far!
Stay tuned for more episodes in 2025. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to join us on this journey.
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, successfully scaling his business and acquiring others.
John shares candid insights into his journey, including:
* His family influences like his father, who was an engineer; his grandfather, who was a programmer and his uncle who was a web developer
* How he started his career in a call centre and his early difficulties breaking into the creative industry
* Progressing to a senior designer role.
* His high-risk approach to his first business and how he wouldn’t recommend it to budding entrepreneurs.
* The challenges of navigating failed partnerships
* Strategies for breaking into competitive industries
* Lessons from growing and acquiring businesses in the creative sector
This episode is packed with inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone with big dreams.
Follow more of John’s journey and discover more about what his current business offers by connecting with him on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jloudon/
👉 Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more episodes!
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.
He reveals how he built Matchless Energy from the ground up, growing it to an impressive £1.7 million in revenue last year. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, second chances, and the power of entrepreneurship in the renewable energy sector.
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more stories of people who risked it all and came out on top!
#RiskingItAll #Entrepreneurship #RenewableEnergy #MatchlessEnergy #Inspiration #Scotland #Podcast #SuccessStory #GasEngineer #EcoBusiness
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 providing care for the most vulnerable.
Ryan opens up about the challenges of acquiring other businesses in order to grow, the emotional toll of managing a care home, and the intense struggles faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or simply interested in the care home industry, you’ll learn invaluable lessons about risk-taking, resilience, and leadership.
Don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring business stories!
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 models that helped him scale his company. If you're interested in how to grow a successful business, especially in the solar industry, this episode is a must-watch!
🔑 Topics Covered:
How California leads the way in solar adoption both in the US and worldwide
Incentives and financing models for solar installations
Nick’s personal business growth journey
Tips for maintaining and servicing solar systems
🎯 Watch the full episode now to get expert advice on scaling a business and mastering a service!
📌 Subscribe for more episodes of the Risking It All Podcast!
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 effective systems to boost growth and value. Jamie also reflects on his mentorship experience with the legendary Dan Peña and how continuous self-development has fuelled his entrepreneurial achievements.
Tune in for a casual and insightful conversation filled with practical tips and stories that will inspire and guide current and aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone interested in the art of business acquisition and sales.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States