Glasgow Business Stories

Ep27. Silver Birch Interiors - Alan MacGregor

In this episode of Glasgow Business Stories, we sit down with Alan MacGregor, founder of Silver Birch Interiors, to explore the journey of building one of Scotland's leading interior fit-out and refurbishment companies. Alan shares the story behind the business, the lessons learned through years of growth, and the challenges that come with leading projects across a wide range of sectors. From winning work and building client relationships to managing teams and maintaining high standards, he offers an honest insight into what it takes to build a successful business in a competitive industry. The conversation also explores the importance of reputation, trust and delivering quality work consistently, as well as the role that strong relationships play in long-term business success. Throughout the episode, Alan reflects on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the decisions that shaped the company, and the mindset required to keep moving forward as a business grows. If you're interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, construction, interiors, or the realities of scaling a business, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Ep26. Will Rudd - Michael-John O'Shaughnessy

In this episode of Glasgow Business Stories, we sit down with Michael-John O'Shaughnessy, Managing Director for Glasgow, Ireland, Inverness and London at Will Rudd, to explore the world of structural engineering, city regeneration and the importance of relationships in business. Michael-John shares how building genuine trust and strong relationships became the foundation for growing the business, particularly during challenging economic times. He explains how developing specialist expertise in-house helped Will Rudd stand out and open doors to larger and more complex projects. The conversation also dives into the importance of preserving historic buildings, including Michael-John’s reflections following the devastating Glasgow fire that destroyed one of the city’s oldest buildings. He speaks passionately about restoration, heritage and the role engineering can play in protecting the past while preparing buildings for the future. We also discuss one of the standout projects of his career, Advocate’s Close in Edinburgh, where restoring centuries-old buildings helped transform a neglected part of the city back into a thriving space full of life and history. Alongside this, Michael-John shares his thoughts on diversity within engineering, why the industry is changing for the better, and why opening doors for young people at grassroots level is key to building a stronger future. If you are interested in leadership, regeneration, engineering, or the role relationships play in building a successful business, this is an episode you will not want to miss.

Ep25. Wholesale Domestic - Brian Toward

In this episode of Glasgow Business Stories, we sit down with Brian Toward, Chief Executive of Wholesale Domestic, to explore the journey of growing a long-established family business into a modern multi-site retail and e-commerce brand. Brian shares what it was like growing up around the business, working in the warehouse from a young age before eventually returning with fresh ideas and a vision for modernisation. He talks about spotting the opportunity in e-commerce, taking risks, and building on the strong foundations already in place. The conversation also dives into the expansion of Wholesale Domestic across Scotland, including opening stores in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, and the lessons that come with scaling teams, systems and operations across multiple locations. If you are interested in family business, retail growth, leadership or scaling a company while staying true to its roots, this is an episode you will not want to miss.

Ep24. Scintilla - Peter McBride

In this episode of Glasgow Business Stories, we sit down with Peter McBride, Founder of Scintilla, to explore the journey of building a specialist intellectual property firm and the lessons learned along the way. Peter shares what it was really like in the early days of starting out, from mastering his craft as a patent attorney to quickly realising he had to learn everything else that comes with running a business, including finance, systems and operations. He speaks honestly about the steep learning curve and the importance of staying curious. If you are building a business, protecting ideas, or navigating the challenges of growth, this episode is full of practical insights and honest reflections.

Ep23. Golden Charter - Chris Wilson

In this episode of Glasgow Business Stories, we sit down with Chris Wilson, CEO of Golden Charter, to explore the experiences, values and mindset that have shaped his journey into leadership. Chris reflects on his early entrepreneurial instincts, from small ventures at school to building a career working with businesses and eventually leading one of the UK’s most recognised funeral planning organisations. He shares how a pivotal decision to step away from a demanding role led him to start his own consultancy, driven by a desire to be more present for his family. We also dive into the unique perspective that comes from working in the funeral industry, including how it has changed the way Chris thinks about life, grief and conversations that many people tend to avoid. Alongside this, he speaks openly about the importance of hard work, resilience and the lessons passed down from his father that have guided him through challenging moments in business. If you’re interested in leadership, entrepreneurship, and building a career that aligns with your values, this is an episode full of honest insights and thoughtful reflections.