Risking it All

Hosted by Barry Jolly, Andy McDade, Brian McGill

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Latest episode

Sep 2026

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EN-GB

About the show

"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.

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54 recent

September 30, 2026Episode 531 hr 30 min

Risking It All: Jordan Thomson on Building Two Businesses and Growing in the Cleaning Industry

In this episode of Risking It All, we speak with Jordan Thomson, Managing Director of Fair Deal Carpet Cleaning Ltd and IMC Facilities Ltd, with over 14 years of experience in the cleaning industry. Jordan has built his career around delivering reliable, professional cleaning and soft facilities management services, working with corporate offices, property managers and facilities teams across a range of environments. From carpet and upholstery cleaning to soft washing, window cleaning, gutter cleaning and pressure washing, Jordan and his team have built their businesses around quality, clear communication and creating long-term relationships with their clients. Jordan shares his experiences of building and growing businesses in a competitive industry, the challenges that come with leading a team, and what it takes to deliver a consistently high standard of service while continuing to move the business forward. In this episode, you will also hear: * 🧹 What it takes to build a successful business in the cleaning industry * 📈 The challenges of growing and managing multiple businesses * 🤝 Why strong client relationships and communication are key to long-term success * 🚀 The lessons Jordan has learned from more than 14 years in business 👉 Tune in for an honest conversation with Jordan Thomson about entrepreneurship, leadership, growth and building businesses around quality and trust. 🖥️ 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

September 2, 2026Episode 521 hr 22 min

Risking It All: Paul Costello Returns | A Check-In with Upload Abode

In this special episode of Risking It All, we welcome back Paul Costello, Director of Upload Abode, as our first ever returning guest. We catch up with Paul to see what’s changed since his first appearance on Risking It All and what’s happening with Upload Abode today. We talk about the growth of the business, what he’s learned along the way, the challenges he’s faced, and what’s next. Paul gives us an honest look at what happens after the early stages of building a business, from continuing to grow and adapt to staying ahead in a competitive industry. In this episode, you will also hear: * 🔄 What’s changed since Paul’s first appearance on Risking It All * 📈 How Upload Abode has continued to grow and evolve * 💡 The lessons Paul has learned since his first episode * 🚀 What’s next for Paul and the Upload Abode team 👉 Tune in for a genuine catch-up with our first returning guest and find out what’s happened since we last spoke. 🖥️ 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

August 7, 2026Episode 511 hr 32 min

Risking It All: Mark Innes on Building Tartan Timber and Growing Tartan Talks Across Scotland 🪵🤝

In this episode of Risking It All, we speak with Mark Innes, founder of both Tartan Timber Co, a fast-growing independent timber and building supplies business based in East Lothian, and Tartan Talks, the networking and support community he's built for business owners across Glasgow and Edinburgh. Mark's story starts with Tartan Timber: built on competitive pricing, genuine customer service and strong relationships with the local trade community, it's grown into one of the standout independents in its patch. But the conversation goes further than one business. Mark also opens up about why he started Tartan Talks, turning his own experience of building strong business relationships into a community where business owners across Scotland can connect, support each other and actually do business together, not just swap business cards. What started as a trades-focused gathering has since evolved to welcome all kinds of businesses. We dig into how Tartan Talks has grown from a local East Lothian gathering into regular events in both Glasgow and Edinburgh now spanning a wide mix of industries, what it takes to build a community that keeps people coming back, and why Mark believes strong relationships (whether with trade customers or fellow business owners) are the real engine behind sustainable growth. In this episode, you will also hear: ⁠ ⁠🌲 How Mark turned an idea into a growing timber business ⁠ ⁠🤝 Why he built Tartan Talks and grew it into a Glasgow and Edinburgh networking community for businesses of all kinds ⁠ ⁠💡 How strong relationships, in trade and in business, create long-term success ⁠ ⁠📈 The realities of scaling two businesses at once ⁠ ⁠🚀 The mindset required to keep growing while staying true to your values Whether you're building a business, working in the trades, or looking to grow your own network and brand people genuinely trust, this episode is packed with practical insights on entrepreneurship, community-building and sustainable growth. 👉 Tune in for an honest conversation about resilience, customer-first thinking and truly risking it all. 🖥️ 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

July 21, 2026Episode 501 hr 18 min

Risking It All: Graham Grieve on Building A1 SEO, Evolving into Peak Visibility and Dominating Google Rankings 📈

In this episode of Risking It All, we speak with Graham Grieve, founder of A1 SEO, the agency that has recently rebranded as Peak Visibility as part of its next stage of growth and expansion. What started as a full-service digital marketing business evolved into one of the UK's leading specialist SEO agencies, helping businesses generate more leads, sales and long-term growth through organic search. Graham shares the journey behind building A1 SEO, the thinking behind focusing exclusively on SEO, and the lessons he's learned from growing a business in one of the world's most competitive industries. We also touch on the exciting next chapter as the business evolves into Peak Visibility. In this episode, you will also hear: * 💡 Why specialising can be the biggest advantage in business * 📈 How SEO drives sustainable, long-term business growth * 🎯 The biggest misconceptions business owners have about Google rankings * 🚀 What it takes to build an agency that delivers measurable results year after year Whether you're a business owner, marketer or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical insights on building authority online, attracting more customers and creating a business that stands the test of time. 👉 Tune in for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, digital marketing and truly risking it all. 🖥️ This episode is sponsored by Jolly Media Marketing. 🎥 A specialist, video-first advertising partner to local businesses across the UK. 🎯 If you need a reliable marketing partner to help you generate more enquiries every day, check them out at: www.jollymediamarketing.com

July 8, 2026Episode 11 hr 38 min

Risking It All: Andrew Graham on Building Systems, Scaling Businesses and Creating Freedom

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 why creating the right systems is one of the most important investments any business owner can make. In this episode, you will also hear: * 💡 Why systems are the key to sustainable business growth * 📈 How to scale without becoming the bottleneck * ⚙️ The common mistakes that stop businesses from growing * 🚀 What it takes to build a business that can thrive without relying on the owner every day Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, this episode is packed with practical advice on leadership, operations and long-term growth. 👉 Tune in for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, scalability and truly risking it all. 🖥️ 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

June 15, 2026Episode 481 hr 28 min

Steven McNee on Entrepreneurship, Renewable Energy and Scaling a Modern Trades Business 🚀

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 family business, to building a growing business himself in one of the UK's fastest-evolving sectors. He opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, the risks involved in scaling a trades business, and how he adapted to the increasing demand for renewable energy solutions in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 In this episode, you will also hear: * ⚡ How he built SM Electrical Services from the ground up * 📈 The realities of growing a business in the electrical contracting & renewable energy sector * 💡 The lessons he's learned from initially working in the family business, to hiring, leadership and business growth Whether you're a business owner, tradesperson or entrepreneur looking to scale, this conversation offers practical insights into building a company, adapting to change and creating long-term success. 👉 Tune in for an honest conversation about resilience, ambition and truly risking it all. 🖥️ 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

May 5, 2026Episode 461 hr 37 min

Risking It All: Dr Rashmi Mantri on Building BYITC and Transforming Maths Education

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 challenges that would have held many back: •⁠ ⁠🚫 Limited access to opportunity - Education and career advancement for girls were not prioritised •⁠ ⁠⚖️ Cultural expectations - Strong societal norms defined what was considered appropriate for women •⁠ ⁠👨‍👩‍👧 Family pressure - Life decisions were often influenced by parents and family elders, leaving little room for independence •⁠ ⁠🎓 Fighting for education - Pursuing learning required persistence against both cultural and family barriers In this episode of Risking It All, we speak with Dr Rashmi Mantri, Director of British Young International College (BYITC) and a TEDx speaker, who has built a global education platform focused on transforming how children learn maths through innovative teaching methods. Dr Rashmi shares her journey from overcoming cultural barriers in her early life to becoming an educator and business leader. She opens up about the challenges of scaling an edtech company internationally, and the risks she took to bring a new approach to learning into a traditionally structured space. She also reflects on the importance of purpose-led leadership, staying resilient through growth, and building a business that delivers real impact for students and families around the world. In this episode, you will also hear: •⁠ ⁠💡 How she turned a simple idea into a global education movement •⁠ ⁠🌍 The challenges of scaling an edtech business across different markets •⁠ ⁠📈 What it takes to build trust in education and deliver consistent results •⁠ ⁠🚀 Why innovation and purpose are key to long-term success If you are building a business, leading a team or looking to create meaningful impact, this episode offers practical insights and real-world experience from someone who has done it on a global scale. 👉 Tune in for an honest conversation about growth, ambition and truly risking it all. 🖥️ 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

April 27, 2026Episode 461 hr 31 min

Risking It All: Gavin Bell on Scaling Yatter, Selling by 30 and What Comes Next

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 annual advertising spend for clients including StreamYard, Hopin, Aberdeen FC and Chelsea FC. Gavin shares the real story behind building and scaling at speed, leading a fast-growing team, and navigating the pressure that comes with creating a business designed for exit. You will also hear: * 💡 What it really takes to scale an agency fast * 📈 How to build a business buyers actually want * 🧠 The mindset behind selling and starting again * 🚀 Why he is now building a D2C healthtech brand If you are building, scaling or thinking about an exit, this episode delivers practical insight from someone who has done it early and done it well. 👉 Tune in for an honest conversation about growth, ambition and truly risking it all. 🖥️ 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

April 10, 2026Episode 451 hr 48 min

Risking It All: Fergus McCoss on Building Hinba, Culture-First Hospitality and Growth 🌟

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

April 2, 2026Episode 441 hr 40 min

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

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.