The Story Club

How has it been almost 2 years since the last episode? 

Time flies when you're locked up and there's a pandemic going on...

Anyway, welcome back.

First things first, you might have noticed we've changed our name - want to know why? Just hit play and I'll tell you all about it!

Side Notes:

1. Please do send any great guest recommendations my way, no longer niching people in their 30's opens up plenty of possibilities.

2. Make sure to follow the Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/thestoryclubpodcast. All the micro-content from episodes (so the extra wise soundbites) make it there in video format. See me, see the guests - how could you stay away?

Most importantly - thank you for your time and attention, (and powering through my dulcet Scottish tones, do I sound more dead inside following COVID? You be the judge.) there's so much 'content' out there, and so little time.

And I appreciate you making time for this.

It's good to be back.

JR

Cally Russell is a born Entrepreneur.

Told from an early age that he wouldn't be very good at working for people, Cally set off on his own path (initially experiencing everything from DJ-ing to selling phones) and created a couple of businesses before founding Mallzee - the 'Tinder of fashion'.

We cover what exactly Mallzee is, Cally's background and the business lessons he's learnt on the way.

As this episode was recorded during the COVID-19 Pandemic - we cover what effect this has on retail, meeting customer's new expectations and the impact on factory workers across the globe.

That last part led Cally and the Mallzee team to creating Lost Stock - Due to Coronavirus, $2 billion worth of clothes have been produced but cancelled by retailers. Leaving million of workers in countries like Bangladesh unpaid, and at risk of starvation.

To avoid these items ending up in landfill, you can buy a box - with each one supporting a worker and their family for a week.

Buy your box here, and support a factory worker: https://loststock.co

And check out Mallzee here: https://mallzee.com

There is no one word that defines Richard Davies - part creative genius, part hustler, part entrepreneur, part husband.

He is the founder and face of Abandon Ship Apparel - a clothing brand that has an incredible history, with Rich being the face it has an almost human identity and Rich's ability to connect with his community has helped the brand go from strength to strength.

Speaking of the brand, Abandon Ship also has an exciting future...

You'll have to listen to find out what that is though.

We also cover Rich's experience running his own retail company, how his lifestyle has changed over the last few years (and why), as well as all the business and life lessons he's picked up along the way.

You can check out the Abandon Ship Apparel website here: https://www.abandonshipapparel.com

Or Follow any of Rich's businesses on Instagram Here: 

• https://www.instagram.com/abandonshipapparel
• https://www.instagram.com/abandonshipbar
• https://www.instagram.com/abandonshipart

Lewis grew up in the industry, so it's no surprise he found himself with a passion for creating music.  

He's been in bands since half way through university: the first of these being Kassidy, and then the band White and now his newest project - Moy - coming into the spotlight. We talk through his experience of growing a band from nothing to something, and how much the industry has changed with the rise of Social Media. As well has his experiences and life lessons - some wisdom for all.

You can check out Moy below:

Website: https://www.wearemoy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearemoy/

Phil Donaldson is the Director of Macmerry 300 and Scottish License Trade News Entrepreneur of the year 2019! Starting out with plans for a career in football, Phil found himself skilled at business and before he knew it he was running cafes, restaurants, bars, clubs, pizza shops and plans to expand above and beyond that.

This episode is less about Phil’s life and story, more on his experience, learnings and views on life, business and beyond.

Check out what he’s created so far:

King of Islington: https://www.instagram.com/thekingofislington

Bubu: https://m.facebook.com/BUBU-Dundee-173392029981387

Gracies: https://www.facebook.com/graciesbroughtyferry

Draffens: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Draffens/578387975701840

The Blue Room: https://www.facebook.com/The-blue-room-Dundee-1705160156255620

Bird and Bear: https://m.facebook.com/Bird-Bear-125624684695357

Abandon Ship Bar: https://www.instagram.com/abandonshipbar

Leah Hutcheon is the Chief Executive and founder of Appointedd - THE cutting-edge online booking and scheduling solution.

Under Leah's watch the company has gone from strength to strength Internationally whilst also raising  £1.6m investment since it was set up in 2011, with Leah herself recently winning UK Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year at the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

In this episode we talk through Leah's past, how Appointedd came to be, the struggles she has gone through as an entrepreneur, the current state of affairs for women looking for investment and also - the added responsibility of being a mother to her daughter Hedy!

Find our more about Appointedd here: https://www.appointedd.com

And you can follow Leah oh Twitter Here: https://twitter.com/leahhutcheon

In today's episode I got to sit down with an old friend of mine Fraser Johnston. Fraser has been living in Canada for the last 9 years and in that time has set up his own Virtual Snowboarding School - Watch & Ride.

The business is still in the early stages of its life, so Fraser gives some great insight into what it's like being an early stage Startup Founder, and all the highs and lows that come with it.

With Canada being a far more liberal country, we also discuss Fraser's experience with Psychedelics: how he's used them to expand his mind, gain some semblance of inner peace and find a sense of gratitude in everyday life from those experiences.

Check out Watch & Ride here: https://www.watchandride.com/

For episode 4, I sat down with Amar Singh - a Forbes 30 under 30 Entrepreneur in Art and Culture (he's 30 now, just in time to join me on the Pod!). 

Amar's had an extraordinary life - representing minority groups, fighting for LGBTQ rights and promoting art for the everyman. 

It's not all been easy, there's been hard times: back stabbed in a business venture, unscrupulous art dealers and general cynicism from other people, however this hasn't prevented him from pushing for more.

We talk through all of this, and more, in this episode - you can hear Amar's story, his lessons, his experience and his future right here.

His new venture 'Curated Soho' a hybrid Aparthotel/Art Gallery opens in the next few weeks and you can check it out here: https://www.curatedsoho.com

You Can also visit Amar Galleries page here: https://www.amargallery.com/

Arnold Ma has a fantastic story starting with moving to Essex from China at a young age, to creating his own Marketing Agency - Qumin - that helps brands understand and break into the Chinese market. He's incredibly knowledgeable on all things China - what they're doing, where the technology is going and just how far ahead in the game they are. If you like this episode, check out Arnold's own Podcast 'China, WTF' which you can listen to here - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/china-wtf/id1467251233

It's our first interview episode, and we have the pleasure of sitting down with Fraser Doherty! Fraser's been an Entrepreneur from the age of 14 and we dive into his story, experiences and learnings from the last 16 years. A fascinating story, and some sage like advice - this one is worth listening to the end to get everything out of it. You can also check out Fraser's book '48-Hour Start-up: From Idea to Launch in 1 Weekend' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/48-Hour-Start-up-idea-launch-weekend/dp/0008196680