Path for Potential

Fraser Smith, the founder of EH9 Espresso, shares how a deep connection to Dundee’s West End, paired with a vision for a speciality coffee experience, inspired him to create a community hub unlike any other in the city. What began as a nod to his origins in an Edinburgh postcode quickly evolved into a business built on approachable culture, high standards, and a genuine love for the ritual of the daily grind.In this episode, Fraser opens up about the intentional but organic process of building EH9, from refining the shop's identity through face-to-face interactions to crafting a space that mirrors the creativity and grit of Dundee.Let’s connect with Fraser and EH9:Instagram: @eh9.espressoAddress: 250 Perth Road, DundeeWebsite: https://www.eh9espresso.com/

Karen and Graeme, the duo behind Tethered, share how a deep connection to Scotland, paired with firsthand experiences of burnout, inspired them to create a mindfulness app unlike anything else on the market. What began as a personal need quickly evolved into a business built on honesty, experimentation, and a willingness to learn quickly from early setbacks.In this episode, they open up about the messy but rewarding process of building Tethered, from refining their vision through real user feedback to crafting meditations rooted in Scotland’s landscapes, language, and atmosphere. Their commitment to creating something authentic has led to standout retention rates and a growing community of users seeking calm, grounding, and creativity.We also explore what it’s like to grow a company together while navigating life as partners, the balance, the challenges, and the shared passion that keeps them moving forward. Their journey offers thoughtful insight into resilience, collaboration, and the importance of doing work that feels true to who you are.Let’s connect with Karen, Graeme, and Tethered:Instagram: @tetheredtoscotlandWebsite: https://www.tetheredapp.com/

How do you go from being a design student to running one of the UK’s most iconic creative studios and an international festival? In this episode, we sit down with James Gilchrist, Creative Director of Warriors Studio and the INTL Festival. James gets honest about the often-daunting transition from student life to the professional world, offering advice for those navigating the start of their design careers. We also take a deep dive behind the scenes of the INTL Festival, exploring what it takes to curate a global stage and build a thriving creative community from scratch.Let's connect with James, Warriors Studio and INTL Festival: Instagram: @warriorsstudio @intl.international @internationalcreativeawardsWebsite: Warriors Studio: https://warriorsstudio.com/INTL: https://intl.international/International Creative Awards: https://www.creativeawards.international/

How do you build a successful tech platform by getting things wrong? We welcome Michael Carr, CEO and co-founder of GoRoadie, to discuss the critical startup lesson of "Fail Fast, Learn Faster." Michael shares candid examples from GoRoadie's journey, from early product features that missed the mark to marketing strategies that flopped. He explains how embracing rapid iteration and user feedback, a methodology crucial in his entrepreneurship journey, allowed them to pivot quickly and build a product that genuinely serves UK driving instructors and learners. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand how to leverage small failures to achieve massive success.Want to connect with Michael? Feel free to reach out to him via email at [email protected] or connect at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikey-carr/

Samuel Murray, our intern at the Centre for Entrepreneurship, sits down with Michael Marra, MSP and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance, to host an episode of Path for Potential the first time exploring Michael's journey from academia to the world of politics. Michael was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2021 and shares how his background in economics, policy-making, and local government shaped his approach to tackling Scotland’s financial landscape.Michael highlights the connections between entrepreneurship, politics, and economic growth from his work as a Dundee Councillor to his involvement in initiatives like Design in Action. He also dives into the challenges of shaping education policy and his vision for Scotland’s future. Whether you’re interested in leadership, finance, or making an impact through policy, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

In this episode, we explore Jack Chalkley's entrepreneurial journey as co-founder of Analog Motion, an e-bike startup that took off unexpectedly. Jack’s story begins at the University of Dundee, where his background in product design—and a shared passion for experimental projects with his co-founder—set the foundation for something bigger.Frustrated by the daily grind of commuting, they set out to design a simple, affordable electric bike. What started as a side project quickly turned into a full-fledged business when their Kickstarter campaign gained traction, helped by a surprising boost from German TV.Jack shares how they navigated the transition from a passion project to a growing company, the role of design in shaping their success, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you’re into startups, product design, or just love a good entrepreneurial story, this episode is full of inspiration!

In this episode, we welcome Murad, the founder of Leximos, exploring his journey of turning a bold idea into a game-changing language learning app.Seeing non-English speakers' struggles, Murad set out to break down language barriers with AI-powered technology. With the support of the University of Dundee’s Enterprise Centre, he transformed his vision into reality—winning the Enterprise Challenge and proving that innovation and determination can open doors.Murad shares the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, the role of AI in shaping the future of education, and why passion is the driving force behind success. Whether you're a language learner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone who loves a success story, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration you won’t want to miss!

In this episode, Jude sits down with Jevin Zach, founder of Hubble Bubble and winner of the Scottish EDGE competition, to explore his journey from an underdog to a thriving entrepreneur.Growing up in a financially struggling family surrounded by peers from elite backgrounds, Jevin saw firsthand how entrepreneurship could be a game-changer. Instead of letting obstacles define him, he turned them into motivation—launching Hubble Bubble, a business designed to help students align their passions with real educational opportunities.Jevin shares how he transformed an “unrealistic dream” into reality, the power of self-belief, and what it takes to win big in business. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a student with big ideas, or someone looking for inspiration to push forward, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

To kick off Entrepreneurship Week, we welcome back Mark Beaumont, our very first host from Season 1, to co-host this special episode alongside Jude. Together, they sit down with David Kremer, the visionary behind Rubik’s Brand Ltd. and a toy innovation, education, and investment leader.David took over Seven Towns Ltd, a company that has developed and licensed over 250 toys and games to giants like Hasbro and Mattel. Beyond the world of toys, David has worn many hats—as a maths teacher, textbook author, and now a director of the British Design Fund, which supports early-stage, purpose-driven businesses.In this episode, we dive into the business of play, the art of problem-solving, and what it takes to scale a brand from idea to global success. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, an innovator, or just a fan of the Rubik’s Cube, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

How does a simple idea between school friends grow into a globally recognized sustainable brand? In this episode, Emilio Rimini, co-founder of The Green Company, shares his entrepreneurial journey, sharing how passion and purpose drove his business from humble beginnings to international success.Emilio reflects on the critical lessons he’s learned—from balancing budget control with driving progress to listening closely to customers to refine his vision. He also talks about the pivotal role of his first hire and how surrounding himself with the right people has been instrumental in the company’s growth.Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or simply curious about the journey behind a thriving sustainable brand, Emilio’s story is packed with actionable insights and inspiration to help you take the first step toward your goals.

What does it take to turn a love for fashion into a brand adored by fans worldwide, including icons like Taylor Swift? In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Jade Robertson, founder and creative director of Little Lies. From her early days of sketching ideas to creating a womenswear bohemian brand that champions individuality and sustainability, Jade shares how she built a timeless fashion empire rooted in passion and purpose.Discover the challenges she faced breaking into the industry, how she stays true to her vision in a world dominated by fast fashion, and the secrets behind designing pieces that are meant to be cherished for a lifetime. Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast, an entrepreneur, or simply someone with a creative dream, Jade’s story is a must-listen for anyone striving to make their mark on the world.

Serial entrepreneur and fashion industry disruptor, Cally Russell is back on Path for Potential for a second time! Known for skipping the conventional route and famously declining the Dragons on Dragons’ Den, Cally has built a career on tackling challenges others overlook.Hailing from Dunoon and armed with a social science degree from the University of Dundee, Cally defied the odds to create Mallzee, the groundbreaking Tinder-style fashion app, and This is Unfolded, a sustainable clothing brand addressing the environmental impact of fast fashion.In this episode, Cally dives into the power of self-belief, finding opportunity in unlikely places, and how an enterprising mindset can solve the industry’s toughest problems.Packed with Scottish charm and practical insights, this is an inspiring listen for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact!

From dreams of professional football to a thriving career as a globally recognized visual artist, Craig Black’s journey is a testament to perseverance and creativity. In this episode, Craig dives into how he transformed failure into opportunity, leading to collaborations with international giants like FIFA, UEFA, and the NBA.Craig shares how a self-initiated project, inspired by his love for football, became the pivotal moment that brought his 'acrylic fusion' technique into the spotlight. He unlocked opportunities that propelled him onto the global stage by taking bold steps and showcasing his unique vision.Join us as Craig talks about the value of betting on yourself, the role of hard work in creative success, and how self-initiated projects can open doors to unimaginable possibilities. Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or someone seeking inspiration, Craig’s story will motivate you to turn your ideas into action.

Brian McNicoll’s journey from game developer to the Head of the Centre for Entrepreneurship at the University of Dundee is nothing short of inspiring. Starting with co-founding Dynamo Games—one of Europe’s first mobile game companies and creator of the popular Championship Manager mobile game—Brian’s path took him from a tech-focused graduate to a BAFTA-winning entrepreneur. In this episode, Jude will chat with Brian about how he transitioned from being a founder to leading Dundee’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and the Centre’s rise to being named the number one entrepreneurial university in Europe.Tune in for insights on entrepreneurship, balancing creativity and business, and what it takes to nurture a culture of innovation at a university level. Brian’s story is a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurial success!

Ever had a burning desire to do something different with your life? Lucy did just that. Changing career, changing country, changing everything! Moving from Australia back to the UK, leaving a successful career in pharmaceutical sales, Lucy Lord is now a Sunday Times bestselling cookbook author. Johanna and Mark talk to our guest about what it takes and what it looks like when you finally take the leap of faith and follow your passion. They also discuss imposter syndrome and why confidence is as much a learned skill as it is a personality trait. This is Lucy's Path for Potential.This episode marks the last interview in the original run of Path for Potential episodes. Clips and highlights will continue to appear on the feed. If you enjoyed the series, make sure to reach out to us on social media and let us know.

Serial entrepreneur and the only person to turn down the Dragons on Dragons Den TWICE, Cally Russell is not your traditional entrepreneur. From a small town in Scotland (Dunoon) to a social science degree at the University of Dundee, Cally does not have the traditional business background but found a way to address societal issues with his companies. First founding the fashion app using a Tinder-style approach to help you find your style, Mark and Johanna spoke to Cally as he was first starting out with his new company This is Unfolded - a clothing company tackling the effects of fast fashion. A brilliant episode with Dundee and Scottish references galore! Cally's story inspires anyone to use their skillset to their advantage no matter what their background is.

You always hear of the ultra-successful university drop-outs who became business tycoons, but what about a founder who didn't bother with university at all and went on to create the world's 3rd online marketplace (after Amazon and eBay)?Mark and Johanna speak to 'Holly & Co' and 'notonthehighstreet' founder Holly Tucker in this episode. "Hurricane Holly" takes us through the early chapters of her career and what happens when you're a workaholic even from a very early age. We also cover the power that naivety can have and where it can take you, as well as the importance of doing what you love, or, loving what you do!Subscribe to the podcast for up to date notifications on new episodes.

A great episode to help you present yourself with confidence in any situation.We're back! this episode is brand new and marked the first time Mark and Johanna met in person. Having recorded a whole series of episodes online as co-hosts, Dundee's duo of entrepreneurial ambassadors met at the University to give you the scoop on how to pitch and how to pitch yourself in any scenario. Job interviews, funding proposals, even reaching out to someone you admire, you need to know how to present yourself and capture attention. For Mark, that meant changing courses in university and bagging his first documentary with the BBC. For Johanna, it was more about getting commissions for her artwork and a how-to on getting Starbucks to return your calls. Our co-hosts also answer your questions at the end of the episode.

From an upcoming episode, Mark and Johanna discussed a question from our audience asking for advice on overcoming social anxiety when in a presenting/interviewing situation. From very different perspectives, Mark and Johanna provide some top tips and key things to remember for situations that can feel as big as public speaking but can also be applied in every day communication.

Ella Mills, founder of deliciously ella, had a self-confessed lack of ambition when she was young. On top of that, a debilitating illness that was present through her time at university. However, this life experience inspired Ella’s interest in nutrition and diet which was channelled into her blog ‘deliciouslyella’ and has now led to bestselling books, an online platform, 2.3 million followers, and a restaurant!A true example of making the most of life and overcoming adversity, and how to turn an interest into your career. Mark and Johanna discuss with Ella how adversity can breed creativity, how Ella created an online community before the modern landscape of social media, and how your true potential can only be reflected on and is harder to notice at the time. Also, hear Ella’s advice for people starting their careers. This is Ella’s Path for Potential.

From an upcoming episode with the creator of deliciouslyella Ella Mills, Mark and Johanna ask Ella for her advice to others just starting out on their journey. From the clip, we learn why it’s important to fail and how to fail fast; not to be intimated by the success of others; and, how to celebrate the small increments of your success. A healthy food empire isn’t built in just one day!

From an upcoming episode with cookbook author Lucy Lord, the pod discusses how to appear to be the most confident person in the room even when you’re secretly sweating and panicking. A self-described introvert, Lucy reflects on how she became successful in sales before pivoting to pursue a career in recipe-writing.In both careers, Lucy had to back herself, pitch to an audience, and communicate her ideas even though she felt like it wasn’t her strong suit.In many early careers, we feel like we might have some imposter syndrome. Hopefully, this clip gives a bit of advice to boost your, ‘fake’, confidence.

Darina Garland is one-half of the co-founding couple responsible for Ooni Pizza Ovens. Her and Kristian Tapaninaho’s success proves the mouth-watering potential of a good business idea. Darina and her husband weren’t inventors, engineers, or product designers but their good idea made them a global brand. Only once they put their idea to the world, did they realise there was an appetite for their product.Darina reveals how community funding made their idea a success, the reality of being a true market leader and why you should have the confidence to go for it with your own business idea. ‘Topping’ their conversation… Mark and Johanna discover Darina’s key advice for success in any early career path: the value of work experience, the art of ‘the ask’ – how to connect with successful people, and why embodying your values in the workplace can make you f@*#ng awesome! This is Darina’s Path for Potential.

From an upcoming episode with This is Unfolded founder and Scottish entrepreneur Cally Russell, we hear about another unlikely path into business and how Cally views his social science degree without necessarily ‘using’ it in his career. Often, graduates find themselves taking a different direction from what they have studied, but Cally shows how the topics he learned about and the soft skills he developed have shaped his businesses and helped him find a way to fulfil his potential.

Oli Norman was training to be a lawyer without ever wanting to be a lawyer. Through some very interesting experiences, he's now a live event creator, restaurant and bar owner, and successful entrepreneur. However, the path he took to realise his potential was… unconventional to say the least. Whilst travelling in Asia, Oli uncovered a staged documentary created by a production company funded by a member of the royal family. After selling the scoop to Piers Morgan and the Mirror, Oli had the startup funds to start his business idea that would eventually evolve into itison, Scotland’s biggest deals and events website, although he wasn’t sure what it was going to be yet. Oli explains the importance of knowing your self-worth, following your passion and the happiness that can come from taking risks. In typical Oli Norman fashion, these pearls of wisdom are found through other fantastic stories like firing all his clients to pivot the business only for them to join the new company or buying bars and restaurants in Glasgow so long as they are on the cycle from home to the office! This is Oli’s Path for Potential.

An unheard clip from an upcoming episode with the founder of Scottish live events company, It Is On, Oli Norman. Mark mentions Oli’s business portfolio of restaurants and bars in Glasgow which are all, conveniently, on the route from Oli’s office to his home. Instead of being just an eccentricity, Oli finds that this brings focus to his business which he used to struggle to do. Mark and Johanna show, in a wider sense, how chasing happiness in your career can help you avoid burnout, improve your well-being and keep you motivated to reach your potential.

How do you get the head of Netflix to return your call? How do you get your design on a Starbucks cup? Mark and Johanna discuss the ‘ask’ with Ooni co-founder Darina Garland. A top bit of advice applicable to anyone trying to get hired or to pitch an idea to someone you have never met. From the perspective of the person asking the question and the person being asked, Path for Potential have the secretsto help you get in touch with the person in your field that you really admire, how to nail a cover letter and get the job you want, and that it’s easier to reach out than you may think. Johanna also mentions her campaign to get one of her illustrations on the Starbucks Christmas cups and how that ended with Starbucks on her client list.This clip is taken from an upcoming episode of Path for Potential w/ Darina Garland. Step to success is our series of key advice to help you in your career.

Fearne Cotton found fame at the very start of her career path but still finds herself jumping into new opportunities to find her potential. Mark and Johanna take a behind-the-scenes look into one of the most famous faces in the UK. Alongside Fearne’s own journey, the team discuss the true side of social media and the effect of comparing each other, following your passion even when you’re at the top of your game, and what is Happy Place? Fearne is one of the most popular broadcasters in the UK and was a mainstay on Radio 1 and TV programmes like Celebrity Juice. Most recently, she founded the wellbeing brand Happy Place off the back of her first book Happy. The brand now includes the Happy Place podcast which has over 58 million downloads!A great episode for looking inwards and feeling authentic, staying curious, and how to feel comfortable with feedback.This is Fearne’s Path for Potential

From an unheard segment of an upcoming episode with Holly Tucker, the founder of Not On The High Street, the podcast explores the different ways you can define success and how fulfilling your potential isn't all the stereotypical idea of making the most money. For Johanna, the key is to have a fulfilling career that also allows her to spend time with the kids and Holly mentions her work with ‘good-life’ businesses that look to achieve the same result. Mark points out the value of finding the success that’s going to fulfil you and how to chase after it early in your career.'Word of Advice' takes often unheard segments of Path for Potential and stands them on their own so you can get straight to the professional advice that is going to help you.

Welcome to Path for Potential! Ep. 1 kicks off with Mark and Johanna introducing the mission behind the podcast and how it can help you plan out the path ahead of you. The path for your potential is not something you can generally envisage when you’re still young and have yet to start your journey, So, instead, Mark and Johanna share their perspective on the early stage of their careers, how to define who you are and why an entrepreneurial mindset is more a career mindset and not just for Dragon’s Den, suit-wearing, nonsense-talking business-types.Co-host Mark Beaumont holds the world record for travelling around the world in 79 days by bike and now heads up an investment firm in St. Andrews. Our other host, Johanna Basford, is a New York Times bestselling illustrator who has sold over 30 million colouring books aimed towards adults. Popular titles include The Secret Garden and 30 Days of Creativity. Both have had unique careers and forged their own path along the way. They now want to share insights and interesting conversations that will allow you to fulfil your own potential.

The first steps towards pursuing a passion, chasing a great idea, or making that dream job a reality can often feel like the hardest. Hosted by Johanna Basford and Mark Beaumont, The Path for Potential podcast takes successful entrepreneurs back to the early stages of their careers to uncover the experiences and decisions that led them down their path. Each episode offers fresh insights into why our diverse collection of interesting guests made their career paths their own.