My student experience: The best glitch of my life
I originally arrived at Edinburgh Napier in the autumn of ’98 for an Erasmus exchange. At least, that was the plan. When I turned up, I discovered a "glitch"— I wasn’t actually registered with Erasmus!
After a slightly panicked plea to the Head of the Business Department, I was enrolled straight into the 3rd year of the Marketing Management BA programme!
Suddenly, all my courses were in English. My Erasmus pals were jealous of the challenge, and honestly, they were right to be! It was a "sink or swim" moment, but my fellow students took pity on the new kid and helped me find my feet. Two years later? I was a graduate of Edinburgh Napier.
My attitude towards good business practice was shaped during this time, but it was born out of laziness. A tutor assigned us the task of picking a marketing book to review. I couldn't be bothered to choose one, so I ended up with the very last one on the shelf: No Logo by Naomi Klein. This book completely changed my world view and made me realise that buying a product isn’t a simple purchase – it connects you to a messy global system. This changed my life and made me a more cynical consumer. It also turned me into a lifelong bookworm. I still owe that tutor a massive thank you for "forcing" that choice on me!
Have I always been entrepreneurial? (Short answer: No. Long answer: I wasn't a good employee.)
My dad was a fire officer, and I grew up in a fire station — very military, very structured — and there wasn't a single entrepreneur in my family circle.
However, I figured out pretty early that I was a nightmare to manage. I actually got fired from my first job at 17. It wasn't because I lacked skills; it was because I kept trying to "improve" things and refused to listen to my bosses.
I eventually learned how to behave and spent my 20s at big names like Adobe and Sun Microsystems. But when the 2008 financial crisis hit, I knew it was time to go. When I told my boss I was quitting, he said, "Are you crazy? You’ll never get a job again!" My response? "Great! Then I have to make this work."
The journey: From market stall to social impact
I’ve always had a side hustle — from conducting surveys to door-to-door sales. I didn't always make much, but I loved the thrill of scaling a project and making sales. The real spark happened at 30 when I finally learned to ride a bike (yes, at 30!) thanks to The Bike Station in Edinburgh. When I moved to Glasgow to be with my partner, it was a total culture shock—two motorways and a sea of cars. Cyclists were a rare species.
I decided to change that.
In April 2010, a few friends and I started Bike for Good at the Barras Market with just a handful of bikes and a lot of passion. Fast forward 15 years: we have two massive warehouses, a £2 million turnover, 30 employees, and 50 volunteers. We’ve helped over 10,000 people get on two wheels. I realised I was a social entrepreneur, using those marketing skills I picked up at Edinburgh Napier to actually do some good in the world.
Now I have started Europe's first winemakers-led cooperative for wine sales and logistics. Our mission is to support small winemakers, mostly women, in selling their wines throughout Europe. It is called Vivan Coop. On the platform, you choose a winemaker, and you sponsor them, and you agree to buy 12 bottles every year, and it means the winemakers get a predictable income, and you get better value for your wine. All vineyards are certified organic or biodynamic!
Supporting other entrepreneurs
I’m currently based in France, working as a trainer at La French Tech Grande Provence (an incubator) and coaching entrepreneurs at Avignon University.
For me, entrepreneurship isn't just a career; it’s a hobby and a passion. They say the best way to learn is to teach, and it’s true. New entrepreneurs ask the "obvious" questions that remind me of the business fundamentals I sometimes forget. Plus, their energy is infectious—it keeps me feeling young! If I didn't need to pay the bills, I’d honestly do this for free.
I’m connected with Edinburgh Napier’s enterprise Hub, Bright Red Triangle and I’m looking at ways to work with them to support students and alumni. I love this university—it’s where it all started for me!
Words of wisdom for future trailblazers
If you aren't happy in your job: change it. The heaviest thing you’ll ever carry is the regret of not trying. It’s actually easier than you think. Sure, your parents might be annoyed (I didn't even tell mine I'd quit until I was successful again!), and your friends might laugh when you move into a tiny spare room to save money—but follow your gut.
Remember that everything you learn at university is a tool in your belt. I’ve seen engineers become financial wizards; skills are always transferable.
You can learn new skills, but you can’t "learn" values. Stay true to yours. It will be hard, it will be messy, but even if you fail, you’ll have a story you’re proud to tell for the rest of your life.