Gia Watson joins Shaping the North East to discuss her journey from leaving the traditional 9–5 behind to building a career on her own terms in Aberdeen.

A self-employed barber and occasional content creator, Gia has taken a very different path to the one she originally imagined. In this episode, we explore how she got started in barbering, the realities of becoming self-employed, her experience of offering non-gendered haircuts, and why the freedom of working for herself has opened up new possibilities for the future.

We also talk about Gia's journey through bodybuilding and fitness, why her relationship with fitness is changing, and her decision to focus more on health and happiness rather than simply chasing physical goals. From wanting to travel and see more of the world to growing her presence on social media and figuring out what her next chapter looks like, this is a conversation about career changes, independence and finding your own direction.

Follow Gia Watson:

https://www.instagram.com/thethirdchair_gia/

💈Book an appointment with Gia:

https://www.fresha.com/a/gia-aberdeen-398-george-street-zhfei7wh/booking

Follow Shaping the North East:

https://sznmedialtd.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/sznmedialtd/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588320118510

www.linkedin.com/company/szn-media-ltd/

Shaping the North East explores the people, ideas and ventures defining the region's next chapter through conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, community leaders and innovators from across the North East of Scotland.

#Aberdeen #NorthEastScotland #AberdeenBusiness #SelfEmployment #FemaleEntrepreneur #Barber #AberdeenBarber #Fitness #Bodybuilding #Podcast

Brutha Voodoo (also known as Aron Smith) joins the Shaping The North East podcast this week to talk about poetry, community radio, local events and the people helping shape Aberdeen’s creative scene.

In this episode, we explore Aron’s journey with poetry, his involvement in poetry events across the North East of Scotland, his passion for community radio, and the importance of creating stronger connections between local venues, performers, event organisers and audiences in Aberdeen. We also get into Aron's love of all things geeky, including his radio show The Geek Grotto, as well as the challenges facing Aberdeen’s creative community and why better promotion and sharing of local events could make it easier for people to discover what is happening across the city.

If you're interested in Aberdeen's creative scene, Scottish poetry, community radio, local events, independent artists or the people working to build a stronger cultural community in the North East of Scotland, this conversation offers an insight into the people and ideas helping to shape the region.

🎙️ Follow Brutha Voodoo:

https://www.instagram.com/bruthavoodoo/

https://www.facebook.com/playlistobscura

https://www.facebook.com/TheGeekGrotto

https://www.mixcloud.com/bruthavoodoo/

📖 Grab your copies of "An Infernal Contract" and "How I Got Here":

https://www.lulu.com/shop/aron-smith/an-infernal-contract/paperback/product-nvgzgng.html?page=1&pageSize=4

https://www.lulu.com/shop/aron-smith/how-i-got-here/paperback/product-e7drdew.html?page=1&pageSize=4

🌐 Follow Shaping the North East:

https://www.sznmedialtd.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/sznmedialtd/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588320118510

www.linkedin.com/company/szn-media-ltd

Shaping the North East explores the people, ideas and ventures defining the region's next chapter through conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, community leaders and innovators from across the North East of Scotland.

#Aberdeen #NorthEastScotland #AberdeenCreative #AberdeenPoetry #ScottishPoetry #CommunityRadio #AberdeenEvents #CreativeScotland #Podcast #ShapingTheNorthEast

Aberdeen-born twin sisters The Elidas join Shaping the North East to share their journey from the North East of Scotland to Dubai, where they have built a career performing original music together.

In this episode, Belle and Venice discuss how they first discovered their passion for music, what it's really like touring and performing from such a young age, balancing life between Aberdeen and Dubai, and the role their family has played in supporting their creative ambitions. We also explore the realities of writing original music, growing up together as twins, and what the future holds for one of the most exciting emerging acts from the North East of Scotland.

If you're passionate about music, the creative industries, inspiring personal journeys, or supporting emerging talent from the North East of Scotland, this conversation offers a fascinating insight into two young artists building an international career while staying connected to their roots.

Grab your copy of their new album here: https://theelidasband.bandcamp.com/merch/elidas-cd-limited-edition

🎵 Follow The Elidas:

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theelidas

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1FO4T0KVT2lrY4d0HByJxs?si=lCO6M9bjSfGKnMhdlTdhOw]

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-elidas/1692033905

Website: https://theelidas.com

🌐 Follow Shaping the North East:

https://sznmedialtd.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/sznmedialtd/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588320118510

https://www.linkedin.com/company/szn-media-ltd/

Shaping the North East explores the people, ideas and ventures defining the region's next chapter through conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, community leaders and innovators from across the North East of Scotland.

#Aberdeen #NorthEastScotland #TheElidas #Dubai #ScottishMusic #MusicPodcast #CreativeScotland #EmergingArtists #TwinSisters #Podcast

Romans Svjatkins joins Shaping the North East to discuss his journey from university student to founder of Marketing Career Ladder, a new platform connecting students, graduates, employers and universities with career opportunities in marketing.

In this episode, we explore what it takes to build a platform from scratch in Aberdeen, the persistence behind contacting more than 100 businesses and over 1,000 students, the challenges of launching a startup, and why creating better pathways into marketing careers can benefit both employers and aspiring professionals across the North East of Scotland.

Whether you're interested in entrepreneurship, marketing, career development, or supporting local businesses from the North East of Scotland, this conversation offers an honest look at the determination required to turn an idea into reality.

In this episode we discuss:

• Building Marketing Career Ladder from the ground up

• Starting a business in Aberdeen

• Creating opportunities for marketing students and graduates

• Supporting career changers entering marketing

🌐 Learn more about Marketing Career Ladder:

https://marketingcareerladder.com

https://www.instagram.com/marketing_career_ladder/

https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingCareerLadder

https://www.tiktok.com/@marketing_career_ladder

💼 Connect with Romans:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/romans-svjatkins/

🌐 Follow Shaping the North East:

https://sznmedialtd.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/sznmedialtd/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588320118510

https://www.linkedin.com/company/szn-media-ltd/

Shaping the North East explores the people, ideas and ventures defining the region's next chapter through conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, community leaders and innovators from across the North East of Scotland.

#Aberdeen #NorthEastScotland #Marketing #MarketingCareers #Entrepreneurship #Startup #CareerDevelopment #BusinessPodcast #MarketingCareerLadder #Podcast

Jazz Mackintosh joins Shaping the North East to discuss her journey from studying music with friends at college to launching one of Aberdeen's newest indie bands, Elysian.

In this episode, we explore what it's like starting a band from scratch in the North East of Scotland, building confidence as a performer, writing original music, finding opportunities to play live, and why sometimes the best advice is simply to just get started.

If you're passionate about live music, the creative industries, or supporting emerging talent from the North East of Scotland, this conversation offers an honest look at the realities of pursuing music with the people you trust most.

In this episode we discuss:

• How Elysian was formed through college friendships

• Building a new indie band in Aberdeen

• Writing and performing original music

• The challenges facing emerging musicians

• Why supporting local music matters

🎵 Follow Elysian:

https://www.instagram.com/elysian.bandd/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6oTTvH5imFJNO9hishrVrH?si=Yyg1UCqdQ0S0ESuBTValPw

🌐 Follow Shaping the North East:

https://sznmedialtd.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/sznmedialtd/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588320118510

https://www.linkedin.com/company/szn-media-ltd/

Shaping the North East explores the people, ideas and ventures defining the region's next chapter through conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, community leaders and innovators from across the North East of Scotland.

#Aberdeen #NorthEastScotland #IndieMusic #ScottishMusic #AberdeenMusic #Podcast #MusicPodcast #CreativeScotland #SupportLocalMusic

What does it mean to find home?

In this episode of Shaping the North East, Chris sits down with Scottish-Burmese singer, songwriter and producer Fiona Soe Paing to explore identity, creativity and the landscapes that inspire her music.

We discuss Fiona's unique approach to songwriting, and how her acclaimed second album became a journey to reconnect with the Scottish places she now calls home.

We also talk about:

• Finding inspiration in Scotland's landscapes

• Creativity, identity and belonging

• The stories behind her music

• Performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

• Building a career as an independent artist

Whether you're passionate about music, creativity or the stories that shape who we become, there's something here for you.

Listen to Fiona Soe Paing

Website: https://www.fionasoepaing.co.uk

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7EqBwNXnselFEVu4vrXe9T?si=KxQuP5aAT_eMD5dSf4x4Dw&nd=1

Bandcamp: https://fionasoepaing.bandcamp.com/album/sand-silt-flint-3

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/FionaSoePaing

Follow Fiona on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fionasoepaing.music/

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

About Shaping the North East

Shaping the North East explores the people, ideas and ventures defining the region's next chapter. Each episode features honest conversations with inspiring guests from across business, culture, creativity and community.

Subscribe for new conversations every week.

What does it take to build a band from scratch and earn a place on one of Scotland's biggest festival stages?

In Episode 2 of Shaping the North East, Chris sits down with Stu and Stu from The Funky Red Pandas to explore the band's journey from an ambitious idea to one of the North East's most exciting live acts.

From winning Battle of the Bands just months after forming to releasing their debut album, The Word is F.U.N.K., the pair reflect on the milestones that have shaped the band's story so far. We also discuss what it means to perform at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, why live music still matters, and how they've stayed true to their sound while building momentum.

Whether you're a musician, a creative, or simply someone chasing an ambitious goal, this conversation is packed with honest insights into perseverance, collaboration and taking opportunities when they come your way.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How The Funky Red Pandas came together

• Winning Battle of the Bands

• Releasing The Word is F.U.N.K.

• Preparing for Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival

• The future of the band and what's next

Check out "The Word Is F.U.N.K.":

YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lsFK0ZSJW_GPCLQd7UoUDjcoez965dVgw

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4mx6oPuKt7oVWioPOLGc56?si=N9pYar-iSjSArWiLN5A_9Q

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-word-is-f-u-n-k/6781120041

Follow The Funky Red Pandas:

https://www.facebook.com/thefunkyredpandas/

https://www.youtube.com/@UCS5yZoTY60xrrjvrXoi0r5g

https://www.instagram.com/thefunkyredpandas

https://www.tiktok.com/@thefunkyredpandas

Shaping the North East is a podcast exploring the people, ideas and ventures defining the region's next chapter.

Welcome to the very first episode of the newly rebranded Shaping The North East.

To kick off this new chapter, we're joined by Lewis Donaldson, founder of L.Donaldson Massage in Aberdeen, for a conversation about self-care, entrepreneurship and the changing ways people choose to invest in themselves.

Lewis shares his journey from studying media at university to building a successful massage therapy business, why he believes a personalised, holistic approach to health delivers the best outcomes, and his thoughts on the rise of larger therapy chains that often sacrifice individuality for convenience.

We also discuss changing attitudes towards disposable income, why more people are prioritising wellbeing over traditional nights out, and how the continued growth of L.Donaldson Massage has led to an exciting move into a new city centre studio.

Shaping The North East explores the people, ideas and ventures defining the region's next chapter. Follow the podcast to hear more conversations with the individuals helping shape the future of the North East.

Follow L.Donaldson Massage:

https://www.ldonaldsonmassage.com

https://www.instagram.com/l.donaldsonmassage/

https://www.facebook.com/p/L-Donaldson-Massage-61568274151702/