New Hands

Jim - the reluctant tycoon

Jim meets Charlie. Paisley ex drug addict painter/decorator in conversation with hairdresser to the stars and the result is some straight talking from all concerned. Listen again as Lesley delivers the 'put up or shut up' choices.

Listen again to the Contact Lense guru

You can now listen again as Lesley meets Alastair Knox who wears contact lenses. In 2004, he was  flying to LA and wanted to sleep. He had packed his contact lenses case. What he did next led him to the final of a major innovation award. Join Lesley to find out - it proved to  be a very popular programme with listeners divided over the advice and the manner in which the advice was delivered. You can listen again and decide yourself.

A word from the Boss

I’m so chuffed New Hands has been re-commissioned for next year. Lesley Campbell has been a natural radio star and made my first series as a producer not presenter a delight. Sean Kerwin and Chris Smith have tweaked music and converted the BBC progs into podcasts with music produced by Richard Melvin’s company Dabster to let us avoid the complex rammy over music that still hasn’t been resolved for podcast programmes and Scott Shaw produced the final two programmes when virtual tape was threatening to overwhelm me. Nikki Broughton has been Queen of the paperwork – to all many thanks. We will be back on air in February 2009 – it may seem a long way away but we’ll be looking for new companies from September and maybe trying to back the series up with a road-show to help more interested would-be entrepreneurs get the focussed advice they need. So if you have suggestions or comments fire away.

Thanks again

Lesley Riddoch

More comment from listeners

I applaud any programme that helps/advises Scottish entrepreneur to take their ideas to the next level. 11:05 New Hands Sunday 16th March, Alastair Knox has a great idea and no one will invest, as I listened to supposed entrepreneur Angela Patterson help Alastair to look at his business model from a different angle, I was horrified as Angela slowly surely and concisely rip apart Alastair’s enthusiasm for his ideas and products.

The last New Hands of this series

Jim is a former heroin addict from Paisley who started doing some decorating and, now that he's recovered, thinks he might want to expand the business. He's worried about losing control and getting out of his depth – he now has a wife and young family to take care of. We match him up with Charlie Taylor, three times Scottish Hairdresser of the Year, who had a similar problem when she had one salon and considered expanding. Charlie now has four salons and is about to open a fifth. They’re an odd couple but, surprisingly, it becomes obvious that they’re on exactly the same wavelength.

A new series...wow

We are delighted, thrilled and flattered to announce there will be a second series of 'New Hands...Old Hands' for BBC Radio Scotland. So it's a big thanks to all the New Hands, Old Hands and, obviously, Lesley Campbell and the Feisty Productions team. But, we need a favour from you. If you know a potential New Hand for the next series then please feel free to get in touch by email.

Thanks in advance.

The Feisty Team

Listener comments

I loved this show. It's so important to encourage small businesses in a relatively small country such as Scotland. It seems that Lesley Campbell is on a one-woman mission to make sure that we all meet our full potential. The way she discusses business with normal people is excellent and should encourage all of us to start up businesses!

Philippa

This is a valuable show as it highlights some important issues facing would-be entrepreneurs - not the least of which is their own fear of failure. It is great entertainment where these beginners in business have to look to their laurels to achieve their own reality show! Loved Lesley's Campbell's upbeat, challenging style - looking forward to hearing the rest.

Michelle

'Bump bling'

You can now listen again to Amanda and even download the 'bump bling' New Hands. The advice that Rachel gives Amanda is very insightful, as they say. She also reveals a couple of retail truths that every product developer should know.

Not a dry eye in the house

This week on Sunday, Lesley meets Alastair Knox who wears contact lenses. In 2004, he was  flying to LA and wanted to sleep. He had packed his contact lenses case. What he did next led him to the final of a major innovation award. Join Lesley to find out.

Hannah, a listener comments

This show was excellent! It contained great advice and great insight into the world of small businesses. The advice and guidance that Lesley provided the girls from Cava has also helped me to see the potential in my own “hobby” business. Lesley Campbell’s show has given me the kick up the backside I needed to take my small business forward.

I wish Cava the best of luck in the future and I can’t wait for the next show.