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How do you turn a personal problem into a business that could help other people?

For Christine Chau, founder of Tri-Milk, it started with her own experience of lactose intolerance, and grew into an ambition to build a brand with much bigger potential.

In this episode of Shaping the North East (sponsored by Amanda Law Mortgages), Chris speaks to Christine about the story behind Tri-Milk, the experience that led to her becoming lactose intolerant, and how a personal challenge helped inspire her entrepreneurial journey.

Christine shares how the idea for Tri-Milk developed, why she wants to make it the “Nurofen of the lactase world”, and her ambition to see the product stocked by major retailers such as Boots and Holland & Barrett. But building a business takes more than a good idea.

We also discuss the reality of running Tri-Milk alongside a full-time job, balancing work with a social life, and finding the time and energy to develop a business while working towards a bigger vision.

About Shaping the North East:

Shaping the North East is a podcast exploring the people, ideas and ventures defining the regions next chapter. Through conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, community leaders and other people making things happen, we explore the stories, challenges and ambitions shaping Aberdeen and the wider North East of Scotland.

Find Tri-Milk and Christine Chau:

https://tri-milk.com

https://www.instagram.com/trimilksupplements/

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

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinechau070698/

Find SZN Media:

https://www.sznmedialtd.co.uk

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

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

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

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Shaping the North East for more stories from the people, businesses and ideas shaping the future of Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland.

What does it take to build confidence, pursue a passion and start turning an idea into something of your own?

In this episode of Shaping the North East, Chris sits down with Melissa Gordon, the person behind Millie’s Treats, to talk about her love of baking, the people who have inspired her and the small steps she’s taking to grow both her confidence and her business.

From the influence of her family to exploring opportunities at market stalls and putting herself out there through conversations like this one, Melissa shares how the things we love, and the people who encourage us, can shape the direction we take in life.

We also discuss her hopes for the future, including her ambition to one day open a small café-style shop where people can enjoy her cakes and bakes. It’s an honest conversation about creativity, personal growth and having the courage to take the next step, even when stepping outside your comfort zone doesn't come naturally.

About Shaping the North East Shaping the North East is a podcast exploring the people, ideas and ventures defining the regions next chapter. Through conversations with people from across Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland, we explore the stories, ambitions and experiences helping shape the area’s future.

Find Melissa and Millie’s Treats:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Milliestreats15

Find SZN Media:

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

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

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

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

If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe to Shaping the North East for more stories from the people, businesses and creatives making a difference across the North East of Scotland.

Sponsored by Vintage Toys & Collectables & Video Games Aberdeen www.instagram.com/vintagetoysandcollectablesabz/

What happens when you stop following the expected path and start creating your own?

In this episode of Shaping the North East, we sit down with Muhammad (Mo) Rahman, founder of M7 Studios, to explore his journey through education, independent filmmaking, acting and the creation of his own media brand in Aberdeen.

Mo's route into media and content wasn't completely straightforward. We talk about his early interest in media at school, why college was always his first choice over university, and how that path eventually led him to Robert Gordon University alongside some of the classmates he'd met along the way. From there, Mo found himself working on independent film sets, developing his skills, forming lifelong friendships and discovering opportunities he hadn't necessarily expected. We talk about the lessons he learned from working in indie filmmaking, his original ambitions to become a voice actor, and how that eventually led to acting in independent films himself. We also look at the thinking behind M7 Studios and Mo's ambition to create opportunities for other people coming through education and trying to find their own way into the creative industries.

What started as an interest in media has developed into something much bigger, and Mo explains where he wants to take M7 Studios next, what he hopes to build in Aberdeen, and why creating opportunities for others has become such an important part of that vision.

Shaping the North East explores the people, ideas and ventures defining the regions next chapter, the people building businesses, creating opportunities, making things happen and helping shape what comes next for the North East of Scotland.

Find out more about Mo & M7 Studios:

https://www.instagram.com/mseven.studio/

https://mustarahman2004.wixsite.com/msevenstudio

https://www.instagram.com/fishwivesproductions/

Follow SZN Media:

https://www.sznmedialtd.co.uk

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

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

What happens when you move from London to Aberdeen, discover something you feel is missing, and decide to create it yourself?

In this episode of Shaping the North East, we sit down with Miss Monstera to explore her journey from London to Aberdeen and the events she's created since moving to the city. Her LGBTQ+ and kink events are about more than simply having a night out. Miss Monstera believes Aberdeen needs spaces where people can step away from the pressures of everyday life, forget about work, bills and expectations, and simply be themselves in an environment where they feel safe, welcome and free to express who they are.

We talk about why she felt those spaces were needed, how she went about creating them, and what she's learned about building a community around something that doesn't necessarily fit the traditional idea of Aberdeen nightlife. We also get into the much more personal side of her story, including meeting her wife, a whirlwind romance that spans continents, and the challenges of trying to build a life together while navigating the realities of UK visas and long-distance relationships.

Shaping the North East explores the people, ideas and ventures defining the regions next chapter, from the businesses being built here to the creative people, communities and ideas helping shape what comes next.

Find Miss Monstera

https://www.instagram.com/lady_of_gore/

https://www.instagram.com/eclipse_scotland/

https://www.instagram.com/gore_aberdeen/

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

Follow SZN Media:

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

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

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

What happens when a passion for retro toys, video games and collecting becomes something much bigger than a business?

In this episode of Shaping the North East (sponsored by Utopia Body Arts in Aberdeen), Chris sits down with Chris and Edina, the founders of "Vintage Toys & Collectables" and "Video Games Aberdeen", to talk about their journey from being out of work during the pandemic to creating two businesses that have become part of Aberdeen's growing retro, gaming and collecting community.

We talk about where the idea came from, the challenges of starting a business during such an uncertain period, and how their passion for everything from vintage wrestling figures and 80s cartoon memorabilia to Pokémon and video games helped them build something that people in Aberdeen have genuinely rallied behind. But this conversation is about more than collecting.

We also explore the importance of community, trust and shared interests, and how creating a welcoming space for people with similar passions has become such an important part of what they do. It's a story about entrepreneurship, taking an opportunity when circumstances change, and turning a personal passion into something that connects people across Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland.

🔗 Find out more about Chris, Edina and their businesses:

Vintage Toys & Collectables:

https://www.facebook.com/vintagetoyandcollectablesaberdeen/

https://www.instagram.com/vintagetoysandcollectablesabz/

https://www.youtube.com/@UCB8ij0xAU21pwfPcJlD9p4w

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

Video Games Aberdeen:

https://www.facebook.com/p/Video-Games-Aberdeen-61583396473338/

https://www.instagram.com/videogamesaberdeen/

🎙️ Listen to more episodes of Shaping the North East:

https://www.sznmedialtd.co.uk

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

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

Check out our Sponsor:

https://www.utopiabodyarts.com

https://www.instagram.com/utopiabodyarts/

https://www.facebook.com/utopiabodyarts/

Shaping the North East explores the people, ideas and ventures defining the region's next chapter, from entrepreneurs and creatives to community builders, businesses and organisations making a difference across Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland. If you're enjoying the series, subscribe, follow and share the episode to help us continue showcasing the people and stories shaping our region.

#ShapingTheNorthEast #Aberdeen #NorthEastScotland #VintageToys #Collectables #RetroGaming #VideoGamesAberdeen #AberdeenBusiness

What happens when the life you thought you wanted turns out not to be the life that makes you happy?

In this episode of Shaping the North East, Chris is joined by Shannon Andrew, an Aberdeen singer and vocalist whose journey has taken her from a decade of corporate 9–5 life to performing across the North East of Scotland. Shannon talks openly about growing up in Aberdeen, following the traditional idea that success meant getting an office job, buying a house and settling into a conventional career, only to realise that it wasn't the right path for her.

We explore her decision to leave corporate life behind, her journey of self-discovery and healing, and how a move to Portugal helped her rediscover her love of singing. Since returning to Aberdeen, Shannon has established herself as a performer across venues, events, weddings and celebrations throughout the North East, and has recently been nominated for Breakthrough Artist Of The Year at the Granite City Entertainment Awards. We also talk about finding your own path, the importance of doing something that makes you happy, and what Shannon hopes comes next as she continues to develop her career as a singer and performer in Aberdeen.

Cast your votes in the Granite City Entertainment Awards:

https://gcea.co.uk

Find out more about Shannon Andrew:

https://shannonandrewmusic.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/shannonandrewmusic/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076836804993&locale=en_GB#

Find Shaping the North East:

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

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

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

https://www.sznmedialtd.co.uk

Shaping the North East is a podcast exploring the people, ideas and ventures defining the region’s next chapter. From entrepreneurs and creatives to businesses, community projects and the people working to make a difference, each episode tells the stories behind the people and ideas shaping the North East of Scotland.

What does it mean to build a business around the way you actually want to work? In this episode of Shaping the North East, Chris is joined by Maya Vertigans, founder of Planner Bee V.A Services, an Aberdeen-based virtual assistant business built around a remote-first approach to work.

Maya shares the story behind starting Planner Bee, her ambition to become an entrepreneur and the process of creating a business from the ground up. We talk about what it takes to move away from the traditional 9–5 working environment and create something that better reflects your own values, personality and ambitions.

We also explore Maya’s passion for ethical and sustainable business practices, why Planner Bee has deliberately chosen to operate remotely rather than from a physical office, and the advantages (and challenges) that come with running a modern virtual assistant business.

Our conversation also takes a more personal turn as Maya talks about her own journey of self-discovery. From attending university in a big city to realising that she may be more introverted than she once thought, we discuss how understanding yourself can influence the way you work, the businesses you create and the life you want to build around them.

And, of course, we look ahead. Maya talks about the future of Planner Bee V.A Services, her ambitions for growing the business and what comes next as she continues to shape her own path as an entrepreneur in Aberdeen.

Find out more about Planner Bee V.A Services:

https://plannerbeeva.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/plannerbeeva

https://www.facebook.com/plannerbeeva

https://www.linkedin.com/company/planner-bee-va/

Connect with Maya:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-vertigans/

Shaping the North East is a podcast exploring the people, ideas and ventures defining the region’s next chapter. From entrepreneurs and creatives to businesses, community projects and the people working to make a difference, each episode tells the stories behind the people and ideas shaping the North East of Scotland.

Kate Kenyon joins Shaping the North East to discuss the story behind SOBR, Aberdeen's first completely alcohol-free bar, and what it takes to build a business around a very different approach to the traditional bar experience.

In this episode, we explore how the idea for SOBR came about, the challenges of launching a new concept in Aberdeen, and the reaction the business received when people questioned whether an alcohol-free bar could really work. Kate also shares the highs and lows of building a business from the ground up, the importance of creating a welcoming space for people, and her commitment to supporting those who may be facing their own struggles. We also discuss SOBR's growing success, recent award nominations, their first festival appearance, and Kate's ambitions to take the concept beyond Aberdeen.

Could SOBR become a model for a new generation of alcohol-free venues across Scotland?

🌐 Follow SOBR:

https://www.sobrbar.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/sobr_bar/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582519197435

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

🌐 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 #AlcoholFree #SOBR #AberdeenBusiness #ScottishBusiness #Podcast #Entrepreneurship #AlcoholFreeBar #Scotland