A horror sports injury led mum-of-two Lisa Stewart to take a different career path.
With £5,000 in savings, a “banger” of a van and no safety net, Aberdeenshire woman Lisa Stewart made a decision many would shy away from.
She invested everything she had in buying a failed business and betting on herself.
It was a gamble that paid off for the Udny-based entrepreneur.
Fast forward 16 years and the 46-year-old has grown McGregor Glazing into a thriving, family-run business serving customers across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
With a team of eight staff behind her, Lisa is a big believer in hard work delivering results.
Injury led to career change
Leaving Ellon Academy at the age of 16, her ambition was clear. She wanted to be a PE teacher.
Lisa said: “I’d always been into sports. I played netball, football, badminton, and did horse riding. My plan was to go to Edinburgh and study PE.”
At the age of 17 Lisa moved to Edinburgh and started her studies at Telford College, however after just three months she suffered a bad knee injury whilst playing basketball and had to withdraw from her course.
This then took Lisa on what she described as a “totally different path” and she ended up working in hospitality.
Lisa joined Hard Rock Cafe as a host, greeting customers at the door. But she quickly worked her way through different departments, travelling to open new restaurants and train staff.
She said: “I would travel around Europe when they opened new restaurants and train all the staff and management. I went to Holland, Germany, Barcelona and other places. I loved it.”
People person
At the age of 27, Lisa felt the pull back to Aberdeen.
She moved into retail, taking an assistant manager role at The Pier on Belmont Street before stepping up to store manager at Au Naturale on Union Street.
But after a couple of years in retail, she wanted something different – though still people-focused.
She joined her parents’ business, Stewart Property Services, as a rental agent.
The former Cultercullen Primary School pupil said: “I enjoyed it because I was still dealing with the public. That’s always been the part of any job I’ve liked the most.”
In May 2008, Lisa became a mum to her son Isaac. A year later, ready to return to work, she accepted an opportunity with McGregor Glazing, a firm she had connections to.
Lisa said: “I’d always known George, and the family had always known him, and he offered me a change and I thought, why not? I decided to go and try something new.”
Leap of faith
But within 12 months, the company went into administration in 2010, leaving Lisa, who lives in Udny, suddenly unemployed.
“I wasn’t entitled to redundancy,” she said “I was left on my laurels. That’s when I realised I wanted to do something myself.”
With £5,000 of her own savings, a van, and no safety net, Lisa bought what remained of the business from the administrator.
She hired one former employee and started working out of what she described as “a tiny basement” premises in Shore Lane.
Lisa said: “When it closed I went to see George to ask his plans and he said he was walking away from the glazing business. It was then I knew I wanted to do something.
I used all my personal savings and it was a banger of a van. At the time, I was a single parent and knew I needed to find a way to provide for my family. Rather than wait for another opportunity, I decided to create my own.
I also knew I needed to be more flexible for Isaac. So if I have my own business, I can do that. I just took the bull by the horns and went for it.”
McGregor Glazing growth
When window firm AC Yule went bust in November 2011, Lisa noticed an increase in work.
She said: “The workload just started piling in because there wasn’t many other glaziers in Aberdeen.
We weren’t doing windows and doors at that point. It was just glasswork. But as time went on we got more inquiries for windows and doors, so we expanded. That really helped the business grow.”
By 2014, the business had grown enough to move into larger premises on Links Road – the base it still operates from today.
Balancing parenthood and work
That same year, Lisa welcomed her daughter, Naomi.
Running a growing business while raising two children was no small feat.
Lisa said: “It was tough but I had to make it work. The kids went to private nursery and I worked hard. We got through it all. My children have always been my biggest motivation.”
Today, McGregor Glazing employs eight staff, alongside contractors, and remains a family-run business.
Lisa is joined by her sister Vicki Lindsey, her younger brother Alan, and her father.
She said: “I’m super proud of everyone who’s been part of the business. If I didn’t have the staff I’ve got, I wouldn’t have the business. We’re a family-run business who do face-to-face meetings with a friendly service, no pushy sales, and we just do a fair price.
We’ve always believed in giving people honest advice and fair prices without the sales pressure you sometimes see in our industry.”
Looking to the future
Like many in the trade, Lisa now faces industry-wide challenges, particularly a shortage of skilled glazing staff.
She said: “It’s getting harder to find people who want to do glazing work. A lot of the experienced guys are nearing retirement.”
As a result, the business is gradually shifting focus.
Lisa said: “We’re still offering glazing, but we’re winding that side down. We’re focusing more on windows and doors now.”
Turnover continues to rise, and Lisa is optimistic about the future, looking to keep expanding the business.
She said: “You only get one chance in life. If you work hard and take the opportunities that come your way, you can achieve what you want. I could have grown faster, but I didn’t want to overstretch. Now the kids are a bit older, we’re pushing ahead more.
I just think take the bull by the horns and go for it. You only get one chance to do it.
I’ve always believed you should try your best to whatever you want to do and you can achieve whatever you want if you work hard enough.”