Creative Chit Chat - Dundee

Richard runs Abandon Ship Apparel, Hard Grind barbers and Daily Grind coffee bar. He’s pretty much taking over exchange street in Dundee with an alternative way to experience Dundee. He’s created a massive following and audience from his design work and the culture he has curated around his businesses. We talk about how Abandon Ship went from an idea in a bedroom to 1.2million in turnover to liquidation. The brand ended up growing too fast and Richard admits that he made mistakes and decisions that he regrets. The liquidation had a big impact on his life and his mental health. A battle that continues today in the second iteration of Abandon Ship. Richard struggles, as many of us do, in finding a healthy work/life balance. Switching off is difficult when you run your own business. He has built up the apparel side again and combined forces with Hard Grind barbers and Daily Grind coffee bar. Creating a much more social space that people genuinely want to spend their time in. He is continuing to grow by recent