From Homeless to Multi-Millionaire

David didn’t start with a cushy background. He had no engineering degree, no silver spoon, just a willingness to knock on doors (literally) and hustle like his life depended on it.

He started out selling boilers door-to-door in Glasgow on a commission basis. How many of us would’ve lasted six months on commission-only sales?

David’s not afraid of the grind. He kept going, and soon enough, he was ready to strike out alone.

He started his first company, H GDP, at 30. It grew fast (121 staff at its peak), but the business failed.

Financial mismanagement. The sort of thing that could break anyone. He lost everything: £826k, his house, his cars, the lot.

And what did he do? He didn’t sit around feeling sorry for himself.

He bounced back.

After losing everything, David dug deep and rebuilt.

He founded Energy Grant Scotland and now ePig, which started selling boilers but quickly shifted into eco markets like insulation and renewables.

He tapped into the ECO3 scheme, a government-backed initiative many weren’t leveraging. He saw the potential, and off he went, grabbing every opportunity.

But it wasn’t without its challenges…

David had to get loans from multiple lenders, paying back thousands of pounds weekly to keep the company alive. Cash flow was a nightmare. At one point, he had to ask for £30k in one week to pay the bills.

But by 2022, the business turned a £2.8 million profit on £10.4 million turnover. And that’s not all. The company now has £1.5 million in assets and zero debt.

Now, this is where it gets interesting…

David’s not stopping at boilers and insulation. He rebranded his company to ePig (after a dream, no less, where he envisions selling it for £50 million in 2027).

He’s all in on heat pumps, solar panels, and energy efficiency.

But it’s not just about making money. David’s got bigger plans. He’s setting up a Renewable Energy Training Academy to tackle the skills shortage in the industry.

He’s not only growing his business, but he’s also planning on building up the next generation of engineers and installers.

This industry is evolving, and David is at the forefront of that shift.

Alright, let’s break it down.

What can we take away from David’s story?

• Resilience is everything. He lost everything (over £800k) and still found a way back. If you’re struggling, what matters most is how you bounce back.

• Get your finances right. David learned the hard way that financial mismanagement can destroy a business. Don’t let that be you. Know your numbers, hire a good accountant, and stay on top of cash flow.

• Look for the next big thing. He saw the opportunity in the ECO3 market and renewables before most people knew it. Now’s the time to get clued up on the MCS scheme and start thinking about heat pumps, solar, and beyond.

• Build a community. David’s big on sharing knowledge. His Renewable Training Academy is going to bring more people into the industry, and he’s open to helping others get certified and secure funding. This isn’t just about competition; it’s about lifting everyone up.

David’s aiming for £20 million in 2024…

What about you?

If you’re running a small one-van setup or thinking of scaling up, there’s no time like now to start putting your plans in place. If you’ve ever thought about getting into renewables, don’t wait until it’s too late.

Here’s the Game Plan..

Get your MCS certification, start thinking bigger, and most importantly, get that business strategy sorted. Write down your goals for the next six months and map out how you’re going to hit them.

Trust me, the renewable sector is exploding right now, heat pumps, solar panels, government schemes, the opportunities are massive.

But like David says, “You’ve got to be in it to win it.”

Need help? Reach out to David. He’s not just an installer anymore, he’s a carbon broker, helping other companies get funding and accreditation.

There’s support out there, you just need to take that first step.