Business and AI advisory

Experienced business leadership and practical AI expertise

My background includes running Kelpie Media, a marketing agency and TV production business that employed more than 30 staff at its peak, alongside ACE Business Supplies and Woosh Couriers.

I understand the responsibilities of ownership: managing people, maintaining customer relationships, controlling costs and delivering work while developing the business.

Over the last two years, I have also developed and taken SaaS subscription services to market. As an expert-level AI user, I combine commercial judgement with hands-on experience of creating applications and connecting business workflows.

Based in Bathgate, I work remotely across the UK and can meet clients within approximately 30 miles.

Business strategy and management

Running a business means making decisions with incomplete information while customers, staff and daily operations continue to need attention.

I provide an experienced outside perspective on the questions that affect performance and growth. That might involve clarifying priorities, examining an opportunity, improving a service or working through an operational problem.

• Business direction and growth priorities.
• Management responsibilities, delegation and working practices.
• Pricing, costs and commercial viability.
• Customer relationships and service delivery.
• Operational processes and opportunities for improvement.
• New services, partnerships and routes to market.

We begin with the decision or difficulty you face, establish what the evidence supports and agree practical next steps.

Marketing and commercial communication

Through Kelpie Media, my experience spans marketing agency work and television production.

I help businesses clarify what they offer, understand the audience they need to reach and communicate their value convincingly. This can include reviewing a commercial proposition, developing a presentation, researching customer needs or planning a case study.

My television production work includes programmes for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Al Jazeera and PBS. That background brings experience of investigating complex subjects, interviewing people and turning information into material an audience can understand.

Research, writing and production can form part of a wider commercial brief or be commissioned separately.

Business applications and automation

I use AI-assisted development and services including Cloudflare, Google Workspace and Zapier to create business-specific applications and connected workflows.

The starting point is the job the business needs to accomplish. Examples include organising research, coordinating production, managing customer requests, collecting information and reducing repeated administration.

My recent work includes subscription learning services, content-production systems, structured research archives and private management dashboards.

Depending on the brief, I can help define requirements, develop a prototype, integrate services and prepare an application for practical use. Testing, hosting, maintenance and ongoing support are agreed as part of the scope.

SaaS development and launch

Over the last two years, I have developed and taken subscription services to market, gaining practical experience of the work between an initial idea and an operational product.

I can help founders examine the customer need, define the first useful version and work through the subscription offer, onboarding, administration and support requirements.

This combines product development with an owner’s attention to delivery effort, running costs and the continuing responsibilities behind the service.

Ways to work together

Business Proposition and Growth Priorities Review

A focused review of one important commercial question, such as which customers to target, whether to pursue a partnership or where to concentrate development effort.

You receive a concise written assessment covering the evidence, unanswered questions and three prioritised actions, followed by a discussion of next steps.

Introductory fixed fee of £600, covering up to six hours of my time. We agree the scope, delivery date and total payable, including any applicable VAT, before starting.

AI Opportunity Review

A review of one business process to establish whether AI could help and how to test it. The recommendation covers the proposed approach, tools, human responsibilities, likely costs and measures of success. Scope and fees are agreed in advance.

Application or Automation Project

A defined project to develop a prototype, connect existing services or improve an operational workflow. We agree deliverables, testing, hosting responsibilities and support arrangements before proceeding.

Continuing Business Advisory

Regular support for an owner or leadership team, with agreed priorities, responsibilities and limits on time.

For selected businesses, I am open to discussing an equity component alongside fees, or an equity-based arrangement where the opportunity and contribution justify it. Any arrangement would have clear written terms.

About Stephen Anderson

I bring decades of experience across business ownership, marketing and television production.

At Kelpie Media, I led a marketing agency and TV production business employing more than 30 staff at its peak. My wider business background includes ACE Business Supplies and Woosh Couriers.

That experience informs how I advise: recommendations must account for people, money, customer commitments and the practical capacity to deliver.

Alongside my commercial work, I write about Scottish politics, public policy and political economy. I founded Scotland Reimagined, a separate political organisation and publication.

Read more about my background →