A SOCIAL enterprise that started creating desirable objects from ethically sourced Scottish hardwood, reclaimed whisky wood and old, weather worn timber, has expanded into the doors and windows market.

And Greater Good Glass (GGG) – a spin-off from Greater Good Wood (GGW) – is planning to offer customers of both firms Scotcoin, an online digital currency with a focus on being ethical and secure, which can be spent in either of the outlets.

Joe Myles started GGW two years ago when he returned to Scotland after a career in risk management, and uses its profits to offer voluntary consultancy services to small businesses and charities.

He and his long-time friend and window fitter Dougie Smith started GGG after he became disillusioned with the overcharging he witnessed in the sector.

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“Dougie was tired of working for people, tired of all the overcharging, and he would see the difference my work makes to me and my mental health and how well my family got on,” said Myles.

“And that’s when we cooked up the idea of Greater Good Glass, which is just transferring Greater Good Wood’s principles to what has traditionally been a predatory

industry.

“What we do is we fit double glazing and doors, the best you can get on the market. But we don’t have any salespeople, we use no-pressure tactics, we won’t camp in your house.

“We simply measure up and send you a price for you to think about and you can get back in touch with us when you want. The response has been absolutely incredible, particularly from women and older people.”

Myles attributes that to their treating people the way he and Smith or their families would want to be treated, which includes not “mansplaining” to their female customers.

Both companies use some of their profits to support charities and community groups across Scotland.

Scotcoin – a community interest company (CIC) – is preparing to take its place on the crypto exchanges, and Myles said GGG and GGW would be offering it to their customers.

“What we’ve agreed is that for every pound a customer spends with us, they’ll get two Scotcoin, and those Scotcoin can be used to buy stuff from Greater Good Wood and Greater Good Glass initially, until they’re on the exchange.

“We might need to limit the Scotcoin on Greater Good Glass, because if we get a £10,000 payment, we can’t really monetise that yet, so we’re going to have limit it a bit.

“This is not a one-time offer, it’s something we want to do as a business going forward. We want it to work.”

“I like Scotcoin and I like what they’re doing.”

Temple Melville, director of The Scotcoin Project, said he was delighted that the two firms were joining their network.

He added: “Their work is really inspiring and inventive. We feel great kinship with social enterprises like Greater Good Glass, steeped in creativity and who in turn use that creativity to deliver good to their community. They do this across all their initiatives.

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“For us, there’s huge momentum for Scotcoin right now as we increase the network of outlets who are able to take Scotcoin either in full or part payment for goods and services.

“The process is very user-friendly to join up and each new partner becomes a valued member of the Scotcoin network.”

The National is offering 1000 Scotcoin to all existing subscribers and anyone who subscribes before 11.59pm on November 17 – for as little as £2 for two months.

More information can be found on our website or by getting in touch with stewart.ward @thenational.scot by email.