Possible meets.... David Macdonald of Direct Shine

His vision for business growth and focus on delivering excellent customer service are as clear as the windows, fascias, gutters, paths and driveways he and his team take care of all across the country on a daily basis. The size of his operation and the range of services they provide may well surprise you and if you ever get the chance to see one of his squad pressure clean an old building or pathway, do it. Pull up a chair and just watch. It’s probably one of the most strangely satisfying things you will ever see.

This week, Possible meets…. David MacDonald of Direct Shine.

Can you tell us a bit about your business? 

 Direct Shine specialise in various types of external cleaning services; including window cleaning, pressure washing, gutter clearing, solar panel cleaning, cctv inspections, graffiti removal and upvc cleaning. Our residential rounds are one of the largest in  Britain looking after the window cleaning on over three thousand individual properties across the central belt. Alongside our residential rounds Direct Shine also take care of the external cleaning on a large number of commercial clients across Scotland on regular cleaning frequencies. 

 As a company we take pride in what we do and  try to always provide a quality job at a competitive cost. 

 How has the last year, throughout the COVID-19 situation, been for you professionally and personally?

 The previous 12 months has been challenging for Direct Shine and myself. From the start I’d always been driven to grow the business so to be told to stop did take some time to adjust. The uncertainty of having a team of 10 staff to pay and worry about was not lost on me and watching as your customer base drives to a halt was concerning. As a business we adjusted and were fortunate to be able to operate our residential rounds to some capacity allowing a percentage of our income to continue.

That combined with the sheer professionalism of my team let the business survive and in the end grow. The business with the recent return of our commercial clients is now looking to recruit a new employee to add to the team. We also invested in a fully operational office in what could have been seen as risky time to invest any money into any business. This has proved a game changer from a personal point of view letting me switch off at night and enjoy a far better work life balance.

Tell us about the first time you ever moved out of your family home and rented/bought your first property?

The first time I moved out was at 17 years old and I moved down south to work in Newquay and Eastbourne in properties managed by my uncle. It was a steep learning curve but was an amazing experience living somewhere different and experiencing life on my own. The first property I bought was a house in the western edge of perth. Nice little property but we most definitely outgrew it with the arrival of James and Ailie. 

Which parts of Perthshire have you lived in and are there any that you liked the most? 

 I was brought up in North Muirton and lived there the majority of my childhood. Looking back I think the area done me well, it was a hard working community that looked after each other. I think a lot of that ethos has been brought into my business and how we look after our own staff. Our last and current property has been in the western edge, we love it here. Nice and quiet but still central to everything and only a short walk to anything we could need. 

What’s your favourite room in your home and why? 

 My favourite room in my house would be my living room. It’s where all the family gather playing games or watching films. It’s rarely quiet but if I’m honest I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

In your opinion, what is it that makes a house a home? 

 I think family is what makes a house a home wether that be the kids running around creating carnage or my wife Romy in the kitchen attempting to cook. (Can’t wait for her to read that haha) Jokes aside It’s the little things that make it a home and my family is what does that for me. 

 Why do you think Perthshire is such a popular location for buyers from all over parts of Scotland and the UK? 

 Perthshire is a stunning area, it’s only when you get a little older and travel around you appreciate the area you live in. The area has amazing restaurants, bars, walks and is conveniently placed to travel to any of the other main cities. 

If you could have your dream home, anywhere in the world, where would it be and tell us a bit about what it might have in it and look like?

I think it would be a Villa in costa adeje (Tenerife) the property will have a pool for the family and In a perfect world on the beach. 

Find out more about David and Direct Shine by visiting: www.directshine.com

Bringing over 20 years local estate agency experience, Possible are Perthshire's only company who are solely dedicated to selling properties. We cover the entire Perthshire area and over the years have helped hundreds of clients in locations such as Perth, Scone, Bridge of Earn, Auchterarder, Crieff, Blairgowrie, Luncarty, Bankfoot, Pitlochry and everywhere else in between.