Home Truths with.... Ross Gunnion

In Episode 4 of Home Truths, we hear from Ross Gunnion of GM Projects

Can you tell us a little bit about what you do for a living?

Good question. If you’d asked me that question 10 years ago the answer would have been that I am a Quantity Surveyor. But, since starting a business that my role has become more varied. In short, I’m co-owner and Director of a Construction and Fit-Out business called GM Projects. Our projects vary from small industrial unit refurbishments, to high end office fitout for clients such as Cala Homes, to new build projects including Starbucks units.

What was the first job you ever had?

A Saturday & Sunday job working in Campus Sports in Perth’s High Street when I was 15. I loved it, meeting and chatting to different people all day. I learned a lot from Frank Ewen who owned the business in terms of customer service, treating everyone the same, no matter if they were spending £5 or £500. I ended up working there until I finished university and started full time employment when I was 22.

Who has been the biggest influence on your own career?

I’ve had a few in business that I’ve learned a lot from, but the main influence would definitely be my mum and dad. They always supported and encouraged me in what I was doing. My dad took over part of a struggling business in the 1990’s and helped turn it around and he showed me working hard has its rewards.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Aside from swimming, ski-ing and/or football lessons for my four year old son, I still get a weekly game of 5 a-sides in, after years of playing Junior football I’m just happy my knees are still functioning.

Golfing once a week ideally when the weather is decent.

I’m a Trustee of Jeanfield Swifts Community FC and we’re working hard on trying to build a community 3G facility in North Muirton at the moment.

But, in the next 6 months to a year a lot of my spare time will be focused on my upcoming house renovation.

What’s one bit of advice you have received that still resonates with you?

Your reputation takes years to build, but only minutes to ruin it. An old boss of mine told me that and it always stuck.

What is your personal definition of success?

Good question. In business I think success for us is creating a business and environment for our staff to thrive and feel valued in is success. We have grown to 23 employees, with plans to grow further, and we take our responsibility to them very seriously.

In return I think we have some excellent people in our business who work incredibly hard to deliver for our clients. I’ve stopped thinking of success as an ultimate goal and learned over the years that the process / journey is what needs to be enjoyed.

If you could go back and give your younger self some words of wisdom what would they be?

I’d take a bit of advice I heard Sam Torrance mention. “Worry is the tax you pay on the inevitable”.

It sums thing up perfectly for me. Worrying about what might happen in life does you no favours. Work hard, be open and honest with people, and give your best to whatever it is you do. If you do that you can rest easy and what will be will be.

For our accompanying video interview with Ross, please visit our social media pages on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. 

You can also visit the GM Projects website at: www.gmp-ltd.co.uk

Bringing over 20 years of 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.