Last weekend was the birthday of our venerable leader, and founder of the world famous Mad Mick`s Tours.

The Birthday was celebrated in typical low key by Mad Mick and his family

Because it was Mick`s Birthday, and because so many people have confused him with that other great Clydebank entrepreneur Duncan Bannantyne, we felt that we should give you a small insight into where the Mad Mick`s Tours empire all began....................so once you are all sitting comfortably we will begin. 

PS:  Duncan built his empire on a group of fitness clubs and associated businesses. As you can see from Mick`s profile here, Mick decided that the Fitness thing was not for him and rebelled against that idea.  Mick was determined to be unique!!!!!  And he sure is that

 

In fact when you look at the photo at the top of the page, to the last photo above this text.......... that is a bigger metamorphosis than a caterpillar to a butterfly !

 

 

 

Welcome to Mad Mick`s Tours 

 The Early Years - Creation of a Dynasty

These days when the world seems to move at a hectic pace and never stands still, it is sometimes highly enjoyable to look back and take stock of your life, where you are today and how you got there. To reflect on the things that got us where we are today, and so I would like to invite you to wander down memory lane to the start of the Mad Mick Empire. On this journey we will take you through the transformation of the dashing young man you see above ( see photo ) to the Pillock of the community........ sorry that is a typing error, that should read Pillar of the community....ooops

Anyway let us begin our journey down memory lane.

The story began when Mick was a young man desperate to do the best he could for his family and to make a name for himself in the world of business. Mick was out shopping one day at his favourite store and saw how much money was being made by the shopkeeper.

 

Mick`s lightning like brain decided that he wanted to make this kind of money for his family and instantly the idea for Mad Mick`s Emporium was born. Mick rushed home to tell his wife about his new plan ( see picture above ) and she told him " Yer NOT ON ,  on yer bike Mick I am not getting involved in that ". Now some people would have seen that as negative and given up at this point, but not our venerable leader....  Undaunted Mick`s lightning brain leapt into action again and thought, `what did the wife say again?`  -- " On yer bike "  hhhhhmmmmmmm  " On yer bike " ??????????????????? ...............

Lets not do an Emporium, lets do an Empire... a TRAVEL EMPIRE!!!! 

And so the idea for Mad Mick`s Tours was born.

Mick decided that he would need to discuss his idea with his Bankers, and went along to visit them.

Mick chose to take a cab to the meeting, to make a statement to the Bankers, that this idea was " The Real Deal " and should be taken seriously.

Mick made a great impression on the bankers, so much so that they paid money to get rid of him out of their offices !. After Mick had received the initial funding of 17 shillings and 10 1/2 d from the bank, he started off his Empire by running the first tram service up Mountblow Road...

Mick soon realised that he would never become a Millionaire on this route alone, at least not until someone built some houses at the top of Mountblow Road and some passengers got on the tram !!!! 

 So he started looking around for his next destination that would make the money roll in........... where would that be I wonder...........  " Auchenshuggle " shouted Mick at 2.47am one morning as his wife lay asleep beside him. And that is where Mick got the broken nose :-P  but that`s another story.. Anyway..

Mick had heard on the crystal wireless that there were people who were starting flights in Airplanes and charging people to go to exotic destinations like  Abbotsinch and Renfrew !!

So quick as a flash

 

Mick saw a business opportunity!

He bought his first airplane

Now Mick being the razor sharp businessman that he is, soon realised that to make money, he would need to buy another airplane with more than one seat !!!  ( Smart Eh.... we wouldn`t have thought of that )

Mick`s mind was racing ahead and he had visions of " Mickair " a breath of fresh air in the Aviation Industry, offering best value for money and any awkward pasengers could use the outside lavvy for free.

He could see himself drawing up plans for long haul flights to Auchinleck, Old Kilpatrick and Millport.......

He could see himself inside luxury airplanes

 

where the passengers could relax and Mick could charge for drinks and Pieces on board, including meals for kiddies!

He would have a state of the art method of taking payments and a fixed rate of currency......... 1 pound = 1 pound

Unfortunately, Mick was just too late with the idea and another Irish name got there first....... which annoyed him a bit

               

Some guy called Ryan started an airline with the money they got from the film about his daughter

....... That was a blow to Mick`s plans, but ever positive he simply moved on to the next idea.

To be continued.......