I’m Richie Disaster (or Richard Davies if you’re feeling formal), a Scottish artist and creative powerhouse with over a decade of experience spanning industries like retail, tech, hospitality, barbering, tattooing, and coffee. From launching multimillion-pound businesses to creating jaw-dropping murals, I’ve built my career on a mix of grit, creativity, and a good dose of humour.

I’m probably best known as the founder and director of the award-winning Abandon Ship Apparel. What started as a £300 idea in 2011 grew into a £1.2 million turnover business within three years. I steered the brand through its ups and downs, including a liquidation in 2015, and rebuilt it from scratch into a sustainable, profitable, and community-driven brand. We were the ones who partied hard but cared harder, blending transparency, bold ideas, and social consciousness into everything we did. Along the way, I introduced innovative approaches like subscription boxes, pop-ups, preorders, and high-quality cut-and-sew collections, carving out our space in the competitive UK apparel scene. I stepped away in 2022, leaving behind a legacy I’m immensely proud of, but I continue to create through Disaster Inc., earning a reputation as a creative force in the UK apparel industry.

Beyond clothing, I also lent my creative flair as the Creative Director of Abandon Ship Bars, helping launch three bars across Dundee, Glasgow, and London. I wasn’t the one pouring pints, but I was the mastermind behind the vibe—designing murals, menus, merchandise, and events that tied the bars seamlessly to the brand’s ethos. From large-scale wall art to sold-out merch drops, I built a lifestyle business that blended hospitality and apparel in a way few had seen before.

Then there was Hard Grind, my foray into the barbering world. Combining coffee, retail, and award-winning barbers, I reimagined the barbershop experience into something unforgettable. With Hard Grind’s success, I launched Daily Grind, an independent coffee shop, and then turned my focus to hospitality, opening The Last Rodeo, a margarita bar with a dive-bar-meets-speakeasy twist.

More recently, I’ve ventured into the tech sector, working as a consultant with companies like Ceros and MarkUp to supercharge their creative efforts. I’ve helped craft global campaigns, live events, and content that inspires teams and audiences alike.

As an artist, I’ve been prolific since 2016, creating hundreds of pieces each year. My work spans digital art, logos, merchandise, and murals, with clients including Pabst Blue Ribbon, Jägermeister, Sailor Jerry, and more. My intense, intricate mural style has graced walls around the world, from public spaces to private commissions.

Other highlights? I’ve:

• Designed and released a full Tarot deck with a companion guide.

• Published a cookbook and a book documenting people who tattooed my slogan “Not Everything Sucks.”

• Collaborated with mental health charities to raise awareness and funds.

• Been featured in national campaigns about entrepreneurship.

• Spoken at events (hosted by the likes of Google and Shopify) and mentored countless creatives who’ve gone on to thrive.

Whether it’s launching brands, crafting stories, building communities, or just throwing creative energy into the mix, I’ve gathered more experience in the past decade than most do in a lifetime. I’m here to share that knowledge, elevate your ideas, and maybe even create a little chaos along the way.

Let’s make something incredible together.