From Building Businesses to Building Opportunities: Grant Erskine’s Journey of Entrepreneurship and Reinvention

In his Legacy Bench conversation, Grant Erskine reflects on a career that has never followed the conventional route and explains why creating your own opportunities is often the greatest advantage an entrepreneur can have.

At the heart of Grant’s story is a willingness to back himself.

Long before becoming one of the UK’s youngest Chartered Architects to establish his own practice, Grant made a decision that many would have questioned. He left school midway through his A-levels to start working, choosing experience over the traditional academic pathway. It wasn’t until the age of 23 that he entered university, proving that success isn’t determined by how early you begin, but by your willingness to keep moving forward.

That decision laid the foundation for a career defined by resilience, adaptability, and entrepreneurship.

While architecture became the profession he is best known for, it has never been the only chapter in his journey. Over the past 15 years, alongside building Grant Erskine Architects, he has launched and developed businesses across multiple industries, from entertainment and events to training and publishing. Each venture has strengthened his understanding of business, leadership, and the value of embracing new opportunities.

Rather than focusing on challenges, Grant sees his experiences as lessons that can help others. Having spent years building successful businesses, his motivation for joining Legacy Bench is not simply to talk about his own achievements, but to share practical insights with entrepreneurs who are earlier in their journey and encourage them to believe in their own potential.

Throughout the conversation, Grant speaks about the importance of remaining adaptable. Business rarely follows a straight line, and he believes some of the greatest opportunities come when people are willing to step outside their comfort zones, take calculated risks, and start again if necessary.

His approach is grounded in values rather than titles. Honesty, integrity, and honour underpin every business decision he makes, while one philosophy continues to guide both his professional and personal life: don’t live to make money, make money to live. Success, for Grant, is measured not only by what you build, but by the opportunities you create for yourself and the people around you.

Looking ahead, Grant remains as passionate about entrepreneurship as ever. Whether designing buildings, launching new ventures, or mentoring others, he continues to demonstrate that curiosity and resilience are two of the most valuable assets any business owner can possess.

His story is a reminder that there is no single route to success.

Sometimes the most rewarding journeys begin by choosing a different path, trusting yourself, and having the courage to keep building, whatever the industry, whatever the challenge, and wherever the opportunity leads.