Client stories

Feedback from people who booked our wallet setup sessions, workshops, and storage reviews across Scotland and the wider UK.

"I had postponed wallet setup for two years because every guide assumed I already knew what a seed phrase was. Mara slowed down at exactly the points I would have clicked through. The devnet transfer before mainnet was the part I needed — I would have been nervous sending real SOL otherwise."

— James Calder, Edinburgh · One-to-One Wallet Setup Session

"The scam screenshot wall was unsettling in a useful way. I recognised a message I had almost clicked the week before. Small group meant I could ask embarrassing questions without feeling foolish."

— Priya Nair, Glasgow Southside · Self-Custody Essentials Workshop

"Ewan never asked to see my words, which I appreciated. He pointed out that keeping a copy in my desk and another in the kitchen drawer was not geographic separation — just two fires in one house. My only gripe is the booking calendar fills quickly on weekends."

— Tom Hughes, Stirling · Recovery Phrase Storage Review

"Chose Solflare on Ewan's recommendation for my Android phone. Session ran ten minutes over because my old phone needed an update first, but they built that into the afternoon without making me feel rushed."

— Aileen Morrison, Paisley · One-to-One Wallet Setup Session

"Worth attending before buying a hardware wallet. I nearly ordered the wrong model for Solana. The workbook is still on my fridge door six months later."

— Daniel Okonkwo, Glasgow City Centre · Self-Custody Essentials Workshop

Extended case notes

Retired teacher sets up first self-custody wallet at 68

Margaret F., East Kilbride · One-to-One Wallet Setup Session

Margaret received SOL as a gift from her son abroad and wanted to hold the keys herself before his next visit.

Margaret arrived with a handwritten note of questions and a tablet she rarely used for anything beyond email. Her goal was simple: receive a transfer from her son without relying on an exchange account she did not fully understand.

We selected Phantom on her laptop because she already used Chrome for council tax payments and the larger screen helped with word verification. The recovery phrase ceremony took the longest — Margaret insisted on reading each word twice aloud, which we encourage.

After devnet practice, she sent her mainnet address to her son via a phone call rather than text, a precaution we suggested for first-time high-value receives. She booked a follow-up storage review three months later to discuss moving a duplicate phrase to her daughter's address in Aberdeen.

Small business owner separates treasury from personal wallet

Ravi K., Glasgow West End · Recovery Phrase Storage Review plus follow-up session

Ravi had rushed through setup during a late-night mint and wanted structured separation between business and personal keys.

Ravi's business accepts SOL for freelance design work. He had one wallet doing double duty, with the phrase photographed on an old phone gallery — a habit he knew was risky but had not changed.

The review consultation mapped his travel schedule, office co-working access, and who at home might need emergency knowledge without seeing the phrase itself. We agreed on a metal backup in a bank box and a separate hot wallet with limited funds for client invoices.

A second private session created the new wallet and documented a signing policy: hardware device stays at home, laptop extension for outgoing only on wired connection. Ravi still sends us an annual check-in email, which we offer free to past clients.

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