Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Jack Molyneux, Founder of IDOSY – a new digital marketplace set to disrupt the superyacht charter industry. Jack's journey is anything but conventional. From qualifying as a Master Mariner at just 26 and commanding cruise ships and superyachts around the world, to managing fleets of luxury yachts for a family office, and now launching the first live-booking superyacht platform – this is a true ScaleUp story grounded in deep operational credibility. IDOSY launches mid-April with a bold ambition: to bring live pricing, live availability and instant booking to a market that still runs on emails, brokers and PDF brochures. And yes – it is as complex as it sounds. Our discussion is structured in three parts. First, we explore the business, the model and where IDOSY sits on its ScaleUp journey. Second, we dig into Jack's views on the real challenges of scaling, including raising capital from industry insiders and navigating complex global regulations. And third, we close with a few quickfire questions. One standout message from this episode is this: if you are going to disrupt a market, you need deep operational understanding before you digitise it. Quick heads-up — we're looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It's built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals in just a few minutes a day. It's free while we're in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. You can get access by emailing kevin@biz-smart.co.uk. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Jack. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Book Is Here! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Jack can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-m-3580bb7b/ https://www.idosyyachts.com/ Resources: Close To The Wind by Pete Goss - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/close-to-the-wind-an-extraordinary-story-of-triumph-over-adversity-pete-goss/2215269?ean=9780747259381&next=t Turn The Ship Around by L. David Marquet - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/turn-the-ship-around-a-true-story-of-building-leaders-by-breaking-the-rules-l-david-marquet/3549368?ean=9780241250945&next=t Diary of a CEO podcast - https://stevenbartlett.com/doac/
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, host Kevin Brent is joined by experienced business coach Lindsey Burden, whose intuitive and deeply personalised approach to coaching breaks the mould of cookie-cutter programmes. Lindsey helps her clients build a business that aligns with their version of success, not someone else's template. Whether you're overwhelmed by doing too much, struggling to price your services confidently, or need to make your goals more achievable, this conversation is packed with sharp insights and practical tools to move your business forward. Key Themes in This Episode Tailored Coaching Based on Intuition Lindsey shares how she tunes into the unspoken, body language, word choices, hesitations, to help clients uncover the real blocks to growth. Her coaching isn't about handing over a rigid system; it's about building a flexible path around the client's unique strengths and context. Standout Quote: "The problem isn't usually that you need to do more, it's that you've forgotten what works and stopped doing it." Avoiding the Busy Trap Busy doesn't always mean productive. Many founders fall into the trap of overcomplication or jumping onto the next trend (new channels, shiny tools), when the real power comes from simplifying and refocusing. Strategic Pricing & Confident Selling Discounting under pressure is a quick road to burnout. Lindsey's advice? Price based on the value and outcomes you deliver, not the hours. Start with a figure you can say confidently, then stop talking. The Power of 90-Day Planning Long-term goals feel overwhelming; 90-day plans create the perfect runway. Lindsey explains how this rhythm helps bring structure to entrepreneurial creativity, so you stop half-finishing great ideas and start delivering real progress. Building the Right Team The founder mindset must evolve, leading a team takes intentional effort. Lindsey shares tips on balancing operators and innovators in your team, and why reaching out to HR experts or trusted networks is a game-changer. Quick heads-up, we're looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It's built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals, in just a few minutes a day. It's free while we're in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. You can get access by emailing kevin@biz-smart.co.uk. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts, and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Lindsey. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Book Is Here! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Lindsey can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-burden/ https://lindseyburden.com/ Resources: The Inside Out Revolution by Michael Neill - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-inside-out-revolution-the-only-thing-you-need-to-know-to-change-your-life-forever-michael-neill/2370700?ean=9781781800799&next=t Atomic Habits by James Clear - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/atomic-habits-the-life-changing-million-copy-1-bestseller-james-clear/2458373?ean=9781847941831&next=t The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks - https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-big-leap/gay-hendricks/9780061735363 Heartbeat online platform - https://www.heartbeat.chat
The Art of Sales, Self-Awareness and Scaling Featuring Dr Muddassir Ahmed (SCM DOJO) and Rachael Jackson (WIBN Birmingham) Produced with the aid of AI In this episode of ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin Brent and Louise Blunt reflect on two powerful – and very different – scaling journeys. On one side, Dr Muddassir Ahmed, founder of SCM DOJO, who built a global AI-enabled learning platform from scratch. On the other, Rachael Jackson, who chose a franchise route with WIBN Birmingham to create structure, community and flexibility – while building her passion project, Array of Light. Two contrasting models. One shared truth: scaling demands self-awareness, discipline and resilience. Sales Is Not Optional Muddassir learned a hard lesson early: You can outsource HR. You can outsource accounting. You can outsource marketing. But you cannot outsource sales as a founder. Despite being highly technical and data-driven, he had to personally master enterprise sales – including sending 72 emails over 18 months to land a major global brand. The takeaway? Polite persistence wins. Enterprise sales cycles are long. And founders must own the conversation. Cash Flow Is Reality Rachael's scaling journey exposed a different challenge. Moving from corporate retail into a franchise networking model meant adjusting to the unpredictability of SME payments. Her response? Save upfront Take no salary for 12 months Prioritise reinvestment and resilience It is a disciplined approach that many founders underestimate. Self-Awareness as a Strategic Advantage Rachael openly discussed being diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD traits in adulthood. Instead of seeing this as a weakness, she built systems around it: Time-blocked email checking Turning off notifications Choosing tools designed for dyslexic thinkers Delegating dense information into top-line bullet points Self-awareness became a scaling tool. Meanwhile, Muddassir applies "lean accountability" and daily stand-ups to manage a global team across time zones, backed by documented SOPs. Different personalities. Same principle: structure enables scale. AI – Tool or Transformation? Muddassir is building agentic AI into SCM DOJO – not just generative AI that writes text, but AI agents that: Plan Analyse Execute workflows Run forecasting models Evaluate supplier responses Yet even with advanced AI, he still had to build human relationships the hard way. AI enhances. It does not replace resilience. Two Definitions of Success Muddassir wants SCM DOJO to become the industry standard for supply chain learning. Rachael defines success as happiness, impact and helping women grow in confidence. Different ambitions. Both completely valid. The One Key Thing Scaling is not about copying someone else's model. It is about knowing yourself, managing your cash carefully, building repeatable systems, and staying resilient long enough to win. Quick Heads-Up If you want more structure and accountability in your own ScaleUp journey, explore Smart90 – our proven 90-day execution system. And if you'd like to stay focused and actually deliver each week, try our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite. It's free while we're testing it – just email kevin@smart90.co.uk for access.
On this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Dr. Muddassir Ahmed, the founder of SCMDOJO, a platform revolutionising access to supply chain training and consultancy. From launching a $99/month subscription model to developing a proprietary AI consultant set to launch in March, Dr. Ahmed shares how he's turning SCMDOJO from a content platform into a cutting-edge supply chain technology business. Highlights Business Model Mastery: SCMDOJO began with low-ticket courses and evolved into a hybrid model blending community, content, and consultancy. AI Leap: SCMDOJO Sensei is an AI agent trained on proprietary content to analyse problems, deliver expert advice, and even automate sourcing. Sales Wisdom: Dr. Ahmed closed a deal with LVMH after 72 emails over 1.5 years; proof that persistence pays. Remote Execution vs Creativity: While the team excels operationally, fostering innovation in a lean, remote setup remains the next hurdle. Quick heads-up; we're looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It's built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals; in just a few minutes a day. It's free while we're in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version.
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent sits down with Rachael Jackson, a dynamic entrepreneur who has turned personal challenges into entrepreneurial strengths. From launching her business through a franchise model to reframing dyslexia as a leadership asset, Rachael's story is all about strategic thinking and relentless focus. Key Highlights Franchise as a Strategic Launchpad: Rachael chose a WIBN franchise to de-risk her startup journey, gaining crucial business experience and a peer network before launching her dream venture. Relentless Focus = Results: She became Franchisee of the Year by intentionally managing her time, prioritising member value, and building financial resilience through reinvestment. Neurodiversity as Strength: Diagnosed with dyslexia at 30, she harnessed it as a leadership superpower—mastering delegation, systems, and people management. Tech for Inclusion: She uses a dyslexia-friendly CRM (POP) to boost productivity and sidestep complexity. The one key thing: A franchise can be more than a business – it can be a confidence-building launchpad for your bigger vision. Quick heads-up; we're looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It's built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals; in just a few minutes a day. It's free while we're in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. Get access by emailing kevin@biz-smart.co.uk. Don't forget to subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us for new episodes every week. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Rachael. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Book Is Here! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Rachael can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-jackson-507608304/ https://arayoflight.co.uk/ https://wibn.co.uk/page/Rachael_Jackson
This week on ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin and Louise unpack two fascinating recent conversations, one with Samantha Thurlow of In Collaboration, and one with Graeme Tennick of Tennick Accountants. Different sectors. Same pivotal moment. Both guests hit a point where "business as usual" stopped working, and had to rethink structure, mindset, and action to move forward.
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Samantha Thurlow, founder of In Collaboration, a business support agency that's grown from offering virtual assistant services to delivering full-service strategy, admin, and marketing. As her business evolves into a two-brand model, with the launch of Creative Bean Studios, Sam shares how she's adapting to market shifts, overcoming growing pains, and preparing for the next stage of her scaleup journey. Key Takeaways Pivoting the Business Model: Sam transitioned In Collaboration from a flexible associate model to a hybrid employed team, following clear advice from her accountant. This shift was vital to improving profitability and enabling scale. New Brand, Same Vision: The launch of Creative Bean Studios allows her to expand specialist marketing services while focusing In Collaboration on strategic support for clients. Strategy Over Service: Clients are moving away from generic VA tasks to valuing strategic insight, SEO, branding, and business positioning are now in high demand. The Power of Vulnerability: Sam's standout message? Being open about challenges attracts support and builds trust, both in business relationships and team culture. AI Done Right: AI isn't a silver bullet, real results come when it's used as a tool by experienced humans, not a content factory. The One Key Thing Building a scalable business model sometimes means letting go of what's worked in the past. For Sam, it was moving beyond the associate model to unlock long-term sustainability and growth. Quick heads-up, we're looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It's built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals, in just a few minutes a day. It's free while we're in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. You can get access by emailing kevin@biz-smart.co.uk. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts – and why not give us a follow? For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Sam. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Samantha can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthathurlow/ https://www.instagram.com/incollaboration/ https://www.facebook.com/InCollaborationAgency https://incollaboration.co.uk/ Resources: Blockworks - https://blockworks.co/ Atomic Habits by James Clear - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/atomic-habits-the-life-changing-million-copy-1-bestseller-james-clear/2458373?ean=9781847941831&next=t Dear Female Founder by Lu Li - https://amzn.eu/d/0ikvYiaG Brene Brown - https://brenebrown.com/ Asana - https://asana.com/
This episode of ScaleUp Radio is part of our Scale-Up Club spotlight series – a special format where we welcome back a previous guest to go deeper in a live Q&A session with our Scale-Up Club members. This time, we shine the spotlight on Dr. Serge Santos, also known as The Business Physicist – and for good reason. Serge brings a rare blend of financial acumen, physics-trained problem solving, and a deep passion for business legacy. From being made redundant in 2013 to raising £700 million and running three growing businesses under his Bedrock Enterprises group, Serge speaks with refreshing honesty about the real challenges of scaling – and the mindset shifts required to succeed. This engaging Q&A covers wide-ranging questions from the audience, including: How Serge transitioned from founder to multi-business leader His approach to building empowered leadership teams Why culture is the bedrock – and how to enforce a "no dickhead policy" Letting go of control, and why founders often become their own bottleneck Balancing long-term investment with short-term performance His thought process for setting strategic direction across multiple businesses And why legacy matters more than ego Expect practical advice, candid reflections, and a healthy dose of inspiration. The standout message? "You can't build legacy if the business is still about you. Step back, empower others, and invest in a culture that can thrive without you." The one key thing you'll take away? If you want to scale, you have to learn to let go – and build a team and culture that doesn't rely on you. Quick heads-up, we're looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It's built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals, in just a few minutes a day. It's free while we're in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. You can get access by emailing: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts – and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full Q&A session with Serge. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Serge can be found here: serge.santos@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/santosserge/
In this punchy episode of ScaleUp Radio Shorts, hosts Kevin Brent and Louise Blunt unpack the sharpest lessons from two remarkably different guests – and the surprising connections between them. On one side:
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Graeme Tennick, the founder of Tennick Accountants – a firm that's challenging the traditional view of accountants as compliance providers by driving real strategic impact for clients and the wider community. Graeme shares how his firm has rooted itself in a compelling mission: to make lives better – for their team, their clients, and even the world. And this isn't just a tagline. From the way they set goals with clients to how they measure internal performance and reward behaviour, it's clear that purpose drives everything they do. We explore how Graeme is tackling one of the biggest scaleup blockers – procrastination – by introducing frameworks for action and accountability, both for himself and his clients. There's plenty to take away from this episode about habit formation, purpose-driven strategy, and creating a values-led team culture. Quick heads-up, we're looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It's built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals, in just a few minutes a day. It's free while we're in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. You can get access by emailing kevin@biz-smart.co.uk. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts – and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Graeme. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Graeme can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graeme-tennick-xero-expert-virtual-finance-director/ graeme@tennick.co.uk Resources: The Flight Of The Buffalo by James Belasco - https://www.waterstones.com/book/flight-of-the-buffalo/james-belasco/ralph-c-stayer/9780446670081 10 X is easier than 2 X by Dan Sullivan - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/10x-is-easier-than-2x-how-world-class-entrepreneurs-achieve-more-by-doing-less-dan-sullivan/7411822?ean=9781401969950&next=t
In this special ScaleUp Club VIP session, we're joined by Alina Stancu, co-founder of The Orange Notebook, for a focused and interactive discussion on what it really takes to build a high-performing team culture, even with a remote team or contractors. Through practical frameworks, lived experience, and powerful case studies, Alina guides us through how culture is either fuelling or silently stalling your business, and what you can do about it. You'll hear:
In this special edition of ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin Brent and Granger Forson dive into two recent interviews that couldn't be more different on the surface; but reveal some remarkably similar lessons underneath. On one side, we have Aqeel Shamsul, founder of cutting-edge space biotech startup Frontier Space, turning microgravity into a drug development advantage. On the other, Tom Perry and Ella Chapman from Holloway Bond, redefining the approach to business rates recovery through data-led outreach and customer-first practices. From rocket science to rateable values, this episode is a compelling breakdown of the shared truths behind successful scaleups.
Granger Forson here from www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk and on LinkedIn, and in this episode of ScaleUp Radio I'm joined by Tom Perry and Ella Chapman, founders of Holloway Bond. In just three years, Tom and Ella have quietly built a specialist business that champions companies who are unknowingly overpaying business rates. Rather than chasing every prospect, Holloway Bond flips the model on its head by using data to proactively identify who they can truly help, before ever picking up the phone. What stands out immediately is their integrity. Operating on a no-win-no-fee basis, they only take on cases where they are confident they can deliver meaningful results. That clarity has shaped not just their business model, but also their culture, their growth decisions, and the deep trust they've built with clients. We explore their journey from industry insiders to business owners, the lessons learned from early cash flow challenges, and why outsourcing marketing, HR, recruitment and IT helped unlock their next phase of growth. Along the way, Tom and Ella share honest reflections on recruitment mistakes, the importance of face-to-face conversations, and why building a happy, knowledgeable team matters more than chasing size. This episode is a powerful reminder that you don't need to be the biggest to be brilliant, and that doing things differently, with care and conviction, can create both commercial success and genuine joy in the workplace. To ensure you don't miss any inspirational future episodes do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. So, let's now dive into the inspiring journey of trust, thoughtful growth and doing business differently with Tom Perry and Ella Chapman. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. https://api.goexela.com/widget/bookings/catchupgrangerugx7zl You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Tom & Ella can be found here: https://www.hollowaybond.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-perry-49149b261/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-chapman-841a31203/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573757277571 https://www.instagram.com/hollowaybondltd/ info@hollowaybond.co.uk 01285 42100 Resources: Free Agent app - https://www.freeagent.com/features/mobile/ Time Tree app - https://timetreeapp.com/intl/en Web X - https://www.webex.com/ Zoho CRM - https://www.zoho.com/crm/ DotSquares - https://www.dotsquares.com/
What if the future of drug discovery isn't on Earth? In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Aqeel Shamsul, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Frontier Space, a UK-based space biotech company developing shoebox-sized biolabs to unlock the power of microgravity for pharmaceutical R&D. Spun out of Aqeel's PhD at Cranfield University, Frontier Space is on a mission to make in-space research and biomanufacturing accessible, affordable, and impactful, and they've already achieved what few startups can: bootstrapping two space missions and securing over £1.3M in non-dilutive grant funding.
In this ScaleUp Radio Shorts episode, Kevin Brent and Granger Forson compare the fascinating journeys of two recent guests: Samantha Mant, founder of Halcyan Water, and Sarah O'Neill, founder of The Cotswold Collective. While their businesses couldn't be more different, one focused on water sustainability and the other on community-driven rewards, what unites both founders is their deep sense of mission and their ability to scale with authenticity. The conversation dives into: Why they started: One sparked by environmental impact, the other from a need for community. Marketing with heart and strategy: Samantha leads with education and clarity, while Sarah leans into authenticity and presence. Scaling teams smartly: Samantha has built a cohesive network of elite freelancers; Sarah brought in a co-founder to fuel growth. Financial philosophy: Samantha runs a tight ship using the Profit First method; Sarah is pivoting to B2B for scale. Mindset shifts: Both have embraced full responsibility, a key trait in scaling successfully. Standout Quote: "If you won't work as a team player, you're not on the team – even if you're a freelancer." – Samantha Mant The One Key Thing: Clarity of mission drives everything, marketing, operations, financial choices, and ultimately, sustainable growth.
Find me, Granger Forson, at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or on LinkedIn. Sarah O'Neill's journey began with a simple, heartfelt need: to feel part of a community again. What started as a personal response to the isolation of lockdowns grew into Cotswold Collective, a thriving rewards-based membership platform dedicated to supporting local businesses and bringing people together. Her background in marketing and events became the spark that helped transform a difficult season of life into something meaningful for thousands of others. In our conversation, Sarah shares the early days of the Collective, from persuading the first 40–50 local brands to take a chance on an unproven idea, through to today's network of more than 450 businesses and a rapidly growing membership. Her energy is infectious, and her belief in conscious shopping, shared experiences, and celebrating the stories behind local businesses shines through every step of her journey. We also explore how the Collective has evolved into a sophisticated digital product, recently launching an app that already has hundreds of downloads. Sarah explains how she designed the offers to be completely bespoke, ensuring that brands feel valued while consumers enjoy something genuinely special each time they use their membership. What really stands out is Sarah's deep commitment to purposeful connection. Whether through events, collaborations, or simply encouraging people to rediscover the high street, Cotswold Collective is about more than rewards. It's about belonging, supporting independents, and creating those magical moments when people meet, collaborate, and flourish together. Finally, Sarah opens up about the realities of building the business while raising two young children, the power of saying yes, and what it means to grow something with heart. This episode is packed with inspiration for founders, community-builders, and anyone who believes small actions can create big impact. To ensure you don't miss any inspirational future episodes do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. So, let's now dive into the inspiring journey of community, connection and conscious shopping with Sarah. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. https://api.goexela.com/widget/bookings/catchupgrangerugx7zl You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Sarah can be found here: https://cotswoldcollective.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahjayneoneill/ https://www.instagram.com/cotswold.collective/ Resources: Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone by J K Rowling - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/harry-potter-and-the-philosopher-s-stane-harry-potter-and-the-philosopher-s-stone-in-scots-j-k-rowling/3277111?ean=9781785301544&next=t Diary of a CEO podcast - https://stevenbartlett.com/doac/ Cotswold Collective podcast - https://rephonic.com/podcasts/the-cotswold-collective-podcast Cotswold Collective app - https://cotswoldcollective.co/
Welcome to another inspiring episode with me, Granger Forson find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or on LinkedIn as I sit down with Samantha Mant, CEO and Founder of Halcyan Water, a business transforming the way homes and companies manage hard water and energy efficiency. Samantha's journey began in the world of beautiful bathroom design, where she repeatedly saw installations deteriorate in just months. Instead of accepting that frustration, she experimented. She searched globally, discovered a technology that could turn badly behaved hard water into nicely behaved hard water, and tested it for years before she ever went to market. That curiosity launched the business that is now helping homes and industries reduce limescale, protect equipment, and dramatically cut energy use, all without chemicals or salt In this conversation, she shares openly the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, from learning to trust her instinct when it comes to people decisions, to bootstrapping through recessions, and discovering the power of accountability and Profit First principles. Her values are clear throughout: environmental impact, transparency, education before sales, and building a team culture where collaboration beats hierarchy. Today Halcyan is celebrating 10 years, backed by a global growth vision, expanding into commercial and international markets, and building a freelance powerhouse of specialist marketers working seamlessly as one team. It's a story full of experimentation, ownership, resilience and deep belief in making a real difference. If you care about scaling a purpose-driven business, reducing carbon footprint, or simply want your shower glass to stay clean and your bills lower, this is one to listen to. To ensure you don't miss any inspirational future episodes do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. So, let's now dive into the inspiring journey of energy saving, environmental impact and scaling with Samantha Mant. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. https://api.goexela.com/widget/bookings/catchupgrangerugx7zl You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Samantha can be found here: https://halcyanwater.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthamant/ For the FREE resources - commercial@halcyanwater.com Resources: Profit First by Mike Michalowicz - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/profit-first-mike-michalowicz/400a882cfa85766b?ean=9780735214149&next=t They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/they-ask-you-answer-a-revolutionary-approach-to-inbound-sales-content-marketing-and-today-s-digital-consumer-revised-upd-m-sheridan/3181632?ean=9781119610144&next=t The Richest Man In Babylon by George S Clason - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-richest-man-in-babylon-george-s-clason/f1b3d47f69a792be?ean=9780143448037&next=t Focus On The Fun Stuff podcast - https://mi-pa.co.uk/podcast/welcome-to-focus-on-the-fun-stuff/ Seth Godin podcast - https://www.akimbo.link/ Tony Robbins podcast - https://www.tonyrobbins.com/podcasts?srsltid=AfmBOopKYd3pvIBW6b1UX2LN1k9c8mclRNnoPrs3Sy9odR8_qDFA3v53 Tradeswomen Together podcast - https://www.fixradio.co.uk/shows/tradeswomen-together/ Retrofit podcast - https://nationalretrofithub.org.uk/podcasts/ Brain Toss app - https://braintoss.com/ ChatGPT - https://chatgpt.com/
This week on ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin and Granger dive into two powerful conversations from recent episodes, with leaders who've scaled very different businesses, but who share strikingly similar philosophies.
I'm Granger Forson and you'll find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or on LinkedIn. In this inspiring episode of ScaleUp Radio, I'm joined by Hugh Taylor, CEO of Roadnight Taylor. His story is a masterclass in transformation, determination, and the power of experimentation. Hugh shares the remarkable journey behind Roadnight Taylor's shift from a struggling generalist consultancy to a globally respected Independent Specialist Grid Consultancy, now recognised in the top 0.1 percent worldwide for client value perception and enjoying 100 percent team retention over six years. What stands out is the extraordinary turnaround that began with a change in mindset. Hugh talks openly about the early years of intense struggle, working hand-to-mouth and facing burnout before discovering key ideas in books such as Good to Great by Jim Collins and Bounce by Matthew Syed. Those insights triggered bold decisions, including letting go of 80 percent of clients, doubling fees through an auction model, and going deeply niche to become world-leading experts. Today, Hugh leads a thriving, joyful, four-day-week, self-managing team, working with major global names such as Amazon and Octopus Energy, helping eliminate barriers to the grid connections needed to decarbonise society and support the growth of renewable energy infrastructure. If you're scaling a business, this conversation is packed with wisdom around focus, courage, culture, generating cash, and the joy that comes from building a business that works beautifully for everyone involved. To ensure you don't miss any inspirational future episodes do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. So, let's now dive into the inspiring journey of focus, joy and transformation with Hugh Taylor. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. https://api.goexela.com/widget/bookings/catchupgrangerugx7zl You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Hugh can be found here: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hugh-taylor_roadnightocracy-activity-7255263155122049024-_lUc/ Resources: Good to Great by Jim Collins - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/good-to-great-collins-jim/5255326?ean=9780712676090&next=t Seth Godin podcasts - https://seths.blog/podcasts/ Rory Sutherland podcasts - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4DKv6WcFK61l32wXf1S0zv Humanocracy by Gary Hamel - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/humanocracy-revised-and-updated-creating-organizations-as-amazing-as-the-people-inside-them-gary-hamel/7557026?ean=9781647826376&next=t Bounce by Matthew Syed - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/bounce-the-myth-of-talent-and-the-power-of-practice-matthew-syed/3584775?ean=9780007350544&next=t Turning The Flywheel by Jim Collins - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/turning-the-flywheel-a-monograph-to-accompany-good-to-great-jim-collins/c94b83eccba67932?ean=9781847942555&next=t Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned by Joel Lehman - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/why-greatness-cannot-be-planned-the-myth-of-the-objective-joel-lehman/323aa2a67c9e23e3?ean=9783319155234&next=t
Welcome to another episode of ScaleUp Radio with me, Granger Forson. You can connect with me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or find me on LinkedIn anytime. Today I'm joined by Michael Yorke, co founder of Prime DCM, a construction and development business based just outside Gloucester. Michael's journey is a powerful example of what happens when you challenge industry norms and build a company rooted in openness, respect and genuine partnership with clients. Starting just one month before the 2020 lockdown, Michael and his business partner James shaped Prime DCM around an open book financial model, completely removing the traditional conflict between builder and client. Instead of guarding information or chasing margin, they guide clients every step of the way, giving full transparency, daily communication and real accountability over cost, time and quality. It's the foundation that has created deep trust and consistent word of mouth referrals. From delivering a complex seven story development of 38 apartments in Gloucester Docks to high end residential projects for private clients, Prime DCM focus not on being the biggest, but on being truly efficient and consistent. They choose to run only two or three sites at a time and invest in developing the next generation, training apprentices through degree pathways and passing forward the expertise and values that shaped their own careers. If you're interested in building a business that values trust, lean thinking, long term relationships and the courage to grow people alongside results, this one is packed full of inspiration. To ensure you don't miss any inspirational future episodes do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. So, let's now dive into the inspiring journey of open book transparency, efficiency over growth, and building trust through honesty with Michael. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. https://api.goexela.com/widget/bookings/catchupgrangerugx7zl You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Michael can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-yorke-aa60342b/ https://primedcm.co.uk/ Resources: ChatGPT - https://chatgpt.com/ WhatsApp - https://www.whatsapp.com/
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio Shorts, hosts Kevin Brent and Granger Forson dive into the powerful contrast and surprising common ground between two visionary founders: Lilia Stoyanov, CFO and Founder of HR-tech and fintech platform TFY, and Virtyt Pula, Creative Lead of boutique creative collective TOML. Though their sectors, business models, and goals couldn't be more different, both leaders share an innovative approach to building remote-first, talent-led organisations that challenge conventional ideas about scaling.
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I'm joined by Andrew Bloch – one of the UK's most influential voices in the PR and marketing space. Best known as the co-founder of Frank PR and now the founder of a boutique consultancy, Andrew shares the story of building, scaling, exiting, and reinventing a business around his strengths and values. We explore his fascinating career arc – from growing Frank into one of the UK's leading agencies, to selling it, buying it back, and eventually transitioning it to employee ownership. Andrew now operates a portfolio career that combines M&A advisory, pitch consultancy, high-profile PR, and mentoring. This conversation is split into three parts: 1️⃣ We start by digging into Andrew's business journey – including Frank PR's scaling strategy, its multiple exits, and the evolution of his current solo consultancy. 2️⃣ Then, we explore his perspective on the biggest challenges to scaling a business – and why culture and value-based pricing are non-negotiables. 3️⃣ Finally, we wrap up with some quickfire questions to get a glimpse into his mindset and daily habits. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ Why charging by value not time unlocks higher growth and better client outcomes ✅ How Andrew transitioned to a portfolio career that's lean, high-impact and personally fulfilling ✅ What makes a good M&A deal – and why cultural fit matters more than financials ✅ The importance of legacy – and how culture can be your most enduring achievement ✅ Why staying curious and embracing AI is crucial for long-term relevance The one key thing:
On this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I'm joined by Claudiu Cogalniceanu, the solo founder behind Sentrya, a revolutionary new approach to email protection. What makes Claudiu's story so remarkable isn't just the tech, though that's impressive, but the journey. He built the first version of Sentrya in under a month while working as an Uber driver, launched it on Product Hunt, and grew to over 450 users in 25+ countries using organic Reddit marketing alone. Sentrya flips the traditional spam filter model: instead of trying to detect spam, it creates a clean list of approved senders and deletes everything else by default. This privacy-first approach has blocked over 200,000 scam emails so far, and it's just the beginning. We break down the conversation into three core parts: The Business & Business Model: How Sentrya works, its current traction, and Claudiu's vision to compete with Gmail and Outlook by building a fully encrypted email service. Challenges of Scaling Up: From bootstrapping to a viral setback when an influencer falsely accused the platform of being a scam, Claudiu shares how he overcame it. Quickfire Questions: Insight into Claudiu's mindset, strategies, and how his psychology background shapes his approach to building a tech startup.
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I'm joined by Lilia Stoyanov, the CEO and cofounder of TFY (Transformify Ltd), a bootstrapped, AI-powered global workforce management platform. TFY enables businesses to hire, onboard and pay contractors in 184+ countries – all from one platform. And it's not just another HR tool — it's a human-centred, AI-powered engine that automates compliance and payments, so finance and HR teams can focus on strategic growth. In this episode, we cover: How TFY achieved 90% profit growth in 2024 with zero external investment The three-phase scaling strategy that took them from niche to global player Why they require a full business case for every new hire – and how that drives a near-zero attrition culture The systems behind managing 350,000 contractors with just 25 people Lilia's leadership approach – and why TFY avoids inflated job titles in favour of responsibility and results We also explore how Lilia and her team avoided the "fake stability" of VC funding, and how they built a high-trust, global network by partnering with local legal and financial experts. The one key thing? Scaling globally doesn't require massive headcount or funding — it demands laser focus, financial discipline, and relentless clarity on ROI. Quick heads-up — we're also looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It's designed to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals in just a few minutes a day. It's free while we're in testing, and your feedback will help shape the final version. Interested? Just email me at kevin@biz-smart.co.uk. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts — and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Lilia. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Lilia can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilia-stoyanov-tfy/ https://www.transformify.org/ https://www.instagram.com/ls_transformify/ Resources: Blitzscaling by Chris Yeh - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/blitzscaling-the-lightning-fast-path-to-building-massively-valuable-companies-reid-hoffman/3593117?ean=9780008303631&next=t
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin Brent and Granger Forson unpack the remarkable ScaleUp journey of Dr. Mark Kotter, a neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and founder of Bit Bio, a deep-tech biotech company that's raised over $200 million and scaled to 200+ people. It's a story that starts with clinical frustration and leads to a cutting-edge company using AI to literally reprogram cells. But beyond the science lies a business story that any entrepreneur can learn from, full of lessons on leadership, values, team alignment, and the bumpy road of scale.
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I'm joined by Virtyt Pula, the founder of TOML, a talent-first creative agency that's reimagining how creative work gets done. Instead of a traditional in-house model, TOML operates as a global creative collective, blending a tight-knit core team with a flexible international network of creative specialists. Founded in 2015, TOML was built to challenge agency norms, and when the pandemic hit, its remote-first model went from being questioned by clients to becoming its biggest asset. We cover three key areas in this conversation: The Business, how TOML operates with a hybrid model, builds bespoke teams for every brief, and maintains quality across a distributed network. Scaling Challenges, from earning client trust to navigating cash flow with global freelancers and shifting to a 50/50 service-to-R&D business model. Quickfire Insights, including Virtyt's views on mentorship, the importance of launching early, and why his biggest influences include Steve Jobs, Bob Iger, and The Beatles. The one key thing? Your agency structure doesn't have to look like everyone else's to work, but you'll need to earn trust fast. Quick heads-up — we're looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It's built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals — in just a few minutes a day. It's free while we're in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. You can get access by emailing kevin@biz-smart.co.uk. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts, and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Virtyt. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Virtyt can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virtytpula/ https://www.tomlcollective.com/ Resources: Problem Solvers podcast - https://www.jasonfeifer.com/podcast/ Diary of a CEO podcast - https://stevenbartlett.com/doac/ The Future podcast - https://www.thefutur.com/podcast Slack - https://slack.com/intl/en-gb/ Notion - https://www.notion.com/ Trello - https://trello.com/ Figma - https://www.figma.com/ Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/ Sortlist - https://www.sortlist.co.uk/
In this exclusive ScaleUp Club session, Kevin Brent sits down with Dr Mark Kotter, the visionary neurosurgeon and founder of Bit Bio, a revolutionary deep tech company transforming how we produce human cells at scale. Bit Bio has raised over £250 million, and what started as academic frustration with the limits of regenerative medicine has become a game-changing platform for industrial-scale cell production. But it hasn't been an easy ride. From a near-collapse caused by co-founder misalignment to pioneering an intensive, values-driven hiring process, Mark shares a raw and honest look at what it takes to scale a company at the edge of biotech innovation.
This week on ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin and Granger reflect on two standout interviews that bring together the worlds of engineering precision and artistic expression in leadership. On one side, we have Jono Taylor, a grounded product design engineer scaling his service-based business with a flexible freelance model. On the other, Nigel Hughes, a ballet-trained serial entrepreneur helping leaders inspire from within. Despite their wildly different backgrounds, both guests shared strikingly similar insights around resilience, team dynamics, and the importance of values in scaling.
Hi there and welcome back to another edition of ScaleUp Radio, the podcast brought to you by Smart90, inspired by the Entrepreneurial ScaleUp System and designed to make navigating our ScaleUp journeys that little bit easier by learning from others' experiences. I'm Kevin Brent, and in today's episode I'm joined by Nigel Hughes, a former professional performer turned leadership advisor and founder of Outstanding Global. Nigel's journey is anything but ordinary. At just 13 years old, he chose ballet over the Marines — a decision that marked the beginning of a 20-year career on stage and eventually led him into the world of leadership development and sustainability advocacy. We cover a lot of ground in this conversation, which is structured into three parts: First, we dive into Nigel's business, the philosophy behind Outstanding Global, and where he is on his ScaleUp journey. Then, we explore Nigel's unique approach to the challenges of scaling, including his thoughts on mindset, identity, and the ScaleUp Challenges Report. And finally, we round off with a few quickfire questions to get to know Nigel that little bit better. One of the standout messages from this episode is Nigel's call to "stand up for who you are" — a timely reminder for leaders navigating uncertain environments. The one key thing I took away from this conversation? If you want to lead effectively, you must shift from being a reactive victim to a proactive chooser — and Nigel shares exactly how to do that with a practical framework you can use right away.
Hi, I'm Granger Forson find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or connect on LinkedIn and in this episode of ScaleUp Radio we dive deep into the world of product design engineering with Jono Taylor, founder of Relay Industries. Jono has spent ten years building a business that brings breakthrough physical products to life, helping solve real-world problems in medical, industrial, scientific and connected technology sectors. From life-saving blood pumps and IoT telematics hardware to quantum physics instrumentation, Relay Industries stands out by combining creativity with deep manufacturing insight. What makes Jono's journey special is the unwavering belief in humility, shared thinking and building long-term relationships. He openly discusses the rollercoaster of growth: winning major international contracts, expanding rapidly, then facing a six-month drought that forced difficult decisions. Through resilience and relentless networking, the company rebuilt stronger and now operates with a flexible team structure powered by freelancers treated like true teammates. At the heart of Relay Industries sits a passion that shines through every story: designing products that genuinely improve lives, avoiding landfill for landfill's sake, and creating environments where people and ideas thrive. If you want inspiration on navigating uncertainty, scaling with lean thinking, and finding joy in solving meaningful problems, this episode is a must-listen.
In this punchy ScaleUp Radio Shorts episode, Kevin Brent and Granger Forson take a deep dive into two recent ScaleUp Radio conversations, one with Hamish Yates, founder of Neptune Infrastructure Associates, and the other with Steve Johnson, MD of Scaling Sales. At first glance, managing offshore wind farms and building a sales team might seem worlds apart. But when it comes to scaling, the core principles of focus, systems, and people are universal.
Hi there and welcome back to another edition of ScaleUp Radio, the podcast brought to you by Smart90, inspired by the Entrepreneurial ScaleUp System and designed to make navigating our ScaleUp journeys that little bit easier by learning from others' experiences. I'm Kevin Brent and in today's episode I'm joined by Steve Johnson. Steve's a founder who's been in the trenches, he grew his SaaS business from £750k to over £5 million ARR in just three years. In this conversation, we break down his proven 3-stage framework for scaling sales the right way, starting with the founder doing the selling. This episode is structured in three parts: First, we explore Steve's background, business model, and where he is on the scaleup journey. Second, we dive into the tough lessons of scaling sales, from hiring evangelists over mercenaries, to the critical role of positioning. And finally, we wrap up with a few quickfire questions to hear Steve's take on leadership and learning. One key takeaway: "If the CEO hasn't sold it themselves, they've no idea what makes a good sales process, or a good hire." Quick heads-up, we're looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It's built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals, in just a few minutes a day. It's free while we're in testing, and your feedback will help shape the final version.
Hi, I'm Granger Forson, and you can find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or on LinkedIn. In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I'm joined by Hamish Yates, founder and CEO of Neptune Infrastructure Associates, a fast-growing advisory firm dedicated to helping asset managers optimise the performance of renewable energy projects across Europe. With experience advising on over £2 billion of projects powering more than two million homes, Hamish brings a rare blend of engineering rigour and entrepreneurial purpose to the clean energy space. We explore how Neptune was built on a foundation of practical experience and values, offering something distinctly different to the consulting norm, a hands-on team of experts who've sat "in the hot seat" managing billion-pound wind farms. Hamish shares how his time at Orsted, where he led the world's largest offshore wind farm, shaped his mission to "accelerate the energy transition" by helping investors deliver greater returns while doing good for the planet. Beyond business mechanics, we talk about the human side of scaling, the loneliness of the founder's journey, the lessons from hiring missteps, and the power of creating an employee-owned culture from day one. For Hamish, it's about aligning the team around a shared purpose and giving everyone a stake in the company's success. We also unpack the global renewable energy landscape: the political headwinds, the opportunities in grid transformation, and why openness to change is crucial for the investment community to unlock real value. If you're interested in leadership that blends commercial insight, culture-building, and impact, this conversation is for you. To ensure you don't miss any inspirational future episodes, do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. A So, let's now dive into the inspiring journey of renewables, resilience, and real leadership with Hamish Yates. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. https://api.goexela.com/widget/bookings/catchupgrangerugx7zl You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Hamish can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamish-yates-637a9583/ https://www.neptune-infra.com/ Free Assessment - https://nia-lxq2uqzu.scoreapp.com/ Resources: Atomic Habits by James Clear - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/atomic-habits-the-life-changing-million-copy-1-bestseller-james-clear/2458373?ean=9781847941831&next=t Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/never-split-the-difference-negotiating-as-if-your-life-depended-on-it-chris-voss/3692653?ean=9781847941497&next=t Diary of a CEO podcast - https://stevenbartlett.com/doac/ Cleaning Up podcast - https://www.cleaningup.live/ Mile IQ app - https://mileiq.com/ The National Grid app - https://www.nationalgridus.com/Mobile-App
In this edition of ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin Brent and Granger Forson distil powerful insights from two recent ScaleUp Radio interviews with: Kat Wellum-Kent, founder of The Fractionals Group, and Phil Harding, founder and MD of BBB Drinks. While their businesses differ in sector and style, finance/HR versus premium drinks distribution, both founders offer hard-earned lessons on how to scale smartly and sustainably.
Hi, I'm Granger Forson, and you can find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn. In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I sit down with Kat Wellum-Kent, founder of The Fractionals Group. A business built on the powerful idea that scale-ups deserve fractional support that truly integrates into their teams. Kat shares her inspiring journey from accountant to entrepreneur, revealing how a chance lunch with a friend in Australia sparked her leap into creating Fractional Finance and later Fractional Human Resources. From just an idea to a 12-person team working with over 22 clients, her story embodies courage, clarity, and purpose. We explore how Kat has differentiated her business in an increasingly competitive market by blending strategic CFO-level insight with operational finance delivery and how she's applied the same model to HR. It's a blueprint for scale-ups seeking high-impact expertise without full-time hires. What shines through most is Kat's authenticity. She speaks candidly about learning from early hiring missteps, building a culture of honesty and alignment in a remote team, and leading with empathy. Her leadership approach, grounded in openness, intuition, and continuous improvement has built a business where people grow together. Whether you're considering the fractional model for your own business, exploring how to build stronger teams, or looking for inspiration to trust your instincts and take the leap, this conversation will give you both courage and practical insight. To ensure you don't miss any inspirational future episodes, do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. So, let's now dive into the inspiring journey of intuition, authenticity, and fractional growth with Kat Wellum-Kent. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. https://api.goexela.com/widget/bookings/catchupgrangerugx7zl You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Kat can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katwellum-kent/ Resources: Traction by Gino Wickman - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/traction-get-a-grip-on-your-business-gino-wickman/3561744?ean=9781936661831&next=t Pitch Deck podcast - https://www.nicktelson.com/podcast Opal app - https://www.opal.so/ Gabby Bernstein app - https://gabbybernstein.com/gabby-coaching-app/
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I'm joined by Phil Harding, the founder of BBB Drinks, a business that's not only disrupting the traditional drinks distribution model but also redefining how emerging brands grow and scale in an evolving market. From a shift in consumer drinking habits to a unique retainer-based model, Phil shares how BBB Drinks is tackling the industry's deep-rooted inefficiencies head-on – and helping new brands get the attention and traction they deserve. This episode is structured in three parts: The Business & Model: We explore BBB's innovative business model, their shift to brand ambassadors, and the market trends that are shaping the drinks industry. Scaling Challenges: Phil shares his personal experiences of scaling, including how BBB is responding to the challenges of growth, cash flow, and the broader insights from the ScaleUp Challenges Report. Quickfire Questions: We wrap up with some fast-paced insights that reveal what drives Phil and what he's learned on his journey so far.
In this powerful ScaleUp Radio Shorts episode, Kevin Brent and Granger Forson contrast two founders tackling very different ends of the healthcare and life sciences spectrum: Michael Colling-Tuck, founder of Agency Medical Marketing, is on a mission to ensure life-changing innovations get adopted by clinicians and patients. Prasun Chakraborty, founder of Genevation, is developing personalised cancer vaccines using cutting-edge AI and immunotherapy. One is solving the problem of visibility and market traction. The other is solving for scientific possibility and clinical impact. Yet both share a relentless sense of purpose and founder resilience. What You'll Learn: ✅ The commercial vs scientific ends of the innovation lifecycle ✅ How founder motivation shapes business strategy ✅ Different approaches to funding, operations and visibility ✅ Why isolation, pressure and resilience are universal for founders Standout Quotes: "Only 5% of life-changing medical innovations succeed – not because they don't work, but because no one knows about them." – Michael "I think like a patient so I can build for the patient." – Prasun Key Takeaway: Innovation dies without commercial traction, and commercial traction is meaningless without innovation. Founders must either build the bridge—or be the breakthrough.
Find me, Granger Forson, at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn. This episode of ScaleUp Radio features Michael Colling-Tuck, founder of Agency Bristol, a specialist marketing agency helping medical and technology innovators reach both patients and healthcare professionals. With over twenty years in healthcare, Michael has seen how even the most brilliant inventions can fail if no one knows they exist. His agency bridges that critical gap, giving groundbreaking products a fighting chance to reach the people whose lives they can transform. What makes Michael's story stand out is the combination of deep industry experience, genuine humility, and the relentless curiosity of a founder who has seen the highs and lows of scaling. From watching masterclass marketing moments in China to almost getting it wrong twice with his own cash flow, Michael's honesty about resilience, learning, and leadership gives listeners a real and relatable founder story. He shares how Agency Bristol crafts campaigns that empower advocates, surgeons, clinicians, and patients, to become the best storytellers for new technologies. It's a blend of creativity, structure, and empathy that transforms technical ideas into powerful messages that resonate with real people. Whether you're a startup founder or a seasoned business leader, this conversation is a lesson in balancing vision with reality. Michael shows that success doesn't just come from clever campaigns, but from finding joy in the grind, trusting your team, and always learning from the journey. To ensure you don't miss any inspirational future episodes do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. So, let's now dive into the inspiring journey of innovation, resilience and purpose with Michael Colling-Tuck. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. https://api.goexela.com/widget/bookings/catchupgrangerugx7zl You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Michael can be found here: https://www.agencybristol.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-colling-tuck-48529020/ Resources: Why People Don't Buy Things by Harry Washburn - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/why-people-don-t-buy-things-five-proven-steps-to-connect-with-your-customers-and-dramatically-improve-your-sales-harry-washburn/43f9c7d071d7ddbc?ean=9780738201573&next=t Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/black-box-thinking-growth-mindset-and-the-secrets-of-high-performance-matthew-syed/2e1b2c9c68295eb5?ean=9781399830379&next=t Oversubscribed by Daniel Priestley - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/oversubscribed-how-to-get-people-lining-up-to-do-business-with-you-daniel-priestley/3262406?ean=9780857088253&next=t Shogun by James Clavell - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/shogun-book-one-of-the-asian-saga-the-book-that-inspired-the-emmy-bafta-and-golden-globe-award-winning-tv-show-james-clavell/17dcf2869a8b1584?ean=9780340766163&next=t Crystal Palace Podcast - https://www.cpfc.co.uk/palace-tv/palace-podcast/ Diary of a CEO podcast - https://stevenbartlett.com/doac/ Totally Football podcast - https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/podcast/200-the-totally-football-show/ Michael Colling-Tuck podcast - https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/5OvrvVSySrhTXBJ6EalzY4?utm_source=generator&t=0 Spark app - https://sparkmailapp.com/ WhatsApp - https://www.whatsapp.com/?lang=en Shazam - https://www.shazam.com/
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, we're diving into the groundbreaking world of personalised cancer treatments with Prasun Chakraborty, founder of Genevation – a biotech startup on a mission to revolutionise how we treat and potentially prevent cancer. Unlike the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to oncology, Genevation is using advanced AI and genetic sequencing to create custom mRNA cancer vaccines for individual patients – in just 14 days. Prasun shares the inspiring story behind the business, the massive challenges of scaling deep-tech biotech, and his clear vision of a future where cancer is not just treatable, but preventable. The conversation unfolds in three parts: Genevation's Business Model & Scaleup Journey From solo founder in 2022 to a lean but mighty team with key strategic partnerships, Prasun explains how Genevation is disrupting the cancer treatment space with a personalised, tech-first model that sidesteps the traditional limitations of clinical research. Scaling Challenges in Biotech & Beyond Prasun reflects on the key hurdles facing deep-tech startups – especially the funding gap created by investors' lack of scientific understanding and the fixation on short-term ROI. He shares candid insights into how Genevation is navigating these barriers and what it will take to unlock their next phase of growth. Quickfire Insights We round off with some powerful reflections from Prasun on leadership, mindset, and why it's essential to stay focused on the mission, even when the money and metrics don't align. Key Highlights: Genevation's AI algorithm cuts vaccine candidate selection time from 4 hours to 5 minutes. Preclinical data shows a single dose prevented tumour growth for 13 days in lung cancer models. The company is raising $5M to fund its IND application and unlock further investment. Strategic partners like Google, NVIDIA, AWS, and Illumina are backing Genevation with substantial resources. There's a lot in here – from AI innovation to biotech regulation, from strategic partnerships to the raw reality of raising millions in funding just to prove your concept. "Every cancer is unique – and it's time our treatments reflect that." Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts – and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Prasun. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Prasun can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prasun-chakraborty-5090851b6/
In this special ScaleUp Radio Shorts episode, Kevin Brent and Granger Forson take a step back to reflect on two contrasting founder journeys shared recently on the podcast: Paul Wray, founder of Breakspeare Clinic, a values-driven physiotherapy business Joe van Gelder, founder of fintech firm Powdr, a fast-scaling tech company Although these two founders operate in completely different industries and approach business from opposite ends of the personality spectrum, their journeys reveal powerful shared lessons about scaling, leadership and founder development. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How founder personality becomes the business operating system ✅ The contrasting pace and triggers of business transformation ✅ Different approaches to building teams: culture vs systems ✅ How both founders evolved their client acquisition models ✅ Why financial visibility is essential—even for accountants ✅ The emotional burden of leadership and why asking for help is not a weakness Standout Insights: "You start as a founder who does everything, but to scale, you have to become a leader who empowers others." "Even accountants can lose control of their financial model when growth hits." Key Takeaway: The way you think, lead and show up as a founder becomes embedded in your business. Whether you lead with empathy or intensity, scaling up demands that you evolve—or your business will stall.
Hi, I'm Granger Forson from www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk, or find me on LinkedIn, and in this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I'm joined by Paul Wray, the owner of Breakspeare Clinic, a multi-site physiotherapy and wellness practice based in West Oxfordshire. Paul's story is one of continuous learning, resilience, and a genuine commitment to helping people move better and live pain-free lives. Starting as a physiotherapist over 30 years ago, he worked within the NHS before joining Breakspeare Clinic, eventually buying the business after a decade of hands-on experience. Today, his clinics span three locations, combining physiotherapy, osteopathy, podiatry, and complementary therapies to address not just symptoms but root causes of pain. In our conversation, Paul opens up about the highs and lows of buying and growing a business, from parting ways with a business partner to rebuilding his team, refining his processes, and embracing technology. What stands out is his humility and curiosity, his belief that leadership and business acumen, like physiotherapy, are skills you can learn and refine with the right guidance. Paul also talks candidly about the challenges of communication, people management, and the power of surrounding yourself with the right mentors. His focus on mentoring young practitioners, improving systems, and growing with purpose is a masterclass in "grow people" and "fix what bugs you" thinking. If you've ever felt the pull to turn your craft into a business, or you're navigating the jump from practitioner to leader, Paul's story will leave you inspired to "just do it and find out". To ensure you don't miss any inspirational future episodes do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. So, let's now dive into the inspiring journey of learning, leading, and helping others heal with Paul Wray." Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. https://api.goexela.com/widget/bookings/catchupgrangerugx7zl You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Paul can be found here: https://www.breakspeare.co.uk/ The Winter Wellness Program that Paul mentioned can be got by e-mailing info@breakspere.co.uk Resources: Secrets Of A Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/secrets-of-the-millionaire-mind-think-rich-to-get-rich-t-harv-eker/70504eeb9731eb25?ean=9780749927899&next=t Treat Your Own Business podcast - https://thrive-businesscoaching.com/podcast/ Patient Notes app - https://www.patientnotes.app/
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Joe van Gelder, CEO and co-founder of Powdr – a SaaS-enabled consultancy that's revolutionising the way businesses build and use financial models. Joe shares the journey of transforming a traditional consultancy into a product-led business by solving a real-world pain point: fragile, expensive, and ineffective financial modelling tools. With Powdr, he's helping scaling businesses make better strategic decisions – faster and more affordably – using robust, investor-grade financial models. The conversation follows the typical ScaleUp Radio three-part format: The Business & Model – We explore Powdr's journey from a founder-led consultancy to a scalable SaaS-enabled platform. Scaling Challenges – Joe opens up about raising £1M in just 3 months, navigating panic post-investment, and the shift from referrals to structured marketing. Quickfire Questions – Including what success looks like, key influences, and the one piece of advice he'd give to others on the scaleup journey. Key Takeaway: Use your own product to prove your value – it's the most powerful pitch you'll ever make. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts – and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Joe. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Joe can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-van-gelder/ https://www.powdr.co.uk/ Resources: The Rest Is History podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@restishistorypod The Rest Is Money podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@restismoney The Rest Is Politics podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@restispolitics Fathom app - https://www.fathom.ai/
Hosts: Kevin Brent & Granger Forson Produced with the help of AI
Hi, I'm Granger Forson from www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk, or find me on LinkedIn, and in this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I'm joined by Tom Locke, co-founder of Habitat+ Architects, a Gloucestershire-based practice that's redefining how sustainability meets great design. Tom's journey is one of courage and curiosity. He and his business partner stepped away from the comfort of employment during COVID to create a business that truly reflected their values. Their goal? To build spaces that not only look beautiful but also work in harmony with the environment and the people who use them. Through Habitat+, Tom champions Passive House design, an internationally recognised energy standard that cuts carbon emissions and creates comfortable, efficient spaces. But what really shines through is his belief that sustainability isn't an add-on, it's a mindset. It's about how we think, design, source, and build for long-term impact. We also dive into the realities of running a growing practice, learning to manage people, balancing client work with business building, and finding time for creative reflection. Tom's approach to leadership is rooted in continuous learning, both for himself and his team. He even teaches at university, sharing his passion for design and growth with the next generation. This is an inspiring conversation for anyone building a purpose-driven business, one that proves that curiosity, integrity, and sustainability can drive both profit and progress. To ensure you don't miss any inspirational future episodes, do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. So, let's now dive into the inspiring journey of sustainability, creativity, and learning with Tom Locke. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. https://api.goexela.com/widget/bookings/catchupgrangerugx7zl You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Tom can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-locke-9b418529/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/habitatplus-architects/ https://www.habitatplus.co.uk/ Resources: Nudge by Richard H. Thaler & Cass R. Sunstein - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/nudge-improving-decisions-about-health-wealth-and-happiness-richard-h-thaler/6727225?ean=9780141999937&next=t ToDo Ist - https://www.todoist.com/
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, we dive into the inspiring journey of Louise Hampton, founder of Attend2Health, a thriving multidisciplinary health clinic based in Buntingford. Starting in 2007 with just three rented treatment rooms, Louise has scaled her business into a nine-room, fully owned clinic with a community studio – all housed in a former Barclays Bank. Louise shares the bold decisions, financial risks, and long-term planning that made this transformation possible. We explore how Louise navigated rising costs, developed new revenue streams like Pilates classes, and maintained a strong financial buffer to ensure sustainability. But it's not just about numbers – her people-first approach, deep community engagement, and values-driven leadership shine through as key drivers of growth and retention. Whether you're a clinic owner, a service-based business founder, or just looking for inspiration to take the next big step in your scaleup journey, Louise's story is full of practical lessons and real-world resilience. One key takeaway? Strategic ownership of your business premises can be a game changer – if you're willing to take the leap. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. For now, continue listening for the full story from Louise. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Louise can be found here: louise@attend2health.co.uk Resources: The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-e-myth-revisited-why-most-small-businesses-don-t-work-and-what-to-do-about-it-michael-e-gerber/82114?ean=9780887307287&next=t Thriving Practice by Louise Hampton - https://hampton.uk.com/thriving-practice/
In this special episode of ScaleUp Radio, we're bringing you insights from our monthly ScaleUp Club session, where we were joined by Alexandra Smith, co-founder of FuturePlus. Alexandra delivered a powerful session focused on how sustainability is not just a moral imperative – it's a competitive advantage for SMEs. Drawing from real-world examples and her work with FuturePlus, Alexandra made a compelling case for embedding sustainability as a strategic pillar in business decision-making – on equal footing with finance and operations. From government contracts to talent retention, and from resource efficiency to brand value, sustainability, when done right, drives profit and resilience. She also tackled one of the hottest topics in business today: the role of AI in sustainability. While AI offers exciting potential, Alexandra was clear that it must be guided by human insight – especially in the SME space, where data is often limited or inconsistent. During the Q&A session, we explored key distinctions between how microbusinesses and large corporates approach sustainability, and the importance of moving from tick-box compliance to strategic value creation. What we covered: Why sustainability is a profit driver, not a cost The importance of establishing a central sustainability baseline How FuturePlus simplifies sustainability through its guided SaaS platform Why AI can't replace human oversight in setting and interpreting sustainability goals Practical steps SMEs can take today – no matter their size or budget Standout Message: "Sustainability should be the third pillar of every strategic decision – right alongside finance and operations." Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. You can also nominate a guest for ScaleUp Radio if you know someone with an interesting scaleup story – you can find how in the shownotes. For now, continue listening for the full story from Alexandra. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Alexandra can be found here www.future-plus.co.uk linkedin.com/in/alexandra-smith-ab788779
I'm Granger Forson, and you can find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or on LinkedIn. In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I'm joined by Harry Shearer, co-founder of Shearer Associates, a Gloucestershire-based finance recruitment firm that's built its success on relationships, trust, and a strong local ethos. Harry shares how he and his mum, Claire, turned a simple “why not give it a go?” conversation in their garden into a thriving recruitment business serving Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire. Their approach is refreshingly personal in a world increasingly driven by KPIs and quick wins. Throughout our conversation, Harry reveals how Shearer Associates focuses on long-term partnerships, not transactions, and how that authenticity has become their defining advantage. We also explore how being small and family-run allows them to stay agile, adaptable and deeply connected to their community. Harry talks openly about the early challenges of balancing the excitement of growth with staying disciplined in the business fundamentals, from cashflow to marketing. You'll hear how structure, systems and the Pomodoro method keep him grounded and productive, even when the to-do list feels endless. Finally, Harry shares his reflections on leadership, learning from his mum's wisdom, and how authenticity on platforms like LinkedIn can transform client engagement. It's an inspiring story of humility, experimentation and growth, one that perfectly embodies the spirit of “Fix what bugs you” and “Just do it and find out.” To ensure you don't miss any inspirational future episodes do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. Also, you can nominate a guest for ScaleUp Radio if you know someone with an interesting ScaleUp story – you can find how in the show notes. So, let's now dive into the inspiring journey of authenticity, trust and growth with Harry Shearer. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. https://api.goexela.com/widget/bookings/catchupgrangerugx7zl You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Harry can be found here: https://www.shearerassociates.co.uk/ Resources: Building A Story Brand by Donald Miller - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/building-a-storybrand-clarify-your-message-so-customers-will-listen-donald-miller/4099240?ean=9781400201839&next=t Atomic Habits by James Clear - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/atomic-habits-the-life-changing-million-copy-1-bestseller-james-clear/2458373?ean=9781847941831&next=t&next=t Brick - https://getbrick.app/ Outlook - https://outlook.live.com/ Brand Fathers podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/2wgTQ7mXBngdiNzcJ2cUJZ Modern Wisdom podcast - https://chriswillx.com/podcast/
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Helen Bower, founder of Adder Bookkeeping, a practice she built from a solo venture to a thriving 8-person business over the course of two decades. Recently, Helen sold the business to Fresh Financials Group and now works part-time, having achieved her goal of a better work-life balance. Helen's journey is a fantastic case study in growing a service-based business with purpose, resilience, and a bit of creativity. What began as a way to balance work and family life gradually evolved into a scalable, systemised business with a strong team culture and a focus on delivering value through strategic financial insight. Together, Kevin and Helen cover three key areas: The Business Journey – From solo bookkeeper to team-based practice offering high-value, tech-enabled financial services. Scaling Challenges – Including team management, leadership transition, and the emotional and practical considerations of selling a business. Quickfire Questions – Helen shares her perspectives, advice for other founders, and her experience with the ScaleUp Challenges. You'll hear how Helen embraced technology and cloud-based systems early on, how she built a positive team culture through gamification and creativity, and why recurring revenue and financial metrics were central to her growth strategy. She also shares candidly about the challenges of staff management, getting pulled back into day-to-day operations, and the importance of planning for exit early. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. For now, continue listening for the full story from Helen. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Helen can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenbowerbookkeepingpractice https://www.adderbookkeeping.co.uk/ https://www.freshfinancials.com/ hello@freshfinancials.com (Put ScaleUp Radio and FAO Alex in the Subject line) Resources: Diary of a CEO podcast - https://stevenbartlett.com/doac/ The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-e-myth-revisited-why-most-small-businesses-don-t-work-and-what-to-do-about-it-michael-e-gerber/82114?ean=9780887307287&next=t The 33 Laws of Business & Life by Steven Bartlett - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-second-book-by-steven-bartlett-keep-it-to-yourself-steven-bartlett/7257436?ean=9781529146523&next=t Engager - https://engager.app/ Microsoft Teams - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software James Ashford - https://jamesashford.com/
In this special ScaleUp Club Q&A session, we welcomed back two familiar faces – Ross Latta, co-founder of MacroFin, and Adam Johnson, representing 3RP. I originally interviewed Ross and his Macrofin co-founder Stephen. Since then, both Macrofin and 3RP, once competitors in the NetSuite ERP space, have recently been acquired by Cooper Parry – a bold move that's opened up new opportunities and strategic directions for each. What followed was an insightful, honest conversation around leadership transitions, cultural integration, and navigating the delicate balance between entrepreneurial freedom and corporate structure. Key Takeaways: Merging Without Losing Identity: Although MacroFin and 3RP now sit under the Cooper Parry umbrella, both retain operational autonomy – a deliberate move to preserve their distinct cultures and strengths. Constructive Conflict Fuels Growth: Encouraging debate, challenging ideas, and psychological safety are central to how both teams make decisions and innovate. Leadership Evolution: With access to more experienced leadership, Ross and Stephen have been able to shift focus toward strategic growth and people development. Bold Moves Enabled: Financial backing from Cooper Parry has allowed both businesses to think bigger, act bolder, and invest in long-term impact. Standout Quote: "We've built a culture where everyone can challenge decisions — because it's not about being right, it's about getting it right." – Ross Latta Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. For now, continue listening for the full story from Ross and Adam. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Ross can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-latta-macrofin Adam can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamtjohnson
This week on ScaleUp Radio, we explore two different but equally powerful approaches to scaling a business. One focuses on building a community that challenges social perceptions, while the other focuses on guiding people through change and transformation. Tariq Kazemi, Co-founder and CEO of Bldbro, shares how his passion project became a £3 million skincare brand built around confidence and authenticity. What started as an online community for bald men has become a movement that celebrates individuality and self-acceptance. Uzma Aitqad, Founder of Magna People Change Consulting, helps organisations navigate digital and cultural change by focusing on people, not just process. With a background in engineering and a master's in organisational change management, she brings a unique perspective to how leaders can make transformation stick. Together, they explore the balance between purpose and people – showing that successful scaling depends on both. Meet the Guests Tariq Kazemi – The Community Builder Bldbro was founded to change the narrative around baldness. Tariq and his two co-founders built a brand rooted in authenticity and confidence. Guided by the belief that healthy conflict leads to better decisions, the trio created a business culture that encourages open debate and collective ownership. From choosing sustainable aluminium packaging over cheaper plastic to learning sophisticated growth metrics such as Lifetime Value and Customer Acquisition Cost, Tariq's story is one of purpose meeting performance. Uzma Aitqad – The Change Catalyst Uzma founded Magna People Change Consulting to address one of the biggest causes of failure in transformation: people and culture. She believes 70% of change initiatives fail because organisations focus on systems, not adoption. Her approach combines practical frameworks with empathy, helping leaders move from “doers” to influencers who inspire engagement. For Uzma, success means ensuring every change is understood, embraced and sustained. Key Lessons for Business Owners Mission before product – purpose drives growth. Culture determines success – people need to believe in the vision. Healthy conflict creates better decisions. Adoption is the measure of real change. Structure and consistency enable sustainable scale. Community or Culture – The Real Advantage Tariq demonstrates how authenticity and purpose can build powerful customer loyalty. Uzma shows that without internal engagement, even the best strategy will struggle to succeed. Their journeys highlight that scaling a business is about balance – between external brand identity and internal leadership strength. Final Thoughts Tariq and Uzma remind us that scaling is both a mindset and a mission. Success is not just about what you build, but who grows with you along the way.
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, we sit down with Tariq Kazemi, co-founder and CEO of Bldbro, the game-changing skincare brand designed specifically for bald men. What started as an Instagram community aimed at shifting the stigma around hair loss has now evolved into an award-winning business that's turning heads in the grooming industry. Tariq shares the incredible journey of building Bldbro—from a soft launch that sold out in months to reaching £3 million in revenue in just 365 days, with over 3,000 active subscribers and ambitious international plans. With a strong focus on community, quality, and brand mission, Bldbro isn't just creating products—it's changing perceptions. This conversation is packed with insights and inspiration and is structured in three key parts: The Business & the Journey – Tariq discusses the origins of Bldbro, their unique hero product (Bldbro Daily, a matte moisturising gel with SPF), and how they've scaled so rapidly. Challenges of Scaling – We explore the tension between product development and customer feedback, the impact of fast growth, and lessons from their fundraising journey—including closing a £1 million seed round. Quickfire Round – A light-hearted look at Tariq's personal views on leadership, inspiration, and what's next. Key Highlights: Achieved 800% growth in 2023, and on track for 400% in 2024 Awarded the Men's Health Grooming Award, Telegraph Recommended, and West Midlands Startup of the Year Building a team culture rooted in healthy conflict, shared mission, and remote collaboration Marketing success driven by Instagram community, word-of-mouth, and bold campaigns across Meta ads, national radio, and more The one key thing Tariq shared that really resonated was this: “We're not just creating skincare—we're building confidence and community for bald men everywhere.” Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. For now, continue listening for the full story from Tariq. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Tariq can be found d here: https://www.instagram.com/bld.bro/ https://bldbro.com/ Resources: Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/shantaram-now-a-major-apple-tv-series-starring-charlie-hunnam-gregory-david-roberts/d08a35c26ee7e86f?ean=9780349117546&next=t Excel - https://excel.cloud.microsoft/en-gb/ Notion - https://www.notion.com/ Conjura - https://www.conjura.com/ Shopify - https://www.shopify.com/
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