Episode #415 - Empowering Your Team and Embracing Change - with Rob Spence
Release Date: 09/23/2024
Episode #441 - Scaling with Values and Vision – Creating a High-Performance Culture - with Steve Rawlingson from Samuel Knight Group
ScaleUp Radio
In this special episode of ScaleUp Radio, we’re joined by Steve Rawlingson, a returning guest and the founder of Samuel Knight Group. With a remarkable scale-up journey under his belt, Steve shares insights on building a scalable team, maintaining a high-performance culture, and staying focused on strategic goals. Samuel Knight Group, a global recruitment company specialising in the renewable energy sector, has achieved impressive milestones, including £35 million in sales in 2023 and the potential to reach £1 billion+ within five years. From hiring strategies to leadership approaches,...
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Episode #440 - Ensuring Fairness In A Competitive World - with Jeremy Stern from PromoVeritas
ScaleUp Radio
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent speaks with Jeremy Stern, the founder of PromoVeritas, a promotional compliance specialist that has grown from a one-person operation into a global leader with a team of 50 and operations spanning 88 countries. PromoVeritas ensures that promotions, competitions, and prize draws run by some of the world’s biggest brands—like Cadbury, Pringles, and Amazon—are legal, fair, and effective. Jeremy shares the story of his entrepreneurial journey, from founding the business 20 years ago after being fired from Sega to recently transitioning the...
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Episode #439 - Building A Successful Canine Online Presence, Which Isn’t To Be Sniffed At - with Stephnie Gribble from Canine Collection
ScaleUp Radio
Hi there and welcome to another inspiring episode of ScaleUp Radio, the podcast designed to make navigating the ScaleUp journey a little easier by learning from the experiences of others. This week, I’m joined by Stephnie Gribble, founder and owner of Canine Collection, an innovative online dog store launched in January 2024. Stephnie has achieved remarkable growth in less than a year, combining eco-conscious values with an eye for modern marketing strategies. In this episode, we’ll dive into the fascinating story behind Canine Collection, explore the challenges Stephnie has...
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Episode #438 - Thinking Big For Growth; Going From The Street To A Full Content Agency - with Inge Hunter from Clue Content
ScaleUp Radio
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Inge Hunter, founder of Clue Content, a fast-growing content marketing agency blending video production, social media management, and data analytics. Inge shares the innovative ways Clue Content is helping scale-ups harness the power of organic social media through a data-driven, cost-effective approach. From her entrepreneurial roots to her vision of democratising social media marketing, Inge offers insight into both her business philosophy and her impressive growth strategies. Key Takeaways: Unique Business Model: Clue Content...
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Episode #437 - Redefining the Art World: How To Empower Artists Without Gallery Representation - with Kate Enters from ArtCan
ScaleUp Radio
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent sits down with Kate Enters, the dynamic founder of ArtCan, a non-profit arts organisation designed to help artists find their voice and showcase their work beyond the traditional gallery system. Kate shares the remarkable story of ArtCan’s origins, its unconventional non-profit model, and the community it has built for artists seeking exhibition opportunities without gallery representation. With over 600 artists involved from 25+ countries, ArtCan has grown into a global community for artists, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment...
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Episode #436 - Marketing the Future: AI, Marketing, and Agile Growth - with David Sloly
ScaleUp Radio
Hi, I'm Granger Forson, and you can find me at [BizSmart Gloucestershire](www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk) or connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com). In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I’m joined by David Sloly, co-owner of HarveyDavid, a technology-driven B2B marketing agency. Over the past 11 years, David has built a unique agency that combines tech, content, and AI to transform how clients engage their markets. We discuss the unplanned approach to growth that’s at the heart of his entrepreneurial philosophy—starting small, iterating quickly, and focusing on action...
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Episode #435 - From Pop-Ups to Multi-City Restaurants: Scaling Restaurants with Passion and Precision - with Dorian Kirk
ScaleUp Radio
Hi, I’m Granger Forson, business coach and host of ScaleUp Radio. You can find me at [BizSmart Gloucestershire](www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk) or connect with me on LinkedIn. In this episode, I’m joined by Dorian Kirk, founder of Art Hospitality, whose restaurant group journey has transformed from humble pop-up beginnings to a powerhouse of chef-led concepts across multiple cities. Dorian’s experience in the industry—starting at the age of 14 as a dishwasher—has nurtured a deep-rooted passion for culinary innovation and authentic leadership. Dorian shares how he and his brother...
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Episode #434 - ScaleUp Club - Where Are You On Your Scaling Up Journey - with Jame James from Little Voices
ScaleUp Radio
In this ScaleUp Club Q&A episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent speaks with Jane James, the founder of Little Voices, a company she started 17 years ago to help children find confidence through drama and singing. What began as a single location has grown into a successful network of over 30 franchisees, positively impacting the lives of more than 100,000 children. In this episode, Jane shares the pivotal moments and challenges she faced while scaling Little Voices and answers questions posed to her by members of our ScaleUp Club audience. Some of the key topics discussed include: The early...
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Episode #433 - Automation & AI: The Future of Business with Data Cubed - with Helen Tanner
ScaleUp Radio
Welcome to another insightful episode of ScaleUp Radio, hosted by Granger Forson! You can find me at [www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk](http://www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk) or connect with me on LinkedIn. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating journey of Helen Tanner, the founder of Data3, a data AI consultancy that’s been transforming businesses for over seven years. DataCUBE helps organisations untangle their data and unlock powerful insights, paving the way for leaner, more efficient operations. Helen shares how DataCUBE pivoted from a traditional setup to an ultra-lean...
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Episode #432 - Navigating Hidden Organizational Dynamics - with Vanessa Pozzali of Synthosys
ScaleUp Radio
In this insightful episode of ScaleUp Radio, your host Kevin Brent is joined by Vanessa Pozzali, the co-founder of Synthosys, a consultancy that specialises in unlocking the hidden aspects of organisations, including culture, leadership, and building high-performance teams. Vanessa shares how Synthosys uses a unique "iceberg" model, focusing on the unseen yet critical elements that drive sustainable organisational success. Synthosys takes a deep dive into what she calls the 4C model, exploring collaboration, communication, clarity, and one crucial element she keeps under wraps! With this...
info_outlineWelcome to another insightful episode of ScaleUp Radio! Today, we have a fascinating conversation with Rob Spence, the dynamic founder of Paragon Sales Solutions. Rob's journey from starting his business with just £300 and no business plan to scaling it to 12 employees and multiple office spaces is truly inspiring. Tune in to hear how Rob tackled key challenges, the lessons he learned along the way, and his future plans for empowering his team and focusing on consulting, writing, and podcasting.
Key Takeaways:
- Starting Paragon Sales Solutions: Rob Spence began his entrepreneurial journey in 2018 with only £300, driven by sheer determination and a passion for sales.
- Challenges and Growth: He faced significant challenges, including understanding pricing, managing rapid team growth, and developing as a leader.
- Success Factors: Rob attributes his success to client retention, a personalized approach, and a willingness to innovate.
- Future Focus: He plans to empower his team to handle operations, allowing him to concentrate on consulting, writing, and podcasting.
Topics Covered:
Background and Starting Paragon Sales:
Rob's unexpected entry into sales and subsequent success through intense self-study.
His decision to start Paragon Sales Solutions after the success of his book "Relationship Selling".
Rapid Growth and Challenges:
The quick expansion of Paragon Sales Solutions, from one employee to twelve in just 6.5 years.
Overcoming the lack of a business plan, learning about pricing, and managing a growing team.
Team Management and Development:
Initial struggles with hiring and management, leading to a focus on purposeful recruiting and open communication.
Measuring success through client and employee retention and satisfaction.
Lessons Learned:
The importance of not rushing the hiring process and ensuring cultural fit.
Knowing the value of your services and pricing them accordingly.
Effective marketing through personal branding and direct communication.
Rob’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, continuous learning, and the importance of a strong, empowered team. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an established business owner, Rob's insights offer valuable lessons on scaling and evolving a business.
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'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/
Rob can be found here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robjohnspence/
https://open.spotify.com/show/0Z3C9igUoml6rR7ZrijJnR?si=e24b5d3683304f3e
https://open.spotify.com/show/2yhYKDPEfVeXnsCMupjl58?si=b62c2a58dadc4ab3
https://www.paragonsalessolutions.co.uk/
Resources:
Relationship Selling by Rob Spence - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Relationship-Selling-Achieve-Everything-Deserve/dp/1542465834
The Paragon Mindset by Rob Spence - https://amzn.eu/d/hfyqPKJ
A Month to Improve Your Sales by Rob Spence - https://amzn.eu/d/9PPq1JN
How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/how-to-win-friends-and-influence-people-dale-carnegie/15666?ean=9789357768351
The Little Red Book Of Selling by Jeffrey Gitomer - https://www.shortform.com/summary/little-red-book-of-selling-summary-jeffrey-gitomer?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=531475979&msclkid=cd6538ef9459195252925e047a05d5fc
Selling The Wheel by Jeff Cox & Howard Stevens - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/selling-the-wheel-choosing-the-best-way-to-sell-for-you-your-company-and-your-customers-jeff-cox/3478594?ean=9780684856018