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Episode #558 - From Unicorn Ambition to Creative Freedom – Lessons from Two ScaleUp Journeys

ScaleUp Radio

Release Date: 01/09/2026

Episode #567 - Rocket Science vs Business Rates - Scaling Lessons from Both Worlds show art Episode #567 - Rocket Science vs Business Rates - Scaling Lessons from Both Worlds

ScaleUp Radio

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...

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ScaleUp Radio

Granger Forson here from  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...

info_outline Episode #565 - Unlocking Drug Discovery in Space - with Aqeel Shamsul of Frontier Space show art Episode #565 - Unlocking Drug Discovery in Space - with Aqeel Shamsul of Frontier Space

ScaleUp Radio

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...

info_outline Episode #564 - From water tech to rewards apps - what scaling really takes show art Episode #564 - From water tech to rewards apps - what scaling really takes

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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...

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ScaleUp Radio

Find me, Granger Forson, at  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...

info_outline Episode #562 - Making Water Behave, Saving Energy And Scaling A Mission That Matters - with Samantha Mant show art Episode #562 - Making Water Behave, Saving Energy And Scaling A Mission That Matters - with Samantha Mant

ScaleUp Radio

Welcome to another inspiring episode with me, Granger Forson find me at  or on 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...

info_outline Episode #561 - The Power of Saying 'No' show art Episode #561 - The Power of Saying 'No'

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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. 👉 Hugh Taylor took Roadnight Taylor from burnout to brilliance by radically niching down, cutting 80% of his client base and doubling fees through a bold auction model. 👉 Michael Yorke of Prime dcm discovered the sweet spot in not trying to grow too big, instead focusing on lean, trust-led delivery with full transparency and hands-on leadership. Here’s what you’ll learn in...

info_outline Episode #560 - How Radical Focus Transformed a Struggling Consultancy into a Global Leader - with Hugh Taylor show art Episode #560 - How Radical Focus Transformed a Struggling Consultancy into a Global Leader - with Hugh Taylor

ScaleUp Radio

I’m Granger Forson and you’ll find me at  or on . 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...

info_outline Episode #559 - Building Trust Not Tension by Changing Construction Through Openness and Real Financial Clarity - with Michael Yorke show art Episode #559 - Building Trust Not Tension by Changing Construction Through Openness and Real Financial Clarity - with Michael Yorke

ScaleUp Radio

Welcome to another episode of ScaleUp Radio with me, Granger Forson. You can connect with me at  or find me on  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...

info_outline Episode #558 - From Unicorn Ambition to Creative Freedom – Lessons from Two ScaleUp Journeys show art Episode #558 - From Unicorn Ambition to Creative Freedom – Lessons from Two ScaleUp Journeys

ScaleUp Radio

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, you'll learn: How Lilia scaled TFY to...

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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, you'll learn:

  • How Lilia scaled TFY to manage 350,000 contractors across 184 countries with a core team of just 25
  • Why Virtyt rejected the idea of a physical agency HQ and built a fully remote creative collective serving top-tier clients
  • The importance of clarity of vision, and how it shapes everything from team structure to decision-making
  • How both founders are redefining leadership, from managing your ego to embracing “business therapy”
  • The very different but equally compelling growth philosophies: automation for scale vs. curation for quality

 

 

🎯 The one key thing:
Clarity of vision is everything. Whether you’re building a unicorn or crafting a lifestyle business, your growth strategy must match your purpose.

 

🎁 Try Smart90 Lite, free during testing!
We’re looking for a few founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app, designed to help you stay accountable and execute your goals in just minutes a day. It’s free while we’re testing, and your feedback will help shape the final version.
📩 Email kevin@biz-smart.co.uk for early access.

 

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