Episode #631: The Million-Dollar Donut: How Hidden Costs Are Holding Back Your Growth - with Ryan Olson
Release Date: 07/20/2026
Episode #655: From Acquisition to Focus: Scaling NBR - with Michaela Cusack
ScaleUp Radio
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, host Kevin Brent is joined by Michaela Cusack, solicitor and co-owner of NBR, to explore what really happens when you acquire an established business and then set about changing its direction. Michaela and her business partner Matt acquired NBR in 2020. They were stepping into an unfamiliar intellectual property sector, taking responsibility for a long-established team and, almost immediately, dealing with the impact of Covid. Their rationale for the acquisition was compelling. Through Matt’s work in mergers and acquisitions, they had seen how businesses...
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Episode #654: ScaleUp Club: Brand Promises. Say It, Mean It, Live It - with Jake Young
ScaleUp Radio
What does your business really promise its customers – and would your team, your suppliers and your customers all give the same answer? This special edition of ScaleUp Radio was recorded live at our latest ScaleUp Club, where we explored the theme “Brand Promise: Say it, mean it, live it.” Rather than our usual one-to-one conversation, this episode brings together three parts of the ScaleUp Club session: an AI Pulse update from Paul Rhodes of Green Gorilla Software, some thoughts from Kevin Brent on why brand promise is a strategic issue rather than simply a marketing one, and a...
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Episode #653: From Kitchen Table to Entrepreneurship - with Carole Duck
ScaleUp Radio
What happens when you spot a problem in your own life, create a solution at home, and gradually discover there could be a much bigger business hiding inside it? In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent talks to Carole Duck, founder of Duxanall Dogbedz, about building a product-led business from the kitchen table, bootstrapping its growth and finding opportunities to move from a handmade product towards a more scalable and potentially higher-margin business. Carole’s original product came from a very practical problem: a puppy that kept chewing expensive dog beds. Her solution was a...
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Episode #652: Is Command and Control Holding Your Business Back? - with Peter Laughter
ScaleUp Radio
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Peter Laughter for a fascinating discussion about distributed leadership, why traditional command and control management is increasingly becoming a constraint on growing businesses, and what leaders can do instead. Peter knows the command and control model from experience. He grew a staffing business from around $500,000 to $12 million in revenue in five years. But that success eventually exposed a problem familiar to many growing businesses: when too many decisions and too much responsibility sit with the person at the top, the leader...
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Episode #651: Transforming Chaos into Calm: The Boutique Housekeeping Revolution - with Caroline Chilly and Harriet Greenmount
ScaleUp Radio
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Caroline Chilley and Harriet, co-founders of Boutique Housekeeping, a business that is changing the way busy families think about support in the home. Boutique Housekeeping sits in the space between a traditional cleaning service and employing full-time household staff. Its house managers provide a much broader service, helping with housekeeping, tidying, laundry, shopping, meal preparation, errands and PA-style tasks. But this conversation is about far more than housekeeping. It is a fascinating ScaleUp story about finding the right...
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Episode #650: The Art of Leadership: Empowering Founders to Scale Their Businesses - with Tom Van Dyke
ScaleUp Radio
What happens when the thing that got your business growing becomes the very thing stopping it from scaling? In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Thom Van Dycke to explore a challenge that will be familiar to many founder led businesses: growth initially comes because of the founder’s network, relationships, energy and ability to sell. But eventually, there are only so many people the founder knows and only so many hours in the day. At that point, the founder can become the bottleneck. Thom’s own journey into business is unusual. After spending around 20 years as a...
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Episode #649: Building A Business That Can Run Without You
ScaleUp Radio
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, host Kevin Brent is joined by entrepreneur Rachel Hill, whose journey takes us from building and selling a multi site childcare business to breathing new life into a closed model village and launching a new consumer brand almost by accident. Rachel started Hillside Childcare at just 26, converting a granny flat into a 16 place nursery as a way of helping to pay a new mortgage. That first nursery eventually became a four site operation looking after 299 children. What makes Rachel’s story particularly interesting is not simply the growth. It is what she...
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Episode #648: Focus, Data and Building a Business That Can Scale - with John Readman
ScaleUp Radio
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, host Kevin Brent is joined by John Readman, founder of ASK BOSCO and Modo25, to explore what it really takes to turn a big idea into a focused, scalable business. John's journey offers a particularly useful lesson for founders: sometimes scaling isn't about doing more. It's about narrowing your focus. ASK BOSCO was created to tackle a problem familiar to many e-commerce businesses. Marketing teams can see return on ad spend, finance teams can see profitability, and platforms such as Google, Meta and TikTok all report their own versions of performance. But...
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Episode #647: How to Codify Your Company’s Genius and Escape Commoditisation - with Simon Bowen
ScaleUp Radio
What makes your business genuinely different? And, more importantly, could your team explain it without you in the room? In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent talks with Simon Bowen about the Models Method, the power of visual thinking, and why growing businesses need to codify the distinctive thinking that sits behind what they do. Simon argues that many founder-led businesses have something genuinely special, but much of it remains locked inside the founder’s head. As the business grows, that thinking can become diluted internally. The result is that customers increasingly struggle...
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Episode #646: ScaleUp Club - Aligning Personal & Business Goals - with James West
ScaleUp Radio
This episode of ScaleUp Radio is a little different. We’re taking you inside one of our monthly ScaleUp Club sessions, where members get the opportunity to explore some of the challenges that come with building and scaling a business, share their experiences and put questions to our guest. This month, our main theme was Aligning Personal & Business Goals, and we welcomed back James West, co-founder of ONLE, for a Q&A about building a business that supports the life you actually want to lead. We also had an AI Pulse update from Tim Winstanley, looking at AI watermarking, the...
info_outlineWhat happens when a successful corporate executive decides he wants more control over his future?
After 22 years at Intel, Ryan Olson had built an impressive career leading business development teams, managing global partnerships and helping create a billion-dollar pipeline. But two rounds of corporate layoffs became the catalyst for a very different path.
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Ryan shares how he transitioned from corporate leadership into business ownership through the ERA Group franchise, helping mid-sized businesses uncover hidden costs, improve profitability and free up cash for growth.
One of the strongest insights from this discussion is that many businesses focus relentlessly on generating more revenue while overlooking significant opportunities to improve profit through smarter cost management.
Along the way, Ryan shares the memorable "million-dollar donut" story, explains why franchise ownership appealed more than launching a startup from scratch, and reveals some of the hidden expenses many businesses fail to spot.
In this episode:
Ryan's journey from Intel to entrepreneurship
- Spending 22 years building a successful corporate career at Intel
- Managing global teams and strategic partnerships
- Why two layoffs changed his perspective on career security
- Deciding to pursue entrepreneurship through a franchise model
- Lessons learned about building credibility outside a major global brand
Why Ryan chose a franchise model
- The appeal of a proven system and established methodology
- Access to marketing support, technology and training
- Building a business while reducing startup risk
- The long-term value of creating a saleable asset
- Why the ERA Group mission resonated personally
Understanding the ERA Group model
- Helping businesses optimise operational expenses
- Working primarily with companies between £8m and £250m turnover
- A contingent fee structure that aligns incentives
- Only getting paid when savings are successfully delivered
- Creating win-win outcomes for clients
The power of specialist expertise
- Leveraging a network of over 1,000 consultants worldwide
- Accessing deep category specialists across multiple industries
- Collaborating rather than competing within the franchise network
- Delivering expertise beyond a single consultant's background
Hidden costs that impact business growth
- The million-dollar donut freight story
- Why supplier relationships sometimes hide inefficiencies
- Insurance cost optimisation opportunities
- Technology subscriptions for employees who have already left
- Missed warranty reimbursement revenue
- The importance of regularly reviewing supplier contracts
Ryan's practical 3-step approach to cost optimisation
- Know your spend
- Audit vendors, contracts and payment terms
- Understand exactly where money is going
- Focus on high-impact opportunities
- Prioritise one or two categories first
- Concentrate effort where returns are greatest
- Monitor and verify results
- Ensure negotiated savings are actually realised
- Build ongoing accountability into the process
Key Takeaways
- Growth isn't always about increasing revenue; improving profitability often starts with understanding existing costs.
- Hidden expenses frequently exist in long-standing supplier relationships.
- External expertise can uncover opportunities internal teams simply don't have time to investigate.
- Franchise ownership can provide an attractive route into entrepreneurship through proven systems and support.
- Cost optimisation creates additional cash that can be reinvested into strategic growth initiatives.
One Key Thing
The quickest route to improved cash flow is often not finding more customers but uncovering the costs hiding in plain sight inside your existing business.
About Ryan Olson
Ryan Olson is a Cost Optimisation Consultant with ERA Group. Following a 22-year corporate career at Intel, he transitioned into entrepreneurship through the ERA Group franchise model. Ryan helps mid-sized businesses identify hidden costs, improve profitability and unlock cash that can be reinvested into growth.
About ERA Group
ERA Group helps organisations improve profitability through operational cost optimisation. Using a performance-based fee structure, the business works with clients to identify, validate and implement sustainable cost savings across a wide range of expenditure categories.
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:
Resources
Libby -
What happens when a successful corporate executive decides he wants more control over his future?
After 22 years at Intel, Ryan Olson had built an impressive career leading business development teams, managing global partnerships and helping create a billion-dollar pipeline. But two rounds of corporate layoffs became the catalyst for a very different path.
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Ryan shares how he transitioned from corporate leadership into business ownership through the ERA Group franchise, helping mid-sized businesses uncover hidden costs, improve profitability and free up cash for growth.
One of the strongest insights from this discussion is that many businesses focus relentlessly on generating more revenue while overlooking significant opportunities to improve profit through smarter cost management.
Along the way, Ryan shares the memorable "million-dollar donut" story, explains why franchise ownership appealed more than launching a startup from scratch, and reveals some of the hidden expenses many businesses fail to spot.
In this episode:
Ryan's journey from Intel to entrepreneurship
- Spending 22 years building a successful corporate career at Intel
- Managing global teams and strategic partnerships
- Why two layoffs changed his perspective on career security
- Deciding to pursue entrepreneurship through a franchise model
- Lessons learned about building credibility outside a major global brand
Why Ryan chose a franchise model
- The appeal of a proven system and established methodology
- Access to marketing support, technology and training
- Building a business while reducing startup risk
- The long-term value of creating a saleable asset
- Why the ERA Group mission resonated personally
Understanding the ERA Group model
- Helping businesses optimise operational expenses
- Working primarily with companies between £8m and £250m turnover
- A contingent fee structure that aligns incentives
- Only getting paid when savings are successfully delivered
- Creating win-win outcomes for clients
The power of specialist expertise
- Leveraging a network of over 1,000 consultants worldwide
- Accessing deep category specialists across multiple industries
- Collaborating rather than competing within the franchise network
- Delivering expertise beyond a single consultant's background
Hidden costs that impact business growth
- The million-dollar donut freight story
- Why supplier relationships sometimes hide inefficiencies
- Insurance cost optimisation opportunities
- Technology subscriptions for employees who have already left
- Missed warranty reimbursement revenue
- The importance of regularly reviewing supplier contracts
Ryan's practical 3-step approach to cost optimisation
- Know your spend
- Audit vendors, contracts and payment terms
- Understand exactly where money is going
- Focus on high-impact opportunities
- Prioritise one or two categories first
- Concentrate effort where returns are greatest
- Monitor and verify results
- Ensure negotiated savings are actually realised
- Build ongoing accountability into the process
Key Takeaways
- Growth isn't always about increasing revenue; improving profitability often starts with understanding existing costs.
- Hidden expenses frequently exist in long-standing supplier relationships.
- External expertise can uncover opportunities internal teams simply don't have time to investigate.
- Franchise ownership can provide an attractive route into entrepreneurship through proven systems and support.
- Cost optimisation creates additional cash that can be reinvested into strategic growth initiatives.
One Key Thing
The quickest route to improved cash flow is often not finding more customers but uncovering the costs hiding in plain sight inside your existing business.
About Ryan Olson
Ryan Olson is a Cost Optimisation Consultant with ERA Group. Following a 22-year corporate career at Intel, he transitioned into entrepreneurship through the ERA Group franchise model. Ryan helps mid-sized businesses identify hidden costs, improve profitability and unlock cash that can be reinvested into growth.
About ERA Group
ERA Group helps organisations improve profitability through operational cost optimisation. Using a performance-based fee structure, the business works with clients to identify, validate and implement sustainable cost savings across a wide range of expenditure categories.
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:
Resources
Libby -
What happens when a successful corporate executive decides he wants more control over his future?
After 22 years at Intel, Ryan Olson had built an impressive career leading business development teams, managing global partnerships and helping create a billion-dollar pipeline. But two rounds of corporate layoffs became the catalyst for a very different path.
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Ryan shares how he transitioned from corporate leadership into business ownership through the ERA Group franchise, helping mid-sized businesses uncover hidden costs, improve profitability and free up cash for growth.
One of the strongest insights from this discussion is that many businesses focus relentlessly on generating more revenue while overlooking significant opportunities to improve profit through smarter cost management.
Along the way, Ryan shares the memorable "million-dollar donut" story, explains why franchise ownership appealed more than launching a startup from scratch, and reveals some of the hidden expenses many businesses fail to spot.
In this episode:
Ryan's journey from Intel to entrepreneurship
- Spending 22 years building a successful corporate career at Intel
- Managing global teams and strategic partnerships
- Why two layoffs changed his perspective on career security
- Deciding to pursue entrepreneurship through a franchise model
- Lessons learned about building credibility outside a major global brand
Why Ryan chose a franchise model
- The appeal of a proven system and established methodology
- Access to marketing support, technology and training
- Building a business while reducing startup risk
- The long-term value of creating a saleable asset
- Why the ERA Group mission resonated personally
Understanding the ERA Group model
- Helping businesses optimise operational expenses
- Working primarily with companies between £8m and £250m turnover
- A contingent fee structure that aligns incentives
- Only getting paid when savings are successfully delivered
- Creating win-win outcomes for clients
The power of specialist expertise
- Leveraging a network of over 1,000 consultants worldwide
- Accessing deep category specialists across multiple industries
- Collaborating rather than competing within the franchise network
- Delivering expertise beyond a single consultant's background
Hidden costs that impact business growth
- The million-dollar donut freight story
- Why supplier relationships sometimes hide inefficiencies
- Insurance cost optimisation opportunities
- Technology subscriptions for employees who have already left
- Missed warranty reimbursement revenue
- The importance of regularly reviewing supplier contracts
Ryan's practical 3-step approach to cost optimisation
- Know your spend
- Audit vendors, contracts and payment terms
- Understand exactly where money is going
- Focus on high-impact opportunities
- Prioritise one or two categories first
- Concentrate effort where returns are greatest
- Monitor and verify results
- Ensure negotiated savings are actually realised
- Build ongoing accountability into the process
Key Takeaways
- Growth isn't always about increasing revenue; improving profitability often starts with understanding existing costs.
- Hidden expenses frequently exist in long-standing supplier relationships.
- External expertise can uncover opportunities internal teams simply don't have time to investigate.
- Franchise ownership can provide an attractive route into entrepreneurship through proven systems and support.
- Cost optimisation creates additional cash that can be reinvested into strategic growth initiatives.
One Key Thing
The quickest route to improved cash flow is often not finding more customers but uncovering the costs hiding in plain sight inside your existing business.
About Ryan Olson
Ryan Olson is a Cost Optimisation Consultant with ERA Group. Following a 22-year corporate career at Intel, he transitioned into entrepreneurship through the ERA Group franchise model. Ryan helps mid-sized businesses identify hidden costs, improve profitability and unlock cash that can be reinvested into growth.
About ERA Group
ERA Group helps organisations improve profitability through operational cost optimisation. Using a performance-based fee structure, the business works with clients to identify, validate and implement sustainable cost savings across a wide range of expenditure categories.
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:
Resources
Libby - https://libbyapp.com/interview/welcome#do-you-have-a-card
Ryan can be found here
Email: [email protected]