ScaleUp Radio
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 apply to be a guest, just click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/apply Kevin's New Book Is Now 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/
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Episode #555 - What if your business could scale globally with just 25 people — and no external funding? - with Lilia Stoyanov
12/22/2025
Episode #555 - What if your business could scale globally with just 25 people — and no external funding? - with Lilia Stoyanov
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 . 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: You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Lilia can be found here: Resources: Blitzscaling by Chris Yeh -
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Episode #554 - From Neurosurgeon to $200M Founder
12/19/2025
Episode #554 - From Neurosurgeon to $200M Founder
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. 💡 Episode Highlights From Surgeon to ScaleUp CEO: Mark didn’t set out to start a company, he was driven by necessity. After realising he couldn’t cure spinal damage with surgery alone, he went searching for answers in research, ultimately spinning out Bit Bio after university support fell short. A Painful Co-Founder Conflict: Mark’s first attempt at scaling ended in near disaster. Misalignment in values and vision led to a business breakup that forced him to remortgage his house to buy back control. Hiring with Intention: After that, Mark built a recruitment process focused on alignment and values, Purposeful, Ambitious, Trustworthy, Empirical, with a “Secret Vote” used to prevent bias and protect culture. Recognising the Breaking Points: Mark shares how communication changes at 20, 50, and 100 people, and how he had the humility to step aside and hire experienced operators to build structure when it was time. Living Drugs & AI: Bit Bio is on the frontier of medicine, moving from traditional "dead molecules" to "living drugs". They use AI and machine learning to crack complex genetic programming challenges that could change the future of healthcare. 🚀 The One Key Thing “Don’t assume alignment, be explicit about your values from day one.” 💬 Standout Quote “I thought curing disease would be enough to align people, but it wasn’t. You have to say the hard stuff upfront.” – Mark Kotter 💡 Smart90 Lite – Try It Free 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. 👉 Email to get access. 🎧 Listen & Subscribe Don’t miss future episodes , subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you get your podcasts. And if you know a founder with an inspiring story, check the show notes to nominate them!
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Episode #553 - Flipping The Traditional Agency Model On It’s Head - with Virtyt Pula
12/17/2025
Episode #553 - Flipping The Traditional Agency Model On It’s Head - with Virtyt Pula
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 . 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: You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Virtyt can be found here: Resources: Problem Solvers podcast - Diary of a CEO podcast - The Future podcast - Slack - Notion - Trello - Figma - Vimeo - Sortlist -
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Episode #552 - ScaleUp Club Special: Scaling Deep Tech - with Mark Kotter
12/15/2025
Episode #552 - ScaleUp Club Special: Scaling Deep Tech - with Mark Kotter
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. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Explicit Alignment Is Crucial: Co-founder misalignment nearly destroyed the company. Mark remortgaged his house to buy them out — and rebuilt with clear purpose and cultural values at the core. Fundraising Is a Full-Time Role: To scale such a novel tech, Mark handed off the science to a CSO and focused entirely on securing capital — over £250M to date. Hire People Smarter Than You: By sourcing key hires from VC due diligence teams and investing in deep expertise, Bit Bio gained the credibility and capability needed to scale. De-Risk Through Automation: Building biology, manufacturing, and QC processes from scratch is risky — automation and miniaturisation helped deliver £250M/year capacity from just 300m². 💡 The One Key Thing: If your team’s alignment isn’t crystal clear — it’s a ticking time bomb. 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 . 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 Mark. 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: You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Mark can be found here:
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Episode #551 - ScaleUp Radio Shorts: The Engineer and The Artist – Balancing Structure with Spirit in Scale-Ups
12/12/2025
Episode #551 - ScaleUp Radio Shorts: The Engineer and The Artist – Balancing Structure with Spirit in Scale-Ups
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. 💡 In this 15-minute roundup episode, you’ll hear: How Jono built a “freelance family” to scale without the pressure of full-time headcount Why Nigel believes great leadership combines Vision, Inspiration and Purpose (“VIP”) How both founders have navigated setbacks, and what they’d tell their younger selves The power of combining structure (spreadsheets!) with spirit (vision + culture) to grow sustainably Whether you're scaling a physical product business or leading through transformation, these contrasting but complementary stories offer real, actionable lessons. 🗝️ Standout Quote: “Responsibility isn’t a heavy sack to carry – it’s the ability to respond.” – Nigel Hughes 💬 The one key thing: Scaling up successfully is about blending head and heart, managing the spreadsheet and inspiring with purpose. 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 . 🎧 Listen now and subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to follow so you never miss an episode.
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Episode #550 - From Performer to Purpose-Driven Leader: Vision, Inspiration & Personal Discovery - with Nigel Hughes
12/10/2025
Episode #550 - From Performer to Purpose-Driven Leader: Vision, Inspiration & Personal Discovery - with Nigel Hughes
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. 👉 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 . 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 Nigel. 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: You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Nigel can be found here: Resources: Becky Hemsley Poem ‘Breathe’ -
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Episode #549 - Designing Products That Change Lives, Innovation, Resilience and Radical Teamwork - with Jono Taylor
12/08/2025
Episode #549 - Designing Products That Change Lives, Innovation, Resilience and Radical Teamwork - with Jono Taylor
Hi, I’m Granger Forson find me at or connect on 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. 🎙️ 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 invention, resilience and collaboration with Jono 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: Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Jono can be found here: Resources: The Designers Directory of Colour by Sean Adams - The Curious Bartender podcast - Timely app -
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Episode #548 - You Can't Scale Chaos
12/05/2025
Episode #548 - You Can't Scale Chaos
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. 🎯 Key Themes Explored: Niche Down, Scale Up Both Hamish and Steve highlight the importance of narrowing your focus to accelerate growth. Whether it's Hamish's "Control" phase in the PACE model or Steve’s "Sales Gauntlet", it’s all about precision and repeatability. From Founder-Selling to Sales Teams Steve maps the 3 stages of founder-led sales and warns against jumping too soon to hire a sales director. His benchmark: two reps consistently hitting quota. Attracting the Right People Hamish made Neptune an employee-owned business from day one, a bold move to bring in top talent. Steve, on the other hand, advocates for hiring overlooked talent, entrepreneurial minds from other sectors, like hospitality. Mindset & Resilience Both guests touch on the emotional journey of scaling. Hamish spoke of the eerie silence after leaving the corporate world, while Steve stressed protecting your energy: “Take care of the asset, yourself.” 🔑 The one key thing: You can’t scale chaos. Systems and the right people make scaling possible, but only if you protect your energy as a founder. 💬 Standout quote: “No one really cares about you as much as you do. When you quit the corporate job, there is an eerie silence. You have to be the one to drive the noise and passion.”
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Episode #547 - Scaling Sales: The Right Way, At The Right Time - with Steve Johnson
12/03/2025
Episode #547 - Scaling Sales: The Right Way, At The Right Time - with Steve Johnson
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. 👉 You can try it now 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 Steve. 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: You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Steve can be found here: Resources: Thinking In Systems by Donella Meadows - The Goal by Jeff Cox - The Brand Gap by Marty Neumeier - Octavo by Marty Neumeier - Simplicity by Edward de Bono - ChatGPT - Gemini -
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Episode #546 - From Wind Farms to Wisdom: How Neptune Infrastructure Powers Renewable Success - with Hamish Yates
12/01/2025
Episode #546 - From Wind Farms to Wisdom: How Neptune Infrastructure Powers Renewable Success - with Hamish Yates
Hi, I’m Granger Forson, and you can find me at or on . 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: Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Hamish can be found here: Free Assessment - Resources: Atomic Habits by James Clear - Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss - Diary of a CEO podcast - Cleaning Up podcast - Mile IQ app - The National Grid app -
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Episode #545 - Contrasting Paths to Growth: How Kat Wellum-Kent and Phil Harding Are Scaling Their Businesses
11/28/2025
Episode #545 - Contrasting Paths to Growth: How Kat Wellum-Kent and Phil Harding Are Scaling Their Businesses
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. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ The power of specialisation – Kat’s fractional model brings strategic and operational finance/HR under one roof. Phil, meanwhile, flips the traditional distributor model by offering upfront retainers and full transparency in costs. ✅ Two very different approaches to team building – Kat’s scaling an in-house team with cultural authenticity at its core. Phil relies on a lean, outsourced model supported by dedicated Brand Ambassadors and data-led tools. ✅ Efficiency through structure and systems – From Kat’s time-blocking and letting go of perfectionism, to Phil’s game-changing consignment stock model and custom Amazon dashboards, both founders know how to manage risk and cash flow. ✅ Vision with discipline – Kat aims to build a $7.5M multi-vertical fractional group, while Phil is creating an international machine for bringing drinks brands to market, despite the ever-present funding challenges in early-stage FMCG. 🧠 The one key thing: Scaling successfully isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing the right things with structure, focus, and control. 💬 Standout quote: "Don’t wait for the website or business cards to be perfect – just go and do it." – Phil Harding 🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast app by searching for ScaleUp Radio, and catch the full interviews with both Kat and Phil. 📩 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. 👉 Just email to get access. 👥 Know someone with a great ScaleUp story? Nominate them as a guest for a future episode! Details in the shownotes. This episode is created with the help of AI
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Episode #544 - Scaling with Heart and Strategy: How Authenticity and Team Culture Fuel the Fractional Revolution - with Kat Wellum-Kent
11/26/2025
Episode #544 - Scaling with Heart and Strategy: How Authenticity and Team Culture Fuel the Fractional Revolution - with Kat Wellum-Kent
Hi, I’m Granger Forson, and you can find me at or connect with me on . 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: Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Kat can be found here: Resources: Traction by Gino Wickman - Pitch Deck podcast - Opal app - Gabby Bernstein app -
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Episode #543 - Change The Model And increase The Chance of Success - with Phil Harding
11/24/2025
Episode #543 - Change The Model And increase The Chance of Success - with Phil Harding
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. 🎯 The One Key Thing: "Your business model is your greatest lever – disrupt the system, and you can unlock real scale." 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 Phil. 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: You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Phil can be found here: Resources: Gemini - Grok -
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Episode #542 - From Marketing the Cure to Discovering It: Two Founders, Two Frontlines
11/21/2025
Episode #542 - From Marketing the Cure to Discovering It: Two Founders, Two Frontlines
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.
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Episode #541 - From Boardrooms to Breakthroughs: Building a Boutique Agency that Gives Healthcare Innovation a Voice - with Michael Colling-Tuck
11/19/2025
Episode #541 - From Boardrooms to Breakthroughs: Building a Boutique Agency that Gives Healthcare Innovation a Voice - with Michael Colling-Tuck
Find me, Granger Forson, at or connect with me on . 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: Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Michael can be found here: Resources: Why People Don’t Buy Things by Harry Washburn - Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed - Oversubscribed by Daniel Priestley - Shogun by James Clavell - Crystal Palace Podcast - Diary of a CEO podcast - Totally Football podcast - Michael Colling-Tuck podcast - Spark app - WhatsApp - Shazam -
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Episode #540 - Curing Cancer, One Person at a Time: The Power of Personalised Vaccines - with Prasun Chakraborty
11/17/2025
Episode #540 - Curing Cancer, One Person at a Time: The Power of Personalised Vaccines - with Prasun Chakraborty
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: You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Prasun can be found here:
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Episode #539 - Scaling with Heart vs Head: Lessons from Two Founders
11/14/2025
Episode #539 - Scaling with Heart vs Head: Lessons from Two Founders
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.
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Episode #538 - When Pain Sparks Purpose: How a Physiotherapist Built a Thriving Multi-Site Practice through Learning to Lead Every Step of the Way - with Paul Wray
11/12/2025
Episode #538 - When Pain Sparks Purpose: How a Physiotherapist Built a Thriving Multi-Site Practice through Learning to Lead Every Step of the Way - with Paul Wray
Hi, I’m Granger Forson from , 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: Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Paul can be found here: The Winter Wellness Program that Paul mentioned can be got by e-mailing Resources: Secrets Of A Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker - Treat Your Own Business podcast - Patient Notes app -
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Episode #537 - Rebuilding Financial Modelling from the Ground Up – with Joe van Gelder
11/10/2025
Episode #537 - Rebuilding Financial Modelling from the Ground Up – with Joe van Gelder
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: You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Joe can be found here: Resources: The Rest Is History podcast - The Rest Is Money podcast - The Rest Is Politics podcast - Fathom app -
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Episode#536 - The 'Needy Dog' Economy: Why Authenticity Beats Corporate Jargon When You're Scaling Your Service Business– Lessons from Harry, Tom & Louise
11/07/2025
Episode#536 - The 'Needy Dog' Economy: Why Authenticity Beats Corporate Jargon When You're Scaling Your Service Business– Lessons from Harry, Tom & Louise
Hosts: Kevin Brent & Granger Forson Produced with the help of AI 🔎 Episode Overview: In this week’s ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin Brent and Granger Forson reflect on powerful insights from three of the most recent guests on ScaleUp Radio: Harry Shearer – Shearer Associates (Recruitment) Tom Locke – Habitat+ Architects (Architecture & Design) Louise Hampton – Attend2Health (Healthcare & Wellness) From recruitment to healthcare to sustainable architecture, these founder journeys might seem worlds apart — but Kevin and Granger tease out the surprising commonalities and valuable contrasts in how each approaches the realities of scaling up. 🧠 Key Themes Discussed: ✅ 1. Operational Systems are Essential – Not Optional All three guests made it clear: successful growth starts with structure. Louise built E-Myth-inspired systems so the business could run without her. Harry uses Notion and Pomodoro sprints to stay focused. Tom’s team uses Todoist to stay aligned. Takeaway: You don’t rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems. ✅ 2. Dividing Labour, Sharing Leadership Harry and his mother split roles clearly: operations vs. client-facing. Tom and his co-founder bring complementary skills. Louise was forced to delegate more due to parenting demands – a catalyst for business maturity. Takeaway: Delegation isn’t just task-based. It’s about trust and clearly defined responsibilities. ✅ 3. Managing Overwhelm & Energy Differently Tom escapes the studio with a run. Harry takes short Pomodoro breaks. Louise restructured her role out of necessity. Takeaway: Scaling requires emotional and physical energy – make recovery part of your rhythm. ✅ 4. Strategic Growth – Three Unique Paths Harry: expand by sector (e.g., cybersecurity) or location (Oxford, Bristol). Louise: add services within one large site. Tom: pursue “exciting projects” aligned with purpose, not size. Takeaway: There's no one-size-fits-all for scaling. Strategy must fit your goals and context. ✅ 5. Culture & Team Building Tom promotes a flat hierarchy to encourage creative freedom. Louise prioritises a nurturing, supportive workplace. Harry’s business thrives on deep trust and transparency. Takeaway: Culture doesn’t scale by accident – it must be intentional and aligned with structure. ✅ 6. Cash Flow Challenges & Financial Resilience Louise faced rising bills and mortgage rates – and built cash buffers. Tom deals with long, volatile project timelines. Takeaway: Every business model has unique financial risks. Plan for unpredictability. ✅ 7. Customer-Centric Marketing Harry succeeds with authentic, humorous LinkedIn content. Louise connects with her community via Facebook and local networks. Tom lets the work speak for itself through high-quality project delivery. Takeaway: Marketing should mirror your business model and values. ✅ 8. Lifelong Learning & External Perspective Tom values peer networks. Louise benefited from coaching. Harry constantly reads and listens to podcasts. Takeaway: The best leaders are lifelong learners. External input unlocks internal growth. This episode was co-created using AI to help distil and structure the key themes – so you can get focused insights from real-world ScaleUp journeys, fast. 🎧 Catch the full guest episodes on ScaleUp Radio wherever you listen to podcasts. 📢 Want to be featured or nominate someone? Visit
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Episode #535 - Ahead of the Curve: Building Better Futures through Sustainable Architecture and Learning - with Tom Locke
11/05/2025
Episode #535 - Ahead of the Curve: Building Better Futures through Sustainable Architecture and Learning - with Tom Locke
Hi, I’m Granger Forson from , 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: Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Tom can be found here: Resources: Nudge by Richard H. Thaler & Cass R. Sunstein - ToDo Ist -
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Episode #534 - From Clinic to Community Hub: The Scaling Up of Attend2Health - with Louise Hampton
11/03/2025
Episode #534 - From Clinic to Community Hub: The Scaling Up of Attend2Health - with Louise Hampton
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: You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Louise can be found here: Resources: The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber - Thriving Practice by Louise Hampton -
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Episode #533 - ScaleUp Club - Sustainability Isn't Just A Moral Imperative, It's A Competitive Advantage for SME's - with Alexandra Smith
10/29/2025
Episode #533 - ScaleUp Club - Sustainability Isn't Just A Moral Imperative, It's A Competitive Advantage for SME's - with Alexandra Smith
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: You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Alexandra can be found here
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Episode #532 - How a Family Duo Redefined Recruitment with Heart, Honesty and Local Spirit - with Harry Shearer
10/27/2025
Episode #532 - How a Family Duo Redefined Recruitment with Heart, Honesty and Local Spirit - with Harry Shearer
I’m Granger Forson, and you can find me at or on . 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: Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Harry can be found here: Resources: Building A Story Brand by Donald Miller - Atomic Habits by James Clear - Brick - Outlook - Brand Fathers podcast - Modern Wisdom podcast -
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Episode #531 - Getting Creative In The Financial Space To Create A Successful Team - with Helen Bower
10/22/2025
Episode #531 - Getting Creative In The Financial Space To Create A Successful Team - with Helen Bower
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: You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Helen can be found here: (Put ScaleUp Radio and FAO Alex in the Subject line) Resources: Diary of a CEO podcast - The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber - The 33 Laws of Business & Life by Steven Bartlett - Engager - Microsoft Teams - James Ashford -
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Episode #530: ScaleUp Club - Maintaining The Balance Between Entrepreneurial Freedom and Corporate Structure - with Ross Latta and Adam Johnson
10/20/2025
Episode #530: ScaleUp Club - Maintaining The Balance Between Entrepreneurial Freedom and Corporate Structure - with Ross Latta and Adam Johnson
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: You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Ross can be found here: Adam can be found here:
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Episode #529: What Really Drives Scale – Purpose or People?
10/17/2025
Episode #529: What Really Drives Scale – Purpose or People?
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. 🎙️ This episode was created with artificial intelligence as part of our ScaleUp Radio. Listen and Learn More 🎧 Listen to the full interviews on ScaleUp Radio: 📅 Book a call with Kevin Brent to discuss your scaling journey:
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Episode #528 - Managing Rapid Growth in a Competitive Market - with Tariq Kazemi
10/15/2025
Episode #528 - Managing Rapid Growth in a Competitive Market - with Tariq Kazemi
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: You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Tariq can be found d here: Resources: Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts - Excel - https://excel.cloud.microsoft/en-gb/ Notion - Conjura - Shopify -
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Episode #527 - Leading Change Through People, Not Just Process - with Uzma Aitqad
10/13/2025
Episode #527 - Leading Change Through People, Not Just Process - with Uzma Aitqad
In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, we dive into one of the most underestimated – and most essential – elements of successful business growth: change management. Our guest, Uzma Aitqad, brings over 25 years of experience in the corporate world and a deep understanding of organisational change. As the founder of Magna People Change Consulting, she now helps SMEs navigate complex digital transformations by focusing on people, not just process. The episode unfolds in three parts: Uzma’s journey from electronics engineering to change consultancy, and the founding of Magna. Her practical insights into scaling challenges, the human barriers to change, and why 70% of change initiatives fail. A rapid-fire round covering Uzma’s favourite resources, leadership tips, and more. The one key thing: Successful change is not about technology – it’s about people. If your team isn’t on board, the transformation won’t stick. Whether you're an SME founder struggling to let go of control, or a leader trying to build agility into your team, this episode is full of practical strategies to help you scale with confidence. 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 Uzma. 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: You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Uzma can be found here: Resources: People-centric Organisational Change By Julie Hodges - Atomic Habits by James Clear - Transformation Talk Podcast - Manus AI - Perplexity - Napkin AI -
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Episode #526 - Profit, People, and Purpose: What Defines True Business Success?
10/10/2025
Episode #526 - Profit, People, and Purpose: What Defines True Business Success?
This week on ScaleUp Radio, two business leaders share how very different journeys can lead to the same goal: building a company that thrives beyond its founder. Dan Boardman-Weston, CEO of BRI Wealth Management, grew up in the family firm and became one of the youngest CEOs in the financial sector. His story shows how credibility, structure and culture form the foundation for long-term success. Paul Miller, founder of Cornish Accounting Solutions, built his business after a life-changing illness reminded him what matters most. He reshaped his accountancy practice around relationships, trust and purpose. Together, they ask a vital question: is business success defined by ambition and structure, or by compassion and legacy? Meet the Guests Dan Boardman-Weston – The Driven Successor Dan joined BRI at 18 and became CEO in his late 20s. Determined to earn respect on his own merits, he focused his first years on getting the right people, processes and culture in place before scaling. He believes in training and empowering staff, saying the key to growth is putting the right people in the right roles. His goal is clear: to grow BRI’s £700 million in client assets while staying true to a culture built on trust and service. Paul Miller – The Relationship Builder Paul founded Cornish Accounting Solutions in 1994 after “drifting” into accountancy. Surviving meningococcal septicaemia forced him to cut 80-hour weeks and refocus on what truly mattered. He built a business rooted in empathy and long-term relationships, often calling himself a “consigliere” who listens first and advises second. By focusing on fewer, better-fit clients, Paul increased profit and restored balance to his life. Key Lessons for Business Owners Work on the business, not in it. Both leaders highlight the need for systems and time to think strategically. Invest in people. Training and trust turn staff into the engine of growth. Choose the right clients. Profit and calm come from quality, not quantity. Plan before you expand. Sustainable scale begins with internal stability. Prioritise well-being. Health and perspective matter as much as ambition. Legacy or Leadership – The Real Difference Dan’s success comes from structure and discipline. His focus is on building a scalable company where performance and culture grow together. Paul’s success comes from reflection and empathy. His focus is on relationships, community and leaving a lasting impact. Both show that leadership is not about being indispensable. It is about creating a business that can thrive without you. Insights from the ScaleUp Challenge Report BizSmart’s ScaleUp Challenge research reveals that only 7% of UK SMEs have a truly scalable model, while 49% say their business would suffer if they stepped away for three months. SmartBoard® members who strengthen people and planning foundations achieve on average 31.6% headcount growth and 43% turnover growth within three years. Final Thoughts True success is measured not just in numbers but in people and purpose. Dan and Paul remind us that growth is about balance — between drive and discipline, profit and passion, leadership and life. Listen and Learn More 🎧 Listen to the full interviews on ScaleUp Radio: 📅 Book a call with Kevin Brent to discuss your scaling journey: This episode was created using Artifical Intelligence
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