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/

Episode #582 - AI Search Is Rewriting the Rules. Are You Still Playing the Old Game? - with Andreas Voniatis 03/09/2026

Episode #582 - AI Search Is Rewriting the Rules. Are You Still Playing the Old Game? - with Andreas Voniatis In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent sits down with Andreas Voniatis, founder of Artios.io, to explore what might be the biggest shift in search since Google began. Traditional SEO as we know it is fading. AI search is changing how content is discovered, prioritised, and rewarded. And Andreas saw it coming early. In fact, Artios built its own Large Language Model back in 2019; years before ChatGPT entered the mainstream. This conversation dives into: Why traditional SEO is becoming a back-office function Why most AI content strategies are fundamentally flawed What “information gain” really means; and why it’s now critical How Andreas bootstrapped deep-tech R&D without external investors The founder mindset shifts that helped him scale without burning out As always, we break the discussion into three parts. First, the business, the model and where Artios.io is on its ScaleUp journey. Second, Andreas’ views on scaling challenges and the future of AI search. And third, a few quickfire questions to close. Quick heads-up; we’re 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 shape the final version. Just email to get access. 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 Andreas. 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 here: Kevin's Book Is Here! 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 - Andreas can be found here: Resources: The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant - /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/40326885

Episode #581 - ScaleUp Club: Take Control of Your Week - with Ryan Slaney 03/04/2026

Episode #581 - ScaleUp Club: Take Control of Your Week - with Ryan Slaney This ScaleUp Radio episode is a ScaleUp Club special — recorded live in February — and it’s packed with practical ideas you can apply immediately. Kevin Brent opens with the month’s theme: gaining control of your week, moving away from reactive firefighting and towards deliberate, high-value leadership time. You’ll hear a simple framework to help you protect the work that really moves the business forward, rather than letting your diary become “a democracy”. Then we switch gears into a short AI Pulse update from Paul Rhodes, founder of Green Gorilla Software, who shares a genuinely useful productivity shift: stop typing and start talking. Paul explains why AI needs context, why dictation creates richer prompts, and how tools like Granola and WhisperFlow can turn messy spoken thoughts into structured, usable output. Finally, we move into a live Q&A session with Ryan Slaney, Managing Director of iLockerz, who shares the realities of scaling a product business — including the mistake that “nearly killed” them: trying to build the perfect product from day one. Ryan talks candidly about payroll reality, customer-led development, the value of weekly all-hands alignment, and spotting issues early through “Potential Red Flags”. You’ll hear: How to redesign your week around green time (strategic), red time (operational) and grey time (low value) Why you must put the rocks in first (or the sand will swallow your week) Paul’s AI Pulse: why dictation creates better prompts and faster output Ryan’s hard-won lesson: MVP, revenue and feedback loops beat perfection A simple scaling discipline: weekly all-hands, shared visibility and “PRFs” before they become fires 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 Ryan. 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 here: Kevin's Book Is Here! 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 - Ryan can be found here: /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/40239590

Episode #580 - Scaling a Personal Brand Without Becoming the Bottleneck - with Benjie Hughes 03/02/2026

Episode #580 - Scaling a Personal Brand Without Becoming the Bottleneck - with Benjie 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 Benjie Hughes, founder of Hopeless Marketing. Benjie works with B2B service businesses turning over between one and thirty million pounds who feel stuck, plateaued or unclear about their positioning. His philosophy is simple but powerful; hope is not a strategy. Most businesses do not need more marketing. They need more clarity. In this episode we explore his Ice Pick Strategy; why being focused and sharp beats being broad and busy; and we talk honestly about the challenge of separating the founder from the business. Benjie shares how he scaled his first company to run without him, and why his current business requires a very different approach, including hiring a fractional COO for accountability. As always, our discussion is structured in three parts. First, we look at the business, the model and where it sits on the ScaleUp journey. Second, we explore Benjie’s perspective on the challenges of scaling, including growth plateaus and founder psychology. And finally, we close with a few quickfire questions. One standout message from this episode is this: most marketing problems are not visibility problems; they are clarity problems. 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 Benjie. 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 here: Kevin's Book Is Here! 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 - Benjie can be found here: Resources: E-Myth Revisited by Michael E Gerber - Predictable Success by Les McKeown - Getting Things Done by David Allen - Remarkable - /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/40239250

Episode #579 - ScaleUp Short: Scaling Does Not Need To Be Complicated 02/27/2026

Episode #579 - ScaleUp Short: Scaling Does Not Need To Be Complicated Welcome back to ScaleUp Radio Shorts, where Kevin Brent and Louise Blunt distil the best insights from our recent full-length interviews and turn them into practical, actionable takeaways for ambitious business owners. This week, we’re bringing together two very different voices with a surprisingly aligned message: Jack Molyneux – former Merchant Navy Master Mariner turned tech founder, building a disruptive superyacht platform, IDOSY. Lindsey Burden – Intuitive Business Coach with over a decade of experience helping founders stop overcomplicating and start executing. Different industries. Different journeys. The same core lesson: scaling successfully comes down to clarity, courage and focused execution. 1. Simplicity Scales. Complexity Distracts. Jack built IDOSY around a clear mission: fix a broken, opaque system in the superyacht charter industry. His entire platform centres on three things: Live price. Live availability. Live booking. In an industry dominated by phone calls, PDFs and delayed email chains, that simplicity is the disruption. Lindsey shared the flip side. In her early days, she described herself as the “Queen of Overcomplication”. Busy work felt productive. Complexity created the illusion of progress. But when business owners panic, they often abandon the plan and chase shiny objects. A new platform. A new offer. A new strategy. Instead of staying focused on the destination, they start reprogramming the sat-nav mid-journey. The lesson? Simplicity creates traction. Complexity creates noise. 2. The Right Team Will Challenge You Jack made a powerful point about leadership: as a founder, you must have someone around you who is prepared to say no. Founders are persuasive. Vision-driven. Convincing. But without challenge, conviction can turn into blind spots. Having led crews of over 100 people as a Master Mariner, Jack understands operational discipline. In a scaling business, strong teams aren’t just compliant. They question. They test. They refine. Lindsey sees this transition from another angle. When you move from solopreneur to employer, you quickly realise: No one will care quite as much as you. You cannot hire only “doers”. You need a mix of reliable executors and people who think, lead and innovate. Scaling requires a shift in identity. From being the person with all the answers… To being the person who sets the intent and trusts others to execute. 3. The 90-Day Sweet Spot One of the strongest overlaps between both conversations was execution rhythm. Lindsey is a huge advocate of 90-day planning. She calls it the sweet spot: Long enough to deliver meaningful results Short enough to stay focused and accountable Without that rhythm, founders get trapped in what she calls the “octopus business” – tentacles everywhere, constant activity, little progress. Jack demonstrated this mindset in action when raising capital. Instead of being overwhelmed by the enormity of fundraising, he broke it down step by step. His advice? Start with friends and family. If you cannot convince the people who know and trust you, persuading strangers will be even harder. It builds confidence, momentum and belief. And when the rejections come, as they always do, remember: Every “no” is one step closer to the next “yes”. 4. Pricing, Confidence and Backing Yourself Lindsey delivered some tough but essential advice on pricing. When things get quiet, the temptation is to drop your prices or accept the wrong-fit clients for quick cash. But that decision shapes your future pipeline. Do premium work at bargain prices and you attract more bargain buyers. She challenges founders to stop pricing by the hour. Clients do not pay for time. They pay for outcomes. They care about getting from A to B, not how many hours it takes. Her practical tip for selling high-ticket services: “Nail your pricing, say it with confidence, and then don’t say another word.” Confidence is built through repetition. Through experience. Through backing yourself. Which mirrors Jack’s advice to his younger self: Back yourself. Be brave. It’s okay if people don’t like it. He also challenged the idea of overprotecting your concept. You do not have a business until you build it. Talking about your idea creates momentum. Silence does not. The One Key Thing The one key thing this week: Focus on execution over emotion. Keep it simple, commit to a 90-day rhythm, price with confidence, and back yourself even when it feels uncomfortable. Standout Message “You can have 100% of nothing, or you can start talking to people and see what happens.” Quick Heads-Up: Smart90 Lite We’re currently looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 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. If you would like early access, take a look at smart90.co.uk /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/40241890

Episode #578 - From Master Mariner to Marketplace Disruptor - with Jack Molyneux 02/25/2026

Episode #578 - From Master Mariner to Marketplace Disruptor - with Jack Molyneux In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Jack Molyneux, Founder of IDOSY – a new digital marketplace set to disrupt the superyacht charter industry. Jack’s journey is anything but conventional. From qualifying as a Master Mariner at just 26 and commanding cruise ships and superyachts around the world, to managing fleets of luxury yachts for a family office, and now launching the first live-booking superyacht platform – this is a true ScaleUp story grounded in deep operational credibility. IDOSY launches mid-April with a bold ambition: to bring live pricing, live availability and instant booking to a market that still runs on emails, brokers and PDF brochures. And yes – it is as complex as it sounds. Our discussion is structured in three parts. First, we explore the business, the model and where IDOSY sits on its ScaleUp journey. Second, we dig into Jack’s views on the real challenges of scaling, including raising capital from industry insiders and navigating complex global regulations. And third, we close with a few quickfire questions. One standout message from this episode is this: if you are going to disrupt a market, you need deep operational understanding before you digitise it. Quick heads-up — we’re looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It’s built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals in just a few minutes a day. It’s free while we’re in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. You can get access by emailing . Make sure you don’t miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Jack. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: You can get in touch with Kevin here: Kevin's Book Is Here! 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 - Jack can be found here: Resources: Close To The Wind by Pete Goss - Turn The Ship Around by L. David Marquet - Diary of a CEO podcast - /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/40173545

Episode #577 - Tailored Coaching Based On Intuition - with Lindsey Burden 02/23/2026

Episode #577 - Tailored Coaching Based On Intuition - with Lindsey Burden In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, host Kevin Brent is joined by experienced business coach Lindsey Burden, whose intuitive and deeply personalised approach to coaching breaks the mould of cookie-cutter programmes. Lindsey helps her clients build a business that aligns with their version of success, not someone else's template. Whether you're overwhelmed by doing too much, struggling to price your services confidently, or need to make your goals more achievable, this conversation is packed with sharp insights and practical tools to move your business forward. Key Themes in This Episode Tailored Coaching Based on Intuition Lindsey shares how she tunes into the unspoken, body language, word choices, hesitations, to help clients uncover the real blocks to growth. Her coaching isn’t about handing over a rigid system; it's about building a flexible path around the client's unique strengths and context. Standout Quote: “The problem isn’t usually that you need to do more, it’s that you’ve forgotten what works and stopped doing it.” Avoiding the Busy Trap Busy doesn’t always mean productive. Many founders fall into the trap of overcomplication or jumping onto the next trend (new channels, shiny tools), when the real power comes from simplifying and refocusing. Strategic Pricing & Confident Selling Discounting under pressure is a quick road to burnout. Lindsey’s advice? Price based on the value and outcomes you deliver, not the hours. Start with a figure you can say confidently, then stop talking. The Power of 90-Day Planning Long-term goals feel overwhelming; 90-day plans create the perfect runway. Lindsey explains how this rhythm helps bring structure to entrepreneurial creativity, so you stop half-finishing great ideas and start delivering real progress. Building the Right Team The founder mindset must evolve, leading a team takes intentional effort. Lindsey shares tips on balancing operators and innovators in your team, and why reaching out to HR experts or trusted networks is a game-changer. Quick heads-up, we’re looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It’s built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals, in just a few minutes a day. It’s free while we’re in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. You can get access by emailing . Make sure you don’t miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts, and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Lindsey. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: You can get in touch with Kevin here: Kevin's Book Is Here! 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 - Lindsey can be found here: Resources: The Inside Out Revolution by Michael Neill - Atomic Habits by James Clear - The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks - Heartbeat online platform - /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/40162915

Episode #576 - ScaleUp Short - Two Founders. Two Paths. One Scaling Truth 02/20/2026

Episode #576 - ScaleUp Short - Two Founders. Two Paths. One Scaling Truth The Art of Sales, Self-Awareness and Scaling Featuring Dr Muddassir Ahmed (SCM DOJO) and Rachael Jackson (WIBN Birmingham) Produced with the aid of AI In this episode of ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin Brent and Louise Blunt reflect on two powerful – and very different – scaling journeys. On one side, Dr Muddassir Ahmed, founder of SCM DOJO, who built a global AI-enabled learning platform from scratch. On the other, Rachael Jackson, who chose a franchise route with WIBN Birmingham to create structure, community and flexibility – while building her passion project, Array of Light. Two contrasting models. One shared truth: scaling demands self-awareness, discipline and resilience. Sales Is Not Optional Muddassir learned a hard lesson early: You can outsource HR. You can outsource accounting. You can outsource marketing. But you cannot outsource sales as a founder. Despite being highly technical and data-driven, he had to personally master enterprise sales – including sending 72 emails over 18 months to land a major global brand. The takeaway? Polite persistence wins. Enterprise sales cycles are long. And founders must own the conversation. Cash Flow Is Reality Rachael’s scaling journey exposed a different challenge. Moving from corporate retail into a franchise networking model meant adjusting to the unpredictability of SME payments. Her response? Save upfront Take no salary for 12 months Prioritise reinvestment and resilience It is a disciplined approach that many founders underestimate. Self-Awareness as a Strategic Advantage Rachael openly discussed being diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD traits in adulthood. Instead of seeing this as a weakness, she built systems around it: Time-blocked email checking Turning off notifications Choosing tools designed for dyslexic thinkers Delegating dense information into top-line bullet points Self-awareness became a scaling tool. Meanwhile, Muddassir applies “lean accountability” and daily stand-ups to manage a global team across time zones, backed by documented SOPs. Different personalities. Same principle: structure enables scale. AI – Tool or Transformation? Muddassir is building agentic AI into SCM DOJO – not just generative AI that writes text, but AI agents that: Plan Analyse Execute workflows Run forecasting models Evaluate supplier responses Yet even with advanced AI, he still had to build human relationships the hard way. AI enhances. It does not replace resilience. Two Definitions of Success Muddassir wants SCM DOJO to become the industry standard for supply chain learning. Rachael defines success as happiness, impact and helping women grow in confidence. Different ambitions. Both completely valid. The One Key Thing Scaling is not about copying someone else’s model. It is about knowing yourself, managing your cash carefully, building repeatable systems, and staying resilient long enough to win. Quick Heads-Up If you want more structure and accountability in your own ScaleUp journey, explore Smart90 – our proven 90-day execution system. And if you’d like to stay focused and actually deliver each week, try our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite. It’s free while we’re testing it – just email for access. /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/40163655

Episode #575 - Scaling B2B With AI, Content, and Persistence – With Dr. Muddassir Ahmed 02/18/2026

Episode #575 - Scaling B2B With AI, Content, and Persistence – With Dr. Muddassir Ahmed On this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Dr. Muddassir Ahmed, the founder of SCMDOJO, a platform revolutionising access to supply chain training and consultancy. From launching a $99/month subscription model to developing a proprietary AI consultant set to launch in March, Dr. Ahmed shares how he's turning SCMDOJO from a content platform into a cutting-edge supply chain technology business. Highlights Business Model Mastery: SCMDOJO began with low-ticket courses and evolved into a hybrid model blending community, content, and consultancy. AI Leap: SCMDOJO Sensei is an AI agent trained on proprietary content to analyse problems, deliver expert advice, and even automate sourcing. Sales Wisdom: Dr. Ahmed closed a deal with LVMH after 72 emails over 1.5 years; proof that persistence pays. Remote Execution vs Creativity: While the team excels operationally, fostering innovation in a lean, remote setup remains the next hurdle. Quick heads-up; we’re looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It’s built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals; in just a few minutes a day. It’s free while we’re in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. 👉 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 Muddassir. 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 here: Kevin's Book Is Here! 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 - Muddassir can be found here: Resources: /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/40096665

Episode #574 - Neurodiversity, Franchising & Relentless Focus – with Rachael Jackson 02/16/2026

Episode #574 - Neurodiversity, Franchising & Relentless Focus – with Rachael Jackson In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent sits down with Rachael Jackson, a dynamic entrepreneur who has turned personal challenges into entrepreneurial strengths. From launching her business through a franchise model to reframing dyslexia as a leadership asset, Rachael’s story is all about strategic thinking and relentless focus. Key Highlights Franchise as a Strategic Launchpad: Rachael chose a WIBN franchise to de-risk her startup journey, gaining crucial business experience and a peer network before launching her dream venture. Relentless Focus = Results: She became Franchisee of the Year by intentionally managing her time, prioritising member value, and building financial resilience through reinvestment. Neurodiversity as Strength: Diagnosed with dyslexia at 30, she harnessed it as a leadership superpower—mastering delegation, systems, and people management. Tech for Inclusion: She uses a dyslexia-friendly CRM (POP) to boost productivity and sidestep complexity. The one key thing: A franchise can be more than a business – it can be a confidence-building launchpad for your bigger vision. Quick heads-up; we’re looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It’s built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals; in just a few minutes a day. It’s free while we’re in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. Get access by emailing . Don’t forget to subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us for new episodes every week. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Rachael. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: You can get in touch with Kevin here: Kevin's Book Is Here! 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 - Rachael can be found here: /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/40085365

Episode #573 - ScaleUp Radio Shorts: The Pivot Point: Moving from Busy to Impactful 02/13/2026

Episode #573 - ScaleUp Radio Shorts: The Pivot Point: Moving from Busy to Impactful This week on ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin and Louise unpack two fascinating recent conversations, one with Samantha Thurlow of In Collaboration, and one with Graeme Tennick of Tennick Accountants. Different sectors. Same pivotal moment. Both guests hit a point where “business as usual” stopped working, and had to rethink structure, mindset, and action to move forward. 🔎 What We Cover 1️⃣ The Associate Trap Samantha built her agency on a flexible associate model. It worked, until it didn’t. Growth meant more work… but not more profit. Flexibility became a ceiling. Her pivot? Moving towards an employee model to build stability, culture, and long-term asset value. Lesson: Convenience can quietly cap your growth. 2️⃣ Strategy Over Volume Samantha also shared a key observation about marketing. AI-generated content is everywhere. But engagement is dropping when there’s no strategy behind it. More posts ≠ better marketing. Clear positioning and thinking wins. 3️⃣ The Real Reason Businesses Don’t Scale When Kevin asked Graeme the biggest barrier to growth, his answer wasn’t cash flow. It was procrastination. We are drowning in knowledge but starved of action. His advice is simple: Identify the biggest challenge in front of you, then take one immediate action to move it forward. One action is progress. 4️⃣ 10x Requires Reinvention Graeme referenced 10x Is Easier Than 2x, the idea that small growth can come from working harder, but exponential growth requires fundamentally changing how you operate. You cannot 10x with yesterday’s structure. 🎯 The One Key Thing If you feel stuck, don’t just push harder. Change the structure or behaviour that’s holding you back. 🎧 Want More? To hear Samantha’s full transition story and Graeme’s Client Impact Tree framework in detail, listen to their full episodes of ScaleUp Radio. Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. This episode was created using AI /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/40086170

Episode #572 - From Virtual Assistant to Strategic Agency: Evolving for Growth - with Samantha Thurlow 02/11/2026

Episode #572 - From Virtual Assistant to Strategic Agency: Evolving for Growth - with Samantha Thurlow In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Samantha Thurlow, founder of In Collaboration, a business support agency that’s grown from offering virtual assistant services to delivering full-service strategy, admin, and marketing. As her business evolves into a two-brand model, with the launch of Creative Bean Studios, Sam shares how she’s adapting to market shifts, overcoming growing pains, and preparing for the next stage of her scaleup journey. Key Takeaways Pivoting the Business Model: Sam transitioned In Collaboration from a flexible associate model to a hybrid employed team, following clear advice from her accountant. This shift was vital to improving profitability and enabling scale. New Brand, Same Vision: The launch of Creative Bean Studios allows her to expand specialist marketing services while focusing In Collaboration on strategic support for clients. Strategy Over Service: Clients are moving away from generic VA tasks to valuing strategic insight, SEO, branding, and business positioning are now in high demand. The Power of Vulnerability: Sam’s standout message? Being open about challenges attracts support and builds trust, both in business relationships and team culture. AI Done Right: AI isn't a silver bullet, real results come when it’s used as a tool by experienced humans, not a content factory. The One Key Thing Building a scalable business model sometimes means letting go of what's worked in the past. For Sam, it was moving beyond the associate model to unlock long-term sustainability and growth. Quick heads-up, we’re looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It’s built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals, in just a few minutes a day. It’s free while we’re in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. You can get access by emailing . Make sure you don’t miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts – and why not give us a follow? For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Sam. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: You can get in touch with Kevin here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Samantha can be found here: Resources: Blockworks - Atomic Habits by James Clear - Dear Female Founder by Lu Li - Brene Brown - Asana - /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/40004040

Episode #571 - ScaleUp Club - Dr. Serge Santos on Letting Go, Building Legacy, and Leading with Purpose 02/09/2026

Episode #571 - ScaleUp Club - Dr. Serge Santos on Letting Go, Building Legacy, and Leading with Purpose This episode of ScaleUp Radio is part of our Scale-Up Club spotlight series – a special format where we welcome back a previous guest to go deeper in a live Q&A session with our Scale-Up Club members. This time, we shine the spotlight on Dr. Serge Santos, also known as The Business Physicist – and for good reason. Serge brings a rare blend of financial acumen, physics-trained problem solving, and a deep passion for business legacy. From being made redundant in 2013 to raising £700 million and running three growing businesses under his Bedrock Enterprises group, Serge speaks with refreshing honesty about the real challenges of scaling – and the mindset shifts required to succeed. This engaging Q&A covers wide-ranging questions from the audience, including: How Serge transitioned from founder to multi-business leader His approach to building empowered leadership teams Why culture is the bedrock – and how to enforce a “no dickhead policy” Letting go of control, and why founders often become their own bottleneck Balancing long-term investment with short-term performance His thought process for setting strategic direction across multiple businesses And why legacy matters more than ego Expect practical advice, candid reflections, and a healthy dose of inspiration. The standout message? “You can’t build legacy if the business is still about you. Step back, empower others, and invest in a culture that can thrive without you.” The one key thing you’ll take away? If you want to scale, you have to learn to let go – and build a team and culture that doesn't rely on you. Quick heads-up, we’re looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It’s built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals, in just a few minutes a day. It’s free while we’re in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. You can get access by emailing: Make sure you don’t miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts – and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full Q&A session with Serge. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: You can get in touch with Kevin here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Serge can be found here: /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/40003705

Episode #570 - ScaleUp Radio Shorts – The Veteran vs The Challenger: Value, Grit & the Art of Scaling 02/06/2026

Episode #569 - Turning Procrastination Into Progress – How Graeme Tennick Is Reimagining Accountancy Through Impact, Habits and Accountability 02/04/2026

Episode #569 - Turning Procrastination Into Progress – How Graeme Tennick Is Reimagining Accountancy Through Impact, Habits and Accountability In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Graeme Tennick, the founder of Tennick Accountants – a firm that’s challenging the traditional view of accountants as compliance providers by driving real strategic impact for clients and the wider community. Graeme shares how his firm has rooted itself in a compelling mission: to make lives better – for their team, their clients, and even the world. And this isn’t just a tagline. From the way they set goals with clients to how they measure internal performance and reward behaviour, it’s clear that purpose drives everything they do. We explore how Graeme is tackling one of the biggest scaleup blockers – procrastination – by introducing frameworks for action and accountability, both for himself and his clients. There’s plenty to take away from this episode about habit formation, purpose-driven strategy, and creating a values-led team culture. Quick heads-up, we’re looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It’s built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals, in just a few minutes a day. It’s free while we’re in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. You can get access by emailing . Make sure you don’t miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts – and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Graeme. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: You can get in touch with Kevin here: Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, 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 - Graeme can be found here: Resources: The Flight Of The Buffalo by James Belasco - 10 X is easier than 2 X by Dan Sullivan - /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/39921375

Episode #568 - ScaleUp Club - How to Build a High-Performing Team Culture - with Alina Stancu 02/02/2026

Episode #568 - ScaleUp Club - How to Build a High-Performing Team Culture - with Alina Stancu In this special ScaleUp Club VIP session, we’re joined by Alina Stancu, co-founder of The Orange Notebook, for a focused and interactive discussion on what it really takes to build a high-performing team culture, even with a remote team or contractors. Through practical frameworks, lived experience, and powerful case studies, Alina guides us through how culture is either fuelling or silently stalling your business, and what you can do about it. You’ll hear: 🔸 Why most cultural breakdowns stem from missing safety and purpose – and why these two ingredients are non-negotiable. 🔸 How to lead by agreement, not expectation – making values real through clear, defined behaviours. 🔸 What “positive ownership” looks like in action – and why it frees leaders from needing to control everything. 🔸 How to build a consistent culture with contractors – through inclusion, security, and care. 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 session with Alina. 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 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 - Alina can be found here: Resources: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink - /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/39921150

Episode #567 - Rocket Science vs Business Rates - Scaling Lessons from Both Worlds 01/30/2026

Episode #567 - Rocket Science vs Business Rates - Scaling Lessons from Both Worlds In this special edition of ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin Brent and Granger Forson dive into two recent interviews that couldn’t be more different on the surface; but reveal some remarkably similar lessons underneath. On one side, we have Aqeel Shamsul, founder of cutting-edge space biotech startup Frontier Space, turning microgravity into a drug development advantage. On the other, Tom Perry and Ella Chapman from Holloway Bond, redefining the approach to business rates recovery through data-led outreach and customer-first practices. From rocket science to rateable values, this episode is a compelling breakdown of the shared truths behind successful scaleups. 💡 Key Highlights: ✅ Solve a Real Problem, Build the Right Team Whether in outer space or in high-street offices, the guests focused on one key thing: identifying a genuine pain point and assembling the right people to solve it. ✅ From Hustle to Systems Aqeel bootstrapped his first space mission while washing dishes during his PhD. Tom & Ella took on every business function until they hit bottlenecks—then learned to outsource and scale smart. ✅ Proactive Sales Is King Frontier Space invests heavily in Business Development, even in deep-tech. Holloway Bond flips the model by finding clients through data, rather than waiting for them to call. ✅ Culture and Hiring Matter More Than Ever In both businesses, early hires define the culture. Whether it’s recruiting for attitude in a niche field or insisting on in-person interviews to gauge culture fit—getting the right people on board is non-negotiable. ✅ Stay Focused on Your Core Tom & Ella are weighing up diversification. Granger’s advice? “Stick to the knitting” until systems and leadership layers are strong enough to expand. 🚀 Standout Message: “Whether you’re dealing with the European Space Agency or your local council’s valuation office, business always comes down to: Do you solve a real problem? Do you have a team that can deliver? And can you sell it?” 🔑 The One Key Thing: Proactive, focused execution; not the industry you’re in; is what drives scale. 🎁 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. 📩 Just email to get access. This episode has been created utilising AI technology /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/39923110

Episode #566 - Why Doing Things Differently with approaching Business Rates Helped This Young Business Scale Without Losing Control - with Tom Perry & Ella Chapman 01/28/2026

Episode #566 - Why Doing Things Differently with approaching Business Rates Helped This Young Business Scale Without Losing Control - with Tom Perry & Ella Chapman Granger Forson here from and on LinkedIn, and in this episode of ScaleUp Radio I’m joined by Tom Perry and Ella Chapman, founders of Holloway Bond. In just three years, Tom and Ella have quietly built a specialist business that champions companies who are unknowingly overpaying business rates. Rather than chasing every prospect, Holloway Bond flips the model on its head by using data to proactively identify who they can truly help, before ever picking up the phone. What stands out immediately is their integrity. Operating on a no-win-no-fee basis, they only take on cases where they are confident they can deliver meaningful results. That clarity has shaped not just their business model, but also their culture, their growth decisions, and the deep trust they’ve built with clients. We explore their journey from industry insiders to business owners, the lessons learned from early cash flow challenges, and why outsourcing marketing, HR, recruitment and IT helped unlock their next phase of growth. Along the way, Tom and Ella share honest reflections on recruitment mistakes, the importance of face-to-face conversations, and why building a happy, knowledgeable team matters more than chasing size. This episode is a powerful reminder that you don’t need to be the biggest to be brilliant, and that doing things differently, with care and conviction, can create both commercial success and genuine joy in the workplace. To ensure you don’t miss any inspirational future episodes do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. So, let’s now dive into the inspiring journey of trust, thoughtful growth and doing business differently with Tom Perry and Ella Chapman. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: 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 & Ella can be found here: 01285 42100 Resources: Free Agent app - Time Tree app - Web X - Zoho CRM - DotSquares - /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/39811885

Episode #565 - Unlocking Drug Discovery in Space - with Aqeel Shamsul of Frontier Space 01/26/2026

Episode #565 - Unlocking Drug Discovery in Space - with Aqeel Shamsul of Frontier Space What if the future of drug discovery isn’t on Earth? In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Aqeel Shamsul, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Frontier Space, a UK-based space biotech company developing shoebox-sized biolabs to unlock the power of microgravity for pharmaceutical R&D. Spun out of Aqeel’s PhD at Cranfield University, Frontier Space is on a mission to make in-space research and biomanufacturing accessible, affordable, and impactful, and they’ve already achieved what few startups can: bootstrapping two space missions and securing over £1.3M in non-dilutive grant funding. 🚀 Key Takeaways: Biotech in Orbit: Frontier’s SPACELAB and XSB platforms allow pharma companies to run high-impact experiments in microgravity, accelerating research and unlocking new drug formats. Funding Smart, Growing Lean: With 80% of its £1.3M in funding coming from the UK Space Agency, Frontier Space has scaled a 12-person team across biotech, engineering, and commercial functions. Why Microgravity Matters: It accelerates biological processes like ageing, enables superior crystal growth, and creates more realistic 3D cell models, giving pharma faster, more accurate R&D. Creating a New Market: As early pioneers, Frontier must educate pharma clients while selling the value of space-based R&D, a complex, high-trust B2B sales challenge. The Long Game: While contract research funds their early growth, the real goal is building a proprietary therapeutic pipeline leveraging their own in-orbit data. 💡 The One Key Thing: When you’re creating something truly new, educating your market is as critical as building the tech. 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 Aqeel. 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 - Aqeel can be found here: Resources: Y Combinator - ChatGPT - Google Gemini - /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/39810945

Episode #564 - From water tech to rewards apps - what scaling really takes 01/23/2026

Episode #563 - Turning Isolation into Growing A Collective That Transforms Local Shopping Into Shared Purpose - with Sarah O'Neill 01/21/2026

Episode #563 - Turning Isolation into Growing A Collective That Transforms Local Shopping Into Shared Purpose - with Sarah O'Neill Find me, Granger Forson, at or on LinkedIn. Sarah O’Neill’s journey began with a simple, heartfelt need: to feel part of a community again. What started as a personal response to the isolation of lockdowns grew into Cotswold Collective, a thriving rewards-based membership platform dedicated to supporting local businesses and bringing people together. Her background in marketing and events became the spark that helped transform a difficult season of life into something meaningful for thousands of others. In our conversation, Sarah shares the early days of the Collective, from persuading the first 40–50 local brands to take a chance on an unproven idea, through to today’s network of more than 450 businesses and a rapidly growing membership. Her energy is infectious, and her belief in conscious shopping, shared experiences, and celebrating the stories behind local businesses shines through every step of her journey. We also explore how the Collective has evolved into a sophisticated digital product, recently launching an app that already has hundreds of downloads. Sarah explains how she designed the offers to be completely bespoke, ensuring that brands feel valued while consumers enjoy something genuinely special each time they use their membership. What really stands out is Sarah’s deep commitment to purposeful connection. Whether through events, collaborations, or simply encouraging people to rediscover the high street, Cotswold Collective is about more than rewards. It’s about belonging, supporting independents, and creating those magical moments when people meet, collaborate, and flourish together. Finally, Sarah opens up about the realities of building the business while raising two young children, the power of saying yes, and what it means to grow something with heart. This episode is packed with inspiration for founders, community-builders, and anyone who believes small actions can create big impact. To ensure you don’t miss any inspirational future episodes do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. So, let’s now dive into the inspiring journey of community, connection and conscious shopping with Sarah. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: 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 - Sarah can be found here: Resources: Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone by J K Rowling - Diary of a CEO podcast - Cotswold Collective podcast - Cotswold Collective app - /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/39756565

Episode #562 - Making Water Behave, Saving Energy And Scaling A Mission That Matters - with Samantha Mant 01/19/2026

Episode #562 - Making Water Behave, Saving Energy And Scaling A Mission That Matters - with Samantha Mant Welcome to another inspiring episode with me, Granger Forson find me at or on as I sit down with Samantha Mant, CEO and Founder of Halcyan Water, a business transforming the way homes and companies manage hard water and energy efficiency. Samantha’s journey began in the world of beautiful bathroom design, where she repeatedly saw installations deteriorate in just months. Instead of accepting that frustration, she experimented. She searched globally, discovered a technology that could turn badly behaved hard water into nicely behaved hard water, and tested it for years before she ever went to market. That curiosity launched the business that is now helping homes and industries reduce limescale, protect equipment, and dramatically cut energy use, all without chemicals or salt In this conversation, she shares openly the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, from learning to trust her instinct when it comes to people decisions, to bootstrapping through recessions, and discovering the power of accountability and Profit First principles. Her values are clear throughout: environmental impact, transparency, education before sales, and building a team culture where collaboration beats hierarchy. Today Halcyan is celebrating 10 years, backed by a global growth vision, expanding into commercial and international markets, and building a freelance powerhouse of specialist marketers working seamlessly as one team. It’s a story full of experimentation, ownership, resilience and deep belief in making a real difference. If you care about scaling a purpose-driven business, reducing carbon footprint, or simply want your shower glass to stay clean and your bills lower, this is one to listen to. To ensure you don’t miss any inspirational future episodes do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. So, let’s now dive into the inspiring journey of energy saving, environmental impact and scaling with Samantha Mant. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: 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 - Samantha can be found here: For the FREE resources - Resources: Profit First by Mike Michalowicz - They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan - The Richest Man In Babylon by George S Clason - Focus On The Fun Stuff podcast - Seth Godin podcast - Tony Robbins podcast - Tradeswomen Together podcast - Retrofit podcast - Brain Toss app - ChatGPT - /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/39741095

Episode #561 - The Power of Saying 'No' 01/16/2026

Episode #560 - How Radical Focus Transformed a Struggling Consultancy into a Global Leader - with Hugh Taylor 01/14/2026

Episode #560 - How Radical Focus Transformed a Struggling Consultancy into a Global Leader - with Hugh Taylor I’m Granger Forson and you’ll find me at or on . In this inspiring episode of ScaleUp Radio, I’m joined by Hugh Taylor, CEO of Roadnight Taylor. His story is a masterclass in transformation, determination, and the power of experimentation. Hugh shares the remarkable journey behind Roadnight Taylor’s shift from a struggling generalist consultancy to a globally respected Independent Specialist Grid Consultancy, now recognised in the top 0.1 percent worldwide for client value perception and enjoying 100 percent team retention over six years. What stands out is the extraordinary turnaround that began with a change in mindset. Hugh talks openly about the early years of intense struggle, working hand-to-mouth and facing burnout before discovering key ideas in books such as Good to Great by Jim Collins and Bounce by Matthew Syed. Those insights triggered bold decisions, including letting go of 80 percent of clients, doubling fees through an auction model, and going deeply niche to become world-leading experts. Today, Hugh leads a thriving, joyful, four-day-week, self-managing team, working with major global names such as Amazon and Octopus Energy, helping eliminate barriers to the grid connections needed to decarbonise society and support the growth of renewable energy infrastructure. If you’re scaling a business, this conversation is packed with wisdom around focus, courage, culture, generating cash, and the joy that comes from building a business that works beautifully for everyone involved. To ensure you don’t miss any inspirational future episodes do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. So, let’s now dive into the inspiring journey of focus, joy and transformation with Hugh Taylor. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: 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 - Hugh can be found here: Resources: Good to Great by Jim Collins - Seth Godin podcasts - Rory Sutherland podcasts - Humanocracy by Gary Hamel - Bounce by Matthew Syed - Turning The Flywheel by Jim Collins - Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned by Joel Lehman - /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/39658500

Episode #559 - Building Trust Not Tension by Changing Construction Through Openness and Real Financial Clarity - with Michael Yorke 01/12/2026

Episode #559 - Building Trust Not Tension by Changing Construction Through Openness and Real Financial Clarity - with Michael Yorke Welcome to another episode of ScaleUp Radio with me, Granger Forson. You can connect with me at or find me on anytime. Today I’m joined by Michael Yorke, co founder of Prime DCM, a construction and development business based just outside Gloucester. Michael’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when you challenge industry norms and build a company rooted in openness, respect and genuine partnership with clients. Starting just one month before the 2020 lockdown, Michael and his business partner James shaped Prime DCM around an open book financial model, completely removing the traditional conflict between builder and client. Instead of guarding information or chasing margin, they guide clients every step of the way, giving full transparency, daily communication and real accountability over cost, time and quality. It’s the foundation that has created deep trust and consistent word of mouth referrals. From delivering a complex seven story development of 38 apartments in Gloucester Docks to high end residential projects for private clients, Prime DCM focus not on being the biggest, but on being truly efficient and consistent. They choose to run only two or three sites at a time and invest in developing the next generation, training apprentices through degree pathways and passing forward the expertise and values that shaped their own careers. If you’re interested in building a business that values trust, lean thinking, long term relationships and the courage to grow people alongside results, this one is packed full of inspiration. To ensure you don’t miss any inspirational future episodes do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. So, let’s now dive into the inspiring journey of open book transparency, efficiency over growth, and building trust through honesty with Michael. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: 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: ChatGPT - WhatsApp - /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/39657380

Episode #558 - From Unicorn Ambition to Creative Freedom – Lessons from Two ScaleUp Journeys 01/09/2026

Episode #557 - From PR Pioneer to Portfolio Career; Value-Based Growth and Lasting Legacy - with Andrew Bloch 01/07/2026

Episode #557 - From PR Pioneer to Portfolio Career; Value-Based Growth and Lasting Legacy - with Andrew Bloch In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I’m joined by Andrew Bloch – one of the UK’s most influential voices in the PR and marketing space. Best known as the co-founder of Frank PR and now the founder of a boutique consultancy, Andrew shares the story of building, scaling, exiting, and reinventing a business around his strengths and values. We explore his fascinating career arc – from growing Frank into one of the UK’s leading agencies, to selling it, buying it back, and eventually transitioning it to employee ownership. Andrew now operates a portfolio career that combines M&A advisory, pitch consultancy, high-profile PR, and mentoring. This conversation is split into three parts: 1️⃣ We start by digging into Andrew’s business journey – including Frank PR’s scaling strategy, its multiple exits, and the evolution of his current solo consultancy. 2️⃣ Then, we explore his perspective on the biggest challenges to scaling a business – and why culture and value-based pricing are non-negotiables. 3️⃣ Finally, we wrap up with some quickfire questions to get a glimpse into his mindset and daily habits. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ Why charging by value not time unlocks higher growth and better client outcomes ✅ How Andrew transitioned to a portfolio career that’s lean, high-impact and personally fulfilling ✅ What makes a good M&A deal – and why cultural fit matters more than financials ✅ The importance of legacy – and how culture can be your most enduring achievement ✅ Why staying curious and embracing AI is crucial for long-term relevance The one key thing: 👉 Value-based pricing can completely transform how you grow and scale – by aligning your work with the results you deliver, not the hours you put in. 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 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 Andrew. Andrew can be found here: Resources: Chat GPT - /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/39492985

Episode #556 - Turning the Spam Filter on its Head: A Privacy-First Approach with Sentrya - with Claudiu Cogalniceanu 01/05/2026

Episode #556 - Turning the Spam Filter on its Head: A Privacy-First Approach with Sentrya - with Claudiu Cogalniceanu On this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I’m joined by Claudiu Cogalniceanu, the solo founder behind Sentrya, a revolutionary new approach to email protection. What makes Claudiu’s story so remarkable isn’t just the tech, though that’s impressive, but the journey. He built the first version of Sentrya in under a month while working as an Uber driver, launched it on Product Hunt, and grew to over 450 users in 25+ countries using organic Reddit marketing alone. Sentrya flips the traditional spam filter model: instead of trying to detect spam, it creates a clean list of approved senders and deletes everything else by default. This privacy-first approach has blocked over 200,000 scam emails so far, and it’s just the beginning. We break down the conversation into three core parts: The Business & Business Model: How Sentrya works, its current traction, and Claudiu’s vision to compete with Gmail and Outlook by building a fully encrypted email service. Challenges of Scaling Up: From bootstrapping to a viral setback when an influencer falsely accused the platform of being a scam, Claudiu shares how he overcame it. Quickfire Questions: Insight into Claudiu’s mindset, strategies, and how his psychology background shapes his approach to building a tech startup. 💡 The one key thing: You don’t need massive funding to build something impactful, clarity of purpose and strategic simplicity can take you far. 🚀 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 Claudiu. 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 - Claudiu can be found here Resources: Alex Hormuz on YouTube - /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/39469940

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 - /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/39452825

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! /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/39452795

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 - /episode/index/show/scaleupradio/id/39357605

ScaleUp Radio

TOPICS