Episodios

  • Episode #478 - Marketing That Puts Rural Businesses on the Map - with Liz Graney

    Episode #478 - Marketing That Puts Rural Businesses on the Map - with Liz Graney
    May 7 2025
    In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Liz Graney, founder of Escape the Village, a marketing business born out of her own career pivot from corporate life. Based in rural Britain, Liz has a passion for helping small, often-overlooked rural businesses overcome unique challenges to thrive in a digital-first world. Founded in October 2023, Escape the Village specialises in marketing support for what Liz describes as “well-kept secrets” – rural businesses that struggle with infrastructure limitations, visibility issues, and digital accessibility. From building websites and crafting social media strategies to offering tailored training, Liz and her small but growing team – including her daughter and two virtual assistants – are on a mission to bring rural businesses into the spotlight. The conversation is structured in three parts: The Business & the ScaleUp Journey Liz shares the story behind Escape the Village, how it came to life following a redundancy, and the specific services they offer to rural entrepreneurs. We explore the real-world hurdles rural businesses face, including patchy mobile coverage, poor road access, and even payment processing challenges – all of which make Liz’s work incredibly relevant and impactful.Scaling Challenges & Entrepreneurial Insights Drawing from her corporate background, Liz outlines how she has applied high-level marketing strategies – like geo-targeting and awards recognition – to help small businesses grow. She talks candidly about the transition to entrepreneurship, the importance of outsourcing early, and the mindset shift needed to view support as an investment rather than a cost.Quickfire Questions From work-life balance aspirations to her vision for the business (including her plan to make her daughter a director within the year), Liz offers insightful, honest reflections on scaling a purpose-driven company. The one key thing from this episode? You don’t need to be in a city to build a strong brand – rural businesses can thrive by combining authenticity, digital tools, and community engagement. 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 Liz. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Liz can be found here: https://www.escapethevillage.com/ Resources: Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/eat-that-frog-get-more-of-the-important-things-done-today-brian-tracy/427987?ean=9781444765427 The Three Spoonies podcast - https://3spoonies.co.uk/watch/ To Doodle Do app - https://www.toodledo.com/
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    53 m
  • Episode #477 - Creating Joyful, Sustainable Business for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs - with Nikki Butler

    Episode #477 - Creating Joyful, Sustainable Business for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs - with Nikki Butler
    May 5 2025
    In this enlightening episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Nikki Butler, the dynamic founder behind The Autistic Joyologist. Nikki shares her powerful journey from corporate burnout to creating a thriving, purposeful business that supports neurodivergent entrepreneurs in finding joy, balance and authenticity. Nikki was diagnosed with autism and ADHD at the age of 36, and what followed was a profound transformation. Through her personal experiences and professional insights, she now empowers others through coaching, mentoring and her innovative RADIATE model – a framework for self-reflection, acceptance, and sustainable change. This conversation is full of thought-provoking perspectives on neurodiversity, entrepreneurship, and how to build a business that not only works with your strengths but also doesn't rely on your constant presence. The one key thing you’ll hear from Nikki is the importance of building a business that doesn’t depend on you constantly being present – one that’s sustainable, scalable and aligned with your values. 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 Nikki. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Nikki can be found here: https://www.autisticjoyologist.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkibutlerautisticjoyologist/ Resources: Are You Maximising Your Business Potential? Quiz - https://nikkibutlerscaleup.scoreapp.com/ The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-obstacle-is-the-way-the-ancient-art-of-turning-adversity-to-advantage-ryan-holiday/321415?ean=9781781251492 Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/rebel-ideas-the-power-of-thinking-differently-matthew-syed/4848192?ean=9781529348408 What’s Your Dream by Simon Squibb - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/what-s-your-dream-find-your-passion-love-your-work-build-a-richer-life-simon-squibb/7678552?ean=9781529935578 ChatGPT Voice App - https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-can-now-see-hear-and-speak/
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    1 h y 1 m
  • Episode #476 - Redefining Education From the Ground Up - with Hayley Peacock

    Episode #476 - Redefining Education From the Ground Up - with Hayley Peacock
    Apr 30 2025
    In this inspiring episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent sits down with Hayley Peacock, a pioneering educator and entrepreneur who is reshaping the way we think about learning, leadership, and scaling purpose-driven businesses. From a single mother navigating life on benefits to building multi-million pound education ventures, Hayley's story is as powerful as it is practical. She is the founder of Little Barn Owls Nursery Group, with five thriving settings across West Sussex, and the trailblazing Atelia 21 Future School, offering inquiry-based education for children aged 4 to 16. Her approach is grounded in the Reggio Emilia philosophy, viewing children as capable, curious learners who can shape their own educational journeys. We cover Hayley’s entrepreneurial evolution, her innovative educational methods, and the challenges she’s faced scaling both culture and operations across her organisations. 🔍 In This Episode: The bold leap from journalism to education – and buying her first nursery with a loan using her house as securityHow Reggio Emilia and play-based learning can transform outcomes from birth to 16The shift from command-and-control leadership to collaborative, culture-driven growthSystemising for scale: lessons from expanding from one to five nursery locationsBuilding a legacy: her mission to impact a million children's lives 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 Hayley. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Hayley can be found here: https://hayleypeacockeducation.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayley-peacock-208b26264/ hayley@atelier21schools.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/LittleBarnOwlsForestFarmSchool/?locale=en_GB Resources: What’s The Point Of School? By Guy Claxton - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/what-s-the-point-of-school-rediscovering-the-heart-of-education-guy-claxton/3806777?ean=9781851686032 Reggio Emilia - https://www.reggiochildren.it/en/reggio-emilia-approach/ The CoCo Note app - https://coconote.app/
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    1 h
  • Episode #475 - Scaling, Exiting, and the Private Equity Playbook - with Alexis Sikorsky

    Episode #475 - Scaling, Exiting, and the Private Equity Playbook - with Alexis Sikorsky
    Apr 28 2025

    In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I sit down with Alexis Sikorsky, an experienced entrepreneur, coach, and author of the bestselling book Cashing Out. Alexis co-founded New Access in 2000, growing it into a €45-50 million business with 500 employees before successfully exiting to private equity between 2015 and 2019. Now, through Knight Scale, he provides coaching and advisory services to help fellow entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of scaling and exiting their businesses.

    This conversation is packed with hard-won lessons on what it takes to build, scale, and ultimately sell a business for maximum value. Alexis shares the critical mistakes to avoid, how to prepare for an exit from day one, and what founders should know before working with private equity.

    Key Takeaways:

    ✅ Focus on what's important, not just urgent – carve out time for strategic planning rather than just firefighting.
    ✅ Have a clear business strategy but be prepared to pivot when necessary.
    ✅ Maintain a "war chest" with at least 9 months' worth of expenses to ride out downturns.
    ✅ When seeking private equity, do your due diligence – vet firms thoroughly and create competitive tension.

    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 Alexis.

    Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.

    If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here:

    https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin

    You can get in touch with Kevin here:

    kevin@biz-smart.co.uk

    Kevin's Latest Book Is Available!

    Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up.

    More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/

    Alexis can be found here:

    https://www.asikorsky.com/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-sikorsky-consulting/

    Resources:

    Cashing Out by Alexis Sikorsky - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/cashing-out-the-business-owner-s-guide-to-selling-to-private-equity-alexis-sikorsky/7660646?ean=9781781338476
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    56 m
  • Epiasode #474 - Building an Aligned Business - with Megan Stachini

    Epiasode #474 - Building an Aligned Business - with Megan Stachini
    Apr 23 2025

    In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, we’re joined by Megan Stachini, the founder of Intrinsic, a business dedicated to helping entrepreneurs create fulfilling, values-driven businesses—without sacrificing their well-being or personal lives.

    Megan’s approach is all about authenticity and self-discovery, ensuring that business owners align their work with their core values to prevent burnout, build strong teams, and create sustainable success. She shares her insights on flexible work environments, balancing business and family, and why success should be measured by impact and contentment rather than just financial growth.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    ✅ Authenticity as a Leadership Superpower – Why being true to yourself attracts the right staff, customers, and opportunities.
    ✅ The Power of Work-Life Balance – How flexible working and prioritising family can lead to a more motivated and productive business.
    ✅ Overcoming Common ScaleUp Challenges – From lead generation to staff alignment, how clarity in vision can solve key business hurdles.
    ✅ Personal Growth as a Business Strategy – Megan’s perspective on continuous learning and the importance of self-awareness.

    Megan’s insights are particularly valuable for business owners who feel stuck in the day-to-day, struggle with hiring the right people, or want to build a business that genuinely aligns with their lifestyle and values.

    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 Megan.

    Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.

    If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here:

    https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin

    You can get in touch with Kevin here:

    kevin@biz-smart.co.uk

    Kevin's Latest Book Is Available!

    Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up.

    More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/

    Megan can be found here:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-stachini-716510147/

    Resources:

    The Monk That Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-monk-who-sold-his-ferrari-robin-sharma/219986?ean=9780007179732
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    49 m
  • Episode #473 - Habits & Strategies to Drive Great Team Engagement - with Paddy White

    Episode #473 - Habits & Strategies to Drive Great Team Engagement - with Paddy White
    Apr 21 2025

    In this special Q&A episode, we welcome back Paddy White, founder of Virtual Diamond, to discuss the habits and strategies that drive great team engagement. Recorded as part of our monthly ScaleUp Club session, this episode features insightful discussions led by Granger, with audience participation bringing real-world challenges and experiences into the mix.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

    🔹 Building a Strong Virtual Team Culture – The power of regular communication (weekly, monthly, and annual check-ins) and showing appreciation through personal gestures.
    🔹 Creating Buy-in & Loyalty – How transparency around business goals and financials can strengthen engagement.
    🔹 Aligning People to Roles – Matching team members’ skills and interests to the right roles for better satisfaction and retention.
    🔹 Scaling with the Right Structure – How Paddy balances client work and business management, leveraging her team for maximum efficiency.
    🔹 Handling Team Challenges – The importance of transparency and strategic intervention when a new hire isn't the right fit.

    About Paddy White & Virtual Diamond

    With over 11 years of experience, Paddy has built Virtual Diamond into a referral-driven business providing specialist virtual assistant (VA) services in areas like accounting, social media, and admin support. She has long-standing client relationships (some for over 9 years!) and a clear strategy for team engagement and business growth.

    Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.

    If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here:

    https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin

    You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here:

    kevin@biz-smart.co.uk

    grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk

    Kevin's Latest Book Is Available!

    Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up.

    More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/

    Paddy can be found here:

    linkedin.com/in/paddywhitevirtualassistant

    https://www.virtualdiamond.co.uk/

    https://www.facebook.com/virtualdiamond

    paddy@virtualdiamond.co.uk
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    23 m
  • Episode #472 - How Embracing Change Within Your Business Makes You A Better Leader - with Simon Phillips

    Episode #472 - How Embracing Change Within Your Business Makes You A Better Leader - with Simon Phillips
    Apr 16 2025
    On this episode of ScaleUp Radio, we’re diving deep into change management, leadership, and scaling impact with Simon Phillips—a seasoned expert in orchestrating change for both organisations and individuals. With 25+ years of experience, including time at Accenture and over two decades running his own consultancy, Simon has developed powerful frameworks like the Delta Model for Change and the LACE Way for Human-Centric Leadership. His mission? To develop a million changemakers—people who can support others in making positive transformations. What We Cover in This Episode: 🔹 The Psychology of Change – Why people don’t resist change itself but rather being changed, and how leaders can foster engagement. 🔹 Empathy & Leadership – The power of vulnerability, self-empathy, and active listening in building trust and high-performing teams. 🔹 Scaling a Knowledge Business – How Simon evolved his approach, from expanding teams to deepening value and leveraging AI tools. 🔹 Resilience & Growth – Simon’s personal journey, including lessons from surviving a severe car crash and overcoming imposter syndrome. 🔹 Business Development & Networks – The importance of long-term relationships and how platforms like LinkedIn have shaped Simon’s approach. If you’re navigating change, leading a team, or looking to scale a business while maintaining impact, this episode is packed with insights and strategies you can apply right away. 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 Simon. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Simon can be found here: https://www.simonphillips.co.uk/ https://changemakerpledge.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonphillips/ Resources: The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-second-book-by-steven-bartlett-keep-it-to-yourself-steven-bartlett/7257436?ean=9781529146509 What’s Your Dream? by Simon Squibb - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/what-s-your-dream-find-your-passion-love-your-work-build-a-richer-life-simon-squibb/7678552?ean=9781529935578
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    1 h y 1 m
  • Episode #471 - How A Business Can Benefit From Writing A Book - with Danielle Hutchinson

    Episode #471 - How A Business Can Benefit From Writing A Book - with Danielle Hutchinson
    Apr 14 2025
    In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, we dive into the power of writing a book as an entrepreneur with Danielle Hutchinson, Chief Creative Officer at Authors on Mission. Authors on Mission is a done-for-you book writing service that helps business leaders and entrepreneurs turn their ideas into published books—without the hassle of writing themselves. With a team of over 30 core members, 750+ ghostwriters, and 50+ editors, they guarantee a seamless process, even promising Amazon bestseller status. Danielle shares how a book can serve as the ultimate business card, build credibility, and create a lasting legacy. She also explains the company’s unique use of “angel writers”—collaborators who work closely with authors, rather than traditional ghostwriters. Beyond book publishing, we discuss: ✅ How AI and remote work are reshaping the publishing industry ✅ The balance between technology and human creativity in writing ✅ Using books as a tool for marketing, lead generation, and authority building ✅ Challenges of running a global remote team and maintaining company culture Whether you’ve ever thought about writing a book or just want to understand how storytelling can grow your business, this episode is packed with insights! Make sure you don’t miss future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you listen to your podcasts. For now, continue listening for the full story from Danielle. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Danielle can be found here: https://authorsonmission.com/ https://www.instagram.com/authorsonmission/ https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsOnMission https://www.youtube.com/@authorsonmission Resources: Book Marketing Podcast - https://www.bestofbookmarketing.com/ The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-hunger-games-suzanne-collins/205536?ean=9781407132082 Time Doctor app - https://www.timedoctor.com/ Encoda app - https://encoda.com/ Zoom - https://zoom.us/ Fathom - https://fathom.video/
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    41 m
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