ScaleUp Radio

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, we’re joined by Dan Tennakoon, CEO of RE24, a pioneering enterprise platform that helps large energy users, particularly data centres, manage renewable energy. Dan shares his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of scaling a business in the renewable energy sector, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Key Points:

🔹 How RE24 is revolutionising the renewable energy market with long-term contracts and a customer-first approach
🔹 The biggest challenges Dan faced in scaling RE24, including building credibility, managing cash flow, and navigating the loneliness of entrepreneurship
🔹 The key factors behind RE24’s success: persistence, simplicity in messaging, and working with young, adaptable talent
🔹 Why securing an 18-month cash runway is crucial for financial stability
🔹 Dan’s long-term vision for RE24, including an IPO by 2033 and making 24/7 carbon-free energy accessible to all

Make sure you subscribe to ScaleUp Radio so you never miss an episode!

For now, continue listening for the full conversation with Dan Tennakoon.

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/

Dan can be found here:

https://re24.energy/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhanushka-tennakoon/

https://x.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2FRE24_energy

Resources:

Stanford University Thought Leaders Podcast - https://stvp.stanford.edu/podcasts/

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, we sit down with Raluca Epureanu, the founder of Flairmakers—a pioneering talent-on-demand platform designed specifically for the hospitality industry. Raluca shares her inspiring journey from concept to creation, revealing how Flairmakers is revolutionising the freelance talent landscape by integrating skills training directly into their platform.

Key Highlights:

• Innovative Business Model: Flairmakers connects hospitality businesses with freelance talent for short-term assignments, while also providing integrated training to expand the freelance talent pool.
• Funding Success: After raising an impressive £275,000 in a friends and family round, Flairmakers is now pursuing a pre-seed round with institutional investors to scale their impact.
• Challenges and Lessons Learned: Raluca discusses the delicate balance between product development and fundraising, along with the critical importance of defining a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) without falling into the perfectionism trap.
• Market Opportunity: With the travel and tourism industry representing 7% of global GDP, Flairmakers is tapping into a vast market, addressing the growing demand for skilled freelancers in the post-2020 world.
• Vision and Mission: Raluca’s goal is clear—establish Flairmakers as the global go-to platform for hospitality freelancers, empowering professionals through fair pay and lifelong learning.

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 Raluca.

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/

Raluca can be found here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/flairmakers/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/raluca-epureanu/

https://flairmakers.com/

Resources:

McKinsey Quarterly - https://www.mckinsey.com/quarterly/overview

The Diary of a CEO podcast - https://stevenbartlett.com/doac/

Cashing Out: How To Sell To Private Equity 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

Slack - https://slack.com/intl/en-gb/

Fathom - https://fathom.video/

Hi, I’m Granger Forson, and you can find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or on LinkedIn. On this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I chat with Nick Hunt, the Chief Beer Officer and co-founder of Cotswold Lakes Brewery, a microbrewery redefining what it means to run a purpose-driven business.

Nick takes us through the journey of founding Cotswold Lakes Brewery in 2021 with a clear mission: creating “Beer with Purpose.” He shares how the business has grown from homebrewing experiments to an award-winning brewery that integrates sustainability, community, and quality into every pint.

You’ll hear how Cotswold Lakes Brewery uses surplus bread to craft their beers, harvests rainwater to reduce their environmental footprint, and hosts taproom events to engage with the local community. Their unique approach ensures that both purpose and profit thrive in harmony.

Nick also reflects on the challenges of growing a seasonal business, the lessons learned from early missteps, and the importance of testing, pivoting, and embracing curiosity to achieve sustainable growth.

To ensure you don’t miss any inspirational future episodes, do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts.

So, let’s now dive into the inspiring journey of sustainability, community, and premium brewing with Nick Hunt.

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 Granger here:

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/

Nick can be found here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-hunt-a4006789/

https://www.instagram.com/nickcotswoldlakesbrewco/

Resources:

Start With Why by Simon Sinek - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/start-with-why-how-great-leaders-inspire-everyone-to-take-action-simon-sinek/239994?ean=9780241958223

4,000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/four-thousand-weeks-the-smash-hit-sunday-times-bestseller-that-will-change-your-life-oliver-burkeman/6475932?ean=9781784704001

Build Your Purpose Podcast with Tom Hicks - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3PZ6nlMeZOf3A2q99Xh9OZ?si=eMn0YKmbQPWNnqz9ESqbYA&nd=1&dlsi=c643f7b29b854644

Trello - https://trello.com/

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent speaks with Sarah Simons, co-founder of British Baby Box, a company dedicated to providing safe sleeping spaces for newborns while addressing social inequalities. Celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, British Baby Box is on the brink of delivering their millionth baby box.

Sarah’s journey began with a tough upbringing that instilled in her the resilience and drive to succeed. She shares how these qualities shaped her entrepreneurial path, culminating in the establishment of British Baby Box with her business partner. Inspired by Finland’s 90-year tradition of government-issued baby boxes, Sarah and her partner adapted the idea for the UK, tailoring it to meet the needs of families in poverty.

Throughout this episode, Sarah delves into:

1. Her entrepreneurial journey: From a challenging childhood to launching a business with no prior experience.
2. Establishing credibility: Securing the first British Standards certification for baby boxes after a rigorous four-and-a-half-year process.
3. Balancing profit and social mission: How British Baby Box partners with government agencies, local councils, and charities to distribute boxes to families in need, ensuring babies have a safe place to sleep.
4. Future aspirations: Expanding beyond the UK, with discussions already underway to bring British Baby Box to Europe.

The one key thing from this episode? Believe in yourself and your mission—it’s the foundation for building something meaningful.

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 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:

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/

Sarah can be found here:

linkedin.com/in/sarah-simons-93ab9598

https://www.britishbabybox.com/

sarah@britishbabybox.com

In this engaging episode of ScaleUp Radio, host Kevin Brent sits down with Dr. Serge Santos, a self-described "business physicist" and seasoned entrepreneur, to uncover his unique journey in business acquisition, scaling, and team building. Serge, with his multicultural roots spanning Switzerland, Portugal, and Britain, shares invaluable insights from his transformation from a management consultant to an independent business owner and investor.

Key Highlights from the Episode:

1. Business Acquisition Philosophy:
   Serge delves into why he transitioned from consulting to business ownership, highlighting his criteria for purchasing a company. His focus on profitability, recurring revenue, fragmented industries, and businesses requiring TLC offers a masterclass in selecting the right acquisition targets.
2. Lessons in Leadership and Team Building:
   He reflects on the challenges of taking over an established team, emphasising the importance of nurturing culture, trusting your staff, and adopting a "no dickhead policy" to maintain a collaborative and positive work environment.
3. Starting a Scalable Business:
   Serge shares how he balanced his venture into the compressed air industry with launching the Funding Alternative Group, a virtual lending business aimed at helping SMEs. His step-by-step strategy of securing financial stability before embarking on riskier ventures is an inspiring takeaway for any entrepreneur.
4. Pragmatic Insights on Cash Flow and Operational Excellence:
   With a strong focus on "cash is king," Serge discusses his approach to operational efficiency, sustainable growth, and building customer trust through reliable service delivery.
5. Key Challenges and Takeaways:
   Serge opens up about learning from setbacks, including a legal battle over unpaid work, and how those experiences shaped his approach to scaling businesses. His advice to entrepreneurs about maintaining focus, delaying gratification, and the value of mentors is invaluable.

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 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:

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/

Serge can be found here:

serge.santos@gmail.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/santosserge/

Resources

"The Missing Billionaires" by Victor Haghani & James White - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-missing-billionaires-a-guide-to-better-financ-ial-decisions-v-haghani/4997533?ean=9781119747918

Podcast: The Storytelling Lab by Rain Bennett - https://www.rainbennett.com/thestorytellinglab/categories/podcast

ChatGPT - https://chatgpt.com/

Fireflies - https://fireflies.ai/

Perplexity - https://www.perplexity.ai/

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, host Kevin Brent is joined by Charlotte Melia, the inspiring founder of D&F Creative, to explore how she scaled her international events business across London, New York, and Riyadh. Charlotte shares her entrepreneurial journey, including her evolution from organising children's parties to delivering high-profile corporate events globally. She opens up about the challenges of scaling internationally, from managing cash flow to hiring senior leadership and balancing the demands of running a business as a single mother.

This episode is a must-listen for business leaders, female founders, and anyone navigating international growth. Charlotte also shares valuable advice on building networks, refining pitches, and embracing bold decisions when scaling up.

1. D&F Creative’s Business Evolution:
   • Originated as a children’s party business before pivoting to corporate events
   • Expanded into corporate events, focusing on sports fan zones, internal communications, and brand activations.
   • Achieved international growth with offices in London, New York, and Riyadh, delivering results faster than expected, including three events in Riyadh within ten weeks.

1. Challenges of Scaling Internationally:

• Transitioning from upfront private event payments to 30-60 day corporate payment terms caused cash flow strain.
• Seasonal revenue fluctuations led to opening a Middle East office to bridge gaps in Q1 business.
• Hiring senior roles, such as a Financial Director and operations leads, to address leadership gaps.
• Balancing international travel demands while parenting a son with severe autism.

1. Advice for Female Founders:

• Build strong networks and learn from connections.
• Practice your elevator pitch through competitions to refine your message.
• Be bold in pursuing international opportunities and pivoting when needed.
• Surprisingly, the Saudi market has proven to be very supportive of women-owned businesses.

1. Sustainability Initiatives:

• Prioritising local supply chains in all regions.
• Vetting vendors based on sustainability credentials.
• Implementing a no single-use plastics policy worldwide.
• Investing profits into a biodegradable balloon research project with Imperial College London.

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 Charlotte.

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/

Charlotte can be found here:

linkedin.com/in/charlotte-melia-4553a296

https://dazzleandfizz.co.uk/

info@dazzleandfizz.co.uk

In this insightful episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent sits down with Doug Betts, the founder of Sure Betts HR Solutions. Doug shares his journey of creating a proactive HR consultancy tailored for charities and non-profits with up to 60 employees. Through his expertise and practical advice, Doug sheds light on the leadership challenges that growing businesses face and provides actionable strategies to overcome them.

Key Points In This Episode

1. Building a Proactive HR Framework: How Doug’s business improves workplace culture and leadership for smaller organisations in the non-profit sector.
2. Leadership Development: Why businesses struggle when promoting technically skilled employees to leadership roles and how to fix it.
3. Organisational Design: The importance of clear career paths and accountability in building a scalable business.
4. Scaling as a Founder: How to transition from managing everything to empowering teams and focusing on high-value tasks.
5. The Value of Writing a Book: Doug’s experience with his book From New Line Manager to Great People Leader and how it serves as a tool for thought leadership and business growth.

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 Doug.

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/

Doug can be found here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-betts-hr-reward-leadership/

https://www.surebettshr.com/

Resources:

Ben Sweeney (Corporate Sween) - https://www.instagram.com/corporate.sween/

Nick James Empire Builders - https://www.empire-builders.co.uk/ebphome

Breathe HR - https://www.breathehr.com/en-gb/

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, we sit down with Rafmary Baker, founder of the Cambridge Business Online Centre. This award-winning educational enterprise is transforming the way adult learners, particularly those from hard-to-reach groups, access skills training and education.

Rafmary shares her journey of building a business that not only helps individuals gain employment, start businesses, or pursue further education but also emphasizes the critical role of soft skills, digital literacy, and continuous learning in today's fast-paced world.

We delve into:

1. The innovative approaches Cambridge Business Online Centre employs to make education accessible and impactful for all.
2. The challenges of transitioning from grant funding to a sustainable revenue-based model while staying true to the mission of inclusivity.
3. Leadership insights, including avoiding accidental managers and the power of philosophies like Kaizen for continuous improvement.

Rafmary’s passion for education and technology shines as she discusses how AI integration is transforming the Centre's services and the importance of working alongside technology.

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 Rafmary.

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/

Rafmary can be found here:

https://www.cambridgebusinessonline.com/

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent speaks with Fiona Wylie, the CEO and founder of Brand Champions, a dynamic marketing consultancy with a unique team of ex-clients. Brand Champions positions itself as an extension of its clients’ marketing teams, providing bespoke marketing solutions across industries ranging from healthcare to restaurants, including big names like Pizza Express.

Fiona shares the inspiring story of building a consultancy that not only delivers exceptional results but also maintains a laser focus on client satisfaction and team happiness – both exceeding 90%.

The conversation is divided into three key sections:

1. The Business: Fiona provides a detailed overview of Brand Champions, including its transparent pricing model, virtual team structure, and wide range of services.
2. Scaling Challenges: We dive into the obstacles Fiona has faced, such as generating new business and retaining a cohesive team, and the strategies she’s implemented to overcome them.
3. Quickfire Insights: Fiona shares her thoughts on consistent marketing strategies, balancing brand-building with sales activation, and what the future holds for Brand Champions, including their global ambitions.

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 Fiona.

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/

Fiona can be found here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fewylie/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-brand-champions-london-ltd/

Resources:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-alchemist-paulo-coelho/238009?ean=9780722532935

The Immortal Life of Agencies podcast - https://www.codefinery.com/podcast/

SparkToro - https://sparktoro.com/