ScaleUp Radio

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, we're joined by Guy Hayward, founder of Local Heroes Marketing – a business born from a mission to help independent companies compete against much larger rivals. With over 30 years of experience in global advertising for brands like Nike, Adidas, Microsoft, and Coca-Cola, Guy brings a wealth of insight into how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can level the playing field through smarter, more authentic marketing.

Local Heroes Marketing, launched just over a year ago, is all about enabling SMEs to “punch above their weight.” In our conversation, Guy outlines how storytelling, authenticity, and well-leveraged digital tools can empower smaller businesses to reach and resonate with their audience more effectively than ever before.

Key Themes Covered:

• The power of authenticity and founder-led storytelling in marketing
• Why PR and influencer marketing can be cost-effective growth levers for SMEs
• How AI can enhance marketing processes—but only with careful human direction
• The importance of breaking big goals into manageable actions and tracking progress

One standout message from this episode?
"Small businesses have something corporates often lack—authenticity and real stories. That’s their superpower."

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 Guy.

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/

Guy can be found here:

guy@localheroes.marketing

Resources:

100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez -https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/one-hundred-years-of-solitude-gabriel-garcia-marquez/200038?ean=9780241968581

Xero - xero.com

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Claire Loftus, the dynamic founder of Evolve, a people-first HR consultancy operating across Northern Ireland, Great Britain, and the Republic of Ireland.

Claire shares her journey from working in HR and navigating personal health challenges to founding Evolve in 2017. With a team of nine working remotely, Evolve offers flexible, pragmatic HR support tailored to a diverse range of clients – from startups to large corporates – across multiple jurisdictions.

🔍 Episode Highlights:

• The Evolve Ethos: A refreshingly human approach to HR that blends practical solutions with strong relationship-building.
• Unique Model: Evolve offers accessible, flexible retainers starting from just £100/month, as well as ad-hoc support and investigations.
• Entrepreneurial Roots: Claire draws inspiration from a family of entrepreneurs and shares how pregnancy just six months in and the COVID-19 pandemic shaped the business’s early growth.
• Facing HR Head-On: From managing employee disputes to leveraging personality profiling like DISC, Claire gives honest insight into common HR pitfalls – and how to avoid them.
• Growth & Self-Awareness: A recent ADHD diagnosis has shifted Claire’s perspective on leadership, leading to greater self-awareness and a stronger emphasis on autonomy for her team.
• Looking Ahead: Evolve is eyeing growth to a 20-person team, preparing for economic shifts, embracing AI cautiously, and exploring a five-year exit plan.

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 Claire.

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/

Claire can be found here:

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

https://go-evolve.co.uk/

https://go-evolve.co.uk/contact/

Resources:

Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/rebel-ideas-the-power-of-thinking-differently-matthew-syed/4848192?ean=9781529348408

Outwitting The Devil by Napoleon Hill - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/outwitting-the-devil-with-study-guide-original-1938-classic-napoleon-hill/7758595?ean=9781722507213

Breathe - https://www.breathehr.com/en-gb/hr-software/hr-management-app

Remarkable - https://remarkable.com/

Hi, I’m Granger Forson – you can find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or on LinkedIn. In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I’m joined by Chris Carter, founder of EventWise and long-time accountant behind In The Loop.

Chris shares an incredible five-year journey of building a startup in one of the most volatile industries – live events – all while raising a young family, getting married, and self-funding the entire venture. His software, EventWise, was born out of necessity during the Covid-19 pandemic, but it's proving even more vital today. EventWise helps event organisers replace clunky, outdated spreadsheets with live financial data and smart scenario planning.

What stands out is Chris’s resilience and honest reflection. He didn’t follow conventional startup wisdom—he built out all five core functionalities before launch, learned the hard way about marketing, and now has over 800 events using the platform, including major names like Broadwick. EventWise isn’t just software; it’s a tool built by someone who’s lived the pain points of event planning.

Chris also opens up about managing burnout, the importance of team culture, and his transition from accountant to tech startup founder. His clarity of vision, perseverance, and deep love for the events industry shine through in every story he tells.

If you’ve ever doubted whether perseverance pays off, this is the episode for you. Whether you're scaling your business or just starting out, Chris’s story will leave you inspired and equipped with new ideas to try out in your own journey.

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

So, let’s now dive into the inspiring journey of bootstrapping resilience, financial innovation and industry transformation with Chris Carter.

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

Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff.
https://api.goexela.com/widget/bookings/catchupgrangerugx7zl

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/

Chris can be found here:

chris@eventwise.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-carter-6a9b24189/

Resources:

The Lean Startup by Eric Ries - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-lean-startup-how-constant-innovation-creates-radically-successful-businesses-eric-ries/1171537?ean=9780670921607

AI & I podcast - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMcoKK9mKgHtW_o9h5sGO2vXrffKHwJL

Motion AI - https://www.usemotion.com/

ClickUp - https://clickup.com/

In this exclusive ScaleUp Club edition of ScaleUp Radio, we’re joined by Craig Hellen, founder of Bexmedia, a video and motion graphics agency with nearly two decades of experience.

This intimate discussion explores how Craig has implemented processes and built habits that help a small, creative team stay aligned, accountable, and productive – all while preserving a strong company culture.

What You’ll Learn:

• How building consistent internal systems (like naming conventions and structured meetings) can improve clarity and alignment across the business.
• Why clearly communicating the ‘why’ behind new processes is essential for buy-in – especially in smaller teams.
• The impact of weekly task reviews with a VA on productivity and follow-through.
• How reinforcing core values through weekly meetings strengthens company culture and morale.
• The benefits of using tools like monday.com and developing a Business Operational Manual to drive clarity and execution.

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 Craig.

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/

Craig can be found here:

linkedin.com/in/craig-hellen-8020616

https://bexmedia.net/

hello@bexmedia.net

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 Ryan Slaney, Founder and Managing Director of iLockerz – a business that’s leading the way in smart locker solutions for a wide range of industries.

Our conversation today is structured in three parts:

1. First, we take a look at iLockerz as a business, including its smart locker technology, use cases, and how it’s carved out a niche in the B2B space.
2. Next, we discuss Ryan’s experience with the challenges of scaling, including a deep dive into lessons learned from product development, the evolution of their market offering.
3. And finally, we wrap up with some quickfire questions to find out more about Ryan’s personal approach to leadership and 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 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:

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/

Ryan can be found here:

https://www.ilockerz.com/

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

ryan.slaney@ilockerz.com

Resources:

Your Next Five Moves by Patrick Bet-David - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/your-next-five-moves-master-the-art-of-business-strategy-patrick-bet-david/1707850?ean=9781982154813

Pipedrive - https://www.pipedrive.com/

ChatGPT - https://chatgpt.com/

Co-Pilot - https://copilot.microsoft.com/chats/kQshweJbteqxKSCrwEjYG

Hi there, and welcome back to another edition of ScaleUp Radio, the podcast inspired by the Entrepreneurial ScaleUp System and designed to make navigating our scaleup journeys a little bit easier by learning from others' experiences. I’m Kevin Brent, and in today's episode, I’m joined by Karen Yates, founder of Taylor Yates, a luxury handbag and accessories brand based in the UK.

Our conversation today is structured in three parts:

1. We start by discussing the business itself, its model, and where it is on the scaleup journey.
2. We then explore Karen’s perspectives on the challenges of scaling up, including cash flow management and brand building, and hear her thoughts on the ScaleUp Challenges Report.
3. Finally, we close off with a few quickfire questions to gain deeper insights into Karen’s entrepreneurial mindset.

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 Karen.

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/

Karen can be found here:

https://tayloryates.com/

https://www.instagram.com/tayloryates.co/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-yates-53885a12/

Resources:

Daniel Priestley Oversubscribed - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/oversubscribed-how-to-get-people-lining-up-to-do-business-with-you-daniel-priestley/3262406?ean=9780857088253

Aspire with Emma Grede podcast - https://www.emmagrede.me/

Shopify - https://www.shopify.com/

Notion - https://www.notion.com/

WhatsApp - https://www.whatsapp.com/

ChatGPT - https://chatgpt.com/

Hi, I’m Granger Forson – find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or connect on LinkedIn – and in this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I talk with Darrell Irwin, the visionary founder behind Cre8ion, Digital, and Humans.

Darrell’s story isn’t just about scaling multiple businesses – it’s about scaling with meaning. From walking away from a lucrative agency deal over ethical misalignment to founding Cre8ion, a brand marketing agency rooted in purpose, Darrell shows us what it looks like when personal values shape business success.

We explore how he built a tight-knit team through a unique pathway from volunteer to full-time employment, the surprising benefits of a four-day work week, and how constraint actually fuels creativity. His philosophy? Focus on people, purpose, and planet – and profit becomes a byproduct of meaningful impact.

His leadership approach shines through in Humans, a personal development company creating space for real, raw conversations. Their ‘Humans Talks’ are like TED Talks but unfiltered – sharing life, struggle, and breakthrough in ways that connect beyond business.

Darrell also reveals his grand plan: building an ecosystem of 12 businesses that cross-pollinate to serve the entrepreneur holistically – from branding to personal leadership. This episode is filled with insights, heart, and practical takeaways for anyone looking to scale with authenticity.

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 purpose, people and playbooks with Darrell Irwin.

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

Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff.
https://api.goexela.com/widget/bookings/catchupgrangerugx7zl

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/

Darrell can be found here:

https://darrellirwin.com/

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

Resources:

Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/rebel-ideas-the-power-of-thinking-differently-matthew-syed/4848192?ean=9781529348408

The Crisis Catalyst by Darrell Irwin - https://cre8ion.co.uk/product/best-entrepreneur-book-the-crisis-catalyst/

High Performance Podcast - https://www.thehighperformancepodcast.com/

Joe Rogan podcast - https://www.joerogan.com/

High Performance app - https://www.thehighperformancepodcast.com/hp-app

Duolingo - https://www.duolingo.com/

Hi, I’m Granger Forson – you can find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn. In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I’m joined by the inspiring Alice Garrett, founder of Alice Caroline, a business built around the joyful art of quilting, Liberty Fabrics, and empowering creativity.

What began as a desire to make Liberty Fabric more accessible to fellow enthusiasts has grown into a thriving enterprise with 34 staff, global reach, and over 700 fabrics curated for quilters, makers, and creatives. Alice’s story is not just about fabric – it’s about passion, purpose, and reconnecting people with creativity through beautifully designed sewing kits, workshops, and books.

We talk about how Alice evolved from PhD chemist to entrepreneur, learning every day on the job, and growing a business that now runs five distinct yet interconnected operations – from e-commerce to manufacturing, and from subscription clubs to workshops. It’s a perfect example of “embrace problems” turning into a life’s mission.

Culture is key in the Alice Caroline team, and Alice shares how she’s cultivated open communication, safe learning spaces, and the importance of transparency and trust – even when scaling. Her reflections on overcoming her own conflict aversion and learning to love leadership will resonate with any founder navigating growth.

If you’re curious about creativity, passionate about purpose, or simply love hearing how businesses evolve through experimentation and joy in the workplace – this is an episode you’ll treasure 💡.

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 creativity, culture and focus with Alice Garrett.

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

Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff.
https://api.goexela.com/widget/bookings/catchupgra

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/

Alice can be found here:

https://alicecaroline.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alicecarolinefabrics/

Resources:

Never Eat Alone by Tahl Raz - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/never-eat-alone-expanded-and-updated-and-other-secrets-to-success-one-relationship-at-a-time-keith-ferrazzi/3834952?ean=9780241004951

The Code Of The Extraordinary Mind by Vishen Lakhiani - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-code-of-the-extraordinary-mind-10-unconventional-laws-to-redefine-your-life-and-succeed-on-your-own-terms-vishen-lakhiani/998624?ean=9780593135822

4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-4-hour-work-week-escape-the-9-5-live-anywhere-and-join-the-new-rich-timothy-ferriss/3785269?ean=9780091929114

Alex Hormozi The Game podcast - https://www.acquisition.com/podcast

Notion app - https://www.notion.com/

The Mind Valley app - https://www.mindvalley.com/apps

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/

In this inspiring episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Sheila Ako Glavee, the founder of Skilled Hands Organisation, a remarkable social enterprise dedicated to empowering women and children through craft workshops. From humble beginnings in Ghana to establishing a recognised organisation in the UK, Sheila shares her journey of resilience, innovation, and community impact.

Sheila recounts how her entrepreneurial path evolved — from publishing a lifestyle magazine in Ghana to creating social enterprises that uplift vulnerable communities. Skilled Hands started with a focus on unemployed women, providing them with valuable craft skills, and has since expanded to children and corporate workshops, generating new revenue streams for long-term sustainability.

We explore Sheila’s experiences navigating the funding landscapes in Ghana and the UK, the critical importance of mastering grant writing, and how she balances sustainability with social impact. Sheila also reflects on the challenges of scaling a charitable enterprise, the role of partnerships, and her aspirations to expand Skilled Hands across the East Midlands and beyond.

Highlights From the Episode

• Empowering through Craft: Skilled Hands has trained over 500 women in the past seven years and continues to grow.
• Entrepreneurial Resilience: From running In Thing Maglog to founding Skilled Hands, Sheila shares how self-reliance and perseverance have shaped her journey.
• Funding Realities: A candid look at the differences between securing funding in Ghana versus the UK, and the critical skills needed to succeed.
• Vision for Growth: Sheila's ambitious plan to create a global network of Skilled Hands hubs and make a lasting societal impact.
• Personal Legacy: Sheila’s passion for leaving a meaningful legacy for her family and future generations.

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 Sheila.

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/

Sheila can be found here:

https://www.skilledhandsorganisation.org/

Resources:

Podcast with Sheila - https://www.facebook.com/podcastwithsheila

https://www.youtube.com/@PODCASTwithSHEILA

Archbishop Duncan Williams podcast - https://ndwministries.org/podcast/