What Drives Dan Martin: Grit, Great Partnerships and Getting It Done

How do you go from 16-year-old apprentice electrician to founder of one of the UK’s fastest-growing EV infrastructure businesses?

In this episode of Scaling Stories Unfiltered, Dan Martin, co-founder of Elmtronics and now Black Bee Rum, shares the real story behind his entrepreneurial journey — and it’s not your typical “start-up to exit” narrative.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• What it means to always find a way — around, over, or under any challenge
• How a free radio ad kicked off their growth
• The quiet power of complementary co-founders
• Why doing things differently worked
• And how spotting the opportunity — not overthinking it — can change everything

From wiring homes to wiring up a national EV charging network, this is a story of grit, grounded thinking, and what happens when you back yourself to build.

🎧 Listen in for a refreshingly honest conversation that will resonate with founders who value progress over perfection.

Who is Dan Martin?

Dan started his career as an apprentice electrician before co-founding Elmtronics, which became one of the UK’s leading EV infrastructure businesses. After scaling and successfully exiting the company, he’s now pouring his energy into Black Bee Rum — combining purpose, fun, and his love of building great teams and brands.

You'll find Dan here:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elmev/
• Website: https://blackbeerum.com
• Book one of their beautiful cottages:  
  https://www.cottages.com/cottages/steelclose-mill-steelclose-house-uk48471
  https://www.cottages.com/cottages/steelclose-mill-steelclose-cottage-uk48472

Books mentioned: 
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight  - Nike Founder

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