Brand to Scale

What does it really take to build a business when the journey is anything but straightforward?

00:00 Introduction
02:07 Starting Again in the UK
11:18 Choosing to Make It Work
21:07 Where Resilience Comes From
24:29 Leading Without the Fluff
33:53 Building a Strong Team
37:27 Learning to Find Your Voice
50:21 A Leadership Breaking Point
01:08:55 Discovering What You’re Capable Of
01:10:12 The Reality of Starting a Business
01:18:13 Purpose Over a Quick Exit
01:26:00 Advice to Her Younger Self
01:30:58 Honesty, Trust and Growth

In this episode of Brand to Scale, Jess Morgan sits down with Bobbie King, co-founder of Sqube Tech, to talk about resilience, leadership and what it really means to keep going when things get difficult.

Bobbie’s journey started long before building a business. After moving from Romania to the UK in her early twenties, she had to rebuild her career, adapt to a completely different culture and learn how to keep moving forward when life did not go to plan.

Those experiences went on to shape the leader and business owner she is today.

From difficult career experiences and learning to find her voice, to building a team of around 40 people and taking responsibility for the livelihoods of others, Bobbie shares an honest perspective on the realities of entrepreneurship and leadership.

This is not the usual story of quitting the nine-to-five and becoming an overnight success.

Jess and Bobbie explore why resilience matters more than the original business idea, why founders need to understand the risks they are willing to take, and why being able to sustain the journey is very different from simply starting it.

They also discuss building a strong company culture, learning from failure, making difficult leadership decisions, staying true to your values and why purpose can be more powerful than chasing a quick exit.

In this episode:

• Moving from Romania to the UK and starting again
• How difficult experiences build resilience
• Finding your voice and learning to stand your ground
• What tough leadership really looks like
• Building a strong team culture
• Why failure should be treated as a step forward
• The responsibility that comes with employing people
• Why starting a business is the easy part
• The difference between starting and sustaining a business
• Why founders need to know their limits
• Building a business around purpose, not just money
• Why long-term growth beats chasing a quick win
• The importance of having people around you who keep you grounded
• Why honesty builds trust and referrals

Whether you are a founder, CEO or business leader, this episode is a reminder that building something worthwhile takes resilience, patience, strong values and the ability to keep moving forward when things get uncomfortable.

ABOUT BRAND TO SCALE

Brand to Scale is the podcast from Alchemy, where Jess Morgan sits down with founders and business leaders to uncover the real stories behind building and growing a business.

From branding and leadership to entrepreneurship, growth and the challenges behind the scenes, each episode gets beyond the polished success story and explores what it really takes to build something that lasts.

FOLLOW US

Alchemy:
https://alchemybranding.studio/

Jess Morgan on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessmmorgan/

Subscribe to Brand to Scale for more conversations with founders, CEOs and business leaders about branding, business growth, leadership and building businesses that last.

#BrandToScale #BuildingAuthority #LinkedInMarketing #PersonalBranding #FounderLedMarketing #BusinessGrowth #LinkedInStrategy #

How do you go from being invisible in your industry to becoming the person everyone knows, trusts and wants to work with?

In this episode of Brand to Scale, Jess Morgan sits down with Jack Dyer, founder of Storytold, to explore how founders, CEOs and business leaders can build authority, increase their visibility and turn their reputation into a driver of business growth.

Jack’s own journey is a great example. After starting with around 740 LinkedIn followers, he spent six months posting consistently before reaching 1,000. Then things began to accelerate. Around 18 months later, his audience had grown to almost 60,000, creating clients, podcast appearances, teaching opportunities and ultimately helping him build Storytold.

But this isn’t an episode about chasing followers.

It’s about becoming known for what you do.

As Jack puts it:

“Best visible is better than best.”

You can be brilliant at what you do, but if nobody sees you doing it, someone more visible can become the person your potential customers know, trust and remember.

Jess and Jack explore the difference between simply building a personal brand and becoming a genuine authority in your industry. They discuss how storytelling creates human connection, why vulnerability can strengthen rather than damage your credibility, and why founders need to stop treating LinkedIn like an advertising feed.

Jack also shares his approach to creating LinkedIn content that serves the audience first, including his 95% value, 5% ask principle, and why authentic stories can lead to commercial opportunities without forcing a sales message into every post.

They also look at where founder-led marketing is heading as AI makes it easier than ever to create polished content. For Jack, that could make genuine personality, imperfection and human storytelling even more valuable.

In this episode:

• How Jack grew from 740 to almost 60,000 LinkedIn followers
• Why “best visible is better than best”
• Building authority rather than simply building a personal brand
• How your reputation can become a driver of business growth
• Why storytelling creates stronger human connections
• Using vulnerability without damaging your credibility
• Why founders shouldn’t constantly sell on LinkedIn
• Jack’s 95% value, 5% ask approach
• How to stand out and show personality on LinkedIn
• Why building authority takes time
• Founder-led marketing and the rise of AI-generated content
• Why authenticity could become an even bigger competitive advantage
• The reality of leaving employment to build your own business
• Jack’s personal formula for success

Whether you’re a founder, CEO or business leader looking to build your authority, improve your LinkedIn strategy, strengthen your personal brand or become the go-to name in your industry, this episode is packed with practical ideas on turning visibility and reputation into business growth.

ABOUT JACK DYER

Jack Dyer is the founder of Storytold, helping CEOs and business leaders build authority through authentic visual storytelling and LinkedIn.

Connect with Jack on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackjddyer/

Visit Storytold:
https://www.storytold.co.uk/

ABOUT BRAND TO SCALE

Brand to Scale is the podcast from Alchemy, where Jess Morgan sits down with founders and business leaders to uncover the real stories behind building and growing a business.

From branding and business growth to leadership, entrepreneurship and marketing, each conversation gets behind the polished success story to explore the decisions, challenges and lessons that shaped the journey.

FOLLOW US

Alchemy:
https://alchemybranding.studio/

Jess Morgan on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessmmorgan/

Subscribe to Brand to Scale for more conversations with founders, CEOs and business leaders about branding, business growth, leadership and building businesses that last.

#BrandToScale #BuildingAuthority #LinkedInMarketing #PersonalBranding #FounderLedMarketing #BusinessGrowth #LinkedInStrategy #Storytelling

What does it really take to survive three decades in business?

In this episode of the Brand to Scale podcast, Jess sits down with entrepreneur Paul Warren to unpack the highs, lows and hard-earned lessons from nearly 30 years of building businesses.

From starting a graphic design business at just 16 years old to growing agencies, navigating business failures, surviving cash flow crises and embracing AI, Paul shares an honest look at the reality of entrepreneurship that most people never see.

This is a conversation about resilience, partnerships, leadership, networking and why building meaningful relationships will always outperform chasing quick wins.

Whether you're starting your first business or leading an established company, this episode is packed with practical advice for founders, agency owners and business leaders.

00:00 Running a Business Is 90% Pain
00:53 Starting a Business at 16
05:03 Building a Print Business
10:25 Learning Through Failure
15:25 Building an Agency That Grew
18:00 Why Networking Still Wins
21:00 Business Partnerships & Hard Lessons
27:25 Brand, Values & Leadership
31:30 The Reality of Entrepreneurship
36:08 The Toughest Business Challenge
40:15 AI, Agencies & The Future
48:00 Building the Next Chapter
53:20 Advice for Every Founder
55:52 Paul's Formula for Success

In this episode

• Starting a business at 16 years old

• Growing from freelance designer to agency owner

• The realities of business failure and resilience

• Lessons from partnerships that didn't work

• Building a business through networking and relationships

• Why agency owners need to embrace AI instead of fearing it

• The future of creative agencies

• Why brand positioning matters more than ever

• The importance of finding the right business partners

• Paul's advice for the next generation of entrepreneurs

Brand to Scale is the podcast from Alchemy, where we speak with founders, CEOs and business leaders about the real stories behind building successful businesses.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations on entrepreneurship, branding, leadership and business growth.

#BrandToScale #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #AgencyLife

How do you build a business that doesn't just grow, but lasts?

00:00 Introduction
01:07 From Corporate to CEO
08:33 The Power of Networking
13:26 Leading a Growing Business
20:55 Scaling with EOS
32:47 Organic Growth vs Acquisition
40:13 Life After CEO
44:54 Leadership Mindset
48:40 Tom's Next Chapter
51:31 The Future of Business
54:01 Tom's Formula for Success

In this episode of the Brand to Scale podcast, Jess sits down with Tom Wood to explore what it really takes to scale a business through strong leadership, strategic acquisitions and a culture that stands the test of time.

After nearly 15 years as CEO of Rawlings Group, Tom reflects on growing the business from a team of just 10 people into a £35 million organisation with multiple sites across the UK. He shares the lessons he learned about leading people, scaling sustainably and why the businesses that last always put people before processes.

From mergers and acquisitions to company culture, EOS, leadership and long-term growth, this conversation is packed with practical insights for founders, CEOs and business leaders looking to build businesses that thrive for years to come.

In this episode

• How Tom scaled Rawlings Group from 10 people to a £35 million business

• The difference between organic growth and growth through acquisition

• Why company culture becomes more important as you scale

• Building leadership teams that drive sustainable growth

• Using EOS to create accountability and clarity

• The biggest mistakes businesses make during periods of growth

• Why networking is one of the best investments a leader can make

• Transitioning from CEO to advisor and helping other businesses grow

• The mindset needed to lead through uncertainty and change

• Why great businesses are built by great teams

Brand to Scale is the podcast from Alchemy, where we speak to founders, CEOs and business leaders about the real stories, lessons and strategies behind building exceptional businesses.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders who are scaling brands, building high-performing teams and creating lasting impact.

#BrandToScale #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #businesspodcast 

🔗 Connect With Us
Website - https://alchemybranding.studio/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/alchemy-branding-studio/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alchemybrandingstudio/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AlchemyBrandingStudio/

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Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/brand-to-scale/id1814805914
Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4263866d-8779-4eb2-ba68-2177f3f6d7ad

What happens after you build and sell a successful retail business?

In this episode of Brand to Scale, Jess sits down with Helen, a founder who grew and exited a major retail business, then rebuilt her career around supporting other women in business.

Work with us.

00:00 Intro & Welcome
00:30 Growing Up in Family Business
03:20 From Property to Flying Tiger
09:50 Starting the Retail Venture
17:10 Fast Growth and Hard Lessons
20:50 Becoming Someone Else to Lead
26:00 Fertility, Burnout and Business Pressure
32:00 Moving Into Coaching and Support
35:20 Why Female Founders Lose Confidence
44:50 Building She Thrives Collective
52:50 What’s Next for Helen
56:00 Helen’s Personal Formula for Success

Helen shares the real story behind her entrepreneurial journey, from working on her parents’ market stall in Cardiff to helping launch and grow Flying Tiger Copenhagen across Wales and Bristol. She talks openly about ambition, burnout, fertility struggles, confidence, identity, and what it really takes to build a business without losing yourself in the process.

This is a powerful conversation about what success looks like after the exit, and why support, boundaries and self-awareness matter just as much as strategy.

In this episode, Helen talks about:

• Growing up around family business and market trading
• Launching and scaling a retail business in Wales
• Building Flying Tiger Copenhagen through a joint venture model
• The pressure of fast growth and leadership
• Burnout, fertility struggles and running a business through hard seasons
• Why confidence drops for many female founders
• The importance of boundaries, rest and real support
• Creating She Thrives Collective to support women in business
• Why what is missing matters more than what looks broken
• How to build a business that actually fits your life

If you are a founder, entrepreneur, business owner or ambitious woman building something of your own, this episode will give you honest insight and practical perspective.

This is a conversation about growth, identity, business support and creating success on your own terms.

Connect With Us
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Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
Website

From One-Man Band to £20M Business: Jay’s Scale Strategy

What does it really take to scale from a one-man operation to a £20M tech business in under four years?

In this episode of Brand to Scale, Jay Ball, CEO of Flotek, shares the real story behind building and exiting his first company, retiring at 35, then returning to build something even bigger.

This is not overnight success. This is disciplined growth, bold acquisitions and relentless focus.

Jay talks openly about:

• Growing organically versus growing through acquisition
• The mindset shift from solo founder to board-led CEO
• Raising debt to scale faster
• Integrating 14 acquisitions while protecting culture
• Why most businesses misunderstand AI
• Leading by example and staying grounded

Flotek has grown from zero to nearly £20M in revenue in just three and a half years. Much of that growth has come through acquisition. But behind the numbers is a clear strategy, strong financial discipline and a deep commitment to people.

Jay also shares:

• Why he failed at retirement
• The difference between an entrepreneur and a business owner
• How AI should actually be used inside SMEs
• What small businesses must understand about cybersecurity
• Why leadership is learned but instinct cannot be taught

If you are a founder, CEO or ambitious business leader looking to scale properly, this episode is packed with practical insight.

This is growth done with intention.

🔗 Connect With Us
Website
LinkedIn

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Work with Alchemy - https://alchemybranding.studio/contact/

Welcome to Brand to Scale, where I explore the real stories behind visionary leaders who turn ambition into action. Today's guest has a truly unique journey from launching one of Wales' most successful independent brewery, now helping build the next new ventures. Join us for inspiration and a deep dive into entrepreneurship, exploring the path to success stories.

00:00:00 Welcome & Intro  
00:00:13 Early Entrepreneurial Journey  
00:05:23 Building Tiny Rebel  
00:11:31 Leading Through Crisis  
00:17:27 Redefining Success  
00:24:03 Leaving the Family Business  
00:29:59 Starting a New Chapter  
00:38:01 Supporting Women in Business  
00:46:51 Embracing AI & Innovation  
01:07:12 Final Reflections & Wisdom

From Vision to Values: Anthony on Building with Integrity

In this episode of Brand to Scale, Jess speaks with Anthony Levy, a founder who has spent nearly two decades building a business with long-term thinking and values at its core.

Anthony shares how his journey evolved from a commercially driven vision into one built on integrity, resilience, and purpose. This is a powerful conversation for founders, leaders, and anyone looking to grow a business without losing sight of what matters.

In this episode:

• How Anthony built a company over 17 years
• Moving from short-term wins to long-term value
• Why integrity is a non-negotiable in leadership
• Lessons learned from early struggles and self-reflection
• The emotional cost of growing fast without alignment
• Advice for founders on staying grounded and building sustainably

Whether you're starting out or scaling up, Anthony’s story will help you pause and rethink what growth really means.

From Consulting to Culture: Toby’s Leap into Leadership

In this episode of Brand to Scale, Jess speaks with Toby Henry, a former consultant who made the leap into business ownership.

Toby shares why he stepped away from the corporate world, how he bought a business, and what it really means to lead with people at the centre.

This episode is full of real insights on leadership, building culture, and staying true to your values while growing a business.

In this episode:

• Why Toby left consulting to run a business
• What people-first leadership looks like
• How to rebuild company culture after an acquisition
• The right way to hire for values and fit
• Balancing commercial success with long-term purpose

If you care about growing a business the right way, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

#BrandToScale #TobyHenry #Leadership #PeopleFirst #BusinessGrowth #CultureDrivenLeadership #Entrepreneurship #PurposeLedBusiness

From Nudge to Next Level: Matt’s Leadership Rise

In this episode of Brand to Scale, Jess speaks with Matt Webb – a thoughtful and experienced leader who shares the story of his rise to CEO. Matt's journey shows that leadership isn't always loud. Sometimes, it starts with a quiet nudge and builds through intentional growth.

Matt reflects on the turning points that shaped his career – from his early jobs in customer service to moments of doubt and clarity. He speaks openly about being pushed outside of his comfort zone, and how that led to meaningful change and new opportunities.

This episode is full of real, human insights about growing into leadership, staying grounded, and leading with purpose.

In this episode:

• Why a simple nudge changed everything
• How Matt approaches leadership today
• Moments of transition and reinvention
• The mindset shift from manager to CEO
• Staying aligned to personal values

Whether you’re leading a team or thinking about your next step, Matt’s story is full of useful takeaways.

#LeadershipDevelopment #BrandToScale #CareerGrowth #CEOStories #ValuesBasedLeadership #MattWebb