Scale Her Up: Female business stories and expert tips for business growth and success

Today we have Julita Stachowiak on the podcast. Julita is the Co founder of J&B Finance LTD. It is a accounting and financial consultancy firm that advises clients of the best way to run their business through a financial lens.she shares her journey of how she's gotten to this stage in her life- from moving to the UK from Poland with just £200 in her pocket, to working at one of the big 4 Accountancy firms to be a female entrepreneur of an international company with a completely female team. In their episode she speaks about the common financial issues businesses face with cash flow, how the recession impacted her life, the best way to run a team , and the importance of having people support you

In today's episode we have fellow Podcaster Michelle Fraser. Not only is she the host and creator of Energy Sector Heros, she has also been a consultant in the energy and renewable sector for the past 25 years and most recently started a mentorship and career coaching program set out to help the younger generation find their feet within the oil, gas and energy field. She speaks about her career journey, from starting as a junior technician to working her way up to being a senior project development manager. She speaks about the struggles of being a woman in a primarily male dominated field, specifically trying to be seen and heard. She describes how she tries to be more vocal in a field where it is hard to get noticed, and speaks about the unpredictable nature of contract and consultancy work. She also speaks about her passion for helping others shape their career in the sector, and advising them on the best ways they can portray themselves and supports them in the transition into a full time corporate world. Michelle was a joy to have on and makes this episode one you won't want to miss.

In today's episode we have Avriel Skolnik, Co-Founder of Kionnali Living Systems. Avriel is a true champion of sustainability, who creates self contained sustainable housing to help address the current housing crisis and combat emergency situations with housing. Her passion for the environment and keen intelligence drove her to start creating houses centered around people. As a woman in STEM, Avriel has dealt with a lot of stereotypes and condescension as a result of her gender but she's dealt with it with grace and started a company that is creating the house of the future, has over 10 people on her permanent staff and has interest in her designs from all 7 continents. In this episode Avriel speaks about her journey to get to the place she is today and the amazing women who helped show her their own sustainable housing, the importance of placing your well being first, and overcoming the fear of failure.

Today's episode is extra special as we have not one but 2 guests. Vanessa Tortella & Beverley Wilson join us today to speak about Vanessa’s Business, The Wine Hall and their joint venture Leyssa. Both are a boutique wine import business that sets out to connect customers to unique and specific wines. They also host joint art and wine tasting parties where they pair the two together for attendees to have a unique and fully immersive tasting experience. Although the two haven't known each other long, they had an instant connection based on their shared passions and love for all things wine. Vanessa is a trained sommelier who started The Wine Hall 2 years ago to help connect people to specific hard to find wines. Even though the field of wine is majorly male dominated, Vanessa has made a name for herself. Beverly is no stranger to business and has had many different current and past ventures over the years in a variety of fields. After meeting they connected on their experience as women in business, and hospitality, and since starting their partnership have learned more from each other then they thought possible. In today's episode they speak about how it's never too late to start a business, as they meet in their 50s and instantly clicked. They also speak about how to create a unique business idea, the importance of self confidence, and their love of uplifting other women in their field. Today's episode is truly special and not one to miss.

Today we have Kerry Smith, founder of T28 and Team Cycle. T28 is an online platform for all things fitness, with programs like the 28 day transformation and 10 minute challenges. After starting her entrepreneurial journey during the COVID 19 pandemic, Kerry has managed to expand her business into team cycle, a warehouse dedicated to spin classes. In this episode Kerry speaks about the future of women's fitness, and how she strives to make her business inclusive and welcome to all. She speaks about how to be inventive in such a niche space, the shocks she's had from building a business from the ground up, and the importance of relying on your network. She also talks about integrated health and how essential it is to take care of yourself.

In today's episode we have Gillian Donald of Blackadders and CHAS. Gillian is a truly inspirational woman, who not only is a partner in her firm’s HR and employment team, but is also a trustee on the board of CHAS, a children's charity set up to assist and provide hospice care for families with ill children. Gillian speaks about her career journey to this point, and the major differences and challenges that come with balancing the two. She speaks about the importance of listening to the people around you,having open conversations between employers and their staff and being brave in the face of adversary. Gillian also gets vulnerable and tells the story behind her involvement with CHAS. Sharing the importance of cherishing every day you have with those you love and her passion of giving back to a community that supported her in her darkest hours. Truly impactful and poignant, this episode is not one you’ll want to miss.

On today's episode we have Fiona Thomson, the founder of FT Rewards.They help businesses become an attractive place to work, and devise strategies for companies to help employee retention and increase employee satisfaction. Although she’s somewhat new to the entrepreneurial landscape, Fiona has flourished in it. Although she does speak about the learning curve she experienced when starting a new business, like the challenges she faced and the lessons she's learned. Her prior experience has helped her shape FT Rewards to be what she's dreamed of. Today, she speaks about staff retention and satisfaction, how crucial networking was for her personal success, and her passion for women to speak up for things that they need from an employer.

Today's podcast is one very near and dear to Brenda's heart. In this episode she has Genevieve Smith, with Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and more specifically Business Beats Cancer Aberdeen. After a long career in sales, Genevieve found herself unsettled and looked for a career change. When the position within CRUK opened up she made the jump into the third sector and has loved every second of it. In just over a year in the position, she has helped raise over £60,000 and founded boards in both Dundee and now Aberdeen. Today, she speaks about this decision-The challenges she faced, the high points, and the fear she had. More specifically she speaks about Business Beats Cancer Aberdeen, an Initiative where businesses get together and raise  funds for CRUK. Her and Brenda, speak about what qualities make a good board member and ways you could get involved. They also explain everything you need to know about getting involved with the Aberdeen Fundraising Gala. The prizes you could win, the people you could network with, and all the amazing research the money goes towards. Specifically, research projects at the University of Aberdeen itself, that set out to explore how cells divide in order to find a way to prevent cancer. Cancer research UK has helped double the breast cancer survival rate in the UK, largely due to its contributions from  business across the country. In today's episode Brenda and Genevieve talk about how you and your business can get involved and the direct link it could have for drastically changing the future of cancer research and prevention in the UK.

In today's episode we have Adriana Uribe, a member of the Grampian Regional Equality Council. Adriana is a true champion for inclusion and works with minorities across the grampian area on issues like language assistance, discrimination and even neurodivergent help. The council offers a multitude of services ranging from language cafes where English speakers of all proficiency levels can get together to practice, to language programs and even advisory services. She has a passion for intersectionality, and strives to create an even field for minorities in business and beyond. Besides her work in the council, she's a successful entrepreneur who does freelance translating. Today, she's speaks about her personal experience as a woman in business, the obstacles she has faced, the discrimination she has experienced, and the wealth of knowledge she's collected throughout her career and multicultural upbringing. She talks about how harmful unconscious bias can be, the importance of empathy, and how essential inclusion is in the workplace. This episode is truly eye opening and not one you want to miss!

In today's episode we have Lifestyle physician Dr. Aileen Alexander. Her Business, Nourish Health and Wellbeing, is meant to help and optimize the health of working women. She targets specific issues that arise from the workplaces- like high blood pressure, self confidence etc. She sets out to empower women to look beyond the calories and take charge of their health. Today, she speaks about how she has embraced being an entrepreneur after a long period of impostor syndrome, learning what works to impact deliverables, and even some mistakes she's made along the way. She talks about her love of empowering women and the importance of having a support system that pushes you. Aileen finishes with some really big and exciting announcements that you won’t want to miss!