In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, we’re joined by Megan Stachini, the founder of Intrinsic, a business dedicated to helping entrepreneurs create fulfilling, values-driven businesses—without sacrificing their well-being or personal lives.

Megan’s approach is all about authenticity and self-discovery, ensuring that business owners align their work with their core values to prevent burnout, build strong teams, and create sustainable success. She shares her insights on flexible work environments, balancing business and family, and why success should be measured by impact and contentment rather than just financial growth.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Authenticity as a Leadership Superpower – Why being true to yourself attracts the right staff, customers, and opportunities. ✅ The Power of Work-Life Balance – How flexible working and prioritising family can lead to a more motivated and productive business. ✅ Overcoming Common ScaleUp Challenges – From lead generation to staff alignment, how clarity in vision can solve key business hurdles. ✅ Personal Growth as a Business Strategy – Megan’s perspective on continuous learning and the importance of self-awareness.

Megan’s insights are particularly valuable for business owners who feel stuck in the day-to-day, struggle with hiring the right people, or want to build a business that genuinely aligns with their lifestyle and values.

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 Megan.

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:

[email protected]

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/

Megan can be found here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-stachini-716510147/

Resources:

The Monk That Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-monk-who-sold-his-ferrari-robin-sharma/219986?ean=9780007179732

In this special Q&A episode, we welcome back Paddy White, founder of Virtual Diamond, to discuss the habits and strategies that drive great team engagement. Recorded as part of our monthly ScaleUp Club session, this episode features insightful discussions led by Granger, with audience participation bringing real-world challenges and experiences into the mix.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🔹 Building a Strong Virtual Team Culture – The power of regular communication (weekly, monthly, and annual check-ins) and showing appreciation through personal gestures. 🔹 Creating Buy-in & Loyalty – How transparency around business goals and financials can strengthen engagement. 🔹 Aligning People to Roles – Matching team members’ skills and interests to the right roles for better satisfaction and retention. 🔹 Scaling with the Right Structure – How Paddy balances client work and business management, leveraging her team for maximum efficiency. 🔹 Handling Team Challenges – The importance of transparency and strategic intervention when a new hire isn't the right fit.

About Paddy White & Virtual Diamond

With over 11 years of experience, Paddy has built Virtual Diamond into a referral-driven business providing specialist virtual assistant (VA) services in areas like accounting, social media, and admin support. She has long-standing client relationships (some for over 9 years!) and a clear strategy for team engagement and business growth.

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:

[email protected]

[email protected]

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/

Paddy can be found here:

linkedin.com/in/paddywhitevirtualassistant

https://www.virtualdiamond.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/virtualdiamond

[email protected]

On this episode of ScaleUp Radio, we’re diving deep into change management, leadership, and scaling impact with Simon Phillips—a seasoned expert in orchestrating change for both organisations and individuals.

With 25+ years of experience, including time at Accenture and over two decades running his own consultancy, Simon has developed powerful frameworks like the Delta Model for Change and the LACE Way for Human-Centric Leadership. His mission? To develop a million changemakers—people who can support others in making positive transformations.

What We Cover in This Episode:

🔹 The Psychology of Change – Why people don’t resist change itself but rather being changed, and how leaders can foster engagement. 🔹 Empathy & Leadership – The power of vulnerability, self-empathy, and active listening in building trust and high-performing teams. 🔹 Scaling a Knowledge Business – How Simon evolved his approach, from expanding teams to deepening value and leveraging AI tools. 🔹 Resilience & Growth – Simon’s personal journey, including lessons from surviving a severe car crash and overcoming imposter syndrome. 🔹 Business Development & Networks – The importance of long-term relationships and how platforms like LinkedIn have shaped Simon’s approach.

If you’re navigating change, leading a team, or looking to scale a business while maintaining impact, this episode is packed with insights and strategies you can apply right away.

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 Simon.

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:

[email protected]

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/

Simon can be found here:

https://www.simonphillips.co.uk/

https://changemakerpledge.com/

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

Resources:

The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-second-book-by-steven-bartlett-keep-it-to-yourself-steven-bartlett/7257436?ean=9781529146509

What’s Your Dream? by Simon Squibb - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/what-s-your-dream-find-your-passion-love-your-work-build-a-richer-life-simon-squibb/7678552?ean=9781529935578

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, we dive into the power of writing a book as an entrepreneur with Danielle Hutchinson, Chief Creative Officer at Authors on Mission.

Authors on Mission is a done-for-you book writing service that helps business leaders and entrepreneurs turn their ideas into published books—without the hassle of writing themselves. With a team of over 30 core members, 750+ ghostwriters, and 50+ editors, they guarantee a seamless process, even promising Amazon bestseller status.

Danielle shares how a book can serve as the ultimate business card, build credibility, and create a lasting legacy. She also explains the company’s unique use of “angel writers”—collaborators who work closely with authors, rather than traditional ghostwriters.

Beyond book publishing, we discuss: ✅ How AI and remote work are reshaping the publishing industry ✅ The balance between technology and human creativity in writing ✅ Using books as a tool for marketing, lead generation, and authority building ✅ Challenges of running a global remote team and maintaining company culture

Whether you’ve ever thought about writing a book or just want to understand how storytelling can grow your business, this episode is packed with insights!

Make sure you don’t miss future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you listen to your podcasts.

For now, continue listening for the full story from Danielle.

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:

[email protected]

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/

Danielle can be found here:

https://authorsonmission.com/

https://www.instagram.com/authorsonmission/

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsOnMission

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

Resources:

Book Marketing Podcast - https://www.bestofbookmarketing.com/

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-hunger-games-suzanne-collins/205536?ean=9781407132082

Time Doctor app - https://www.timedoctor.com/

Encoda app - https://encoda.com/

Zoom - https://zoom.us/

Fathom - https://fathom.video/

Hey, I’m Granger Forson – find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn! In this special episode, we’re looking inward on my own business journey, from the days of engineering beer taps to embracing the power of continuous improvement.

I’ll be sharing the highs and lows of ditching the corporate path in favour of scaling up my own adventure. You’ll hear my learning from 100 recoding’s of ScaleUp Radio podcast and growing my own business, and how nurturing a culture of experimentation built a strong foundation for BizSmart Gloucestershire.

Listen in as I reflect on countless interviews with fellow entrepreneurs, each story helping me refine my approach to growth, strategy, and joyful leadership. My experience in Lean and 2 Second Lean shaped a coaching style that focuses on people-first development, from identifying strengths to leading with clarity.

Throughout this conversation, I’ll reveal the five key pillars that every business owner can use to strengthen their own enterprise, covering everything from repeatable processes to forging the right mindset in your team. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your passion into a sustainable future, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

By the end, you’ll be inspired to keep innovating, keep improving, and keep celebrating every milestone on your way to scaling your own dreams. Let’s keep going and growing together!

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

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:

[email protected]

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/

Resources:

All episodes of ScaleUp Radio that Granger talked about can be found here:

https://www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk/scale-up-radio/

Robin Waite - Take Your Shot - https://www.robinwaite.com/books/take-your-shot

2 Second Lean by Paul Akers - https://paulakers.net/books/2-second-lean

The Road Less Stupid - https://keystothevault.com/the-road-less-stupid-advice-from-the-chairman-of-the-board/

No BS Marketing - https://magneticmarketing.com/

Turn This Ship Around - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/turn-the-ship-around-a-true-story-of-building-leaders-by-breaking-the-rules-l-david-marquet/3549368?ean=9780241250945

Extreme Ownership - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/extreme-ownership-how-u-s-navy-seals-lead-and-win-jocko-willink/651009?ean=9781250183866

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

The Infinite Game - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-infinite-game-simon-sinek/185827?ean=9780241385630

Lean Made Simple - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/lean-made-simple-creating-pull-and-flow-david-sykes/4914053?ean=9781716549724

ScaleUp by Nick Bradley podcast - https://highvalueexit.com/podcast/

Lean Made Simple podcast - https://www.leanmadesimple.com/podcast

Shut Up and Sit Down podcast - https://www.shutupandsitdown.com/

Russell Brunson podcast - https://www.russellbrunson.com/my-podcast

GMail - https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox

Mile IQ - https://mileiq.com/en-gb

Lead Connector app - https://www.leadconnectorhq.com/

The Rhythm90 Web App - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/

Hello, I’m Granger Forson – you can find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or look me up on LinkedIn. In today’s episode, we shine a spotlight on the entrepreneurial journey of the remarkable Catherine Frankpitt, founder and Managing Director of Strike Communications.

Catherine has built a “small but mighty” PR agency dedicated to “comms for good.” What does that mean? It’s her creative way of describing how she elevates charities and not-for-profits by telling their stories authentically and powerfully, ensuring that important causes reach the right audiences.

From navigating the pandemic just weeks after launching, to bringing together a team that mirrors her passion for positive social impact, Catherine’s journey is a testament to strategic thinking and perseverance. She explains how being lean allows her agency to remain agile while delivering results that truly matter, especially in the charitable sector.

We also touch on the art of leadership in a growing team. Catherine candidly shares her lessons learned in people management and how striking the right balance between flexibility and accountability is crucial for success.

This conversation will leave you feeling inspired by Catherine’s drive to make the world a better place through strategic storytelling. I’m certain you’ll pick up a few gems on how to build a purposeful business while staying true to your core values.

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 small but mighty, comms for good and creative problem-solving with Catherine.

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:

[email protected]

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/

Catherine can be found here:

https://www.strikecommunications.co.uk/

Resources:

Inside The Nudge Unit by David Halpern - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/inside-the-nudge-unit-how-small-changes-can-make-a-big-difference-david-halpern/4236590?ean=9780753556559

Thinking Fast & Slow by Daniel Kahneman - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/thinking-fast-and-slow-daniel-kahneman/407361?ean=9780141033570

Media Storm podcast - https://mediastormpodcast.com/

Desert Island Discs podcast - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qnmr

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I speak with Elliot Riley-Walsh, founder and CEO of Valart, a platform revolutionising how collectors manage their prized assets.

Launched in September 2023, Valart provides an agnostic solution for collectors to catalogue, value, and manage their collections—whether it's fine art, classic cars, trading cards, or even Lego! With AI-powered valuation tools, end-of-life planning, and NFT creation for provenance, Elliot and his team are creating a much-needed digital solution for collectors worldwide.

What makes Valart’s growth strategy unique? Instead of relying on traditional direct marketing, Elliot is focusing on strategic partnerships with wealth managers, auction houses, and insurance companies to build trust and credibility. His goal? To reach 1 million users in the next five years—but the biggest challenge is convincing collectors to trust a new digital platform with their valuable assets.

During our conversation, we explore:

🔹 How Valart works – from its subscription tiers to its AI-driven valuation system 🔹 The bootstrapped journey – starting with a £40k investment and running a lean operation with just a £600 monthly burn rate 🔹 Why Elliot avoided VC funding and chose to grow through customer-driven development 🔹 The challenges of building a tech business as a non-technical founder 🔹 Elliot’s key lesson: Deep customer research before development is essential

If you’re scaling a tech startup, exploring alternative funding routes, or simply fascinated by the world of collectibles, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

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 Elliot.

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:

[email protected]

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/

Elliot can be found here:

https://valart.co.uk/

Linktree - https://linktr.ee/valart_collectibles?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaweIsxKnaMJuQ8D2oWPRCV8iWbgQIoERAq4nIDEs-AbxRYgdsENc0CDsI_aem_VU1m0fqwldawH6FnnCsBzQ

Resources:

How To Be A Founder by Alice Bentinck and Matt Clifford - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/how-to-be-a-founder-how-entrepreneurs-can-identify-fund-and-launch-their-best-ideas-alice-bentinck/6624300?ean=9781399411608

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/shoe-dog-a-memoir-by-the-creator-of-nike-phil-knight/1040030?ean=9781471146725

Miro - https://miro.com/

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, we delve into the inspiring entrepreneurial journey of Suki Pantal, the founder of Suki’s Curries and Spices. Suki transitioned from a corporate career to building a thriving food-based business, turning her passion for Indian cuisine into a multi-faceted venture.

What started as an Instagram page during the COVID-19 lockdown has since expanded into cookbooks, online cooking classes, food festival demonstrations, and social media content creation. Suki even made a notable appearance on Jamie Oliver’s TV show, The Great Cookbook Challenge, which helped elevate her brand – but she shares how success still required persistence and hard work.

During our conversation, Suki takes us through:

✅ How she built her business from scratch – from Instagram posts to published cookbooks and interactive cooking classes ✅ The challenges of securing publishing deals – including how she faced numerous rejections and eventually secured deals through direct outreach ✅ Her revenue streams – including cookbook sales, virtual cooking classes, food festival demos, and social media partnerships ✅ The future of Suki’s Curries and Spices – with plans to launch spice mixes, meal kits, and even a YouTube channel ✅ Key lessons on scaling up – from balancing multiple revenue streams as a solo entrepreneur to the importance of passion and authenticity

Suki’s journey is a great example of how persistence, adaptability, and creativity can help entrepreneurs break into competitive industries. If you’ve ever thought about turning a passion into a business, this episode is packed with valuable insights!

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 Suki.

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:

[email protected]

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/

Suki can be found here:

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

Website - https://www.sukipantal.com/

Resources:

John Grisham - https://jgrisham.com/

Adobe - https://www.adobe.com/uk/

Wix - https://www.wix.com/

I’m Granger Forson and you can find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or on LinkedIn. On this episode, I talk with Steve Mason, the visionary behind Nova Blue Technologies, a remote-first cybersecurity company that grew from a solo startup during the lockdown to a 14-strong international team.

Steve shares how a “kindness is the default” ethos permeates Nova Blue’s culture, creating an atmosphere of trust, flexibility, and empowerment. Fueled by his GCHQ and defense industry background, Steve’s focus on proactively configuring systems – rather than just alerting – sets Nova Blue’s managed service apart.

Their hiring principle of “attitude, aptitude, and appetite” has seen Nova Blue attract dynamic, passionate individuals who fit perfectly into the “Nova Legion.” With 70% of leads coming from channel partners, Steve reveals how they are diversifying lead generation and why they are committed to organic growth before eyeing a potential exit.

You’ll be inspired by the bold international aspirations (Canada, Middle East, Indonesia) that guide Nova Blue’s expansion plans – and the “people-first” approach they’ll keep at every stage. Tune in for insights on building a vibrant culture, scaling organically, and protecting SMEs worldwide.

To ensure you don’t miss any inspirational future episodes do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. Also, you can nominate a guest for ScaleUp Radio if you know someone with an interesting ScaleUp story – you can find how in the show notes. So, let’s now dive into the inspiring journey of kindness is the default, attitude-aptitude-appetite, and bootstrapped growth with Steve.

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:

[email protected]

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/

Steve can be found here:

[email protected]

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

The Infinite Game  by Simon Sinek - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-infinite-game-simon-sinek/185827?ean=9780241385630

The Rest Is Politics podcast - https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KuSr/

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

Microsoft Teams - https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software

Stirling Bank app - https://www.starlingbank.com/download/

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I sit down with Peter Rucinski, co-founder of Assure Technical, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and how his company has evolved to provide cybersecurity solutions for SMEs.

Originally focused on high-value military and infrastructure projects, Assure Technical pivoted in 2016 to serve small and medium-sized enterprises, helping them navigate the increasingly complex world of cybersecurity. Today, they offer services like Cyber Essentials certification, penetration testing, and security audits to businesses that may not have dedicated security expertise in-house.

Peter’s leadership style has been shaped by his Royal Navy background and a unique 18-month sailing adventure with his family, which forced him to balance running his business remotely while navigating the unpredictability of life at sea. His experience has given him deep insights into risk management, problem-solving, and maintaining resilience—all of which are critical in both sailing and cybersecurity.

During our conversation, Peter shares practical advice for SMEs looking to improve their cybersecurity posture, including: 🔹 Why simply acknowledging cybersecurity as a priority can make a significant difference 🔹 How adopting the UK government's Cyber Essentials standard can mitigate 80% of common cyber risks 🔹 Why AI security doesn’t require special treatment beyond standard IT best practices

We also dive into the challenges of scaling a cybersecurity business, from balancing sales and delivery capacity to attracting and retaining skilled talent in a competitive market. Peter explains how digital marketing, automation tools like Zapier, and strategic partnerships have helped Assure Technical continue to scale while maintaining high service standards.

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 Peter.

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:

[email protected]

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/

Peter can be found here:

https://assuretechnical.com/

[email protected]

Resources:

Zapier - https://zapier.com/

BitOffender - https://www.bitdefender.com/

          https://gravityzone.bitdefender.com/