ScaleUp Radio

Hi, I’m Granger Forson, and you can find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or on LinkedIn. In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, we dive into the inspiring journey of Alexander Golev, founder of SAMexpert. Alexander shares his incredible story of starting and scaling his business, providing valuable insights into the world of software asset management and Microsoft licensing.

Alexander began SAMexpert in 2003, and after a few years, he reestablished it in the UK, focusing on cost avoidance and consultancy in the complex field of Microsoft licensing. His journey emphasises the importance of hiring passionate employees who elevate the business and the significance of having a clear long-term vision from the start.

At SAMexpert, the team helps large enterprises and service providers navigate the labyrinth of Microsoft licensing, ensuring fair pricing and significant cost savings. Alexander’s approach of giving freely without expectation has not only built strong connections but also opened up new opportunities for the business.

With a multicultural team and a culture based on mutual trust and direct communication, SAMexpert stands out in the industry. Alexander shares his vision for the future, aiming for a £20M turnover, 100 employees, and international offices within the next five years, with a shift towards cloud cost management.

Join us as we explore Alexander's entrepreneurial journey, his challenges, successes, and the values that drive SAMexpert. Don’t miss this episode packed with insights and inspiration for every business leader.

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]

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/

Alexander can be found here:

https://samexpert.com/

https://www.youtube.com/samexperttv

[email protected]

Resources:

Watching The English by Kate Fox - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/watching-the-english-hidden-rules-of-conduct-kate-fox/254068?ean=9785519512640

Day Trading Attention by Gary Vaynerchuk - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/new-book-by-gary-vaynerchuk-gary-vaynerchuk/7604532?ean=9780063317598

This Is Marketing by Seth Godin - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/this-is-marketing-you-can-t-be-seen-until-you-learn-to-see-seth-godin/1201532?ean=9780241370148

Gary Vee YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@garyvee

Damian Talks Money - https://www.youtube.com/@DamienTalksMoney

WindUp - https://app.windup.pro/#/login/

Waze - https://www.waze.com/apps

Hi, I’m Granger Forson, and welcome to ScaleUp Radio. You can find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn. In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Nigel Whitehouse, the visionary behind TruffleHunter UK.

Nigel started TruffleHunter as a hobby in Italy back in 2006, which evolved into a thriving business by 2010. Today, it stands as the UK's only company manufacturing a wide range of truffle products, from oils to butters, and fresh truffles. TruffleHunter operates across multiple channels, including online sales, retail, food service, and exports, with a strong brand presence in English-speaking markets.

Despite achieving a decade of consistent growth, TruffleHunter faced significant challenges when COVID-19 disrupted operations. Online sales surged, but wholesale plummeted, leading to a need for restructuring. Nigel shares insights into how he managed to streamline operations, right size the company, and retain a loyal core team.

One of the key highlights of TruffleHunter’s journey is their expansion into the US market. With a new distribution deal, Nigel is optimistic about significant growth opportunities ahead. He also discusses the complexities of Brexit, raw material inflation, and the future plans for enhancing production efficiencies.

Join us as we delve into Nigel's inspiring journey, exploring the highs and lows of scaling a niche business and the strategies employed to overcome unforeseen challenges.

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]

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/

Nigel can be found here:

[email protected]

Resources:

Newscast - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05299nl

Americast - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07h19zz

Football Daily - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02nrsln

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 that little bit easier by learning from others' experiences. I’m Kevin Brent and in today's episode I’m joined by Jojo Smith, the founder of CreativSAS.

Jojo brings over 20 years of corporate business development experience and has now dedicated her efforts to helping entrepreneurs build impactful brands and businesses through creativity, self-awareness, and strategy. We'll delve into how being true to oneself can attract the right clients and stand out in the market, and discuss Jojo’s inspiring vision for a "Children's Home Enterprise" to mentor young entrepreneurs from the care system.

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 Jojo.

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/

JoJo can be found here:

https://www.instagram.com/creativsas/

https://www.facebook.com/CreativSAS

https://www.creativsas.co.uk/

Resources:

Loving Yourself Beyond Belief by JoJo Smith - https://amzn.eu/d/dIiXXYB

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

Dani Wallace - https://www.iatqb.com/?r_done=1

Dubsardo - https://www.dubsado.com/

Counting Up - https://countingup.com/

Welcome to another inspiring episode of ScaleUp Radio! I’m Granger Forson, and you can find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or on LinkedIn. Today, we’re diving into the entrepreneurial journey of Scott Gulliver, the visionary founder of Fluff Software.

Scott founded Fluff Software in 2020 with a clear mission: to bring the best practices from his extensive agency experience into his own company. What started as a two-person operation has rapidly grown into a thriving business with a specialised focus on visitor attractions. This episode explores how Scott’s bold decisions and strategic thinking have propelled Fluff Software to success.

One of the standout moments in Scott’s journey was hiring his brother-in-law with no coding experience and transforming him into a skilled developer. This move, emblematic of Scott's commitment to investing in people, has paid off tremendously. We’ll hear about the challenges and triumphs of scaling from 2 to 7 employees in just one year, and how Scott managed to maintain quality and client satisfaction during this rapid growth.

Scott’s dedication to client relationships and delivering excellence is a key driver of Fluff Software’s success. By focusing on a niche market—visitor attractions—Scott has carved out a unique space for his business, applying a fresh perspective and innovative solutions to enhance user experiences.

Balancing work and personal life is an ongoing effort for Scott, especially with young children at home. He shares how his family motivates him and the systems he’s implemented to maintain a healthy work-life balance, even while leading a remote team spread across multiple countries.

Join us as Scott reveals his plans for the future, including hiring a marketing manager to sustain growth and continuing to invest in long-term client relationships. This episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice for anyone looking to scale their business successfully.

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]

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/

Scott can be found here:

linkedin.com/in/scott-gulliver

https://www.fluff.software/

Resources:

Be Where Your Feet Are by Scott O’Neil - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/be-where-your-feet-are-seven-principles-to-keep-you-present-grounded-and-thriving-scott-o-neil/6007281?ean=9781250852694

2 Bobs - https://2bobs.com/

How I Built This - https://www.npr.org/series/490248027/how-i-built-this

Finch - https://finchcare.com/

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 that little bit easier by learning from others' experiences.

I’m Kevin Brent and in this Q&A episode of ScaleUp Radio recorded during our monthly ScaleUp Club meeting, we sit down with Mike Dunn of Excel TM Group, a leader in construction telemarketing.

Mike shares their innovative approach to delivering quality leads and ROI, focusing on understanding client goals and prioritising quality over quantity.

We'll explore their successful marketing initiatives, including hosting their own construction show and leveraging LinkedIn.

Mike also discusses the importance of staff retention and creating a positive office environment.

Plus, hear how his wife and business partner keeps marketing spend aligned with achievable ROI.

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

Tune in for valuable insights and tips from Mike Dunn of Excel TM Group.

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/

Mike can be found here:

linkedin.com/in/mike-dunn-b3033358

https://www.exceltmgroup.com/

[email protected]

07946 767634

https://www.instagram.com/mike.dunn_/

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 that little bit easier by learning from others' experiences.

I’m Kevin Brent and this week on the show I’m joined by Joe Seddon, founder and CEO of Zero Gravity. Joe shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting with just £200 to build an MVP, leveraging storytelling to attract investors, and raising a £425k pre-seed round.

He emphasises focusing on solving one key problem initially, building a strong culture, and hiring for values over skills. Joe's mission is to help students from low-income backgrounds access top universities and careers, breaking the link between socioeconomic status and opportunity.

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

Stay tuned for Joe's insights on building and scaling a mission-driven tech startup. Let's dive in!

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/

Joe can be found here:

https://www.zerogravity.co.uk/

linkedin.com/in/joeseddon

Hi there, I'm Granger Forson, and you can find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or on LinkedIn. On this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I'm thrilled to welcome Russell Walters, owner of RB Walters Estate Agents. Join us as we dive into Russell's inspiring journey and uncover the secrets behind his business's success.

Russell brings 37 years of experience to the table, having started his career at just 16. With a commitment to exceptional personal service, RB Walters Estate Agents has redefined the standard in the industry. They focus on building genuine relationships with their clients, offering a level of care that goes beyond mere transactions.

In our conversation, Russell shares how meticulous planning and research were crucial to their successful launch, even amid the volatile housing market during the pandemic. He discusses the importance of a strong online presence and how their personalized website and active social media engagement have set them apart.

You'll hear about the challenges they faced, like the long delay between starting work and getting paid, and how they navigated these with a pragmatic approach. Russell also opens up about his motivations for starting the business, driven by a desire to change the perceptions of estate agents through unparalleled service.

Russell's vision for RB Walters includes sustainable growth and maintaining quality over quantity. He aims to expand moderately while ensuring the business remains a trusted, independent firm. His story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of personal branding.

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 planning, service, and resilience with Russell Walters.

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/

Russell can be found here

[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/rbwaltersestateagents

https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-walters-354977137/

07540 129 924

Resources:

Michael Heppell - https://www.michaelheppell.com/

Zoom - https://zoom.us/

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

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 that little bit easier by learning from others' experiences. I’m Kevin Brent and this week on the show.

I’m joined by Lindsay Berresford, the driving force behind a successful handmade camper van business, Quirky Campers.

We explore their unique business model, the annual festival Camp Quirky, and their growth strategies. Lindsay shares their journey from a hobby to a thriving business, overcoming challenges, and the importance of building a strong customer service team.

We also discuss balancing workload, maintaining core values, and the potential of employee ownership. Plus, Lindsay talks about her focus on self-development and invites listeners to learn more about Quirky Campers.

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

Stay tuned for an inspiring conversation!

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/

Lindsay can be found here:

[email protected]

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

https://www.quirkycampers.com/uk/

https://www.instagram.com/quirkycampers/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Quirky-Campers/553325758179419

Resources:

Spill - https://www.spill.chat/

Good Inside with Dr Becky - https://www.goodinside.com/podcast/

Brene Brown - Dare To Lead Podcast - https://brenebrown.com/podcast-show/dare-to-lead/

Rikki and Jimmy on Relationships - https://open.spotify.com/show/2zJhzw5W5kblckLNaQ0l0j

Canva - https://www.canva.com/en_gb/

Semrush SEO Optimisation - https://www.semrush.com/seo/

Welcome to ScaleUp Radio! In today's episode, we explore competitive advantage with Adrian Burden, a tech entrepreneur and author of Start to Exit. Adrian's diverse background spans materials science, venture capital, and anti-counterfeiting tech, leading to his current roles in innovation and blockchain SaaS.

Key takeaways include:

- Competitive advantage goes beyond a USP—it's about true differentiation.

- Niching down and deeply understanding your sector creates an edge.

- Protect your intellectual property with trademarks and cybersecurity.

- Focus on quality and agility over cost for sustainable growth.

We'll discuss protecting technology, leveraging organized processes, and crafting unique selling propositions. Stay tuned as Adrian shares insights on maintaining a competitive edge in today's market.

Make sure you don’t miss any future episodes by subscribing 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 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/

Here is Adrian’s previous episode of ScaleUp Radio:

https://traffic.libsyn.com/scaleupradio/Adrian_Burden.mp3

Adrian can be found here:

linkedin.com/in/adrianburden

https://www.blockmarktech.com/

https://adrianburden.net/

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 that little bit easier by learning from others' experiences.

I’m Kevin Brent and this week on the show I’m joined by  Steven Thai, founder of Ocean King, a business that started with a van selling prawns and grew into a 32,000 sq ft food distribution company.

Steven shares his inspiring journey from being a Vietnamese refugee to leading a successful business. He discusses the importance of core values, strategic growth, and delegating tasks.

Key turning points include joining an entrepreneur peer group and implementing EOS/Traction methodologies.

Steven also offers valuable advice and book recommendations for entrepreneurs.

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

Tune in for an episode filled with insights and inspiration!

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/

Steve can be found here:

https://www.oceanking.co.uk/about/

https://www.tiktok.com/@steventhai

https://www.instagram.com/oceankingltd/

https://www.facebook.com/OceanKingLtd

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

Traction by Gino Wickman - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/traction-get-a-grip-on-your-business-gino-wickman/3561744?ean=9781936661831

The Five Dysfunction of a Team by Patrick Lencioni - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-five-dysfunctions-of-a-team-a-leadership-fable-20th-anniversary-edition-patrick-m-lencioni/2980473?ean=9780787960759

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

ChatGPT - https://chatgpt.com/