Grown UP Business – Details, episodes & analysis

What if the secret to scaling from 1 to 154 people in just 12 months wasn't about working harder — but building smarter systems? In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, Paul Avins sits down with Richard Woods — three-time bestselling author, award-winning entrepreneur, creator of LinkedIn Breakfast, and founder of a business that's exploded from a one-person operation to a team of 154 in barely over a year. Richard shares his remarkable journey from growing up in an entrepreneurial household (complete with living in a caravan during the tough times) to appearing on BBC's The Apprentice, building and selling three businesses, and discovering why he's not cut out to be a celebrity — but is brilliant at systemising growth. Together, Paul and Richard unpack the brutal lessons from business failure, the hidden traps of coaching without accountability, why discipline beats dopamine every time, and how offshore teams in Nigeria became the unlock for hyper-growth. They also dive deep into LinkedIn strategy, the power of weekly content rhythms, CEO dashboards, and why most entrepreneurs are still firefighting instead of leading. If you're a business owner ready to scale fast, systemise smart, and finally step out of operator mode into true CEO leadership, this conversation is essential listening. Key Takeaways From caravan to half a billion: Richard's entrepreneurial upbringing and the roller-coaster lessons that shaped his risk appetite Why going on The Apprentice taught him he didn't want to be a celebrity — but gave him invaluable sales and negotiation lessons The brutal reality of coaching: why accountability matters more than information How Richard scaled from 1 to 154 team members in 12 months using offshore talent in Nigeria The LinkedIn content system: why a 13-week cycle, weekly moments, and news jacking are game-changers Discipline beats dopamine: why half an hour a day on LinkedIn can generate £100K+ per year CEO dashboards and the power of numbers: how data-driven planning sets you free Why most people struggle with focus — and how the "power of one" unlocks exponential growth The five reasons people buy coaching: leadership, routine, community, personalisation, and accountability What a grown-up business really looks like: when you stop firefighting and start leading strategically About Richard Woods Richard Woods is a three-time bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, investor, and serial entrepreneur who has built and sold three businesses. He's the creator of LinkedIn Breakfast, a thriving community on a mission to become the best place on earth to learn LinkedIn for free, and author of The Million Dollar Sprint. Richard appeared on BBC's The Apprentice in 2015, where he broke records by selling £4.2 million worth of property in 24 hours and reached the final. After exiting his marketing agency and a boiler servicing business, he pivoted into coaching — but quickly realised traditional coaching wasn't enough. That's when he cracked the code: combining coaching with fully trained offshore virtual assistants. In just over a year, Richard scaled his latest business from 1 person to 154 team members, primarily overseas based, helping entrepreneurs systemise their growth, dominate LinkedIn, and build businesses that work without them. His superpower? Systemising scale and making the complex simple. Resources & Links SPECIAL SHOW OFFER - 1:1 with Richard Wood to look at how to effectively outsource the things you should not be doing yourself → Book a Call Join the free 5-Day LinkedIn Challenge → linkedinforbreakfast.com Connect with Richard Woods on LinkedIn → Richard Woods | LinkedIn Learn more about Richard’s Virtual Assistants → Sprint VA Get Richard's book The Million Dollar Sprint → Available on Amazon Follow Paul Avins for Scale Up insights → Paul Avins | LinkedIn Next Steps Action Now: Write down the 3 actions from this episode you'll apply in your business over the next 72 hours. Think Bigger: Ready to systemise your LinkedIn strategy and start generating consistent leads? Join Richard's free LinkedIn for Breakfast community at linkedinforbreakfast.com Scale Up: Get actionable tips from Paul in your inbox every Saturday, Subscribe to Scale Up Saturday Newsletter Level Up: Book a Call with Paul and Get ready to level up your business and transform your life!

What if working less could actually help you scale faster? In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, Paul chats with Ben Coomber, founder of Awesome Supplements and high-performance coach, about how he went from complete burnout and long Covid to running a multi-million pound business while working just 25 hours a week. Ben gets really honest about his journey from being a controlling, fear-driven CEO putting in 70-hour weeks to finally stepping back, hiring a proper COO, and figuring out that his best business ideas actually happen when he's nowhere near the office. They dig into why meditation isn't just wellness nonsense but actually a strategic business tool, how getting seriously ill with long Covid forced him to completely rethink leadership, and why freedom should be the whole point of building a business, not something you get after you've destroyed your health. If you're an entrepreneur burning yourself out trying to control everything, or you're wondering how you can actually scale without sacrificing your health and family time, this conversation is going to challenge everything you think about success. Key Takeaways Get "How to Live an Awesome Life" by Ben Coomber → Available on Amazon and all good bookstores How Ben went from fear-based leadership to running his business from a place of abundance and trust Why working 25 hours a week can actually be way more productive than 70 hours if you get it right When to exit a business before you lose passion and the value tanks How long Covid taught Ben that being healthy isn't just about the physical stuff Why meditation is really about paying attention to yourself and spotting where you need to do the work The five things every CEO should nail: sleep, nutrition, exercise, cutting out alcohol, and creating proper space How to stop being an operator and start thinking like an investor in your own business Why hiring a brilliant COO might be the smartest move you make for scaling About Ben Coomber Ben Coomber is a high-performance coach, speaker, and founder of Awesome Supplements, which has won 21 awards and grown to multi-million pound revenues. After building nutrition coaching businesses and training teams of coaches, Ben launched Awesome Supplements focusing on products that actually taste good and work. Ben wrote "How to Live an Awesome Life" and used to host The Awesome Human Podcast. His whole thing is helping entrepreneurs build successful businesses without wrecking their health, relationships, or sanity in the process. He's a dad of two and reckons businesses should give you the life you want, not eat up your entire existence. Resources & Links Try Awesome Supplements with CEO15 discount code — Awesome Supplements Connect with Ben Coomber — Ben Coomber | LinkedIn Follow Paul Avins — Paul Avins | LinkedIn Next Steps Action Now: Write down the 3 sleep habits from this episode you'll implement in the next 72 hours and test how they impact your performance. Think Bigger: Ready to treat sleep like the business asset it is? Start tracking your sleep data and building your strategic wind-down routine tonight. Scale Up: Get actionable tips from Paul in your inbox every Saturday, Subscribe to Scale Up Saturday Newsletter Level Up: Book a Call with Paul and Get ready to level up your business and transform your life!

What really happens when you step into Dragons’ Den? For most entrepreneurs, pitching on BBC’s Dragons’ Den is the ultimate high‑stakes moment. For Emma Burke, founder of LACEEZE, that moment became a turning point in her journey, as she stepped into the Den, faced the Dragons, and walked out with an investment deal that put her grassroots sports brand on the fast track to growth. In this candid conversation with Paul Avins, Emma reveals the highs and lows behind the headlines – from running a multi‑million pound cleaning company, through the pain of business failure, to reinventing herself in the world of sport with an innovation solving one of football’s simplest but biggest problems. Beyond the Den lights and the deal, the discussion dives into the inner journey of entrepreneurship: knowing when to pivot, learning how to bounce back stronger, and why sharing your authentic story is as powerful as building the business itself. Key Highlights Building a successful business demands consistency, adaptability, and grit through challenges. Delegation is critical to free up the founder’s time for higher-value, strategic growth. Sharing your personal journey and engaging authentically builds a relatable brand that attracts loyal customers. Exposure through platforms like Dragon’s Den can enhance credibility, visibility, and open doors to new partnerships. Listen in for a raw, behind-the-scenes perspective on what it truly takes to grow a brand from kitchen table idea to a household name in grassroots sport. About Our Guest – Emma Burke Emma Burke is the founder of LACEEZE, one of the UK’s fastest‑growing grassroots sports brands, dedicated to solving everyday problems for young athletes. After securing investment on BBC’s Dragon’s Den, Emma has taken LACEEZE from start‑up idea to a business on track for seven‑figure revenues—all while keeping her mission of supporting grassroots sport at the heart of the brand. Resources & Links Connect with Emma Burke on LinkedIn — Emma Burke | LinkedIn Explore the Laceeze's brand — Laceeze | Soccer Accessories Follow Paul Avins for scale-up insights on LinkedIn — Paul Avins | LinkedIn Transform your business at the Grown Up Business Retreat — The Grown Up Business Retreat 2025 Next Steps Action now: Write down the 3 actions from this episode you’ll apply in your business over the next 72 hours. Think bigger: Ready to build your own “grown up” business? Explore free resources at ScaleUpCoaching.com. Scale Up: Get actionable tips from Paul in your inbox every Saturday, Subscribe to Scale Up Saturday Newsletter Level Up: Book a Call with Paul and Get ready to level up your business and transform your life!

What’s it like to sell your business to a billionaire? In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, Paul Avins sits down with Andrew Scott, Founder and CEO of the Ascot Group, serial entrepreneur, investor, and the previous owner of Business Leader magazine, which he successfully sold to billionaire Richard Harpin. Andrew’s story is one of resilience and reinvention: from arriving in the UK aged 18 with no money or qualifications, to scaling his companies to multi-million turnover, building a respected media brand, and ultimately selling it at a premium valuation. Together, Paul and Andrew uncover the mindset, strategies and lessons behind scaling fast, building brand equity, and thinking global – plus what it’s really like negotiating with billionaires. If you’re a CEO or founder aiming to scale faster, increase brand value, or prepare your business for a world-class exit, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways Billionaires move at speed: Deals get done fast – but you must have systems, numbers, and information ready on demand. The 3 Levers of Scale: Everything comes down to lead generation, sales conversion, and customer retention. Brand drives multiples: A strong brand reputation can dramatically increase the price buyers are willing to pay. Good isn’t enough: To scale, you must be willing to break your own business model and reinvent before growth stalls. Lifestyle vs scale-up: Decide if you want comfort or if you want to build enterprise value – the identity shift matters. Health = wealth: Scaling is a full-contact sport – staying physically and mentally fit is essential for resilience. Think global, not local: UK entrepreneurs must widen their horizons to capture true market scale. About Andrew Scott Andrew Scott is the founder and CEO of the Ascot Group and a portfolio of multimillion-pound businesses across marketing, tech, media, home improvement, and property. He is best known for creating Business Leader magazine, which he scaled into the UK’s leading media brand for entrepreneurs before selling it to billionaire investor Richard Harpin. A true self-made entrepreneur, Andrew arrived in the UK at 18 with no money and no qualifications, but went on to build and sell multiple companies while mentoring business leaders and speaking internationally. His upcoming book, Imposter Millionaire, shares his journey from setbacks and adversity to building enduring business success. Resources & Links Connect with Andrew Scott on LinkedIn — Andrew Scott | LinkedIn Learn more about the Ascot Group — ascotgroup.co.uk Follow Paul Avins for Scale Up insights on LinkedIn — Paul Avins | LinkedIn Transform your business at the Grown Up Business Retreat — The Grown Up Business Retreat 2025 Next Steps Action Now: Write down 3 specific strategies from this episode you will apply in the next 72 hours. Think Bigger: Want to increase your company valuation or prepare for exit? Download free resources at paulavins.com. Scale Up: Get actionable tips from Paul in your inbox every Saturday, Subscribe to Scale Up Saturday Newsletter Level Up: Book a Call with Paul and Get ready to level up your business and transform your life! 📘Watch out for Andrew’s new book → Imposter Millionaire (coming soon)

What does it take to turn one product into an 8‑figure global brand and become a category king? In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, Paul Avins talks to Paul Sherratt, founder of gloveglu, about how he scaled from a kitchen‑table side business to a dominant global brand now selling in 55 countries. At 50 years old, Paul made the decision to go all in, remortgaging his house to chase a vision. Today, gloveglu is the category leader in a niche most people ignored. Paul Sherratt is the founder of gloveglu, a global soccer brand that started with a single glove grip spray for goalkeepers. He has built the business past 8 figures in revenue, developed a global distribution network, and grown a community of over 1.3 million social followers. He has also created the FIND IT Framework to help founders identify, claim and dominate their categories, and is building a goalkeeper education and training business alongside his brand. Key Takeaways The FIND IT Framework: Frame, Identify, Niche, Differentiate, Innovate, Test. Why narrowing focus creates faster growth than chasing broad markets. The mindset shift at age 50 that changed everything. Critical hires and systems that took gloveglu from £500k to multi‑millions. How TikTok and YouTube became powerful scale engines. Leadership lessons from handling the sudden loss of a team member. The difference between running a business and building a grown up business with systems and scalability. About Paul Sherratt Paul Sherratt is a sports entrepreneur and the founder of gloveglu, an 8‑figure global brand in the goalkeeper market. Starting with one product, Paul has built a category‑dominating business sold in more than 55 countries, backed by a large online following. He is also developing a worldwide goalkeeper education platform and launching the Find the Gap Podcast to help other founders leverage category creation. Resources & Links Connect with Paul Sherratt on LinkedIn — linkedin.com Learn more about gloveglyu — gloveglue Follow Paul Avins for Scale Up insights on LinkedIn — Paul Avins | LinkedIn Transform your business at the Grown Up Business Retreat — The Grown Up Business Retreat 2025 Next Steps Action Now: Write down the 3 actions from this episode you’ll apply in your business over the next 72 hours. Think bigger: Thinking about scaling your business — get your free resources at Paul Avins Scale Up: Get actionable tips from Paul in your inbox every Saturday, Subscribe to Scale Up Saturday Newsletter Level Up: Book a Call with Paul and Get ready to level up your business and transform your life!

There’s an epidemic of short-term thinking right now on LinkedIn and it’s killing people’s chances of actually building networks that create long-term value. In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, Paul sits down with Mike Jones, CEO of Beep2B and one of the UK’s leading experts in LinkedIn social selling. Mike has generated over £100 million in revenue for himself, his clients and partners in the last 15 years using LinkedIn as a platform for relationship-led growth, not spam tactics. Together, Paul and Mike pull back the curtain on what really works right now on LinkedIn and why most of the training and cold-message “hacks” out there are complete rubbish. If LinkedIn is already part of your marketing (or you know it needs to be), this episode will give you the strategic framework to turn it into seven figures of opportunity. Key Takeaways The 7 behaviours every entrepreneur must master to generate seven figures on LinkedIn How to build long-term asset value in your network instead of chasing short-term metrics Why sending “spray and pray” spam messages kills your brand — and what to do instead The role of AI and automation in outreach (and where it undermines trust) Why trust-based conversations and hand-raiser questions will always outperform pitch-heavy DMs How treating your network as a strategic investment compounds into opportunities years later About Mike Jones Mike Jones is the CEO of Beep2B, a LinkedIn marketing productivity company helping world-class businesses grow faster through authentic digital relationships. He combines tactics, training and technology to free up leaders from wasting time on LinkedIn and instead give them a consistent pipeline of inbound leads, strategic partnerships and high-value opportunities. Resources & Links Connect with Mike Jones on LinkedIn — Mike Jones | LinkedIn Learn more about Beep2b — B2B Marketing & Lead Generation - Beep2B Follow Paul Avins for Scale Up insights on LinkedIn — Paul Avins | LinkedIn Transform your business at the Grown Up Business Retreat — The Grown Up Business Retreat 2025 Next Steps Action Now: Write down the 3 actions from this episode you’ll apply in your business over the next 72 hours. Think bigger: Thinking about scaling your business — get your free resources at Paul Avins Scale Up: Get actionable tips from Paul in your inbox every Saturday, Subscribe to Scale Up Saturday Newsletter

What does it really take to grow a business from a side‑hustle into a multi‑million‑pound, award‑winning brand? In this episode, Paul Avins talks to Sheena Marsh, founder of Oxford Garden Design and RHS Gold Medal winning garden designer, about her journey from the classroom to building one of the UK’s top garden design companies. Sheena shares her honest story of overcoming bullying, facing financial fears, and making the terrifying leap from solopreneur to CEO. Today, her company turns over more than £2 million a year, employs 30+ people, and works with dream clients creating beautiful, wildlife‑friendly gardens. Whether you run a service business, a creative brand, or you’re ready to scale past seven figures, Sheena’s story is packed with lessons on leadership, focus and resilience. Key Takeaways Why the hardest moment of Sheena’s career became the foundation of her success The identity shift of hiring employee number one — and why it changed everything The danger of chasing money over alignment (and the costly mistake it caused) How to say no to the wrong clients so you can attract the right ones Why a predictable business is better than an exciting one if you want freedom The power of pruning — how to cut back distractions, people and products to grow stronger Why financial dashboards and a CFO are essential once you pass seven figures How passion fuels profit — and why your energy disappears if your heart isn’t in it The branding impact of winning high‑profile awards like RHS Gold and People’s Choice About Sheena Marsh Sheena Marsh is the Founder of Oxford Garden Design, one of the UK’s leading garden design and landscaping companies. Starting her career as a teacher, Sheena took the bold leap into entrepreneurship after adversity pushed her to follow her passion for gardens and design. Over the last 20 years, she has transformed Oxford Garden Design from a small solo venture into a multi‑million‑pound business with over 30 employees, delivering award‑winning garden and landscape projects across the UK. Sheena is also a Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Gold Medal Winner, and her company won the coveted People’s Choice Award at RHS Malvern, making history by taking home four awards for a single show garden. Today, Sheena is recognised not only for her stunning designs, but also for her leadership in running a true “grown‑up business” — one that’s predictable, profitable and no longer depends on her day‑to‑day presence. Beyond business, Sheena is on a mission to educate homeowners on how simple changes in their gardens can help wildlife and biodiversity thrive. Resources & Links Connect with Sheena Marsh on LinkedIn — linkedin.com Learn more about Oxford Garden Design — Oxford Garden Design Follow Paul Avins for Scale Up insights on LinkedIn — Paul Avins | LinkedIn Transform your business at the Grown Up Business Retreat — The Grown Up Business Retreat 2025 Next Steps Action Now: Write down the 3 actions from this episode you’ll apply in your business over the next 72 hours. Think bigger: Want to grow your business to the next level — get your free resources at Paul Avins Scale Up: Get actionable tips from Paul in your inbox every Saturday, Subscribe to Scale Up Saturday Newsletter Level Up: Book a Call with Paul and Get ready to level up your business and transform your life!

From Burnout to Breakthrough: Health, AI, and Becoming a Scale Up CEO In this powerful episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, Paul Avins sits down with Carly Meyers, Founder & CEO of Made For More AI, to explore the critical link between entrepreneurial health, automation, and sustainable business growth. Together, they unpack the harsh truth most business owners ignore: Too many entrepreneurs trade their health today for wealth tomorrow, only to pay the price later in burnout, breakdown, or business stagnation. Paul shares his own high-stakes health crisis that forced him to confront this very mindset, while Carly talks about how building automated systems not only saves time but can also free up entrepreneurs from the constant firefighting trap, giving them space to take care of themselves and focus on high-level growth. At the heart of this discussion is a game-changing message: in order to scale to 7 and 8 figures, entrepreneurs must evolve beyond being “operators” and fully embrace the identity of a true Scale Up CEO. With raw honesty and practical insight, Paul and Carly challenge the old narratives of hustle culture and provide a refreshing reminder that health and business are not mutually exclusive—they are deeply intertwined. Key Takeaways The pivotal transition from being an operator to adopting the identity of a Scale Up CEO is non-negotiable for sustainable growth. Health isn’t a “someday fix”—entrepreneurs must invest in it now to avoid burnout and build longevity. Immersive environments like retreats and summits create the breakthroughs that can save you years of wasted time. A supportive peer network is a secret weapon against the isolation and self-doubt of entrepreneurship. True success in business is not just financial but also about quality of life, energy, and long-term fulfilment. About Carly Meyers Carly Meyers is the Founder & CEO of Made For More AI, an innovative consultancy helping service-based businesses harness the power of AI and automation to streamline operations, reclaim their time, and scale profitably. Often described as an AI Growth Architect, Carly has a rare gift for simplifying complex technology so that even the most non-technical entrepreneur can implement it with confidence. Her frameworks have helped founders transform clunky manual processes into scalable, systemised growth engines, freeing them to focus on strategy, impact, and revenue. Carly’s entrepreneurial journey has been fuelled by one core belief: you don’t have to sacrifice health, family, or freedom to grow a thriving business. A sought-after business coach and keynote speaker, she regularly shares the mindset shifts and automation strategies that allow entrepreneurs to build businesses that are both profitable and sustainable. Resources & Links Connect with Carly Meyers on LinkedIn — Carly Meyers | LinkedIn Learn more about Carly — Carly Meyers - AI Growth Architect Follow Paul Avins for Scale Up insights on LinkedIn — Paul Avins | LinkedIn Transform your business at the Grown Up Business Retreat — The Grown Up Business Retreat 2025 Next Steps Action Now: Write down the 3 actions from this episode you’ll apply in your business over the next 72 hours. Think bigger: Thinking about scaling your business — get your free resources at Paul Avins Scale Up: Get actionable tips from Paul in your inbox every Saturday, Subscribe to Scale Up Saturday Newsletter