Are you spending three hours a week on bookkeeping when you should be making sales? Dr. Brenda Hector is joined by Fiona Purves, owner of Defacto FD, to discuss why your business numbers are more than just a tax bill—they are the story of your success.

Fiona shares her transition from corporate industry to setting up a "pick and mix" finance department for small businesses. We dive into the importance of professional accreditation, why your bookkeeper might be feeling "professionally lonely," and how Fiona’s background as a yoga teacher brings a philosophy of "Karma Yoga" (selfless service) to her accounting practice.

Key Takeaways:

• The Defacto Model: Scaling your finance department up and down based on your current needs.
• The Novel in the Numbers: Learning to see the real story behind the profit and loss sheet.
• The Un-Photoshopped Version: Why your accountant is your most trusted, judgment-free sounding board.
• Dooking and Balance: Why wild dipping and walking are Fiona's "non-negotiables" for avoiding burnout.

Lisa Schoneville’s journey is a powerful case study in the difference between owning a job and owning a business. From counting out pennies to afford nappies to building two multi-staff companies that operate entirely without her, Lisa’s story is a masterclass in resilience and strategic systemisation.

What happens when your "flexible" business starts consuming 60 hours of your week? For serial entrepreneur Lisa Schoneville, it was the catalyst for a radical change in strategy. In this episode, Dr Brenda Hector talks with the founder of a thriving cleaning company and a specialised property management firm—both of which now operate with only 5% of her direct involvement.

Lisa shares her raw and inspiring journey, from leaving a secure bank management career to counting out £7 in copper jars just to buy nappies. We dive into the importance of "straight-talk" from your accountant, why she pays her staff above minimum wage, and the unique employee benefits (like 24/7 counselling) that have supercharged her team's loyalty.

Key Takeaways:

• The Entrepreneurial Shift: How to move from being a "busy fool" to building an income that doesn't rely on you.
• Staff as Assets: Why valuing staff with better pay and mental health support leads to higher retention and growth .
• The Power of "Yes": Jumping into opportunities (like serviced apartments) even when you don’t yet know the "how" .
• The Freedom of Choice: Why money isn't just about wealth—it's about the ability to choose how you spend your time .

In this episode of Scale Her Up, I’m joined by Donna Sutherland, founder and Head of Commercial at Veri Energy, Vice President of the Scottish Energy Forum, and a Visiting Professor at Strathclyde University.

Donna shares her remarkable career journey through the energy sector, from starting on the trading floor at Scottish and Southern Energy to leading major commercial and project work in oil and gas, and now helping shape the future of the energy transition through Veri Energy.

We talk about leadership, communication, energy policy, innovation, determination and the importance of protecting jobs, skills and communities as the energy system evolves.

This is a powerful conversation about ambition, problem-solving, backing yourself and using your voice to influence change at the highest levels.

• What Veri Energy does and why it was created
• How existing energy infrastructure and skills can support the energy transition
• Donna’s journey through utilities, oil and gas and into transition leadership
• Why communication is critical in complex, high-stakes sectors
• The challenge of influencing government and key stakeholders
• Donna’s passion for renewable power and synthetic fuels
• Why she believes Scotland should be at the forefront of energy innovation
• The importance of protecting jobs and communities during transition
• Women in the energy sector and the barriers they still face
• Why women need to stop waiting to be asked and start taking space
• ADHD, focus and using your brain as a strength in leadership

• Donna’s determination to keep progressing an idea even when funding was not initially available
• Her reflections on communication as one of the most important skills in business
• Her honesty about women having to work harder to be heard
• Why she believes Scotland needs engineering-led solutions, not just policy-led ones
• “We don’t need to be asked. We need to just take it.”
• “We need to get back to what we are bloody good at.”

Born and bred in Aberdeen, Elaine is an expert is all things kitchen and remodeling. As an owner of John Willox Kitchen Design for over 10 years Elaine is well-versed and experienced in running a thriving business. In today episode, Elaine reflects on her journey to this point, the challenges COVID-19 brought to her business, and her advice to fellow business owners on how to shape their team ,and the key traits needed to create the perfect team. 

Rachel Mearns is the principal at the Aberdeen Academy of Performing Arts. She has a passion for dance and drama and has turned it into a successful full-time business. At her school not only does she teach a variety of ages but a variety of styles and disciplines. In today’s episode she shares her entrepreneurial journey from a roadside lemonade stand, to Young Enterprise at school, to then graduating with a Law degree and now running a thriving academy with over 400 pupils. Rachel and Brenda also discuss the current challenges facing businesses in Aberdeen city centre, the many hats business owners wear, and the 24/7 lifestyle you have as a business owner. 

It’s time to lay down the law. Today's episode features Stephanie Mann, A partner at Laurie & CO solicitors LLP. She specialises in all things property and estate law, helping people of all different backgrounds across Scotland. As a partner of an all-female partner firm, Stephanie speaks about the challenges she faced as a young female starting out in a generationally male field. She’s experienced all types of firms (big and small) and has been working since her first traineeship. Brenda and Her speak about the worries of managing your own business, her advice to the younger generations, and how she builds her perfect team. 

Today’s podcast is all about the money- specifically what women can do to plan for their finances. When Rhian Morgan started at Accumen Financial Planning in 2006, it was because she loved meeting and speaking to people within the financial sector. Nearly 20 years later she has risen through the ranks from paraplanner to financial advisor and is now a director at the company. In this episode, Rhiann and Brenda speak about what makes you want to stay at the same company for so long, the challenges she's faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, and the lessons she’s learned throughout her roles in the company. 

For the past 30 years Margeret has built her company Margeret Brown consulting, a leadership coaching business, from the ground up. After dropping out of university Margaret didn’t let that set her back, and instead threw herself into the workforce with zeal, she shortly found herself in sales- where her strong leadership and customer feedback allowed her to rise above the rest. After joining the business gateway program in the 90s, she created numerous courses focusing on sales strategy, effective leadership and personal growth. The course became nationally recognised, and gave her opportunities to coach businesses internationally and work with the Chamber of Commerce. On today's podcast Brenda and Margaret talk about what business coaching really is, challenges misconceptions around it, and how leaders can unlock their own awareness and scale their business up to a new level.  

After 17 years working in the financial sector Sarah Smith was made redundant in 2019. While some may view this as a loss, Sarah saw this as a sign for her to finally pursue her passion. So, in January of that year, Sarah started Lightbulb.Coach. A coaching service set out to help shape the futures of young people in school and beyond. In today’s episode Sarah talks about her journey as a business owner, speaks about what coaching is and the power it can have, gives her advice to the parents of young people who may be struggling and shares what she would tell her 18-year-old self. 

Elaine Arthur of QA Vehicle Solutions in a conversation with Brenda Hector  shares her experiences and insights on overcoming gender barriers in the automotive industry, creating a supportive work environment, and networking for business success. Elaine discussed her personal journey, the importance of treating staff like family, and emphasized the value of collaboration, networking, and learning from mistakes. The conversation highlighted the challenges and opportunities in the industry and the importance of building relationships and trust.

Brenda Hector and Denise Pitot of The ActionCOACH Foundation discuss the importance of instilling an entrepreneurial mindset in young people and nurturing their business ownership skills. They emphasize the need for access to childcare, funding, and visibility for female entrepreneurs, as well as the value of ActionCOACHes in helping owners become proficient at the operational aspect of their businesses. They also discuss the challenges facing female entrepreneurs in male-dominated environments and the importance of educating young people about entrepreneurship. The speakers emphasize the need for more women in business to encourage economic growth and add value to the UK economy, and highlight the potential benefits of involving schools and other institutions in entrepreneurship education programs.

For more information or to support the Young Entrepreneur Smart Start program contact denisepitot@actioncoach.co.uk

"If this won't matter in 5 years, don't spend long on it now" great advice from the founder of Planner Bee VA Services 

Maya Vertigans always knew that her fate was to be a business owner so she started straight out of university. In this episode, she talks to Brenda Hector of ActionCOACH about her journey and shares the message she would give to her 18-year-old self "Worry less and trust yourself, everything will work out" 

Caitlin Mackenzie and Jenny Soutar are serial entrepreneurs, sisters-in-law and 'The Property Girls'. Jenny describes herself as accidentally a business owner but as they tell their story it's clear that she has found her purpose. 

The Property Girls provide a comprehensive holiday let management service within 25 minutes of travel from Blairgowrie, the tourist heart of Perthshire

In this interview with Brenda Hector of ActionCOACH the girls share their philosophy for business and the advantages of partnering with a complementary personality style. 

In this episode of Scale Her Up, I’m joined by Annie Kenyon, founder of Annie Kenyon Architects.

Annie shares the story behind building her architectural practice over the last 20 years, growing it from a sole practitioner business into a respected studio known for creativity, honesty and beautiful design.

We talk about what it means to grow a business without losing sight of your values, why being selective about the work you take on matters, and how Annie has balanced entrepreneurship, leadership, motherhood and creativity along the way.

This is an honest and thoughtful conversation about building a business that reflects who you are, surrounding yourself with the right people, and making sure success is defined on your own terms.

• How Annie started her business and why she came back to Aberdeenshire
• Her journey into architecture and the alternative route she took into university
• Why values have shaped every stage of the business
• The importance of saying no to the wrong work
• Building a team around creativity, trust and shared standards
• The reality of juggling business ownership and raising four children
• Why systems, support and coaching matter
• The challenges of cash flow, growth and leading a creative business
• What Annie has learned in 20 years of entrepreneurship
• Why women in business need to define success for themselves

• Why Annie said no to a project early on, even when she needed the work
• Her reflections on balancing creativity and the commercial side of business
• The role values play in building the right team
• Why support, coaching and mentors make such a difference
• “Be careful what you wish for”
• “If you’re not enjoying it, what’s the point?”

Karin Ovari of Safety Collaborations explains how culture, communication and leadership can save money and lives in dangerous environments.

Ronnie Krupa is a tutor supporting pupils and students in various subjects through school, college and university. Realising that her time is finite, she has launched Walron Ltd, a tutoring agency to scale the service. Ronnie shares her learnings, challenges and goals for the future with Brenda Hector. 

Laura Mearns of Northwood North East chats with Brenda Hector about her journey as a business owner, growing her tight-knit high-performing team and the juggle of business and personal life. Her biggest tip for making it work...rest and recuperate when you need to. 

Rachel Fyfe of Tartan Competitions shares her entrepreneurship journey with Brenda Hector. Being self-employed has enabled Rachel and her husband to achieve a work-family-life balance.  

"Go be amazing you talented human!" is the mantra for success and personal growth at House of Hair in Aberdeen. Founder and Creative Director Lorraine Malcolm shares her story, her passion for making her customers feel good and her team feel empowered comes across loud and clear in this interview with Brenda Hector of ActionCOACH. Its not been a smooth journey but with the support of her network and loyal customers, some of whom have been with her for 20 years, and a lot of grit and determination has built a successful and award-winning salon. 

Karen Smith of BWC Aberdeen is in the spotlight with Brenda Hector. 

Karen shares her career journey from unqualified office junior to senior executive, director and shareholder, and solopreneur.  

A skilled communicator, salesperson and coach, Karen shares her advice for creating a high-performing sales team. 'People buy from people' and the best salespeople are warm, honest, friendly and open.  

Karen has recently launched the Aberdeen BWC (Business Women Connect) franchise and the response has been unprecedented demonstrating how important supportive networking groups like this are to the market 

https://www.bwcaberdeen.co.uk 

If you love cycling or mountain biking in some of the most remote and untouched wildernesses on the planet but, you're in need of an experienced guide, then Catherine Shearer, CEO at H+I Adventures can help you top that adventure!

Now "15 years deep" into a prosperous business, she and her husband continue to craft life-affirming MTB and E-MTB adventures all around the world.

If you're an entrepreneur looking for adventure this podcast episode is one you should not miss!

Join me as I sit down with Dineo Ledwaba-Chapman. She is an advocate for women’s wealth and financial well-being. As a specialist financial planner, she helps professional and entrepreneurial women Live For Today and Plan For Tomorrow.

Transformational life coach Gillian Fowler shares her inspiring story of overcoming serious injury and becoming a business owner.

Find out about the collaboration between Gillian and Brenda, and join the 6-week Programme: HERE

Today we have Danae Shell the Co-founder and CEO of Valla with us on Scale Her Up. Danae shares her business story and we talk about getting investors or grants for your business. She will also talk about discrimination in the workplace and what you should be doing as an employer, as well as what to do when looking for new people to join your business.

Danae: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaeyshell/

In this episode of Scale Her Up, I’m joined by Charlotte Nichols, founder of Harvey & Hugo.

Charlotte shares how her business helps clients amplify their voices through storytelling across PR, media, podcasts, video and social media, and why the stories people feel are the ones that truly drive action.

We talk about emotion in marketing, trust, credibility, confidence, communication and what it takes to build a business around your authentic self rather than the version you think the world expects.

Charlotte also shares the story behind the name Harvey & Hugo, why she stopped trying to fit a corporate mould, and what she has learned from 17 years of running a business, building a team and growing as a leader.

This is a thoughtful, honest and inspiring episode for women in business who want to build brands with more personality, more confidence and more connection.

• What Harvey & Hugo does and how storytelling supports business growth
• Why emotion matters so much in marketing and sales
• The difference between awareness and trust
• Charlotte’s idea of the emotional selling point
• The story behind Harvey and Hugo
• Why being more yourself in business creates stronger connections
• What Charlotte has learned about leadership and resilience
• The challenges of building the right team
• Why communication styles matter in leadership and recruitment
• The value of coaching, business networks and external support
• How personal experiences can shape the way we show up in business

• Why people buy on feeling first and logic second
• Charlotte’s reflections on trying to fit into a more corporate mould
• The role her dogs played in the early identity of the brand
• Why “your voice matters” is such an important message
• “Back yourself.”
• “What’s the best that can happen?”

This week I have Maggie Gorman the Business Support and Development Director at Ceteris (Scotland) Ltd with me on Scale Her Up. Maggie has an abundant history in business and is here to share her story. She shares some advice for starting and growing your business, tips to deal with a fluctuating economy and what you might do when selling your business.

This week on Scale Her Up I have Andrew Wright, The CEO and co-founder of SmartPA. He talks about his story and Empowering women. In its time, SmartPA has provided free training to over 30,000 women that didn't have access to any. So come join us and see what you can do to help build up the numbers of women in business.

This week on Scale Her Up I have Jago Brown from Lead5050 and Equality Starts at Home with me on the podcast. Jago talks about his personal life, and what we can do to help bring about equality in the workplace. We will also talk about flexible working and how you can manage a busy schedule with your home life.

Jago's links:

https://www.lead5050.com/

https://www.equalitystartsathome.com/

https://www.thirdshift.co.uk/

This week on Scale Her Up we have 3 guests. Catherine McManus, Catherine Livingstone and Laura Smith from Wylie & Bisset LLP are with me to talk about their experiences as women in the workplace. As well as this we will also discuss work-life balance in your business, motherhood while working, and communicating with clients.

This Week is a First for the Scale Her Up Podcast, we have a male guest! Brad Walsh Is the creator and host of the Empowerography Podcast. Empowerography is a platform that enables women to share their stories and successes with the world. So, this week Brad talks about his journey, his platform, and we discuss what we can all do to help women in and out of the business world.

Brad's Podcast:

https://empowerographypodcast.square.site/home

This week I have Diana Muzzall from Jotolio Photography and Video Marketing Confidence. She talks about her experience of running her business for 22 years and what she has learnt along the way. She also shares some tips of what you can do to help you with making and marketing your videos, as well as some of the things you can expect to see when starting.

Video Marketing Confidence: videomarketingconfidence.com

This week I have Gillian Martin, an MSP for Aberdeenshire East in the SNP. She is the founder of the Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire branches of Women for Independence and is on the podcast today to talk about the enterprise gap in Scotland and the UK, her experience in running a business and what we can do to help bring change to the current gender gap in self-owned businesses.

This week on the Scale Her Up podcast I have Nicola Davidson from Optimul and The Success Formula Academy. We talk about Creating a good work culture for your business and employees, dealing with burnout and about her newly launching Business The Success Formula Academy.

This week on Scale Her Up I have Laura Friedl-Hirst, Managing Director and Principal Consultant at LFH Regulatory Limited. We talk about her journey as a business-woman, the importance of her team to her business and some tips for people looking to start and grow their businesses.

This week on Scale Her Up I have Claire Middlebrook of Middlebrooks Business Recovery & Advice. We chat about managing a team, the flexibility of working on your own business and selling businesses.

In this episode of Scale HER Up, I’m joined by Lisa Ironside, owner of The HR Dept Aberdeen Shire and Bagamoyo Consulting Limited.

Lisa shares how Bagamoyo Consulting began as her first business after leaving the corporate world, creating a space for her passion around inclusion, culture, diversity and belonging. She then added The HR Dept Aberdeen Shire as a natural extension, bringing practical HR consultancy and employment law support to small and medium-sized businesses who need trusted advice but do not have in-house HR.

We talk about what small business owners really need when they start hiring, why getting proper contracts and advice in place matters, and how strong communication, clear business values and honest conversations can prevent people problems from escalating. Lisa also explains why the Employment Rights Bill does not need to be something business owners fear, as long as they lead fairly and communicate well.

Lisa is also very open about her own journey into business. She talks honestly about redundancy, illness, recovery, burnout, rebuilding at her own pace, and finding the courage to create a business that reflects her values. It is a thoughtful conversation about leadership, purpose, resilience and the freedom that comes from building something your own way.

• What Bagamoyo Consulting and The HR Dept Aberdeen Shire each do
• Why small businesses need proper HR and employment law support from the start
• The risks of copying contracts and policies from the internet
• What business owners should be clear about before they hire
• Why company purpose, values and story matter when attracting people
• The importance of honest conversations and tackling issues early
• Lisa’s transition from corporate life into entrepreneurship
• Building a business while managing illness, change and personal challenges
• Hiring her first team member and what that made possible
• Why heart-led leadership can still be commercially strong
• The role of music, inclusion and human connection in Lisa’s wider work
• Her advice to women in business about trusting themselves and taking space

Wendy Harris from Making Conversations Count LTD is with me this week on the podcast. We talk about conversing with customers, and telemarketing, as well as her story of becoming an entrepreneur, and how she balances running her business and living her life.

Making Conversations Count: wagassociates.com

This week Adriana Alvarez joins me on the podcast. Adriana is the CEO and Founder of AMA Publishing where she teaches women how to start highly profitable publishing companies. Her goal is to create 10,000 female owned publishing companies by 2027. She talks about how she got round to stating her business, personal challenges she dealt with and how she overcame them, and how to incorporate your business online(and if you need too!).

Adriana's Website: adrianamoniquealvarez.com

In this heartfelt episode of Scale Her Up, Brenda is joined by Abi Clarke, founder of MISS – Miscarriage Support. Abi shares the story behind starting and running a non-profit organisation that supports women and families through pregnancy loss, and the realities of building and sustaining a mission-driven organisation.

Abi talks openly about the emotional and practical challenges she’s faced along the way, from doing “all the things” herself in the early days to learning how to delegate, build a team and create more sustainable ways of working. She and Brenda explore the differences between running a charity and a traditional business, and the similarities when it comes to leadership, vision and resilience.

You’ll hear about the impact MISS is having in communities, how Abi looks after herself while holding space for others, and her hopes and plans for the future of the organisation. This is an inspiring listen for anyone running – or thinking about starting – a non-profit, social enterprise or purpose-led business.

In this episode, we cover:

• Abi’s personal journey to founding MISS – Miscarriage Support
• The realities of starting and growing a non-profit
• Learning to delegate and trust your team
• Balancing passion for the cause with the demands of running an organisation
• Why boundaries and self-care matter for founders in the caring space
• Abi’s vision for the future of MISS and the support it provides

Perfect for you if:

You’re a female founder or leader in the non-profit or social impact space, or you’re considering starting a charity or community organisation and want a real, honest insight into what it takes.

Abi's Social

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abi-clarke/

MISS - Miscarriage Support

https://miss-support.org.uk/

To celebrate the 1 year anniversary of The Scale Her up Podcast, our host Brenda Hector has the microphones turned on her this week as Wendy Harris from ‘Making Conversations Count’ podcast asks her about the route to entrepreneurship and Business coaching. Brenda opens up about her biggest business challenge which is her personal battle through peri-menopause and how she has helped other entrepreneurs cope with menopause in business.

Scale Her Up: https://www.facebook.com/groups/scaleherup

Wendy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyannharris/

Wendy's Podcast: https://makingconversationscount.com/

This week I am joined by Anne-Lise Kadri, a woman who switched her career to her hobby after working as a teacher for over 20 years. She Talks about how her experience as a teacher has helped her to coach other voice actors and use timetabling to manage her work week, as well as what you can do making the switch and how others could benefit .

This week I am joined by Rebecca Wiener McGregor, a consulting hypnotist certified by the National Guild of Hypnotists. She talks about how practices such as meditation and mindfulness can free you from your woes in your entrepreneurial journey. Join me this episode for some inspirational and eye-opening tips and insights to help you on your journey.

Kaitlyn Carlson, the founder and CEO of Theory Planning Partners, is with Brenda this week to chat about her journey as a Financial Advisor and entrepreneur. She shares some tips for your running your business as well as the benefits of having a financial plan.

This week I have Monica Gostic, an award winning nutrition coach and scientist in to talk about how building your personal health can help with managing your business.

Links :

www.monikagostic.com

www.instagram.com/healthnfitness_coach/

www.facebook.com/DrMonikaGostic

Ciara Stockeland talks about how she has built businesses throughout her life and tips for what you can do when building your business to help you become a successful entrepreneur.

Links:

www.ciarastockeland.com

www.theboutiqueworkshop.com

www.linkedin.com/in/cstockeland

Instagram:

@cstockeland

@joinboutiqueworkshop

Lisa Clunie of Thrive Studios talks about her journey as a businesswoman and why your personal brand is important to your business.

In this episode of Scale Her Up, I’m joined by Alena Duncan, founder and Chief Executive and Operating Officer of NexEndo Healthcare.

Alena shares the story behind building a clinical services company that supports both NHS and private patients, helping to reduce waiting times in endoscopy and other specialist services while keeping patient safety and clinical governance at the heart of everything.

We talk about her journey from nursing into law, consultancy and then founding NexEndo Healthcare, as well as the realities of growing a business in a highly regulated and male-dominated industry.

This is a fascinating conversation about leadership, persistence, communication, problem-solving and what it really takes to build a purpose-led healthcare business.

• What NexEndo Healthcare does and how it supports NHS and private patients
• Why reducing waiting times in healthcare matters so much
• The challenge of marketing sensitive health services
• Alena’s journey from nursing to law to business ownership
• What she has learned about herself as a founder and leader
• Why communication has been a thread through her whole career
• The importance of trusted people around you in business
• Growing from a small team to a much larger operation
• The realities of regulation, policy and compliance in healthcare
• The barriers to entry for smaller providers in Scotland
• Why persistence and strong opinions can be an asset in business

• Why patients need services that feel accessible and easy to talk about
• Alena’s reflections on finding her voice in a male-dominated world
• Her honesty about having to be firm in order to be heard
• The challenge of selling services people only seek when they have a problem
• “Don’t be scared of being opinionated as a woman.”
• “If you don’t try, you never know whether you’re going to succeed.”

Sarah Harley discusses her journey as a businesswoman, taking over from her mother and working alongside her husband. As a lettings agent in Aberdeen, through global economic crises, oil price crashes and a pandemic, she certainly knows that "success through hard times is very satisfying"

Hannah Lloyd shares her top tips to becoming the most connected person in the area, and being a finalist in the Association of Scottish Businesswomen Awards (Spoiler: she only went and won it!!)

Australian single Mum and entrepreneur Sandy Forster shares her journey to becoming wildly wealthy. You can connect with Sandy using her social media links below Facebook Page: Https://www.facebook.com/Sandylforster/ Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/LawofattractionprosperitysecretsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandylforster/ About Sandy: https://www.wildlywealthy.com/about-sandy/ Website: https://www.wildlywealthy.com