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

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

Hosted by Brenda Hector

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Episodes

169

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN

About the show

If you are a female business owner, self-employed freelancer, or girl boss who wants to build a successful business i.e. work less hours, make more money, and get better results from your staff, then this is the podcast for you. Hosted by Dr Brenda Hector MBA from ActionCOACH UK, this podcast provides relatable and accessible business advice and inspiration from successful businesswomen who have been there and done it before you. This podcast is where you can • hear female business stories • share business success • learn how to overcome business challenges • get advice for businesswomen aspiring to success • find out what needs to change • discover how we can bring about that business revolution Only 1 in 3 UK entrepreneurs are female. UK men are 5 times more likely than women to build a business of over £1million turnover If UK women matched UK men in starting and scaling businesses, it would add £250 billion to the UK economy (Alison Rose, The Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship 2018) As a woman in business, a business coach, and a business growth expert, Brenda’s mission is to help business owners grow their companies, achieve their goals and live the lifestyle of their dreams. She's the help you need to grow your business.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
June 15, 202630 min

There's No Right Time: Anne Wright on Starting From Scratch, MTD and Building a Business You Love

In this episode of Scale HER Up, I'm joined by Anne Wright, Finance Director of FBD Consultancy — a husband-and-wife accounting practice that started with no clients, no money and a house with no gable end, and has grown into a team of nine over nearly 20 years.Anne is a CIPFA-qualified accountant and a passionate advocate for small businesses. She's also spent 15 years as a QuickBooks software trainer, delivering sessions from Northern Ireland to Orkney — a journey that transformed her confidence and proved that an accountant who says yes to opportunities can end up doing far more than pushing spreadsheets.In this conversation, Anne shares honest reflections on the realities of running a finance business alongside her husband, the financial pressures hitting small businesses right now, and the simple advice she'd give to any business owner: just don't give up.We cover:- What FBD Consultancy does and the clients they work with- The real financial challenges facing small businesses right now — including rising costs, employers' national insurance and Making Tax Digital (MTD) explained clearly- The story of how FBD Consultancy started (hint: it wasn't planned)- Why there's no such thing as the right time to start a business- What nearly 20 years of working alongside your husband actually looks like- The biggest obstacle in running any business: getting paid- Why you have to build a team if you ever want your time back- How Anne went from accountant-behind-a-spreadsheet to confident public trainer- The importance of grabbing opportunities even when you're not sure you can do it- What Anne would tell her 18-year-old self — and why it's advice that's still relevant today- What's next for Anne and for FBD Consultancy**Quote of the episode:** *"Just don't give up. Put one foot in front of the other and see it through."* — Anne WrightIf you're a small business owner who wants to understand your numbers better, or you're thinking about building a team and taking a step back — this episode is full of grounded, practical wisdom from someone who has lived it.

June 12, 202633 min

The Ripple Effect: Mindset, Leadership and Scaling with Purpose — with Julie McCann

In this episode of Scale HER Up, I'm joined by Julie McCann, founder and CEO of Masters in Minds Limited — a leadership, management and organisational development business with 17 years of impact behind it.Julie's story is one of real transformation. She left school at 16 with few qualifications, built her career from the ground up through corporate life, and eventually founded her own business after years of helping other organisations scale and succeed. Today she leads a team of eight full-time staff and 40 associates, and runs a platform business combining HR technology with bespoke learning and development content.In this conversation, Julie and I talk about what it really takes to build a business that changes people's lives — and why the ripple effect of great leadership is bigger than most of us realise.We cover:- What Masters in Minds does and the types of organisations that need it most- The difference between a training programme and a genuine execution strategy- Why strategy so often fails — and what it actually takes to deliver it- Running a business alongside your husband (and how they got better at the boundaries)- Juggling business and family, including self-funding both pregnancies- Why even a sales and marketing expert struggles to articulate their elevator pitch- Keeping going when the media tells you everything is doom and gloom- Why failure, resilience and the ability to bounce back are non-negotiables for any entrepreneur- The ripple effect of great leadership — and why it matters more than you think- Julie's powerful message on age: don't let it define what you can and can't do**Quote of the episode:** *"You teach best what you most need to learn."* — Julie McCannWhether you're building a team, thinking about leadership, or trying to get your strategy off the page and into action — this conversation is full of practical wisdom and honest reflection.

June 8, 202639 min

From Dream to Ice Cream: How Jules Fleming Turned Intuition Into a Thriving Business

What does it take to follow a dream — literally — and turn it into a thriving business?Jules Fleming is the co-owner of Continental Cream, an iconic ice cream and sweet shop in Banchory, Aberdeenshire, that's been delighting customers for over 40 years. Jules bought the shop five years ago after dreaming she owned it, walked in the next day, and asked the previous owners if they wanted to sell. They did.In this episode, Jules shares the honest, unfiltered journey of buying an existing business — the chaotic first summer, the 2am laptop sessions, the staffing challenges, the impact of rising minimum wages and National Insurance on small business profitability, and the slow, deliberate process of building systems so the business can run without you.She also talks about launching an events trailer, being deeply involved in the Banchory Business Association, and why she believes community involvement isn't optional — it's a duty of care.In this episode you'll hear:Why Jules trusted a dream over a business plan — and it workedHow she navigated the first summer with no prior retail experienceThe real impact of minimum wage increases on small businessesHow to manage seasonal staffing and train young employees wellThe test-and-learn approach that led to the events trailerWhy community involvement is good for business AND good for peopleHer top advice for women thinking of buying or starting a business

June 5, 202636 min

Two Founders, Six Boys, and One Shared Mission: Scaling Flexibly with Lisa Gallagher and Nikki Slowey

What happens when you launch a workplace consultancy focused on human connection at the exact moment the entire world goes into strict isolation? In this episode, Dr Brenda Hector sits down with Lisa Gallagher and Nikki Slowey, co-founders of Flexibility Works, to explore their six-year journey running an impactful social enterprise.Both Lisa and Nikki share their matching professional histories: reaching senior levels, navigating motherhood, and hitting absolute organizational brick walls when attempting to negotiate basic part-time or job-share terms. Dr Brenda Hector also shares her personal experience navigating the rigid workplace frameworks of the past as a mother of twins. Together, they highlight why flexible working structures are no longer a modern luxury—they are a critical commercial lever that decreases employee absenteeism, supercharges retention rates, and broadens talent pools.Key Takeaways:The Power of Co-Founding: How sharing executive leadership allows business owners to manage family operations, avoid professional burnout, and survive sudden personal health challenges.Guardrails vs. Free-For-Alls: Why hybrid frameworks require clear, evolving structures instead of static policies to remain sustainable.Frontline Flexibility: How manufacturing and operational environments can successfully implement staggered start times and predictable shifts.Charitable Seed Funding: Navigating the third-sector landscape to fund an initial launch with a distinct poverty alleviation lens.

June 2, 202644 min

Killing the Monster Business: Finding the Courage to Exit with Oyin Adekola

What do you do when you successfully build a business that runs like a well-oiled machine without you, but your heart completely leaves the building? In this episode, Dr Brenda Hector sits down with long-time friend Oyin Adekola, founder of Keeping It Real With Oyin .Oyin opens up about her raw psychological journey of exiting her legendary Aberdeen commercial bakery enterprise, Oh Cakes!, which she grew over 13 years from a single £20 order to a multi-staff empire with its own commercial unit, receptionist, and administration team . She discusses the agonizing two-and-a-half-year period she spent mourning the business before gathering the strength to lock the doors for good to prioritize her family and personal peace .Now working as a specialized parent and youth coach, Oyin shares her core framework for family leadership and explains how she balances systems thinking with authentic communication to mentor the next generation.Key Takeaways:The Trapped Entrepreneur: How Oyin accidentally created a "monster" business that was too large to sell and too consuming to keep .Redefining Success: Why high revenues and public recognition don't matter if you are dying inside on the drive home every evening.Cultural Leadership Styles: Navigating the communication gap between straight-talking Nigerian business values and traditional Aberdeen corporate dynamics .The Family Systems Blueprint: Why your home needs clear structural systems and the three leadership hats: parent, mentor, and coach .

May 28, 202639 min

Beyond Box-Ticking: Driving Commercial Growth Through Social Value with Sarah Stone

How do you transition from advising the Prime Minister in Number 10 Downing Street to running a virtual boutique consultancy that shapes the operating models of global aerospace and tech giants? In this episode, Dr Brenda Hector sits down with Sarah Stone, founder of Samtaler, to demystify the multi-billion-pound world of "social value".Sarah breaks down how a chance encounter with the Procurement Reform Act transformed her career and highlights the harsh business reality every entrepreneur must face: discovering whether a market problem causes enough pain for clients to actually buy a solution. As a military spouse who built a business to survive frequent relocations, Sarah details how she scales an all-female, 100% virtual team by offering radical baseline flexibility.Key Takeaways:Shareholders vs. Stakeholders: Why modern market longevity requires serving your staff, community, and suppliers alongside your bottom line.Compliance is Not Social Value: The critical difference between ticking a legal box and implementing project-specific risk mitigation.The Solopreneur Reality Check: Why it always takes longer to turn a profit than your initial business plan estimates.Servant Leadership: The commercial magic that occurs when you actively build a team of specialists who are smarter than you are.

May 25, 202635 min

Walking Away from "Success": Pivoting to Avoid Burnout with Iska Walter

What do you do when the business everyone else considers "highly successful" is the exact thing causing you to burn out? In this episode, Dr Brenda Hector sits down with Iska Walter, owner of Iska Birnie Photography, to celebrate her ninth year in business and discuss the power of the strategic pivot.Iska shares her journey from working as a car mechanic apprentice in Germany to packing up her life in the Netherlands and moving to Scotland. She reveals how she inherited a fully booked wedding photography pipeline, why shooting 40 weddings in a single year left her with a massive "wedding hangover," and how she made the brave decision to walk away from that revenue to protect her joy and focus on commercial brand photography.We also dive into the realities of being an introvert in a visible industry, the rising demand for real human authenticity over AI-generated images, and the little-known government and private support systems available when self-employed business owners fall ill.Key Takeaways:The Golden Handcuffs of Wedding Photography: Why doing a few things well beats being a "jack of all trades" under constant pressure.An Introvert’s Visibility Strategy: Simple, practical techniques to put yourself and your clients at ease in front of the lens.Authenticity vs AI: Why modern consumers are craving human connection, imperfections, and un-Photoshopped realities.The Self-Employed Safety Net: Crucial insights into New Style ESA and private health support schemes for business owners when disaster strikes.https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowancehttps://www.healthyworkinglives.scot/

May 19, 202636 min

The Entrepreneur vs. The Technician: Scaling Through Acquisition with Katie Backler

What is the difference between starting a career and buying a business? In this episode, Dr Brenda Hector sits down with Katie Backler, Managing Director of Charles White Limited, to explore her 25-year journey leading one of Scotland and Northern Ireland's premier residential property management firms.Katie shares the fascinating story of buying a fifth-generation family business in 2001 and intentionally stepping in as an owner rather than a technician. We trace the strategic evolution of the company, including expanding into Belfast, navigating the financing hurdles of an asset-light service company, and the tough decision to sell their core lettings division to achieve ultimate operational focus.Katie also dives into the realities of working alongside her husband, managing the deep psychological shifts of leadership change, and why her team recently took home the prestigious 2026 Managing Agent of the Year award.Key Takeaways:The E-Myth Approach: Why entering an industry without technical expertise can prevent you from getting bogged down in day-to-day operations.Acquisition Integration: The slow, deliberate process of blending cultures, teams, and ancient ledger systems.Financing Service Companies: How to secure funding when your business has zero physical assets to use as security.Mindset Reframing: Learning to separate your identity from business failure and accepting that success and struggle always coexist.

May 14, 202638 min

Numbers are Chocolate Cake: Scaling Your Fractional Finance with Fiona Purves

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.

May 11, 202636 min

From £7 to Financial Freedom: Scaling Businesses That Run Without You with Lisa Schoneville

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 .

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