When we talk about business growth, we often think in numbers. Turnover. Headcount. Margins. But sometimes the most powerful lessons come from the stories behind the stats.
In this week’s ScaleUp Radio blog, I’m sharing key takeaways from my conversations with two very different but equally inspiring founders: Alice Garrett, of Alice Caroline, and Sheila Ako, of Skilled Hands Organisation.
Both have built thriving organisations rooted in creativity and purpose. Their journeys reveal what it really takes to scale not just as a business owner, but as a leader.
What drives your business growth: Personal passion or community impact?
Alice’s business was born from a personal love of Liberty fabric and a desire to make it more accessible. Sheila’s was driven by a mission to empower women through crafts.
Alice started by buying and posting fabric herself, unsure how hard it could really be. Now she leads a team of 34 and sells globally.
Sheila launched her organisation after facing rejection in the job market. She didn’t wait for permission she went out and created opportunities for herself and others.
Takeaway: You don’t need the perfect plan to begin. You need a strong reason to keep going.
Scaling isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing differently.
Both founders grew their businesses by shifting their mindset:
Alice talks about learning to delegate and embrace conflict instead of avoiding it. She’s gone from hating difficult conversations to enjoying them.
Sheila admits she used to do everything herself. Now she’s building a sustainable model, supported by facilitators, trustees and volunteers.
Lesson from my book The Entrepreneurial ScaleUp System: Many founders get stuck because they can’t let go. Growth demands that you stop being the bottleneck.
Leadership Development starts with self-awareness
Alice openly shares how she used to avoid the phone and was conflict-averse. She’s built a culture where feedback is welcomed, and mistakes are seen as learning.
Sheila, naturally introverted, comes alive when talking about Skilled Hands. Her personal transformation is tied to the impact she wants to make.
From our ScaleUp Challenge Report, we know that just 7% of business owners have truly scalable models. One of the biggest blockers? People. Not hiring, but leading them well.
Takeaway: Leadership isn’t about charisma. It’s about clarity, courage and learning to build the right team around you.
Business Planning and Strategic Growth
Alice’s plan is to triple the size of her business with the same team size. She’s focused on efficiency and launching her own fabric line.
Sheila wants to expand across the East Midlands and make Skilled Hands financially independent from grant funding.
Both are clear on where they’re heading but equally honest that it’s taken years to get there.
Lesson: Scaling a business takes time, intention and the willingness to course correct. Don’t fall for the myth of overnight success.
Prefer a Quick Breakdown?
If you're short on time, Granger and I dig into the key takeaways from Alice and Sheila's interviews in our latest ScaleUp Radio Shorts episode.
We talked about how both founders started with a clear personal drive, but grew in very different directions. As Granger put it, "Sheila shows what grit looks like when you build from nothing. Alice shows how structure and culture can scale a brand worldwide."
And I shared why this episode stuck with me: "What stood out is how both of them learned to lead in their own way. Delegation, culture, problem-solving it's all there, and it's real."
Watch the latest episode here:
Listen to the Full Interviews on ScaleUp Radio
ScaleUp Radio is where I sit down with real business owners to uncover what it really takes to scale, the good, the bad, and the breakthrough moments.
This week, you’ll hear from:
Alice Garrett, founder of Alice Caroline, on turning creative passion into a global brand
Sheila Ako Glavee, founder of Skilled Hands Organisation, on building community impact with resilience and heart
Curious What Real Peer Support Looks Like?
If listening to Alice and Sheila made you reflect on your own growth journey, you’re not alone. That’s exactly what our SmartBoards Sneak Peek Sessions are for.
Join a group of ambitious business owners in a live, no-pressure session where we unpack real challenges and share what’s working. It’s a chance to see how structured peer support can help you get clarity and build momentum.
Find out more or reserve your place: https://www.bizsmart.co.uk/how-we-help/
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