Many business owners assume that hiring more people and increasing revenue means their business is scaling. But growth and scaling aren’t the same thing. True scaling means increasing value without increasing complexity something many businesses struggle to achieve. 
 
In this week’s episode of ScaleUp Radio, we spoke with two entrepreneurs who approach this challenge from very different angles: 
 
Doug Betts (Sure Betts HR Solutions) – Helping businesses rethink their approach to HR and leadership, moving from reactive problem-solving to proactive culture-building. 
Rafmary Baker (Cambridge Business Online Centre) – Transforming business education and skills training, proving that personalised learning is key to long-term success. 
 
Both Doug and Rafmary challenge traditional thinking whether it’s how businesses manage people or how individuals develop the skills needed to succeed. Their insights highlight the critical role of leadership and tailored learning in scaling effectively. 

Scaling from Within: Doug Betts’ Leadership Approach 

Doug helps businesses scale by developing leadership and culture. Instead of fixing HR problems when they happen, he works with business owners to train leaders and build strong teams from the start. 
 
One of the biggest obstacles to scaling is founders struggling to delegate. Many business owners are too involved in day-to-day operations, preventing their company from growing beyond them. Doug also warns that many businesses promote employees based on technical ability, not leadership skills which often results in weak management structures. 
 
His approach focuses on: 
✅ Training leaders within the business so that the founder doesn’t need to manage every decision. 
✅ Moving HR from reactive to proactive preventing issues instead of constantly firefighting. 
✅ Avoiding the Founder’s Trap business owners should focus on high-value tasks instead of getting caught up in small, low-impact work. 
 
Doug asks business owners a simple but powerful question: 
👉 Are you spending time on £100,000 tasks, or are you stuck doing £10 tasks? 
 
By shifting focus, businesses can scale effectively without the founder being involved in every decision. 

Scaling Through Personal Empowerment: Rafmary Baker’s Approach 

Rafmary’s business, Cambridge Business Online Centre, helps individuals develop practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship. 
 
She believes that traditional education doesn’t work for everyone. Many people struggle in business not because they lack talent, but because they haven’t been given the right learning experience. 
 
Her key insights include: 
✅ Personalised learning beats one-size-fits-all education people thrive when they’re taught in ways that match their strengths. 
✅ Soft skills are just as important as technical skills confidence, communication, and resilience are essential for success. 
✅ Entrepreneurship is a path to freedom but only with the right support. Many aspiring entrepreneurs need mentorship, structured learning, and real-world guidance to succeed. 
 
One of her most powerful takeaways is this: 
👉 We are all one opportunity away from changing our lives. The key is having the right tools and mindset to take that step. 
 
Rafmary’s work focuses on removing barriers helping people gain the skills they need to succeed in business and life. 

Scaling Smart: What Can You Apply to Your Business? 

Doug and Rafmary’s stories highlight two key ways to think about scaling one focused on business leadership, the other on personal development. 
 
Here are three questions to consider for your own growth: 
 
1️⃣ Are you leading or just managing? Many business owners hold onto too much control. True leaders empower their teams to run the business without them. 
 
2️⃣ Are you hiring the right people or just the most technically skilled? Not everyone needs to be a manager. Recognising leadership potential is key to scaling. 
 
3️⃣ Are you learning the right skills? Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a leader, education should be practical, not just theoretical. 
 
 

How BizSmart Supports Scaling Businesses 

Scaling your business doesn’t have to be a solo journey. BizSmart provides resources and frameworks designed to support leaders like you. Here’s how we can help: 
 
Tune into episodes for inspiring stories and practical strategies to scale your business. Learn from real-world experiences like Doug’s and Rafmary’s. 
 
Our programs provide strategic clarity, accountability, and a peer community to help you navigate challenges. With 90-day planning cycles and expert coaching, you can focus on what matters most. 
 
📖 Kevin Brent’s Book: The Entrepreneurial ScaleUp System 
This step-by-step guide draws on BizSmart’s experience to help you build a business that supports your goals—without being trapped in the day-to-day. 
 
For an even deeper dive, check out our upcoming AI-generated podcast episodes summarising key insights from ScaleUp Radio. Perfect for busy entrepreneurs, these summaries bring the most valuable lessons straight to your ears. 
 

Take the Next Step 

What’s the biggest challenge holding you back from scaling your business? 
 
👉 Discover actionable insights and proven strategies on ScaleUp Radio. Listen now and subscribe to never miss an episode. 
 
👉 Ready for a more tailored approach? Book a discovery call with Kevin Brent to explore how BizSmart can empower your growth journey. 
 
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