Building Relationships and Effective Storytelling: Lessons from Joe Seddon and Mike Dunn on ScaleUp Radio
Posted on 6th September 2024 at 12:27
In this week’s episodes of ScaleUp Radio, we explore two different but complementary approaches to scaling a business, featuring interviews with Joe Seddon, founder of Zero Gravity, and Mike Dunn, co-founder of Excel TM Group. Both entrepreneurs share invaluable insights on how relationship-building, effective storytelling, and strategic marketing helped them grow their ventures.
Whether you’re a tech startup founder or run a service business, these lessons are vital in driving your growth.
The Power of Storytelling in Business – Lessons from Joe Seddon
Joe Seddon’s journey started humbly, with just £200 to create an MVP for Zero Gravity. He aimed to help students from low-income backgrounds access top universities and careers. But it wasn’t just about creating a product—it was about crafting a story that would resonate deeply with investors and talent.
“When I shared my own background and mission to break socioeconomic barriers, it wasn’t just about numbers—it was about changing lives,” Joe says, highlighting the emotional pull of his narrative.
This compelling storytelling helped him attract £425k in pre-seed funding, propelling Zero Gravity’s growth.
Key Takeaways:
Solve One Key Problem – Joe focused solely on breaking down barriers to opportunity for students. It’s a strategy that any entrepreneur can use to avoid distraction and build a stronger brand.
Hiring for Values over Skills – By focusing on values rather than just technical skills, Joe built a team that was passionate about his mission, making his business culture stronger.
Use Storytelling to Attract Investors – A strong narrative can differentiate your business from others, particularly when seeking funding.
For more of Joe’s insights on storytelling and scaling a mission-driven tech startup, listen to his full interview here
Relationship-Building and ROI – Insights from Mike Dunn
Meanwhile, Mike Dunn and his team at Excel TM Group focused on a different but equally important aspect of business: relationship-building. As a leader in construction telemarketing, Mike realized early on that success wasn’t just about generating leads, but about building quality relationships that would deliver ROI for his clients.
“We realised early on that it wasn’t about how many leads we generated, but about building lasting relationships with clients who trusted our process,” Mike explains.
From understanding client goals to creating an environment where employees feel valued, Mike shows that nurturing relationships—both internally and externally—is key to business growth.
Key Takeaways:
Prioritise Quality Over Quantity – Like Mike’s telemarketing approach, focus on building a smaller number of strong, quality leads rather than chasing volume.
Focus on Client Goals – Truly understanding what your client needs and aligning your services to their goals helps drive stronger relationships and better results.
Experiment with Marketing – Mike’s innovative marketing strategies, including hosting industry-specific events and leveraging LinkedIn, illustrate the power of stepping out of the traditional marketing box.
You can hear more about Mike's strategies for relationship-building and ROI in his full interview here.
Common Themes – Building Relationships and Crafting Your Story
Both Joe and Mike’s stories highlight how relationship-building and storytelling can fuel business success. From securing funding to generating leads, these strategies are universal for entrepreneurs at any stage.
Actionable Insights:
Tell your story – Find the heart of your business story and use it to engage stakeholders, whether they are investors, employees, or clients.
Invest in relationships – Building meaningful relationships, especially with clients, will lead to stronger results over time.
Innovate in Marketing – Don’t be afraid to explore unconventional approaches, as Mike Dunn’s success with LinkedIn and event marketing demonstrates.
Conclusion:
Whether you’re building a tech startup like Joe Seddon or running a more traditional business like Mike Dunn, their experiences show that relationships and storytelling are the cornerstones of success. Start applying these insights today to drive your business growth and scale effectively.
Call-to-Action:
Want more insights like these? Subscribe to ScaleUp Radio for regular interviews with successful entrepreneurs sharing their journey.
ScaleUp Radio is more than just a business podcast — We exist to help each other grow.
Find out more HERE
Share this post: