Scaling Success: The Bold Moves, Team Culture, and Community-Driven Insights You Need to Know
Posted on 8th November 2024 at 15:40
In the world of business, growth is seldom a straight line. It takes resilience, a dedicated team, and an unshakable drive. This week on ScaleUp Radio, we spoke with two dynamic founders whose journeys redefine what it means to scale with purpose: Corrine Amos, founder of Cut Loose London, a thriving video production company, and Coco & Kiki, an ethical fashion brand, and Roman Loban, creator of FMPay, an innovative payment processing platform, and Zebra, a business management app.
Both entrepreneurs bring fresh perspectives to building a business that not only thrives but makes a lasting, positive impact on their communities. Want to hear it straight from them? Check out our special podcast episode summarising their key lessons and insights below. Dive in for a more personal look at how these founders approached challenges, growth, and building strong teams.
Here’s what every business owner can learn from their journeys.
Persistence and a Positive Mindset are Essential
For both Corrine and Roman, persistence was non-negotiable. Starting a business meant embracing a “can-do” attitude—even when the odds seemed stacked against them. Corrine’s mantra? Sometimes, you’ve just got to be “cheeky” and push through uncomfortable asks to secure the big clients. Roman’s perspective was that a dose of naïveté can fuel the boldness to tackle new challenges head-on.
This approach to persistence doesn’t just build a business; it builds the entrepreneur too. Corrine’s journey even led her to row across the Atlantic—a feat that reinforced the power of focusing on small wins and resilience, lessons that she applies in her business approach every day.
“You need to have a certain degree of naivety about how easy it’s going to be… convince yourself first of all that it’s doable.” — Roman Loban
Team and Culture: The Backbone of Growth
A strong team culture is at the heart of both Corrine and Roman’s businesses. For Corrine, this means hiring people she genuinely enjoys spending time with—valuing character as much as skill. Her rule of thumb? If you wouldn’t want to grab a pint with them, they might not be the right fit. Roman, on the other hand, emphasizes ownership within his team. Each person is “the boss” in their domain, which fosters a sense of empowerment and accountability.
Both approaches underscore the idea that a business’s culture is as crucial as its strategy. A strong culture drives productivity, loyalty, and, ultimately, growth.
“If you wouldn’t go for a bag of chips or a pint with them, then it’s not going to work.” — Corrine Amos
Navigating Challenges with Resilience
Every business journey has its challenges, from funding to operational hurdles. Corrine’s experience rowing across the Atlantic taught her the importance of resilience and appreciating small victories. Roman has learned that there’s always something on the horizon, an endless cycle of learning and adapting.
In their respective fields, both founders have adopted a community-centered approach. Corrine’s ethical production practices in Coco & Kiki reflect her commitment to fair labor and sustainability. Roman’s focus on building a local business ecosystem in Cheltenham highlights the impact of keeping business close to home.
“Sometimes you can just skim by things and not appreciate the small wins.” — Corrine Amos
Conclusion: Insights for Scaling with Purpose
From persistence to people, the journeys of Corrine Amos and Roman Loban reveal the core ingredients to scale a business successfully: a clear vision, a dedicated team, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference. Their stories show that when you build with purpose, the rewards go beyond profit—they make an impact in communities and in the lives of others.
How BizSmart and ScaleUp Radio Can Help You Scale Your Business
Corrine and Roman’s stories on ScaleUp Radio highlight the crucial ingredients of persistence, strong team culture, and a community-driven approach to business growth. These are also the foundations of BizSmart's mission: supporting founders and leaders to scale successfully by turning challenges into growth opportunities. Here’s how we can help:
ScaleUp Radio: Our podcast connects you with real stories and expert advice from leaders who’ve successfully scaled their businesses. Episodes like Corrine’s and Roman’s provide practical insights that you can apply directly to your own business.
SmartBoards® and Smart90®: At BizSmart, our programs offer the structure, strategic clarity, and peer accountability that business owners need to grow sustainably. SmartBoards® are designed for owners who want to be part of a community of like-minded entrepreneurs, sharing insights and getting practical advice. Smart90® helps translate your strategic goals into actionable 90-day plans, building a culture of ownership and commitment within your team—just as Roman emphasizes in his business philosophy.
Kevin Brent’s Book, The Entrepreneurial ScaleUp System: Dive into Kevin’s comprehensive guide to scaling up, drawing on our extensive experience working with business leaders. Just like Corrine’s journey of resilience, this book offers a clear, step-by-step approach for achieving sustainable growth without sacrificing your well-being or your team culture.
Book a Discovery Call with Kevin Brent: Want to explore how BizSmart can support your business? Book a one-on-one discovery call with Kevin Brent to discuss your unique challenges and goals. Kevin can provide actionable insights tailored to your business, helping you scale with confidence, whether you're bootstrapping like Roman or building from existing successes like Corrine.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re eager to scale your business with insights from experienced leaders, tune into ScaleUp Radio for inspiring conversations and practical strategies. Or, if you want to accelerate your growth with the right community and coaching, explore BizSmart’s offerings and see how we can empower your journey to sustained success.
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