ScaleX™ Insider Podcast

In this episode of ScaleX Insider, we're joined by Robert Glazer, founder and Chairman of the Board of Acceleration Partners, the premier global partner marketing agency that has won over 30 awards for its world-class company culture. Leading a fully remote team of over 270 people, Robert shares his insights on building high-performance cultures, scaling businesses with purpose, and leading with values that drive both personal and organisational success. Drawing from his experience creating award-winning workplaces recognised globally, Robert unpacks how leaders can: Discover and align their personal core values to drive better decisions Translate those values into company culture and core principles Navigate challenging decisions and conflicts with clarity and integrity Build resilient teams that thrive in hybrid and rapidly changing environments Apply frameworks to foster accountability, ownership, and high engagement Through engaging stories and real-world examples, Robert demonstrates how values-driven leadership not only strengthens teams but also fuels sustainable growth and impact across organisations of all sizes. 💡 Key topics: Personal values discovery, values-driven leadership, high-performance culture, hybrid work strategies, resilient teams, ownership & accountability, decision-making frameworks, scaling with purpose. 🔎 About Robert Glazer: Robert Glazer is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Acceleration Partners, a global partner marketing agency recognised for its award-winning culture. He leads a fully remote team of over 270 people and is the author of Friday Forward, an inspirational newsletter reaching over 200,000 readers each week, as well as the #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling books Elevate, Friday Forward, and How To Thrive In The Virtual Workplace. Robert is also a global keynote speaker, TEDx presenter, host of the Elevate Podcast, and his work has been featured on the Today Show and in Harvard Business Review, Inc, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, and Business Insider. Above all, he is passionate about sharing ideas that help people and organisations elevate their performance and reach their full potential. Website: https://robertglazer.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glazer/ Books: Elevate, Friday Forward, How To Thrive In The Virtual Workplace 📈 About Simple Scaling: Simple Scaling helps SME leaders achieve exponential growth through expert coaching, masterclasses, and peer communities. Website: https://simplescaling.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simple-scaling Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simple_scaling Email: mailto:hello@simplescaling.com About Simple Scaling & ScaleX™ Insider Podcast 🧭 About Simple Scaling & ScaleX™ Insider Podcast: ScaleX™ helps SME leaders scale with purpose using the proven ScaleX™ Framework. Hosted by Brendan McGurgan, the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast shares insights from top entrepreneurs and business thinkers. If you're an SME leader looking for a proven plan to scale, here are two ways to work with us: 👉 Join the Northern Ireland ScaleX Accelerator Programme (2026) For CEOs, founders & MDs of SMEs (£2m–30m revenue) ready to scale leadership, teams, and value. Join the waitlist: https://scalexaccelerator.simplescaling.com/ 👉 Join ScaleX Elevate (£750k–2m businesses) A digital learning community with weekly training, support, and expert sessions — designed to give you a roadmap to 2x your revenue and talent within 2 years. Register your interest: https://scalexinsights.simplescaling.com/elevate #LeadershipImpact #MultipliersMindset #ScaleUpSuccess #SimpleScaling #SMEGrowth #ExecutiveLeadership

In this episode of ScaleX Insider, we're joined by Chad Jenkins and Dean Jackson to unpack the secrets of scaling businesses with purpose, impact, and clarity. Chad dives into his frameworks like Collaboration Currency and the IC3 formula, while Dean brings his decades of marketing wisdom as the co-creator of I Love Marketing, showing how vision, capability, and reach can be combined to create exponential growth. Together, they explore the VCR formula (Vision + Capability × Reach), demonstrating how entrepreneurs can: Identify and validate a scalable idea Build repeatable protocols to replicate success Extend reach through intentional "reach goggles" thinking Leverage collaboration to amplify outcomes Apply practical strategies for both SME and SMB leaders to scale faster They share real-world examples, from Kylie Jenner's lip kits to MrBeast Burger, illustrating how vision, capability, and reach combine to create massive impact. The conversation also touches on the importance of clarity in vision (from black-and-white to 4D), the role of collaboration in business growth, and how modern tools like AI can accelerate capabilities and efficiency. 💡 Key topics: Collaboration currency, VCR formula, visionary leadership, scaling with purpose, marketing as leverage, partnership design, mindset for growth, leveraging AI for capability acceleration. 🔎 About Chad Jenkins: Chad is a growth strategist and the creator of SEEDSPARK CoLAB. Through his groundbreaking frameworks like ICM and icVCR, and a portfolio of 300+ high-impact collaborations, Chad helps entrepreneurs transform how they solve challenges and seize opportunities. Website: https://seedspark.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadtjenkins/ Books: Friction Fuel and Just Add Zero 🔎 About Dean Jackson: Dean Jackson is the co-creator of I Love Marketing, often regarded as the Marketing Buddha and a marketing philosopher. He teaches entrepreneurs how to use marketing as the ultimate lever to create a life of freedom, fun, and impact. Website: https://ilovemarketing.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatdeanjackson/ 📈 About Simple Scaling: Simple Scaling helps SME leaders achieve exponential growth through expert coaching, masterclasses, and peer communities. Website: https://simplescaling.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simple-scaling Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simple_scaling Email: mailto:hello@simplescaling.com About Simple Scaling & ScaleX™ Insider Podcast 🧭 About Simple Scaling & ScaleX™ Insider Podcast: ScaleX™ helps SME leaders scale with purpose using the proven ScaleX™ Framework. Hosted by Brendan McGurgan, the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast shares insights from top entrepreneurs and business thinkers. If you're an SME leader looking for a proven plan to scale, here are two ways to work with us: 👉 Join the Northern Ireland ScaleX Accelerator Programme (2026) For CEOs, founders & MDs of SMEs (£2m–30m revenue) ready to scale leadership, teams, and value. Join the waitlist: https://scalexaccelerator.simplescaling.com/ 👉 Join ScaleX Elevate (£750k–2m businesses) A digital learning community with weekly training, support, and expert sessions — designed to give you a roadmap to 2x your revenue and talent within 2 years. Register your interest: https://scalexinsights.simplescaling.com/elevate #LeadershipImpact #MultipliersMindset #ScaleUpSuccess #SimpleScaling #SMEGrowth #ExecutiveLeadership

Is your career path really serving you — or is it time to rethink what "success" looks like? In this episode of the ScaleX Insider Podcast, Derek Coburn — entrepreneur, financial advisor, co-founder of CADRE, and bestselling author of Networking Is Not Working — shares his insights on building authentic professional connections, creating lasting value beyond the traditional networking playbook, and redefining what retirement really means. From challenging outdated models of career progression to showing leaders how to prioritise meaning, impact, and relationships, Derek helps entrepreneurs and CEOs unlock more freedom and fulfillment — now, not "someday." We explore: ✅ Why most networking doesn't work — and what to do instead ✅ The power of "un-networking" to create meaningful connections ✅ Why retiring retirement opens up new possibilities for living fully ✅ Balancing professional ambition with personal fulfillment ✅ Practical ways to connect, contribute, and thrive in business and life 📌 Connect with Derek Coburn 🌐 Website: https://www.derekcoburn.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekcoburn/ 📖 Books: Networking Is Not Working (2014), Let's Retire Retirement (2025) 🧭 About Simple Scaling & ScaleX™ Insider Podcast: ScaleX™ helps SME leaders scale with purpose using the proven ScaleX™ Framework. Hosted by Brendan McGurgan, the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast shares insights from top entrepreneurs and business thinkers. If you're an SME leader looking for a proven plan to scale, here are two ways to work with us: 👉 Join the Northern Ireland ScaleX Accelerator Programme (2026) For CEOs, founders & MDs of SMEs (£2m–30m revenue) ready to scale leadership, teams, and value. Join the waitlist: https://scalexaccelerator.simplescaling.com/ 👉 Join ScaleX Elevate (for £750k–2m businesses) A digital learning community with weekly training, support, and expert sessions — designed to give you a roadmap to 2x your revenue and talent within 2 years. Register your interest: https://scalexinsights.simplescaling.com/ 🌐 Website: https://www.simplescaling.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simple-scaling 🎧 Listen to More ScaleX™ Insider Episodes 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SimpleScaling 🎙 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4kxPOgS4YArDZtP3VhXlJY 🎙 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/scalex-insider-podcast/id1556396323

Is your leadership and team performance stuck… or is it a purpose problem? In this episode of the ScaleX Insider Podcast, Sarah Rozenthuler — Chartered Psychologist, leadership coach, dialogue consultant, and author of Powered by Purpose — shares her insights on how connecting with purpose can energise people, transform teams, and scale your organisation with impact. From fostering authentic conversations to embedding purpose at every level of your business, Sarah shows SME leaders how to unlock motivation, alignment, and ambition by focusing on meaningful work before chasing metrics and processes. We explore: ✅ How purpose drives engagement, performance, and wellbeing ✅ Creating authentic conversations that connect teams and stakeholders ✅ The four capacities for leading with purpose ✅ Using stories — not slogans — to make purpose real ✅ Practical steps to embed purpose in day-to-day work 📌 Connect with Sarah Rozenthuler 🌐 Website: https://sarahrozenthuler.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarah-rozenthuler 📖 Book: Powered by Purpose (2020) 🧭 About Simple Scaling & ScaleX™ Insider Podcast: ScaleX™ helps SME leaders scale with purpose using the proven ScaleX™ Framework. Hosted by Brendan McGurgan, the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast shares insights from top entrepreneurs and business thinkers. If you're an SME leader looking for a proven plan to scale, here are two ways to work with us: 👉 Join the Northern Ireland ScaleX Accelerator Programme (2026) For CEOs, founders & MDs of SMEs (£2m–30m revenue) ready to scale leadership, teams, and value. Join the waitlist: https://scalexaccelerator.simplescaling.com/ 👉 Join ScaleX Elevate (for £750k–2m businesses) A digital learning community with weekly training, support, and expert sessions — designed to give you a roadmap to 2x your revenue and talent within 2 years. Register your interest: https://scalexinsights.simplescaling.com/ 🌐 Website: https://www.simplescaling.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simple-scaling 🎧 Listen to More ScaleX™ Insider Episodes 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SimpleScaling 🎙 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4kxPOgS4YArDZtP3VhXlJY 🎙 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/scalex-insider-podcast/id1556396323

Is your marketing a traffic problem… or a belief problem? In this episode of the ScaleX Insider Podcast, Billy Broas — author of Simple Marketing for Smart People — shares his Five Light Bulbs Framework for crafting marketing messages that build belief, cut through the noise, and scale your business. From shifting your mindset to creating a unique approach that differentiates you in crowded markets, Billy shows SME leaders how to win more customers, more predictably, by focusing on the right message before chasing channels and tactics. We explore: ✅ Why belief — not traffic — drives sustainable scaling ✅ The Five Light Bulbs Framework for core marketing messaging ✅ How to position your unique approach in competitive markets ✅ Turning empathy and proof into powerful customer arguments ✅ Using AI as a "debate partner" to strengthen your messaging 📌 Connect with Billy Broas 🌐 Website: https://www.billybroas.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billybroas 📖 Book: https://www.simplemarketingbook.com 🧭 About Simple Scaling & ScaleX™ Insider Podcast: ScaleX™ helps SME leaders scale with purpose using the proven ScaleX™ Framework. Hosted by Brendan McGurgan, the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast shares insights from top entrepreneurs and business thinkers. If you're an SME leader looking for a proven plan to scale, here are two ways to work with us: 👉 Join the Northern Ireland ScaleX Accelerator Programme (2026) For CEOs, founders & MDs of SMEs (£2m–30m revenue) ready to scale leadership, teams, and value. Join the waitlist: https://scalexaccelerator.simplescaling.com/ 👉 Join ScaleX Elevate (for £750k–2m businesses) A digital learning community with weekly training, support, and expert sessions — designed to give you a roadmap to 2x your revenue and talent within 2 years. Register your interest: https://scalexinsights.simplescaling.com/ 🌐 Website: https://www.simplescaling.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simple-scaling 🎧 Listen to More ScaleX™ Insider Episodes 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SimpleScaling 🎙 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4kxPOgS4YArDZtP3VhXlJY 🎙 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/scalex-insider-podcast/id1556396323

In this episode, Natasha Hawker — leading people strategist, workplace culture expert, and author of From Hire to Fire & Everything in Between — joins Brendan McGurgan on ScaleX Insider to explore how purpose-driven leadership, people-first practices, and courageous conversations drive sustainable business growth. With over 25 years of HR experience and as founder of Employee Matters, Natasha brings a wealth of knowledge on building compliant, high-performing teams. She shares hard-won insights on how entrepreneurs can scale with purpose while balancing the demands of business and family. From modelling leadership at home and in the workplace, to understanding the hidden costs of poor people practices, Natasha unpacks the real-world strategies that enable business owners to lead with impact, integrity, and intention. You'll hear how Natasha navigated entrepreneurship while raising a young family, why giving back to your team and clients is essential, and how to stop being "unconsciously incompetent" when it comes to people management. 💡 Key topics: Scaling with purpose Modelling leadership in business and life Building strong people practices Balancing entrepreneurship and family Courageous conversations in the workplace Compliance and culture as growth tools Can Small Businesses Win with AI? 🔎 About Natasha Hawker: Natasha Hawker is a leading expert in people management, workplace culture, and HR strategy. With over 25 years of experience in senior HR roles across global firms and as the founder of Employee Matters, she helps businesses unlock their potential through better people practices. Her bestselling book, From Hire to Fire & Everything in Between, is a practical guide for business owners and managers on how to hire, manage, and exit staff legally and effectively. Natasha's approach is grounded in deep expertise, commercial insight, and a passion for changing workplaces for the better. Website: https://www.natashahawker.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashahawker Book: From Hire to Fire & Everything In Between 📈 About Simple Scaling: Simple Scaling helps SME leaders achieve exponential growth through expert coaching, masterclasses, and peer communities. Website: https://simplescaling.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simple-scaling Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simple_scaling Email: mailto:hello@simplescaling.com About Simple Scaling & ScaleX™ Insider Podcast 🧭 About Simple Scaling & ScaleX™ Insider Podcast: ScaleX™ helps SME leaders scale with purpose using the proven ScaleX™ Framework. Hosted by Brendan McGurgan, the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast shares insights from top entrepreneurs and business thinkers. If you're an SME leader looking for a proven plan to scale, here are two ways to work with us: 👉 Join the Northern Ireland ScaleX Accelerator Programme (2026) For CEOs, founders & MDs of SMEs (£2m–30m revenue) ready to scale leadership, teams, and value. Join the waitlist: https://scalexaccelerator.simplescaling.com/ 👉 Join ScaleX Elevate (£750k–2m businesses) A digital learning community with weekly training, support, and expert sessions — designed to give you a roadmap to 2x your revenue and talent within 2 years. Register your interest: https://scalexinsights.simplescaling.com/elevate #LeadershipImpact #MultipliersMindset #ScaleUpSuccess #SimpleScaling #SMEGrowth #ExecutiveLeadership

In this episode, Chad Jenkins — collaboration strategist, entrepreneur, and author of Friction Fuel and Just Add Zero — joins Brendan McGurgan to explore how visionary leaders unlock growth through purpose-driven collaboration. Chad shares the powerful frameworks behind SEEDSPARK CoLAB, including his signature models like Collaboration Currency, the IC3 formula, and Vision + Capability × Reach. With insights from guiding 300+ collaborations, Chad reveals how to think bigger, scale with purpose, and build a high-impact network of vision partners. You'll discover how to apply "just add zero" thinking, the daily GRACE routine for mindset, and the vital role of a collab architect in designing scalable partnerships — all grounded in Chad's deep experience helping entrepreneurs move beyond friction and into exponential success. 💡 Key topics: Collaboration currency, exponential growth, visionary leadership, scaling with purpose, partnership design, mindset routines, entrepreneur breakthroughs, the power of thinking bigger. 🔎 About Chad Jenkins: Chad is a growth strategist and the creator of SEEDSPARK CoLAB. Through his groundbreaking frameworks like ICM and icVCR, and a portfolio of 300+ high-impact collaborations, Chad helps entrepreneurs transform how they solve challenges and seize opportunities. Website: https://seedspark.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadtjenkins/ Books: Friction Fuel and Just Add Zero 📈 About Simple Scaling: Simple Scaling helps SME leaders achieve exponential growth through expert coaching, masterclasses, and peer communities. Website: https://simplescaling.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simple-scaling Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simple_scaling Email: mailto:hello@simplescaling.com About Simple Scaling & ScaleX™ Insider Podcast 🧭 About Simple Scaling & ScaleX™ Insider Podcast: ScaleX™ helps SME leaders scale with purpose using the proven ScaleX™ Framework. Hosted by Brendan McGurgan, the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast shares insights from top entrepreneurs and business thinkers. If you're an SME leader looking for a proven plan to scale, here are two ways to work with us: 👉 Join the Northern Ireland ScaleX Accelerator Programme (2026) For CEOs, founders & MDs of SMEs (£2m–30m revenue) ready to scale leadership, teams, and value. Join the waitlist: https://scalexaccelerator.simplescaling.com/ 👉 Join ScaleX Elevate (£750k–2m businesses) A digital learning community with weekly training, support, and expert sessions — designed to give you a roadmap to 2x your revenue and talent within 2 years. Register your interest: https://scalexinsights.simplescaling.com/elevate #LeadershipImpact #MultipliersMindset #ScaleUpSuccess #SimpleScaling #SMEGrowth #ExecutiveLeadership

In this episode, Liz Wiseman — bestselling author of Multipliers and global leadership expert — joins Brendan McGurgan to explore how leaders scale teams, multiply impact, and unlock performance in fast-growing businesses. Liz shares insights from her work with Apple, Google, and Netflix, explaining how "diminisher" vs. "multiplier" behaviors impact business growth. You'll learn practical strategies to lead with curiosity, delegate for scale, and build resilience in leadership teams. 💡 Key topics: leadership impact, scaling teams, multiplier mindset, executive development, avoiding burnout, high-performance culture, leadership transformation. 🎙 About Liz Wiseman: Website: https://thewisemangroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizwiseman Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/wisemanl Book: Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter 📈 About Simple Scaling: Simple Scaling helps SME leaders achieve exponential growth through expert coaching, masterclasses, and peer communities. Website: https://simplescaling.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simple-scaling Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simple_scaling Email: mailto:hello@simplescaling.com About Simple Scaling & ScaleX™ Insider Podcast 🧭 About Simple Scaling & ScaleX™ Insider Podcast: ScaleX™ helps SME leaders scale with purpose using the proven ScaleX™ Framework. Hosted by Brendan McGurgan, the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast shares insights from top entrepreneurs and business thinkers. If you're an SME leader looking for a proven plan to scale, here are two ways to work with us: 👉 Join the Northern Ireland ScaleX Accelerator Programme (2026) For CEOs, founders & MDs of SMEs (£2m–30m revenue) ready to scale leadership, teams, and value. Join the waitlist: https://scalexaccelerator.simplescaling.com/ 👉 Join ScaleX Elevate (£750k–2m businesses) A digital learning community with weekly training, support, and expert sessions — designed to give you a roadmap to 2x your revenue and talent within 2 years. Register your interest: https://scalexinsights.simplescaling.com/elevate #LeadershipImpact #MultipliersMindset #ScaleUpSuccess #SimpleScaling #SMEGrowth #ExecutiveLeadership

In this episode of the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast, Brendan McGurgan speaks with Richard Harpin, founder of HomeServe and author of How to Make a Billion in Nine Steps. Richard shares his extraordinary journey from childhood entrepreneur to building a multi-billion-pound global business. Discover: ✅ The brutal lessons from near-bankruptcy ✅ How to copy, pivot, and find your magic business model ✅ Why hiring local talent is the key to global success ✅ How to build resilience, persistence, and entrepreneurial grit ✅ The real power of a "Not To Do" list for scaling ✅ Why mentoring and hiring your replacement can transform your leadership If you're an SME leader, this episode is packed with practical steps and inspiring insights to help you scale with purpose. 🧭 About Simple Scaling & ScaleX™ Insider Podcast ScaleX™ is a platform designed to help SME leaders scale with purpose using the proven ScaleX™ Framework. Hosted by Brendan McGurgan, the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast brings insights from world-class entrepreneurs and business thinkers. If you're an SME leader who wants help to scale with purpose and a proven plan and framework to get there, here's two ways you can work with us: 👉 Join our Northern Ireland ScaleX Accelerator Programme in 2026! (For SME leaders generating £2m–30m annually.) Since 2020, we've run a 12-month group coaching programme designed for CEOs, founders, and MDs of SMEs who want to scale their business, their own leadership, their teams, and their value proposition. In 90 days, we'll spot the bottlenecks stopping you and devise a plan to achieve limitless business. 🌐 Richard Harpin Contact Details Website: https://harpin.com Business Leader: https://businessleader.co.uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-harpin-5123a723/ Instagram: (no public profile found — recommend just using LinkedIn and website) Newsletter sign-up (coming soon via harpin.com) Book: How to Make a Billion in Nine Steps (check site for updates) 🌐 Simple Scaling Contact Details Website: https://simplescaling.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simple-scaling/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simple_scaling/ Email: hello@simplescaling.com #Entrepreneurship #ScalingBusiness #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #RichardHarpin #ScaleXInsider

In this heartfelt and high-value episode of the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast, host Brendan McGurgan sits down with sibling co-founders Clare and Paul Vallely of Kukoon, a global e-commerce business born out of humble beginnings in Northern Ireland. What started as a side hustle selling leftover rugs on eBay has transformed into a powerhouse business shipping 8,000+ rugs weekly to over 60 countries, generating £16.5M in revenue and £2M in profits in 2024 alone. The Vallelys are now scaling toward £20M turnover, while building a purpose-led team of 55, developing strategic partnerships, and entering retail. This is more than a story of growth — it's a journey of resilience, family, purpose, and belief. Graduates of the ScaleX Accelerator, Clare and Paul open up about their pivotal mindset shifts, the power of intentional scaling, and the risks they took when no one was watching — including putting £100K of credit card debt on the line with the help of their mum. 💡 In this episode, you'll learn: What scaling with purpose really means — and how to apply it Why intentionality is the secret ingredient to sustainable growth How the Vallelys went from taking photos of rugs in their living room to managing 40ft shipping containers What it takes to build trust, engagement, and resilience in your team How belief — both self-belief and support from others — is often the biggest catalyst for scaling Why Kukoon's story resonates with SME leaders trying to scale without losing who they are ⏱ Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome to Kukoon: The Story Behind the Brand 03:12 – What Scaling With Purpose Means (Claire) 06:40 – The Role of Values and Community Impact (Paul) 10:15 – Humble Beginnings: From eBay Course to Startup 14:28 – The Power of Grit, Curiosity & Trading DNA 18:20 – Our First Trade Show & The 40ft Container Gamble 21:45 – £100K in Credit Card Debt — and Mum's Unshakable Belief 26:10 – The Impact of Family Support on Our Scaling Journey 29:55 – Sliding Doors Moments: Paul's Pivot Toward Entrepreneurship 32:50 – Why We Still Scale With Intention Today 🔗 Connect with Kukoon: 🌐 Website: https://www.kukoonrugs.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/clare-vallely-62980a21/?originalSubdomain=uk| linkedin.com/in/paulvallely-kukoon/ 🔎 Learn More About ScaleX™ and Simple Scaling: 🌐 Website: https://www.simplescaling.com 🎙 Podcast: https://www.simplescaling.com/podcast 📩 Newsletter: https://www.simplescaling.com/newsletter 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simple-scaling 🧭 About Simple Scaling & ScaleX™ Insider Podcast: ScaleX™ is a platform designed to help SME leaders scale with purpose using the proven ScaleX™ Framework. Hosted by Brendan McGurgan, the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast brings insights from world-class entrepreneurs and business thinkers. If you're an SME leader who wants help to scale with purpose and a proven plan and framework to follow to get there, here's two ways you can work with us: 👉 Join our Northern Ireland ScaleX Accelerator Programme in 2026! (For SME leaders generating £2m–30m annually.) Since 2020, we've run a 12-month group coaching programme designed for CEOs, founders and MDs of SMEs who want to scale their business, their own leadership, their teams and their value proposition. In 90 days, we'll spot the bottlenecks stopping you right now and devise a plan throughout the rest of the programme on how you can achieve limitless business. If that sounds good to you, click here to join our waitlist for 2026 📢 Subscribe for weekly insights on how to Scale with Purpose: https://www.youtube.com/@scalexinsider #ScalingWithPurpose, #SMELeadership, #PurposeDrivenBusiness, #FounderMindset, #EthicalEntrepreneurship