Épisodes

  • From Caravan to Half a Billion: Richard Woods' Journey from The Apprentice to 154-Person Team

    From Caravan to Half a Billion: Richard Woods' Journey from The Apprentice to 154-Person Team
    Nov 29 2025
    What if the secret to scaling from 1 to 154 people in just 12 months wasn't about working harder — but building smarter systems? In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, Paul Avins sits down with Richard Woods — three-time bestselling author, award-winning entrepreneur, creator of LinkedIn Breakfast, and founder of a business that's exploded from a one-person operation to a team of 154 in barely over a year. Richard shares his remarkable journey from growing up in an entrepreneurial household (complete with living in a caravan during the tough times) to appearing on BBC's The Apprentice, building and selling three businesses, and discovering why he's not cut out to be a celebrity — but is brilliant at systemising growth. Together, Paul and Richard unpack the brutal lessons from business failure, the hidden traps of coaching without accountability, why discipline beats dopamine every time, and how offshore teams in Nigeria became the unlock for hyper-growth. They also dive deep into LinkedIn strategy, the power of weekly content rhythms, CEO dashboards, and why most entrepreneurs are still firefighting instead of leading. If you're a business owner ready to scale fast, systemise smart, and finally step out of operator mode into true CEO leadership, this conversation is essential listening. Key Takeaways From caravan to half a billion: Richard's entrepreneurial upbringing and the roller-coaster lessons that shaped his risk appetite Why going on The Apprentice taught him he didn't want to be a celebrity — but gave him invaluable sales and negotiation lessons The brutal reality of coaching: why accountability matters more than information How Richard scaled from 1 to 154 team members in 12 months using offshore talent in Nigeria The LinkedIn content system: why a 13-week cycle, weekly moments, and news jacking are game-changers Discipline beats dopamine: why half an hour a day on LinkedIn can generate £100K+ per year CEO dashboards and the power of numbers: how data-driven planning sets you free Why most people struggle with focus — and how the "power of one" unlocks exponential growth The five reasons people buy coaching: leadership, routine, community, personalisation, and accountability What a grown-up business really looks like: when you stop firefighting and start leading strategically About Richard Woods Richard Woods is a three-time bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, investor, and serial entrepreneur who has built and sold three businesses. He's the creator of LinkedIn Breakfast, a thriving community on a mission to become the best place on earth to learn LinkedIn for free, and author of The Million Dollar Sprint. Richard appeared on BBC's The Apprentice in 2015, where he broke records by selling £4.2 million worth of property in 24 hours and reached the final. After exiting his marketing agency and a boiler servicing business, he pivoted into coaching — but quickly realised traditional coaching wasn't enough. That's when he cracked the code: combining coaching with fully trained offshore virtual assistants. In just over a year, Richard scaled his latest business from 1 person to 154 team members, primarily overseas based, helping entrepreneurs systemise their growth, dominate LinkedIn, and build businesses that work without them. His superpower? Systemising scale and making the complex simple. Resources & Links Join the free 5-Day LinkedIn Challenge → linkedinforbreakfast.com Connect with Richard Woods on LinkedIn → Richard Woods | LinkedIn Get Richard's book The Million Dollar Sprint → Available on Amazon Follow Paul Avins for Scale Up insights → Paul Avins | LinkedIn Next Steps Action Now: Write down the 3 actions from this episode you'll apply in your business over the next 72 hours. Think Bigger: Ready to systemise your LinkedIn strategy and start generating consistent leads? Join Richard's free LinkedIn for Breakfast community at linkedinforbreakfast.com Scale Up: Get actionable tips from Paul in your inbox every Saturday, Subscribe to Scale Up Saturday Newsletter Level Up: Book a Call with Paul and Get ready to level up your business and transform your life!
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    Moins d'une minute
  • From Burnout to Breakthrough: How to Run a Multi-Million Pound Business in Just 25 Hours a Week

    From Burnout to Breakthrough: How to Run a Multi-Million Pound Business in Just 25 Hours a Week
    Nov 6 2025

    What if working less could actually help you scale faster?

    In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, Paul chats with Ben Coomber, founder of Awesome Supplements and high-performance coach, about how he went from complete burnout and long Covid to running a multi-million pound business while working just 25 hours a week.

    Ben gets really honest about his journey from being a controlling, fear-driven CEO putting in 70-hour weeks to finally stepping back, hiring a proper COO, and figuring out that his best business ideas actually happen when he's nowhere near the office. They dig into why meditation isn't just wellness nonsense but actually a strategic business tool, how getting seriously ill with long Covid forced him to completely rethink leadership, and why freedom should be the whole point of building a business, not something you get after you've destroyed your health.

    If you're an entrepreneur burning yourself out trying to control everything, or you're wondering how you can actually scale without sacrificing your health and family time, this conversation is going to challenge everything you think about success.

    Key Takeaways
    • Get "How to Live an Awesome Life" by Ben Coomber → Available on Amazon and all good bookstores
    • How Ben went from fear-based leadership to running his business from a place of abundance and trust
    • Why working 25 hours a week can actually be way more productive than 70 hours if you get it right
    • When to exit a business before you lose passion and the value tanks
    • How long Covid taught Ben that being healthy isn't just about the physical stuff
    • Why meditation is really about paying attention to yourself and spotting where you need to do the work
    • The five things every CEO should nail: sleep, nutrition, exercise, cutting out alcohol, and creating proper space
    • How to stop being an operator and start thinking like an investor in your own business
    • Why hiring a brilliant COO might be the smartest move you make for scaling

    About Ben Coomber

    Ben Coomber is a high-performance coach, speaker, and founder of Awesome Supplements, which has won 21 awards and grown to multi-million pound revenues. After building nutrition coaching businesses and training teams of coaches, Ben launched Awesome Supplements focusing on products that actually taste good and work.

    Ben wrote "How to Live an Awesome Life" and used to host The Awesome Human Podcast. His whole thing is helping entrepreneurs build successful businesses without wrecking their health, relationships, or sanity in the process. He's a dad of two and reckons businesses should give you the life you want, not eat up your entire existence.

    Resources & Links
    • Try Awesome Supplements with CEO15 discount code → Awesome Supplements
    • Connect with Ben Coomber → Ben Coomber | LinkedIn
    • Follow Paul Avins → Paul Avins | LinkedIn

    Next Steps

    Action Now: Write down the 3 sleep habits from this episode you'll implement in the next 72 hours and test how they impact your performance.

    Think Bigger: Ready to treat sleep like the business asset it is? Start tracking your sleep data and building your strategic wind-down routine tonight.

    Scale Up: Get actionable tips from Paul in your inbox every Saturday, Subscribe to Scale Up Saturday Newsletter

    Level Up:

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    1 h et 29 min
  • The Sleep Hack That Builds Seven-Figure Businesses: How Entrepreneurs Can Scale Faster with Better Rest

    The Sleep Hack That Builds Seven-Figure Businesses: How Entrepreneurs Can Scale Faster with Better Rest
    Oct 18 2025

    What if the secret to scaling your business isn't working more hours — but sleeping better ones?

    In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, business strategist Paul Avins sits down with Sammy Margo, chartered physiotherapist, bestselling author of "The Good Sleep Guide", and founder of SmartPhysio — a successful 27-person physiotherapy practice in London.

    Discover how Sammy went from working 15-hour days as the first female physiotherapist in professional football to building a thriving healthcare business while mastering the science of sleep optimization. This conversation reveals why sleep isn't a luxury for entrepreneurs — it's a strategic advantage.

    Together, Paul and Sammy unpack the 10 evidence-based sleep strategies that can transform your cognitive performance, decision-making ability, and business results. From sleep architecture and strategic wind-downs to bedroom optimization and caffeine timing, this episode provides practical tools for high-performing entrepreneurs who want to scale their businesses without sacrificing their health.

    If you're a business owner struggling with fatigue, making poor decisions due to sleep deprivation, or wondering how to maintain peak performance while scaling, this episode is essential listening.

    Key Takeaways
    • How sleep quality directly impacts entrepreneurial performance and business decision-making
    • The 10 strategic sleep optimization techniques every CEO should master for peak cognitive function
    • Why tracking your "sleep architecture" with wearables can unlock better business performance
    • How to create a strategic wind-down routine that transitions your brain from work mode to recovery
    • Sleep cycle science: Why 4-6 complete 90-minute cycles are crucial for entrepreneurs
    • The bedroom environment formula: Cool (16-18°C), dark, quiet, and clutter-free spaces for optimal rest
    • Strategic caffeine and alcohol management to maximize sleep quality without sacrificing productivity
    • How power napping strategies can boost afternoon performance for business leaders
    • Why "lose the snooze" — and how the snooze button destroys sleep quality and morning productivity

    About Sammy Margo

    Sammy Margo is a chartered physiotherapist, sleep optimization expert, and founder of SmartPhysio, one of London's premier physiotherapy practices with 27 team members. She pioneered her field as the first female physiotherapist to work in professional football at Barnet FC, and has worked with elite athletes across the world.

    Sammy is the bestselling author of "The Good Sleep Guide" (featuring a foreword by celebrity chef Nigella Lawson), and regularly contributes sleep and wellness content to major UK publications including Daily Mail, Telegraph, and Observer. She has appeared on QVC, consulted for Dreams Beds, and speaks at high-level business events about the connection between sleep optimization and executive performance.

    Her expertise combines sports physiotherapy, sleep science, and business scaling — making her uniquely positioned to help entrepreneurs optimize their health while building successful companies.

    Resources & Links
    • Get "The Good Sleep Guide" by Sammy Margo →
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    1 h et 17 min
  • Why Most CEOs Fail at Hiring (And How to Find Your Perfect COO)

    Why Most CEOs Fail at Hiring (And How to Find Your Perfect COO)
    Oct 3 2025
    What if the secret to scaling your business isn't working harder — but hiring smarter? In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, Paul Avins sits down with Graham Brown — former military medic turned recruitment expert with over 24 years of experience, author of the upcoming book Too Many Hats, and one of Team Purple's specialist coaches in team dynamics and executive search. Graham shares his remarkable journey from serving in the Gulf War as a trumpet-playing medic to building a 39-office recruitment franchise, surviving a painful business collapse, and emerging as one of the UK's leading experts in helping CEOs find their perfect second-in-command. Together, Paul and Graham unpack the brutal truth about why most CEOs fail at hiring, the three pillars of successful recruitment that most founders ignore, and why 50% employee engagement is costing your business hundreds of thousands in lost productivity. They dive deep into the seven types of COO, the difference between competency-based and traditional interviewing, and why understanding energy profiles is the unlock to building high-performing teams that scale. If you're a CEO drowning in operational work, struggling to find the right leadership team, or wondering how to hire someone who can actually take weight off your shoulders instead of adding to it, this conversation is essential listening. Key Takeaways From Gulf War medic to recruitment expert: How Graham's military background shaped his approach to building resilient, high-performing teams The brutal reality of franchising: Why Graham scaled to 39 offices before deciding to shut it down and start again The three pillars of successful hiring: Skills & ability, natural energy alignment, and culture & values fit — miss one and you've got a problem Why most CEOs aren't ready for an A-player — and how to know when you actually are The seven types of COO: Executor, Change Agent, Other Half, Mentor, Heir Apparent, MVP, and Partner — and how to choose the right one for your stage of growth Competency-based interviewing vs traditional interviewing: How to dig deeper and test for what really matters The 50% flow problem: Why half your team is operating at half capacity — and how that's costing you £600K+ per year in lost productivity Why talent acquisition should be treated like customer acquisition — with the same level of strategy, marketing, and investment The TEAM framework: Trust & Transparency, Empower & Energize, Alignment & Accountability, Measurement & Metrics, Safety & Security How to know if you need a COO, Chief of Staff, Operations Manager, or EA — and why hiring the wrong role at the wrong time can be a disaster About Graham Brown Graham Brown is a former military musician and medic who served in the Gulf War before transitioning into recruitment over 24 years ago. He founded the first ex-military recruitment agency in the UK in 2001 and has since helped over 10,000 service men and women transition into civilian careers. Graham built and scaled a recruitment franchise to 39 offices before navigating a painful business restructure that taught him invaluable lessons about resilience, team dynamics, and the importance of hiring right. He's now a specialist executive search consultant focusing on helping scale-up CEOs find their perfect COO or second-in-command. As one of Team Purple's expert coaches, Graham specializes in team dynamics, profiling, and leadership development. He's the author of the upcoming book Too Many Hats, which unpacks everything he's learned about helping CEOs escape operational overwhelm by building the right leadership team around them. Resources & Links Get free team dynamics resources → teamdynamics.com Download Graham's free e-books on recruitment, interviewing, and onboarding → teamdynamics.com Connect with Graham Brown on LinkedIn → Graham Brown | LinkedIn Follow Paul Avins for Scale Up insights → Paul Avins | LinkedIn Read Second in Command by Cameron Herold → Available on Amazon Next Steps Action Now: Write down the 3 actions from this episode you'll apply in your business over the next 72 hours. Think Bigger: Ready to stop wearing too many hats and build the leadership team that sets you free? Download Graham's free hiring guides at teamdynamics.com Scale Up: Get actionable tips from Paul in your inbox every Saturday, Subscribe to Scale Up Saturday Newsletter Level Up: Book a Call with Paul and Get ready to level up your business and transform your life!
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    1 h et 37 min
  • The Brutal Truth About Selling Your Business and Why 75% of Sales Fail

    The Brutal Truth About Selling Your Business and Why 75% of Sales Fail
    Sep 17 2025

    Think you're ready to sell your business? Think again.

    Selling your business is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make — second only to marriage and kids. But how do you know when you’re actually ready to sell?

    In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, Paul Avins speaks with Ken Gorman, Regional Director at Transworld M&A and author of three books on selling businesses, to uncover the reality behind preparing your company for a successful exit.

    Together, they break down the myths, including why most business owners aren’t ready to sell, how accountants can unknowingly sabotage deals, and why 75% of businesses that go to market never sell at all. Ken shares his personal story from California to London and his 8+ years in sell-side M&A, with over 60 closed deals under his belt.

    If you’re a CEO or founder thinking about exit planning or simply wanting to build a grown-up business worth buying, this episode is a must-listen.

    Key Takeaways
    • The “Switch in the Heart”: You’re ready to sell when the emotional shift happens — the moment you know it’s time to do something else in life.
    • Profit is the #1 Value Driver: Buyers don’t buy passion, they buy predictable profits — and your job is to maximise and prove them.
    • Get yourself out of the business: If the company can’t function without you, it isn’t ready to sell (or worth as much as you think).
    • The truth about deferred deals & earnouts: Why the “wedding cake” model of deal structures (cash, deferred payments, earn-outs, rolled equity) matters, and how to protect yourself as a seller.
    • Accountants can derail deals: Not through incompetence — but because they often lack deal experience, especially around working capital negotiations.
    • 75% of sales fail: Selling is as much about EQ as IQ — success depends on managing people, egos, and expectations at every stage.
    • Not all buyers are equal: You don’t want just a buyer, you need the right new owner who can fill the leadership void you leave behind.

    About Ken Gorman

    Ken Gorman is a seasoned M&A Advisor, Certified Business Valuer, and Regional Director at Transworld M&A, one of the world’s largest global dealmaking firms. With over three decades in business across the US, UK, and Europe, Ken has personally been involved in 100+ project teams and 60+ closed transactions.

    He specialises in helping owner-operators prepare their businesses for sale, find the right new owners, and secure life-changing exit deals — all while keeping heart and human dynamics central to the process.

    Resources & Links
    • Grab Ken’s book “Selling Your Business” → Selling Your Business
    • Connect with Ken Gorman on LinkedIn → linkedin.com
    • Learn more about Transworld M&A → Transworld
    • Follow Paul Avins for Scale Up insights on LinkedIn →
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    1 h et 31 min
  • Transforming a Family Business into a Global Brand

    Transforming a Family Business into a Global Brand
    Sep 1 2025

    From family start-up to global brand: the Wolf Eyewear growth story.

    Paul Avins sits down with CEO Tom Wolfenden to unpack the exact moves behind building a world-class sales team, scaling across borders, and keeping values intact while chasing exponential growth.

    Discover how Wolf Eyewear scaled from a family business into a global brand with 2,000+ retailers. CEO Tom Wolfenden shares lessons on sales teams, culture, and scale-up strategy with Paul Avins.

    What does it take to transform a family-run brand into a global scale-up with thousands of retail partners—while never losing sight of your values or community?

    In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, Paul Avins sits down with Tom Wolfenden, CEO of Wolf Eyewear Group, to unpack how he took over the family business and steered it towards ambitious growth, culture, and global expansion.

    If you’re a CEO ready to quadruple your business, build a world-class sales team, and expand across markets without losing culture, this is your playbook.

    Key Highlights
    • Mindset matters: The bold shift from hustler to scale-up CEO.
    • Sales engine = growth engine: Why building and leading a 17-person sales team unlocked Wolf Eyewear’s growth.
    • Resilience in crisis: How they survived Covid by loaning over £500k of stock to support customers — building loyalty money can’t buy.
    • Leadership at scale: How to deal with underperforming team members while protecting business culture.
    • Investment in yourself = investment in the business: Why Tom doubled down on coaching and retreats to accelerate Wolf Eyewear’s expansion.

    This isn’t just a story of scaling eyewear. It’s a blueprint for any ambitious CEO who wants to build a grown-up business that wins globally

    About Our Guest – Tom Wolfenden

    Tom Wolfenden is the CEO of Wolf Eyewear Group, a UK-based independent eyewear company stocked in over 2,000+ retailers and expanding internationally. Known for bold design and strong community values, Wolf Eyewear is a flagship example of how a family business can scale into a global brand—without losing its heart.

    Resources & Links
    • Connect with Tom Wolfenden on LinkedIn → Tom Wolfenden | LinkedIn
    • Explore the Wolf Eyewear Group brand → UK Eyewear Brand | Wolf Eyewear for Independent Opticians
    • Follow Paul Avins for scale-up insights on LinkedIn → Paul Avins | LinkedIn
    • Transform your business at the Grown Up Business Retreat → The Grown Up Business Retreat 2025

    Next Steps

    Action now: Write down the 3 actions from this episode you’ll apply in your business over the next 72 hours.

    Think bigger: Ready to build your own “grown up” business that scales globally? Explore free resources at ScaleUpCoaching.com.

    Scale Up: Get actionable tips from Paul in your inbox every Saturday, Subscribe to Scale Up Saturday Newsletter

    Level Up: Book a Call with Paul and Get ready to level up your...
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    1 h et 27 min
  • Beyond Time: Navigating the Past, Present, and Future in Business

    Beyond Time: Navigating the Past, Present, and Future in Business
    Aug 11 2025

    What happens when a five-year-old girl changes the entire course of your life?

    In this thought-provoking episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, Paul Avins sits down with High-Performance Coach and former JP Morgan derivatives head Rich Waterman to explore one of the most powerful transformations you’ll hear on the show.

    Rich shares the moving story of Leonor — his friend’s young daughter whose battle with a terminal illness became the catalyst for his life’s work. Helping to raise emergency funds for her treatment opened his eyes to the power of community, commitment, and the extraordinary impact of turning pain into purpose.

    Together, Paul and Rich unpack how entrepreneurs can channel suffering into fuel for growth, how presence is the new currency of leadership, and why sometimes the shortest lives leave the greatest legacies.

    If you’ve ever wondered how to reframe setbacks into rocket fuel, or how to build a business and life truly aligned to your legacy, this episode is essential listening.

    Key Takeaways
    • Turning Pain into Purpose: The most powerful catalyst for personal and professional growth is learning how to transform suffering into service.
    • The Power of Commitment: Rich’s moment of saying “we’ll make this happen” for Leonor’s treatment shaped his philosophy on leadership and focus.
    • Past, Present, Future Model: How to reframe your thinking by using the past as a resource, the present as practice, and the future as full-colour vision.
    • Presence is Leadership: Top performers plateau when they fail to manage switching “on” and “off.” Learning to be present is now a strategic advantage.
    • Legacy is not Time-Based: The measure of a life well-lived isn’t length, it’s the scale of impact on others. Leonor remains a profound example of this truth.

    About Rich Waterman

    Rich Waterman is a High-Performance Coach, mentor, and speaker with a unique background that bridges finance, sport, and psychology.

    After a decade as Head of Derivatives Structuring at JP Morgan, Rich went on to launch sports analysis businesses working with the England Rugby World Cup-winning team and international cricketers. He later became the first UK-based Senior Trainer for Tony Robbins, coaching teams and teaching leadership at global events.

    Today, Rich runs Get Rich Coaching, helping entrepreneurs, executives, and athletes unlock performance, presence, and purpose.

    Resources & Links
    • Connect with Rich Waterman → richwaterman.com
    • Connect with Rich Waterman on LinkedIn → linkedin.com
    • Follow Paul Avins for Scale Up insights on LinkedIn → Paul Avins | LinkedIn
    • Transform your business at the Grown Up Business Retreat → The Grown Up Business Retreat 2025

    Next Steps

    Action Now: Write down the 3 actions from this episode you’ll apply in your business over the next 72 hours.

    Think bigger: Thinking about selling in 2–3 years? Start now. Building enterprise value takes time — get your free resources at Paul Avins

    Scale Up: Get actionable tips from Paul in your inbox every Saturday, Subscribe to Scale Up Saturday Newsletter

    Level Up:

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    1 h et 36 min
  • Making $12M from One Video, and What It Means to Be “Always Free”

    Making $12M from One Video, and What It Means to Be “Always Free”
    Jul 24 2025

    “How can one video generate $12 million in 10 months?”

    That’s exactly what happened for Jason Graystone — and in this episode, he reveals to Paul the mindset, money frameworks, and freedom principles that made it possible.

    Jason is a renowned entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Graystone Education, and he’s on a mission to help people become Always Free — creating lives of freedom through smart money systems, mindset mastery, and intentional action.

    In our conversation, Jason breaks down exactly what Always Free means, and why mental, mobility, and financial liberation must all align if you truly want lasting independence. We go deep into building assets (both tangible and intangible), how to delegate effectively, and why defining what freedom means to you personally is the real unlock.

    This episode isn’t about hustle hacks — it’s about clarity, leverage, and building a business and life around your values so you can live with purpose.

    Key Takeaways:
    • A single video can change everything — Jason’s $12M YouTube case study proves the power of effective assets.
    • Financial literacy is an essential life skill — freedom begins with understanding how money works.
    • Delegation and knowing your true value are the levers that unlock scale and sustainability.
    • Freedom has three dimensions: mental, mobility, and financial — all must be developed in tandem.
    • Assets create independence — whether intellectual property, digital content, or recurring systems.
    • Defining your personal goals and values is what ensures business growth aligns with fulfillment.

    Resources & Links
    • Grab Jason's book “Always Free” → Selling Your Business
    • Follow Jason to learn more → Jason Graystone - YouTube
    • Learn more about Jason Graystone → jasongraystone.com
    • Follow Paul Avins for Scale Up insights on LinkedIn → Paul Avins | LinkedIn
    • Transform your business at the Grown Up Business Retreat → The Grown Up Business Retreat 2025

    Next Steps

    Action Now: Write down the 3 actions from this episode you’ll apply in your business over the next 72 hours.

    Think bigger: Tired of chasing revenue but never feeling free? Stop trading time for money. Freedom starts when you build assets that generate income without you. Start building the life you want now — get your free resources at Paul Avins

    Scale Up: Get actionable tips from Paul in your inbox every Saturday, Subscribe to Scale Up Saturday Newsletter

    Level Up:

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    1 h et 43 min