Scaling Up, Not Giving Up

Richard Lee
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"Scaling Up, Not Giving Up" is a podcast that dives into the realities of business growth without external investment. Hosted by Richard Lee, an entrepreneur who scaled his own company by 650% in a quarter, the show features raw, honest conversations with founders and business leaders. Each episode shares practical insights on scaling sustainably, overcoming challenges, and building resilience. Whether you’re a startup founder or small business owner, this podcast offers actionable strategies and real-world lessons to help you grow smarter and stronger.

  1. 8 SEPT

    Exit Without Giving Up

    What if your business didn’t need to get bigger to be better? What if scaling didn’t mean selling out — or burning out? In this episode, I’m joined by Stephanie Hayes, a business architect and exit strategist who helps small and mid-sized business owners design growth around who they are — not just what the market says they should be. We dig into the unexpected side of exit planning, including: Why exit strategies aren’t just for big companies The 3 types of founders who think they want to sell (but maybe don’t) What operational exits look like — and why they’re so freeing 9 types of assets you might already have in your business The real reason most founders feel “done” — and how to reconnect with purpose Why aligning your business to your values changes everything Stephanie also breaks down the different kinds of exits — from clean sales to employee buyouts — and how to work out which one actually fits your future. If you're feeling stuck, misaligned, or unsure of what scaling should look like, this episode will give you clarity, options, and a fresh way to value what you've already built. 🔗 Resources & Mentions: 🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast platform: https://pod.link/1804985577 Stephanie’s website: https://stephaniehayes.biz Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: Stephanie Hayes Richard’s website: https://richard-lee.co.uk

    59 min

  2. SEASON 1, EPISODE 9 TRAILER

    Listen Monday: Exit Without Giving Up

    What if your business didn’t need to get bigger to be better? What if scaling didn’t mean selling out — or burning out? In this episode, I’m joined by Stephanie Hayes, a business architect and exit strategist who helps small and mid-sized business owners design growth around who they are — not just what the market says they should be. We dig into the unexpected side of exit planning, including: Why exit strategies aren’t just for big companies The 3 types of founders who think they want to sell (but maybe don’t) What operational exits look like — and why they’re so freeing 9 types of assets you might already have in your business The real reason most founders feel “done” — and how to reconnect with purpose Why aligning your business to your values changes everything Stephanie also breaks down the different kinds of exits — from clean sales to employee buyouts — and how to work out which one actually fits your future. If you're feeling stuck, misaligned, or unsure of what scaling should look like, this episode will give you clarity, options, and a fresh way to value what you've already built. 🔗 Resources & Mentions: 🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast platform: ⁠https://pod.link/1804985577⁠ Stephanie’s website: ⁠https://stephaniehayes.biz⁠ Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: ⁠Stephanie Hayes⁠ Richard’s website: ⁠https://richard-lee.co.uk⁠

    1 min

  3. 25 AUG

    The High-Performance Trap: How to Scale Without Burning Out

    What if scaling success didn’t mean scaling stress? In this episode of Scaling Up, Not Giving Up, I’m joined by Rachael Edmondson-Clarke – executive coach, leadership psychologist, and former corporate leader who learned the cost of overperformance the hard way. Rachael shares the moment her body said “no more” – collapsing before a board meeting – and how it became the wake-up call that transformed her leadership, mindset, and career. We explore the hidden traps of high-performance culture, including: 🔥 Why energy – not mindset – is the foundation of leadership 🧠 How to lead with emotional capacity, not just capability 💬 Why great leaders ask better questions (and what to do with the “stinky fish” in the room) 💡 The three-month values check-in that can prevent burnout before it begins 🤝 How to create cultures that feel psychologically safe, engaged, and human This one is practical, reflective, and deeply relevant for anyone trying to build something meaningful – without burning out in the process.

    54 min

  4. 11 AUG

    Scaling Intentionally: Startup, Growth, Balance, Empire?

    🎧 Episode Title: Scaling Intentionally: Startup, Growth, Balance, Empire? 📌 Episode Summary:In this episode of Scaling Up, Not Giving Up, I’m joined by Dave Sobel – tech entrepreneur, podcaster, and founder of MSP Radio. Dave has scaled businesses, gone through acquisition and IPO, and now runs a lean media company focused on helping IT service providers navigate growth. We dive deep into the idea that growth isn’t one-size-fits-all. Dave shares the “modes” every founder cycles through – from startup to growth, balance, and empire – and how to recognise when it’s time to switch. We also unpack the emotional side of business: letting go, taking risks, managing relationships, and why founders shouldn’t feel trapped by the company they created. 🧠 What You'll Learn: The four business modes: startup, growth, balance builder, and empireWhy McDonald's is the ultimate business systems case studyHow to scale without growing for the sake of itWhen to prioritise your life over your businessWhy not scaling can be a strategic choiceThe importance of founder support systems – partners, friends, mentorsWhat risk really looks like as you grow (and age) 🔗 Links & Resources: Dave’s Podcast & Content HubConnect with Dave on LinkedInBook: The E-Myth Revisited – Michael GerberBook: The Innovator’s Dilemma – Clayton Christensen 🔔 Subscribe & Follow:Enjoyed the episode? Follow Scaling Up, Not Giving Up wherever you get your podcasts. And if you’re feeling generous – leave a review! 📰 Bonus insights and articles at: https://richard-lee.co.uk

    54 min

  5. 28 JULY

    The NEW ROI: Valuing What the Balance Sheet Ignores

    You’ve heard it before: “Our people are our greatest asset.” But if that’s true, why don’t they show up on the balance sheet? In this episode, I’m joined by Dave Bookbinder — business valuation expert, best-selling author, and host of Behind the Numbers. Dave is on a mission to shift how we think about business value — and prove that culture, empathy, and leadership are more than “soft stuff.” They’re strategic drivers of growth and equity value. We explore why most M&A deals fall short of promised synergies, how culture shows up in your valuation (even if it’s not a line item), and why your star performer might be quietly sabotaging your exit plans. 🔍 What We Cover Why your most valuable assets are invisible on your financials The Tony the Tiger case study: homegrown IP vs acquired intangibles Why most M&A deals fail — and what human capital has to do with it Culture change as a valuation strategy (and how long it really takes) Toxic employees: the hidden cost even your CFO is missing Founder dependency: the risk that tanks your exit What empathy has to do with EBITDA The three people-metrics Dave wishes every annual report included Dave’s now-famous quote that’s been shared around the world 🔗 Connect with Dave 📚 The NEW ROI series and A Valuation Toolbox 🎧 Behind The Numbers podcast 💼 LinkedIn – Dave Bookbinder ✨ Quote to Remember “The value of a business is a function of how well the financial capital and the intellectual capital are managed by the human capital. You’d better get the human capital part right.” — Dave Bookbinder 🔗 Links & Resources Visit: richard-lee.co.uk Subscribe: Scaling Up, Not Giving Up on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen

    37 min
  6. From Real Estate Agent to $40M Fund

    14 JULY

    From Real Estate Agent to $40M Fund

    In this episode of Scaling Up, Not Giving Up, Richard Lee sits down with John Makarewicz — an entrepreneur who scaled Mark Spain Real Estate to over 650 people and led it through a nine-figure private equity exit. Now the Managing Partner at Ferris Capital Partners, John has raised over $40M in his first year, focused on acquiring and transforming multifamily properties. But this conversation isn’t just about deals — it’s about people, process, and building companies that last. Together, Richard and John dive into: How John scaled a brokerage by rethinking the traditional real estate model The hiring system that helped him build high-performance, high-culture teams Why servant leadership beats ego — especially in high-growth environments How curiosity, empathy, and adaptability fuel long-term success What it means to lead through uncertainty (and why there’s never a “perfect time”) Whether you’re growing a team, raising capital, or navigating chaos — this episode is packed with practical wisdom, real stories, and frameworks you can use right now. 📌 Links & Resources: Learn more about John’s work: https://www.fulloutinvesting.com Connect with John on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-makarewicz-23589a37 Richard’s Substack, articles & podcast hub: https://richard-lee.co.uk Listen on your preferred platform: https://pod.link/1804985577

    59 min

  7. SEASON 1, EPISODE 5 TRAILER

    New Episode Monday: From Real Estate Agent to $40M Fund

    In this episode of Scaling Up, Not Giving Up, Richard Lee sits down with John Makarewicz — an entrepreneur who scaled Mark Spain Real Estate to over 650 people and led it through a nine-figure private equity exit. Now the Managing Partner at Ferris Capital Partners, John has raised over $40M in his first year, focused on acquiring and transforming multifamily properties. But this conversation isn’t just about deals — it’s about people, process, and building companies that last. Together, Richard and John dive into: How John scaled a brokerage by rethinking the traditional real estate model The hiring system that helped him build high-performance, high-culture teams Why servant leadership beats ego — especially in high-growth environments How curiosity, empathy, and adaptability fuel long-term success What it means to lead through uncertainty (and why there’s never a “perfect time”) Whether you’re growing a team, raising capital, or navigating chaos — this episode is packed with practical wisdom, real stories, and frameworks you can use right now. 📌 Links & Resources: Learn more about John’s work: ⁠https://www.fulloutinvesting.com⁠ Connect with John on LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/john-makarewicz-23589a37⁠ Richard’s Substack, articles & podcast hub: ⁠https://richard-lee.co.uk⁠ Listen on your preferred platform: ⁠https://pod.link/1804985577

    1 min

  8. 30 JUNE

    Resilience Over Perfection

    🎙️ Resilience Over Perfection with Gary Parsons What happens when success on paper doesn’t match how you feel inside? In this powerful episode of Scaling Up, Not Giving Up, Richard Lee sits down with Gary Parsons — founder, board advisor, and host of Leaders in Disguise — to talk about the emotional reality of growing a business and what it takes to walk away when the cost becomes too high. Gary built a multi-million-pound people consultancy, expanded internationally, led a team through rapid growth — and quietly burned out. He opens up about the pressures of leadership, the shame of being on antidepressants while collecting awards, and the guilt that came with stepping back. But this isn’t just about burnout — it’s about recovery. And why, if Gary were investing in a founder today, he wouldn’t pick the polished one. He’d pick the one who’s struggled and survived. 💬 In this episode: Starting a business in a recession — and survivingWhen growth becomes a grindThe moment Gary knew he was burning outMental health, leadership guilt, and antidepressantsLetting go of identity as “the founder”Why resilience is more investable than perfectionRedefining success after stepping back🌐 More episodes, newsletter & resources → richard-lee.co.uk

    55 min
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"Scaling Up, Not Giving Up" is a podcast that dives into the realities of business growth without external investment. Hosted by Richard Lee, an entrepreneur who scaled his own company by 650% in a quarter, the show features raw, honest conversations with founders and business leaders. Each episode shares practical insights on scaling sustainably, overcoming challenges, and building resilience. Whether you’re a startup founder or small business owner, this podcast offers actionable strategies and real-world lessons to help you grow smarter and stronger.

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