Scale Her Up: Female business stories and expert tips for business growth and success

Brenda Hector
  • 5.0 (9)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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If you are a female business owner, self-employed freelancer, or girl boss who wants to build a successful business i.e. work less hours, make more money, and get better results from your staff, then this is the podcast for you. Hosted by Dr Brenda Hector MBA from ActionCOACH UK, this podcast provides relatable and accessible business advice and inspiration from successful businesswomen who have been there and done it before you. This podcast is where you can • hear female business stories • share business success • learn how to overcome business challenges • get advice for businesswomen aspiring to success • find out what needs to change • discover how we can bring about that business revolution Only 1 in 3 UK entrepreneurs are female. UK men are 5 times more likely than women to build a business of over £1million turnover If UK women matched UK men in starting and scaling businesses, it would add £250 billion to the UK economy (Alison Rose, The Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship 2018) As a woman in business, a business coach, and a business growth expert, Brenda’s mission is to help business owners grow their companies, achieve their goals and live the lifestyle of their dreams. She's the help you need to grow your business.

  1. Monotropism, Meltdowns & Managing Change – Building Neuro-Inclusive Workplaces with Marion McLaughlin

    2 DAYS AGO

    Monotropism, Meltdowns & Managing Change – Building Neuro-Inclusive Workplaces with Marion McLaughlin

    In this powerful episode of Scale HER Up – The Female Entrepreneurs Show, I’m joined by Marion McLaughlin, founder of Aurora – an autistic-led business that supports organisations to better understand and work with autistic and neurodivergent people. After years in the third sector delivering “womb to tomb” services for autistic people, Marion hit burnout trying to juggle passion with an unsustainable workload. Starting a business was never on their to-do list – yet Aurora has become the most aligned, impactful way for them to use their lived and professional experience.  Marion is autistic, non-binary and disabled, and brings a deeply intersectional lens to the conversation. We talk honestly about what it really feels like to be autistic in noisy workplaces, in healthcare systems that often don’t listen, and in a political climate that is challenging for trans and non-binary people. They share how concepts like monotropism(interest-based attention and “flow tunnels”) can be a superpower at work – if leaders understand how to support it.  This episode is full of practical advice for managers and business owners: how to respond when someone discloses they’re autistic, why “can you just pop into my office later?” can trigger panic, and how to manage change in ways that respect people’s sensory needs, energy levels and humanity. Marion also talks about creating Autistic Pride Aberdeen, developing courses like “My Child Is Autistic – What Now?”, and why good allies and “accomplices” are essential if we want a genuinely inclusive world.  If you want your business to be safer and more supportive for autistic, neurodivergent and gender-diverse people – this conversation is a must-listen. In this episode, we cover:Marion’s journey from teacher and third-sector CEO to founder of autistic-led consultancy AuroraMarion McLaughlinWhy disclosing autism at work is an act of bravery – and how managers should respondPractical examples of reasonable adjustments: lighting, noise, sensory needs, flexible dress codes and moreHow not to respond when someone says the environment is difficult for them (“nobody else has a problem with it…” vs “thank you for telling me”) The impact of big life transitions (moving house, pregnancy, menopause, marriage) on autistic support needs and performance at workThe brilliant Star Trek analogy: why you can’t expect staff to operate at “Warp 9.9” all the timeThe quote we all need: “If the most I have to give today is 40%, and I give 40%, I’ve still given 100% of what I’ve got.” Monotropism explained – attention tunnels, deep focus and why constant task-switching is so costlyHow everyone (not just autistic people) can use monotropism principles to get into flow and do better workWhat businesses get wrong – and right – about supporting non-binary and trans team membersWhy inclusive toilets, policies and explicit support for trans and autistic staff really matter right now The story of Autistic Pride Aberdeen, info-dump events, giant bubbles in the park and building joyful autistic community  Marion McLaughlin is the founder of Aurora, an autistic-led organisation providing training, consultancy and one-to-one support around autism and neurodiversity. A former primary school teacher and charity CEO, Marion has supported autistic people of all ages in “womb to tomb” services and now works with businesses, schools, universities, charities and healthcare providers to create more neuro-affirming environments.  Autistic,

    48 min
  2. Put Yourself on Your Own Calendar: Patricia Noel Drain on Working Less, Making More (After 50)

    6 DAYS AGO

    Put Yourself on Your Own Calendar: Patricia Noel Drain on Working Less, Making More (After 50)

    Patricia Noel Drain, founder of Patricia Drain & Associates, author of 14 books, former teacher and executive recruiter turned mentor for women 50+. Patricia helps female entrepreneurs over 50 work less and make more—doing what they love. We talk reinvention, building saleable businesses with systems (she created 27 to step out of day-to-day), and designing life around freedom, not busyness. She shares the health scare that forced a reset, the power of digital productsand high-ticket offers, and why women must give themselves permission to earn well. Expect practical prompts to find your zone of genius, say no to misfit work, and—above all—put yourself on your own calendar. In this episode: Why she mentors women 50+ to work less, earn more—and how reinvention often starts at 50.From brick-and-mortar recruiter to exit: building 27 systems so the business could run (and sell) without her.Health wake-up call → boundaries: freedom is the point; schedule you first.Digital products and packaging expertise; thinking bigger with values-aligned, high-ticket containers.Writing 14 books (including a children’s book about self-worth) after being told she “couldn’t write.”Coaching mindsets: “You can’t sell you,” “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should,” and follow your flow.Advice to her 18-year-old self: think bigger, then bigger again—there are no limits except the ones you set.

    37 min
  3. “You Can’t Fail an Experiment”: Liz Clayton-Jones on People-First Growth, Saying No, and Leading Through Menopause

    24 NOV

    “You Can’t Fail an Experiment”: Liz Clayton-Jones on People-First Growth, Saying No, and Leading Through Menopause

    Liz Clayton-Jones, founder of Beehive Performance, advanced strengths coach and former corporate leader. Liz helps science, research and manufacturing teams become truly high-performing by putting people at the heart of every success. She shares her leap from 31 years in corporate to building a business from the heart (not just the head), why she once walked away from a signed contract that wasn’t a values fit, and how an experimentation mindset (“you can’t fail an experiment—you only get unexpected outcomes”) unlocks progress in life and work. We dig into inclusive teams (including neurodiversity), strengths-based leadership, and practical ways to support women through menopause at work—from honest manager conversations to flexible, “reasonable” adjustments that keep great people in the room. In this episode: Building people so people build the business (strengths, engagement, team performance)Leaving corporate: breathing space, ditching the “shoulds,” and designing work your waySaying no to misfit clients and magnetising the right ones through authenticity and referralsMenopause and work: you’re not broken; strengths + small adjustments beat stigmaThe one-month experiment: try, note results, keep what works—applies to health, leadership, and culture

    45 min
  4. From Redundancy to Resilience: Suz Bird on Social Strategy, Community and Showing Up

    21 NOV

    From Redundancy to Resilience: Suz Bird on Social Strategy, Community and Showing Up

    Suz Bird, founder of Bird & Emmy, is a social media strategist working with SMEs across Scotland and the UK. She breaks down how to ditch “post for the algorithm” thinking, build a simple strategy that serves your business goals, and stay sane as a solo founder and single parent. We talk retainer vs project vs training models, why food-and-drink brands spark creative scrappiness, and how to use testimonials, co-mentors and tiny environmental shifts to quiet the inner critic. Suz shares her start-up story (redundancy, separation, first clients from community work), her love–hate with social media, practical networking habits, and plans to expand in-person workshops and DIY-friendly products so time-poor founders can still get results.  In this episode: Mindset first: social media as part of marketing, not a separate chore—and why clarity on audience beats chasing virality. Three ways she works: retained strategist, finite projects to build a plan and hand over, and one-to-one or workshop training. Solo doesn’t mean alone: using feedback forms, DMs and local networks to combat isolation and spark referrals. Get out of your own way: change the room, take a walk, then act—perfectionism is the enemy of momentum. What’s next: more live workshops and practical resources for founders without retainer budgets.

    32 min
  5. Head & Heart Leadership: Sophy Green on Running a Modern Charity That Works

    17 NOV

    Head & Heart Leadership: Sophy Green on Running a Modern Charity That Works

    Guest: Sophy Green, Chief Executive of Instant Neighbour, a 40-year Aberdeen charity and social enterprise. Sophy lifts the lid on balancing compassion with commercial discipline: running a food bank and the Giving Tree appeal, generating 85–90% of income through shops, an online store, joinery and carpet services, and delivering council contracts. We talk board governance (“nose in, hands off”), rising demand through the cost-of-living crisis, funding realities, and the tough calls—closing sites, restructuring, and still protecting frontline services. Sophy shares how she future-proofed with e-commerce, avoids “shiny object” projects by staying close to mission, and why leaders must chHead & Heart Leadership: Sophy Green on Running a Modern Charity That Workseck whether decisions are driven by the head or the heart. She credits coaching and regular “helicopter view” pauses for better choices, and ends with practical ways people can help this Christmas—volunteering, donating quality furniture, selection boxes, or money.

    36 min
  6. Honesty Over Hype: How Victoria Vyalikova Built a Specialist B2B Agency (and Uses AI Well)

    13 NOV

    Honesty Over Hype: How Victoria Vyalikova Built a Specialist B2B Agency (and Uses AI Well)

    Victoria Vyalikova, founder of Brand House, a digital marketing agency serving B2B and professional services from Aberdeen to international markets. We talk about building a specialist-first team, the associate model, and why honesty and transparency are the ultimate growth levers. Victoria shares her journey from Big Four marketing to launching during downturns, navigating COVID, and treating AI as a productivity booster—not a replacement for human judgment. We dig into people-pleasing, perfectionism, pricing fairly when AI speeds work up, and the real “juggle vs. balance” of a founder’s life.  In this episode: From EY/KPMG to founder: spotting the local digital gap and starting as a white-label freelancer before hiring in-house.The associate model: why deep specialists beat generalists, and how to find, test, and keep great partners.Values in action: “hard truth over comfortable lie,” expectation-setting, and saying no to conflicting goals.Resilience through shocks: oil crash, COVID, and today’s uncertainty—what held, what changed, what grew.AI at work: where it helps (analysis, content, reporting), where nuance matters, and why she reduced prices as efficiency rose.Personal growth: recovering people-pleaser, perfectionism, therapy/coaching, and redefining “balance” as intentional trade-offs.Early roots: tutoring at 13, problem-solving as an identity, and choosing a career built on earned autonomy. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro & Brand House focus (B2B/professional services) • 05:00 Specialist team & associates • 09:30 Reframing creativity • 11:00 Honesty, expectations, and saying no • 15:00 People-pleasing & perfectionism • 19:00 Riding downturns • 20:30 COVID: mental health, demand spike, onboarding associates • 24:00 AI as opportunity, not threat • 27:00 Pricing with integrity in the AI era • 30:00 Entrepreneur or accident? Problem-solver origins • 33:00 Women as do-ers: “What are we going to do now?” If you’re a female founder aiming for £1m+ turnover by 2030, book a 30-minute coaching chat with Brenda for a practical action plan https://bit.ly/brencares

    35 min
  7. "You're enough as you are" with Brenda Hector

    10 NOV

    "You're enough as you are" with Brenda Hector

    Welcome back to a very special episode of Scale Her Up! After 3 years of podcasts, we’ve officially hit the 100th episode. To celebrate that milestone today, we have Dr. Brenda Hector herself on the podcast. Not only is she the regular host of ScaleHerUp, she's a business development coach with ActionCoach, dedicated to helping business owners grow their business and achieve their dream. Today though, she’ll be in the hot seat, and we'll get a glimpse into her motivations and experiences. We will reflect on the last 100 episodes, the impact it has had for her, and talk about what her career journey has been like up to this point. On this episode we talk about the best advice she's ever been given, how the Rose Review ignited her passion for supporting female entrepreneurs, her Business Excellence Awards win, and how the last 100 episodes have shaped her. Be sure to follow our instagram @scaleherup and also her Linkedin at Brenda Hector for daily motivational updates and exciting future plans.

    47 min
  8. All behaviour is communication with Claire Standen

    6 NOV

    All behaviour is communication with Claire Standen

    In this Scale HER Up episode, coach and trainer Claire Standen (Embodiment UK) explains how to move beyond Mental Health First Aid into embodied, trauma-informed leadership. We discuss reading behaviour as communication, nervous-system tools for teams, and the realities of leaping from employment to entrepreneurship as a single mum. Includes practical steps for culture change and performance. Chapters: 00:00 Intro & who is Embodiment UK 01:00 Why MHFA is just the start 06:00 Behaviour = communication 09:00 Perspective-taking & Poke the Box  13:00 Training vs transformation 15:00 “I am home” insight 28:00 The leap & veterans coaching 31:00 Founder mindset 33:00 Twin support 35:00 Advice to younger self. Book a complimentary coaching call with Dr Brenda Hector https://bit.ly/brencares

    39 min
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About

If you are a female business owner, self-employed freelancer, or girl boss who wants to build a successful business i.e. work less hours, make more money, and get better results from your staff, then this is the podcast for you. Hosted by Dr Brenda Hector MBA from ActionCOACH UK, this podcast provides relatable and accessible business advice and inspiration from successful businesswomen who have been there and done it before you. This podcast is where you can • hear female business stories • share business success • learn how to overcome business challenges • get advice for businesswomen aspiring to success • find out what needs to change • discover how we can bring about that business revolution Only 1 in 3 UK entrepreneurs are female. UK men are 5 times more likely than women to build a business of over £1million turnover If UK women matched UK men in starting and scaling businesses, it would add £250 billion to the UK economy (Alison Rose, The Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship 2018) As a woman in business, a business coach, and a business growth expert, Brenda’s mission is to help business owners grow their companies, achieve their goals and live the lifestyle of their dreams. She's the help you need to grow your business.

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