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

Brenda Hector
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

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. 1d ago

    Her Baby Bouncer Was in Her Grandfather's Office: Dominique Dawson on 70 Years of Finnies, Lessons from Harrods, and Why Nobody on Her Team Has Ever Worked on Commission

    In this episode of Scale HER Up, I'm joined by Dominique Dawson — director of Finnies the Jeweller in Aberdeen, and, as I realised partway through this conversation, the first third-generation female business owner I've ever interviewed in 170-plus episodes. Dominique's grandparents founded Finnies. Her mum and uncle ran it. Now Dominique and her brother are the third generation. And next year, the business turns 70. Her baby bouncer was installed in her grandfather's office. She went on to get her graduate gemology qualification in London, spent four years as assistant manager at Chanel Fine Jewelry in Harrods, sold a £1.5 million set of jewelry to a customer who paid by card without blinking, and came home to modernise a business she'd grown up in. We cover: What Finnies the Jeweller is and what makes it specialWhat three generations of female leadership looks like from the insideWhat Dominique took from four years at Harrods — and one crucial thing she left behindWhy she has never introduced commission or targets for any member of her team — and why she never willComing home to modernise: the half-day Wednesday closure, the website, the online transactions, and the staff rota she rebuilt for 40 peopleThe imposter syndrome of being the youngest person in the room with the most ideasWhat's next: the 70th anniversary, the renovation, new brands — and why she'll never open a second locationAberdeen city centre: what it needs, what Finnies is doing for it, and why she's more optimistic than the AberdoniansWhy sleep is non-negotiable and gardening was a revelation"Sometimes they say the third generation destroys. I hope not." Quote of the episode: "The only reason we will continue to succeed is you've got to look after people." — Dominique Dawson If you run a family business, if you're trying to modernise something that's been done the same way for a long time, or if you just love a good Aberdeen story — this one's for you.

    Her Baby Bouncer Was in Her Grandfather's Office: Dominique Dawson on 70 Years of Finnies, Lessons from Harrods, and Why Nobody on Her Team Has Ever Worked on Commission

  2. 4d ago

    The Burnout Nobody Saw Coming — Including Her: Emma Hutton on What Breaks High-Performing Leaders, How to Spot It, and What's Waiting on the Other Side

    In this episode of Scale HER Up, I'm joined by Emma Hutton — a social justice leader with over 20 years of experience, and until March of this year, the Chief Executive of JustRight Scotland. Emma left that role after burning out. She's sharing her story on this podcast for the same reason she wrote a long, honest article about it on LinkedIn: because she thinks she might have recognized the signs earlier if she'd seen someone else describe it first. This is not a business episode in the usual sense. But if you lead anything — a business, a team, a department, yourself — this conversation has something in it for you. We cover: Emma's career in social justice: what it looks like when there's no corporate graduate pathway to followThe structural challenges that made the CEO role uniquely hard: funding pressures, a polarized external environment, the isolation of being the one the buck stops withWhy burnout doesn't arrive suddenly — the cyclical buildup, the warning signs ignored, and the four or five times she recovered and thought she could keep doing thatThe blood pressure test that changed everythingWhat burnout actually feels like from the inside: the flat Sunday mornings, the frog-marched dog walk, the brain that stopped working beyond breakfastHer relapse prevention plan: four categories of warning signs, and what she's watching forWhat she'd say to someone who recognizes themselves in her descriptionWhat she'd say to someone who can see the signs in somebody elseThe nervous system: what she's learned about the neuroscience of stress and why it's changed how she thinks about everythingWhat's next — including the first draft of the novel she finished the morning of this recording Quote of the episode: "Burnout happens to people who are very resilient — until they're not resilient anymore." — Emma Hutton If you're listening to this and thinking "that sounds like me," this episode is for you. If you're listening and thinking "that sounds like someone I know," this episode is for them.

    The Burnout Nobody Saw Coming — Including Her: Emma Hutton on What Breaks High-Performing Leaders, How to Spot It, and What's Waiting on the Other Side

  3. Sep 4

    "Two Thirds of the Staff Left on a Tuesday Morning": Debbie Mitchell on Building a Business, Selling It Right, and Why 18% Isn't Good Enough

    In this episode of Scale HER Up, I'm joined by Debbie Mitchell, director of Atholl Scott Financial Services — an independent financial planning firm in Aberdeen with a 60-year history behind it. In September 1999, Debbie went into work as normal. By the time she went home, she was the director. Her boss and his wife had left without warning that Tuesday morning, and the CA firm partners called her to say she was now running things. There were lots of tears. A significant amount of wine. Her sister drove to the office after work every night for admin. Her husband was in charge of pizzas and filing. And Debbie called every single client personally. Twenty-five years later, she's sold the business, she's president-elect of the Chartered Insurance Institute, and she still gets imposter syndrome — though she's old enough now not to let it stop her. We cover: - What Atholl Scott Financial Services does and how it was built - The September Tuesday morning that changed everything - Why client loyalty belongs to the brand, not the person — and what that's worth - Selling the business: why she took the lowest offer on the table - The three Cs that mattered more than money: clients, colleagues, compliance - Advice for anyone thinking about exit planning — start with what it looks like, not what it's worth - What she's doing now: CII president 2027, performing arts charity chair, travel, and a very full life - Why only 18% of financial planners are female — and why she thinks that's about to change - Running the business with a papoose strapped to her front. Also caring for both parents. Also being the only woman in the room. - The self-belief message she most wants to leave behind **Quote of the episode:** *"Absolutely believe in yourself. You are so able, so capable, so brilliant. Self-belief is what's important."* — Debbie Mitchell If you've ever wondered what it takes to build something, sell it well, and still have a full life on the other side — this is the episode for you.

    "Two Thirds of the Staff Left on a Tuesday Morning": Debbie Mitchell on Building a Business, Selling It Right, and Why 18% Isn't Good Enough

  4. Sep 1

    "I'd Just Like to Play at Being a Scientist for a Few More Years": Leanne Ramage on Spinning Out a Renewable Energy Software Company, Rejection, and the Song Playing on the Way to the Interview That Started Everything

    In this episode of Scale HER Up, I'm joined by Leanne Ramage, Managing Director of Kudo Software — a renewable energy software company that helps manage projects and people across wind farms, solar farms, battery storage and pumped hydro. Leanne didn't plan to lead a company. She didn't plan to stay in renewables after her PhD. She didn't plan for most of what's happened. What she did was take each opportunity that appeared in front of her — and that approach, combined with what she describes as an almost inconvenient stubbornness, has brought her here. In 2023, she and her co-founders spun Kudo out of Natural Power Consultants, backed by the Fred Olsen Group. They launched with 20 people. They're now 25. And they're in year two of actually selling their product to market. We cover: - What Kudo Software does and which sectors it serves - The spinout model: different from a startup in important ways — and harder in others - What she'd do differently (smaller team, established product first) - What she's learned about herself: stubbornness as a strength, and being annoyed at herself for not liking being uncomfortable - The first rejection — getting to the final two and losing on referenceability - Fred Olsen, 97-year-old blue sky thinker and unlikely early champion - The day of graduation she turned down two good options to "play at being a scientist for a few more years" - The juggle: retired parents on the school run, a husband who doesn't travel, and airport teddies - Why women in STEM is still not changing — and the frustration that comes with not knowing how to fix it - The playlist song: Cheerleader by OMI, and the reason it will always mean something **Quote of the episode:** *"I don't think you should be worried about failure. All you're doing is making yourself more marketable."* — Leanne Ramage If you're thinking about taking a big leap — or you're deep in year one or two and wondering if it's going to come good — this one's for you.

    "I'd Just Like to Play at Being a Scientist for a Few More Years": Leanne Ramage on Spinning Out a Renewable Energy Software Company, Rejection, and the Song Playing on the Way to the Interview That Started Everything

  5. Jul 17

    "Paddy Made Me Better": Alison Harper and Sara Huibregtse Van Loon on Therapy Dogs, Teams, Mental Health Stigma and Passing the Baton

    In this episode of Scale HER Up, I'm joined by two guests: Alison Harper, founder of Harper Psychology, and Sara Huibregtse Van Loon, psychological therapist and the person Alison hopes to one day hand the practice to. Harper Psychology — formerly Harper Clinical Psychology — is an Edinburgh-based private psychology practice that's been running for around 20 years. What started as a solo clinical psychologist practice grew to two during the first 10 years, and then, when COVID hit and the NHS couldn't keep up with demand, expanded to a team of six — including two therapy dogs. One of those dogs, Paddy the one-eyed collie, features in one of the most moving stories I've ever heard on this show. We cover: - What Harper Psychology does and who it's for - The difference between a clinical psychologist and a CBT therapist — and what clients should actually look for - Why Alison went into private practice (school holidays, four children, and one very stubborn child who did not want to go to holiday club) - How the practice grew from two to six — and the challenge of building a team in a field where client continuity is everything - The mindset shift that stopped people leaving: valuing the CBT pathway as its own destination, not just a stepping stone - The therapy dogs, and the story of a client who said it wasn't Alison who helped them most — it was Paddy - The succession model: passing the baton rather than selling up, and why Alison wants the team to take it over and go further - The mental health stigma that still exists in 2026 — and why Alison thinks mental health is no different from dental health or physical fitness - What employers can do to genuinely support their teams' wellbeing - Advice to their 18-year-old selves: believe in yourself, and don't worry if you don't have a plan yet **Quote of the episode:** *"Mental health is like dental health is like physical fitness."* — Alison Harper Whether you're thinking about growing your team, passing on your business, or just wondering why we still treat mental health differently from any other kind of health — this one's worth your time.

    "Paddy Made Me Better": Alison Harper and Sara Huibregtse Van Loon on Therapy Dogs, Teams, Mental Health Stigma and Passing the Baton

  6. Jul 14

    She Was Answering Emails on C-Section Day: Laura Weir on Control, Boundaries and Building a Letting Agency That Actually Fits Your Life

    In this episode of Scale HER Up, I'm joined by Laura Weir, Managing Director of Direct Lettings — a letting agency based in Edinburgh and Dundee, now servicing much of the East Coast of Scotland and growing into the build-to-rent sector. Laura joined Direct Lettings 14 years ago, was essentially told to "run with it," had four children while running the business, never really took maternity leave, and found emails coming from her account on the day she had a C-section. Two years ago she bought into the business and became MD. This is a conversation about what it actually looks like to build something while also being a human — and the moment you realise you need to change. We cover: - What Direct Lettings does and how the business has grown on referrals alone - The build-to-rent sector: what it is, why it's exciting, and why it's a hard slog - Laura's career journey: from getting a job to keep her parents happy to becoming MD and co-owner - What it's like to be a self-described control freak — the benefits and the cost - The C-section email moment — and why she wouldn't do it now - How she went from reactive and everything-myself to starting early, leaving at 3pm and taking Fridays off - The "company Bible" — and why every process being documented changed everything - Building a team of 11 across two offices and why culture has been non-negotiable - Career development over pay rises — supporting staff through qualifications and internal moves - What's next: the Borders market, more build-to-rent, and finally opening that office she's been talking about for four years - Her advice for women in business: be kinder to yourself than she was **Quote of the episode:** *"Be kinder to yourself than I've been."* — Laura Weir If you've ever answered work emails when you absolutely shouldn't have — or if you're just wondering how to grow a business without losing yourself in the process — this one's for you.

    She Was Answering Emails on C-Section Day: Laura Weir on Control, Boundaries and Building a Letting Agency That Actually Fits Your Life

  7. Jul 10

    Strategy Before Marketing, AI Without Losing Yourself, and the Advice That Changed Everything: Gaynor Duthie of Genoa Black

    In this episode of Scale HER Up, I'm joined by Gaynor Duthie, Managing Partner of Genoa Black — a strategy, brand and marketing consultancy with teams in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and now Los Angeles. Gaynor joined Genoa Black on day three of its existence, worked for nothing in exchange for a promise of equity, became a partner in 2014, and has led the business to where it is today: 14 people, over 1,000 Scottish SMEs served, and an international expansion underway.Strategy, AI and the Advice That Unlocks Your Next Level | Gaynor Duthie | Scale HER Up This is a conversation packed with honest reflections on leadership, growth, AI, boundaries and the advice that unlocked everything for Gaynor — early in her career, someone told her: "Don't do the job you've got. Do the job you want." We cover: - What Genoa Black does across its three divisions — strategy, brand and marketing — and why the order matters - Why they never jump straight into marketing without brand clarity first - How their strategy division was born out of COVID — and why it's now a core part of what they do - The partnership model: how bringing in the right business partners transformed the business - Gaynor's extraordinary journey from working for nothing on day three to managing partner - The best piece of advice she ever received — "Don't do the job you've got, do the job you want" - Why people management has always been the hardest part — and how she's learned to lead through conflict - AI: embracing it without relying on it — and why emotional intelligence matters just as much as artificial intelligence - Growth isn't just headcount — efficiency, profitability and culture all count - The LA expansion: how a relationship with chef Curtis Stone opened the door - Why she went almost 12 years without an out of office — and what changed - "I didn't come this far to only come this far" Quote of the episode: "Emotional intelligence is just as important as artificial intelligence." — Gaynor Duthie If you're leading a business, thinking about your next step, or wondering how to keep growing without burning out — this one's for you.

    Strategy Before Marketing, AI Without Losing Yourself, and the Advice That Changed Everything: Gaynor Duthie of Genoa Black

  8. Jul 7

    The Art of Hospitality PR: Jessica Sneddon on Niching Down, the Boss You'd Want to Work For, and Why Specialising Is the Smartest Business Decision You'll Make

    In this episode of Scale HER Up, I'm joined by Jessica Sneddon, co-owner and co-founder of Soundbite PR — an Edinburgh-based PR agency that works exclusively in hospitality, food tourism and food and drink production. Jessica and her business partner Martha Bryce have built Soundbite from just the two of them into a team of nine, with around 30 clients across some of Scotland's most celebrated hotels, restaurants and producers. Their specialist approach has attracted clients including the Old Course Hotel and a host of independent restaurants, distilleries and food producers — and their staff retention is a quiet testament to the culture they've built. This is a conversation full of practical wisdom — on niche, on growth, on what it really means to become the boss you'd want to work for. We cover: - What Soundbite PR does and why they only ever work in hospitality - Why specialisation is the most profitable business decision you can make (their accountant's verdict) - The state of the hospitality industry right now — and how the best operators are adapting - Why PR makes the difference at a restaurant opening — and how you can still win without it - What Jess has had to build to get here: a thick skin, a great co-founder and really excellent finance support - The value of having a business partner — and what Martha does that Jess absolutely doesn't (hello, crisis comms) - How Soundbite grew its team from four pre-COVID to nine now — and why their culture keeps people staying - The nine-day fortnight and what genuine work-life balance looks like in practice - Being the boss you'd want to work for — and the story that taught her exactly what not to do - What's next: digital expansion, north of England, Northern Ireland, and a hospitality networking series - Two must-do pieces of advice: outsource your finance — and do your tax return early **Quote of the episode: "I wanted to be the boss I would want to work for." — Jessica Sneddon Whether you're thinking about niching down, building a team, or wondering what kind of culture you actually want to create — this episode has something for you.

    The Art of Hospitality PR: Jessica Sneddon on Niching Down, the Boss You'd Want to Work For, and Why Specialising Is the Smartest Business Decision You'll Make
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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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