ScaleHQ Podcast

Sean Steele
ScaleHQ Podcast Podcast

Founders who've scaled. Founders still striving. What could you achieve if you knew the secrets and strategies of the Founders who've already achieved scale? Join Sean Steele as he interviews the Founders who've made it, learns from industry experts, and follows a group of Founders still striving to scale. The ScaleHQ Podcast is more about strategy and practical tools, than inspiration.

  1. AUG 28

    111 — Simon Reynolds secrets to entrepreneurial success.

    Join us this week as we dive into an insightful conversation with Siimon Reynolds.  Learn how to overcome entrepreneurial challenges and achieve sustainable growth with his proven methods. In this episode, Sean sits down with renowned entrepreneur and business mentor Siimon Reynolds.  Siimon shares his extensive experience and insights into scaling businesses, enhancing productivity, and mastering the entrepreneurial mindset.  Here are the key topics covered in this episode: The Journey of an Entrepreneur:  • Siimon reflects on the lessons he learned over a decade of building and growing businesses, and the importance of resilience and continuous learning in the entrepreneurial journey.  Focus Areas for Business Growth:  • Siimon discusses the critical areas he focuses on in his one-on-one coaching sessions, including business growth strategies, productivity enhancement, mental performance optimization, and the need for entrepreneurs to use their time effectively. Combatting "Zombie Entrepreneurship":  • Siimon discusses the concept of "zombie entrepreneurs" – those who have lost their passion and drive but continue running their businesses out of necessity and strategies to maintain enthusiasm and prevent burnout, ensuring long-term business success. Maximizing Potential and Performance:  • Siimon highlights the importance of functioning at full potential and not settling for mediocrity in business operations. He offers practical advice on eliminating negative thinking and fostering a positive, productive mindset. This episode is a treasure trove of actionable advice and inspiring insights, perfect for Founders looking to scale their businesses and elevate their entrepreneurial game.  Tune in to learn from one of the best in the industry. Watch or listen to the full episode on: • Spotify: ⁠https://loom.ly/NuK50WA⁠ • Apple: ⁠https://loom.ly/-oy8jL4⁠ • YouTube: ⁠https://loom.ly/u_vibuw⁠ • ScaleHQ website: ⁠https://www.scalehq.com.au/111⁠

    37 min
  2. JUL 28

    110 — What I Learned Building the World’s Largest Student Accommodation Marketplace | Luke Nolan

    Join us for this week’s ScaleHQ Podcast with Luke Nolan as he shares his transformative insights on building the world’s largest student accommodation marketplace and provides practical advice for entrepreneurs aiming to scale their businesses. In this ScaleHQ episode, Sean sits down with Luke Nolan, the visionary Founder of Student.com, the world’s largest student accommodation marketplace. With operations in over 40 countries and close to $3 billion in transactions, Luke shares his journey from startup to global success, offering valuable insights and strategies for aspiring entrepreneurs. Here are some key points discussed in the interview: • Genesis of Student.com: Luke recounts the "aha moments" that led to the creation of Student.com. As an international student himself, he identified a massive opportunity to simplify the student accommodation process. His unique perspective and firsthand experience fueled his passion for solving this problem on a global scale. • Scaling through Technology: Luke emphasises the importance of leveraging technology to scale the business. He shares how early investments in tech helped Student.com expand rapidly, particularly in large markets like China. By focusing on creating a seamless user experience, the platform was able to cater to millions of students worldwide. • Overcoming Challenges and Pivots: The journey wasn’t without its hurdles. Luke discusses a major pivot that involved reducing operational costs and laying off 42 employees in a single day. This painful but necessary step was crucial for the company's long-term sustainability and growth. • Leadership Transition: Luke talks about his recent transition from CEO to a more strategic role, bringing in a new CEO to lead the company. He shares the steps taken to ensure a smooth transition and the importance of building a strong leadership team to drive the business forward. Listen to the full episode to learn more about Luke Nolan’s strategies for scaling a business, navigating challenges, and creating a global impact in the student accommodation industry. ----------------------------------------------------- Watch or listen to the full episode on: Spotify:  • https://loom.ly/NuK50WA Apple:  • https://loom.ly/-oy8jL4 YouTube:  • https://loom.ly/u_vibuw ScaleHQ website: • https://www.scalehq.com.au/110

    50 min
  3. JUL 5

    108 — Achieving Financial Freedom: Jackson's Secrets to Building Personal Wealth through Business

    This week, we catch up with Jackson Millan’s LIVE episode on “The ScaleHQ Podcast.” In this exciting discussion, Jackson revealed his game-changing strategies for turning business profits into personal wealth, offering actionable steps to aspiring entrepreneurs. In this episode, Sean sits down with Jackson Millan, the "Wealth Mentor" and co-founder of Aureus Financial, to talk about the mechanics of building personal wealth through business success. Jackson shares his experiences and strategies, from overcoming personal debt to guiding entrepreneurs on their path to financial freedom. His practical advice and wealth-building techniques provide invaluable insights for business owners looking to optimize their financial future. His key points include: 1. Transition from financial advisor to a wealth mentor: Jackson shares his journey from starting as a financial advisor to founding Aureus Financial, driven by his desire to help people like his parents who struggled with money despite running successful businesses. 2. The importance of financial structure: Jackson explains the need for a solid financial operating system, highlighting the use of multiple bank accounts to manage cash flow and ensure profitability. 3. Creating a personal wealth strategy: He discusses the significance of turning business profits into personal wealth and outlines a strategic approach to achieving financial freedom within ten years. 4. Principles for business success: Jackson emphasizes the importance of having clear business principles and values, such as focusing on progress over perfection and creating value for clients, team, and the business. 5. Acquisition as a Growth Strategy: Jackson talks about the benefits and challenges of business acquisitions, explaining how strategic acquisitions can significantly accelerate business growth and increase overall value. Listen now to learn and apply Jackson’s strategies to ensure successful scaling and personal wealth-building. ----------------------------------------------------- Watch or listen to the full episode on: Spotify: • https://loom.ly/NuK50WA Apple: • https://loom.ly/-oy8jL4 ScaleHQ website: • https://www.scalehq.com.au/108.

    57 min
  4. JUN 22

    107 — From Lingerie to Legacy: Samantha Hurst’s Lessons Growing Click Start Digital

    This week, Samantha Hurst guest stars on the ScaleHQ Podcast to share her inspiring journey from launching a lingerie business to building Click Start Digital, offering invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs of e-commerce entrepreneurship. In this engaging episode, Sam Hurst, Founder of Click Start Digital, talks about her transformative journey from a corporate career to a successful e-commerce entrepreneur. Sam shares her story of creating and scaling her businesses, emphasising the importance of mindset, resilience, and the right support system. Her insights provide a roadmap for aspiring Founders looking to make their mark in the digital world. Here are the highlights from this week’s episode: 1. Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneur: Sam recounts her shift from a corporate career to starting her lingerie business, which she scaled and sold before founding Click Start Digital. 2. Building Click Start Digital: She explains the mission of Click Start Digital, which is to help new entrepreneurs start e-commerce businesses with ready-made stores, training, and coaching to avoid common pitfalls. 3. Overcoming Challenges: Samantha shares the tough lessons learned, including dealing with rapid business growth, managing client expectations, and the critical need for a strong management team. 4. Mindset and Resilience: She emphasises the importance of having the right mindset, staying persistent, and continually adapting to overcome obstacles and achieve success. 5. Planning for the Future: Samantha discusses her future goals for Click Start Digital, including scaling and preparing the business for a potential sale and the importance of financial preparedness for long-term sustainability. Tune in now to hear the journey of another up and coming scaler, Samantha Hurst. Enjoy! Watch or listen to the full episode on: Spotify: • https://loom.ly/NuK50WA Apple: • https://loom.ly/-oy8jL4 ScaleHQ website: • www.ScaleHQ.com.au/107. #ecommerce #businesspodcast #podcast #SeanSteele.

    32 min
  5. JUN 5

    106 — From Corporate Banks to Croatian Bays: Ant Botica's Leap from Banker to Bucket-List Builder

    This week on the ScaleHQ podcast, learn how Ant Botica transitioned from a corporate banker to creating unforgettable yacht experiences with Solamoré Events, offering practical guidance on building a lifestyle-aligned business and overcoming entrepreneurship challenges. In this episode of the ScaleHQ podcast, I speak with Ant Botica, Founder of Solamoré Events, to hear his extraordinary journey from the corporate world of banking to becoming the "Superyacht Guy" known for creating exciting luxury yachts events. Ant shares his story of perseverance, passion, and his quest to build a business that aligns with his lifestyle and values. Here are the key points we covered: 1. The Journey from Banking to Entrepreneurship: Ant recounts his decision to leave the banking industry after a life-changing visit to Croatia, which inspired him to pursue a more fulfilling and adventurous career path. 2. Creating Solamoré : We dive into how Ant built Solamoré , a referral-based business that organises exceptional yacht events in multiple countries, emphasising the importance of creating unforgettable customer experiences. 3. Challenges of Scaling: All Founders experience challenges, and Ant is no different. He discusses the difficulties he faced in the early stages of his business, including financial struggles, the 2008 financial crisis, the impact of COVID-19, and how he overcame these obstacles. 4. The Importance of Passion and Adaptability: Ant highlights the significance of loving what you do and being willing to adapt and pivot your business model as necessary to ensure long-term success. 5. Leveraging Personal and Professional Networks: Ant underscores the value of having mentors and a robust support network to navigate the complexities of scaling a business. Tune in now to unlock your journey of successful scaling. Watch or listen to the full episode on: Spotify:  • https://loom.ly/NuK50WA Apple:  • https://loom.ly/-oy8jL4 YouTube:  • https://loom.ly/u_vibuw ScaleHQ website:  www.ScaleHQ.com.au/106

    53 min
  6. MAY 22

    105 — From Down Under to Cyprus: Unpacking My First 100 Days

    New Beginnings: How Living in Cyprus Transformed My Approach to Life and Business In this week's solo ScaleHQ podcast episode, I discuss the transformative lessons I learned during my first 100 days living in Cyprus. Like any big move, I have learned to adapt and overcome a series of unexpected challenges and discoveries that impact my family life and offer profound insights into my approach to business. Here are the key lessons I have learned: 1. Embracing uncertainty: Relocating to a new country has heightened my awareness of balancing certainty and uncertainty. This lesson is vital for founders and entrepreneurs who must constantly navigate the unpredictability of business, providing insights on maintaining flexibility without losing sight of stability. 2. Importance of support systems: The move underscored the critical role of maintaining strong relationships during periods of significant change. I reflect on the importance of being present for my family and creating spaces that foster connection and support, paralleling the need for robust networks and support systems in scaling businesses. 3. Time management and realistic expectations: I share my realizations about time—specifically, that everything worthwhile takes longer than expected. This lesson is crucial for business leaders, emphasizing the need for patience and proper pacing when embarking on new ventures or scaling existing operations. 4. Reflection and adaptation: Finally, I stress the importance of continuous learning and adaptation, whether adjusting to a new country or adjusting business models to meet evolving market demands better. This episode is a must-listen for anyone facing or contemplating significant life or business changes. It offers inspiration and practical advice on navigating these challenges. Watch or listen to the full episode on: Spotify:  • https://loom.ly/NuK50WA Apple:  • https://loom.ly/-oy8jL4 YouTube:  • https://loom.ly/u_vibuw ScaleHQ website:  • www.ScaleHQ.com.au/ #ScaleHQ #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLeadership #LifeLessons #Podcast

    21 min
  7. MAY 9

    104 — What People Should Ask About How to Scale a Business Up, But Never Do: Revealed in Exclusive Interview with Sean Steele

    This week, Sean guest stars on Guillaume Jouvencel’s podcast show, “The Podcast Gurus” to discuss the key questions Founders need to ask themselves when scaling, offering practical guidance on overcoming challenges while preparing for maximum scale and exit optionality. In this episode, Sean joins “The Podcast Gurus” podcast to talk about the principles of scaling a business and the common challenges, while offering his strategic and seasoned insight. In the conversation, Sean unpacks: The characteristics of a successful scaler, differentiating between the skills needed for starting a business versus scaling one, emphasizing the importance of vision, strategy, and the ability to execute long-term plans without sacrificing the quality or integrity of the business model. Tailored scaling strategies and how they vary significantly between industries, such as digital versus brick-and-mortar, highlighting the universal principles that guide his approach to scaling any business. The dangers of rapid scaling, including the potential pitfalls of scaling too quickly without proper foundations. Role of peer networks in scaling, highlighting the importance of having a robust support network, mentors, and advisors who provide invaluable resources and perspectives that aid in navigating the challenges of scaling a business. Tune in now to unlock your journey of successful scaling. #PodcastGurus #BusinessScaling #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment

    59 min

About

Founders who've scaled. Founders still striving. What could you achieve if you knew the secrets and strategies of the Founders who've already achieved scale? Join Sean Steele as he interviews the Founders who've made it, learns from industry experts, and follows a group of Founders still striving to scale. The ScaleHQ Podcast is more about strategy and practical tools, than inspiration.

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