How do you build a business that doesn't just grow, but lasts?

00:00 Introduction
01:07 From Corporate to CEO
08:33 The Power of Networking
13:26 Leading a Growing Business
20:55 Scaling with EOS
32:47 Organic Growth vs Acquisition
40:13 Life After CEO
44:54 Leadership Mindset
48:40 Tom's Next Chapter
51:31 The Future of Business
54:01 Tom's Formula for Success

In this episode of the Brand to Scale podcast, Jess sits down with Tom Wood to explore what it really takes to scale a business through strong leadership, strategic acquisitions and a culture that stands the test of time.

After nearly 15 years as CEO of Rawlings Group, Tom reflects on growing the business from a team of just 10 people into a £35 million organisation with multiple sites across the UK. He shares the lessons he learned about leading people, scaling sustainably and why the businesses that last always put people before processes.

From mergers and acquisitions to company culture, EOS, leadership and long-term growth, this conversation is packed with practical insights for founders, CEOs and business leaders looking to build businesses that thrive for years to come.

In this episode

• How Tom scaled Rawlings Group from 10 people to a £35 million business

• The difference between organic growth and growth through acquisition

• Why company culture becomes more important as you scale

• Building leadership teams that drive sustainable growth

• Using EOS to create accountability and clarity

• The biggest mistakes businesses make during periods of growth

• Why networking is one of the best investments a leader can make

• Transitioning from CEO to advisor and helping other businesses grow

• The mindset needed to lead through uncertainty and change

• Why great businesses are built by great teams

Brand to Scale is the podcast from Alchemy, where we speak to founders, CEOs and business leaders about the real stories, lessons and strategies behind building exceptional businesses.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders who are scaling brands, building high-performing teams and creating lasting impact.

#BrandToScale #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #businesspodcast

🔗 Connect With Us
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What happens after you build and sell a successful retail business?

In this episode of Brand to Scale, Jess sits down with Helen, a founder who grew and exited a major retail business, then rebuilt her career around supporting other women in business.

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00:00 Intro & Welcome
00:30 Growing Up in Family Business
03:20 From Property to Flying Tiger
09:50 Starting the Retail Venture
17:10 Fast Growth and Hard Lessons
20:50 Becoming Someone Else to Lead
26:00 Fertility, Burnout and Business Pressure
32:00 Moving Into Coaching and Support
35:20 Why Female Founders Lose Confidence
44:50 Building She Thrives Collective
52:50 What’s Next for Helen
56:00 Helen’s Personal Formula for Success

Helen shares the real story behind her entrepreneurial journey, from working on her parents’ market stall in Cardiff to helping launch and grow Flying Tiger Copenhagen across Wales and Bristol. She talks openly about ambition, burnout, fertility struggles, confidence, identity, and what it really takes to build a business without losing yourself in the process.

This is a powerful conversation about what success looks like after the exit, and why support, boundaries and self-awareness matter just as much as strategy.

In this episode, Helen talks about:

• Growing up around family business and market trading
• Launching and scaling a retail business in Wales
• Building Flying Tiger Copenhagen through a joint venture model
• The pressure of fast growth and leadership
• Burnout, fertility struggles and running a business through hard seasons
• Why confidence drops for many female founders
• The importance of boundaries, rest and real support
• Creating She Thrives Collective to support women in business
• Why what is missing matters more than what looks broken
• How to build a business that actually fits your life

If you are a founder, entrepreneur, business owner or ambitious woman building something of your own, this episode will give you honest insight and practical perspective.

This is a conversation about growth, identity, business support and creating success on your own terms.

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From One-Man Band to £20M Business: Jay’s Scale Strategy

What does it really take to scale from a one-man operation to a £20M tech business in under four years?

In this episode of Brand to Scale, Jay Ball, CEO of Flotek, shares the real story behind building and exiting his first company, retiring at 35, then returning to build something even bigger.

This is not overnight success. This is disciplined growth, bold acquisitions and relentless focus.

Jay talks openly about:

• Growing organically versus growing through acquisition
• The mindset shift from solo founder to board-led CEO
• Raising debt to scale faster
• Integrating 14 acquisitions while protecting culture
• Why most businesses misunderstand AI
• Leading by example and staying grounded

Flotek has grown from zero to nearly £20M in revenue in just three and a half years. Much of that growth has come through acquisition. But behind the numbers is a clear strategy, strong financial discipline and a deep commitment to people.

Jay also shares:

• Why he failed at retirement
• The difference between an entrepreneur and a business owner
• How AI should actually be used inside SMEs
• What small businesses must understand about cybersecurity
• Why leadership is learned but instinct cannot be taught

If you are a founder, CEO or ambitious business leader looking to scale properly, this episode is packed with practical insight.

This is growth done with intention.

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Work with Alchemy - https://alchemybranding.studio/contact/

Welcome to Brand to Scale, where I explore the real stories behind visionary leaders who turn ambition into action. Today's guest has a truly unique journey from launching one of Wales' most successful independent brewery, now helping build the next new ventures. Join us for inspiration and a deep dive into entrepreneurship, exploring the path to success stories.

00:00:00 Welcome & Intro
00:00:13 Early Entrepreneurial Journey
00:05:23 Building Tiny Rebel
00:11:31 Leading Through Crisis
00:17:27 Redefining Success
00:24:03 Leaving the Family Business
00:29:59 Starting a New Chapter
00:38:01 Supporting Women in Business
00:46:51 Embracing AI & Innovation
01:07:12 Final Reflections & Wisdom

From Vision to Values: Anthony on Building with Integrity

In this episode of Brand to Scale, Jess speaks with Anthony Levy, a founder who has spent nearly two decades building a business with long-term thinking and values at its core.

Anthony shares how his journey evolved from a commercially driven vision into one built on integrity, resilience, and purpose. This is a powerful conversation for founders, leaders, and anyone looking to grow a business without losing sight of what matters.

In this episode:

• How Anthony built a company over 17 years
• Moving from short-term wins to long-term value
• Why integrity is a non-negotiable in leadership
• Lessons learned from early struggles and self-reflection
• The emotional cost of growing fast without alignment
• Advice for founders on staying grounded and building sustainably

Whether you're starting out or scaling up, Anthony’s story will help you pause and rethink what growth really means.

From Consulting to Culture: Toby’s Leap into Leadership

In this episode of Brand to Scale, Jess speaks with Toby Henry, a former consultant who made the leap into business ownership.

Toby shares why he stepped away from the corporate world, how he bought a business, and what it really means to lead with people at the centre.

This episode is full of real insights on leadership, building culture, and staying true to your values while growing a business.

In this episode:

• Why Toby left consulting to run a business
• What people-first leadership looks like
• How to rebuild company culture after an acquisition
• The right way to hire for values and fit
• Balancing commercial success with long-term purpose

If you care about growing a business the right way, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

#BrandToScale #TobyHenry #Leadership #PeopleFirst #BusinessGrowth #CultureDrivenLeadership #Entrepreneurship #PurposeLedBusiness

From Nudge to Next Level: Matt’s Leadership Rise

In this episode of Brand to Scale, Jess speaks with Matt Webb – a thoughtful and experienced leader who shares the story of his rise to CEO. Matt's journey shows that leadership isn't always loud. Sometimes, it starts with a quiet nudge and builds through intentional growth.

Matt reflects on the turning points that shaped his career – from his early jobs in customer service to moments of doubt and clarity. He speaks openly about being pushed outside of his comfort zone, and how that led to meaningful change and new opportunities.

This episode is full of real, human insights about growing into leadership, staying grounded, and leading with purpose.

In this episode:

• Why a simple nudge changed everything
• How Matt approaches leadership today
• Moments of transition and reinvention
• The mindset shift from manager to CEO
• Staying aligned to personal values

Whether you’re leading a team or thinking about your next step, Matt’s story is full of useful takeaways.

#LeadershipDevelopment #BrandToScale #CareerGrowth #CEOStories #ValuesBasedLeadership #MattWebb

In this episode of Brand to Scale, Jess sits down with Richard Chapple, founder of The Growth Foundation. Richard has been at the heart of scaling some of the UK's most exciting brands. His experience spans names like Gymshark, The Hut Group and many others.

This conversation covers more than marketing. Richard talks about clarity, storytelling, leadership, and getting the right people in the right roles. He shares what businesses often get wrong about growth and why brand vision must turn into real value for customers.

In this episode:

• How Richard moved from retail to brand growth
• Lessons from scaling fast-growth businesses
• Building marketing teams that deliver
• Why founders need clarity and focus
• Turning vision and mission into strategy

Richard offers honest, practical advice for founders, marketers and business owners who want to scale with purpose and avoid common mistakes.

Topics covered:

• Brand strategy and growth
• Building strong marketing teams
• Founder leadership and communication
• Storytelling for business
• Scaling brands with clarity

Subscribe for more real conversations with people building better businesses.

#BrandToScale #TheGrowthFoundation #BrandStrategy #BusinessGrowth #FounderStories #MarketingLeadership