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

In this energising episode of Scale Her Up, Brenda is joined by former BBC TV presenter and award-winning speaker Penny Haslam. Penny is on a mission to help business owners “make themselves a little bit famous” so they can raise their profile, attract better opportunities and grow their businesses with more ease. Penny shares what she learned from years in broadcasting and how female founders can apply those lessons to become more visible – without feeling fake, pushy or like they’re constantly shouting about themselves. She and Brenda explore why visibility matters so much for women in business, how to get comfortable being seen, and simple ways to show up as the “go-to” person in your field. You’ll hear practical tips on using media, speaking and social content to build credibility, how to tell stories that stick, and what to do if you’re terrified of the spotlight. If you’ve ever worried that you’re “not interesting enough” or “not ready yet” to put yourself out there, this conversation will give you both the mindset boost and the toolkit to start getting a little bit famous in your own right.In this episode, we cover:Why visibility is a business growth strategy, not a vanity projectPenny’s journey from BBC TV to helping business owners raise their profileThe difference between being famous and being “a little bit famous”Practical ways to increase your visibility without a huge budgetHow to pitch yourself and your story so people actually listenHandling imposter syndrome when you step into the spotlightSimple first steps to start raising your profile this monthPerfect for you if:You’re a female founder or business leader who knows you need to be more visible but you’re not sure where to start – or you’ve been hiding a little and it’s time to step out from the shadows.

Claire shares what it was like working with her father and how she took over the business reins

A fascinating insight into medical research business

Nicki Young spotted an opportunity and built her business around it.

Building a multimillion-pound tourism enterprise — In this inspiring conversation, Freda Newton, owner of Loch Ness by Jacobite, shares how she transformed a small tour operator into one of Scotland’s best-loved attractions. We talk scaling a seasonal business, creating world-class visitor experiences, diversifying with new venues and products, leading through uncertainty, and putting people and place at the heart of growth. Practical, upbeat and full of lessons for founders in tourism and beyond.You’ll learnHow to scale a seasonal, weather-dependent business without losing service qualityWhat “world-class” guest experience looks like in practice (and how to operationalise it)Smart diversification plays that deepen brand and revenueFreda’s leadership lessons from two decades at the helm

In this episode of Scale HER Up – The Female Entrepreneur Show, I’m joined by Hannah Powell, Communications and HR Director at Perrywood Garden Centres, a multi-site family business she runs with her dad and two brothers. Hannah shares what it’s really like to work in – and help grow – a second-generation garden centre business, from being “the boss’s daughter” to sitting on the leadership team and steering major expansion.Before returning to Perrywood, Hannah built a successful career in PR and marketing, running high-profile campaigns and helping to launch Global Entrepreneurship Week. But behind the polished CV was a different story: living in London, she experienced severe burnout and was later diagnosed with a Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). That health crisis sent her on a “green recovery” – turning back to nature and, eventually, back to the family business.We talk about how nature became central to her healing and to her work, and how that journey led to her memoir “The Cactus Surgeon: Using Nature to Fix a Faulty Brain.” Hannah shares the lessons she’s brought into Perrywood around wellbeing, people-first culture, and creating workplaces that support mental health rather than erode it.This is a warm, honest conversation about family business dynamics, leadership, recovery and redefining success when life doesn’t go to plan.In this episode, we coverHannah’s role as Communications and HR Director and how Perrywood has grown into a multi-site family garden centre businessWhat it’s like to run a business with your dad and brothers – boundaries, communication and keeping relationships strongHannah’s earlier career in PR and marketing and her work on national and global entrepreneurship campaignsBurnout, Functional Neurological Disorder and the physical and emotional toll it tookHow reconnecting with plants and nature became a crucial part of her “green recovery”Why she decided to share her story publicly and eventually write The Cactus SurgeonThe power of nature and mindful moments for everyday mental health – even if you don’t have a big gardenLessons she’s taken into leadership: pacing growth, looking after people and normalising conversations about wellbeingThe unique challenges and rewards of building a successful family business over the long term

In this inspiring episode of Scale HER Up – The Female Entrepreneur Show, I’m joined by Rosee Elliott, also known as The Image Whisperer. Rosee shares her journey into entrepreneurship and how she helps women use style, image and presence as powerful tools for confidence and visibility in business – at any age.We talk about the stories women are told about getting older – and how those stories can quietly hold us back from being seen, raising our prices or even starting the business we really want. Rosee explains how aligning your outer image with who you are on the inside can transform how you feel, how you show up and how others respond to you.This is not about chasing perfection or trends. It’s about owning your experience, showing your personality and allowing yourself to be visible in a way that feels authentic and powerful – whether you’re stepping on stage, recording video or simply walking into a networking room.If you’ve ever thought “I’ve missed my chance” or “I’m too old to start now”, this conversation will gently but firmly challenge that belief and give you practical ideas to step forward with more confidence.In this episode, we cover:Rosee’s journey to becoming The Image Whisperer and building a business around style and confidenceWhy age is not a barrier to starting or growing a successful businessCommon visibility blocks for women: “I hate photos”, “I don’t know what to wear”, “no one wants to see me on video”How your clothes, colours and personal style can support your message and make you feel more like “you”Simple tweaks that can help you feel more confident at networking events, on stage or on ZoomThe mindset shift from “I’m past it” to “my experience is a huge asset in business”Practical tips to start showing up more – without feeling fake or over-polishedAbout Rosee ElliottRosee Elliott is a style and image specialist known as The Image Whisperer. She works with entrepreneurs and professionals to help them feel confident, visible and authentic in how they present themselves – in person, on stage and on camera. Drawing on her own journey into business later in life, Rosee shows women that age is not a barrier but a strength, and that aligning your image with who you really are can unlock a new level of confidence and opportunity in business

Customer service as a growth engine — In this candid conversation, Julie Wagstaff, Managing Director and co-owner of ActionCOACH UK, shares how unwavering customer service builds resilient, referral-rich businesses. We talk about turning redundancy into a new career path, what “world-class” service looks like inside a scaling franchise network, and how values, leadership and team habits translate into commercial wins. Practical, upbeat and packed with takeaways for any founder or service-led business.You’ll learnSimple practices that turn customers into promoters—and why consistency beats heroicsHow franchise systems operationalise great service across locationsJulie’s route from redundancy to senior leadership, plus lessons on resilience and focus

Angela Kinghorn shares her experience as a regional executive director of BNI the world's largest word-of-mouth referrals organisation

In this interview Abbie Hine of WiseOceans tells us how her passion for marine conservation has led to her running an international marine education business located in luxury holiday resorts around the world. Abbie shares the highs and lows and challenges she has faced as a businesswoman.

Part 2: A champion for women in business, Ann and her husband Howard started Blaze Manufacturing Solutions in a summerhouse in their garden and built it into a multimillion pound business. In this interview she shares her experiences, challenges and lots of great advice.

A champion for women in business, Ann and her husband Howard started Blaze Manufacturing Solutions in a summerhouse in their garden and built it into a multimillion pound business. In this interview she shares her experiences, challenges and lots of great advice.

Clare Josa is considered the UK's leading authority on Imposter Syndrome, having spent the past fifteen years working with business leaders to help them to overcome it, as well as leading the landmark 2019 Imposter Syndrome Research Study and publishing her new book: Ditching Imposter Syndrome.An expert in the neuroscience and psychology of performance, her original training as an engineer, specialising in Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing, means her approach is grounded in practical common sense, creating breakthroughs not burnout.She is the author of eight books and has been interviewed by the likes of The Independent, The Daily Telegraph and Radio 4, amongst others. Clare speaks internationally on how to change the world by changing yourself.Find the additional content Clare mentions in the interview here www.clarejosa.com/scaleherup/