In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, Paul Avins sits down with Simon Leslie, a serial entrepreneur with decades of experience in growing businesses. Simon shares his insights into what it takes to scale a business to new heights, navigate the various phases of business growth, and evolve as a leader along the way.

Key Themes Discussed:

1. The Evolution of a Business: Simon compares business growth to human development, explaining how businesses go through stages similar to adolescence. He discusses the responsibilities that come with scaling up and the moment when a business must decide to remain small or grow bigger.
2. Delegating and Trust: As businesses scale, the need to delegate and trust others becomes crucial. Simon emphasizes the challenge of letting go and allowing others to take on responsibilities, even if they don't do things exactly as the founder would.
3. The Importance of Professional Growth: The episode explores the transition from a "scrappy" startup to a more professional organization. Simon discusses when and why to implement formal processes like HR and how these changes impact business culture and dynamics.
4. Knowing When to Scale: Simon and Paul discuss the pivotal moments when a business must decide whether to stay small or push for growth. Simon shares his experience with expanding his business to global markets and the challenges that come with operating in different countries.
5. Building High-Performing Teams: One of the key aspects of scaling a business is building a high-performing team. Simon talks about the importance of trust within an organization and how it can propel a business forward.

Quotes from the Episode:

• Paul Avins: "If you can't build a team, you can't live the dream."
• Simon Leslie: "A grown-up business is one that's full of problems and full of opportunities."

Key Themes Discussed:

[00:00:01] Setting the stage for an insightful conversation about building and scaling a global brand.

[00:02:36] Defining a Grown-Up Business

[00:04:45] The Beginnings of an Entrepreneur: Simon shares his early experiences

[00:07:04] Scaling Up and Leadership Evolution.

[00:09:26] Embracing Professionalism in Business

[00:11:48] The Challenges of Growth and Staying Small

[00:14:07] Global Expansion and Cultural Nuances

[00:18:54] The Philosophy of Selling and Building Relationships

[00:25:48] Persistence and Playing the Long Game

[00:32:53] Buying a Football Club and Making a Difference

[00:37:31] Vision for the Future and Community Impact

[00:44:34] Lessons Learned from Selling a Business

[00:51:34] The Dash to the Finish – Life's Journey

[01:00:41] Wrapping Up and Key Takeaways

Connect with Us:

• Paul Avins: LinkedIn
• Simon Leslie: LinkedIn

Make sure to subscribe to the Grown Up Business Podcast for more insightful conversations with industry leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review and share it with your network to help more entrepreneurs level up their business game.