Scale Her Up: Female business stories and expert tips for business growth and success
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...
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The Goddess of Healing: Scaling a Biotech Spinout with Soumya Palliyil
<p>How do you transition from a decade in a research lab to leading a high-stakes biotech company? In this episode, Dr Brenda Hector talks with Soumya Palliyil, the CEO and co-founder of Brigid Bio, a brand-new spinout from the University of Aberdeen.</p><p>Soumya shares the journey of developing novel treatments for life-threatening invasive fungal infections—a field where mortality rates can reach a staggering 80%. We dive into the "long-haul flight" of drug development, the necessity of impact investors, and why your most valuable asset is the network you build over 20 years.</p><h3>Key Takeaways:</h3>The Mi...
Building a Biotech Business That Changes Lives with Deborah O’Neill
<p>In this episode of Scale Her Up, I’m joined by Deborah O’Neill, CEO and founder of Novabiotics.</p><p>Deborah shares the story behind building a biotech company in Aberdeen, developing innovative healthcare products for both pharmaceutical and consumer health markets. From respiratory disease treatments to nail care products, everything Novabiotics creates is rooted in the same scientific foundation: understanding how the immune system protects and repairs the body.</p><p>We talk about the reality of founding and growing a biotech business, the marathon of product development, how innovation is funded, and why tenacity matters so much...
From Oil and Gas to Energy Transition Leadership with Donna Sutherland
<p>In this episode of Scale Her Up, I’m joined by Donna Sutherland, founder and Head of Commercial at Veri Energy, Vice President of the Scottish Energy Forum, and a Visiting Professor at Strathclyde University.</p><p>Donna shares her remarkable career journey through the energy sector, from starting on the trading floor at Scottish and Southern Energy to leading major commercial and project work in oil and gas, and now helping shape the future of the energy transition through Veri Energy.</p><p>We talk about leadership, communication, energy policy, innovation, determination and the importance of protecting jobs, sk...
Growing a Creative Business Without Losing Your Values with Annie Kenyon
<p>In this episode of Scale Her Up, I’m joined by Annie Kenyon, founder of Annie Kenyon Architects.</p><p>Annie shares the story behind building her architectural practice over the last 20 years, growing it from a sole practitioner business into a respected studio known for creativity, honesty and beautiful design.</p><p>We talk about what it means to grow a business without losing sight of your values, why being selective about the work you take on matters, and how Annie has balanced entrepreneurship, leadership, motherhood and creativity along the way.</p><p>This is an honest and th...
Why Emotion, Trust and Story Matter in Marketing with Charlotte Nichols
<p>In this episode of Scale Her Up, I’m joined by Charlotte Nichols, founder of Harvey & Hugo.</p><p>Charlotte shares how her business helps clients amplify their voices through storytelling across PR, media, podcasts, video and social media, and why the stories people feel are the ones that truly drive action.</p><p>We talk about emotion in marketing, trust, credibility, confidence, communication and what it takes to build a business around your authentic self rather than the version you think the world expects.</p><p>Charlotte also shares the story behind the name Harvey & Hugo, why she st...
HR, Inclusion and Heart-Led Leadership | Lisa Ironside of The HR Dept Aberdeenshire
<p>In this episode of Scale HER Up, I’m joined by Lisa Ironside, owner of The HR Dept Aberdeen Shire and Bagamoyo Consulting Limited.</p><p>Lisa shares how Bagamoyo Consulting began as her first business after leaving the corporate world, creating a space for her passion around inclusion, culture, diversity and belonging. She then added The HR Dept Aberdeen Shire as a natural extension, bringing practical HR consultancy and employment law support to small and medium-sized businesses who need trusted advice but do not have in-house HR.</p><p>We talk about what small business owners really need wh...
Building a Healthcare Business That Makes a Difference with Alena Duncan
<p>In this episode of Scale Her Up, I’m joined by Alena Duncan, founder and Chief Executive and Operating Officer of NexEndo Healthcare.</p><p>Alena shares the story behind building a clinical services company that supports both NHS and private patients, helping to reduce waiting times in endoscopy and other specialist services while keeping patient safety and clinical governance at the heart of everything.</p><p>We talk about her journey from nursing into law, consultancy and then founding NexEndo Healthcare, as well as the realities of growing a business in a highly regulated and male-dominated industry.</p><p>...
Luxury, Legacy and Trusting Your Gut | Araminta Birse-Stewart of Araminta Campbell
<p>In this episode of Scale HER Up, I’m joined by Araminta Birse-Stewart, founder of Araminta Campbell, a Scottish luxury woven textile brand based just outside Edinburgh.</p><p>Araminta shares how her business creates beautifully crafted woven textiles in Scotland, from mill-woven collections sold around the world to one-off and limited-edition handwoven pieces made in-house. She also designs bespoke heritage textiles, including tweeds and tartans, for private clients, brands and organisations.</p><p>We talk about what luxury really means today, and why for Araminta it is about story, provenance, craftsmanship and longevity rather than just status or a...
Events, Leadership and Building a Business That Fits Life | Elise MacDonald of Lux Events
<p>In this episode of Scale HER Up, I’m joined by Elise MacDonald, Managing Director of Lux Events, an events company specialising in corporate events, conferences, award ceremonies, brand activations and communications. Lux works mainly across Scotland, while also delivering projects further afield in Europe, London and beyond.</p><p>Elise shares how Lux Events has grown over the last 14 years into a respected business with a wide mix of clients, particularly in tourism, food and drink, and the marketing sector. We talk about what makes a great event, from personalisation and delegate experience to the importance of people, pl...
Leading Globally Without Losing Yourself with Jen McLennan
<p>In this episode of Scale Her Up, I’m joined by Jen McLennan, Group Managing Director of Fifth Ring, a global B2B marketing communications agency with offices in Aberdeen, Houston and Singapore.</p><p>Jen shares her journey from journalism into agency life, and how she worked her way up through the business to become Group Managing Director. We talk about leadership, business growth, international culture, learning on the job, and the reality of juggling senior leadership with family life.</p><p>This is a really honest conversation about what it takes to step into bigger leadership roles, ho...
