Scale Up With Nick Bradley

Nick Bradley
  • 4.8 (119)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to “Scale Up with Nick Bradley”. In this podcast, we will show you how to scale up your business and your life! So you can achieve greater freedom, wealth and impact, and live life on your terms. Ranked #1 business podcast in the U.K. on iTunes and Spotify, we will help you go from start-up to scale-up and beyond: How to significantly grow your business; how to create commercial strategies that drive predictable revenue; how to leverage systems and processes to free you up from day-to-day operations; how to raise funding and investment; how to generate fast scale via business acquisitions; how to exit your business for life-changing money; ultimately, how to build your empire! You can only scale a business to the level of your identity, so week in and week out we'll be bringing you inspiring guests to help you on your journey. You see, it's not just about spreadsheets and strategies ... it's about mindset, skillset, purpose and belief - learning from people doing extraordinary things, and making a bigger impact - so you can too. Introducing your host - entrepreneur, investor and scale-up specialist, Nick Bradley: - Over 10 years in Private Equity - 100+ acquisitions - 26 business exits - Over $5 Billion in deals - #1 ranking business podcast in the UK … over 600,000 downloads in 130 countries - “In business and in life - be grateful, be brave, have faith, show up!" Contact details: Work with Nick: https://highvalueexit.com Nick’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/realnickbradley

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    How To Be Successful As An Investor-Backed CEO

    Nick shares his insights on what it takes to be a successful CEO, particularly in the context of investor-backed companies. Drawing from his extensive experience as a CEO of various businesses, he discusses the critical differences between being a founder and transitioning to a role that requires operating under private equity ownership. Nick outlines five key strategies for success: delivering on a value creation plan with precision, operating with investor-grade discipline, driving transformation rather than just maintaining the status quo, building a scalable leadership team, and managing the board as a strategic partner.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Successful investor-backed CEOs must prioritise value creation by executing a clear strategic roadmap that drives EBITDA, cash flow, and enterprise value. This focus is essential for both personal and investor returns. Implementing rigorous reporting, performance tracking, and accountability structures is crucial. Businesses should operate with the financial transparency and control expected of larger companies, ensuring clarity on metrics and performance. Rather than maintaining the status quo, CEOs should actively seek transformation by identifying inefficiencies, reallocating resources, and professionalizing the business to foster growth and adaptability in a changing market. Attracting and retaining top talent is vital. A strong leadership team should be capable of running the business independently, allowing the CEO to focus on strategic growth rather than day-to-day operations. BEST MOMENTS "You can't scale a business unless you can get things done through others."  "Value creation is how you get paid and it's also how others get paid."  "You have to be able to change things that aren't working and double down on the things that are."  "You have to step into that CEO role... empowering your team and building infrastructure so that the business can run without you."  "If you can balance a compelling growth strategy with robust risk management, you're going to be communicating very effectively."  VALUABLE RESOURCES Scale Your Business Beyond 8 Figures - Watch This Video: https://go.highvalueexit.com/scale-beyond  Exit Your Business For Millions - Download This Guide: https://go.highvalueexit.com/opt-in  Nick’s LinkedIn: https://highvalueexit.com/li Nick Bradley is a world-renowned author, speaker, and business growth expert, who works with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors to build, scale and sell high-value companies. He spent 10+ years working in Private Equity, where he oversaw 100+ acquisitions, 26 exits, and over $5 Billion in combined value created. He has one of the top-ranked business podcasts in the UK (with over 1m downloads in over 130 countries). He now spends his time coaching and consulting business owners in building and scaling high-value business towards life-changing exits. Support the show: https://highvalueexit.com/

    21 min

  2. 2 APR

    Ryan Tansom On Why More Growth Won't Set You Free (And What Will)

    Nick talks to returning guest Ryan Tansom about their evolving business journeys, focusing on the intricacies of exit planning and business valuation. They discuss their unique experiences from different sides of the table—Ryan's operational perspective and Nick's private equity background—highlighting the challenges faced by owner-operators in understanding the true value of their businesses. Together they stress the importance of setting clear goals for personal and business growth, navigating the complexities of financial management, and the necessity of aligning business strategies with individual aspirations. As they explore the dynamics of service-based businesses and the impact of market conditions, Ryan and Nick provide valuable insights into achieving independence and creating meaningful outcomes for entrepreneurs. VALUABLE RESOURCES There are two primary business models discussed: lifestyle businesses, which prioritise the owner's lifestyle and typically involve fewer complexities, and growth businesses, which focus on scaling and often require significant investment and risk. Clarity on which model to pursue is crucial for business owners. Establishing clear goals is essential for mental health and business success. The discussion stresses the need for business owners to define what they truly want from their businesses and lives, as this clarity helps in making informed decisions and avoiding confusion. It's important to recognise constraints such as time, cash flow, and wealth. Understanding these limitations allows business owners to make better decisions and strategise effectively to achieve their goals. There's a necessity for education-based and accountability-driven coaching for business owners. Having a structured program that addresses common challenges can significantly aid entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses and achieving their desired outcomes. BEST MOMENTS "A lot of people get lost in their journey of growing and scaling a business when it comes to value, and they don't really understand the dynamics of that." "If there was literally 10,000 of us, I don't think there would be enough for how many people need this help." "The growth or the gain that an investment bank is going to get versus the work it takes to do what I do is a totally different skill set." "You can only control what you're doing like now and you can only look forward maybe a small window and not these kind of 10, 20 years in the future stuff." GUEST RESOURCES Ryan Tansom - https://ryantansom.com/ VALUABLE RESOURCES Scale Your Business Beyond 8 Figures - Watch This Video: https://go.highvalueexit.com/scale-beyond  Exit Your Business For Millions - Download This Guide: https://go.highvalueexit.com/opt-in  Nick’s LinkedIn: https://highvalueexit.com/li   Nick Bradley is a world-renowned author, speaker, and business growth expert, who works with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors to build, scale and sell high-value companies. He spent 10+ years working in Private Equity, where he oversaw 100+ acquisitions, 26 exits, and over $5 Billion in combined value created. He has one of the top-ranked business podcasts in the UK (with over 1m downloads in over 130 countries). He now spends his time coaching and consulting business owners in building and scaling high-value business towards life-changing exits. Support the show: https://highvalueexit.com/

    1h 45m

  3. 20 MAR

    Ross Anderson: Optimizing Your Mind & Body For Performance

    Nick welcomes Ross Anderson, founder of Beyond Baseline, to discuss the critical importance of personal health, wellness, and mindset in achieving extraordinary success in both business and life. Ross shares his inspiring journey from a troubled youth in Scotland, marked by challenges such as panic disorder and substance abuse, to becoming a sought-after speaker and expert in neuroscience and positive psychology. The conversation delves into the significance of understanding one's strengths, the necessity of taking strategic pauses, and the value of community and connection.  KEY TAKEAWAYS One must always be working on oneself, including health, mindset, and personal growth, as foundational elements for achieving success in business and life. To enhance happiness and fulfilment, individuals should seek experiences that incorporate challenge, connection, and novelty. These elements contribute to memorable and transformative moments in life. Regular blood work is crucial for understanding one's health and optimising performance. Identifying biological red flags can help address issues like hormonal imbalances and inflammation, which can impact overall well-being and productivity. Taking intentional breaks, whether daily or periodically, is essential for mental clarity and stress management. These pauses allow individuals to recharge and reflect, ultimately improving their capacity to handle challenges. Building resilience groups and fostering connections with others can significantly enhance personal growth. Engaging with a supportive community helps individuals navigate challenges and promotes a sense of belonging and accountability. BEST MOMENTS "A man or a woman without a strong sense of meaning or purpose will fall victim to indulgences, vices, and other self-sabotaging ways." "If you don't have a vision for your life, you're going to end up somewhere. And when you get there, you may not recognise it because you didn't plan to be there in the first place." "Humans have all these deep-rooted psychological needs. They need to feel, defend, protect, acquire assets, and self-actualise." "If you can invest a couple of days in yourself as an entrepreneur for your own betterment, biologically, psychologically, spiritually, financially, it’s a nice shift." GUEST RESOURCES Ross Anderson - https://www.accaglobal.com/uk/en/student/wellbeing/about-ross-anderson.html VALUABLE RESOURCES Scale Your Business Beyond 8 Figures - Watch This Video: https://go.highvalueexit.com/scale-beyond  Exit Your Business For Millions - Download This Guide: https://go.highvalueexit.com/opt-in  Nick’s LinkedIn: https://highvalueexit.com/li Nick Bradley is a world-renowned author, speaker, and business growth expert, who works with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors to build, scale and sell high-value companies. He spent 10+ years working in Private Equity, where he oversaw 100+ acquisitions, 26 exits, and over $5 Billion in combined value created. He has one of the top-ranked business podcasts in the UK (with over 1m downloads in over 130 countries). He now spends his time coaching and consulting business owners in building and scaling high-value business towards life-changing exits. Support the show: https://highvalueexit.com/

    58 min

  4. 6 MAR

    Change Your Environment & Upgrade Your Life

    Nick shares insights on the transformative power of changing your environment and upgrading your network. Recording from sunny Miami, he reflects on his recent experiences, including meetings with Private Equity partners and attending a mastermind event in Scottsdale, Arizona. Nick emphasises the importance of being intentional about building a powerful network and the impact it can have on both business and personal growth, discussing his journey in entrepreneurship, the value of getting into different rooms, and how connecting with like-minded individuals can lead to unexpected opportunities.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Regularly seek out new environments and experiences to gain fresh perspectives and inspiration. This can lead to clarity and renewed motivation in both business and life. Building a powerful network is crucial. Surround yourself with individuals who inspire and challenge you, as they can significantly impact your growth and opportunities. Being introduced to new people through trusted connections can elevate your credibility and open doors. The relationships you cultivate can lead to valuable opportunities. Maintaining a positive and growth-oriented mindset is essential for success. Engaging in activities that feed your mind and energy can help navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Focus on building relationships based on shared values and mutual support. Approaching networking with a mindset of giving rather than taking can lead to meaningful connections and reciprocal benefits. BEST MOMENTS "I want to talk about your environment in the context of your network and how important it is to be intentional with creating a powerful network, a powerful tribe around you."  "You can't do that stuff easily over a Zoom call... there is nothing more powerful than getting in a room with people that you align with."  "If you feel that things are not working exactly as you like or maybe they're just not working at all, getting yourself into a different environment for a few days can be the antidote." "If you help enough people get what they want in life, you will have everything that you want and need in life."  "That one phone call... ended up generating over half a million dollars in revenue for my consulting business."  VALUABLE RESOURCES Scale Your Business Beyond 8 Figures - Watch This Video: https://go.highvalueexit.com/scale-beyond  Exit Your Business For Millions - Download This Guide: https://go.highvalueexit.com/opt-in  Nick’s LinkedIn: https://highvalueexit.com/li Nick Bradley is a world-renowned author, speaker, and business growth expert, who works with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors to build, scale and sell high-value companies. He spent 10+ years working in Private Equity, where he oversaw 100+ acquisitions, 26 exits, and over $5 Billion in combined value created. He has one of the top-ranked business podcasts in the UK (with over 1m downloads in over 130 countries). He now spends his time coaching and consulting business owners in building and scaling high-value business towards life-changing exits. Support the show: https://highvalueexit.com/

    20 min

  5. 27 FEB

    Denis Mezheritskiy: How To Prepare Your Business For A Successful Sale

    Nick welcomes Denis Mezheritskiy, founder and CEO of ROI Advisors, to delve into the intricate world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). With over 21 years of experience in the field, Denis shares his journey from acquiring his first business in college to becoming a leading M&A broker specialising in companies with $1 million to $5 million in EBITDA. The conversation explores the current landscape of M&A, the importance of preparing businesses for sale, and the various buyer profiles, including corporate executives and small private equity firms. Denis emphasises the significance of understanding business valuation, the emotional aspects of selling, and the strategies to maximise company value.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Many business owners are unaware of the true value of their companies. It's crucial to assess the business's financials, including EBITDA, and understand how factors like recurring revenue and operational stability can impact valuation. Preparing a business for sale involves more than just putting it on the market. Owners should focus on improving their business's fundamentals, such as financial reporting and management structure, to maximise its value and attract potential buyers. Sellers often have unrealistic expectations regarding the sale price of their businesses. It's essential to manage these expectations by providing a clear understanding of market conditions and realistic valuations based on historical performance. The market for business acquisitions includes various types of buyers, from corporate executives seeking to transition into entrepreneurship to small private equity firms. Understanding the motivations and capabilities of these buyers can help sellers position their businesses effectively. Selling a business can be an emotionally challenging process for owners, as it often ties into their identity and retirement plans. It's important for sellers to have a clear vision of their post-sale life and to prepare for the transition both financially and emotionally. BEST MOMENTS "I see a lot of videos on Instagram about those no money down deals, but I've had over 85 transactions and only two were no money deals, and they weren't great acquisitions." "There's a really fine line between the depth that you go into, so it doesn't become a waste of time." "If your business is not growing, then you're going downhill. I see this all the time, especially folks who are getting comfortable." "A high value business provides many options for you. One of those is selling for a lot of money, but there's more to it than that." "Most of the time, we're dragged into situations where sometimes it's too late, sometimes we don't have time to plan." GUEST RESOURCES Denis Mezheritskiy LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/denis-mezheritskiy-55170153 VALUABLE RESOURCES Scale Your Business Beyond 8 Figures - Watch This Video: https://go.highvalueexit.com/scale-beyond  Exit Your Business For Millions - Download This Guide: https://go.highvalueexit.com/opt-in  Nick’s LinkedIn: https://highvalueexit.com/li Nick Bradley is a world-renowned author, speaker, and business growth expert, who works with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors to build, scale and sell high-value companies. He spent 10+ years working in Private Equity, where he oversaw 100+ acquisitions, 26 exits, and over $5 Billion in combined value created. He has one of the top-ranked business podcasts in the UK (with over 1m downloads in over 130 countries). He now spends his time coaching and consulting business owners in building and scaling high-value business towards life-changing exits. Support the show: https://highvalueexit.com/

    48 min

  6. 20 FEB

    How I Went From 15K to 45K Followers On LinkedIn In 6 Months

    Nick reflects on his journey of growing his LinkedIn presence over the past year, and talks about lead generation on the platform. With a focus on building brand authority, Nick shares his experience of increasing his followers from 15,000 to 45,000 and the strategies that contributed to this growth, including the importance of content pillars, virality, and engagement.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Building a strong personal brand on platforms like LinkedIn is crucial for long-term success. It creates credibility and differentiation, which can lead to more opportunities over time. A successful LinkedIn strategy involves a mix of content types, including pre-validated viral posts, middle-of-funnel content that builds consideration, and bottom-of-funnel posts focused on sales and leads. Posting consistently, ideally once a day or at least three times a week, helps maintain engagement and allows posts to gain traction over time. It's important to let posts breathe and not overwhelm the audience with too much content at once. Joining engagement pods or networks can amplify reach. Interacting with comments and fostering community engagement boosts the algorithm, increasing visibility and potential follower growth. Building a team that includes a ghostwriter, graphic designer, and social media manager can enhance content quality and engagement efforts, making it easier to maintain a strong presence on LinkedIn. BEST MOMENTS "Lead generation is an area that is a bit of a dark art. Some people seem to do it effortlessly. Other people really struggle." "If you want to win on LinkedIn, you have to put out a certain type of content to get that virality." "Having a strong personal brand in this day and age is kind of mission critical." "Great marketing is all about both: investing in your brand for long-term benefits and focusing on direct response for immediate leads."  "If you're serious about this stuff, you've got to build a little bit of a team."  VALUABLE RESOURCES Scale Your Business Beyond 8 Figures - Watch This Video: https://go.highvalueexit.com/scale-beyond  Exit Your Business For Millions - Download This Guide: https://go.highvalueexit.com/opt-in  Nick’s LinkedIn: https://highvalueexit.com/li Nick Bradley is a world-renowned author, speaker, and business growth expert, who works with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors to build, scale and sell high-value companies. He spent 10+ years working in Private Equity, where he oversaw 100+ acquisitions, 26 exits, and over $5 Billion in combined value created. He has one of the top-ranked business podcasts in the UK (with over 1m downloads in over 130 countries). He now spends his time coaching and consulting business owners in building and scaling high-value business towards life-changing exits. Support the show: https://highvalueexit.com/

    24 min

  7. 13 FEB

    Matt Lakajev: How To Generate Leads On LinkedIn

    Nick meets with LinkedIn expert Matt Lakijev to explore the power of leveraging LinkedIn for lead generation and business growth. Matt shares his journey from being a professional latte artist to excelling in sales at Zoom, and ultimately launching his own successful business, Seven Figure Creators. The conversation delves into the importance of personalised connection requests, effective use of LinkedIn Sales Navigator, and the mindset shifts necessary for entrepreneurs to overcome their fears around sales and lead generation. With practical tips and insights, this episode is a must-listen for business owners looking to harness the potential of LinkedIn to scale their operations and connect with their ideal clients. KEY TAKEAWAYS When sending connection requests on LinkedIn, adding personalised messages that reference mutual connections or shared interests significantly increases acceptance rates. Aim for high relevance to make recipients feel valued. Utilise LinkedIn Sales Navigator to build targeted lists of current and past clients, as well as lookalike clients. This tool allows for detailed profiling, helping to identify potential leads based on specific criteria. To generate leads effectively, business owners should understand the volume of outreach required. Sending a high number of personalised connection requests (up to 200 per week) can lead to substantial growth in connections and potential leads. LinkedIn is a networking platform where genuine connections matter. Avoid aggressive sales pitches in initial outreach; instead, aim to build rapport and trust with potential clients over time. Overcoming the fear of rejection and the mindset that leads to procrastination is essential for success in sales and lead generation. Taking action, even if imperfect, is more beneficial than waiting for the perfect moment or message. BEST MOMENTS "There's a power when you write yourself and the self-reflection and the thinking stuff that you go through."  "I think most people procrastinate doing lead generation because they think about things for a long time."  "You want to make them feel that you're so far removed from a salesperson."  "If you want to grow, sales is the basic fundamental."  "Perfection is the lowest standard you can have."  GUEST RESOURCES Matt Lakajev - https://au.linkedin.com/in/mattlakajev VALUABLE RESOURCES Scale Your Business Beyond 8 Figures - Watch This Video: https://go.highvalueexit.com/scale-beyond  Exit Your Business For Millions - Download This Guide: https://go.highvalueexit.com/opt-in  Nick’s LinkedIn: https://highvalueexit.com/li Nick Bradley is a world-renowned author, speaker, and business growth expert, who works with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors to build, scale and sell high-value companies. He spent 10+ years working in Private Equity, where he oversaw 100+ acquisitions, 26 exits, and over $5 Billion in combined value created. He has one of the top-ranked business podcasts in the UK (with over 1m downloads in over 130 countries). He now spends his time coaching and consulting business owners in building and scaling high-value business towards life-changing exits. Support the show: https://highvalueexit.com/

    55 min

  8. 6 FEB

    Growth Beyond 7-Figures Is About Simplification

    Nick discusses growth beyond seven figures for businesses, focusing on the importance of simplification. He shares insights from his experiences with various founders and highlights the common pitfalls of complexity that can stall growth. Nick argues that while hustle and hard work are essential in the early stages, scaling requires a shift in focus towards niching down and refining value propositions. He provides practical advice on identifying ideal customers, understanding their pain points, and streamlining product offerings to drive growth. Through a compelling story from his time in private equity, he illustrates how simplifying business models can lead to remarkable results.    KEY TAKEAWAYS As businesses scale beyond seven figures, the focus should shift from hustle and doing more to simplifying operations and offerings. This involves cutting away unnecessary complexity to allow for clearer decision-making and growth. After reaching seven figures, it's essential to refine your target market even more. By focusing on a specific ideal customer and their unique pain points, businesses can create tailored solutions that resonate deeply, leading to accelerated growth. To effectively scale, businesses should aim to have no more than three core products or services. This helps maintain clarity and focus, ensuring that resources are directed towards what truly drives value for customers. A deep understanding of the frustrations, fears, wants, and aspirations of your ideal customer is crucial. This knowledge allows businesses to craft compelling marketing messages that demonstrate a profound understanding of customer needs. Continuous measurement of performance and customer feedback is vital. This allows businesses to adapt and refine their strategies, ensuring that growth remains predictable and sustainable as they move towards the eight-figure mark.   BEST MOMENTS "The secret behind that is not doing more, right? It's not about more hustle." "If you try and serve too many markets, particularly when you're scaling, your headspace just gets cluttered." "Being a generalist makes you replaceable, but being a specialist makes you in demand." "The fastest way to stall your growth is to add complexity." "The key to growth beyond seven figures is simplification."   VALUABLE RESOURCES  Scale Your Business Beyond 8 Figures - Watch This Video: https://go.highvalueexit.com/scale-beyondExit Your Business For Millions - Download This Guide: https://go.highvalueexit.com/opt-in   Nick’s LinkedIn: https://highvalueexit.com/li   Nick Bradley is a world-renowned author, speaker, and business growth expert, who works with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors to build, scale and sell high-value companies. He spent 10+ years working in Private Equity, where he oversaw 100+ acquisitions, 26 exits, and over $5 Billion in combined value created. He has one of the top-ranked business podcasts in the UK (with over 1m downloads in over 130 countries). He now spends his time coaching and consulting business owners in building and scaling high-value business towards life-changing exits. Support the show: https://highvalueexit.com/

    23 min
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About

Welcome to “Scale Up with Nick Bradley”. In this podcast, we will show you how to scale up your business and your life! So you can achieve greater freedom, wealth and impact, and live life on your terms. Ranked #1 business podcast in the U.K. on iTunes and Spotify, we will help you go from start-up to scale-up and beyond: How to significantly grow your business; how to create commercial strategies that drive predictable revenue; how to leverage systems and processes to free you up from day-to-day operations; how to raise funding and investment; how to generate fast scale via business acquisitions; how to exit your business for life-changing money; ultimately, how to build your empire! You can only scale a business to the level of your identity, so week in and week out we'll be bringing you inspiring guests to help you on your journey. You see, it's not just about spreadsheets and strategies ... it's about mindset, skillset, purpose and belief - learning from people doing extraordinary things, and making a bigger impact - so you can too. Introducing your host - entrepreneur, investor and scale-up specialist, Nick Bradley: - Over 10 years in Private Equity - 100+ acquisitions - 26 business exits - Over $5 Billion in deals - #1 ranking business podcast in the UK … over 600,000 downloads in 130 countries - “In business and in life - be grateful, be brave, have faith, show up!" Contact details: Work with Nick: https://highvalueexit.com Nick’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/realnickbradley

Information

  • Creator
    Nick Bradley
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    385
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Nick Bradley
  • Show Website
    Scale Up With Nick Bradley

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