Episode #539 - Scaling with Heart vs Head: Lessons from Two Founders
Description
In this special ScaleUp Radio Shorts episode, Kevin Brent and Granger Forson take a step back to reflect on two contrasting founder journeys shared recently on the podcast:
- Paul Wray, founder of Breakspeare Clinic, a values-driven physiotherapy business
- Joe van Gelder, founder of fintech firm Powdr, a fast-scaling tech company
Although these two founders operate in completely different industries and approach business from opposite ends of the personality spectrum, their journeys reveal powerful shared lessons about scaling, leadership and founder development.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How founder personality becomes the business operating system
✅ The contrasting pace and triggers of business transformation
✅ Different approaches to building teams: culture vs systems
✅ How both founders evolved their client acquisition models
✅ Why financial visibility is essential—even for accountants
✅ The emotional burden of leadership and why asking for help is not a weakness
Standout Insights:
"You start as a founder who does everything, but to scale, you have to become a leader who empowers others."
"Even accountants can lose control of their financial model when growth hits."
Key Takeaway:
The way you think, lead and show up as a founder becomes embedded in your business. Whether you lead with empathy or intensity, scaling up demands that you evolve—or your business will stall.
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