Scaling a business isn’t about glossy headlines, it’s about grit, purpose, and solving problems that matter.

In this episode of Scaling Stories Unfiltered, I’m joined by Tessa Clarke, Co-Founder and CEO of Olio, the app tackling food waste by connecting neighbours & businesses to share surplus food and household items. With over 7 million users and 100 million meals saved, Olio proves you can scale and make a real-world impact.

Tessa shares:

• The lightbulb moment that sparked Olio
• Why they tested the concept without building an app
• How being remote-first helped them build a truly diverse team
• What it took to land major partnerships like Tesco
• The brutal reality of raising £50m as female founders
• How to protect your culture while scaling
• Why you must listen to your gut, even when hiring experts

Whether you’re scaling your first team or aiming for global reach, Tessa’s story is full of insight, honesty, and practical takeaways.

Who is Tessa Clarke?
Tessa is the Co-Founder and CEO of Olio, the world’s leading food-sharing app. With a background in digital marketing and an MBA from Stanford, she’s now on a mission to end food waste and reshape our relationship with resources, community, and sustainability.

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