Episode #488 - Scaling a Business with Stories, Strategy, and Heart - with Ben Lowndes

Hi, I’m Granger Forson — you can find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn. Welcome to another inspiring episode of ScaleUp Radio!   In this episode, I’m joined by Ben Lowndes, founder of Distinctive Communications, a fast-growing, purpose-led PR and communications consultancy based in the South West. Ben shares his unique journey — leaving a successful career without a set plan, building a business grounded in trust, flexibility, and impact.   We explore how Distinctive Communications stands out in a noisy world by telling powerful, human-cantered stories and putting strategy before tactics. Ben opens up about why understanding your real "why" is crucial before you take action — a lesson that resonates deeply for anyone on a scale up journey.   We dive into the joy and challenges of flexible and remote working and how creating "fixed points" of connection within a hybrid team can be the secret to building culture and momentum. Ben also shares a powerful story of social impact, where his team’s work raised vital funds to combat holiday hunger in their community — a real example of business making a difference.   If you want to learn how slowing down your planning can actually speed up your business success, and how great conversations lead to fabulous results, this episode will leave you inspired and equipped with real-world takeaways.   To ensure you don’t miss any inspirational future episodes do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts.   So, let’s now dive into the inspiring journey of building trust, flexible culture, and authentic impact with Ben.   Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.   If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin   Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. https://api.goexela.com/widget/bookings/catchupgrangerugx7zl   You can get in touch with Granger here: grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk   Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Book a call with Granger - 30 minutes value add conversation for Business owners with Staff. https://api.goexela.com/widget/bookings/catchupgrangerugx7zl   Ben can be found here: https://www.distinctivecomms.co.uk/our-offer/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/blowndes/   Resources: The Nowhere Office by Julia Hobsbawm - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-nowhere-office-reinventing-work-and-the-workplace-of-the-future-julia-hobsbawm/6586497?ean=9781529396560   One Night In Turin by Pete Davies - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/one-night-in-turin-the-inside-story-of-a-world-cup-that-changed-our-footballing-nation-forever-pete-davies/3105396?ean=9780224083348   Anti Social from BBC Radio 4 podcast - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0018h15   Americast podcast - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p07h19zz   Asana - https://asana.com/