Episode #517 - Do You Need Passion or Grit to Build a Business That Lasts?

This week on ScaleUp Radio we explore two very different but equally inspiring founder journeys. On one side, Gail Walker, founder of Diverse Minds Events, a purpose-driven entrepreneur building belonging for neurodiverse families. On the other, Sam Jukes, founder of CACTO Drinks, a determined innovator taking on the global drinks market with a product most people had never even heard of.

Their stories highlight a key question for every business owner: Is it passion or grit that truly scales a business?

Meet the Guests

Gail Walker – Purpose with a Mission

Gail founded Diverse Minds Events after struggling to find inclusive events for her autistic son. What began as a family venture with a converted double-decker bus is now a growing business providing sensory-friendly spaces at major UK events. Her mantra? “Breaking barriers, building belonging.”

• Tenacious, hands-on founder (she even gained an HGV licence to drive the bus herself).
• Turned setbacks, like a bus breakdown, into opportunities to diversify services.
• Now scaling through consultancy and advocacy to change industry standards.

Sam Jukes – Innovation Against the Odds

Sam launched CACTO Drinks from his kitchen after discovering the nutritional power of the prickly pear cactus. With no industry background, he bootstrapped his way into the crowded drinks market.

• Scrappy entrepreneur who sold door-to-door with a backpack of samples.
• Learned resilience through rejection and refined his product through real feedback.
• Backed by angel investors, now chasing global expansion with a bold growth vision.

Key Lessons for Entrepreneurs

• Cash Flow is King – Both Gail and Sam stress that managing cash flow is a constant battle.
• Resilience Builds Success – Each faced moments of near failure, but belief in their vision kept them going.
• The Power of People – Trusted mentors, family, and early team members were critical in both journeys.
• Learn by Doing – Neither had formal business training, but each learned through trial, error, and costly mistakes.

Passion vs. Grit – The Big Difference

• Gail’s story is rooted in purpose: solving a real problem for an underserved community and building a legacy.
• Sam’s is powered by grit: breaking into a resistant market with persistence and relentless energy.

This contrast reflects wider research from the BizSmart ScaleUp Challenge Report:

• Only 4% of UK SMEs ever scale beyond 10 employees.
• Founders who combine clarity of purpose with relentless execution are far more likely to break through.

Read the full ScaleUp Challenge Report here:
🔗 https://lp.bizsmart.co.uk/sacleupchallenge-page

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re driven by passion or fuelled by grit, both journeys remind us of a universal truth: scaling a business requires resilience, adaptability, and the willingness to learn fast.

Listen and Learn More

🎧 Listen to the full interviews on ScaleUp Radio:
🔗 https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/scaleupradio

📈 Explore BizSmart services and discover how we help SMEs scale:
🔗 https://www.bizsmart.co.uk/

📅 Book a call with Kevin Brent to discuss your scaling journey:
🔗 https://c.bizsmart.co.uk/widget/bookings/kb-30