From Business Liquidation to a 40-Person Company (ft. Bradley Staines)

In this episode, Tom Griffiths speaks with Bradley Staines, founder of Aquamark, a commercial window cleaning and rope-access company that has grown from a small team of four employees into a nationwide operation with more than 40 staff.Bradley shares the story of how he transitioned from working as a DJ into building a successful service-based business. His entrepreneurial journey was far from smooth in the early years, including the experience of running multiple companies under one umbrella and eventually facing liquidation after a significant tax liability with HMRC. This challenging period proved to be a turning point, leading Bradley to restart his business with a more structured approach, including professional accounting support and clearer financial oversight.A major theme of the conversation is the importance of strategy and planning when scaling a business. Bradley explains that for several years Aquamark grew through word-of-mouth referrals without any formal marketing activity. However, in 2019 he made the decision to bring in a marketing director who helped rebuild the company’s strategy from the ground up. By clearly defining the target audience, understanding customer pain points, and creating consistent marketing campaigns, the business was able to accelerate its growth significantly.Another key topic discussed is financial discipline and cash flow management. Bradley candidly reflects on the risks of growing too quickly and how poor financial oversight can threaten even a profitable business. After hiring an experienced operations manager with a strong focus on financial controls, Aquamark introduced rigorous financial tracking, weekly finance meetings, and structured budgeting. These systems ultimately helped the company secure external funding through invoice factoring during a period of rapid growth and prevented a serious cash flow crisis.Bradley also discusses the lessons he has learned about leadership, recruitment, and building the right team. He emphasizes the value of experienced mentors, structured systems, and surrounding yourself with people who can balance entrepreneurial vision with operational discipline.The episode provides an honest and practical look at the realities of scaling a service-based business, highlighting the importance of strategy, financial control, and learning from early setbacks.Contact Bradley here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradstaines