Ever wondered how debt finance can fuel rapid business growth without causing financial strain?

In this bonus episode of the Finance Focus podcast, hosts Tracy Smart and Sam Jones welcome back Paul Sherratt, founder of the innovative retail brand gloveglu, to share expert insights into effectively using debt finance for scaling retail businesses. Paul reveals his key strategies, from keeping a clear and realistic business plan to creating an effective financial dashboard that tracks crucial metrics like revenue by channel and cash flow scenarios.

The conversation also highlights common fundraising challenges, stressing the importance of accurately forecasting capital needs and understanding repayment terms to avoid financial pitfalls.

• (00:00) - Debt Finance Tips with Paul Sherratt
• (00:27) - Top Tip for Starting a Retail Brand
• (00:55) - Building and Using a Business Dashboard
• (01:43) - Scenario Planning with Float
• (02:26) - Fundraising Insights and Challenges

Paul Sherratt: Founder and CEO of gloveglu, a global brand specialising in goalkeeper product innovation and care. With over 30 years of experience in the sporting goods industry, Paul has scaled gloveglu from a side project into a multinational business by leveraging debt finance, operational agility, and strategic insight.

Finance Focus helps businesses navigate the ever-evolving world of finance. Each episode features expert insights, practical advice, and in-depth discussions on topics such as crowdfunding, trade finance, angel investing and debt. Hosted by Tracy Smart from The Smart Team and Sam Jones from Satellite Finance.

Connect with Tracy on LinkedIn
Connect with Sam on LinkedIn

Finance Focus is produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Can you scale a global consumer brand without giving up equity?

In this episode of Finance Focus, hosts Tracy Smart and Sam Jones speak with Paul Sherratt, founder of gloveglu, a fast-growing goalkeeping brand sold in over 55 countries. Paul shares his remarkable journey from pouring bottles at his kitchen table to running a business that now sells a product every 150 seconds.

Paul explains why he chose debt finance over equity, the financial risks he took—including remortgaging his house—and the key strategies that helped him manage cash flow during periods of rapid growth. The conversation dives into the real cost of growth, the challenges of working capital, and how businesses can use debt financing wisely without overextending.

• (00:00) - Using Debt Finance to Scale a Global Brand
• (00:33) - Meet Paul Shett from Gloveglu
• (00:59) - Paul's Journey into Business
• (01:28) - Taking the Leap: Going All In
• (01:52) - Rapid Growth and Global Expansion
• (05:12) - Financial Challenges and Solutions
• (07:56) - Manufacturing and Production Investments
• (10:15) - Debt vs. Equity Financing
• (12:05) - Strategic Decisions and Market Expansion
• (15:43) - Learning from Mistakes
• (21:49) - Building a Strong Team and Culture
• (23:37) - Final Thoughts and Advice

Paul Sherratt: Founder and CEO of gloveglu, a global brand specialising in goalkeeper product innovation and care. With over 30 years of experience in the sporting goods industry, Paul has scaled gloveglu from a side project into a multinational business by leveraging debt finance, operational agility, and strategic insight.

Finance Focus helps businesses navigate the ever-evolving world of finance. Each episode features expert insights, practical advice, and in-depth discussions on topics such as crowdfunding, trade finance, angel investing and debt. Hosted by Tracy Smart from The Smart Team and Sam Jones from Satellite Finance.

Connect with Tracy on LinkedIn
Connect with Sam on LinkedIn

Finance Focus is produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this bonus episode, hosts Tracy Smart and Sam Jones are joined by Paul Finn from Oxford Drug Design to break down the essential tips for securing grant funding. Paul, who has successfully raised millions in non-dilutive funding, shares his expert insights into identifying the right grants, preparing a strong application, and navigating the bureaucracy of funding bodies.

Whether you’re new to the grant application process or looking to improve your success rate, this episode delivers quick, practical tips to help you secure the funding your business needs.

Tune in for expert advice and actionable insights that could be the key to unlocking new opportunities for your company.

• (00:00) - Grant Funding Tips with Paul Finn
• (00:37) - Identifying Funding Sources
• (01:21) - Crafting a Strong Application
• (02:31) - Seeking External Help
• (04:13) - Final Tips and Conclusion

Paul Finn: Chief Scientific Officer at Oxford Drug Design, with extensive experience in securing grant funding for biotech and pharmaceutical research. He has successfully raised over $10 million in non-dilutive funding and also serves as a grant assessor, reviewing applications for funding bodies across the UK, EU, and the US.

Finance Focus helps businesses navigate the ever-evolving world of finance. Each episode features expert insights, practical advice, and in-depth discussions on topics such as crowdfunding, trade finance, angel investing and debt. Hosted by Tracy Smart from The Smart Team and Sam Jones from Satellite Finance.

Connect with Tracy on LinkedIn
Connect with Sam on LinkedIn

Finance Focus is produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.