“Maybe we all need to channel a bit of youthful energy and simplicity” - Sam Ramsden

My 17 yr old son recently decided he needed to earn some extra cash while doing his Aviation Diploma. What did he do? He set up a little car wash business—just like that. No big brainstorming sessions, no strategic think tanks, no 200-page business plan. He simply had the idea, bought the right kit, printed a few leaflets, dropped them around the local area, set up his socials, and...boom! The bookings started rolling in.

The simplicity of it all was amazing. He wasn’t haunted by past career failures or paralysed by perfectionism. He got practical, took action, and now has a thriving little business. What’s even more surprising? He’s already talking about scaling—franchising, even! He wants to grow his brand and his bank balance, and I have to admit, I’m in awe.

Why? Because scaling a business—whether it’s a college car wash hustle or a large sales function—boils down to some basic, core elements:

• A clear proposition that tells customers exactly what you do and why they need you.

• The right tools to deliver on that promise efficiently.

• Skilled people who know their stuff and are always willing to learn and improve.

• And, of course, happy customers who rave about you, and spread the love.

It’s funny how his straightforward approach mirrors what we tell clients when helping them scale their sales functions. Whether it’s refining processes, leveraging technology, or aligning people and customer needs, we always seem to come back to those same basic principles. But here’s the catch: in big business, it’s often the complexity that trips us up. We overthink, we hesitate, and before we know it, what should be simple becomes daunting.

Of course, scaling in the real world of business is much more complex, but if we keep those foundational pieces front and centre, we can navigate the chaos and still drive success. My son may be washing cars, but his boldness and fearless approach really makes you think.

Maybe we all need to channel a bit of that youthful energy and simplicity as we look to scale and grow in our own industries.