What if the best business ideas start with a mistake?In this episode of Scaling Stories Unfiltered, we sit down with Ed Heaver, co-founder of Serve Legal, the UK’s leading age-verification testing company to explore how a costly licensing failure in a pub became the catalyst for building a national compliance powerhouse.From running pubs in London’s East End to scaling a data-driven business working with Tesco, Waitrose and Asda, Ed’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and knowing when to trust others to take the lead.He shares the unfiltered truth about what it really takes to scale a service-based business, why clarity and consistency in hiring matter, and the moment he knew it was time to step back as CEO after nearly two decades at the helm.What you’ll learn in this episode:• How a lost licence sparked the idea behind Serve Legal • Why being customer-obsessed builds trust faster than any marketing campaign • The realities of scaling without external funding • How to motivate and manage a remote workforce of young auditors • Why clarity in hiring and succession planning determines success • What letting go really looks like for a founder • The power of feedback, humility, and keeping things simpleThis episode is an honest look at how real businesses are built through hard work, clear thinking, and the courage to adapt.If you’re a founder, leader, or entrepreneur navigating growth and transition, Ed’s story will remind you that the best lessons often come from the toughest moments.Who is Ed Heaver?Ed is the co-founder and former CEO of Serve Legal, the UK’s leading provider of age-verification and compliance audits, delivering over 180,000 audits a year for major retailers and hospitality brands. A former publican turned entrepreneur, Ed now serves on the company’s board and continues to mentor scaling founders.🔗 Connect with Ed on LinkedINlinkedin.com/in/ed-heaver-40435418📩 Got a guest suggestion or want to be featured? Email us: [email protected]🎧 Listen & Subscribe to Scaling Stories Unfiltered: Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2p93xe94 Apple: https://tinyurl.com/yp9b4a49 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScalingStoriesUnfiltered

Ver todos los episodios