As we know, business consultants provide you with advice on how to put things right, but Adam Bradley goes a step further – he embeds himself within companies, providing hands-on support and tailored guidance to help them grow. Last month, he grabbed a coffee with unLTD and told us why stimulating growth for small and medium-sized enterprises has become his passion.
Adam’s career began in the metals and manufacturing industry over two decades ago, where he developed a growth-focused mindset that became central to his success. His ability to scale businesses, expand into new markets and establish international supply chains led to some remarkable results.
That track record includes helping businesses expand into 38 countries, quadrupling customer bases and playing a key role in driving multimillion-pound turnovers.
One of his main achievements came at a local steel supplier, where he helped scale the business from a £1 million to a £4.5 million turnover and played an integral role in the company winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. Eager to share his knowledge and make a wider impact, he moved into business consultancy to help other companies achieve their growth ambitions.
“For me, it was like, I think I’ve done all I can do here. So, what do I want to do now? Do I want to go on to another company and do something similar, or do I want to try doing something different for myself?” he told unLTD. “I’ve spent years working with businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to large enterprises, helping them overcome challenges and achieve sustainable growth, so I knew I could put that expertise to good use.”
Through his experience and research, Adam recognised a key gap in the market: while small business owners often had their product or service nailed down, many lacked structured sales and marketing strategies to maximise its potential.
“I found there was a niche, one where I could work with smaller business owners who were good at what they did because they had an idea – they were selling either a product or they had a service, and they were very good at that – but they didn’t necessarily have that sales and marketing background in business,” he explained.
“Many business owners are so focused on delivering their services, or the day to day of running their business, they neglect the crucial elements of growth. I knew I could bring value in that respect.”
His consultancy addresses this problem by implementing processes that help SMEs secure new business while maximising their existing customer relationships. The approach is tailored, practical and, most importantly, affordable for businesses that typically struggle to access expert support.
“One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is failing to leverage their existing customer base,” he says. “They chase clients but forget about the ones who have already worked with them; when you’re so concentrated on bringing new business in you can lose track of where customers are. A well-structured follow-up system can make a massive difference.”
Unlike traditional consultants who provide advice and leave businesses to it, Adam gets directly involved in execution, working alongside business owners to implement real, tangible change.
“A lot of consultants, they’ve got this framework that they work to, and that’s what they stick to, but it’s very rigid,” he explains. “Some of them are kind of franchises, so they’re working within that means. It’s a little bit corporate, so it’s not really getting to do what the business owner wants.”
“As much as I can give them the help, the guidance, I’ll do a lot of the ‘do,’” he adds. “I’m in the business, making the changes, putting the systems in place, getting all the spreadsheets set up, getting all the trackers set up, doing the e-shots, that kind of stuff. It’s not just a case of handing over a list of actions then sending an invoice.”
One of the biggest barriers to consultancy for SMEs is cost. Adam has positioned his business as an affordable alternative to corporate consultancy, allowing smaller companies to access expert support without hiring a full-time employee.
“There’s a bit of a niche there where you’ve got smaller and medium-sized businesses that would like to work with a consultancy or consultant, but the big corporate consultancies are very, very expensive,” he says.
“I think it works perfectly for smaller SMEs. It’s a personalised approach, which tends to be embedded in the culture of these businesses already. It’s building that relationship with the owner. It’s giving them an extra resource – they don’t have to employ a full-time member of staff to do it.”
This means setting up systems, tracking KPIs, managing sales pipelines, implementing marketing strategies, and even attending client meetings. “Each month, we set budgets and targets, then review them together. It’s all very visual – business owners know exactly who to contact, what actions to take, and how to move forward.”
To make his services accessible, Adam has also launched a £10-a-month business growth membership. “It includes online and in-person networking events, a WhatsApp group for referrals, and access to business support. The idea is to create a supportive network where businesses can share contacts and collaborate.”
Beyond one-to-one consultancy, Adam runs monthly workshops on a range of relevant topics. Held in small groups, these sessions help business owners gain clarity and structure.
For those looking for a more intensive full-day experience, he also hosts Strategy Days at Radisson Blu in Sheffield. “It’s a day where we cut through the noise; we discuss where the business is now, where the owner wants it to be, and the steps to get there.”
The goal? To give business owners the time and space to step back, refocus, and leave with a clear plan for growth. We make it engaging – starting with a great breakfast, interactive vision board sessions, a fantastic lunch, and then finishing with drinks on the rooftop.”
For business owners unsure about seeking support, Adam offers this advice:
“Whatever you do in life, you always need that advice from somebody. Being a business owner is very isolating. Even if you’ve got a small team, you haven’t always got that person to just ask an honest question.”
His message is clear – seeking help is not a failure, but a smart business decision.
“You don’t have to do business by yourself,” he says. “This is not about saying you failed. It’s just about sharing the workload, sharing the stress and getting the right support. I love working with ambitious business owners who are serious about taking their company to the next level. If you’re ready to put in the work, I’ll help you get there.”
To learn more, visit www.adam-bradley.co.uk.
