In this episode of Smithfield Smackdown, Be Kaler Pilgrim speaks with Sian James-Royle about leadership, growth, and the reality of building and scaling businesses.
Sian shares the journey from creative and design leadership into founding The Yard Creative, then into a second venture, New Roads, an AI-powered road trip planner. At the heart of the conversation is a simple but powerful idea: leadership is not about being perfect.
Sian explains how she moved from trying to do everything herself to building strong teams, delegating well, and creating space for expert input.
Key takeaways
Perfection is overrated. Good leadership is not about having every answer, it is about being open, curious, and willing to learn.
Growth needs structure. Sian talks about the shift from a lifestyle business to a growth mindset, which came when the business stopped scaling and needed a more intentional plan.
Hire for the future, not just the present. The biggest step forward came when the business started making strategic hires, even before the work had fully landed.
Culture is a team job. Clear goals, trust, and the right people matter more than leaders trying to control everything from the top. Keep the business clean.
Good books, tidy processes, and clear reporting make fundraising and future exit plans much easier.
Fun matters. Sian and Be both return to the idea that great work, great people, and enjoying the journey are essential, they are part of strong performance.
