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.