26: Lead Well Live Well with Dee Blick & guest Dan Robson-Scarborough26: Lead Well Live Well with Dee Blick & guest Dan Robson-Scarborough
UK Health Radio Podcast
Business owner Dan Robson-Scarborough talks with host Dee Blick about growing Your Man With A Van from a uni side gig into a 65‑branch franchise, challenging traditional franchise models along the way. Their conversation highlights fair contracts, strong support for franchisees, and the power of doing straightforward work exceptionally well.
49:48•8 Aug 2026
From Side Hustle to 65 Franchises: Dan Robson-Scarborough’s Fair-Play Business Model
Episode Overview
- Start with a simple, replicable business model and prove it in more than one location before franchising.
- Aim to raise standards in your sector by doing the basics brilliantly and focusing on pride in service.
- Question standard franchise practices and be willing to scrap what doesn’t align with your values.
- Use fair, flexible agreements and ongoing support to build a genuine win-win relationship with franchisees.
- Treat small jobs as powerful marketing opportunities that build trust and future referrals.
“"Effectively, I'm, they're my boss, not the other way around."”
What drives someone to seek a life that fits their values as much as their bank balance? This chat between host Dee Blick and franchisor Dan Robson-Scarborough is all about turning a simple idea into a national brand while staying human, fair and a bit cheeky along the way.
You’ll hear how Your Man With A Van started with Dan hauling music gear around at university, then slowly shifted from a "side hustle" into a mission to "fix this industry one van at a time." He talks frankly about finding too many "duckers and divers" in removals and deciding, "this needs to be gentrified… professionalised." Instead of chasing a flashy music career, he leaned into his family’s entrepreneurial streak and built a service-first business.
After spending a year and a lot of money building a classic franchise model, they simply scrapped it because "it doesn't feel right." From there came bold changes: a 30‑day rolling contract instead of a five-year lock‑in, a fair buy‑in, and a win‑win ethos where, as Dan puts it, "effectively, I'm, they're my boss, not the other way around." You’ll also get a feel for the culture behind the brand: thousands of five‑star Google reviews, daily WhatsApp chats between branches, and a genuine desire to support franchisees through tough economic cycles by encouraging them to broaden services beyond big house moves.
The episode really gets interesting when Dan explains how he and his wife Kat tore up the standard franchise rule book. Dee’s questions highlight resilience, purpose and the idea of doing straightforward things "brilliantly" as a positive disruptor. There’s plenty here for anyone dreaming of self-employment, rethinking their work life, or wondering how to build something values‑led without losing the fun – French bulldog Winston’s snores and all.
If you’re craving a career that feels more like passion than work, this conversation may get some cogs turning.
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.