Name: Scott McLellan
Company: No Graft No Glory (Sales and operations consultancy)
Position: Director
What do you actually do day-to-day?
Day to day, I’m grafting.
I work alongside founders and business leaders, helping them bring clarity, structure and momentum to their businesses. That means getting into the detail with them, understanding what’s really going on, and fixing the things that are quietly holding them back.
Alongside client work, I’m also running No Graft No Glory day to day. I handle my own sales, marketing, content, tech support, admin and planning. I’m living the same reality as the people I support, juggling priorities, protecting time, and making sure the graft is focused on what actually matters.
What experiences or influences guided you toward your current profession?
I didn’t come through a traditional consultancy route. I’ve spent over 15 years running and leading sales and operational teams, and working inside both start-up and scale-up businesses.
Along the way, I’ve also paid for advice and support myself. Some of it was valuable, but a lot of it stopped at theory. What I rarely found was someone willing to roll their sleeves up and help me actually do the work.
Through my own experience, and through speaking to lots of founders like me, I kept seeing the same issues come up again and again. Hard-working people, good intentions, but no structure, no clarity, and no one in their corner. I wanted to do something different and build a model of support that genuinely helps solve that problem.
What’s the best advice you have ever received?
“Don’t be a busy fool.”
No one chooses to waste time, but once you become aware of it, you can change it. That mindset applies in business and in life. When you focus your energy properly, every moment starts to count.
What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership is about creating clarity and calm, especially when things are messy.
It’s about taking responsibility, setting direction, and helping people focus on what matters most. You don’t need all the answers, but you do need to create an environment where progress is possible.
What has been your favourite Professional Liverpool event and why? / If you are a new member, which event are you most looking forward to attending and why?
The Sales Dojo sessions.
There’s something powerful about being in a room early doors with people who are prepared to graft. You meet others in the same boat, share challenges honestly, and always leave with either a new learning or a timely reminder.
Sales isn’t about constantly learning new things. It’s about getting the basics right and grafting on them relentlessly.
What’s your favourite TV programme?
At the moment its Stranger Things. To be honest it changes regularly.
How do you relax?
Spending time with my family and switching off watching completely pointless food reviews on YouTube. No learning, no productivity, just proper downtime.
Which do you prefer: sweets or chocolate? And what’s your favourite?
Not sure which category they fall under but Chocolate Peanuts are the ones
Pub or club?
Pub
Do you have any hobbies?
Watching Live Music, my son is a budding rock star so we go and see as many bands as we can.
Go to karaoke song?
Walk of Life by Dire Straits.
Always sounds better in The Croc.
Favourite venue in Liverpool?
Liverpool Cathedral.
I’ve hosted and attended events there, and it never fails to impress. In my opinion, it’s not only one of the best venues in Liverpool, but one of the best in the country.