Episode #514 - Turning Adversity into Innovation and Changing Lives One Sensory Product at a Time - with Andrew Western

Hi, I’m Granger Forson. You can always find me at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or on LinkedIn. On this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I had the pleasure of speaking with Andy Western, founder of AJW Solutions and Sam Boards.

 

Andy’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and remarkable innovation. From a five-million-pound management buyout falling through to starting AJW Solutions in 2007, he carved a niche in the defence and aerospace industry. Supplying the MOD within months of launching, Andy built a trusted reputation in engineering, project management, and ground support equipment.

 

But Andy’s real pivot came when life introduced him to a new challenge — and opportunity. Inspired by the needs of autistic teenagers, he founded Sam Boards, creating sensory activity and motor skill products that were both discreet and effective. What started as 3D-printed prototypes quickly gained traction in schools, hospitals, dementia care homes, and even police custody suites, helping people manage anxiety, neurodiverse challenges, and recovery.

 

Today, Sam Boards products are used by 14 UK police forces, the NHS, and organisations as far away as Australia and Ukraine. Andy’s journey shows how adversity — from divorce to COVID setbacks — can be turned into purpose-driven innovation with global impact.

 

If you’re curious about creating products that solve real problems, growing businesses with integrity, and leaving a legacy of positive change, this episode will inspire and challenge you in equal measure.

 

To ensure you don’t miss any inspirational future episodes do subscribe to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts.

 

So, let’s now dive into the inspiring journey of resilience, innovation, and life-changing impact with Andy Western.

 

Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.

 

If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here:

https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin

 

You can get in touch with Kevin & Granger here:

 

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Kevin's Latest Book Is Available!

 

Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up.

More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/

 

Andrew can be found here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-western-164b971a/

[e-mail]

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https://www.samboards.co.uk/

Slide Pack can be found by emailing [e-mail]

 

Resour