Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Dr. Michael Filosi, founder of Fullarton Park Dental, shares how he transformed a small two-chair clinic into the largest dental practice in Adelaide through consistent growth and disciplined leadership. He explains the importance of building strong habits, developing a clear business identity, and gradually stepping away from daily clinical work to focus on leadership. Michael discusses the challenges of managing teams, maintaining culture, and handling stressful staffing situations while scaling operations. He also highlights the power of customer reviews, mentorship, and continuous learning in driving long-term success. The episode concludes with insights on preparing a business for sale and successfully exiting after years of strategic growth and dedication. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Dr. Michael Filosi believes the hardest thing in growing a small business is managing people and relationships.He explains that as a team grows, the number of relationships increases rapidly, making communication, alignment, and culture more complex. Staff management, maintaining motivation, and handling conflicts can become overwhelming, especially when team members are not aligned with the business vision. He also notes that unlike other investments, a business requires constant effort just to maintain performance because staff, customers, systems, and equipment naturally decline over time if ignored. Overall, he emphasizes that people are both the greatest asset and the greatest challenge in building a successful business. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Dr. Michael Filosi mentioned that several business books helped him, but the ones that stood out the most were The Checklist Manifesto, The E-Myth Revisited, and Built to Sell 📚 Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Dr. Michael Filosi recommended listening to the podcast How I Built This as one of the best resources to help grow a small business. He shared that this podcast was especially valuable because it features founders of well-known companies explaining how difficult it was to build their businesses from scratch. Hearing real stories—from brands like Airbnb and founders such as Sara Blakely of Spanx—helped him stay motivated and realize that business growth is always challenging, even for highly successful companies. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Dr. Michael Filosi recommends investing in business books as the most powerful tool for growing a small business. He explains that instead of chasing expensive courses or trendy tools, consistently reading high-quality business books provides massive knowledge at a low cost. He believes that simply sitting down and reading valuable content can take a business much further than any "hot new gadget." What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Dr. Michael Filosi says that if he could go back to day one, his advice would be to hang on and enjoy the ride, because business growth is full of ups and downs. He emphasizes that there is no single shortcut or magic tip—success comes from persistence and learning through the journey. His message is to stay strong during tough times and be ready for challenges, because the ride can be bumpy but rewarding.  Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.   Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Success in business comes from staying consistent even when progress feels slow – Dr Michael Filosi Persistence and patience are often more powerful than talent alone in building success – Dr Michael Filosi Growing a small business is a journey with ups and downs so enjoy the ride – Dr Michael Filosi  

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Alesha Henley, founder of A Dose of Insight, shares how she launched her marketing business at age 50 after a simple happy hour conversation turned into her very first client with 30 years of marketing experience, she successfully doubled her revenue within four years and built a team of four after leaving her secure 9-5 job. Alesha explains how consistency in marketing and truly understanding your ideal client became the backbone of her business success. One standout moment she shares is how clients "entrust me with their babies," describing the deep trust business owners place in her to grow their brands. Her journey highlights the power of believing in yourself, taking opportunities when they appear, and staying dedicated even when the path feels uncertain. 🌟 Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Alesha Henley of A Dose of Insight said that the hardest thing in growing a small business is getting help and relinquishing control, explaining that it took her a long time to hire people because she felt nobody could do the work exactly like her, but she eventually realized that team members don't need to copy her style—they just need to deliver quality results, and once she learned to trust others and let them use their own expertise, it became freeing and allowed her business to grow more effectively. 🚀 What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Alesha Henley of A Dose of Insight shared that her favorite business book is Work It by Carrie Kerpen, which resonated with her as a woman entrepreneur because it helped break down mental blocks and shift her mindset, especially through the powerful idea of not comparing your behind-the-scenes struggles to someone else's highlight reel, a message that strongly influenced her confidence and approach to business growth. 📘✨ Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Alesha Henley of A Dose of Insight mentioned that she does not have any specific podcasts or online learning resources that she consistently recommends for growing a small business, explaining that while she occasionally listens to different materials from time to time, there isn't any particular show or platform that stands out as a regular learning source for her professional development. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Alesha Henley shared that the most important tool to grow a small business is marketing, emphasizing that even the best product or service will not succeed if people don't know it exists, so consistently promoting and communicating your value is essential for attracting customers and driving growth. 🚀 What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Alesha Henley shared that if she could go back to day one, she would tell herself to believe in yourself, explaining that confidence in your own abilities is critical because when you truly believe in what you can do, others will also trust you and support your business journey. 🌟 Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Consistency in marketing is what turns effort into real results — Alesha Henley People don't need to do things your way, they just need to deliver quality work — Alesha Henley Believe in yourself first, and others will follow your lead — Alesha Henley 🚀      

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Phil Risher, founder of Phlash Consulting, shares how he transformed from charging $50 per hour as a consultant into building a $2M digital marketing consulting business serving home service companies. He explains how niching down, productizing services, and focusing on solving real customer problems helped drive consistent 20% annual growth. Phil also discusses the mindset shift from hustler to leader, hiring and building an 18-person remote team, and buying back his time to scale the business. The conversation dives into why content and AI-driven search are becoming critical for modern marketing. Phil also shares practical lessons on leadership, systems, and thinking bigger when building a successful business.   Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here.   Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.   And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Phil Risher, the hardest thing in growing a small business is balancing growth with building the right team. As more clients come in, business owners must hire and train employees quickly enough to maintain service quality, but hiring too early can create cash-flow pressure while hiring too late can overwhelm the team. This constant challenge of managing new client demand, onboarding capable team members, and keeping finances stable at the same time is one of the most difficult parts of scaling a small business. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? According to Phil Risher, the business book that helped him the most is Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. He says the book had a major impact on how he manages finances in his company because it teaches business owners to prioritize profit first instead of treating profit as what is left after expenses. The system helps entrepreneurs control spending, improve cash flow, and build a financially healthy business by allocating money into specific categories like profit, taxes, and operating expenses. He also highly recommends Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell, which focuses on delegating tasks and buying back the founder's time so they can focus on leadership and scaling the business. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? According to Phil Risher, some of the best resources for learning how to grow a small business are podcasts, YouTube, and books, especially content that teaches practical strategies. He specifically recommends learning from Alex Hormozi on YouTube because his videos break down business growth, marketing, and sales in a clear and practical way. Phil also emphasizes not relying on just one learning format—he suggests combining podcasts, books, and videos because different formats help you understand ideas better and apply them faster in your business. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? According to Phil Risher, two tools he strongly recommends for growing a small business are Asana and Slack. He explains that Asana helps business owners organize tasks, projects, and workflows so everything is tracked in one place instead of scattered across emails or spreadsheets, while Slack creates a centralized communication hub for teams to collaborate efficiently, especially as the company grows beyond a few employees. Together, these tools help improve productivity, transparency, and coordination within a growing team. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? According to Phil Risher, the advice he would give himself on day one of starting a business is to think much bigger from the start. He explains that when he first began, he was focused on small goals like making $100,000, but over time he realized the opportunities were far larger than he imagined. His lesson is that entrepreneurs often limit themselves by thinking too small, while the real potential of a business can grow far beyond what they initially believe is possible. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Success comes from taking information breaking it down and executing on it quickly - Phil Risher The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make is thinking too small about what their business can become - Phil Risher Stop chasing money and start solving real problems and the money will follow - Phil Risher      

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Sacha Awwa founder of Sacha Awwa Marketing Group explains how her agency helps small businesses avoid wasted marketing spend by focusing first on strategy and then execution. By combining go-to-market planning with tactical implementation, her agency now charges monthly retainers ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, helping companies grow through targeted and efficient marketing. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Sacha Awwa shares that patience is one of the hardest things in growing a small business. She explains that many entrepreneurs feel pressure from society to constantly achieve the next milestone, which makes it difficult to pause and recognize the progress they have already made. Learning to slow down, reflect on success, and avoid rushing every stage of growth is a key challenge for many founders. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Sacha Awwa shares that one of the business books that has helped her the most is Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller. She appreciates how the book teaches businesses to communicate clearly with their audience and structure their messaging in a way that makes customers understand the value of their products and services. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Sacha Awwa shares that she has learned a lot from listening to Ed Mylett's podcast. She finds his interviews and conversations with entrepreneurs from different industries very valuable because they provide real insights into the challenges and mindset required to build and grow a successful business. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Sacha Awwa shares that using a strong project management tool is essential for keeping a business organized and efficient. She currently recommends Motion, which helps automate planning and task management using AI, allowing teams to stay organized and improve productivity. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Sacha Awwa shares that the advice she would give herself on day one is simply to relax. She explains that starting a business can feel overwhelming, but learning to stay calm, trust the process, and focus on steady progress makes the entrepreneurial journey much healthier and more sustainable. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Patience is the foundation of real business growth because success takes time to build – Sacha Awwa If you lose your connection with customers while scaling, you lose the heart of your business – Sacha Awwa Strategy without understanding your audience is just noise in the marketplace – Sacha Awwa      

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Daniel McDonnell co-founder of Maple Movement, shares how severe gut health issues during his professional Ironman career led him to discover the power of maple syrup as a natural fuel source and launch Maple Movement. What began as a house-deposit gamble quickly evolved into a fast-growing gut-friendly energy gel brand now stocked in 125+ stores across Australia and New Zealand. Daniel opens up about bootstrapping the business, learning margins from scratch, managing rapid growth from his living room, and transitioning to a 3PL. He dives into brand positioning, organic content strategy, subscription revenue, and building a lean, aligned team. It's a raw, practical story of turning personal pain into a scalable FMCG business with purpose and momentum. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Daniel McDonnell, the hardest part of growing a small business is keeping up with rapid growth before scalable systems are fully in place, especially during big sales months when demand spikes beyond operational capacity. He shared how he and his wife were packing nearly 95 orders a day from their living room while trying to maintain a personal brand touch, highlighting that the real challenge wasn't generating sales but managing growth sustainably while building the right infrastructure to support it. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Daniel said his favorite business book that's helped him the most is "Built to Sell" by John Warrillow — a practical guide about structuring and scaling a business so it's not dependent on the founder and becomes sellable. He's mentioned it shaped how he thinks about systems, value creation, and building something that can run beyond him. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? According to Daniel McDonnell, one podcast he highly recommends for small business growth is Chew the Fat by the Greive brothers, where they share real, relatable stories after building and exiting Realbase. He values listening to founders who have scaled and exited businesses, as their practical lessons help avoid costly mistakes. Daniel also emphasizes learning directly from experienced mentors and operators rather than figuring everything out the hard way. For him, real-world business conversations and founder-led insights have been the most impactful learning resources. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Daniel McDonnell would point to a tool that helps you systemize and scale without chaos, and one he personally recommends is Notion — it's where he organizes products, SOPs, content calendars, order processes, and more in one place so nothing slips through the cracks. He also emphasizes tools for automating the parts of your business that don't need manual work, like Mailchimp or Klaviyo for email automation, and Shopify + a good 3PL integration to handle orders cleanly as volume grows. For analytics and ads, basic dashboards like Google Analytics and Facebook/Meta Business Suite help you make smarter decisions instead of guessing. The key, he says, isn't having every tool under the sun — it's picking the ones that actually save you time and help you standardize your processes so the business can scale. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? According to Daniel McDonnell, on day one he would tell himself to raise far more capital than he thinks he needs, understand margins and cash flow from the start, and build scalable systems early—because growth can come fast, but without enough cash and structure, it becomes far more stressful than it needs to be. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Solve a real problem and the market will pull you forward - Daniel McDonnell When the team wins in their own lane the whole brand moves faster - Daniel McDonnell Build systems early because growth exposes every weakness - Daniel McDonnell      

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Gail Kasper, founder of Gail Kasper LLC, shares her journey from being fired and starting with no money to building a thriving speaking and training business. She reveals how authenticity became her competitive edge and how mastering professional sales transformed her income from free gigs to $25,000 keynotes and $600K contracts. Gail breaks down the power of referrals, structured sales systems, and strong core values in scaling sustainably. She also opens up about leadership lessons, hiring mistakes, and the mindset required to handle setbacks. This conversation is packed with practical insights for entrepreneurs who want real business success without losing who they are. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Gail Kasper of Gail Kasper LLC, the hardest thing in growing a small business is dealing with failure and having the resilience to keep going despite repeated setbacks. She explains that as an entrepreneur you get "hit in the face" many times through failed projects, wrong decisions, or ideas that don't take off, and the real challenge is not letting those moments stop you. Instead of quitting, she believes the key is to keep pushing forward, learn from mistakes, take action, and stay committed even when things feel uncertain or discouraging. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? According to Gail Kasper, her favorite business book that has helped her the most is Atomic Habits by James Clear. She values its focus on small, consistent disciplines rather than just chasing big end goals, emphasizing that daily incremental improvements create real momentum. For Gail, the book reinforces that tiny wins build confidence, strengthen habits, and ultimately drive long-term business success. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? According to Gail Kasper, she recommends podcasts and learning resources that strengthen mindset, sales, and brain-based performance, including Huberman Lab for its science-backed insights on stress and peak performance, and The Ed Mylett Show by Ed Mylett for its focus on growth, vulnerability, and high-level thinking. She values resources that blend psychology, communication, and practical application, believing that understanding how people think—especially in sales and leadership—gives small business owners a strong competitive edge. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? One highly recommended tool that Gail Kasper often points small business owners toward is HubSpot CRM, because it helps organize leads, track sales activity, automate follow-ups, and manage customer data in one place — all without needing a big tech team. Gail emphasizes that having a system that captures conversations, schedules reminders, and analyzes what's working versus what's not can dramatically improve consistency in sales and client relationships, which is essential for growth. If you're just getting started, HubSpot's free tier gives you powerful CRM basics, and you can scale into its marketing and automation tools as your business expands. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? According to Gail Kasper, the advice she would give herself on day one of starting out in business is simple: move and take action. When she was suddenly on her own with no money in the bank, she learned that inaction is the real danger, not mistakes. She would remind herself to stay logical instead of emotional, keep pushing forward even when uncertain, and allow herself to fall and learn along the way, because consistent action is what ultimately creates momentum and success.   Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Authenticity is the foundation of confidence and the gateway to real growth - Gail Kasper Failure is not the signal to stop, it is the signal to adjust and move forward - Gail Kasper Failure is not the signal to stop, it is the signal to adjust and move forward - Gail Kasper      

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Nevada Matthews from Cube Home Loans shares his inspiring journey from leaving school at 16 to becoming a co-owner of a fast-growing mortgage brokerage in Brisbane. He explains how the business scaled from $86M to $300M in annual settlements, growing the team from 6 to 18 members in just five years. Nevada highlights the shift from working long hours to focusing on strategy, systems, and hiring the right people for sustainable success. He also reveals powerful marketing wins through local community groups and partnerships with aligned businesses. This episode is packed with practical lessons on culture, balance, and building a thriving small business without burnout. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Nevada Matthews of Cube Home Loans, the hardest thing in growing a small business is getting the balance right between having enough resources and capacity to support growth while also managing cash flow. He explains that you want extra team support to maintain great customer service, but paying for those resources at the right time is the real challenge. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Nevada Matthews said his favorite business book that has helped him the most is "The E-Myth Revisited" by Michael E. Gerber — because it shifted his thinking from working in the business to building systems and processes that help the business run without him. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? According to Nevada Matthews of Cube Loans, two of the best podcasts he recommends for growing a small business are Grow A Small Business Podcast and My First Million, as they provide practical insights and real entrepreneurial lessons. He also shares that most of his professional development comes from consistently listening to business podcasts and reading books that help improve strategy, systems, and leadership. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Nevada Matthews recommends tools that help small business owners systemize, manage leads, and improve communication — the kind that take work off your plate so you can focus on growth. One tool he highlights is HubSpot CRM, because it's easy to use, helps you track customers and marketing in one place, and scales with your business needs. He also suggests using project management tools like Trello or Notion to keep teams aligned and workflows organized, which can be a game-changer as you grow. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? According to Nevada Matthews of Cube Loans, the advice he would give himself on day one is to enjoy the process and the stage you're in, rather than always rushing toward the next milestone. He shares that business growth can feel stressful and uncertain, but it's important to stay calm, trust that you're heading in the right direction, and appreciate the journey as much as the outcome. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Growth isn't about working harder forever, it's about building better systems. – Nevada Matthews Consistency in the important things is what separates thriving businesses from struggling ones. – Nevada Matthews Hire for character and attitude first, skills can be developed over time. – Nevada Matthews      

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Amanda Daering, co-founder of Newance, shares how she built a successful recruitment and fractional HR firm after becoming frustrated with traditional agencies. She reflects on navigating a tough hiring market and experiencing the company's first loss in 2024. Amanda explains how Newance achieved a strong turnaround in 2025 with 12% sales growth while cutting costs by 25%. She discusses the importance of candid leadership, sustainable culture, and hiring for mindset over resume. This episode offers valuable lessons on resilience, clarity, and building a thriving small business with a lean, high-performing team. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Amanda Daering shares that the hardest part of growing a small business is not getting distracted by being busy, but instead focusing on the few key activities that truly create leverage and move the business forward. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Amanda Daering shares that her favorite business book is the classic "High Output Management" by Andy Grove. She values it because Grove views business through the lens of systems, which aligns with how she likes to lead and advise others. She pairs this systematic approach with a deep sense of empathy for the humans operating within those systems. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Amanda Daering recommends using AI as a thought partner for online learning, specifically by using prompts to have AI "polish" ideas or identify flaws in a plan. Regarding podcasts, she frequently listens to Esther Perel's "Where Should we Begin?" and finds value in attending conferences outside her industry—such as those focused on therapy or human behavior—to understand how human trends impact the workplace. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Amanda Daering recommends a weekly clarity meeting as the most essential resource for growing a small business. Rather than searching for complex technology, she believes the real "unlock" is a simple, consistent check-in where leaders face reality and look at the actual numbers. She emphasizes that without this core rhythm and clarity, any additional technology or tools piled on top will not be effective. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Amanda Daering's advice to her "day one" self, from over seven years ago, is to let it feel easier. While she emphasizes maintaining a strong sense of hard work and discipline, she suggests doing so without the heavy pressure and weight often associated with entrepreneurship. She reflects that she was originally missing the fact that she was actually having fun along the journey. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Balance realism with optimism, because growth becomes easier when you can see both risk and possibility clearly – Amanda Daering Let entrepreneurship feel lighter, because the journey is meant to be enjoyed, not just endured – Amanda Daering Being candid and honest builds more trust than trying to sound polished or perfect – Amanda Daering  

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Sam Carpenter, founder and CEO of Centratel, shares how he built a $7M emergency call center business by focusing on systems instead of hustle. Sam opens up about working 80–100 hour weeks, hitting burnout, and the mindset shift that changed everything. He explains his "Work the System" philosophy and how documenting processes created freedom, profit, and scale. The conversation dives into pricing courage, delegation, and building a business that runs without you. A powerful lesson on achieving real success in business through clarity, structure, and smart leadership. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Sam Carpenter, the hardest thing in growing a small business is enduring the long hours and mental pressure while trying to balance relationships and personal life. Early on, business consumes your mind 24/7, which can strain health, family, and focus. He explains that most owners feel overwhelmed because they see the business as chaos instead of separate systems. The real challenge is learning to step back, stop reacting emotionally, and work on the business mechanically. Once you shift that mindset, growth becomes manageable and sustainable. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Sam Carpenter's favorite business book — the one he says helped him the most — is "The E-Myth Revisited" by Michael E. Gerber. He often credits it with shifting his mindset from working in the business to working on the business by building systems. It deeply influenced his "Work the System" philosophy and helped him see how to structure processes so the business can run without burning out the founder. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? According to Sam Carpenter, he doesn't really rely on podcasts or fancy online learning platforms for growing a small business; instead, he believes the most powerful resource is reading books deeply and consistently. He prefers learning through focused reading and real-world application rather than consuming endless content. Sam emphasizes using simple, reliable tools like email and basic software, avoiding distractions, and developing long attention spans through reading, clear thinking, and systems-based learning rather than chasing trends or tools. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? One tool Sam Carpenter would recommend for growing a small business is a process documentation system — it doesn't have to be fancy, just something that gets you thinking in systems rather than chaos. Many business owners use tools like Notion, Evernote, or Google Docs to write down and organize standard operating procedures, workflows, and checklists. Sam's whole philosophy is about capturing how your business actually works so you can improve it, delegate it, and scale it. The power isn't in the software itself — it's in consistently writing, refining, and using your documented processes to free up time and create predictable results. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Sam Carpenter says that if he could advise himself on day one, he'd say: stop running the business emotionally and start running it mechanically. Instead of seeing the business as chaos, he'd focus on breaking it into separate systems, fixing the biggest problem first, and documenting everything early. He believes years of stress could have been avoided by working on the business instead of being trapped in it. The core lesson: face reality, build systems, and don't try to be the hero. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.   Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: A business isn't chaos — it's a collection of systems, and the moment you see that, everything changes — Sam Carpenter Freedom in business comes from documentation, delegation, and discipline — Sam Carpenter Stop trying to be the hero and start building a machine that works — Sam Carpenter    

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Matthew Stafford, founder of Build Grow Scale, shares his journey from running a commercial contracting business to generating over $15M in e-commerce sales. He explains how data, analytics, and user experience—not just CRO—drive predictable growth. Matthew opens up about cash flow stress, scaling teams, and hard lessons from rapid growth. He also dives into mindset, self-belief, and why the business owner is often the real bottleneck. A must-listen for entrepreneurs serious about sustainable, long-term success. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here.   Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.   And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Matthew Stafford shares that the hardest thing in growing a small business is staying resilient and persistent, as every stage of growth brings new challenges and the business owner often becomes the biggest bottleneck. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Matthew Stafford shares that his favorite business book is The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson, which focuses on the power of small, consistent daily habits and long-term improvement. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Matthew Stafford shares that he recommends podcasts and learning resources like The Operators podcast and newsletter, where experienced entrepreneurs openly discuss real growth challenges, wins, and failures. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Matthew Stafford shares that the most valuable tool for growing a small business is Google Analytics along with Google Tag Manager, as they provide clear insights into customer behavior and data-driven decision-making. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Matthew Stafford shares that the advice he would give himself on day one is to commit for the long term, stay patient, and not quit too early, because success often comes right after the hardest phase. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Most business problems aren't strategy issues—they're mindset issues hiding in plain sight — Matthew Stafford The entrepreneurs who win are rarely the smartest—they're the ones who don't quit — Matthew Stafford If your business is stuck, look in the mirror first—that's usually where the real work begins — Matthew Stafford      

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Maya Khoweiss, owner of Hairport One Hair & Beauty, shares her journey from earning just $35 in a week to building a high-performing salon with a large, dedicated team. She talks about the power of consistency, personal growth, and stepping into the role of a true business leader. Maya explains how understanding your audience and smart use of Facebook ads helped scale her business. She also opens up about navigating COVID lockdowns, managing rapid growth, and leading through uncertainty. The episode is packed with real lessons on resilience, culture, and sustainable business growth. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:   What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Maya Khoweiss shares that the hardest thing in growing a small business is building the right mindset and resilience. Showing up every day, staying consistent, and having faith in what you're building—even during tough times—is often the biggest challenge. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Maya Khoweiss shares that her favorite business books that helped her the most are Think and Grow Rich, The E-Myth, and How to Win Friends and Influence People, as they shaped her mindset, systems thinking, and ability to build strong relationships. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Maya Khoweiss shares that great podcasts and learning resources she recommends are Diary of a CEO and The Queen of Confidence by Erica Kramer, which have helped her grow in leadership, confidence, and personal development. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Maya Khoweiss shares that the most valuable tool to grow a small business is being crystal clear on your vision and goals, because clarity makes decision-making faster, easier, and more aligned. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Maya Khoweiss shares that the advice she would give herself on day one is to stay focused, stay consistent, and make decisions based on strong values, vision, and mission to reach success faster. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Success isn't one big win, it's built by showing up and staying consistent every single day — Maya Khoweiss Real success is having freedom while your business runs without you — Maya Khoweiss Clarity in your vision makes every business decision easier and faster — Maya Khoweiss  

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Ryan Rottman, Co-Founder of Athlete Agent, shares how he built a scalable sports tech platform by identifying market gaps and making smart pivots. He explains the power of data-driven decisions, focus, and customer feedback in driving sustainable growth. Ryan also discusses leadership lessons, managing teams, and adapting quickly in competitive industries. This conversation highlights how resilience and clarity turn ideas into profitable ventures. A practical story of building long-term success in business. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Ryan Rottman, the hardest thing in growing a small business is knowing when to pivot. He emphasizes listening closely to customers, recognizing early signs that something isn't working, and having the courage to change direction before wasting too much time, money, and energy on the wrong path. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Ryan Rottman's favorite business book that's helped him the most is "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries — he often says its principles of rapid testing, validated learning, and iterative growth were game-changers in how he approached building and scaling Athlete Agent. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Ryan Rottman recommends learning from practical, founder-led resources, especially podcasts like How I Built This, Masters of Scale, and The Tim Ferriss Show for real stories on growth, resilience, and decision-making, along with hands-on platforms like Y Combinator Startup School and HubSpot Academy for actionable lessons that help small businesses scale smarter. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Ryan Rottman often points to project management and customer engagement tools as must-haves for small business growth. One he recommends is Notion — it's great for organizing ideas, goals, workflows, and team collaboration all in one place. For customer growth and marketing, he also suggests HubSpot CRM, which helps track leads, manage contacts, and automate marketing without a huge budget. Both tools are practical, scalable, and especially helpful when you're building structure and consistency in your business. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? According to Ryan Rottman, his advice to himself on day one would be to focus intently on what customers actually need, not on your own initial vision. He would stress communicating with concise clarity to earn quicker and more meaningful responses. He recommends building a firm but fair management style by setting clear expectations from the beginning. Additionally, he advises pivoting decisively when the data shows a need, rather than delaying out of pride. Finally, he emphasizes developing a resilient mindset to withstand rejection and persevere through challenges. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.   Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: A small win in a small business feels like a huge win — Ryan Rottman Humor and self-deprecation can be the most powerful forms of marketing — Ryan Rottman Success is not just selling the business, it's waking up every day loving what you do — Ryan Rottman  

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Natalee Leach, founder of The Payroll Collective, shares her journey from a corporate payroll career to building a fast-growing consultancy on track for $3M in revenue. She breaks down how values-driven leadership, people-first culture, and client retention fueled rapid growth. Natalee also opens up about managing fast scaling, hiring at the right time, and the mental strain of entrepreneurship. She explains why foundations, systems, and the right team matter more than aggressive sales. A candid conversation on sustainable growth, leadership, and building a business with purpose. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Natalee Leach, the hardest thing in growing a small business is the speed of growth. Growing too fast can feel scary and overwhelming, especially with the fear that "what goes up must come down." Managing rapid scaling while keeping the business stable, sustainable, and healthy is the real challenge. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Natalee Leach's favorite business book is The Diary of a CEO, which has helped her the most by offering honest, relatable insights into leadership, mindset, and personal growth, while also providing validation and practical ideas that she can apply to building and leading a successful business. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Natalee Leach recommends a few great podcasts and online resources to help grow a small business, including The Diary of a CEO for mindset and leadership insights, How I Built This for real founder stories, and Smart Passive Income for practical business strategy. She also points to MasterClass, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning as solid hubs to level up skills in marketing, leadership, and scaling operations — all great for small business growth. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Natalee Leach often points to Notion as one of her go-to tools for growing a small business — it's great for organizing workflows, project plans, SOPs, content calendars, client onboarding, and team collaboration all in one place. She also recommends Slack for team communication, Asana or Trello for task management, and Stripe/QuickBooks for streamlined billing and finances. These tools help keep operations smooth, teams aligned, and growth intentional. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? According to Natalee Leach, one advice she would give herself is to book a Pilates session or schedule time for yourself in your diary from day one because the business will run over you if you do not. She emphasizes that setting these boundaries immediately is crucial for maintaining a lifestyle that offers longevity rather than constant exhaustion. This self-care allows for quality time with family and friends, ensuring you are not too tired to actually enjoy life outside of work. By prioritizing your own physical and mental strength early on, you can better power through the different phases of business growth. Ultimately, she views scheduling this personal time as a paramount habit that business owners must develop to prevent being derailed by the mental strain of leadership. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: From day dot, make sure you schedule time in your diary for yourself, because the business will run on top of you if you don't — Natalee Leach We are a values-based business that lives by a mission to drive positive change through optimizing people and payroll spaces everywhere — Natalee Leach I believe success is all about the people you work with and building a culture where everyone is heard and feels they belong — Natalee Leach  

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin speaks with Ryan Hughes, Director of Phil Hughes Office Solutions. They explore the remarkable journey of a family business that scaled a $1,500 investment into a $4.2 million, technology-led enterprise in Tasmania. Ryan details the pivotal move from traditional stationery to digital solutions, the counterintuitive strategy that doubled sales during COVID-19, and the core philosophies of valuing people and fostering a resilient culture. The conversation offers profound insights into navigating family business dynamics, adaptive leadership, and the pursuit of sustainable, innovative growth. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Ryan Hughes shares that the hardest part of growing a small business is finding the right people and then empowering them to act like owners. He believes people are both the biggest challenge and the biggest asset in any business. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Ryan Hughes shares that his favorite business book is "How to Win Friends and Influence People." He says his father gave it to him young, and it shaped how he deals with people and builds strong relationships. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Ryan Hughes shares that he listens to the Grow A Small Business Podcast, especially episodes with people he knows. For relaxation and learning, he also enjoys the Sports Bizarre podcast, which teaches surprising lessons through storytelling. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Ryan Hughes shares that ChatGPT, especially the paid version, is one of the most powerful tools for small business growth. He also recommends Aqua Voice, a voice-to-text tool that speeds up emails, quotes, and documentation. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Ryan Hughes shares that he would tell his younger self to enjoy the journey more, not work nonstop, and understand that the business will bring plenty of good moments — so don't miss them by keeping your head down all the time. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.   Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Valuing people is the real engine behind every successful business - Ryan Hughes The most important sale you'll ever make is the next one - Ryan Hughes Success isn't about growing fast, it's about growing with purpose and balance - Ryan Hughes      

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Vance Morris, the founder of Deliver Service Now institute, joins the podcast to share his journey from a decade at Disney to building and scaling multiple successful home service businesses. He talks about creating premium customer experiences, growing his companies to a point where he now works only 90 minutes a week on operations, and the strategies he uses to retain loyal clients. Vance also explains how he transitioned from employee to entrepreneur, overcame major financial challenges, and built a strong team culture. His story highlights resilience, smart marketing, and the power of systems in business growth. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: 1. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Vance Morris has shared that the hardest thing is simply sticking with it. Most people give up too early when they hit financial pressure, setbacks, or slow periods, but long-term success comes from pushing through those tough moments. 2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Vance Morris has shared that his most valuable business book is "The Ultimate Sales Letter" by Dan Kennedy, which transformed how he approaches marketing and communication with customers. 3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Vance Morris has shared that he regularly uses MasterClass for high-level learning from experts, and finds it extremely useful for expanding mindset and gaining inspiration from top performers in different fields. 4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Vance Morris has shared that every small business must have a CRM (Customer Relationship Management system) to track clients, marketing, and follow-ups — it becomes essential once your customer base grows. 5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Vance Morris has shared that he would tell himself "Don't give up." There were many moments when quitting seemed easier, but staying persistent through financial challenges is what led to long-term success. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Deliver an experience your competitors can't copy and your customers won't forget — Vance Morris You can't grow a business you're not measuring every single day — Vance Morris Freedom in business comes from systems, not from working more hours — Vance Morris      

QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse!   Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week.   Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends!   In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Rob Cameron interviews Mike Goldman, leadership team coach and founder of The Better Leadership Team. Mike shares why most business growth problems are actually people problems — and how strong leadership teams fix them. They discuss stalled growth, rapid scaling challenges, and how to build teams that execute without constant micromanagement. Mike breaks down practical ways leaders can set clear expectations, coach effectively, and hold people accountable. A must-listen for business owners who want sustainable growth, higher profits, and a company that runs smoothly without burnout. Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners: People problems cause most growth problems — when progress stalls, the issue is usually leadership, structure, or talent, not strategy.   Strong leadership teams drive everything — as the leadership team performs, the rest of the business follows.   Clear expectations prevent poor results — unclear roles, behaviors, and success metrics always lead to disappointment. Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for?   Right people matter more than perfect strategy — even an average plan succeeds with the right team, while a great plan fails with the wrong one.   Growth requires structure, not hustle — fast-growing businesses collapse without clear roles, accountability, and discipline.   Great leaders coach, not just manage — consistent coaching and talent development turn average performers into top contributors. You Will Lose Some Clients — and That's Good: Raising prices naturally filters out low-value customers, making room for clients who appreciate and pay for quality.   One action small business owners can take: According to Mike Goldman, one action small business owners can take is to clearly define and document specific expectations and measures of success for each team member, then align on those expectations through open conversation so accountability, performance, and growth are no longer left to assumption. Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximize your time. Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. 👇     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Unclear expectations always lead to unacceptable results – Mike Goldman As the leadership team goes so goes the rest of the company – Mike Goldman If leaders do not prioritize developing people they should not be surprised when growth stalls – Mike Goldman      

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Bobby DeMars, founder of Blind Barrels, shares how a simple blind whiskey tasting turned into a fast-growing membership business. He talks about scaling from a small idea to 4,000+ members with strong community and experience-driven branding. Bobby breaks down the challenges of regulations, marketing, and cash flow in the alcohol industry. He also shares mindset lessons on resilience, meditation, and long-term thinking as an entrepreneur. A real, honest conversation about growth, risk-taking, and building something meaningful from scratch. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here.   Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: 1. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Bobby DeMars believes the hardest part of growing a small business is constantly balancing present-day problems while still thinking ahead to the future, because founders are forced to solve immediate challenges without losing sight of long-term direction, and if they become too focused on today's fires, they risk drifting off course and missing what's coming next. 2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Bobby DeMars says his favorite business book is The Power of Now, explaining that while it isn't a traditional business book, it helped him the most by teaching him how to stay present, manage stress, and build resilience, which he believes is essential for handling the emotional highs and lows of growing a business. 3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Bobby DeMars recommends a few go-to resources for growing a small business—he's a fan of the Smart Passive Income podcast for practical marketing and monetization tactics, How I Built This for storytelling and founder lessons, The Tim Ferriss Show for deep dives into productivity and mindset, and online platforms like Coursera and Udemy for skills training in everything from sales to operations.   4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Bobby DeMars says one of the most helpful tools for growing a small business is Notion, because it lets you centralize your workflows, plan goals, track tasks, organize content and data, and collaborate with your team all in one flexible workspace without needing a bunch of separate apps. 5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Bobby DeMars says that if he could give himself advice on day one, it would be to be patient, trust the process, and not let fear or panic drive decisions, reminding himself that growth takes time, mistakes are part of the journey, and learning to understand the numbers, delegate earlier, and stay mentally resilient would save a lot of unnecessary stress along the way. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:   Success is choosing to keep going even when your brain tells you to panic – Bobby DeMars   Entrepreneurship is turning a thought into a thing and being grateful for every step of the journey – Bobby DeMars   Meditation isn't silence, it's learning to observe your thoughts so you can stay resilient through chaos – Bobby DeMars

QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse! Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week. Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends! In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Michael Denehey interviews Andrew Griffiths on the Grow A Small Business Podcast to dive into Andrew's book Someone Has to Be the Most Expensive. In this episode, they explore why embracing premium pricing can transform a business from the ground up, strengthen financial resilience, and attract higher-quality clients. Andrew shares insights on shifting from a poverty mindset, building real value beyond price, and developing the courage to charge what you're truly worth. The conversation also highlights practical steps for business owners to reposition themselves, elevate their brand, and create long-term sustainability. Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners: Stop Competing on Price: Competing as the cheapest is a race to the bottom — it attracts the wrong customers and limits growth. Value Is More Than Money: Customers pay for experience, expertise, reliability, energy, and creativity — not just the product. Premium Pricing Builds Stronger Businesses: Being the most expensive helps you attract better clients, improve financial resilience, and survive tough times. Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for? Mindset Is Everything: Breaking free from a poverty mindset and believing in your worth is essential to charging higher prices. Reposition Before Raising Prices: You can't "put lipstick on a wombat." Rebrand, refine services, and improve the experience before increasing prices. You Will Lose Some Clients — and That's Good: Raising prices naturally filters out low-value customers, making room for clients who appreciate and pay for quality. One action small business owners can take: According to Andrew Griffiths, one action small business owners can take is to courageously raise their prices to reflect their true value — starting with a clear plan, improving their offering, and confidently communicating the change to their customers. Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximize your time. Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. 👇     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Someone has to be the most expensive — it may as well be you — Andrew Griffiths If you don't charge what you're worth, you'll always work harder than you should — Andrew Griffiths Cheap attracts cheap; value attracts the clients you actually want — Andrew Griffiths    

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Nando Barnett shares how he transformed Sell in Style from a small home-staging side hustle into a fast-growing multi-million-dollar company. After leaving a 10-year corporate career, he and his wife Sarah started flipping houses, which eventually led real estate agents to request their staging help. They went all-in during 2020, reinvesting everything, scaling from just the two of them to a team of 47. Nando explains how adapting as a leader, understanding clients deeply, and taking fast action fueled their growth to more than 1,400 jobs a year. He also highlights the importance of systems, mentorship, and building a strong team culture. The journey shows how clarity, bold risks, and a client-first mindset can turn a simple idea into a highly successful business. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Nando Barnett, the hardest part of growing a small business is mental attitude — staying strong when things go wrong, handling pressure, and quickly shifting from problems to solutions without getting stuck emotionally. He says you have to absorb the stress, process it, and then move forward with clear action, because your mindset determines how well you lead the business through tough moments. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Nando Barnett says the business books that helped him the most are Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell, Atomic Habits by James Clear, and several leadership-focused books like Leaders Eat Last, which have all influenced his mindset, productivity, and approach to leading a fast-growing business. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? According to Nando Barnett, he doesn't follow a long list of podcasts, but he focuses heavily on online learning by surrounding himself with mentors and expert content; he even redesigned his entire Instagram feed so that whenever he opens it, he only sees business leaders, coaches, and people he admires, allowing him to constantly learn, stay motivated, and absorb practical insights that help him grow his business. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? According to Nando Barnett, the best tool to grow a small business is mentors, as he believes they dramatically shorten the learning curve, help business owners avoid costly mistakes, provide clarity during difficult decisions, strengthen mental resilience, and guide both day-to-day operations and long-term strategy, which is why he personally works with multiple mentors and invests heavily in ongoing coaching and advisory support. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? According to Nando Barnett, the advice he would give himself on day one of starting in business is to strengthen his mental attitude, stay positive, push through the difficult weeks, and always support his team, because maintaining resilience and backing the people around him are what ultimately drive long-term success. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Take action every day, even when it feels uncomfortable – Nando Barnett Success grows when you adapt yourself and lift the people around you – Nando Barnett Mental attitude is the engine that pushes your business forward – Nando Barnett      

QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse! Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week. Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends! In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Amanda Jones interviews Taylor Victoria, founder of Level Up Outsourcing and host of the "She's Making Millions" podcast. Taylor shares how she built a 7-figure outsourcing agency after struggling to find a job at 22. She explains how outsourcing transforms lives in the Philippines and why business owners must embrace AI as a co-pilot rather than fear it. Taylor highlights the power of personal development, time audits, and team alignment for high performance. She encourages business owners to explore AI tools and automate tasks to create freedom and grow their business. Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners: Embrace AI as a Co-Pilot, Not a Threat: AI won't replace your business — but business owners using AI will. Stay proactive and learn new tools weekly. Audit Your Time to Find What to Automate: Track your tasks for 1–2 weeks and use AI to identify what can be automated or delegated to free up your energy. Invest in Personal Development: Your business grows when you grow. Events, learning, and self-reflection directly impact performance and results. Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for? Build High-Performing Teams With Clear Systems: Review your team's workflows, improve efficiency, and let people focus on high-ROI work by pairing them with AI tools. Use Outsourcing to Scale Smarter: Global talent can transform your operations and create life-changing opportunities for others, especially in the Philippines. Prepare Your Business to Be an Asset, Not a Job:  Automating processes and reducing dependency on you increases business value — making it easier to scale or eventually sell. One action small business owners can take: According to Taylor Victoria, one action small business owners can take is to upload their weekly tasks into ChatGPT and ask which processes can be automated with AI, then commit to implementing one automation within the next seven days. Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximize your time. Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. 👇     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: AI won't replace you, but the business owner using AI will replace your business — Taylor Victoria Replace yourself with better systems, and you'll earn a promotion in your own company — Taylor Victoria Your business grows the moment you decide to grow yourself first — Taylor Victoria