Podcast
Grow A Small Business Podcast
Hosted by Troy Trewin · EN
Our weekly 30 minute podcast helps you, a small business owner with 5 to 30 team members, take your company to the next level. The Grow A Small Business community, weekly cast, blog and leadership email supports leaders get through the pain of growth.
With insights, lessons learned, books and tools as well as habits these experienced small business owners suggest you develop, our interviews unearth tremendous value for anyone wanting to grow their business with less stress.
32episodes
Episodes
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Chris Van Dusen on Building & Selling 3 Businesses, Scaling a CBD Brand to 120 Employees, Managing $400M+ Investments & the Biggest Lessons on Consistency, Capital, Leadership and Growth for Entrepreneurs Worldwide. (Episode 778 - Chris Van Dusen)
2d ago00:58:36Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast host Troy Trewin interviews Chris Van Dusen from Solyco Capital shares his journey from being unexpectedly laid off in 2009 to building and selling three successful businesses. He reveals how he scaled a CBD company to over 120 employees, navigated the pressures of rapid growth and business exits, and now helps deploy more than $400M in investments through Solico Capital. Chris also breaks down the importance of consistency, leadership, culture, and having enough capital to survive tough business phases. The conversation is packed with real-world lessons on entrepreneurship, resilience, AI, scaling teams, and preparing a company for acquisition. 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? Chris Van Dusen shares that the hardest thing in growing a small business is maintaining consistent output while managing capital wisely, as many business owners underestimate how much funding and sustained effort it truly takes to keep a business growing long term. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Chris Van Dusen shares that some of the business books that have helped him the most are Principles by Ray Dalio, Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss, and Loonshots, which helped him think differently about innovation, negotiation, and finding asymmetrical opportunities in business. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Chris Van Dusen recommends listening to podcasts like The Diary of a CEO for valuable business insights and leadership perspectives. He also shares that platforms like TikTok can be surprisingly useful for discovering short clips from business podcasts, helping entrepreneurs find new ideas, guests, and strategies before diving deeper into full episodes and long-form learning content. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Chris Van Dusen recommends using Anthropic's Claude and other AI tools to help grow a small business, explaining that AI can act like additional team members by improving efficiency, automating repetitive tasks, analyzing customer data, and helping business owners make faster and smarter operational decisions. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Chris Van Dusen advises that if he could go back to day one of starting out in business, he would tell himself to embrace the hardship, lean into difficult challenges instead of avoiding them, and trust that the tough moments are part of the journey that ultimately leads to growth 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: Never underestimate how much capital it's going to take to get you where you need to go – Chris Van Dusen Find asymmetrical areas of growth – don't compete just like everyone else does – Chris Van Dusen Money doesn't buy you happiness, it buys you freedom – Chris Van Dusen
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Alex Davids, Next Evolution Performance: Psychology Grad Who Built a Global Neuroscience Coaching Firm, Scaled to 40 Coaches in 15 Countries, Helping CEOs Crush Burnout & Achieve Sustainable High Performance. (Episode 777 - Alex Davids)
1w ago00:37:55Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Alex Davids, founder of Next Evolution Performance, built a global neuroscience coaching business across 15 countries helping CEOs and executives achieve sustainable high performance and prevent burnout. Starting with a psychology background, she identified a gap where executives had no real support beyond being told to "take time off." After scaling to 40 coaches, she made the bold decision to step away, allowing a licensee to buy the business before rebuilding it stronger and more sustainably. Alex shares powerful insights on growing through referrals, genuine LinkedIn outreach, and the importance of daily self-review in both business and life. Her parting advice to every business owner — keep it fun, remember why you started, and trust that you can do it. 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? Alex Davids shares that the hardest part of growing a small business is staying in it, believing you can do it, and trusting that it is worth it — a feeling most business owners would deeply relate to. The grind is invisible to the outside world; customers see the success but nobody sees the early mornings, cash flow stress, and lonely decisions that come with building something from scratch. Most people quit too early, not because their idea was bad, but because self-doubt becomes louder than the vision, making belief a daily choice every entrepreneur must consciously make. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Alex Davids shares that her favourite business book is "4000 Weeks" by Oliver Burkeman, a profound read that sits on the edge of business, productivity, and life. The book's core message is that humans have on average 4,000 weeks to live, and every time we find tools to become more productive — from microwaves to AI — we simply backfill that saved time with more work rather than reclaiming it for what truly matters. Alex found this deeply relevant to her work with executives, as it challenges the endless productivity chase and forces the reader to ask the most important question of all Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Alex Davids shares that one of her favourite podcasts is Tim Ferriss, whom she has followed since before podcasting was even a big deal, appreciating how he has evolved from the hardcore "Four Hour Work Week" mindset to exploring what truly matters in life and business. She also highly recommends Consulting Success, a community and resource platform out of Canada specifically designed to help consultants build successful businesses, offering incredible tools, community support, and a critical eye on growth strategies. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Alex Davids shares that the one tool she would recommend right now is Whisper Flow, an AI dictation tool that she describes as absolutely game changing for small business owners. It allows you to think out loud and dictate your thoughts into anything, turning spoken ideas into polished and meaningful content with ease. Beyond tools, she strongly recommends finding a group, team, or community that provides regular reflection and review support, specifically highlighting Consulting Success out of Canada as an incredible resource that has delivered huge value to her own business through its tools, community, and structured approach to helping consultants grow successfully. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Alex Davids shares that the advice she would give herself on day one of starting out in business is beautifully simple yet deeply powerful — keep it fun, remember why you started, and trust that you can do it. After 19 years of building a global business, stepping away, rebuilding, and navigating every challenge that comes with entrepreneurship, she believes that staying connected to your original purpose and maintaining a sense of joy in the work is what ultimately keeps you going through the toughest moments. It is a reminder that success is not just about the destination but about enjoying and believing in the journey every single day. 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: It's only a difficult conversation if you choose to see it that way — otherwise it's just helping people understand points of view — Alex Davids If you can't hand on heart say you can run this business and feel energized without burning out, then you're not doing a great job — Alex Davids Your thoughts become all the habits you have, all the ways you show up, and all the things you deliver — so make them count — Alex Davids
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How Gulliver Moore & Oliver Clubb Scaled Sunday Treat from a Director/DP Duo to a £2M Creative Agency | AI, Viral Video Marketing, Google & Disney Clients, Hiring Secrets, Leadership Lessons & 20% YoY Growth Strategies Tips! (Episode 776 - Gulliver Moore
2w ago00:37:25Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Gulliver Moore shares how he scaled Sunday Treat alongside his co-founder Oliver Clubb from a freelance director/DP partnership into a £2M creative agency serving global brands like Google, Disney, and Revolut. In this episode, Gulliver reveals how consistent 20% year-over-year growth, smart hiring, strong company culture, and high-performing video marketing helped the agency expand to a 14-person team with clients across the US and Europe. He also explains how Sunday Treat is adapting to AI, building viral content strategies, and maintaining creativity while scaling fast. Gulliver shares honest lessons about leadership, delegation, difficult management decisions, and why founders should never delegate hiring. The conversation is packed with insights on business growth, branding, team building, and creating a sustainable agency in today's competitive digital landscape. 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? Gulliver Moore shared that the hardest part of growing a business is consistently delivering on big promises while maintaining quality and trust with clients. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Gulliver Moore said his favorite business book is Radical Candor because it deeply influenced how he manages people, gives feedback, and builds an honest company culture. He also highly recommended The Making of a Manager for its practical advice on leadership and team management. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Gulliver Moore recommended podcasts like Hard Fork, The Vergecast, and Today in Focus to stay updated on technology, AI, and current events. He also emphasized learning through experimentation, especially with AI tools, social media content creation, and hands-on business experience rather than relying heavily on formal coaching or consultants. During the conversation, host Troy Trewin additionally recommended Marketing School, Uncensored CMO, and Everyday AI for marketing and business growth insights. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Gulliver Moore recommended using Claude AI for brainstorming, strategy, copywriting, and improving workflows with AI. He also highlighted Monday.com as a powerful CRM and project management system for organizing teams and client work, while Figma was his preferred platform for creating visually engaging presentations and creative assets. He emphasized that combining strong systems, consistency, and AI tools can significantly improve productivity and business growth. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Gulliver Moore said he would tell himself to trust the process, stay patient, and focus on consistently hiring great people. He emphasized that long-term success comes from building a strong team culture, trusting your instincts during hiring, and sticking with the journey even when growth feels slow or uncertain. 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: Hiring the right people is the most important investment you can make in your business — Gulliver Moore You don't need to control everything — great teams do amazing work when you trust them — Gulliver Moore Consistency in your process will eventually create the growth you're looking for — Gulliver Moore
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From Idea to 100+ Resorts: Arielle Moody of MAMA SOL Shares How She Built a Fast growing Beauty Brand While Pregnant, Bootstrapped with Family Funds, Scaling to 15+ Team Members with 10X Growth & Consistency. (Episode 775 - Arielle Moody)
3w ago00:22:26Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Arielle Moody shares how she built MAMA SOL from a personal need into a rapidly growing business stocked in over 100 high-end resorts. She discusses the importance of consistency, trusting your instincts, and having a clear point of difference in a competitive market. Arielle also highlights the challenges of managing cash flow, scaling sustainably, and learning to delegate as the team grows. Her journey shows that success is an ongoing process rather than a final destination, requiring resilience and adaptability. Listeners can also enjoy 20% off at their website using the code Smallbusiness20. 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 Arielle Moody, the hardest thing in growing a small business is managing cash flow. She emphasizes that when a business starts scaling, you constantly need enough money to cover inventory, operations, and growth, and if cash flow isn't handled properly, it can quickly become the biggest risk to survival. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? According to Arielle Moody, her favorite business book is "The Science of Scaling" a book by Dr. Benjamin Hardy. She mentioned that this book provides an evidence-based framework for scaling a business faster and more effectively, and it had a strong impact on how she thinks about growth and expansion. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? According to Arielle Moody, she recommends podcasts like How I Built This with Guy Raz for real stories and lessons from successful entrepreneurs, and Confessions of a Female Founder for insights into how female founders grow and scale their businesses, as these resources provide practical learning and inspiration from real-world experiences. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? According to Arielle Moody, the one tool she highly recommends for growing a small business is Klaviyo. She emphasizes that email marketing is often underrated but extremely powerful, and platforms like Klaviyo help businesses build and grow their email list, automate marketing, and drive consistent revenue. This tool allows you to create personalized campaigns, automate customer communication, and turn subscribers into loyal customers, making it one of the most effective growth channels for small businesses. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Arielle Moody would tell herself on day one to trust her instincts much earlier and not rush into decisions just to keep momentum. If something doesn't feel right, it's better to pause and reassess rather than push forward and fix mistakes later. She'd also remind herself that moving slower and more intentionally can actually lead to better outcomes, helping avoid unnecessary setbacks while building a stronger foundation for growth. 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: Trust your instincts early—moving fast means nothing if you're moving in the wrong direction - Arielle Moody Consistency and passion will carry you through the hardest days in business - Arielle Moody Build with intention, not urgency, because rushed decisions create bigger problems later - Arielle Moody
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From Spare Room to $5M Success: Michael Harvey of MDH Accounting on Building a 25+ Team, Mastering Fractional CFO Growth, Navigating AI Disruption, and Why Deep Client Relationships Became His Ultimate Business Advantage. (Episode 774 – Michael Harvey)
4w ago01:09:35Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Michael Harvey, founder of MDH Accounting, shares how he grew his business from a spare bedroom startup into a multi-service firm with 25+ team members and nearly $5 million in annual revenue through steady, organic growth and smart hiring. He explains the power of networking, word-of-mouth referrals, and staying close to clients to build long-term trust and consistent growth. The conversation highlights how developing people, supporting flexible work, and focusing on team strengths became key drivers of sustainable success. Michael also reflects on major challenges, including scaling teams, adopting new technology, and adapting to the rise of AI in accounting and advisory services. Ultimately, he emphasizes that true business success comes from continuous learning, strong relationships, and helping other small business owners achieve their wins. 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? Michael Harvey believes one of the hardest parts of growing a small business is managing the transition from having just a few employees to building a larger team, where hiring, training, and paying wages can feel stressful and uncertain. He also highlights that opening new branches and handling different team cultures adds unexpected complexity. Another major challenge he faced was keeping strong client relationships while adopting new technology, as efficiency can sometimes reduce the personal touch that customers value most. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Michael Harvey says his favorite business books that helped him the most are Good to Great by Jim Collins, along with The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni. He shared that Good to Great was an early revelation for him, while The Advantage is a book he regularly revisits because of its strong focus on culture and team success in business. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Michael Harvey recommends tuning into the podcast The Imperfects, even though it isn't strictly business-focused. He says he listens to it regularly because of the inspiring guests and meaningful topics, particularly those connected to The Resilience Project, which motivates him indirectly as a business owner. He also highlights that much of his learning comes from networking with other professionals and learning from real conversations, rather than relying only on formal online tools. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Michael Harvey recommends using a simple one-page planning tool, where you summarize your key business goals and priorities onto a single page to stay focused. He believes the real value comes from cutting through unnecessary details and clearly identifying the number one issue your business needs to solve. This approach helps business owners stay clear, decisive, and action-oriented instead of getting lost in too much information. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Michael Harvey says that if he could go back to day one, he would remind himself to enjoy each moment and celebrate milestones along the way instead of always chasing the next goal. He admits he was so driven early on that he often missed the joy of progress. His advice is to enjoy the journey, stay humble, and build a business that you genuinely enjoy rather than feeling trapped in it. 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 becomes easier when you focus on solving the one problem that matters most — Michael Harvey Technology can speed up your business, but relationships are what keep it alive — Michael Harvey A simple, clear plan beats a complicated strategy that never gets used — Michael Harvey
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Katrina "Kat" of Artemis Factor: From Pharma Layoff to Building a 50+ Team Success, Bootstrapped Growth, Hiring Impacted Talent, Mastering Delegation & Turning Complex Pharma & Biotech Problems into Simple Actionable Solutions. (Episode 773 - Kat High
Apr 1900:26:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Katrina "Kat" High shares her journey from being laid off in the pharma industry to co-founding Artemis Factor, a strategic consulting firm serving pharma and biotech clients. She explains how the business grew from three founders to a team of more than 50 people through bootstrapping and strong industry relationships. Kat highlights the importance of delegation, building the right support systems, and not trying to do everything alone. A unique part of her approach is hiring talented professionals impacted by layoffs and helping rebuild their confidence and careers. She also discusses balancing fast growth, maintaining company culture, and focusing on meaningful impact on employees and patients. 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 Katrina "Kat" High, the hardest thing in growing a small business is dealing with external factors that you cannot anticipate, because business owners often face unexpected changes in the market, economy, or industry that are outside their control. She emphasized that since you never fully know what challenges are coming, the key is to stay prepared by maintaining strong cash flow, building a reliable team, keeping clear communication with employees, and working closely with advisors so you can handle whatever situation arises. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Katrina "Kat" High shared that one of her recent favorite resources that has helped her is content around money mindset, particularly the "Let Them" concept discussed on the Mel Robbins podcast, which she found useful for handling challenges in her current stage of business. She mentioned that instead of sticking to one all-time favorite book, she prefers reading books and listening to podcasts that match the specific season or challenges she is facing, so the advice feels practical and relevant to her situation at that time. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Katrina "Kat" High recommends tapping into a mix of practical and mindset-focused resources, including project management and AI-focused podcasts to stay current with industry trends, alongside investing podcasts to build broader business awareness. She also highlights the value of continuously learning through audiobooks and physical books depending on your season of business, and mentions mindset-driven content like the The Mel Robbins Podcast as helpful for navigating challenges. Overall, her approach is to consistently expose yourself to diverse learning channels—audio, reading, and niche podcasts—so you can grow both your technical skills and decision-making as a small business owner. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Katrina "Kat" High recommends implementing a strong Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system as a foundational tool to grow a small business, emphasizing that having a centralized way to track client interactions, manage leads, and maintain relationships is critical for sustainable growth. A good CRM helps streamline sales processes, improves communication, and ensures no opportunities fall through the cracks, allowing business owners to stay organized while scaling. She suggests choosing a CRM that fits your business needs and using it consistently, as it becomes a key driver in building long-term client relationships and making smarter, data-informed decisions. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Katrina "Kat" High would tell herself to just get started and not wait for everything to be perfect, because clarity and confidence come from taking action, not overplanning. She emphasizes that you won't be able to map everything out from day one, and that's okay—what you learn along the journey will guide your next steps. Instead of striving for perfection, focus on progress, stay adaptable, and trust that each experience will give you the insight needed to grow and make better decisions as your business evolves. 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: You cannot do it all yourself learn to ask for support early – Katrina "Kat" High Progress beats perfection just get started and figure it out along the way – Katrina "Kat" High Stay adaptable because what you learn today shapes your success tomorrow – Katrina "Kat" High
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From 3 to 1,400 employees: Nicolas Bivero of Penn Brothers reveals how to scale global teams, build a remote workforce, and grow a BPO business over 12 years while adapting to AI, COVID changes, and worldwide client demand. (Episode 772 - Nicolas Bivero)
Apr 1200:38:31Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Nicolas Bivero, founder of Pen Brothers, shares how he built a global outsourcing company that grew from just three employees in 2014 to over 1,400 team members today. He explains how their employer-of-record model helps businesses hire and manage Filipino talent while ensuring compliance, payroll, and support. Nicolas discusses the impact of COVID on remote work adoption and how AI is reshaping roles while creating new opportunities. He highlights the importance of listening to clients and employees, continuously improving systems, and prioritizing strong processes as the business scales. The conversation also explores leadership lessons, resilience, and the mindset needed to sustain long-term growth in a fast-changing industry. 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 Nicolas Bivero, the hardest thing in growing a small business is prioritization. He explained that when a business is growing, there are always many things that need attention, but limited time, money, and people to handle them. The real challenge is deciding which tasks matter most at the moment and focusing on those instead of trying to do everything at once. He also mentioned that priorities change over time, so business owners must regularly shift focus to the next most important area to keep the business moving forward. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Nicolas Bivero said he doesn't read many business books, but he mentioned two books that stood out to him as particularly interesting. He highlighted a book by Bob Iger, describing it as a very interesting leadership journey. He also mentioned a book about a U.S. Army four-star general responsible for logistics, noting how managing massive global operations offered valuable leadership and organizational insights. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Nicolas Bivero recommended the Acquired podcast as a valuable learning resource for small business owners. He shared that he listens to it occasionally because it explores the history of major companies and explains how they grew over time. He mentioned that while it's not strictly a professional training resource, it provides deep insights into real business journeys. He especially enjoys episodes that analyze well-known brands, as they offer lessons that can be applied to growing a small business. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Nicolas Bivero recommends using a good accounting system as one of the most important tools to help grow a small business. He explained that having an accounting system tailored to your business saves significant time, reduces stress, and prevents costly mistakes. He emphasized that businesses survive only when their financial records are accurate and cash flow is properly managed. In his view, a reliable accounting system is critical because it helps maintain control over finances and supports long-term growth. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Nicolas Bivero said that if he could give himself advice on day one of starting his business, it would be to be patient and understand that growth takes time. He explained that business success is not a quick sprint but more like a long marathon that requires steady effort. He also mentioned that patience became easier over time through experience, coaching, and personal development. His key message was that lasting results come from staying consistent and allowing things the time they need to grow. 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: Growing a business is a marathon, and patience is the fuel that keeps you moving forward — Nicolas Bivero A strong accounting system is not just a tool, it's the backbone of a stable and growing business — Nicolas Bivero Learning from the journeys of successful companies can give small businesses the clarity to make smarter decisions — Nicolas Bivero
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How Danielle Hendon of Four Corners CFO traded opera for a six-figure fractional CFO firm. Learn her hard truths on beating burnout, the trap of hiring "mini-mes," and mastering delegation to grow a team of four. (Episode 771 - Danielle Hendon)
Apr 500:20:40Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Danielle Hendon of 4 Corners CFO shares how she transitioned from an opera singer to launching a successful fractional CFO firm during the pandemic. She discusses hitting six figures in her first year and scaling to a small team while learning the challenges of hiring and delegation. Danielle highlights the importance of marketing, trusting your instincts, and selling team members effectively. She also opens up about burnout, work-life balance, and how reducing her workload to 30 hours improved both business and family life. Her journey emphasizes that taking care of yourself is just as critical as managing finances to sustain long-term business 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? Danielle Hendon shares that the hardest thing in growing a small business is learning to trust your gut, especially when the numbers or circumstances don't fully support the decision. She explains that many moments require believing in your instincts and moving forward with confidence, even when the outcome isn't guaranteed. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Danielle Hendon shares that her favorite business book recommendation is Profit First, which she often suggests to business owners who are just starting out because it provides a simple and practical approach to managing cash flow and building financial discipline in a business. She also mentions that Eat That Frog has been especially helpful for her personal productivity and staying focused on important tasks. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Danielle Hendon shares that while she doesn't rely on one specific podcast for all learning, she recommends consuming as much valuable information as possible and adapting it to your own situation. She highlights the Jason Daily podcast as a useful resource, especially for those in accounting, as it covers topics like AI and industry insights. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Danielle Hendon shares that one of the most valuable tools she recommends is the Profit First system because it helps business owners better manage cash flow and stay financially organized. She also strongly advises outsourcing bookkeeping early so business owners can focus on what they do best instead of getting stuck in technical financial tasks. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Danielle Hendon shares that if she could go back to day one, she would tell herself that she is going to love the journey far more than she ever imagined, encouraging new business owners to stay committed and trust that the experience will be both rewarding and fulfilling. 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: Burnout can shut down your business just as fast as bankruptcy if you don't take care of yourself — Danielle Hendon Trusting your gut is often the difference between staying stuck and moving your business forward — Danielle Hendon You can't grow a business alone forever — learning to delegate is what unlocks real scale — Danielle Hendon
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Dr. Michael Filosi of Fullarton Park Dental: From 2 Chairs to Adelaide's Largest Dental Practice with 18% Annual Growth, Building Strong Habits, Leading Teams, and Selling the Business Successfully in 2025 Exit Mastery. (Episode 770 - Dr. Michael Filosi
Mar 2900:41:25Tap to summarizeIn 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
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Starting a Business at 50 From a Happy Hour Idea: Alesha Henley of A Dose of Insight on Leaving the 9-5, Doubling Revenue in 4 Years and Why Clients "Entrust Me With Their Babies" — Consistency Lessons for Service Businesses. (Episode 769 - Alesha H
Mar 2200:30:28Tap to summarizeIn 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 🚀
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