Podcast
The Small Business School Podcast
Hosted by Staci Millard · EN
Ready to leave the small business struggle behind? The “School for Small Business” podcast supports small business owners in scaling a business that is profitable, purposeful, and doesn’t leave you burnt out. No matter whether you run your business online or you own a brick-and-mortar, you can expect our world class experts to support you with mindset, tactics, and everything in between so you can have the business you dreamed of. Based on our lived experience, we know that small business CAN be easy and we are here to show you how.The “School for Small Business” is hosted by Staci Millard, a CPA by trade with over 15 years of experience seeing the behind the scenes of thousands of small businesses. After growing and selling her first 7 figure business, Staci has been on the ground running - mentoring small businesses and working to increase success rates. Staci strongly believes you don’t need to have gone to business school to be successful so you can expect nothing but simple, impactful advice. Tune in each Tuesday for a new 30 minute or less episode of nothing but valuable advice to help you grow your small business. We are so excited for you to be on this journey with us!
33episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why Connection Will Be Your Most Valuable Business Currency in 2026
Jan 2700:14:17Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Small Business School, Staci is diving into a major shift she sees coming for entrepreneurs as we head into 2026. With AI making information instantly accessible, what really matters now isn’t what you know — it’s how you serve, connect, and give people their time back. This episode is all about rethinking value, letting go of burnout culture, and building businesses that feel good for both you and your customers.Key topics covered:Why information is no longer the differentiator and what actually isHow AI is changing buying behavior and raising the bar for service providersThe growing importance of solving the “time gap” for your customersWhy connection, customer experience, and thought leadership can’t be replacedWhat it means to build a business that supports your health and your clients as we move into 2026As we move into 2026, the businesses that will thrive aren’t the ones chasing more information or louder marketing, but the ones that lead with connection, thoughtful service, and real human impact. Staci's Links:Instagram. Website.
Transcribe →Business Builders (Pt:8) Revenue Vs Profit
Mar 4, 2025Tap to summarizeIn this installment of Business Builders, we are diving deep into a crucial mindset shift every scaling business owner needs, focusing on profit over revenue. It’s easy to get caught up chasing more sales, but what really matters is how much you’re actually keeping in the business. Let’s put our CEO hats on and get real about profitability!Key topics covered:Revenue vs. Profit: Why growing revenue isn’t always the win it seems if profit margins remain razor-thin.Understanding the Three Pillars of Profit: overhead, cost of sales, and revenue.How to adjust pricing and streamline operations for better margins.Why keeping existing customers is more profitable than constantly chasing new ones.It’s not about how much you make, but how much you keep of what you make! Challenge: Do a profit vs revenue check from last month, include everything, including your salary/what you paid yourself!Then, figure out what adjustments you need to make for next month to your three profit pillars. Keep doing this every month until you start to see the shifts you need!Staci's Links:Instagram. Website.
Transcribe →The Challenges of Scaling with Emily McDonald
Nov 7, 2023Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Small Business School we are getting into the real nitty-gritty details of scaling a business, the highs, the lows, and everything in between with guest Emily McDonald. Emily started her first company in 2009 and scaled the company to seven figures, ran a team of 15, raised over a million dollars in venture capital, opening retail stores in Los Angeles and San Francisco. In 2021 Emily started coaching female founders and co-founded ‘My Founder Circle’, a community and membership where female founders can have access to coaches at a lower investment. Topics Covered:Emily shares her journey from founding a successful fashion company, The Stylist LA, to becoming a coach for female founders. It's a story of growth, burnout, and transformation.The mindset of building a business brick by brick. Emily reveals the importance of connecting with customers one-on-one, doing things that don't scale initially, and building a loyal following.Emily opens up about her experience with burnout and how it wasn't necessarily about doing things that don't scale but rather not prioritizing self-care and well-being.Emily shares insights into her fundraising journey, the challenges of raising capital in Silicon Valley, and the dynamics of having investors on board. Discover the highs and lows of seeking financial support for your business.Emily’s Link’s:Instagram: www.instagram.com/founderemilyStaci's Links:Instagram. Website.
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