Design Your Growth: Field Notes

A specialty hat shop in Tucson operates with two functions active inside the same space. The front of the store is used for retail sales, while repair work continues in an open workspace toward the back. Customers enter for different reasons throughout the day, with some shopping for new hats and others bringing in items for repair. This field note follows the layout, customer movement, and daily...

In this field observation, we look at a lakefront business strip where multiple jet ski rental operators sit side by side. At first, it feels like direct competition in its most inefficient form. But once you examine the physical setup—the shared shoreline, limited parking, and extreme heat—the logic shifts. This episode breaks down how geography, not strategy, shapes business behavior. We explore...

I saw the same business twice. In two different parts of the same town. That observation raised a simple question. Why would a small business expand within the same market instead of going somewhere new? This Field Note was captured in Bullhead City, Arizona. Continue the Field Notes on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/designyourgrowth/p/field-note-1?r=7fhd5u&utm_campaign=post&utm_m...

Revenue stabilizes and teams find rhythm, but predictability brings a new problem: the systems that made the company reliable begin to harden into resistance. Change gets slower and more expensive not because ideas are weak, but because the architecture protects what exists. This episode explores how maturity creates inertia, the difference between personal hesitation and structural resistance, an...

This is design your growth. A quiet space for business owners to examine expansion decisions before they make them. This episode explores the subtle restlessness that appears in stable businesses — not burnout or boredom, but underextension: when your capacity has outgrown your current structure. It explains how to read that pressure as information rather than a command to move fast. Learn how to...

This episode explores why "how to manage time" often becomes a central focus when work feels heavy and we feel "overwhelmed." We discuss how reorganizing time provides a sense of control, but often doesn't address the underlying issues causing "stress." This approach to "productivity" can sometimes prevent us from asking harder questions about our work processes.

This episode explores how most planning assumes higher future energy and mistakes capacity limits for discipline problems. It explains the invisible work that drains energy—emails, admin, context switching—and suggests designing plans around normal energy instead of ideal days so they succeed in practice.

Thinking about leveling up your business structure? In this episode of The Cashflow Factor , Dawn Porthouse breaks down everything you need to know about C Corporations—from how they’re structured to whether they’re the right fit for your growth goals. You’ll learn: What sets C Corps apart from LLCs and S Corps How they offer unlimited growth potential and long-term credibility The hidden costs an...

Could switching to an S Corporation save your business thousands in taxes? In this episode of The Cash Flow Factor , Dawn Porthouse breaks down how S Corps work, who they’re really for, and the costly mistakes to avoid. You’ll learn: How S Corps reduce self-employment taxes What “reasonable salary” actually means The compliance traps that catch new S Corp owners off guard Whether an S Corp is bett...

Forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) sounds like the smart move—until it isn’t. In this episode of The Cash Flow Factor , host Dawn Porthouse breaks down the real pros and cons of LLCs so you can make an informed, confident decision about your business structure. Whether you're launching your first business or restructuring a growing one, this episode will walk you through: What an LLC really...

Is partnering with someone the best move—or a fast track to conflict? In this episode of The Cash Flow Factor , Dawn Porthouse breaks down the real-world pros and cons of business partnerships. From general to limited to LLPs, you’ll learn what structure fits your goals—and what red flags to watch for. Discover how to protect your assets, set clear roles, and build a partnership that supports long...

Is your business structure secretly costing you profits? In this episode of The Cash Flow Factor , Dawn Porthouse kicks off the Business Structure Series by unpacking the real pros and cons of starting as a sole proprietor. Many entrepreneurs begin here because it’s fast, simple, and cheap. But what looks easy upfront can become risky as your business grows. From unexpected tax burdens to unlimite...

In this episode of Cash Flow Factor, host Dawn Porthouse discusses common tax mistakes that can drain a business's cash flow and offers strategies to avoid them. Key topics include the importance of maintaining separate personal and business finances, using dedicated business accounts and accounting software, properly classifying workers, managing quarterly estimated tax payments, and maximizing t...

In this episode, Dawn discusses the "over-reliance trap" and how it impacts small business owners. She shares simple strategies and actionable tips to help business owners focus on business advice and growth by learning how to **delegate tasks**. Discover how to improve your **productivity** and **entrepreneurship** skills, so you can **get things done** and spend less time on daily tasks.

Meet Michael Kasberg, ESQ, a passionate attorney and business owner who has built a successful law practice from the ground up through hard work and determination. As a solo practitioner, Michael shares his inspiring journey of overcoming various challenges that he faced along the way and achieving remarkable success through effective practice management and strategic planning. With a keen entrepr...

In this episode of 'The Cashflow Factor,' host Dawn Porthouse demystifies financial statements, emphasizing their importance as tools for business understanding and growth. The episode explains the three key financial statements: balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, offering practical advice on how to read and use them effectively. Dawn introduces key financial ratios and metr...

In this episode of The Cashflow Factor, host Dawn Porthouse tackles the challenge of managing cash flow during periods of rapid business growth. Dawn outlines the common problem small business owners face where increased sales come with upfront costs, creating a cash flow gap. She introduces three key pillars for balancing scalability and cash management: accurate cash flow forecasting, strengthen...

In this episode of 'The Cashflow Factor,' host Dawn Porthouse delves into the importance of cash flow for a thriving business. She distinguishes cash flow from profit, shares a real-world example of a landscaping business overcoming cash flow challenges, and offers five actionable strategies to optimize cash flow. Tune in to learn how to ensure your business remains stable and ready for growth.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into one of the most critical aspects of small business success—cash flow management. You'll learn actionable strategies to stabilize your finances, reduce the day-to-day stress of cash shortages, and confidently plan for growth. Our guest, a seasoned CFO with years of experience helping small businesses, shares insights into common cash flow pitfalls and easy-...