EWH University for Small Business Show

In this episode, we ask a powerful question: what's your wish for where you want to be 10, 20, 30, or even 40 years from now after a lifetime of running your business? Time will pass faster than you think, and the life you'll have then will be the direct result of the decisions and commitments you make today. Too often, we get caught up in the daily grind—so busy making a living that we forget to...

In this episode, we're tackling a question every small business owner asks: how do I reduce the stress my business puts on me? You'll learn how to build a business that supports your life, fuels your passion, and gives you more joy—not just more headaches. If you're ready to go from burnout to breakthrough, this episode is for you.

Are you afraid of ChatGPT—or just unsure what it really is? If you're a small business owner and not using this powerful tool, you're missing out on opportunities to save time, reduce costs, and grow your business. In this episode, we dive into what ChatGPT is and explore real-life examples of how business owners are using it to streamline processes, enhance marketing, and tackle everyday tasks. F...

Starting a small business is tough, but getting off to the right start can make all the difference between success and failure. In this episode, we'll share essential tips and strategies to lay a solid foundation for success. Whether you're launching a new venture or giving your current business a fresh perspective, this show is packed with practical advice and actionable steps. Get ready for anot...

Change, adaptation, and innovation are essential to growing a business—but staying relevant gets even harder the longer you're in business. In this episode, we sit down with Dan Meyer, founder of BizTimes Milwaukee, who's grown and evolved his company for 30 years in one of the most disrupted industries: publishing. If you want real-world lessons on navigating change, adapting, innovation and buil...

After living through a painfully bad sales and customer service experience, I was reminded of a powerful truth—we're all in leadership. Whether you're in sales, service, operations, or management, your ability to influence, communicate, and lead others matters. In this episode, I share the experience we've all lived through, and how it reveals the simple, universal formula we use with teams and bu...

In this episode, I'm talking about how we doubled the size of the family business I grew up in—and the key insights that can help you double the size of your business too. Success leaves clues, and what we learned in our family business—and then built on—can help you build on your own success. If you're ready to grow, these takeaways will give you the tools, mindset, and strategies to take your bu...

In the spirit of Father's Day—and in honor of the man this university was named after—this episode is dedicated to the lessons I learned from my dad that helped us double our family business. After college, I joined the business he built from the ground up, and the greatest gift of my life was not just learning from him, but doing it with him. In this show, I'll share the strategies, insights, and...

In this episode, Steve Gift shares how he built, transitioned, and successfully exited his CPA firm—ensuring a strong handoff for both his team and clients. Whether you plan to lead your business for decades or exit and start a new chapter, this conversation offers clarity and strategies to help you get paid, protect your team, and define what success looks like for you.

On the entrepreneurial journey, breakthroughs often come from those powerful aha moments—when things finally click and you see the path forward. In this episode, we unpack the six core aha insights every business owner needs to grow, scale, and lead more effectively. While business can feel complex, it really comes down to six key areas—six problems to solve or opportunities to unlock. When you un...

What does it really mean to grow the value of your business? In this episode, we unpack the true job of a business owner—not the manager, the leader, or the talent, but the one responsible for building long-term value. You'll learn what it looks like to wear the owner hat, think like a chairman or CEO, and focus on the outcomes that actually grow a business that's profitable, transferable, and bui...

Do you feel like you have to do everything yourself to keep your business running? You're not alone. Many business owners get trapped in the mindset that no one else can do it as well—or fear what might happen if they delegate. But real growth doesn't come from doing more—it comes from learning how to lead more. In this episode, we break down what it truly means to work smarter, not harder, and wh...

Have the goal of selling and exiting your business someday? In this episode, we explore the entrepreneur's journey from start-up to scale to exit—and what it really takes to create a business that's both profitable and valuable. Because before you can sell something, you have to build a business that's truly worth the value you want for it when you exit. Whether you're just getting started or alre...

Is your business running you instead of you running it? In this episode, Brant Anderson shares how he's reclaiming his life after 18 years of building a $2 million company—offering real insight on how to build a business that's profitable and gives you your life back.

This week we're joined by Brant Anderson of Brant's Landscaping. Over the last decade, Brant grew his company 4X—an achievement few small businesses ever reach. As we always say, success leaves clues—and this episode is packed with real-world insights, and strategies you can apply right now to grow your business profitably and sustainably.

In this episode, we'll unpack what it really takes to become a top workplace and how to apply those lessons to build a great team and create a business your people love being part of. No one can replicate your culture—and when done right, it becomes one of your most significant competitive advantages. Plus, we will learn from a company I knew inside and out: the family business I grew up in, was a...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Chuck from Tri-County Contracting, we dive into how they scaled through better teamwork, smarter hiring, building systems, and sharpening their marketing. Chuck shares how improving meetings, training, streamlining processes, and strengthening communication helped them grow with intention. We also began unpacking a tool they used to refine their marketing, which...

Success leaves clues—and in this episode, Chuck from Tri County Contracting joins us to share how they laid the financial foundation to scale their business. We explore how they gained control of their finances, dialed in their bookkeeping, and used financial statements to drive better decisions and, most importantly, become profitable. Chuck also discusses how re-evaluating their pricing strategy...

Running a business can feel like a mystery—like you're constantly solving puzzles without all the pieces. But while business is complex, it's not infinitely complex. In this episode of EWH University for Small Business, we're unpacking key insights, strategies, and principles you can apply immediately to simplify how you run and grow your business.

No business can thrive without loyal customers who come back and refer others. That's why mastering customer service isn't optional—it's essential. In this episode, we sit down with Debra J. Schmidt, the "Loyalty Leader," who has worked with countless businesses for over three decades to deliver customer service that creates lasting loyalty and repeat business. From meeting and exceeding expectati...

Cash flow can be a small business's biggest challenge or greatest opportunity. In this episode, we'll dive into how to implement a numbers-based strategy to create financial stability and long-term success. We'll break down the key steps to knowing your numbers, using them to drive sales, profits, and cash flow, and leveraging financial equity to build lasting wealth. Whether you're looking to sol...

Small Business Taxes: Wrap Up & Move Forward Tax season isn't just about filing—it's about closing the books on last year so you can focus on what's next without carrying unfinished business into the new year. In this episode, we're breaking down the key steps to finalizing last year's financials and making tax season work for you. How to organize your Year-End Business Financial Statement The Per...

Small businesses often struggle with training, team-building, communication, hiring, sales, and customer service—challenges that can drain time, money, and opportunities. But those who get it right see incredible ROI. In this episode, we'll break down why these areas matter, common mistakes that hold businesses back, and key insights to turn these challenges into strengths. Plus, we'll share three...

Small Business Marketing & Sales: Winning Your Own Super Bowl The Super Bowl isn't just about football—it's also the biggest stage for the most powerful commercials in the world. And while small businesses may not have million-dollar ad budgets, the way they market themselves is just as critical. Whether it's a networking pitch, a social media ad, a website message, or a sales conversation, too ma...

Buying a business can be full of landmines, and even experienced buyers often overlook key factors that can make or break a deal. In this episode, we're taking the guesswork out of buying a business, sharing some of the most important things to look for to ensure you're making a smart, profitable investment. Whether you're exploring your first acquisition or you've bought businesses before, you'll...