The How of Business - How to start, run, grow and exit a small business.

Immigrant entrepreneurs often build businesses to last, and their approach to resilience, hospitality, and value creation offers powerful lessons for any small business owner. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/591-neri-sillaman-survival-to-sustainable/ In this episode, Henry Lopez talks with Neri Karra Sillaman, author of Pioneers: Eight Principles of Business Longevity from Immigr...

Entrepreneur Norman Crowley shares his remarkable journey and explains why ideas matter far less than the courage to start and the discipline to execute. As Norman explains, "Just begin. The customer will fix your idea very quickly." Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r394-norman-crowley-just-begin/ What does it really take to come up with a good business idea, and does the idea eve...

A practical 10-step guide to creating your small business strategic plan for the year ahead. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/590-annual-strategic-planning/ In this episode, Henry Lopez breaks down how to create a clear and practical strategic plan for the year ahead, without overcomplicating the process. Strategic planning gives small business owners a roadmap for growth, helping...

A referable client experience is the key to earning organic referrals, and Stacey Brown Randall joins the show to break down how small business can get referrals without asking. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/589-stacey-randall-referable-expereince/ In this episode, Henry Lopez welcomes back referral expert Stacey Brown Randall to explore how small business owners can generate r...

Bookkeeping essentials for small business with Jodi Arrant, including best practices, and the biggest mistakes to avoid in small-business bookkeeping. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/588-jody-arrant-bookkeeping-essentials/ This episode brings a practical deep dive into small-business bookkeeping with financial professional Jodi Arrant, who shares her journey, best practices, and...

How to use the Eisenhower Matrix to cut through chaos, focus on what truly matters, and make faster, smarter decisions as a small business owner. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/587-eisenhower-matrix-prioritization/ Feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list? In this episode, Henry Lopez explains how to use the Eisenhower Matrix—a simple yet powerful framework—to priorit...

Motivating hourly employees starts with a mindset shift. To do it well, it requires rethinking how we lead, communicate, and create purpose for hourly workers. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r393-rethinking-hourly-worker-motivation/ Host Henry Lopez and his original co-host and business partner David Begin explore what it really takes to motivate, manage, and retain hourly or mi...

Toy designer and educator Cas Holman explores how embracing play can unlock creativity, reduce stress, and help small business owners reframe failure as part of growth. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/586-cas-holman-play-in-business/ Cas Holman, renowned toy designer, educator, and author of Playful: How Play Shifts Our Thinking, Inspires Connection, and Sparks Creativity, shares...

Learn a simple, repeatable framework for crafting an effective sales pitch that connects, communicates value, and inspires action. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/585-crafting-your-sales-pitch/ Crafting an effective sales pitch isn't about being slick or persuasive - it's about clarity, empathy, and storytelling. In this episode, host Henry Lopez breaks down how small business ow...

Attorney and entrepreneur Wesley Henderson shares practical legal insights every small business owner needs to protect their business and operate with confidence. Show Notes Page:  https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/584-wesley-henderson-legal-tips/ Disclaimer: The information in this episode is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice; listeners should consult their...

Engineer-turned-entrepreneur Joshua Talbert shares his journey from defense contractor to tech startup founder and CEO of MySherpas.ai. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/583-josh-talbert-software-startup/ In this episode, Henry Lopez interviews Joshua Talbert, co-founder and CEO of MySherpas.ai, about his entrepreneurial journey and lessons learned in building and scaling startups....

How small signs of disorder in your workplace can erode culture, safety, and customer trust, and how fixing them builds pride and small business success. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/582-broken-windows-theory/ In this episode Henry Lopez explores the Broken Windows Theory and its direct application to small business environments. Originating from research by Philip Zimbardo an...

Entrepreneur Sasha Millstein shares her journey launching Aunt Ethel's Pot Pies and scaling this frozen comfort food brand from idea to shelves. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/581-sasha-millstein-aunt-ethels-pot-pies/ Sasha Millstein, founder and CEO of Aunt Ethel's Pot Pies, joins Henry Lopez to share her inspiring entrepreneurial journey from concept to scaling a consumer pack...

Four compelling reasons why mastering delegation is essential for every small business owner. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r355-4-reasons-to-delegate/ Henry Lopez shares why effective delegation is one of the most critical skills entrepreneurs must develop to grow and eventually step away from their business. In this solo episode, Henry outlines four key reasons to delegate: t...

How small business owners can unlock hidden profits by optimizing financial levers and making smarter money decisions. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/580-jamie-trull-unlocking-hidden-profits/ Small business owners often focus on chasing revenue, but revenue does not always equal profit. In this episode, Henry Lopez is joined by Jamie Trull, CPA, financial literacy coach, and pro...

Business poll results reveal the biggest challenges small business owners face, from marketing struggles to sales fears, debt concerns, AI adoption, and growth barriers. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/579-business-poll-results/ In this episode of The How of Business, Henry Lopez reviews recent poll results from listeners, highlighting the top challenges and concerns facing small...

The loyalty, referrals, and pricing power a small business gains by consistently delivering remarkable customer experiences, even when the ROI isn't directly measurable in dollars. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/578-vance-morris-return-on-experience/ Vance Morris shares how small businesses can create Disney-inspired customer experiences to drive loyalty, stop competing on price...

How small business owners can overcome fear, embrace Artificial Intelligence literacy, and start using generative AI tools to improve efficiency and competitiveness. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/577-susan-gonzales-ai-literacy/ Artificial intelligence isn't coming - it's already here, and small business owners can't afford to be left behind. In this episode of The How of Busine...

How to get your small business beyond the failure statistics. Learn from the business failure statistics, instead of being a part of the failure stats, and build a business that will last. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/576-beyond-failure-statistics/ Most small businesses don't fail in the first year, but half won't survive past five years; here's how to be on the winning side o...

Cybersecurity expert Nick Mullen shares how you can protect your business from cyber attacks. Small businesses are often the target for today's most dangerous cyber threats. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/575-nick-mullen-cyber-security/ Cyberattacks are no longer just a threat to large corporations - small business owners are now the most frequent and most vulnerable targets. In...

Learn the 5 reasons your businesses will fail and how to avoid them. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/574-5-reasons-your-business-will-fail/ Most small businesses don't fail because of bad luck - they fail because of predictable and avoidable mistakes. On this episode of The How of Business podcast, Henry Lopez shares the top five reasons small businesses fail, drawing on decades...

Maximize your Google Business Profile to improve local SEO, generate more leads, and protect your online presence. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/573-marco-silva-google-business-profile/ For small local businesses, visibility online can make or break your customer acquisition efforts. In this episode, Henry Lopez is joined by Marco Silva with Oostas to break down why your Google...

How Zach Beutler developed the Jungle Driving School Franchise, and practical advice for business owners and franchisees. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/572-zach-beutler-jungle-driving-franchise/ In this inspiring episode, Henry Lopez welcomes Zach Beutler, a seasoned entrepreneur and franchising expert, to share his journey from early franchise ventures to his latest role leadi...

Niche down to scale up your small business faster. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r351-niche-down-scale-up/ Focus on the essential and most profitable products or services. Don't try to be all things to all people. In this episode of The How of Business podcast, Henry Lopez explores one of the most powerful strategies for early-stage growth: niching down. Whether you're just lau...

Employee to Business Owner - what to consider when overcoming the fear and uncertainty of transitioning from employee to business owner. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/571-employee-to-business-owner/ If you've dreamed of leaving your job to start your own business but feel stuck by fear, uncertainty, or financial security, this episode is for you. Henry Lopez shares his personal...