The Small Business School Podcast

If you’ve ever dreamed of luxury vacations without the luxury price tag, this episode is for you. I sat down with travel points expert Megan Lanford—founder of Points Too Paradise —who once struggled to afford one trip a year and now saves over $20K annually while traveling often and in style. She breaks down exactly how families and business owners can start using travel points to unlock amazing...

Welcome back to Small Business School! In this episode of business builders, I’m diving into something that every business owner needs to check in on from time to time—whether your current clients still align with the business you're trying to build. It’s normal for your vision, capacity, and values to evolve as your business grows. So let’s talk about how to make sure your messaging, offers,...

In this episode of Small Business School , I’m welcoming back my friend and messaging expert, Helen Thacker! We’re chatting all about what’s really been happening behind the scenes in both of our businesses over the past two years — and digging deep into why messaging is way more than just finding the "perfect words." Helen shares how powerful it can be when you stop chasing trends and n...

Welcome back to Small Business School ! In this episode of Business Builders , we're diving into a super important (and often overlooked) part of your business: the client journey. Whether you're booking dream clients or still figuring out how to turn one-time buyers into loyal fans, this conversation is here to help. I walk you through how to audit the full client experience—from first...

In this heart-filled, hotel-room-recorded episode, I sit down in person with Virginia from Acre75 Gathered —a subscription box packed with goods from Canadian small towns. What started on a 75-acre family farm has grown into a nationwide movement supporting artisans and makers in towns with fewer than 30,000 people. We talk about community, entrepreneurship, boundaries, mindset blocks, and why you...

Hey Small Business School listeners! If you’ve ever thought, “Why is this product-based business so dang hard?” — this one’s for you. I’ve been getting messages asking if I have advice for makers, resellers, and product-based entrepreneurs, and the answer is yes, absolutely . In this solo episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from running both service and product-based businesses — including wher...

Hey friend, welcome back to Business Builders ! This episode hits close to home for me — because I’m living it right alongside you. We're diving into a topic every business owner wrestles with: time management. Not the boring, corporate kind — the real, messy, "why am I so busy but nothing’s moving forward?" kind. I’m sharing what I’ve learned (and am still learning) while scaling t...

This special episode of Small Business School was recorded live at the High Vibe Women event—and let me tell you, the energy in the room was electric! I had the absolute joy of sitting down with Julie Cole, co-founder of Mabel’s Labels, mom of six, bestselling author, and all-around force. She shared how a product idea born out of her own family chaos turned into a beloved brand known across North...

In this episode of Business Builders , I’m sharing a little pep talk I honestly needed for myself too. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in the weeds, or like your team can’t move without you — this one’s for you. We’re talking about the shift from being the do-it-all operator to becoming the strategic CEO your business actually needs. I’ll walk you through what it means to delegate with confid...

In this episode of Small Business School , I sit down with Puja Malhotra, brand strategist and founder of ROOP Creative Agency. We get real about what it actually means to show up authentically online, why branding is more than just visuals, and how you can build a business that aligns with your life—not just your to-do list. This convo is a must-listen if you’ve ever felt pressure to be louder, d...

In this episode of Small Business School , I’m joined by the brilliant Quinn Tempest—business and brand strategist, founder of Create Your Purpose , and all-around champion for purpose-led entrepreneurship. We dive deep into burnout, business evolution, and what it really means to grow a sustainable business that doesn’t drain the life out of you . If you’ve ever hit a wall in your business and th...

Welcome back to Small Business School! In this episode of Business Builders , we’re diving into a topic that’s going to hit home for a lot of entrepreneurs: creating predictable revenue . If you’ve ever felt like your income is a rollercoaster—big sales one month, crickets the next—you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. We’re diving into the importance of predictable revenue, the three best ways t...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Emily Van Straten, host of Your Gen Z Coworker and founder of Think HR. We dig into the generational shift happening in the workforce and how small business owners can better understand, support, and retain Gen Z team members. From honest conversations to evolving leadership styles, Emily brings a fresh perspective that’ll leave you rethinking how you hire and lea...

Welcome back to Small Business School , Are you actively collecting feedback from your clients and team—or are you just guessing what needs improvement?  I get it — hearing constructive criticism can be tough, but when you learn to ask the right questions and embrace what you hear, incredible growth follows. Tune in to discover practical tips on how to gather, analyze, and apply feedback in a way...

In this episode of Small Business School , I sit down with Kelly Lorenzen, CEO of KLM Consulting. With over 22 years of business ownership experience, Kelly shares her insights on scaling a small business by focusing on what you love and outsourcing the rest. From building the right team to embracing technology, Kelly’s advice is packed with actionable steps for busy entrepreneurs. Key topics cove...

In this episode, we dive into the powerful impact of creating your own CEO mission statement — a guiding tool that keeps you focused, intentional, and confident in your leadership role. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed or stuck in the day-to-day, this episode will help you step back, refocus, and lead with purpose. Key topics covered: Why You Need a CEO Mission Statement: Discover how defin...

In this episode, I chat with recruitment expert Meghan Houle about what it takes to hire top talent for your small business. Meghan shares her insights from years of working with luxury brands and offers practical tips for finding and retaining the right people. Whether you're scaling your team or making your first hire, this episode is packed with advice to set you up for success. Key topics...

In this episode of Small Business School , we dive into the important topic of recognizing industry trends and staying relevant in a constantly shifting market. I share my own struggles with this process and offer practical advice on how to spot meaningful changes without feeling overwhelmed.  Key topics covered: Understand Consumer Behavior: Stay aware of changing buying patterns — what customers...

In this episode, I sit down with Laura Sinclair, a strategic business mentor and founder of This Mother Means Business . We dive into the real, unfiltered challenges of running a business while being a mom—not the "pink and fluffy" version, but the truth about boundaries, burnout, and the power of community.  If you’ve ever felt like you're juggling too much and no one is talking ab...

Welcome back to our Business Builders series in Small Business School! If your business feels more complicated than it should be, you’re not alone. Many entrepreneurs think growth means adding more—more offers, more processes, more tools—but in reality, the businesses that scale the fastest are the ones that simplify.  In this episode, we’re diving into how you can streamline your operations, redu...

Welcome back Small Business Builders! Today, I sat down with Sarah Lambert, a mom of two turned entrepreneur who’s built a seven-figure business helping women make a massive impact while transforming their confidence and freedom.  Together we dive into the surprising power of slowing down, breaking free from autopilot, and challenging the hustle mindset to create space for more joy, fulfillment, a...

In 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 reve...

Ever wondered what it’s like to go from solo entrepreneurship to a thriving business partnership? In this episode, I sit down with Dana Clark, founder of Cool to Connect, and Portia Chambers, founder of The We Experience. These two incredible women built their own businesses and later joined forces to create We Connect. From complete strangers to business partners and best friends, they share how...

In this episode of the Business Builders series, we're diving into the comparison trap, that sneaky mindset challenge that can slow you down while scaling your business. If you've ever found yourself looking at others and wondering why they seem to be growing faster, you're not alone. Today, we're tackling how to stay focused on your own scaling journey without getting too dist...

On today’s episode of Small Business School, I am so excited to chat with Kareen Walsh, a recovering people pleaser turned alignment activist and seven-figure entrepreneur. Kareen shares her journey of integrating life and business, breaking free from burnout, and designing a business that fuels her life.  If you're looking to scale your business with balance and intention or you just need a...