The Small Business School Podcast

Hey Business Builders! In this episode of Small Business School, we're diving into the smart way to scale your business. You don’t want to just grow for growth's sake, you need to know the right time to expand and the time to stabilize. If you've ever felt torn between chasing new opportunities and maintaining your current operations, this one's for you. Let's put on that...

In today’s exciting installment of Small Business School, I am joined by Palak Dave, a mission-driven entrepreneur, experience expert, speaker and author of Beautiful Everydays: A Guide to Living in the Here and Now. Palak is a former award-winning marketer with senior roles at Toronto International Film Festival and Indigo Books and Music, Palak founded Embiria in 2017, which has since evolved to...

Hey Business Builders! In this episode we are talking about evolving your offers. Do your offers still serve your business the way they should? As your business grows, not everything should come along for the ride. Today, we’re breaking down how to assess, tweak, or cut what you're selling so you can scale with clarity and confidence. Key topics covered: How to assess profitability and scalab...

Welcome back to Small Business School! Today I am excited to chat with Jamie Cornish, co-founder of TGIM Local, a business coaching and consulting company where she helps entrepreneurs grow through powerful marketing strategies and paid advertising. Jamie has a background in direct response marketing, and has helped many business owners simplify their marketing and attract their dream clients. Tog...

Hey Business Builder owners! Part 4 of this series is all about stepping into your CEO role and carving out the time you need to focus on the big picture. We’re talking about how to break free from the daily grind, think strategically, and lead your business toward long-term growth.  Let’s dive in and start building that CEO muscle! Key topics covered: The difference between working in your busine...

In this episode of Small Business School! Today, I’m diving into a question from our community: is brick and mortar still worth it?  I don’t think brick and mortar is dead, but as with everything in your small business, it’s important to consider the pros and cons intentionally. In this episode I’ll break down what I see happening with in-person spaces, why human connection is key, and how to deci...

In today’s episode of Small Business School I am sitting down with Emily Lauren Dick, a multi-passionate feminist entrepreneur, marketer, and author. She helps small women-owned businesses grow their online presence, wealth, and impact in the world with strategic branding and website design. Emily helps women stand out online without burning out! In our conversation, we talk about standing out onl...

By understanding just a few key metrics in your business you can set yourself up for immeasurably more success. On this episode of Business Builders, I want to dive into profit margins, cash flow, and revenue trends in order to help you step more into your CEO role to grow your business sustainably and with more clarity. Key topics covered: Profit Margins: Why knowing your revenue minus expenses i...

Welcome to Small Business School! Today I'm chatting with Amy Sussex, an operations manager who specializes in making life easier for small business owners through The Business Management Co.  The Business Management Co. streamlines client and team processes, freeing up founders to focus on growth without getting bogged down by day to day demands. In this conversation, Amy dives into the art...

This week on Small Business School I’m joined by the incredible LaShonda Brown, award-winning tech educator, YouTube Coach. Through her educational company, Bootstrap Biz Advice, LaShonda teaches service providers worldwide how to work less & live more by leveraging tech and YouTube. LaShonda believes there is no shame in bootstrapping and her trainings will help you keep your expenses low and...

Welcome back business builders! In this week's episode I want to cover overcoming the critical shift from a startup mindset to stepping into the role of strategic CEO. Be honest with yourself, how much time are you spending working in your business vs on it?  If you’re ready to stop being the bottleneck in your business, stuck doing day-to-day tasks and you want to start reclaiming your time,...

In today’s episode of Small Business School, I am joined by Vanessa Locicero, a lawyer and business and energetic mentor helping entrepreneurs master legal protection, secure their business and align with their higher purpose. As a chef turned lawyer, Vanessa’s mission is to help heart-centred individuals turn their dreams and inspirations into a reality on a solid legal foundation through accessi...

Hey business builders! In today’s episode I want to talk about revisiting and refining your vision while we are still in that new year energy. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, your vision is the foundation that guides everything you do. It’s time to align, refine, and ensure your goals feel right for where you are at right now. Let’s dive in together! Topics Covered: Why revisiting...

In today’s episode of Small Business School, I chat with Lauren Bercuson, founder of Storylock Legal. From legal briefs to library stacks and back again, Lauren Bercuson is not your average trademark attorney. Lauren is on a mission to demystify the often overwhelming world of intellectual property, turning it into a clear, manageable, and even enjoyable process for innovators and entrepreneurs. A...

Hey Small Business School! Today on the show I am talking with Dylan Jahraus, a seasoned ecommerce expert with over 10 years of experience and went from corporate e-commerce to making over $1M profit on Etsy, Amazon and Shopify. She and her team now help thousands of Etsy Sellers grow with corporate e-commerce principles through her 1:1 coaching program, the Ultimate Etsy Course. Outside of being...

Welcome back to Small Business School! This is my first recording of 2025, and I am so thrilled to kick off the year with the incredible Carly Ottaway founder of Web of Words. Web of Words is an award-winning agency of 9 years obsessed with building brand legacies. Carly is not just a business powerhouse, she’s also a lighthouse of wisdom and inspiration, I am so excited for our conversation on th...

Welcome back to Small Business School, in today’s guest episode I am joined by Megan Golightly, founder and CEO of Simplified Inc., widely recognized through her popular Instagram handle @gosimplified.  Since 2008, Megan has led her team in empowering individuals to declutter, organize, and embrace simplicity. Her work spans organizing projects of all sizes and collaborating with families for rema...

Welcome back to another Accounting Q&A episode of Small Business School, in this episode, we’re diving into the ins and outs of monthly bookkeeping!  Whether you’re managing your own finances or considering outsourcing, this episode is packed with tips to help you streamline your bookkeeping process and keep your finances in check. Let’s make sure your financial foundation is rock solid! Topic...

In today’s episode I am diving into an Accounting Q&A  is for everyone who's puzzled by year-end adjusting entries and why accountants seem so particular about them. I'll break down why these entries matter, how they affect your business numbers, and what you need to know to handle them confidently! Topics Covered: The role of accountants in reviewing year-end entries to ensure accur...

In this Accounting Q&A episode, we’re diving into a hot topic recently at Thrive Accounting: deciding whether or not to incorporate your business. Incorporating has its perks, but there are also costs and considerations you need to weigh before making the jump. This episode is all about helping you understand when incorporation makes sense, how it affects your finances, and the questions you s...

Hey Small Business School! Today, I’m challenging the idea that charging more automatically equals success in business. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for business success, it’s all about creating a purposeful and profitable business model that works for you. Whether you’re a luxury service or an accessible option, there’s a place for your business to thrive! Topics Covered: Why higher price...

In this episode of Small Business School I am excited to dive into a discussion with seasoned real estate broker and entrepreneur Stephanie Soave, founder of Soave Group. Stephanie has a passion for helping others build financial freedom and make life-changing moves. With a background rooted in small businesses and over a decade of experience in real estate, Stephanie has built a reputation for he...

Have you ever felt completely called out by a podcast episode? That’s exactly where I found myself recently, and it sparked some big reflections on business, distractions, and focus.  In this episode, I’m diving into what happens when we spread ourselves too thin and how getting clear on our goals can transform how we allocate our energy and resources. Topics Covered: The cost of distractions. Why...

Hey Small Business School! Starting a business while relying on it for income can be incredibly challenging and might even hold you back. In this episode, I dive into the pressure that comes with needing immediate cash flow and why a slower, more intentional start might be the key to long-term success for your small business. Let’s get started! Topics Covered: The “burn it all down” mentality: Why...

In this episode of Small Business I get the chance to chat with Renée Warren, award-winning entrepreneur, angel investor, author, speaker, and founder of We Wild Women, a PR agency revolutionizing how female-led businesses shine in the media spotlight. Renée is not just a leader; she's a visionary, innovating how women can achieve unprecedented visibility and success. As host of the top-rated...