The Turtlesmith Podcast

What's the difference between marketing and advertising — and why does it matter for your small business? In this episode, John and Calvin are joined by Dylan, host of the Sense of Direction podcast and Turtle Smith's own marketing expert, to break down two of the most misunderstood concepts in business. They explore how small business owners can identify their ideal customers, why market research...

In this episode of the Turtle Smith podcast, hosts Scott Hess and John Barton dive into the evolving world of digital currency to ask a pivotal question: Do small businesses hold the key to mainstream cryptocurrency adoption? The team explores the surprising statistic that roughly 33% to 34% of small businesses are already accepting crypto. From wild stories of early Bitcoin pizza purchases to the...

Is your business being impersonated online right now — and you don't even know it? In this episode, Scott and John get into the increasingly common threat of business identity theft, where scammers steal your photos, clone your brand, and take money from your customers before you can do anything about it. John shares firsthand experience running JB Cases, a custom pool cue case company that has be...

In this episode of Turtle Smith, hosts Scott Hess and John Barton dive deep into one of the most shocking business fraud cases in recent Oklahoma history: the spectacular collapse of the American Heartland Theme Park. What was supposed to be a $2.5 billion mega-resort in Venita, Oklahoma, turned out to be an elaborate scheme involving fake messages from God, a 91-year-old Pizza Hut franchise mogul...

Join hosts Scott Hess and Dylan Steele as they explore timely financial topics affecting young adults and small business owners. In this candid discussion featuring guest Calvin, the crew dives into the spending habits of 18-25 year olds during spring break (averaging $3,863/month!), shares wild travel stories from Vegas to Barcelona, and debates the real impact of the Jones Act waiver on gas pric...

Join Scott Hess and John Barton as they share hard-won lessons about entrepreneurship in today's world. John reflects on his year-long journey navigating commercial building permits and kitchen licensing, highlighting the costly lessons of impulsivity versus preparation. The hosts dive deep into their origin stories—from John's basement workshop in Germany to Scott's leap from corporate accounting...

Join us as we explore Michael Jordan's fascinating journey beyond the basketball court - from his struggles as an NBA team owner to his unprecedented success with NASCAR racing. This 33-minute episode dives deep into the challenges elite performers face when transitioning to business ownership, featuring insights about hiring, delegation, and building organizations that outlast their founders. Key...

Join Scott Hess (Tax & Business Consultant) and John Barton (Small Business Owner) as they explore why 27% of small businesses lack professional advisors and how isolation costs entrepreneurs time, money, and growth. Episode Highlights: [0:00] Introduction & episode overview [1:33] The cost of doing it all yourself - why isolation is hurting small businesses [3:43] Defining small business:...

Join Scott Hess (tax and business consultant) and John Barton (small business owner) as they discuss the controversy surrounding Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt's proposal to repeal medical marijuana in the state. The hosts explore the political, economic, and social implications of such a move, while examining what reform might look like instead of outright repeal. 0:00 Property tax payment frustra...

Join John Barton and Scott Hess as they dive deep into succession planning for small businesses. Inspired by Bob Iger's transition at Disney, they explore the critical differences between corporate leadership changes and small business exits. Learn why most small business owners fail to plan their exit strategy, discover the five common transition methods, and get practical steps to prepare your b...

Scott and John discuss the challenges small businesses face during severe weather events, using the recent "Snowmageddon" storm as a case study. They explore critical topics including employee attendance policies during dangerous weather, insurance coverage for snow and ice damage, business interruption insurance, liability concerns, and risk management strategies. The hosts share personal experie...

In this episode of Turtle Smith, hosts Scott Hess and John Barton dive deep into the recent FCC ban on Chinese-made drones and its massive impact on small businesses across America. With special guest Calvin joining the conversation, they explore the timeline of events, the security concerns driving the policy, and what it means for entrepreneurs who rely on affordable drone technology. Key Takeaw...

In this hard-hitting episode, Scott Hess and John Barton tackle one of the most controversial topics affecting American small businesses today: immigration enforcement and its economic ripple effects. 📍 TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Introduction Meet the hosts and learn what's on deck for this episode 3:27 - History of Immigration Laws From open borders to the Chinese Exclusion Act—how we got here 4:43 - Mo...

This episode of the Turtle Smith podcast discusses the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and its implications for AI in business. Scott and John explore: CES Origins & History: CES began as an offshoot of the Chicago Music Show in 1967 Started with radios, stereos, and televisions in New York City Has evolved into a massive tech innovation showcase Personal CES Experience: John shares his experi...

In this episode, Scott Hess and John Barton break down the high-stakes corporate battle for Warner Brothers Discovery, as Netflix and Paramount go head-to-head with multi-billion dollar offers. The hosts explore the implications of these potential mergers for the entertainment industry, including antitrust and national security concerns, the future of cable and streaming, and what these mega-deals...

In this episode, Scott Hess (Tax and Business Consultant) and John Barton (Small Business Owner) dive into the essential steps every business should take to wrap up the year successfully. They discuss the importance of updating business processes, conducting accurate year-end inventory, and preparing for tax season. The conversation covers common pitfalls, bad advice circulating on social media, a...

In this episode, Scott Hess and John Barton dive deep into the topic of employee burnout—what it is, how to spot it, and most importantly, how to address and prevent it in your business. Drawing from their own experiences as a tax and business consultant and a small business owner, they discuss the unique challenges small businesses face, especially in high-stress environments like retail. The con...

In this episode, Scott Hess (tax and business consultant) and John Barton (small business owner) dive into the challenges and strategies of managing seasonal employees. As the holiday season approaches, they discuss the importance of planning, recruiting, onboarding, and offboarding seasonal staff—whether you run a retail shop, a service business, or anything with peak periods. Scott and John shar...

In this episode, Scott Hess and John Barton dive deep into the challenges and strategies of holiday inventory management for small businesses. From personal stories of inventory missteps to practical advice on forecasting, ordering, and cash flow, they cover essential systems like reorder points, vendor-managed inventory, and bulk buying. The hosts discuss the importance of early planning, omnicha...

In this episode of Turtle Smith, Scott and John kick off Season 3 with a deep dive into the 2025 holiday shopping season. They break down the latest forecasts, including a projected $253 billion in total spending, the rise of mobile shopping (now over half of all online sales), and the growing impact of “buy now, pay later” services. The hosts discuss how small businesses can stand out during the...

In this episode of Turtle Smith, John and Scott wrap up phase two of their small business series by discussing how to put all the pieces together before launching your business. They share personal stories about home renovations, the challenges of mastering YouTube algorithms, and the importance of building a solid foundation for your business. The hosts walk through the final steps of preparation...

In this episode of Turtle Smith, John Barton and Scott Hess dive deep into the crucial decision of choosing the right business structure for your new venture. They break down the differences between LLCs, S Corps, C Corps, partnerships, and nonprofits, explaining the legal and tax implications of each. With real-world examples and practical advice, John and Scott discuss why timing matters when fo...

In this episode of Turtlesmith, Scott Hess (tax and business consultant) and John Barton (small business owner) dive deep into the art of developing a scaling strategy for your business. They discuss the importance of long-term planning, from setting 1, 5, and 15-year goals to understanding when and how to scale—or when to stay comfortably at capacity. Scott and John explore practical approaches t...

In this episode, Scott and John dive deep into the world of business insurance, breaking down the essential policies every business owner should consider. From business owner’s policies and general liability to cyber liability, workers’ compensation, and product liability, they explain what each type covers and why it matters. The hosts share personal stories, practical tips for working with insur...

In this episode of Turtle Smith, Scott Hess and John Barton dive deep into the world of employment for small business owners. They break down the crucial differences between employees and independent contractors, share practical advice on payroll, benefits, and compliance, and discuss how to build a positive workplace culture. With real-world stories, actionable tips, and a friendly, supportive to...