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Every business owner measures success differently. Some focus on profit, others on cash flow or growth. But few truly understand the three numbers that determine whether a company can scale or survive. In this episode, Corey Harlock talks with Dave Saunders, early internet pioneer and founder of Base Reality Group, about the three essential numbers every small business owner must know: revenue, cost, and runway.

Before the conversation begins, Corey shares some exciting news. The KeyHire Podcast was named Best Business Consultant by the Best of Small Business Awards, and the show was recently featured in Forbes after economist Bill Connerly referenced one of their past episodes. It has been a rewarding start to the year, and Corey credits the KeyHire community for helping the podcast grow and reach new milestones.

Dave’s career began at Lucent Bell Labs, where he helped create the first commercial Wi-Fi hotspot in partnership with Apple. From there, he co-founded Galen Robotics, raised $25 million in funding, and built a reputation for helping founders grow profitable, process-driven businesses. His book, Founders Who Finish, captures much of what he has learned along the way, but today he focuses on the three financial metrics that matter most.

Dave explains that many business owners rely on endless dashboards filled with metrics and acronyms that often confuse more than they clarify. He believes success can be simplified into three numbers.

1. Revenue: The total of what is coming in, including both cash on hand and incoming payments.
2. Cost: Every expense required to keep the business operating, both fixed and variable.
3. Runway: The amount of time the company could continue operating if income stopped today.

Corey and Dave discuss why understanding these numbers is essential for making smart, timely decisions. They outline what it means when a business has less than three months of runway, how to identify waste in operations, and how to reduce costs without cutting too deep. Dave shares examples of companies that failed to monitor their financial health and the consequences that followed, as well as stories of those that corrected course and grew stronger.

The conversation also explores what happens when a company’s growth outpaces the leadership team’s ability to manage it. Corey and Dave talk about the challenges that appear when a business hits the 50-employee mark and the importance of learning to lead through process rather than constant effort. They discuss the self-awareness required for a founder to know when to delegate, bring in new leadership, or evolve their own role.

Dave’s insights are practical, clear, and grounded in experience. His approach helps business owners simplify the way they think about performance and make better decisions about growth, stability, and sustainability.

This episode offers real-world advice for anyone trying to understand their numbers, build a stronger foundation, and create a business that can grow with confidence.

Listen now to learn how to simplify your numbers, make smarter decisions, and build a business that lasts.

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Learn More about Dave: davesaunders.net

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What if every customer call was answered instantly, every lead was qualified accurately, and your sales team spent 100% of their time closing instead of chasing?

 In this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with Shawn Boehme, Director of Sales at PanTerra Networks, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the world of inbound sales and customer communication.

Shawn shares his insider experience helping small and mid-sized businesses integrate AI-driven sales agents that not only answer calls around the clock but also think like seasoned sales reps. These agents qualify leads, analyze tone and intent, and even match regional accents to ensure every caller feels understood. From there, human salespeople can jump in with complete context, ready to have meaningful conversations and close more deals. As Shawn puts it, “AI doesn’t replace your sales team—it makes them better.”

Throughout the conversation, Corey and Shawn dig into what it takes to get AI working effectively in real-world sales environments. Shawn explains how tools like conversational AI and CRM integration enable a seamless handoff between bots and humans, giving sales reps access to detailed customer histories without wasting time on repetitive questions. The result? Happier customers, faster conversions, and fewer missed opportunities.

Shawn also breaks down the technical and strategic side of implementation—from tuning AI agents through hours of test calls to ensuring they ask the right qualifying questions 100% of the time. He explains how modern AI can detect emotion and context, improving response accuracy and reducing handle time in customer support situations. And as businesses move away from offshoring and back toward “onshoring,” AI is playing a major role in reducing costs while elevating the customer experience.

For business owners, this episode offers a practical roadmap for starting small with AI—whether that means deploying a virtual receptionist, experimenting with Agent Assist, or automating parts of your inbound call process. Corey and Shawn also discuss common mistakes companies make when trying to build AI tools themselves, including underestimating the time it takes to properly train and fine-tune an agent.

If you’ve ever wondered how to use AI to qualify leads, improve customer satisfaction, and boost sales performance, this conversation will give you the clarity and confidence to take the first step. As Corey reminds us, it’s not about replacing people—it’s about helping small business owners stop grinding and start growing.

Tune in to learn how AI can help your business capture more leads, improve efficiency, and deliver a better experience for every customer who calls.

Connect with the Experts   
Learn More about PanTerra Networks: www.panterranetworks.com/
Connect with Shawn: www.linkedin.com
Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: bit.ly/KHSuccess      

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If you’ve ever stared at your social media feed wondering why it isn’t bringing in business, this episode will change the way you think about Instagram. Host Corey Harlock sits down with Tara Wagner, an accredited small business consultant and creator of the Breakthrough Boss Method, to unpack a smarter, saner way to use social media: the Instagram Business Card Strategy.

Instead of chasing viral trends or dancing for likes, Tara shares how business owners can treat Instagram like a digital business card, a simple and strategic presence that validates your credibility when customers check you out. She explains why most small businesses don’t need to go viral to grow and how to turn your social profile into a tool that supports your actual marketing plan, not another full-time job.

Together, Corey and Tara break down what to include in your bio, highlights, and posts to build trust and lead visitors to take the next step, whether that’s booking a call, visiting your location, or requesting a quote.
 
Tara walks through her clear, repeatable framework:

- Start with the end in mind. Know the single next step you want potential customers to take.

- Craft your bio and highlights with intention. Make it about your audience, not your accolades.

- Curate content that answers unspoken questions. Think: “Where do I park?” “What does this place feel like?” “Can I trust these people?”

They also talk about common mistakes like boosting posts that hurt organic reach, over-posting without purpose, and following influencer advice that doesn’t fit real business needs. Tara emphasizes that for most entrepreneurs, Instagram’s real value lies in validation, not visibility, and that freeing yourself from the pressure to perform online can give you more time for what actually drives profit.

This episode is packed with practical, down-to-earth advice for owners who want results without burnout. Whether you’re a solopreneur or have a small team, Tara’s approach will help you simplify your marketing, attract the right clients, and make social media work for your business, not the other way around.

Listen now to learn how to transform your Instagram from a time-sink into a powerful credibility tool, no trends, no dances, no burnout required.

Connect with the Experts      
Learn More about Tara: xotara.us
The Business Card Checklist: xotara.us/socialbizcard
Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess     
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If used strategically, benefits can help a small business gain a competitive edge when courting and retaining important high-value talent. This week, we're going beyond the standard yawn-inducing 401(k) presentation. Our guest Katelynn Diamond, Benefits Advisor at Insgroup, is walking us through everything a small business owner needs to know about benefits, how you can use them to effectively recruit new talent, and what you can do to stay ahead of the competition.

Learn more about Insgroup: https://insgroup.net

Schedule a Call with Corey: https://lnkd.in/gzzkUx6W

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#smallbusinessowners #runningabusiness #entrepreneur #hiringemployees #wealthmanagement #finance #personalfinance 

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Financial management can be a confusing topic for many, so how do you ensure that your personal and business finances are receiving the care and attention they deserve? 
We're speaking with Best-Selling Author and Founder of Manske Wealth Management, Chris Manske, about the questions you need to ask when consulting with a financial advisor and the most common mistakes made when selecting an advisor that's right for you. 

Schedule a free consultation with Corey: https://bit.ly/3LSRbo2 

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Learn More About Manske Wealth Management:

https://manskewealth.com/

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Join us in conversation with Nelson Quinnell, the Founder of Apex Operations Group, on the importance of measuring your production performance and establishing baselines - and what can happen if you don't.

Whether you're looking to start upgrading your productivity or have been measuring your company's performance for years, Nelson has some great insights to share that will certainly help any business level up!  

Schedule a free consultation with Corey: https://bit.ly/3LSRbo2

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#smallbusinessowners #runningabusiness #entrepreneur #hiringemployees #EOS #ISO #leansixsigma

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Consideration is one of the key pillars of Keyhire's Guide to Hiring Success. Although often overlooked by business owners, consideration can impact your ability to land the person you want, and more importantly, their loyalty to your business.Schedule a free consultation with Corey: https://bit.ly/3LSRbo2Sign Up For Our Newsletter: https://keyhire.solutionsFollow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/KeyhireSolutions#smallbusinessowners #runningabusiness #entrepreneur #hiringemployees

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Small businesses can be a powerful force for social good by providing opportunities to first-generation and low-income college graduates. Join The KeyHire Podcast for a conversation with Paul Posoli, Founder of CareerSpring, about his insights on how small business is uniquely positioned to help level the playing field in hiring practices by valuing potential over experience alone. 

Learn more about Career Spring: www.careerspring.org

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Small Business Owners can fall victim to inefficient practices and processes because they 'have worked in the past' - but in order to grow, it might be time to turn to the experts. Today, we're speaking with James Warren III, Director of Supply Chain at Marx Brothers Inc, about leveraging expertise to help a small business grow.

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Protecting your intellectual property is vital for the success of any small business - but where do you start? 

Join us in conversation with Craig Kaiser, Partner at Phillips Kaiser as we discover how you can guard and secure your competitive edge. 

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With interest rates soaring and banks taking a more conservative approach to lending, it can be challenging for small businesses to bridge the gap between their ambitions and financial resources.  

Today we're speaking with Jack Chang, Managing Director of DGP Capital, about the advantages of private lending and whether or not it is a good fit for your business.

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The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) is a set of simple concepts and practical tools used by more than  170,000+ companies around the world to clarify, simplify, and achieve their vision. Look at your business in a whole new way – through the lens of the Six Key Components. We're talking to Rainee Busby, Certified EOS implementor, about how you can implement EOS in your small business.

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We're discussing how the job market has changed, but more importantly what you can do to stay competitive in this new landscape.   SUBSCRIBE for more business and organization development tips!  

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Connect with Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreyharlock/ 

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Training doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In this episode, Corey Harlock talks with Chris Dundy, CEO of Flagship LMS, about how small business owners can create simple, effective, and trackable training programs using tools they already have. 

Most small business owners think training requires a huge budget, hours of preparation, and complicated software. Chris explains that with a smartphone, a clear process, and a bit of structure, any business can build training that improves performance, reduces risk, and keeps teams aligned without breaking the bank. 

Corey and Chris explore how to move away from seeing training as a cost center and start viewing it as a profit driverthat strengthens consistency, safety, and customer experience. Whether you are onboarding new employees, documenting safety procedures, or standardizing customer service, Chris shows how accessible, just-in-time training can transform operations. 

You will learn: 

• How to use your iPhone and free tools like H5P.org to create and host interactive training videos 
• The easiest way to generate and print QR codes that link directly to training videos or checklists for on-demand access in the workplace 
• How to track engagement and performance without an IT department or expensive software 
• Why short, clear, and practical training (five to seven minutes long) is always more effective than long, overproduced content 

Chris and Corey discuss the real-world challenges business owners face when trying to train their people effectively. From perfectionism that delays progress to creating content that misses what employees actually need, Chris shares the common mistakes he has seen and how to fix them quickly. 

You will also hear real examples from Chris’s clients, including how one organization trains 10,000 volunteers each year using QR-code-based learning, and how others in manufacturing and childcare have improved safety and consistency through quick, mobile-friendly training. 

If you have ever thought, “I don’t have time for training,” this conversation will change your mind. You will come away with practical steps to get started today, using tools you already know. 

Connect with the Experts      

Learn More about Chris: flagshiplms.com 

The Checklist Manifesto: https://a.co/d/eWhTzqb 

Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess     

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We're talking to CEO of Wood Finishers Depot, Terry Parrish, about his experience removing constraints and growing business. When is it time to grow?   What should sustainable growth look like? We're here to answer those questions! 

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Your reputation is your best recruiting tool. Word gets around - and it often pays to create a process that gives candidates a positive impression of your company (even if they don't get hired.)  

We'll be speaking with special guest, Carolyn Lighty, about her experience with the KeyHire process and what made it stand out against competitor's efforts.  

Schedule a FREE consultation: https://bit.ly/3lEmYN3

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#hiringemployees #teamculture #smallbusinessowners #smallbusinessconsulting

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Diversity can have a major positive impact on your business - but oftentimes business owners aren't sure of where to start. We're speaking with Shanta Eaden, CEO of Leader's Edge Consulting, to find out how to talk about workplace diversity and what we can do to get started.

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Scaling a sales organization can be a challenging undertaking for small business - and a misstep can cost thousands.  

 We're speaking with Joey Schlaffer, Sales Manager at Marco Speciality Steel, to discuss his challenges scaling a small business sales organization and how you can avoid common mistakes.   SUBSCRIBE for more business and organization development tips! New episodes every 2 weeks.

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This last year has seen employment rates fall while inflation continues to rise - what does that mean for small business and where have all the candidates gone?  

We're reviewing some of the business challenges caused by the current market and strategies you can use to stay on top.

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Underperforming managers can be a massive liability to any small business and can seriously stunt growth. But, how do you address this underperformance without alienating your employee? 

We're discussing our tried-and-true strategies for getting managers back on track, and how you can make sure your small business is being managed effectively. 

Schedule a free consultation with Corey: https://keyhire.solutions/consultation/

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As a manager, are you entering every conversation with the goal of being right, or are you learning to listen before deciding?  

We're talking to Dr. Bob Johnson from Team Transformation to learn how  entering conversations with an open mind and listening to valuable employee feedback to help your small business grow and thrive in 2023.

Schedule a free consultation with Corey: https://keyhire.solutions/consultation/

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#hiringemployees #teamculture #smallbusinessowners #smallbusinessconsulting

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From costing you time to losing important revenue - an underperforming employee can have costly effects on a small business. But how do you deal with such a situation?  

We're discussing the telltale signs of an underperforming employee, what you can do to help improve performance and how to watch for red flags during the hiring process.

Schedule a free consultation with Corey: https://keyhire.solutions/consultation/

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#hiringemployees #teamculture #smallbusinessowners #smallbusinessconsulting

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Hiring can cost your business thousands and have a significant impact on your organization - why leave that up to gut feeling? 

We're discussing our reasons for establishing a hiring process, our top interviewing tips, and how you can know you're making the right choice.

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Whether you're starting a new company or growing your current one, creating your company vision is an important step in defining the direction of your small business. But how do you create a realistic vision that will serve your organization for years to come?  

We're speaking with Angi Stewart, VP of Sales & Marketing for The Distribution Point, about how to get started, what key elements you should be looking out for, and which pitfalls you should avoid. 

Schedule a free consultation with Corey: https://keyhire.solutions/consultation/

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#hiringemployees #teamculture #smallbusinessowners #smallbusinessconsulting

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In this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with Aaron Christy, founder of Indy Roof and Restoration, to explore how small business owners can use AI to create repeatable, scalable processes that save time, improve accuracy, and reduce overhead.

Aaron isn’t an AI expert. He’s a business owner who saw an opportunity to simplify his operations by automating one of his most time-consuming workflows—the quoting process. Through a practical and down-to-earth conversation, Corey and Aaron walk listeners through how custom GPTs can transform everyday business tasks without the complexity or cost most owners expect.

Aaron explains how he built a custom GPT that reviews roofing quotes for accuracy against photos, measurements, and materials. What once took an employee an hour now happens in minutes—and the AI delivers a downloadable report with 98% accuracy. After several rounds of testing and refinement, his team now runs every quote through the system before production. The result? Fewer errors, faster turnaround, and the ability to scale from $15 million to $50 million in annual revenue without hiring additional staff.

Listeners will learn:

- How to create and refine a custom GPT for specific business functions
- Why clear prompting and testing are essential for accurate AI results
- How automation can free up your team for higher-value work
- What mistakes to avoid when building your first custom GPT
- Why the goal is efficiency and scalability—not job elimination

Aaron and Corey also dive into the mindset shift required to successfully adopt AI. It’s not about replacing people—it’s about giving your business smarter tools to handle repetitive, low-value work. From quoting to customer service to sales communication, custom GPTs can help small business owners reclaim hours every week and build more reliable, repeatable systems.

Aaron shares an easy starting point for anyone ready to experiment: a free tool in the GPT Store called Prime Time Prompter, which walks users step-by-step through building their own custom GPTs. With simple prompts and iterative testing, even non-technical business owners can begin creating their own AI-driven efficiencies in minutes.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by AI or unsure where to start, this episode breaks it down into simple, actionable steps. It’s a real-world look at how automation can streamline small business operations, boost productivity, and create room for growth—all without increasing headcount or overhead.

Listen now to learn how to start turning your everyday processes into repeatable, scalable wins.

Connect with the Experts     
Learn More about Aaron: https://indyroofandrestoration.com/
Prime Time Prompter: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-lNxqwEY3T-primetime-prompter

Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess    
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With the job market and inflation working against small business owners - it can be essential that you hire right the first time. Easier said than done. To try to weed out the best candidates, we've seen more and more employers turn to candidate assessments to ensure they're hiring right. But, are these tests even effective?   

Join us for a chat about which assessments are effective, which are a waste of time and how you can find the best possible fit for your small business.

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#hiringemployees #teamculture #smallbusinessowners #smallbusinessconsulting

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This week, The KeyHire Small Business Podcast breaks new ground with our first-ever Expert Roundtable—and it’s one you don’t want to miss. Host Corey Harlock brings together three powerhouse guests, each known for driving real results inside growing companies: Kurt Uhlir, CMO of Easy Home Search and champion of servant leadership; Young Han, fractional CFO and founder of Thesis; and Simone Janssen, founder of Bulletproof Business Growth. 

Together, they pull back the curtain on what’s really working for small business owners today. From smarter hiring and performance tracking to practical ways to integrate AI, this conversation delivers the kind of candid, experience-driven advice you can actually use on Monday morning. 

If you’ve ever struggled with hiring, felt overwhelmed by KPIs, or wondered how AI actually fits into your business, this episode is your playbook. 

The roundtable kicks off with a simple but powerful question: What’s one business decision you wish you had made sooner? Kurt leads with an answer that hits home for every business owner—stop hiring for pedigree and start hiring for potential. Simone follows with a reality check on leadership and accountability, reminding us that great hiring doesn’t end at onboarding. And Young brings financial clarity to the table, explaining how chasing “big names” can cost more than it delivers when your company is still in the early growth stages. 

From there, the conversation moves into metrics and performance. Simone calls out one of the biggest blind spots in small business: mistaking revenue for success. Young goes deep on understanding contribution margins and how knowing the true profitability of each product or service can completely change your growth strategy. Kurt ties it all together with his approach to building referral-driven businesses—because nothing scales faster than happy customers who keep sending new ones your way. 

Just when you think the discussion has hit its peak, the group turns to AI and how it’s reshaping small business operations. Young shares stories from clients developing AI-powered avatars that can train, coach, and sell. Simone talks about the real win—getting entire teams to use AI to solve problems and generate solutions before bringing them to leadership. Kurt pulls the curtain back on how Easy Home Search trained AI models to replicate their top-performing reps, multiplying productivity and consistency across the board. 

The result is an honest, energizing conversation that connects strategy, leadership, and innovation in a way that feels both accessible and actionable. You’ll come away with ideas you can implement immediately and insights that will change how you think about hiring, tracking, and scaling. 

Highlights you’ll hear: 

• Why hiring for adaptability beats hiring for experience 
• The three overlooked KPIs every business owner should track 
• How to implement AI without losing the human touch that drives connection and trust 

The first KeyHire Expert Roundtable sets the tone for what’s next in small business growth. 

Connect with the Experts     

Learn More about Kurt: https://kurtuhlir.com/ 

Learn More about Simone: https://bulletproofbusinessgrowth.com/ 

Learn More about Han: https://www.alwayshan.com/ 

Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess    
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Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows.

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Bryan, whose company has been called “the Uber for lawn care” by Entrepreneur Magazine, shares how AI helped him transform GreenPal’s operations from reactive problem-solving to proactive customer experience design. His insights reveal how even small businesses can use AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to listen to customer feedback, identify hidden operational problems, and continuously improve.

What started as a simple lawn care platform evolved into a case study in how AI can build customer loyalty at scale. By analyzing call transcripts, customer reviews, and support tickets, Bryan discovered patterns that were driving dissatisfaction and churn—issues that traditional customer service models often miss. Using AI, he built automated workflows that not only fixed these issues but predicted them before they happened. The result? Happier customers, fewer complaints, and a dramatic increase in repeat business.

Bryan’s process is refreshingly straightforward: use AI as your in-house R&D team. He breaks down how any entrepreneur can replicate this approach without coding or big budgets, and why he believes AI is the “rocket ship for entrepreneurs.” From ingesting customer data to generating actionable insights, Bryan shows how the same tools used by billion-dollar companies are now accessible to small business owners everywhere.

Listeners will walk away with practical strategies they can implement immediately, including how to automate customer feedback analysis using AI, how to turn negative reviews into data-driven growth opportunities, and how to build “magical” customer experiences that keep people coming back.

Corey and Bryan also dive into the human side of AI adoption, discussing why founders resist customer feedback, how to avoid “AI laziness,” and why prompting is becoming the most valuable skill in modern business. As Bryan puts it, “These tools are as bad as they’ll ever be. They’re only getting better—so now’s the time to learn them.”
Whether you’re a business owner looking to boost repeat sales, a founder curious about AI’s real-world applications, or simply someone tired of guessing what your customers want, this conversation delivers clarity, inspiration, and an actionable roadmap for growth.
Tune in to learn how to harness AI not just to make your business smarter, but to make it truly magical.

Connect with the Experts    
Learn More about Bryan: yourgreenpal.com
Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess   
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Being a business owner can feel like you’re out there on your own, grinding away with no one to bounce ideas off of and no community to lean on. In this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock is joined by LaGina Harris, Founder and CXO of The Us Space, to explore why community is one of the most powerful resources an entrepreneur can build. 

LaGina has firsthand experience creating spaces that help entrepreneurs combat the isolation of business ownership. Through The Us Space in Houston, she transforms underutilized work and meeting environments into ecosystems for growth, places where entrepreneurs not only find support but also discover opportunities to collaborate, learn, and thrive. 

The conversation begins with the reality that entrepreneurship is often lonely. LaGina explains how intentional community-building can solve that problem, offering both social connection and professional validation. She highlights the difference between a personal community, friends and family who care about you, and a business community, which provides the unique understanding and feedback that only fellow entrepreneurs can give. 

Together, Corey and LaGina dive into the practical and emotional benefits of surrounding yourself with the right people. From mentors who keep you grounded to peers who offer encouragement and perspective, community ensures that blind spots don’t stay blind. It is also an incredible source of free marketing, because when people know who you are, what you stand for, and what your business does, they become natural ambassadors for your brand. 

LaGina also shares her philosophy on the importance of “showing up.” Whether that means stepping into a co-working space, attending a networking group, or simply putting yourself in environments where conversations can happen, showing up is the first step to building trust and finding your people. She reminds listeners that entrepreneurs don’t always need to hit home runs. Singles add up. Community provides the accountability and perspective to help small wins compound into lasting growth. 

The discussion touches on common pitfalls too, like being defensive when receiving feedback or taking advice from people who don’t have skin in the game. Corey and LaGina stress the importance of discernment: knowing which voices to trust, building relationships before asking for guidance, and being open to perspectives that can make you better. 

For solopreneurs especially, community is more than just a nice-to-have. It is a lifeline. It is the difference between being stuck in your head and finding clarity, between spinning your wheels and moving forward with confidence. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Community reduces isolation and provides both emotional support and practical business insight. 
• The right mentors and peers can help uncover blind spots and act as trusted advisors. 
• Showing up consistently is the first step to building trust, accountability, and long-term growth. 

If you have ever felt alone in your business journey or wondered how to find the right people to support you, this episode will give you both the encouragement and the practical steps to start building your community today. 

Connect with the Experts    

Learn More about LaGina: https://theusspace.com
 
Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock   

Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess   

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In this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with Brian Samson, CEO & Chairman of Plugg Technologies, to explore the power of nearshoring as a strategy for growth-minded business owners. 

For years, small business leaders have wrestled with the complexities of outsourcing and offshoring—drawn to the promise of cost savings but often burned by the hidden expenses of time zone challenges, communication barriers, and cultural misalignment. Brian, who has built three nearshoring firms from the ground up and served as a VP of Talent in San Francisco startups, brings clarity to the conversation by breaking down the differences between outsourcing, offshoring, onshoring, and nearshoring. 

At its core, nearshoring is about more than geography—it’s about alignment. By connecting U.S. businesses with top talent in Latin America, companies gain the dual advantage of cost savings and real-time collaboration. Unlike the middle-of-the-night calls often required with offshore teams, nearshoring offers workday overlap that eliminates delays, reduces stress, and improves overall productivity. 

Brian shares how Latin America is becoming the go-to region for small businesses seeking to expand their teams. With IT outsourcing spend largely flat worldwide, Latin America’s share of the market is rising fast, “eating India’s lunch” in areas like software development and customer support. He also discusses the geopolitical shifts—including proposed legislation like the HIRE Act—that could accelerate this trend and make nearshoring not only a smart choice, but in many cases, the best choice. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• The real differences between outsourcing, offshoring, onshoring, and nearshoring. 
• Why time zone alignment and cultural understanding give nearshoring a major advantage. 
• How proposed policies like the HIRE Act could reshape global outsourcing. 
• The biggest mistakes companies make when outsourcing—and how to avoid them. 
• First steps to exploring nearshoring, from choosing the right country to setting up your team. 

Listeners will also gain insight into the importance of treating nearshore partners as more than just “low-cost resources.” Brian emphasizes that when leaders onboard and manage nearshore teams with the same care as domestic employees, they unlock loyalty, dedication, and lasting results. 

Whether you’re looking to hire one remote professional or set up an entire team abroad, this episode provides a roadmap to scaling smarter without sacrificing quality. If you’ve ever wondered whether nearshoring could help you reduce costs, improve operations, and better align with your customers and employees, this episode is a must-listen. 

Corey and Brian cut through the noise and deliver practical advice that every small business leader can use to stop grinding and start growing. 

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Learn More about Brian: https://plugg.tech/ 
 
Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock   

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Sales is the engine that drives every small business, but in uncertain economic times, the pressure to “just sell more” can leave owners spinning their wheels. On this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with Melinda Emerson, widely known as “The Small Biz Lady” and recognized as America’s #1 Small Business Expert, to uncover what truly makes a sales process work. 

With more than 25 years of experience advising entrepreneurs and global brands, Melinda has seen firsthand why many small business owners struggle to close deals and sustain growth. She pulls no punches in this conversation, walking us through the five critical elements of a successful sales process: 

1. Niche – Knowing exactly who you serve and narrowing your focus to become more attractive to the right clients. 
2. Offer – Creating a clear and compelling value proposition that eliminates confusion and makes buying a no-brainer. 
3. Authority Positioning – Establishing credibility and demonstrating why prospects can trust you to deliver results. 
4. Lead Generation – Building consistent, reliable traffic and qualified leads through smart strategies and strong content. 
5. Enrollment Process – Designing an intentional closing process that converts interest into commitment. 

Throughout the episode, Melinda shares candid stories from her own entrepreneurial journey, including the early mistakes she made in business and how writing her bestselling book, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, opened doors she never imagined. She also explains why transparency, professionalism, and consistency are the keys to building long-term client relationships. 

Corey and Melinda dig into some of the biggest mistakes small businesses make when it comes to sales. From skipping the hard work of defining a process, to relying on expensive CRMs they never learn to use, to assuming that hiring a salesperson will magically fix everything—Melinda outlines why these shortcuts almost always fail. Instead, she emphasizes that owners themselves must first learn to sell, master their own systems, and only then consider bringing others into the process. 

Listeners will also hear practical advice on structuring offers, right-sizing proposals to fit client budgets, and creating lead magnets that provide real value. Melinda highlights the importance of asking better discovery questions, understanding client payment cycles, and protecting margins to ensure profitability. 

If you are a small business owner who has ever felt frustrated by inconsistent sales, struggled to close deals, or wondered if bringing in a salesperson was the right move, this conversation will give you the clarity and strategies you need. 

Melinda’s energy, honesty, and proven track record make this episode one you do not want to miss. Whether you are looking to strengthen your sales foundation, refine your process, or simply avoid costly mistakes, you will walk away with actionable insights you can implement immediately. 

Tune in, take notes, and get ready to rethink how your sales process should work. 

Connect with the Experts   

Learn More about Melinda: https://smallbizladyuniversity.com/academy/ 

Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months: https://a.co/d/4WrRnxB 

Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions.    

Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock     

Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess   

Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows.

Welcome to the fourth and final installment of our Key Owner Stages series on The KeyHire Podcast. So far, we’ve walked through the stages of the Overwhelmed, Unsure, and Curious business owner. In this episode, we turn our attention to the Growing Business Owner—an exciting but challenging stage where your business starts gaining momentum, but cracks begin to show. 

As your sales increase and market presence expands, you may notice the pressure building across every part of your operation. Your team is stretched thin, quality begins to slip, and on-time delivery becomes harder to guarantee. Leaders who once thrived in calmer times may start to falter, while others rise to the challenge with new ideas and solutions. This stage is exhilarating—it’s proof that your hard work is paying off—but without the right strategies, it can just as quickly become a turning point where growth stalls or reputations suffer. 

In this episode, I dig into what it really means to be a Growing Business Owner. I’ll share the telltale signs that you’ve reached this stage, including cash flow tension, strained resources, and the tendency to overwork instead of innovate. More importantly, I’ll walk you through the critical mistakes to avoid, such as pushing too hard on sales without shoring up operations, relying on “potential hires” instead of experienced leaders, or falling back into the do-it-yourself trap when it comes to hiring. 

Instead of pressing the gas blindly, this is the time to be strategic. I’ll show you how to: 

• Upgrade your leadership team by identifying who can handle the pressure and who’s become a constraint. 
• Invest in professional talent—hiring for experience, capacity, and culture rather than gambling on potential. 
• Design for the future by creating an organizational roadmap that prepares you for scaling responsibly, from $10M to $30M and beyond. 

We’ll also talk about culture—why it’s critical to reinforce the values you want to grow with, how to avoid bringing in “high-performing disruptors,” and how to communicate honestly with new hires about the culture you have versus the one you’re working toward. 

This stage of growth is one of the most rewarding for a business owner. You’ve got traction, reputation, and opportunity. But growth done wrong can cost you time, money, and people. Growth done right can set you up for long-term success with a team that has the skills, vision, and capacity to take you further than you imagined. 

If you’re feeling the strain of growth, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn how to put the “high-performance tires” on your business so you can take the corners at speed—without losing control. 

Listen now and share this episode with another business owner who’s ready to stop grinding and start growing. 

Connect with the Experts  

Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions.   

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Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess  

Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows.

What does culture really mean for small businesses? And why does it matter so much for growth and sustainability? 

In this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, I sit down with Janneh Wright, the founder and CEO of PRIMUS Business Management. For more than two decades, Janneh and his team have helped small businesses and non-profits “turn their brilliance into sustainable infrastructure.” His framework for success—the Three C’s of Compliance, Culture, and Consistency—offers leaders a way to build strong organizations that last. 

When asked to define culture, Janneh explained: “When we talk about culture, we’re talking about the experience people have with interacting with your organization—whether it’s an employee or a customer or a shareholder. It’s like the soul of your organization.” 

Culture doesn’t just happen. If business owners don’t design it, employees will—and that can create a culture the owner may not want. Culture is built on behavior, and it flows from leadership. “However the leader communicates, how they deal with pressure, what they say is always much more important than what’s written down.” 

Janneh also emphasized that culture starts before the first day of work. It begins with the job description and continues into the hiring process. For example, when hiring, instead of focusing only on degrees or years of experience, you can ask questions like: “How do you respond to a rude customer?” Answers to those questions reveal whether a candidate will reinforce the culture or disrupt it. 

We also discussed how culture connects to compliance and consistency: 

- Compliance provides the structure of the business—the policies, legal requirements, and systems. 

- Culture is the heart—the experience of employees, customers, and stakeholders. 

- Consistency is the engine—doing things the same way week after week to build trust. 

If those elements don’t line up, leaders risk losing credibility with both employees and customers. 

I shared a story about a restaurant where inconsistent customer service changed my impression of the business. Janneh explained how that example showed all three C’s in action: compliance in clear rules, culture in how customers are treated, and consistency in applying standards the same way every time. 

Accountability is another theme we covered. If leaders allow certain employees or clients to get around the rules, culture breaks down. As I said in our conversation, “Wait and see equals watching good people go.” High performers will leave if they see others escape accountability. 

Janneh also highlighted the importance of supporting employees: 

In small businesses, staff often do “job description times two.” 
When they feel respected and valued, they keep giving more. 
“A valued employee becomes an entrepreneur inside your organization.” 
To close, Janneh offered three pieces of advice for business owners: 

Take your time – don’t try to build culture overnight. 
See culture as an investment – it saves time and money in the long run. 
Focus on tomorrow – let your team handle today while you look ahead. 
This episode makes clear that every business has a culture—whether it’s intentional or not. The Three C’s give leaders a framework to make sure their culture strengthens their business instead of holding it back. 

Connect with the Experts  
Learn More about Janneh: www.PrimusCO.com 
 
Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions.   
  
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Connect with Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreyharlock/  

Take the Key Owner Stage Assessment: www.keyhire.solutions/assessment  

Welcome to 2026 and the first episode of the year for The KeyHire Small Business Podcast. Host Corey Harlock starts the year by tackling a challenge that never seems to go away for small business owners: how to build a steady flow of talent when you do not have the budget for a recruiter.

Even though the job market is softening, more than 30 percent of small business owners are still struggling to fill open positions. Corey explains why this happens and shares practical, realistic strategies to help owners prepare before a role opens up instead of reacting when it is too late.

He begins by defining what a talent pipeline really is and why small businesses should treat it as an investment in stability. Corey focuses on two of the most effective and affordable tools available to any business: employee referral programsand partnerships with trade schools or community colleges.

Employee referrals, he explains, provide an incredible return on investment. Referral hires tend to stay longer, perform better, and fit the culture more naturally. The key is to make referral programs meaningful and well funded. Corey describes how small businesses can transform a simple referral bonus into a culture-building event that rewards and recognizes employees who help bring in great people.

Next, Corey discusses how to partner with local trade schools and community colleges to create internship or apprenticeship opportunities. These programs provide early access to skilled entry-level talent while giving students real-world experience. The benefits take time to develop, but once established, these relationships create a long-term stream of qualified, loyal employees.

Throughout the episode, Corey reminds listeners that every hiring decision should begin and end with respect. Whether it is an employee leaving, an intern starting, or a candidate being interviewed, the way people are treated shapes your company’s reputation. He also warns about a common mistake called “warm body syndrome,” which is hiring out of desperation rather than fit. The result is usually short-term relief followed by long-term pain.

Listeners will hear why underfunded or underpromoted referral programs rarely work, how to keep a list of “almost perfect” candidates for future roles, and why your hiring process can be your strongest recruiting tool if done correctly. Corey also offers tips on creating internal pipelines by cross-training and developing existing staff, ensuring that key roles can be filled quickly when turnover happens.

By the end of the episode, small business owners will have a clear roadmap for building entry-level and mid-level pipelines, reducing hiring stress, and strengthening their internal culture.

If you are ready to make 2026 the year your business grows stronger, smarter, and more prepared, this episode will help you get there.

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Welcome back to The KeyHire Small Business Podcast! This week we continue our Key Owner Stages series with Stage Three: The Curious Business Owner. 

If you’ve been following this series, you know that we’ve already covered the Overwhelmed Owner (the car with no wheels) and the Unsure Owner (the car with wobbly wheels). In this episode, we move to the next stage: the Curious Owner—someone who’s running a good business, has capable people in place, but is starting to hear the “squeaky wheel” and asking the right question: Do I have the leadership team to get us where we need to go? 

What It Means to Be a Curious Owner 

Curious owners aren’t in crisis. The business is moving forward. Revenue is coming in. Customers are being served. But you’ve noticed a few cracks in leadership performance. Maybe a once-reliable manager has started missing details. Maybe a loyal employee is resisting new initiatives from a stronger leader you recently hired. Or maybe you’re simply wondering whether your team has the capacity and experience to scale as bigger contracts and opportunities come your way. 

This stage is often marked by ambition and optimism—but also a sense of anxiety. You know things are “fine” now, but you’re also asking: What happens when the next big client signs on? Will my current team keep up—or will they hold us back? 

The Mistakes Curious Owners Make 

In this episode, we dive into the three biggest mistakes curious owners make: 

1. Waiting too long to act. Good leaders leave when they’re held back by underperformers. 
2. Trying to solve the problem internally. Adding support staff or shifting responsibilities rarely fixes capacity issues. 
3. Overvaluing loyalty. Longtime employees may be great people, but that doesn’t always mean they’re the right leaders for your next stage of growth. 

Corey explains why these mistakes can stall momentum and frustrate your best people—and how to avoid them by facing tough decisions head-on. 

How to Move Forward 

Being a curious owner isn’t about “throwing people away.” It’s about redefining what good leadership looks like and making sure you’re putting the right people in the right roles. Corey shares practical strategies, including: 

• Conducting an honest audit of your leadership team. 
• Defining roles for the business you’re building, not just the one you’re running today. 
• Hiring leaders with the capacity to scale your company to its next revenue level. 
• Structuring difficult but necessary conversations with loyal employees. 

Why This Stage Matters 

The Curious stage is one of the most pivotal in the Key Owner Stages framework. Done well, it sets your business up for explosive growth. Done poorly—or delayed too long—it risks losing great talent and missing opportunities. 

If you’ve ever thought, “We’re good now, but can we handle what’s next?”—this episode is for you. 

Connect with the Experts 
 
Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions.  
 
Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock 
 
Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess 

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On this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, we sit down with Justin Abrams, CEO of ARYO Consulting Group, to unpack a growth strategy that many business owners hear about—but few truly understand: growth through acquisition.

With over 350 clients under his belt and a refreshingly straightforward approach to strategy, Justin helps demystify the world of M&A for small business owners. He breaks down what “acquisition” really means (hint: it’s not just for the big guys), when it makes sense to consider buying another business, and what red flags can turn an exciting opportunity into a financial trap.

We cover everything from the intimidating lingo (EBITDA, multiples, platform vs. bolt-on companies) to the real questions owners should be asking: Can I afford it? Will the clients stay? Can I retain the team? You’ll hear why acquisition is often faster, safer, and more efficient than chasing new customers through marketing—and how it could be the key to scaling your business without exhausting your resources.

Justin outlines the kinds of businesses that are great candidates for acquisition (think recurring revenue, complementary services, or capacity expansion) and highlights major pitfalls to avoid—like key man risk, inflated valuations, or seasonality traps that make revenue appear stronger than it is.

We also dig into the emotional and operational realities of selling a business—and how that often leads to great buying opportunities for owners willing to be strategic and prepared. Whether you’re looking to grow your footprint, diversify services, or increase revenue, this episode gives you the foundational knowledge you need to move forward with confidence.

Connect with the Experts

Learn more about Justin: https://aryocg.com

Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions. 

Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock

Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess

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AI doesn’t have to be overwhelming—and it definitely doesn’t have to be expensive. 

In this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, I’m joined by Paul Malott, CEO and Founder of Automations24, to talk about one of the most practical—and accessible—ways small businesses can start using AI: no-code automations. 

We know that AI is everywhere right now, but most small business owners feel unsure about where to start. Paul helps cut through the noise by breaking down how no-code platforms like Make.com, Zapier, and Pipedream allow businesses to build smart, scalable systems—without writing a single line of code. 

What does that mean in real life? Well, let’s say you have a shared inbox for invoices. Paul walks us through how you can automate the entire three-way match process—invoice, PO, goods received—using AI and no-code tools. The result? Faster payments, fewer errors, and time back in your day to focus on growth. 

We also dive into: 

• What “no-code” and “AI automation” actually mean (in plain English) 
• How platforms use API keys to connect different apps into seamless workflows 
• Why compliance and accuracy increase when humans are taken out of repetitive matching tasks 
• How business owners can start with low-risk, high-value automations—even with messy data 
• The real cost (and risk) of not getting started 

Paul doesn’t just know the tech—he understands the messy, real-world processes inside small businesses. He explains how these tools help eliminate waste, reduce risk, and give small business owners the freedom to focus on what drives revenue. 

Whether you’re a tech-savvy entrepreneur or someone who gets overwhelmed by AI chatter, this episode will meet you where you are. We talk practical use cases, cost-effective tools, and how to avoid the common mistakes that keep automations from delivering ROI. 

You’ll also learn why the future isn’t about replacing jobs—it’s about repurposing your people to do higher-value work. Automations can turn your AR clerk into a data analyst, your assistant into a strategist, and your business into a scalable machine. 

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What’s something I hate doing that AI could handle for me?”—this episode is your answer. 

You don’t need a developer. You don’t need a huge budget. You just need to get started. 

And the best part? Most of these solutions can be implemented and tested in under three weeks. 

Tune in now and find out how to scale smarter—not harder—with no-code AI automations. 

Connect with the Experts 

Connect with Paul: www.automations24.com 

Be KeyHire’s Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess 

Follow us: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram @keyhiresolutions 

Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows.

In this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with Charles Fry, Founder and CEO of Codexitos, to tackle one of the most challenging transitions for small business owners: moving from founder-driven sales to building a professional sales organization. 

Charles has been in technology since before the internet took shape, founding and growing multiple companies over the decades. With deep experience in scaling businesses, he shares the real-world lessons he’s learned about letting go of being the “only salesperson” and building a sustainable sales team that drives growth. 

Together, Corey and Charles dive into: 

• Why so many businesses rely on the owner as the primary salesperson—and why that creates a ceiling for growth. 
• Why your first sales hire is the most critical and must set the pattern for future hires. 
• The danger of bringing on a “sales manager” too early when what you really need is a producer. 
• The importance of defining a sales style and methodology that reflects the founder’s vision before expanding the team. 

Charles introduces his framework of three phases for founders transitioning out of being the sole salesperson: 

1. Zero to One – Hiring your first professional salesperson who mirrors the sales style you want replicated. 
2. One to Few – Expanding the team in a way that avoids chaos from conflicting approaches and ensures consistency. 
3. Scaling Up – When a larger sales team requires true sales management (though that’s a topic for another day). 

Throughout the conversation, Charles emphasizes the nuances of leadership in sales: balancing the founder’s natural ability to “close deals” with the need to empower a team, maintaining patience with new hires as they learn, and putting systems in place to measure performance. He stresses the value of having a clear sales methodology—whether Challenger, SPIN, or another approach—so everyone is speaking the same language and working from the same playbook. 

As a mentor once told him, the role of the CEO is ultimately to be the “Cash Extraction Officer.” Charles explains how founders can best serve as closers—brought in for the final inning when their authority and vision matter most—while the sales team does the heavy lifting of qualification and relationship building. 

For business owners feeling trapped as the sole driver of revenue, Charles provides actionable steps: 

1. Define the sales model and methodology that represents your business. 
2. Engage outside help to objectively profile and vet your first hire. 
3. Have candid, direct conversations with candidates and hires. 
4. Establish clear timelines and budgets for success based on your industry’s sales cycle. 

If you’ve been struggling to step out of the salesperson role—or if you’ve felt the frustration of bad hires, inconsistent results, or being the “rate limiter” on growth—this episode is packed with strategies to help you break free from founder-led sales and build a scalable, repeatable sales engine. 

Connect with the Experts 

Learn more about Charles: https://codexitos.com/

Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess  

Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions.  

Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock  

Visit our website at https://www.keyhire.solutions/the-keyhire-podcast for more content. 

Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows.

If you’ve ever looked at your business and thought, “I know something’s wrong here, but I can’t figure out what it is… or how to fix it,” this episode is for you.

I call this stage The Unsure Business Owner—the second stop in our Key Owner Stages Series. Last time, we covered the Overwhelmed Owner, where the wheels fall off. The Unsure stage is different—you’re still moving, but the wheels are wobbly. You feel the problems, but you’re not sure what’s causing them, how to fix them, or what will happen when you do.

What Being “Unsure” Feels Like

Maybe sales aren’t closing like they used to. Maybe operations is slipping—quality is down, deadlines missed, and you’re stuck firefighting. Or maybe it’s people—loyal employees who once carried you but now can’t keep up. You’re torn between loyalty and performance.

So you wait, hoping things turn around. But when weeks turn into months, indecision costs you your best people. High performers hate working beside tolerated underperformance. They leave, while underperformers become entrenched.

Why This Stage Is Dangerous

Hesitation weakens culture, results decline, and the very people you can’t afford to lose start heading for the exits.

The Big Mistakes Unsure Owners Make

Three common traps:

• Wait and See – Hoping problems fix themselves while top talent walks.
• The Hair Trigger – Firing too fast and losing critical knowledge.
• Rushed Hiring – Filling a gap without defining the role or future needs.

Why Diagnosis Matters

The problem isn’t always where you see it. Sales might be down, but operations could be the real constraint. A client once thought they needed a GM; we found sales was fine—operations was the issue. They didn’t need a GM; they needed a Director of Operations. Within weeks, the business turned around.

Hiring for the Business You Want

Most owners hire for where they are. That’s a mistake. If you’re a $10M company aiming for $50M, hire someone who’s already run $50M. At KeyHire, every hire is measured against:

• Experience – Have they done it at scale?
• Capacity – Can they grow with the business?
• Culture Fit – Will they thrive here?

Unless they score at least 80% across all three, we don’t move forward.

Avoiding the “Two Hammers” Problem

If someone only has a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. Replace one hammer with another, and nothing changes. Every new hire should bring tools and skills that expand your business.

How to Move from Unsure to Confident

Here’s the path forward:

1. Assess your business honestly.
2. Find the real constraint.
3. Plan moves that balance urgency with sustainability.
4. Hire leaders for the future.

Tighten those wobbly wheels, and you’ll be ready for the next phase: the Curious Business Owner, where you start asking, “What else is possible?”

Three Key Takeaways:

• Waiting too long will cost you your best people.
• Diagnosis before decision—the real problem might not be where you think.
• Hire for tomorrow, not today. The right leader changes everything.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start growing, listen to the full episode now.

Connect with the Experts

Be KeyHire’s Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess

Follow us: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram @keyhiresolutions

Connect with Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock

More: https://www.keyhire.solutions/the-keyhire-podcast

Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows.

As a small business owner, there’s a moment when you realize that being in control of everything is no longer helping your business—it’s holding it back. You’re wearing too many hats, every process runs through you, and your team can’t make a move without your approval. Sound familiar? In this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with Kristina Tyler, Coach & Business Partner at Flow Fiero, to talk about how to break free from the daily grind and step into true leadership.

Kristina has helped countless entrepreneurs make the leap from “doing” to “leading.” She knows the emotional and operational challenges that come with letting go—whether it’s the fear that no one can do things as well as you, the discomfort of not being the smartest person in the room, or the burnout that creeps in when you’re always putting out fires. Drawing from her background in high-performance sports coaching and her work with leaders worldwide, Kristina introduces her proven TEAM model—Trust, Engagement, Alignment, and Mobilization—and explains why starting with mobilization can leave your culture feeling “empty.”

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• The three game-changing questions every business owner should ask before stepping back from daily operations: What game am I playing? Who am I playing against? What do I need to do to win?

• Why burnout, bottlenecks, and the inability to take a real vacation are red flags that you need to transition into leadership.

• How to identify whether performance issues are systemic (process and culture related) or individual (the wrong person in the wrong role).

• The emotional side of leadership change, including overcoming what Corey calls being “addicted to chaos.”

• How to build trust and alignment so your team can make decisions, take ownership, and drive results without you micromanaging.

Kristina and Corey also tackle one of the hardest realities in business growth: sometimes the people who helped you build your company aren’t the ones who can take it to the next level. You’ll hear practical advice on how to navigate these moments with transparency, respect, and a focus on shared success.

Whether you’re at $1 million in revenue or approaching $10 million, the lessons in this episode will help you:

• Step confidently into your role as the visionary leader of your business.

• Build a team you can trust to execute at a high level.

• Create the capacity for growth without burning out or sacrificing quality of life.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your business could survive without you for two weeks—or if you’re starting to feel like the biggest constraint in your own company—this episode is for you. Kristina’s approach blends practical tools with the mindset shifts needed to help you scale your business while actually enjoying the process.

Connect with the Experts

Learn more about Kristina: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flow-fiero-llp/

Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess 

Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions. 

Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock 

Visit our website at https://www.keyhire.solutions/the-keyhire-podcast for more content. 

Want to get in touch? Email us at corey@keyhire.solutions 

Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows.

Feeling like your business has stalled out—and no matter how hard you push, you just can’t get ahead?

In the first episode of our special Key Owner Stages series, Corey Harlock breaks down the Overwhelmed Stage—the point where growth slows to a crawl, fires never stop, and the people who helped you build your company may no longer have the skills or capacity to help you scale it.

Corey opens with the hard truth: overwhelmed owners aren’t just “busy”—they’re stuck.  You’ll recognize the signs instantly: you’re deep in day-to-day work, plugging gaps your leaders should be handling, and constantly jumping from one urgent problem to another. 

You’ll also learn why loyalty can be a double-edged sword. Many overwhelmed owners started with loyal, all-in employees—family, friends, neighbors—who gave everything in the early days. But as the business grows, the skill set and experience required to put scalable systems in place outgrow those early team members’ abilities. Corey calls this the Peter Principle: “Everyone rises to the level of their own incompetence.” This isn’t about bad people—it’s about good people in the wrong role for the company’s current needs.

If you’ve inherited a second- or third-generation business, the challenge can be even sharper. Long-term leaders may be comfortable maintaining a $10M operation, but resistant—or even fearful—of the changes needed to grow to $50M. 

Corey also shares the most common mistakes owners make when they’re in the Overwhelmed Stage:

• Hiring for potential but expecting experience, leading to frustration when ROI doesn’t appear quickly.
• Desperation hiring just to get relief—only to be rehiring for the same position weeks later.
• Believing in the “one big fix” instead of a sequence of smart, consistent moves.
• Doing it all yourself and relying solely on longer hours to push growth forward—a recipe for burnout, not scale.

Then he lays out a clear, step-by-step approach to getting unstuck:

1. Assess your leadership team for culture fit, experience, and capacity—three factors that must all be in place for a leader to drive growth.
2. Redesign your org structure into three clear divisions—sales, operations, and administration—with capable heads in each.
3. Hire for the future, not just the present—bring in leaders who can run your future $50M company while you’re still at $10M.
4. Create a consistent hiring process with clear role definitions, a scorecard, and an 80% match threshold so you only hire people positioned to succeed.

Corey emphasizes that moving out of overwhelm isn’t about instant transformation. Each smart, strategic move lets a little “air out of the tire,” relieving pressure and giving you the breathing room to address the next constraint. Over 9–18 months, these incremental wins can shift you from being a reactive firefighter to a forward-looking strategic leader.

By the end of this episode, you’ll not only know why you’re overwhelmed—you’ll have a realistic, proven blueprint to start fixing it. You’ll see how the right first hire can reset expectations for what great leadership looks like, setting the stage for your move into the next Key Owner Stage: Unsure.

Connect with the Experts

Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess 

Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions. 

Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock 

Visit our website at https://www.keyhire.solutions/the-keyhire-podcast for more content. 

Want to get in touch? Email us at cor

Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows.

In this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, Corey Harlock sits down with Sean Boyle, Managing Partner at Momentum 360, to talk about a growing risk that many small businesses overlook—landing in Google Jail.

Sean breaks down exactly what this means, why it happens, and how it can tank your online visibility overnight. Whether you’re outsourcing SEO or managing it in-house, this episode will arm you with practical insights to avoid costly mistakes and stay compliant with Google’s ever-evolving rules.

Corey and Sean also explore the right way to build a sustainable digital presence, how to vet SEO vendors, and the signals that indicate your site might be heading for trouble. If your business relies on online traffic, you can’t afford to miss this one.

Here’s what you’ll take away:

• What “Google Jail” is—and how it crushes online visibility

• Common SEO practices that could be doing more harm than good

• The must-ask questions before hiring an SEO vendor

Connect with the Experts

Learn more about Sean: https://www.momentumvirtualtours.com/

Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire 

Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess 

Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions. 

Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock 

Visit our website at https://www.keyhire.solutions/the-keyhire-podcast for more content. 

Want to get in touch? Email us at corey@keyhire.solutions 

Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows.

What if sharing your company's financial numbers could transform your workplace culture and drive unprecedented business growth? In this game-changing episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with Manny Skevofilax, Principal at Portal CFO, to explore how financial transparency can revolutionize the way small business owners connect with their teams. 

Corey and Manny identify a critical problem facing today's entrepreneurs: the disconnect between leadership decisions and employee understanding. When team members don't grasp the financial "why" behind company choices, it creates confusion, mistrust, and disengagement. This gap often leads to reduced productivity, higher turnover, and missed growth opportunities that could otherwise propel a small business forward. 

Manny brings decades of experience working with business owners who have successfully implemented open-book management practices. He reveals how sharing financial information—when done strategically—creates a more accountable and motivated workforce that truly understands its role in the company's success. This isn't about overwhelming employees with complex spreadsheets; it's about building a workplace culture where everyone feels invested in the outcome. 

Through real-world case studies and practical examples, this episode demonstrates how financial transparency can shift your team's mindset from "just doing their job" to actively contributing to business growth. Manny outlines how to introduce these concepts step-by-step without overwhelming your staff, making this approach accessible for small business owners ready to elevate their leadership. 

Whether you're struggling with employee engagement, looking to improve performance, or want to build stronger trust within your organization, this conversation on The KeyHire Small Business Podcast offers actionable insights that can transform your approach to team management. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Strategic Financial Sharing: Learn how to introduce financial transparency gradually without overwhelming employees or compromising sensitive information. 

• Motivation Through Understanding: Discover why employees perform better when they understand how their work directly impacts the company's financial health and success. 

• Building Accountability: Understand how open-book practices create a culture where team members take ownership of results rather than simply completing tasks. 

• Real-World Implementation: Get practical examples from businesses that have successfully used financial transparency to improve both culture and bottom-line results. 

• Overcoming Fear: Address common concerns about sharing financial information and learn how to maintain appropriate boundaries while still being transparent. 

Connect with the Experts: 

Learn more about Manny: https://portalcfo.com/ 

Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire 

Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess 

Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions. 

Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock 

Visit our website at https://www.keyhire.solutions/the-keyhire-podcast for more content. 

Want to get in touch? Email us at corey@keyhire.solutions 

Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows.

Ready to take your business to the next level? In this compelling episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock welcomes David Solomon, founder of SERO Growth, to tackle one of the most critical small business challenges: expanding into new markets. 

David and Corey define the core problem many entrepreneurs face: the dangerous assumption that "what works here will work everywhere." They explore how this mindset leads to costly mistakes and business failures, even for major corporations, such as Target's billion-dollar Canadian expansion disaster. Through real-world examples and strategic insights, they reveal why successful market expansion requires more than just throwing a salesperson into a new territory and hoping for the best. 

This business podcast episode is packed with actionable advice for scaling a small business, whether you're considering geographic expansion or targeting new customer segments. David shares his proven three-question framework for determining market viability and discusses the critical research phase that many businesses skip. From understanding cultural differences in business practices to validating your unique value proposition, this conversation provides the roadmap for smart business growth. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Define Your Core Value Proposition First - Before expanding, clearly identify the specific pain point you solve, your unique differentiator, and ideal customer profile in your current market. 
• Validate Through Direct Market Research - Spend time in your target market attending trade shows, networking events, and speaking directly with potential customers to understand the competitive landscape. 
• Start Small and Build Gradually - Your first market expansion should be the smallest viable jump, not the biggest opportunity you can imagine. 
• Engage External Expertise - Business owners are often too emotionally invested in their products to objectively evaluate new markets; outside consultants provide crucial perspective. 
• Prepare Your Infrastructure - Ensure your internal operations, technology, and team can handle the demands of serving a new market before launching. 

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your small business management journey, this KeyHire Solutions Podcast episode delivers the strategic framework needed to grow a small business successfully. Don't let entrepreneurship enthusiasm override sound business judgment – learn the proven approach to market expansion that protects your investment while maximizing growth potential. 

Connect with the Experts:  

Learn more about David: https://www.serogrowth.com  

Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire  

Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess  

Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions. Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock  

Visit our website at https://www.keyhire.solutions/the-keyhire-podcast for more content. Want to get in touch? Email us at corey@keyhire.solutions 

Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows.

Connect with Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreyharlock/  

Take the Key Owner Stage Assessment: www.keyhire.solutions/assessment 

2025 was a year of transformation for business owners and leaders everywhere, and The KeyHire Small Business Podcast was right there with them. In this special year-end wrap-up episode, we’re revisiting some of the most powerful insights and real-world strategies from our guests this year — the moments that challenged the way we think about leadership, operations, and growth in small business.

First, we look back at our conversation with Chris Dundee, who reminded us that building smarter systems doesn’t require complicated software or massive budgets. It starts with solving a problem once and never having to solve it again. From QR code-based training tools to practical, measurable learning strategies, Chris showed how small businesses can create accessible, just-in-time training that frees up leaders to focus on growth rather than repetition. His approach to “training once, using forever” was a standout lesson in efficiency and scalability for business owners of every size.

Then, Tara Wagner brought the conversation back to balance. In a world obsessed with going viral, she made the case for calm, sustainable marketing strategies. Her “social media business card” concept reminded us that small business owners don’t have to chase algorithms — they can use simple, intentional online presence to validate their credibility and connect authentically with customers. It’s a refreshing message for entrepreneurs ready to build relevance without burnout.

Next, we revisited highlights from our first-ever KeyHire Roundtable, featuring Simone Janssen, Kurt Eller, and Young Han — a powerhouse lineup exploring what it really means to hire and lead in a changing market. From Kurt’s push to hire “athletes” instead of resumes, to Simone’s perspective on clarity, fit, and follow-through, this discussion captured what we love most about the KeyHire community: real leaders having honest conversations about how to scale a small business the right way.

Finally, Aaron Christie took us inside a story that perfectly captures what 2025 was all about — leveraging technology with purpose. By creating a custom GPT to streamline his company’s roofing estimates, Aaron showed that AI isn’t about replacing people, it’s about empowering them. His experiment turned into a blueprint for building repeatable, efficient processes that allow companies to grow without adding unnecessary overhead. It’s the kind of innovation that defines the next generation of small business management.

From practical tools to human-centered leadership, this year on The KeyHire Podcast was all about helping entrepreneurs stop grinding and start growing. As we look ahead, we’re excited to bring you even more stories, insights, and breakthroughs in 2026.

Stay with us — the best is yet to come.

Connect with the Experts       

Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess      

Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram 

Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows.

In this compelling episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing small business entrepreneurs today. Corey identifies the core problem plaguing small business management: business owners who still operate under the antiquated "tell me why I should hire you" mindset. This approach is failing in today's job market, where five positions compete for every three qualified candidates. 

Corey delivers a wake-up call, revealing how poor candidate experience and weak employer branding don't just hurt recruitment—they directly damage your bottom line and customer relationships. Through compelling statistics and real-world examples, he demonstrates why small business leadership advice must evolve beyond traditional hiring approaches to survive in today's competitive landscape. 

Discover how 88% of candidates become more loyal customers after positive hiring experiences, and why 55% of job seekers abandon applications after reading poor employee reviews. Corey challenges small business owners to transform their talent acquisition approach from transactional to relationship-based, emphasizing that candidates are no longer single-use resources but potential long-term brand ambassadors. 

This episode provides actionable insights on creating efficient yet thorough hiring processes, building authentic employer branding that attracts aligned talent, and implementing the speed and transparency that top candidates expect. Whether you're struggling with high turnover, can't find quality candidates, or are wondering why your hiring process isn't yielding results, this KeyHire Solutions Podcast episode provides the roadmap for transformation. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Candidate Experience Drives Business Results - Poor hiring experiences don't just lose candidates; they lose customers and damage your reputation in the marketplace. 

• Speed is Non-Negotiable - Top candidates remain available for only 10 days, making efficient processes essential for successful talent acquisition. 

• Authentic Employer Branding Attracts Right-Fit Talent - Being genuinely transparent about your culture attracts employees who thrive in your specific environment. 

• Online Reputation Directly Impacts Hiring Success - 55% of candidates abandon applications after reading negative employee reviews online. 

• Boomerang Employee Strategy - Treating departing employees with respect creates opportunities for future rehires and positive word-of-mouth marketing. 

Connect with the Experts:  

Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire  

Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess  

Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions. Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock  

Visit our website at https://www.keyhire.solutions/the-keyhire-podcast for more content. Want to get in touch? Email us at corey@keyhire.solutions 

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Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows.

Every small business owner faces the same challenge: how do you get more sales without breaking the bank on marketing? In this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock welcomes Mark Newsome, CEO of YouCanMarketOnlineNow.com, who reveals how smart business owners are building collaborative sales processes that generate 25% more profit without the traditional high costs of customer acquisition. 

Mark and Corey identify the core problem plaguing small business owners: they're treating customer relationships like disposable transactions – investing massive resources to acquire customers, only to abandon them immediately after the first purchase. Instead of nurturing these relationships and leveraging existing networks, most businesses are stuck in an expensive cycle of constantly chasing new customers while ignoring the untapped potential right in front of them. 

Through real-world examples and practical strategies, Mark demonstrates how a simple "magic question" can unlock collaborative opportunities that multiply your reach without multiplying your marketing budget. From creating irresistible bounce-back offers to building valuable email lists through strategic giveaways, this episode reveals the untapped assets sitting right under your nose. 

Whether you're a retailer, manufacturer, or service provider, this conversation will fundamentally shift how you think about business growth and customer acquisition. The KeyHire Podcast delivers actionable insights that transform grinding entrepreneurs into strategic growth-focused leaders. 

Key Takeaways: 

The Magic Question Strategy – Learn the specific question that opens doors to collaborative sales partnerships with non-competing businesses in your market. 

Lifetime Customer Value – Discover how to calculate what each customer is truly worth to determine your real marketing budget and partnership investments. 

Bounce-Back Offer Methodology – Master the art of market-tested, time-sensitive offers that turn one-time buyers into repeat customers who bring friends. 

Email List Building Without Begging – Create compelling monthly giveaways that encourage customers to volunteer their contact information, rather than rejecting your requests. 

Cross-Promotional Partnership Structure – Understand how to structure win-win arrangements where businesses share customer bases, vendor networks, and employee referrals. 

Connect with the Experts: 

Learn More About Mark: www.youcanmarketonlinenow.com 

Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire 

Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess 

Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions. Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock  

Visit our website at https://www.keyhire.solutions/the-keyhire-podcast for more content.  

Want to get in touch? Email us at corey@keyhire.solutions 

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows.

Does your business feel stuck, busy but not making progress, with your team caught up in emergencies instead of working strategically? In this episode of The KeyHire Podcast, host Corey Harlock talks with Aaron Trahan, founder and coach at Performance Mindset Coaching, about a common disruptive pattern in small business management. They explain that the “Chaos Cycle” is a damaging loop that begins with poor priority management, leads to scattered focus, results in weak execution, and prompts leaders to set even more priorities, which can worsen the problem. 

Corey and Aaron deliver practical strategies for leadership development, exploring why business leaders often fall in love with complexity rather than focusing on providing value, and how this mindset becomes a barrier to sustainable business growth. Listeners will discover actionable frameworks to break free from the chaos cycle by learning to prioritize effectively, align their teams, and create sustainable systems that eliminate the need for constant firefighting. 

The conversation highlights three key growth rules that help prevent businesses from collapsing under pressure. It emphasizes the importance of mastering focus as a competitive advantage and explains why consistently communicating priorities is crucial for overcoming chaos. This episode offers mindset shifts and practical frameworks that entrepreneurs can use to transform their management style and achieve lasting success. 

Key Takeaways: 

• The Chaos Cycle Defined: Priority mismanagement creates scattered focus, leading to weak execution and prompting leaders to add more priorities, perpetuating the cycle. 

• Communication Imperative: Effective business leadership requires repeating priorities until you're "nauseous"—that's when your team finally understands. 

• Three Rules of Growth: Sustainable growth must be sustainable, create operating leverage, and never exceed your ability to manage it. 

• Focus as Superpower: Great companies say no to virtually everything outside their core priorities and predetermined scope. 

• 12-6-3 Strategy: Work backwards from a 12-month vision to create 6-month milestones and 3-month priorities, connecting actions to goals. Create visuals for easy progress tracking. 

• Revenue Reality: "Revenue is vanity, profits are sanity, cash is king"—focus on converting revenue into sustainable cash flow. 

🔗 Connect with the Experts: 

• Learn More About Aaron: https://performancemindsetcoaching.co/ 

• Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire 

• Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://www.keyhire.solutions/testimonials 

Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions. 

Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock 

Visit our website at https://www.keyhire.solutions/the-keyhire-podcast for more content. 

Want to get in touch? Email us at corey@keyhire.solutions 

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows.

Struggling to compete for top talent without breaking the bank? In this game-changing episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with Anthony Markey, owner of the Markey Agency, to reveal a counterintuitive strategy that sounds too good to be true—but isn't. 

The challenge in today's environment is that small business owners often face an impossible choice. Either they offer competitive benefits to attract quality talent (which can be expensive) or risk losing their best employees to companies with better benefits packages. Anthony shares his expertise on leveraging innovative wellness benefit structures and strategic benefit planning to create a win-win scenario where employees can see increased take-home pay while employers potentially reduce overall costs.  

Whether you're facing small business challenges with retention, looking to enhance your workplace culture, or seeking innovative approaches to entrepreneurship, this business podcast episode delivers strategies you can implement immediately. Don't miss these insights that could transform how you approach benefits and talent management. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Strategic benefit structures create opportunities: Properly designed wellness benefits can potentially increase employee net pay while reducing employer costs through various mechanisms 

• Shop your benefits annually: Loyalty to brokers often results in overcharging by thousands per employee, making regular competitive reviews essential for small business leadership  

• Wellness benefits drive engagement: Employees participate more actively when benefits directly impact their financial outcomes, leading to healthier teams and reduced sick days 

• Fiduciary responsibility is expanding: Companies over 100 employees already face legal requirements to secure best-value benefits, with smaller businesses likely following suit 

• Listen to employee feedback: Workers often share information about competitors' benefits that can guide your talent acquisition strategy 

  
  

🔗 Connect with the Experts: 

• Learn More About Anthony: https://ikag.me 

• Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire 

• Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess 

Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions. 

Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock 

Visit our website at https://www.keyhire.solutions/the-keyhire-podcast for more content. 

Want to get in touch? Email us at corey@keyhire.solutions 

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows.

At the midpoint of 2025, small business owners find themselves navigating an economic rollercoaster that has included surges, slumps, and everything in between. In this essential episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock delivers a candid assessment of the current market conditions and reveals why the seemingly stable 4.5% unemployment rate is misleading small business owners about the real talent acquisition challenges ahead. 

Corey identifies the core problem: while the economy appears neutral on the surface, small businesses are caught in a deceptive calm before the storm. Economists predict ongoing market "mushiness" through the summer, followed by either a strong rebound or further slowdown, depending on the outcome of trade agreements. This uncertainty makes it even more critical for business owners to act decisively on workforce decisions now. The central question becomes: how do you maintain your competitive edge in talent acquisition when scaling a small business during uncertain times? 

This episode examines the dynamics shaping today's job market and discusses the limitations of conventional hiring strategies employed by small businesses. Corey cautions against relying on "rental player talent”, which is a workforce that may be temporarily accessible now but will leave for better opportunities when the market improves. Instead, use strategic workforce planning to help your business prepare for the impending market acceleration. Focus on building long-term talent acquisition strategies that make your business bulletproof against market volatility. 

Key Takeaways: 

-Invest in keeping your best people – If you are struggling a bit or facing a tight summer, consider reducing hours or implementing temporary pay cuts rather than layoffs. Replacing skilled workers will be exponentially more expensive when the economy rebounds. 

-Build passive talent pipelines now - Establish relationships with trade schools and implement structured internship programs to create a steady flow of qualified candidates before competition intensifies. 

-Invest in AI integration during slow periods - Use current downtime to automate processes and reduce future hiring needs, positioning your business ahead of the talent shortage curve. 

-Avoid bargain hunting in hiring - Pay above-market rates for quality candidates now to build loyalty and prevent them from leaving when better offers emerge. 

-Prepare for the "war for talent" resurgence - Understand that current market conditions are temporary, and businesses that don't prepare will face severe disadvantages in the future. 

This episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast provides the strategic framework needed for how to scale a business effectively during economic uncertainty, offering practical solutions that transform challenges into competitive advantages. 

Check out our sponsor: https://bit.ly/CS-KeyHire 

Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess 

Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions. Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock Visit our website at https://www.keyhire.solutions/the-keyhire-podcast for more content. Want to get in touch? Email us at corey@keyhire.solutions 

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