Grow A Small Business Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Natalee Leach, founder of The Payroll Collective, shares her journey from a corporate payroll career to building a fast-growing consultancy on track for $3M in revenue. She breaks down how values-driven leadership, people-first culture, and client retention fueled rapid growth. Natalee also opens up about managing fast scaling, hiring at the right time, and the mental strain of entrepreneurship. She explains why foundations, systems, and the right team matter more than aggressive sales. A candid conversation on sustainable growth, leadership, and building a business with purpose.

Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here.

Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.

And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:

1. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business?
   
   According to Natalee Leach, the hardest thing in growing a small business is the speed of growth. Growing too fast can feel scary and overwhelming, especially with the fear that "what goes up must come down." Managing rapid scaling while keeping the business stable, sustainable, and healthy is the real challenge.
   
   

2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most?
   
   Natalee Leach's favorite business book is The Diary of a CEO, which has helped her the most by offering honest, relatable insights into leadership, mindset, and personal growth, while also providing validation and practical ideas that she can apply to building and leading a successful business.
   
   

3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?
   
   Natalee Leach recommends a few great podcasts and online resources to help grow a small business, including The Diary of a CEO for mindset and leadership insights, How I Built This for real founder stories, and Smart Passive Income for practical business strategy. She also points to MasterClass, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning as solid hubs to level up skills in marketing, leadership, and scaling operations — all great for small business growth.
   
   

4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?
   
   Natalee Leach often points to Notion as one of her go-to tools for growing a small business — it's great for organizing workflows, project plans, SOPs, content calendars, client onboarding, and team collaboration all in one place. She also recommends Slack for team communication, Asana or Trello for task management, and Stripe/QuickBooks for streamlined billing and finances. These tools help keep operations smooth, teams aligned, and growth intentional.
   
   

5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?
   
   According to Natalee Leach, one advice she would give herself is to book a Pilates session or schedule time for yourself in your diary from day one because the business will run over you if you do not. She emphasizes that setting these boundaries immediately is crucial for maintaining a lifestyle that offers longevity rather than constant exhaustion. This self-care allows for quality time with family and friends, ensuring you are not too tired to actually enjoy life outside of work. By prioritizing your own physical and mental strength early on, you can better power through the different phases of business growth. Ultimately, she views scheduling this personal time as a paramount habit that business owners must develop to prevent being derailed by the mental strain of leadership.

Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights!

Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.

Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

From day dot, make sure you schedule time in your diary for yourself, because the business will run on top of you if you don't — Natalee Leach

We are a values-based business that lives by a mission to drive positive change through optimizing people and payroll spaces everywhere — Natalee Leach

I believe success is all about the people you work with and building a culture where everyone is heard and feels they belong — Natalee Leach

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin speaks with Ryan Hughes, Director of Phil Hughes Office Solutions. They explore the remarkable journey of a family business that scaled a $1,500 investment into a $4.2 million, technology-led enterprise in Tasmania. Ryan details the pivotal move from traditional stationery to digital solutions, the counterintuitive strategy that doubled sales during COVID-19, and the core philosophies of valuing people and fostering a resilient culture. The conversation offers profound insights into navigating family business dynamics, adaptive leadership, and the pursuit of sustainable, innovative growth.

Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here.

Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.

And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:

1. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business?
   
   Ryan Hughes shares that the hardest part of growing a small business is finding the right people and then empowering them to act like owners. He believes people are both the biggest challenge and the biggest asset in any business.
   
   

2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most?
   
   Ryan Hughes shares that his favorite business book is "How to Win Friends and Influence People." He says his father gave it to him young, and it shaped how he deals with people and builds strong relationships.
   
   

3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?
   
   Ryan Hughes shares that he listens to the Grow A Small Business Podcast, especially episodes with people he knows. For relaxation and learning, he also enjoys the Sports Bizarre podcast, which teaches surprising lessons through storytelling.
   
   

4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?
   
   Ryan Hughes shares that ChatGPT, especially the paid version, is one of the most powerful tools for small business growth. He also recommends Aqua Voice, a voice-to-text tool that speeds up emails, quotes, and documentation.
   
   

5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?
   
   Ryan Hughes shares that he would tell his younger self to enjoy the journey more, not work nonstop, and understand that the business will bring plenty of good moments — so don't miss them by keeping your head down all the time.

Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights!

Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.

Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

Valuing people is the real engine behind every successful business - Ryan Hughes

The most important sale you'll ever make is the next one - Ryan Hughes

Success isn't about growing fast, it's about growing with purpose and balance - Ryan Hughes

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Andrew Griffiths as he shares his journey from a rough childhood to buying a dive shop at 17, making major mistakes, and eventually mastering business growth. He built a marketing company to multimillion-dollar success, survived partner betrayals, and later found his true passion in writing and speaking. With 14 bestselling books and over a thousand presentations in 25 countries worldwide, he focuses on helping small business owners build financial resilience and charge what they're worth. Andrew's focus is helping business owners to redefine success on their own terms, embrace what makes them truly unique, master the art of strategic storytelling and get as close as you can to your customers. His story is an inspiring example of resilience, reinvention, and long-term entrepreneurial thinking. Andrew's latest bestselling book "Someone has to be the most expensive why not make it you?" is transforming businesses across every industry, in every corner of the planet.

Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here.

Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.

And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:

1. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business?
   
   According to Andrew Griffiths, the hardest part of growing a small business is managing cash and money. He explained that in his early years, dealing with financial pressure and cash flow was the toughest challenge he faced while scaling his business.
   
   

2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most?
   
   Andrew Griffiths' favorite business book—the one that helped him the most — is "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie.
   
   

3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?
   
   According to Andrew Griffiths, while he consumes a wide range of learning material, one of the online learning resources he personally values is the work of Brendan Burchard, whose programs and coaching have influenced his professional development.
   
   

4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?
   
   According to Andrew Griffiths, a simple but powerful tool he recommends for growing a small business is your phone, using it to regularly record videos and communicate directly with customers to build stronger engagement and visibility.
   
   

5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?
   
   Andrew Griffiths says that if he could give advice to himself on day one of starting his business, he would tell himself to trust his intuition, because many of the business mistakes he made over the years were situations where his gut was right, but he ignored it and let logic overrule it. 

Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights!

Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.

Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

Constant learning makes business owners more resilient and ready for constant reinvention – Andrew Griffiths

Customer proximity is the ultimate strategy because loyal customers can sustain your business through anything – Andrew Griffiths

Trust your intuition in business, because it will guide you more accurately than logic alone – Andrew Griffiths

QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse!

Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week.

Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends!

In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Amanda Jones interviews Theo Kapodistrias, from Theo Kapodistrias Speaking & Coaching, an experienced in-house lawyer, speaker, and author. Theo discusses several sneaky legal landmines that small to medium-sized businesses often overlook, such as automatic software renewals, potential breaches of Competition and Consumer Law through misleading product claims, and HR issues related to employment law. He emphasises the importance of establishing good operational processes for managing legal matters and maintaining a central repository for all business contracts and documentation. Furthermore, Theo highlights the value of having clear and easy-to-understand contracts to streamline negotiations and improve productivity.

P.s The information shared in this episode is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your circumstances, please consult a qualified legal professional.

Other Resources:

• QFF: Mastering Leadership Communication with Theo Kapodistrias: Insights from a Successful Speaker and Communication Coach with Over a Decade of Experience, Helping Businesses Achieve Success and Generate Millions Revenue. (Episode 532- Theo Kapodistrias)

• A Way With Words: Advice from the TEDx frontline on how to cut the crap and deliver a killer message whatever the communication method by Theo Kapodistrias
  
  

Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners:

Watch for Sneaky Legal Landmines in Contracts: Many small businesses sign software agreements with hidden clauses like automatic renewals and early termination penalties. Always review the fine print or get legal help before signing anything.

Clear and Simple Contracts Save Time and Money: Theo emphasizes using easy-to-understand legal documents. Avoid overly complex language—clear contracts reduce negotiation time and accelerate sales, directly boosting revenue.

Protect Customer Privacy – It's Not Optional: Transparency in how you collect, use, and store personal information is crucial. Be explicit in your privacy policy, get proper consent (especially for images), and prepare for upcoming changes in Australia's Privacy Act that will likely affect smaller businesses too.

Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for?

Legal Doesn't Have to Be a Handbrake on Innovation: Legal advice is best brought in before launching new products or campaigns. It helps avoid IP issues (like trademark infringements), ensures compliance, and supports sustainable growth—especially important for tech or creative businesses.

Create a Legal Safety Net Without Feeling Restricted: Even without an in-house lawyer, businesses can benefit from periodic legal audits. Focus areas should include intellectual property, consumer law, insurance, contracts, and property leases. Prevention saves time, money, and stress later.

Centralize and Organize All Your Contracts: Theo's top actionable tip: gather all contracts into one secure, central location. This makes renewals, compliance checks, and future reviews easier, and helps avoid costly surprises.

One action small business owners can take:

The One key action that Theo Kapodistrias advises small business owners to take immediately is to find all the contracts that their business has signed up to and put them in one place. He emphasises the importance of keeping these records tight, secure, and knowing where they are so they can be checked to prevent things from going wrong or being missed. Having a central repository of contracts can also be a great document to refer to and can support the business if needed. Amanda Jones, the host, also acknowledges the wisdom of this advice, noting her own scattered digital files .

Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximize your time.

Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. 👇

Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

Be aware of the sneaky things in software contracts, like automatic renewals – Theo Kapodistrias

Easy to understand, clear and fair documents are going to be a complete game changer – Theo Kapodistrias

Transparency is a really big principle for privacy, clearly articulating data collection and use – Theo Kapodistrias

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Kira Leskew from The Eagle Institute. Kira Leskew shares her impressive journey of owning seven businesses, with five successful exits and three reaching seven figures. A particularly notable achievement was growing one business from five to fifty employees in just two and a half years. Currently, at The Eagle Institute, Kira teaches intuition development for CEOs and meditation techniques to manage stress. She emphasises the importance of discipline, consistency, and developing a strong mindset for business success, drawing lessons from her experiences as a former elite athlete.

Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here.

Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.

And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:

1. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business?
   
   According to Kira Leskew, the hardest thing in growing a small business is different for every person. She mentions that having talked to and trained many business owners, she has observed that they face various challenges. Therefore, there isn't one universal "hardest thing"
   
   

2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most?
   
   Her favorite business book that has helped her the most is "Who: The A Method for Hiring" by Randy Street and Brad Smart.
   
   

3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?
   
   Kira emphasizes intuition through meditation for insights and values discipline in weekly planning. She highlights tracking metrics like cash flow, profitability, and sales growth as vital for business success. Endless curiosity, questioning peers, and investing in professional development through books, coaching, and events underpin her continuous learning approach.
   
   

4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?
   
   Kira Leskew recommends developing a disciplined habit of weekly planning as a key tool to grow a small business. She emphasizes the importance of consistently reviewing meaningful metrics—like cash flow, profitability, and sales growth—and holding yourself to high standards. Drawing from her background as an elite swimmer, she believes that just as performance in sports relies on tracking progress and refining technique, business success depends on regular reflection, strategic adjustments, and staying aligned with long-term goals.
   
   

5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?
   
   Kira Leskew could give herself advice on day one of starting out in business, it would simply be, "It's gonna be awesome." This short yet powerful message reflects her belief in embracing the entrepreneurial journey with optimism and confidence. Despite the challenges and growth pains, she trusts that with the right mindset, discipline, and resilience, the experience of building a business will be not only successful but deeply rewarding.

Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights!

Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.

Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

You can grow fast and still lead with calm, clarity, and kindness – Kira Leskew

You don't need to be loud to lead—just deeply present and willing to listen – Kira Leskew

Meditation isn't about escaping business stress, it's how you master it – Kira Leskew

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Eric Jorgenson from Scribe Media, who shares his remarkable journey from author to CEO after the company faced bankruptcy. Eric successfully rallied investors to acquire Scribe Media and is now leading its impressive turnaround, projecting growth from $6 million to $9 million. Beyond his leadership at Scribe Media, Eric is also a successful author with over 1.5 million books sold. This conversation delves into his strategies for business revival and leadership insights at Scribe Media.

Other Resources:

• The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness.

• The Anthology of Balaji: A Guide to Technology, Truth, and Building the Future

• An easy way to measure if your customers love you in 21 minutes – use the Net Promoter Score (NPS). And it's FREE.

• Boost productivity by 7–23%, triple team engagement, and double retention with ESOPs! Expert Craig West reveals benefits, costs, and timelines. (Episode 55 - Craig West)

• The Great Game of Business, Expanded and Updated: The Only Sensible Way to Run a Company by Jack Stack
  
  

Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here.

Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.

And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:

1. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business?
   
   Eric Jorgenson said the hardest thing in growing a small business is dealing with entropy, alignment, and constant surprises. He emphasized that it's not for the faint of heart and requires continuous effort to manage these dynamic challenges.
   
   

2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most?
   
   Eric Jorgenson's favorite business book that has helped him the most is Poor Charlie's Almanack. He also mentioned Zero to One by Peter Thiel as an exceptional book for understanding the foundational principles of business.
   
   

3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?
   
   Eric Jorgenson highly recommends Founders Podcast by David Senra. He described it as the most important and impactful podcast, where David dives deep into biographies of the greatest founders in history, extracting powerful lessons and patterns for business growth.
   
   

4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?
   
   Eric Jorgenson recommends using ChatGPT as a powerful tool to grow a small business. He emphasized that everyone just became 2–10x more productive with it—if they learn to use it well—highlighting its potential to dramatically boost efficiency and innovation.
   
   

5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?
   
   Eric Jorgenson's advice to himself on day one of starting out in business would be: "Spend a lot more energy figuring out what to focus on and then focus — build the discipline to reorient quickly and follow through on the most important things." He emphasized the importance of filtering noise, closing loops, and trusting your instincts through repetition and outcomes.
   
   

Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights!

Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.

Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

Writing a great book can change your life—and your business – Eric Jorgenson

A small business flourishes when everyone rows in the same direction – Eric Jorgenson

You're always one great hire away from transforming your company – Eric Jorgenson

QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse!

Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week.

Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends!

In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Michael Denehey interviews Julie Holmes, founder of The Smarter HQ, who provides valuable insights on achieving success in business through the strategic use of AI. Julie explains how AI can help small businesses become more efficient and effective, enabling them to scale and compete with larger organisations. She introduces the 20-60-20 framework for utilising generative AI and emphasises the importance of human oversight in the process. Key takeaways include treating AI like an intern and practical first steps for small business owners to start experimenting with AI tools like ChatGPT. Ultimately, the podcast underscores that embracing AI is crucial for small businesses to avoid falling behind their competitors.

Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners:

Start with Your To-Do List to Apply AI: AI enables small businesses to scale and compete with larger organisations in ways they couldn't before. Julie states that AI can help businesses "sell smarter, serve better and save time"

.

To get started with AI, small business: Owners should look at their "to do list" for tasks that are not in their "zone of genius" or are time-consuming, such as emails, social media, and writing proposals. Julie notes that AI can help overcome the difficulty of starting these tasks.

Use the 20-60-20 Framework: Julie Holmes introduces the 20-60-20 framework, also known as "you do you", for using generative AI. The first 20% is on the owner for strategy and prompting, the AI does 60% of the work, and the final 20% is crucial for personalisation and ensuring the output aligns with the brand.

Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for?

Treat AI Like an Intern, Not a Magic Wand: AI isn't magic—it needs context. Train it like you would a new hire: giv.e it background, examples, and feedback to get the best outcomes.

Solve Real Problems First—Then Choose the Tool: Don't start by exploring tools. Start with a problem (e.g., note-taking, content creation, or customer personalization) and then find the best AI tool to solve it.

Enhance Customer Experience with Smart Personalization: AI can help tailor messages, proposals, and services by researching customer details and needs, letting small businesses deliver big-brand experiences.

One action small business owners can take:

One immediate action small business owners can take is to identify tasks on their "to-do list" that are not in their "zone of genius" or that are time-consuming, such as emails, social media, and writing proposals, and consider how AI could assist with these.

Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximize your time.

Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. 👇

Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

AI is like electricity—it powers everything, but only if you plug it in — Julie Holmes

Small businesses don't need more arms, they need smarter tools—and that's AI — Julie
Holmes

You don't need to be tech-savvy to use AI, but you must be technique-savvy — Julie Holmes

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger, founder of DS Bellinger Consulting, specializes in helping business owners and sales teams enhance their sales performance by mastering revenue-generating conversations. She launched the business part-time nine years ago, growing it into a thriving enterprise with a team of five and multiple six-figure revenues. Dr. Bellinger also brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience, including successfully exiting a tech company. In this discussion, she shares her journey, the challenges she faced as a woman and a person of color, the critical role of financial literacy, the art of delegation, and the importance of fostering a strong business culture.

Other Resources:

Sales Is Not About Wait And See: Do You Want To Get Paid Now or Eventually? by Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger (Author)

You Lost Me @ Hello: Actionable principles that move you beyond "Networking."  by Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger (Author)

Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here.

Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.

And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:

1. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business?
   
   According to Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger, the hardest thing about growing a small business is understanding your value statement. She emphasises not trying to be all things to all people within your area of expertise. You simply cannot please everyone, so it is best to focus on what you do best and excel at that.
   
   

2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most?
   
   According to Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger, her favourite business book that has helped her the most is The E Myth. However, she also mentions that The Purpose Driven Life, while not a business book, was very important to her. Therefore, she highlights two books as being particularly impactful.
   
   

3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?
   
   Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger, doesn't recommend specific podcasts or online learning tools. Instead, she emphasises the importance of tailored research within the specific industry of a new client to remain relevant. She takes "a little bit of everything" for her own professional development. The host, Troy Trewin, suggests the Grow Small Business podcast itself as a helpful resource.
   
   

4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?
   
   She recommends the most direct tool recommendation for growing a small business is to have a good, robust CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system. She states that the days of just using a spreadsheet are over.
   
   

5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?
   
   Her advice for herself on day one of starting out in business would be straightforward: "If you can't laugh at it, don't do it"

Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights!

Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.

Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

Confidence is your most powerful sales strategy—own it before you pitch it – Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger

Revenue generation starts with a mindset, not a marketing plan – Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger

Stop asking for permission to succeed—just go get it  – Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Stefan Di Benedetto from SolBevi. Stefan discussed the phenomenal growth of his limoncello brand, including more than doubling sales and expanding into New Zealand. He shared insights into the challenges of starting solo and the importance of team building. The conversation also touched upon key marketing strategies like "liquid on lips" and the complexities of funding rapid growth in the FMCG industry. Stefan offered valuable lessons learned during his entrepreneurial journey.

Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here.

Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.

And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:

1. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business?
   
   Stefan Di Benedetto believes the hardest thing in growing a small business is having to do everything yourself, especially at the start. Stefan recounted his experience of managing cross-functional tasks such as marketing, finance, and sales simultaneously. He described physically going from venue to venue during the day and then working until midnight on administrative tasks like paying invoices and cash flow forecasting
   
   

2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most?
   
   Stefan Di Benedetto stated that his favorite business book that has helped him the most is "Shoe Dog" by Phil Knight. He mentioned that the book reminds him of similar situations he has gone through in his business, such as taking risks and experiencing financial difficulties, and it provides him with a lot of motivation.
   
   

3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?
   
   Stefan Di Benedetto mentioned that he doesn't really use any online tools for his professional development. Instead, he listens to a lot of business-related podcasts. He specifically enjoys podcasts where he can learn from people who have exited businesses and built successful companies. He also listens to podcasts that discuss marketing and marketing strategies, including what's current and how to be strategic.
   
   

4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?
   
   Stefan Di Benedetto recommends using Xero as a key tool to grow a small business. He emphasizes its value in helping business owners understand their numbers, which he believes is crucial for making informed decisions and sustaining growth. He also highlights the importance of working with a good bookkeeper or accountant who can help interpret those numbers, rather than just recording them. This combination, according to Stefan, provides clarity and supports smarter business decisions.
   
   

5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?
   
   On day one, Stefan Di Benedetto would tell himself, "It's going to be hard." He admits he was likely naive about the challenges of his new industry, especially compared to his previous experience in consultancy and construction, where he felt more confident. The unexpected difficulties taught him that persistence and resilience are essential. His core advice to himself would be: "It's going to be hard, but just don't back down."

Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights!

Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.

Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

Back yourself, because no one else will believe in your vision like you do – Stefan Di Benedetto

The wins feel amazing, but the lessons come from the hard days – Stefan Di Benedetto

Understanding your numbers isn't optional—it's essential for growth – Stefan Di Benedetto

QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse!

Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week.

Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends!

In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Amanda Jones interviews Simone de Haas, founder of Simone de Haas International. Simone shares her journey from performing on stage to coaching business leaders in storytelling and powerful communication. She discusses the importance of "business theatre", blending performance skills with leadership to create impactful presentations. Tune in to hear how Simone helps professionals master stage presence and craft compelling business narratives.

Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners:

Storytelling is a Business Superpower – A compelling story can captivate clients, build trust, and make your brand memorable. Learn how to craft narratives that resonate with your audience.

Business is Theatre in Motion – Like skilled performers who captivate audiences, effective business leaders orchestrate their presence with purpose, balancing authentic expression with strategic delivery to inspire and influence.

Leadership Requires Authentic Presence – Whether commanding a boardroom, rallying a team, or captivating an audience, leaders who blend powerful communication with genuine authenticity don't just convey messages—they ignite action, forge lasting connections, and transform ordinary interactions into defining moments that propel their vision forward.

Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for?

Creativity Drives Innovation – Thinking outside the box, as in theatre, helps business owners stay ahead in a competitive market. Encourage creativity in problem-solving and branding.

Emotional Connection Wins Clients – People buy based on emotion and justify with logic. Engaging storytelling and expressive communication foster deeper client relationships.

Adaptability is Key – Just as actors adjust to different roles, small business owners must embrace change, pivot when needed, and stay agile in their industries.

One action small business owners can take:

According to Simone de Haas, one action small business owners can take is to master their signature story. Crafting a compelling and authentic narrative that reflects their brand, values, and mission helps build deeper connections with clients, enhances credibility, and makes their business more memorable in a crowded market.

Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximize your time.

Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. 👇

Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

Your voice is your power—use it to inspire, influence, and impact – Simone de Haas

Confidence on stage and in business starts with owning your story – Simone de Haas

Great storytelling turns ordinary businesses into unforgettable brands. – Simone de Haas