Why Do so Many Small Businesses Fail?
Somewhere between 60-90% of new businesses fail to survive. Just about everyone agrees, starting a new business has a low success rate. The real question is not how many fail, but WHY so many fail.
Why You Can’t “Just Figure it Out” Anymore (And What to Do Instead) with Michael Swenson – Ep. 359
In this essential episode, Michael Swenson, Founder of CrisisTrak, shares how to build crisis plans that safeguard your enterprise from disasters. If you struggle with blind spots that could erase years of value, you won't want to miss it.
You will discover:
- How to form a crisis team for rapid, organized response
- Why early planning protects customers, employees, and investors
- What Crisis Track automates to streamline your recovery
Why the Best Advice Is Probably Wrong for You with Scott Ritzheimer – Ep. 373
In this eye-opening episode, Scott Ritzheimer, Founder of Scale Architects, shares why even great advice can actively hold you back if it's not stage-specific. If you struggle with applying well-meaning guidance that doesn't fit your current reality, you won't want to miss it
You will discover:
- Why advice from peers, coaches, authors, and successful founders is often wrong for your stage
- How to filter all advice through the lens of your current Founder's Evolution stage
- What judgment skill separates founders who thrive from those who stay stuck
Why Your Numbers Are Lying to You (And What to Look at Instead) with Jon Morris – Ep. 372
In this unwavering episode, Jon Morris, Founder and Executive Director of The Professional Service Community, shares how you can master your financial numbers to cut through the fog of stage four and lead your business with unshakeable confidence. If you wrestle with unreliable reports, question every spend, and feel blindfolded in your growth, you won't want to miss it.
You will discover:
- How to simplify your P&L into five key categories so you can instantly spot what's driving—or draining—your profits
- Why boosting gross margin through small-i innovation lets you outspend rivals on sales without cutting corners
- How to turn gray decisions into black-and-white wins by letting your income statement be your toughest, fairest boss
The Franchise Escape: Why Corporate Refugees Buy, Not Build with Giuseppe Grammatico – Ep. 367
In this empowering episode, Giuseppe Grammatico, Owner of GG The Franchise Guide, shares how franchising offers a proven, lower-risk path to business ownership from corporate jobs. If you struggle with feeling trapped in a dead-end job and fear starting from scratch, you won't want to miss it.
You will discover:
- Why franchising provides systems and support missing in startups
- How to evaluate franchises that fit your lifestyle goals.
- What free resources like books and calls accelerate your transition
The Competence Trap: Why Being Good at Everything Is Killing Your Business with Joanna Zhang – Ep. 364
In this insightful episode, Joanna Zhang, CEO of The Operations Genius, shares how to master delegation and self-discovery to escape overwhelm. If you struggle with doing everything alone and hitting bottlenecks, you won't want to miss it.
You will discover:
- How to start delegation by listing tasks and building trust
- Why respecting emotions unlocks better leadership decisions
- What self-reflection turns challenges into growth opportunities
Why Great Leaders Fail to Become Great Consultants
You got into coaching to be a coach. But if you find yourself spending more time coaxing prospects than you do coaching clients, it's not your fault. You have found yourself caught in what I call the Doom Loop. And every coach finds themselves here at some point, especially as we grow and succeed.
Why Your Website Gets No Leads (And the Simple Fix Founders Miss) with Daniel Strohli – Ep. 357
In this actionable episode, Daniel Strohli, Founder of Profitsx.com, shares how to build scalable lead systems for contractors and service businesses. If you struggle with inconsistent pipelines and payroll pressures, you won't want to miss it.
You will discover:
- How to create client-centric websites that generate high-quality leads
- Why consistent, focused work outperforms talent in marketing
- What simple automations boost visibility and conversions fast
Why Top Leaders Leave — And It’s Not About the Money with Jody and Morgan Thelander – Ep. 356
In this practical episode episode, Jody K. Thelander, CEO of J. Thelander Consulting and Morgan Thelander, COO of J. Thelander Consulting, shares how how to fix messy compensation structures using market data. If you struggle with inconsistent pay and retention risks, you won't want to miss it.
You will discover:
- How to use surveys for free, tailored market comp insights
- Why balancing cash and equity prevents talent flight
- What data-driven plans avoid emotional comp pitfalls
3 Things You Must Do This Year
As the year winds down, you are likely spending more and more time thinking about and working on next year’s projects. As you’re planning, I’d recommend you consider the following three actions. I believe they are critical for the long-term health and success of your business.
What To Do When You Can’t Spend Your Way to Revenue Growth with David Lorango – Ep. 352
In this invigorating episode, David Lorango, CEO and Founder of Startup Accelerators, shares how to reignite growth when marketing spend no longer moves the needle. If you struggle with flatlining revenue despite bigger budgets and a solid team, you won't want to miss it.
You will discover:
- Why more ad spend alone kills ROI at scale
- How to shift from acquisition-only to full-funnel creativity
- What injecting fun and joy unlocks breakthrough campaigns
Why Your Executive Team Can’t Scale What You Won’t Show the World with Alan McLaren – Ep. 351
In this energizing episode, Alan McLaren, Co-Founder of STRATA Originals, shares how to build a powerful leadership brand that pulls opportunities to you instead of pushing uphill. If you struggle with team execution feeling heavy and growth stalling despite a strong C-suite, you won't want to miss it.
You will discover:
- Why your personal visibility is the hidden multiplier for company momentum
- How to start building thought-leadership in just 15 minutes a week
- What authentic commenting on LinkedIn does that original posts alone can’t