The How of Business - How to start, run & grow a small business.

Focus Without Burnout: Smarter Strategies for Entrepreneurs. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/567-skye-waterson-focus-without-burnout/ In this episode of The How of Business, host Henry Lopez is joined by ADHD strategist and coach Skye Waterson to explore powerful strategies for entrepreneurs who struggle with focus, burnout, or executive dysfunction. Skye and Henry break down how to work with your brain instead of against it, using tools like time blocking, effective delegation, and Skye’s free “focus filter” to bring clarity and momentum to your workweek. Henry and Skye also discuss why finding a non-business hobby matters for stimulation, how to prioritize tasks with intention, and ways to turn long-term goals into manageable weekly actions. This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

Good Debt Bad Debt: How to Borrow Strategically in Business. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/566-good-debt-bad-debt/ In this episode of The How of Business, host Henry Lopez reframes how small business owners think about debt. While consumer debt is often harmful and emotionally charged, Henry makes the case that strategic borrowing, or good debt, can be an essential growth tool for entrepreneurs. Henry walks through key differences between personal and business debt, outlines how to identify smart uses of debt (like funding revenue-generating assets or covering working capital gaps), and warns against the dangers of relying on debt to prop up an unprofitable business model. Also learn about core financial concepts including leverage ratios, opportunity cost, and the time value of money, and how to apply them when making borrowing decisions. Henry shares practical tips, such as using low-interest loans over high-interest credit cards, keeping operating reserves, and not rushing to pay off good debt early if it’s working for you. This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

Transitioning from manager to leader is more than a title change - it’s a mindset shift. In this episode, executive coach James Turk shares insights from his book The Giving Game, including his F45 Playbook for new leaders. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/565-james-turk-manager-to-leader/ Whether you’re stepping into leadership yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation is packed with practical advice to lead with influence, not just authority. Drawing from decades of experience in leadership development and coaching, James introduces his F45 Playbook - a roadmap for the first 45 days in a leadership role. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, relationship-building, and aligning with a greater purpose. Whether you’re stepping into a leadership role yourself or promoting someone into one, James explains how to approach the transition thoughtfully and sustainably. One of the core themes of the conversation is the power of leading with influence rather than relying solely on authority. James discusses the challenges that often arise when new managers are promoted from within—especially when they have to supervise former peers—and provides a framework for navigating that shift effectively. He also shares tips on delegation, developing team trust, and fostering a positive culture through clear definitions and expectations. From running a virtual team to supporting team member growth, James outlines what it takes to build a thriving organization rooted in performance and purpose. He also shares the origins of The Turk Group and how his varied career journey—from art galleries to acting to executive coaching—informs his approach to leadership. This episode is essential listening for any small business owner seeking to equip new managers, clarify their own leadership style, or build a stronger, more empowered team. This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

The essentials of Small Business Systems with host Henry Lopez. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r242-small-business-systems/ Building a self-managed business starts with solid systems. In this short solo episode of The How of Business, Henry Lopez shares practical advice on how to develop, implement, and improve the systems that help small businesses scale, delegate, and operate consistently. Whether you're just starting out or need to escape the chaos of doing everything yourself, this episode is your roadmap to operational freedom. This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

The Courage Gap - Overcoming fear and self-doubt to take bold action in your business and life. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/564-margie-warrell-courage-gap/ Dr. Margie Warrell joins Henry Lopez to explore how fear often holds small business owners back—not because of what they can't do, but because of what they aren't doing. Margie's latest book, The Courage Gap, unpacks how entrepreneurs and professionals can close the gap between their potential and their current actions by rewiring how they think, behave, and react to fear. She shares a 5-step framework for braver action, addresses how to navigate imposter syndrome, and emphasizes the importance of learning from failure rather than being defined by it. This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming small business operations. The discussion highlights using ChatGPT for content creation and enhancing productivity. Learn about automating workflows and improving client services with tools like Zapier. Explore practical applications such as summarizing coaching sessions and document review. Plus, get advice on starting small with AI to gradually integrate it into your business. This is essential listening for anyone looking to stay competitive in today's market!

What are the essential Skills for Success in small business and life? Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/562-skills-for-success/ In this episode, Henry Lopez and guest co-host David Begin break down the critical skills and traits that lead to long-term success. From self-discipline to curiosity, they explore practical insights to help entrepreneurs and professionals thrive. Henry and David discuss the key skills and personal traits that they’ve observed in successful business owners and leaders. Drawing from personal experiences and coaching insights, they share lessons on resilience, adaptability, and leadership. Episode Summary: Defining Success – How personal and professional goals shape our definition of success. Self-Discipline & Sacrifice – Why delayed gratification and persistence are critical. Being Teachable & Coachable – The role of seeking mentorship, coaching, and lifelong learning. Curiosity & Asking Great Questions – How curiosity fuels innovation and decision-making. Making & Owning Decisions – The importance of embracing accountability. Persistence & Resilience – Overcoming setbacks and learning from failure. Self-Awareness & Leadership – Understanding strengths, weaknesses, and personal growth. This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

Cyber Security for small businesses, with IT services and cybersecurity experts Gary Pica. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/561-gary-pica-cyber-security/ Cybersecurity threats are a growing risk for small businesses. In this episode, Henry Lopez speaks with Gary Pica, a pioneer in IT services and cybersecurity, about practical strategies to protect small businesses from cyber threats. Learn how to reduce risks, implement strong security measures, and plan for potential cyberattacks. Gary Pica is a pioneer in IT services, having built one of the first managed service providers (MSP) in 1996. After scaling his business into a multi-million-dollar company, he sold it and dedicated his career to helping IT service providers grow and improve cybersecurity solutions. Gary is now General Manager of TruMethods at Kaseya, where he has helped over 2,000 IT companies build profitable, scalable businesses. Episode Breakdown: The increasing risk of cyber threats for small businesses Why small businesses are prime targets for hackers Common cybersecurity mistakes business owners make The importance of outsourcing IT security to managed service providers Essential security measures every small business should implement How cybercriminals exploit small business vulnerabilities Building a cybersecurity incident response plan The role of cybersecurity awareness training for employees Top 3 Takeaways: Cyberattacks are inevitable—small businesses must plan as if they will be targeted. Basic security measures like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and backups can prevent major breaches. Outsourcing IT security to a Managed Service Provider (MSP) ensures expert-level protection. This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

If you are considering a franchise business, then look for the 4 Franchise Benefits. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/560-4-franchise-benefits/ Henry Lopez breaks down four key benefits a franchise should offer to ensure success. From proven systems to strong branding, this episode explores what to look for when evaluating a franchise opportunity. In this episode of The How of Business, Henry Lopez shares insights from his years of franchise ownership and consulting to highlight four essential benefits of franchising. Whether you're exploring a new franchise or evaluating an opportunity, this episode will help you make an informed decision. Download the “4 Franchise Benefits” guide from the show notes page for this episode. A franchise should offer you these four benefits: Proven Systems – A structured, repeatable business model to follow. Brand Strength – Leveraging brand awareness and reputation for growth. Leverage & Buying Power – Access to better deals and resources than independent owners. Franchisee Network – A community of supportive and experienced business owners. “A great franchise should offer you a roadmap to success.” — Henry Lopez Top Takeaways: A good franchise provides comprehensive systems and training to set you up for success. Brand recognition can be a major advantage but evaluate its strength in your market. The potential leverage of economies of scale is a critical franchise benefit to evaluate.  The network of franchisees is an invaluable resource for learning and growth. This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

Five major challenges that prevent small businesses from scaling. Henry shares practical solutions that small business owners can implement to break through growth barriers and create a scalable, profitable small business. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/559-5-reasons-business-wont-grow/ From financial constraints to owner dependency, this episode offers actionable strategies to help you achieve sustainable growth. In this episode of The How of Business, Henry Lopez explores five major challenges that prevent small businesses from scaling. He shares practical solutions that business owners can implement to break through growth barriers and create a scalable, profitable business. Episode Breakdown: 5 Reasons Your Small Business Won't Grow.  Lack of a Clear Strategy – The importance of a structured business plan. Financial Constraints – Managing cash flow, pricing, and operational costs effectively. Lack of Systems – Why automating and streamlining processes is key. Owner Dependency – How to delegate and build a self-sustaining business. Marketing & Sales Challenges – Strategies to create consistent lead generation. Top 3 Takeaways: A clear strategy & defined goals are essential for long-term business success. Cash flow management & proper pricing ensure sustainable profitability. Effective delegation & process automation help businesses grow beyond the owner’s capacity. This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com