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

How to create a Strategic Plan for your small business. Use a Strategic Plan to set your goals, objectives and initiatives for your small business. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r504-strategic-planning/ In this episode of The How of Business, host Henry Lopez dives into annual strategic planning - a critical tool for small business owners to achieve growth and long-term success. Strategic planning helps you align your goals, allocate resources efficiently, and create a clear action plan for the year ahead. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: Why Strategic Planning Matters: Understand the benefits of having a focused and adaptable strategy for your business. The Key Difference Between Strategy & Planning: Learn how a clear strategy drives your planning process and positions your business to win in the market. 10 Steps to Build an Effective Strategic Plan: A comprehensive framework covering everything from reviewing the past year to setting goals, defining KPIs, budgeting, and adapting quarterly. Actionable Insights & Examples: Get practical tips to simplify your planning process, even if this is your first attempt at creating a strategic plan. Free Resource: Download the Annual Strategic Plan Outline to guide you through the process from the Show Notes page for this episode. Whether you're an experienced business owner or just starting, this episode will help you focus on what matters most, measure your progress, and achieve success in 2025. 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

How to own a successful Power Washing franchise small business with Aaron Harper. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/546-aaron-harper-power-washing-franchise/ On this episode we dive into the world of franchising and small business success with Aaron Harper, CEO of Rolling Suds, the leading power washing business franchise. Aaron shares his inspiring journey from Hollywood executive to franchise business leader, offering insights into how franchising can empower entrepreneurs to build thriving businesses. Discover how Rolling Suds is transforming the power washing industry with its proprietary equipment, streamlined processes, and focus on professionalization. Learn why franchising is the perfect model for aspiring small business owners looking for a proven system and strong support. Whether you're interested in starting your own power washing business, exploring the franchise business model, or simply gaining inspiration from a compelling entrepreneurial story, this episode has something for everyone. 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

Overcoming Fear to start and grow your small business, with Ruth Soukup - author of "Do It Scared: Finding the Courage to Face Your Fears, Overcome Obstacles, and Create a Life You Love". Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r255-ruth-soukup-overcoming-fear / "The whole idea behind 'do it scared' is not that you don't ever feel afraid because we all feel afraid. It's that you take action even in the face of fear and you continually take action because ultimately action is the antidote to fear." Ruth introduces the concept of the Seven Fear Archetypes, which she developed through research involving over 4,000 participants. These archetypes include the Procrastinator, Rule Follower, People Pleaser, Outcast, Self-Doubter, Excuse Maker, and Pessimist. Each archetype reflects distinct ways fear manifests, such as procrastination driven by perfectionism or self-doubt stemming from insecurities. Understanding these archetypes allows individuals to identify their unique fears and develop targeted strategies to overcome them. Our discussion also focuses on principles of courage, including "owning your choices" and "recognizing that balance is overrated." Ruth argues that taking responsibility for one's life, while letting go of the myth of perfection and balance, empowers individuals to prioritize purpose over superficial ideals. She highlights the importance of rejecting excuses, embracing imperfections, and persistently moving forward, even when success feels uncertain. 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

Andrew Hartman, Founder of Time Boss, shares his insights on taking control of time to reduce stress and enhance productivity. He introduces his unique 'Time Boss' framework, emphasizing task prioritization and boundary setting. Listeners learn about practical strategies like time blocking and weekly reflection to manage interruptions and improve work-life balance. Andrew also discusses overcoming personal burnout and how establishing a supportive culture can enhance team communication. His methods aim to help business owners multiply their time effectively.

Discover the top 10 productivity tools that can supercharge your efficiency as a small business owner. Learn how Outlook keeps your scheduling organized, while Canva helps create stunning visuals. Find out why ChatGPT is the go-to for content generation and how Zapier automates tedious tasks. Unpack the benefits of Mailchimp and HubSpot for effective client communication. Get insights on choosing affordable and user-friendly technology to streamline your operations and boost productivity.

David Begin, a co-host and business expert, shares insights on the transformative 1-3-1 Problem Solving Method, designed to empower teams in small businesses. He emphasizes how this method encourages critical thinking and autonomy, allowing employees to independently tackle challenges. Discussion centers on fostering a culture of independent problem-solving, enhancing team dynamics, and navigating complex decisions. Real-world examples illustrate the benefits of delegating decision-making, which ultimately boosts accountability and free up owners for strategic tasks.

The 6 Stages of Successful Employee On-Boarding for small businesses. How to create an effective on-boarding process that sets new hires and contractors up for long-term success. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/542-employee-on-boarding/ Go to the Show Notes to download the free Employee On-Boarding Guide. In this episode of The How of Business podcast, Henry Lopez dives deep into the essential strategies for creating a robust employee onboarding process tailored for small business owners. Employee onboarding is not just about the first day - it's about setting new hires, including contractors, up for long-term success. From pre-hire preparation to ongoing support, Henry breaks down the six key stages of effective onboarding, offering practical tips to ensure new team members feel welcomed, engaged, and productive from the start. Some of the critical benefits discussed include improved employee retention, enhanced productivity, and clarity in role expectations. Henry highlights the importance of a well-prepared first day, structured training, regular performance check-ins, and continuous feedback. He also shares insights on avoiding common pitfalls, such as overwhelming new hires, and emphasizes how a smooth onboarding process can strengthen the culture of a small business. Listeners will learn how to develop a structured approach that fosters clear communication, effective training, and consistent feedback. Whether you're looking to enhance your existing program or build one from scratch, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you create a seamless onboarding experience that boosts productivity and retention for your small business. 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 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

Navigating growth while minimizing chaos in your small business, with entrepreneur Garrett Delph. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/541-garrett-delph-navigating-growth/ In this episode of The How of Business, Henry Lopez chats with serial entrepreneur Garrett Delph about how to navigate growth while minimizing chaos in your small business. Garrett shares his insights on streamlining operations, defining roles, and building a culture that fosters employee retention and sustainable growth. Learn how to scale your business without letting chaos take over! Garrett Delph advises that minimizing chaos in a small business requires mindful planning, clear role definitions, and effective delegation. He stresses that chaos often results from disorganization, reactive decision-making, and the lack of proper operational structures. To combat this, business owners should create clear job descriptions, define values that guide decision-making, and establish processes that support growth without overloading employees. He highlights the importance of hiring the right talent, creating growth paths for employees, and ensuring responsibilities are balanced. Garrett also emphasizes that chaos is not inevitable and can be managed with the right frameworks and proactive leadership. 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 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

Explore the essence of competitiveness in small business! Discover how to build robust business models that drive profitability and growth. Learn about the importance of recognizing your competitors and the potential to outmaneuver them. Delve into strategic concepts like Blue Ocean Strategy and how identifying niche markets can keep you ahead. Find out the signs that indicate your business might be falling behind and why innovating and understanding your unique strengths are crucial for customer satisfaction and long-term success.

Achieving small business success requires personal sacrifice. What are you willing to sacrifice to launch and grow your small business? Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r239-personal-sacrifice/ This is a re-release of Episode 239 of The How of Business podcast with additional new content and edits. Outline of this episode on the personal sacrifices required to achieve small business success: Definition and Meaning of Sacrifice: Henry Lopez, host of The How of Business podcast, defines "sacrifice" in the context of small business success: Sacrifice is defined as the destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else. Henry Lopez emphasizes that sacrifice is essential for small business success, particularly when launching a new business. Willingness to Make Sacrifices: A major obstacle to business success is the lack of willingness to make necessary sacrifices. Aspiring small business owners often struggle with giving up their current lifestyle, free time, or comfort in pursuit of their business dreams. Examples of Sacrifices: Sacrifices might include giving up hobbies, free time, sleep, and even time with friends and family. Henry explains that launching and growing a business often requires significant dedication and effort, sometimes at the expense of personal life. Financial Sacrifices: Aspiring business owners must have their personal finances in order to start and sustain a business. Henry highlights the importance of reducing debt, improving credit scores, and being financially prepared to go without a paycheck during the early stages of business start-up. Actionable Advice: Henry encourages listeners to list 2-5 specific things they are willing to sacrifice and allocate the time saved toward starting or building their business. He stresses the importance of being honest with oneself and remaining focused on these sacrifices to achieve long-term business goals. Sacrifice - what are you willing to personally sacrifice to become your own boss and start your first business? If you are already in business, what are you willing to sacrifice further to grow it? On this episode of the top-rated podcast for small business, Henry Lopez shares his thoughts on the kind of sacrifices that, based on his entrepreneurship experience, you must be willing to make in order to succeed as a small business owner - particularly when launching your first business. The questions to ask yourself include: What are you willing to sacrifice to realize your dreams of becoming your own boss? Are you willing to sacrifice your quality of life today for something more in the future? Are you willing to give up hobbies, free time, family time and friend time all to devote to your business? Are you willing to work harder than you ever have at something? 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 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