Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Feras Alhlou, co-founder of Startup With Feras, sharing insights from 21 years of experience. He discusses scaling strategies for managing a 60-member team and cultivating a thriving business culture. With revenue generated exceeding $10 million, Feras offers practical advice on overcoming entrepreneurial challenges. To connect with Feras, feel free to reach out via LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Other Resources: The Ultimate Recruitment Toolkit Online Short CourseThe 4 by 2 rule when growing a small business 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: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Feras Alhlou, the hardest thing in growing a small business is managing the mindset needed to handle unknowns and challenges. Entrepreneurs often underestimate the demands and difficulties, including financial constraints and the need to pivot or adapt. It's crucial to remain resilient and persistent, even when facing unexpected obstacles and uncertainties. What's your favourite business book that has helped you the most? Feras Alhlou's favourite business book that has helped him the most is "Good to Great" by Jim Collins. He found it foundational in understanding how to build and sustain a successful business. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Feras Alhlou recommends "The Startup of You" by Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, as a great book to help grow a small business. He also finds value in various YouTube videos and podcasts, such as Professor Scott Galloway's "Prof G Podcast," for insightful perspectives on business and entrepreneurship. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Feras Alhlou recommends investing in a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool as a crucial resource for growing a small business. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of implementing systems and processes, using tools like Asana or Basecamp, to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Feras Alhlou advises that on day one of starting out in business, you should "Don't quit." He emphasizes persistence and learning from mistakes, stating that no one can guarantee success, but having a good team, being smart, and putting in the effort greatly increase the chances of success. 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 have to lead by example and live the culture you want to see – Feras Alhlou Don't quit; persistence and learning from mistakes are key to success – Feras Alhlou Manage the imbalance of work and life with resilience and hard work – Feras Alhlou

In less than 20 minutes a week, we'll introduce you to an expert or business owner with deep experience in what they do. Grow you, grow your team, grow a small business. In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Rob Cameron interviews Ruchi Pinniger, founder of Watch Her Prosper®, who shares her journey from Wall Street to helping women redefine prosperity. Ruchi's expertise has enabled clients to achieve multi-seven-figure revenues through a blend of financial strategy and holistic mindset coaching. Tune in to learn how her approach can transform your business and financial well-being.. To remain connected with Ruchi and advance in your Redefining Prosperity journey, please click here to download your complimentary Redefining Prosperity Workbook™. Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners: Adopt her RIR MethodTM: Use Ruchi's Recognize, Interrupt, Reframe technique to shift negative money beliefs and language into positive, empowering statements that foster an abundance mindset. Implement a Savings Strategy: Establish separate accounts for taxes and emergency funds. Allocate a percentage of your income to these accounts regularly to maintain financial stability and avoid surprises. Regularly Review Expenses: Audit your business expenses to identify and eliminate unused subscriptions and unnecessary costs. This simple practice can result in significant savings. Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for? Focus on Joyful, Profitable Activities: Assess your revenue streams to identify which ones are draining your energy without providing adequate returns. Let go of unprofitable activities and focus on those that bring you joy and financial rewards. Recognize Emotional Triggers: Understand that your subconscious beliefs about money influence your financial behaviour. Address these emotional triggers to make more informed and confident financial decisions. Embrace Holistic Prosperity: Redefine prosperity to include not just financial success, but also well-being, spirituality, and healthy relationships with money and people. This comprehensive approach can lead to more meaningful and sustainable success. One action small business owners can take: One actionable step small business owners can take, as advised by Ruchi Pinniger, is to implement her RIR MethodTM (Recognize, Interrupt, Reframe) in their daily practice. This method involves recognizing negative money beliefs or language, interrupting these patterns, and reframing them into positive, gratitude-focused statements. By adopting this approach, business owners can cultivate an abundance mindset and improve their relationship with money, leading to more confident and empowered financial decision-making. Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximise 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: Prosperity isn't just about the money; it's an inside job involving well-being, spirituality, and healthy relationships with money and people – Ruchi Pinniger Recognize, Interrupt, Reframe: Change your negative money beliefs into positive, empowering thoughts to attract abundance – Ruchi Pinniger True prosperity combines financial stability with a sense of joy and fulfilment in what you do. — Ruchi Pinniger

In this episode of "Grow a Small Business," host Troy Trewin interviews Lesley Hensell co-founder Riverbend Consulting shares her journey from starting with a team of 4 to scaling to nearly 100 employees. She highlights the firm's impressive 327% revenue growth and its role in solving complex issues for Amazon sellers. Lesley discusses the tools and strategies that contributed to their success and offers insights into navigating rapid business 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: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Lesley Hensell, the hardest thing in growing a small business is managing payroll and scaling effectively. She emphasises the challenges of balancing increased costs with revenue growth and the complexities of hiring and maintaining a team while ensuring consistent cash flow. What's your favourite business book that has helped you the most? Lesley Hensell's favourite business book that has helped her the most is Deep Work by Cal Newport. She also recommends Newport's other works, including Digital Minimalism and A World Without Email, for further insights on productivity and focus. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Lesley Hensell recommends Cal Newport's podcast, which complements his book Deep Work. She also suggests using productivity tools like RescueTime and ClickUp to help manage time and tasks effectively. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Lesley Hensell recommends RescueTime for tracking time spent on tasks and improving productivity, and ClickUp for managing projects and workflows efficiently. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Lesley Hensell would advise herself on day one to accept that things won't always go as planned and that's okay. She emphasises the importance of adapting to unexpected challenges rather than sticking rigidly to preconceived plans. 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: Success isn't a destination but a daily journey of serving clients, team members, and family – Lesley Hensell Use your happiest clients as a source of referrals; they're your best advocates – Lesley Hensell Embrace unexpected paths; they often lead to the most rewarding destinations – Lesley Hensell

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Andrew Miller of Growth Experts shares insights on scaling from a solo startup to a thriving agency with $500K in annual revenue and a 7-member team. He discusses the crucial role of strategic marketing, achieving work-life balance, and managing early-stage company growth. Tune in to learn about building a successful marketing foundation and navigating the challenges of growing a business. Other Resources: Marketing funding flywheel ebook 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, being a learner again when moving into a new industry, 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: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Andrew Miller, the hardest thing in growing a small business is staying afloat and not giving up. He emphasises the importance of persistence, launching with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), and having patience to avoid rushing through key steps in the business development process. What's your favourite business book that has helped you the most? Andrew Miller's favorite business book that has helped him the most is "Emotional Intelligence" by Daniel Goleman. He finds it valuable for understanding and improving empathy, which is crucial for effective leadership and personal development. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Andrew Miller recommends using courses on Udemy, watching free content on YouTube, and listening to audiobooks and podcasts. While he doesn't specify particular podcasts, he suggests focusing on a few high-quality ones and leveraging online resources for ongoing learning. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Andrew Miller recommends using the SEO tool SEOptimer for a free audit of your website's SEO. Additionally, he suggests checking out his book, which provides over 20 tools for SEO and more than 100 tools for free marketing resources. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Andrew Miller advises himself on day one of starting out in business to hire sooner. He emphasizes that while saving money is important, hiring an employee can help bring in more clients and achieve a better work-life balance. He reflects that optimizing for work and money for too long took a toll on his health and relationships. 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: Embrace empathy and patience—it pays dividends in business and life – Andrew Miller Balance is key: good sleep, nature, and exercise fuel productivity – Andrew Miller Start lean, listen to customers, and persist—patience is the ultimate virtue – Andrew Miller

In less than 20 minutes a week, we'll introduce you to an expert or business owner with deep experience in what they do. Grow you, grow your team, grow a small business. In this episode of Grow A Small Business, host Rob Cameron interviews Cara Armstrong from Jarvie & Co. about the significance of a holistic commercial strategy for business growth. Cara shares a case study where she successfully helped a client shorten their sales cycle by targeting ready-to-buy customers. She highlights the importance of a customer-centric approach and tailoring marketing messages to resonate deeply with potential buyers. For further insights, Cara invites listeners to visit her website and follow her LinkedIn series on the seven core elements of a commercial strategy. Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners: Customer-Centric Strategy: Always put your customer at the forefront of every decision. Understanding their needs, pain points, and aspirations deeply will help tailor your offerings and improve customer satisfaction. Identify Your Ideal Customer: Go beyond basic demographics and understand your ideal customer on a deeper level. This includes their desires, challenges, and what makes them ideal for your business. Address Critical Unmet Needs: Focus on solving a priority problem or meeting a crucial desire for your customers. This ensures your product or service is seen as a necessary solution, reducing sales resistance. Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for? Optimize Your Sales Funnel: Tailor your marketing messages to target customers who are further along in their buying journey. This reduces the time spent on convincing and increases conversion rates. Holistic Commercial Strategy: Look at your business's commercial strategy as a whole, ensuring all elements from marketing to sales are aligned and working together seamlessly. Continuous Tweaking and Improvement: Regularly review and tweak your commercial strategy based on feedback and performance. Small adjustments can lead to significant improvements in efficiency and effectiveness. One action small business owners can take: Cara Armstrong's key action for small business owners is to adopt a customer-centric strategy. Focus on deeply understanding your ideal customer's needs, pain points, and aspirations. Use this insight to tailor your marketing and sales efforts so that they address the specific issues and desires of customers who are ready to buy. This approach helps to shorten the sales cycle and make selling more effective and enjoyable. Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximise 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: Make your sales process about solving your customer's unmet needs, not just pitching your product – Cara Armstrong Understanding your ideal customer is the foundation for accelerating business growth – Cara Armstrong Sales should be the natural outcome of a well-crafted commercial strategy – Cara Armstrong

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Amber De La Garza from The Productivity Specialist. Amber reveals how she grew her business to generate nearly $400K in revenue with a dynamic team of 4. Discover her secrets to scaling success, achieving work-life balance, and thriving in the competitive world of small business. This insightful conversation is packed with actionable advice for any entrepreneur looking to grow a small business and reach new heights. 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. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Amber De La Garza, the hardest thing in growing a small business is marketing. She emphasizes the challenge of navigating the myriad ways to market effectively and finding a strategy that consistently works. Amber highlights the importance of understanding marketing principles, even if you use a marketing agency, to ensure you know if it's working and if the right strategies are being implemented. What's your favourite business book that has helped you the most? Amber De La Garza's favorite business book that has helped her the most is "Profit First" by Mike Michalowicz. She cites it as having made the biggest impact on her business approach and financial management. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Amber De La Garza recommends listening to podcasts and watching videos based on specific challenges you're facing. She suggests dipping in and out of various resources as needed, rather than consistently consuming content without a targeted purpose. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Amber De La Garza recommends every small business to have a good project or task management system. Her team uses ClickUp, but she also mentions Asana as a great alternative, emphasizing the importance of these tools for managing tasks and projects effectively. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Amber De La Garza advises that she would tell herself on day one of starting out in business to have peace and confidence that everything would work out exactly as it was meant to be, likely bigger and better than she could have imagined. 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: Encourage your team to have work-life balance for sustainable success – Amber De La Garza Invest in a good project or task management system for your business – Amber De La Garza The journey would have looked different if I had known it would all work out exactly as it was meant to be – Amber De La Garza

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Sam Gordon from Australian Property Scout. Sam details his journey from being a solo founder to surpassing $1m in revenue to now leading a 24-member team. He shares key strategies for business growth, such as the importance of deep work, regular breaks, and investing in personal development. Sam also discusses overcoming initial challenges and how professional growth has influenced his business success. Tune in for practical advice on scaling your business and staying resilient. 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: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Sam Gordon identifies the hardest thing in growing a small business as the first 12 months. He emphasises the challenges of building confidence, perseverance, and resilience during this initial period, noting that it can feel like a constant struggle with frequent failures. Despite these difficulties, he believes that if you're good at what you do, success will eventually come, and your efforts will be recognized. What's your favourite business book that has helped you the most? Sam Gordon shares that his favourite business resource is not a book but business podcasts. He specifically mentions enjoying Moses' podcast and listening to Andy Frisella's "MFCEO" (now "Real AF") early in his career. Gordon finds podcasts more accessible and impactful for learning and staying motivated compared to traditional business books. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Sam Gordon recommends podcasts as a valuable resource for small business growth. Specifically, he praises Moses' podcast for its insights and learning opportunities. Additionally, he mentions Andy Frisella's "Real AF" podcast as another excellent source for motivational and practical business advice. These podcasts have been instrumental for Gordon in staying informed and motivated on his entrepreneurial journey. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Sam Gordon emphasises the importance of developing a skill set rather than relying solely on tools or resources. He suggests that acquiring a skill that might otherwise be expensive to outsource can greatly benefit a startup. This approach allows entrepreneurs to become more self-reliant and effective in managing various aspects of their business operations without incurring unnecessary costs. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Sam Gordon advises his younger self to "just keep going and don't stop." He emphasises the importance of persevering through challenges and not being swayed by negativity or rejections. Gordon believes that persistent effort and resilience are crucial for overcoming the difficulties of starting a business. 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: Perseverance and resilience are the keys to surviving the first year of business – Sam Gordon Investing in education and skill development pays off in business and beyond – Sam Gordon Developing a skill set can be more valuable than any tool or resource – Sam Gordon

In less than 20 minutes a week, we'll introduce you to an expert or business owner with deep experience in what they do. Grow you, grow your team, grow a small business. In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Michael Denehey interviews Dominic Monkhouse of Monkhouse & Company, an expert in business strategy and growth. Dominic shares insights on mastering positioning, managing risk, and driving revenue for small businesses with 5-30 team members. Listen in to learn actionable strategies to boost your confidence and business performance. Don't forget to leave a review! Other Resources: Mind Your F**king Business by Dominic Monkhouse Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners: Define Your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP): Understand who your ideal customers are by identifying their specific challenges and needs. Tailor your marketing efforts to address these directly. Proactive Outreach: Don't wait for customers to come to you. Use targeted emails, phone calls, and LinkedIn connections to reach out to potential clients, clearly explaining how you can solve their problems. Test and Iterate: Spend time testing your marketing and sales strategies. Collect feedback from your target market and adjust your approach based on their responses and needs. Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for? Risk Reduction for Customers: Make it easy for potential customers to say yes by reducing perceived risks. This can include offering free workshops, smaller commitments, or guarantees to demonstrate your value. Understand Your Unique Value Proposition: Identify why your current customers chose you over competitors. Use this information to refine your marketing messages and strengthen your positioning. Continuous Improvement: Regularly seek feedback from your customers on what you do well and where you can improve. Use this feedback to make quick adjustments and long-term strategic decisions. One action small business owners can take: One actionable step small business owners can take is to analyze why recent customers chose your business over competitors. By understanding the specific reasons behind their decision, you can refine your marketing and sales strategies, enhance your positioning, and attract more ideal clients. Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximise 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: Define your ideal customer profile to take control of your market – Dominic Monkhouse Double your marketing spend, double your revenue, if your strategy is right – Dominic Monkhouse Reflect on why customers chose you to focus on acquiring more of the right clients – Dominic Monkhouse

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Leona Watson, from Leona Watson Speaks. Leona shares her experiences in building a successful company and managing a talented team. She provides actionable insights on effective business growth strategies and planning a smooth exit. Tune in to gain valuable advice on achieving substantial business success. Leona Watson is currently a Keynote Speaker and Leadership, Executive, and Business Coach at Leona Watson Speaks. She offers a range of services, including keynote speeches, leadership training, executive coaching, and business coaching. You can reach her at +61 412 190 252 or via email at info@leonawatson.com. Other Resources: Leona Watson's Strategies to Decoding Business Sales 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, being a learner again when moving into a new industry, 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: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Leona Watson, the hardest thing in growing a small business is managing staff, building trust, and avoiding being overly judgmental. She emphasizes that people are both the greatest asset and the greatest challenge in small business growth. What's your favourite business book that has helped you the most? Leona Watson's favorite business books include "Scaling Up" by Vern Harnish and works by Cameron Herold. She appreciates these books for their practical advice and insights into business growth and management. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Leona Watson recommends practical and straightforward resources like "Diary of a CEO" for deeper insights and the "StoryBrand" podcast by Donald Miller for its impactful business strategies. She finds these resources beneficial for small business growth and personal development. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Leona Watson recommends investing in a coach for accountability and an Executive Assistant (EA) exclusive to them (ie not shared with other team members) to manage tasks efficiently. These resources can significantly aid in business growth by providing strategic guidance and freeing up valuable time for important priorities. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? On day one of starting out in business, Leona Watson would say to herself, that she's going to surprise herself with amazing successes and inevitable challenges. She would emphasize the importance of recognizing red flags early and preserving positive moments to draw upon during tough times. Additionally, she would encourage herself to stay humble amidst achievements and keep ego in check for long-term success. 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: Walking side by side in meetings can make tough conversations feel more natural and less confrontational – Leona Watson Investing in personal and professional development is crucial; it's not just about the money, but about evolving yourself – Leona Watson On your entrepreneurial journey, lock in the feelings of success to help you navigate through the inevitable tough times – Leona Watson

In this episode of "Grow a Small Business," host Troy Trewin interviews Mick Lautt, Co-founder of SciMar. Mick shares insights on scaling his company to over 100 team members and achieving significant revenue growth. He discusses the importance of cultural fit in hiring, work-life balance challenges, and strategies for successful business exits. 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: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Mick Lautt, the hardest thing in growing a small business is clearly articulating and sharing your vision effectively. He emphasizes the challenge of aligning others with your mission and getting them on board to support your goals, which requires compelling storytelling and consistent communication to build momentum and engagement within your team and community. What's your favourite business book that has helped you the most? Mick Lautt mentioned that his favorite business book, which has had a significant impact on him, is "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey. He values its timeless principles on personal effectiveness and leadership, emphasizing its relevance in shaping his approach to business and life over the years. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Mick Lautt recommended "Diary of the CEO" by Stephen Bartlett as a podcast that he appreciates for its insightful perspectives on leadership, founder stories, and personal growth. He finds value in the format and the diverse professional insights shared by guests on the show, making it a worthwhile resource for anyone looking to grow a small business. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Mick Lautt emphasized the importance of leveraging people as a key resource for growing a small business. He highlighted the value of surrounding oneself with skilled individuals who can contribute to various aspects of the business, from CRM platforms like HubSpot to specialized tools for marketing, sales funnels, and financial technology platforms. Mick believes in the power of team collaboration and storytelling as essential tools for business growth. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? On day one of starting out in business, Mick Lautt would advise himself to embrace the journey ahead with resilience and foresight. He would encourage himself to buckle down, stay true to his vision, and surround himself with the right people who align with his goals. Mick would emphasize the importance of learning along the way, enjoying the process, and preparing for the challenges and rewards that come with building a successful venture. 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: Finding people who fit your culture and grow with you is key to moving to a new level of sophistication – Mick Lautt Applying leadership theories to real-world scenarios is essential for business success – Mick Lautt Surround yourself with strong leaders who can guide and inspire – Mick Lautt