Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Jason Kramer from Cultivate discusses his entrepreneurial journey, starting with a graphic design business before founding his current CRM strategy consultancy. He highlights the impressive growth of Cultivate, averaging 15 to 30% annually and expanding his team. Jason shares valuable insights into CRM strategy for nurturing leads and demonstrating marketing ROI, emphasising the importance of understanding your target audience. He also offers advice on key aspects of business growth, including hiring, the significance of work-life balance, and lessons learned from his experiences. Jason also touches upon the importance of good financial management and the "Profit First" methodology.

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. Lets 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 Jason Kramer, the hardest things in growing a small business are finding quality people who are reliable, dependable experts with good communication skills. He also notes that juggling all the different aspects of the business can be difficult for some, though less so for him due to his organised approach. Reflecting on his early days, Jason would advise himself to seek out those who have experience and made mistakes to learn from them and accelerate success.
   
   

2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most?
   
   Jason Kramer's favourite business book is "Profit First" by Mike Michalowicz. He states that this book has significantly impacted how they manage cash flow in their business using a system of multiple bank accounts.
   
   

3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?
   
   Jason Kramer recommends Donald C Kelly's podcast, "The Sales Evangelist", for valuable techniques and ideas. He also finds Jeff Blanto's "Sales Gravy" sometimes interesting. Additionally, Jason's company, Cultivate, offers "Profit Path", a tool with coaching and ebooks for tracking leads and marketing ROI. The "Grow Small Business Podcast" itself, hosted by Troy Trewin, who interviewed Jason, is also a relevant resource, with a past episode featuring Mike Michalowicz, author of "Profit First".
   
   

4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?
   
   Jason Kramer recommends The Sales Evangelist podcast by Donald C. Kelly for practical, actionable sales techniques and Sales Gravy by Jeb Blount for insightful tips on business and selling. He also highlights the importance of mixing in some non-business content for balance, like Conan O'Briens podcast, which he enjoys for its humor and engaging interviews.
   
   

5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?
   
   Jason Kramers advice to his day-one self would be: Its going to be a hell of a ride, unexpected but worth it. He emphasizes the importance of learning from those whove gone before seeking out people whove made mistakes and grown from them, so you can fast-track your own success by avoiding common pitfalls.

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:

When uncertain, seek out those who have walked the path before, learned from their mistakes, and use their experiences to accelerate your journey to success Jason Kramer

Technology alone doesn't solve problems; having the right people in place is key to effectively addressing those challenges Jason Kramer

I believe it begins with understanding who you're helping and the problems they face Jason Kramer

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 languageclear contracts reduce negotiation time and accelerate sales, directly boosting revenue.

Protect Customer Privacy Its 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 Doesnt 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 growthespecially 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: Theos 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