BIG Small Business with Ben & Wade

Ep. 24 – Clarity Beats Comfort: Why Great Leaders Face the Hard Stuff

In this episode of The Big Small Business Podcast, Ben and Wade break down one of the toughest (and most avoided) parts of leadership: looking at the numbers. From dodging sales reports to tying your identity to performance, they explore how real leadership means leaning into the discomfort — not away from it.

With analogies like stepping on a scale after the holidays and stories from early business days, this episode is both sharp and relatable. You’ll leave with practical mindsets and tools to stay objective, build resilience, and lead with clarity — even when the data stings.

🎯 You’ll learn:

• The two types of leaders: Avoiders vs. Engagers
• How to untangle your emotions from performance
• Why reviewing numbers isn’t punishment — it’s power
• The discipline of weekly review rhythms
• Questions that shift your mindset and team culture

Great leaders don’t wait for comfort — they pursue clarity.

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and share if this one challenged or encouraged you.

📲 Follow us on Instagram for more insights: https://www.instagram.com/bigsmallbusinesspodcast

In this powerful episode of The Big Small Business Podcast, hosts Ben Hendrix and Wade Lombard step away from their usual lighthearted stories to tackle one of the hardest realities leaders face—guiding a team through tragedy.

Ben and Wade reflect on the national impact of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and then share deeply personal stories of loss, crisis, and resilience from their own companies. From navigating employee tragedies to processing anger and grief, they open up about the challenges leaders face when “business as usual” collides with life-altering events.

You’ll hear practical lessons on:

• How to be present and authentic when your team is hurting
• Why strength and empathy must go hand-in-hand
• Building systems that prepare your organization for crisis
• Finding purpose and moving forward after tragedy

This is a sobering but necessary conversation for business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders who want to lead well when it matters most.

👉 Follow us on Instagram for more content and behind-the-scenes: @bigsmallbusinesspodcast

On this episode of The Big Small Business Podcast, Ben Hendrix and Wade Lombard recap their takeaways from the Huge Conference in Nashville, one of the leading events for the home service industry. Ben shares how a spur-of-the-moment decision to attend gave him new clarity on leadership, scaling a company, and the personal growth required to truly 10x a business.

The conversation unpacks wisdom from keynote speakers Brian Gottlieb and Marcus Sheridan, including why chaos drives revenue but discipline drives profit, why training is the foundation for growth, and how small touches of “gorilla marketing” can create raving fans. They also dive into how AI and YouTube are rapidly reshaping the future of sales and marketing.

If you are a small business owner, entrepreneur, or team leader, this episode is full of practical lessons and real-world insights to help you grow smarter and stronger.

Follow us on Instagram @bigsmallbusinesspodcast

What if your fear could be your greatest leadership tool?

In this episode of The Big Small Business Podcast, Ben and Wade dive into how fear, anxiety, and doubt can actually sharpen your awareness and improve how you lead your company, serve your team, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Through stories, scripture, and real-world business challenges, they unpack the transformation from unhealthy stress to refined leadership insight. You’ll laugh, nod, and maybe even reflect on your own growth as a leader.

You’ll learn:

• Why fear is a signal, not a stop sign
• How to turn anxiety into strategic clarity
• The difference between leading from fear vs. abundance
• Tools to confront issues instead of avoiding them
• Why humility is the key to transformation

Whether you’re scaling a business, managing a team, or navigating pressure, this episode will challenge and encourage you to lead with deeper awareness and purpose.

🎧 Subscribe for more episodes like this.

📲 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @bigsmallbusinesspodcast

Hosted by business owners Ben Hendrix and Wade Lombard, the Big Small Business Podcast is where high-performing entrepreneurs get honest about the tension between hustle and health. Each episode explores the real-life challenges of building and running a small business—from leadership and growth to burnout and balance.

Whether you’re scaling your company or just trying to survive another Monday, you’ll get:

• Straight-talk on what’s working (and what isn’t)
• Practical advice rooted in real-world experience
• Candid conversations that mix insight, humility, and humor

👉 New episodes drop regularly, so follow us and join the conversation on Instagram: www.instagram.com/bigsmallbusinesspodcast

In this episode of the Big Small Business Podcast, Ben and Wade sit down with leadership coach Travis Hall to unpack why coaching is more than a buzzword — it’s a transformative way to lead people. From his unconventional background as a missionary-businessman in the UAE to building a coaching company that helps teams and leaders unlock their full potential, Travis shares insights on how coaching cultivates awareness, drives action, and builds authentic relationships.

You’ll learn:

• What coaching really means (hint: it’s not just giving advice)

• Why curiosity and humility are the keys to better leadership

• How asking the right questions can empower your team

• The difference between mentoring, managing, and coaching

• How coaching can help leaders navigate crossroads and find clarity

Whether you’re running a business, leading a team, or just trying to be a better version of yourself, this episode will shift the way you think about influence and leadership.

🔗 Learn more about Travis at pathandway.com

👉 New episodes drop regularly, so follow us and join the conversation on Instagram: www.instagram.com/bigsmallbusinesspodcast

Welcome back to the Big Small Business Podcast! In this episode, Ben Hendrix and Wade Lombard tackle a topic every entrepreneur should master: staying “on brand.”

Starting off with a funny take on high school graduations and parenting philosophies to business decisions and branding missteps, Ben and Wade unpack how sticking to your brand identity helps guide decisions, build trust, and ultimately shape long-term success. They share candid stories from startup lessons and quirky business rules to major brand blunders like New Coke and HBO’s identity crisis.

If you’ve ever been tempted by a “good idea” that just didn’t feel right, or wondered how to differentiate your business in a crowded market, this one’s for you. Learn how guardrails and intentionality can elevate your company and why being “on brand” isn’t about logos—it’s about values.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Why every decision should pass through a brand filter

• How to define your brand’s identity and values

• The power of simplicity and intentional guardrails

• Real life examples of brand wins and fails

📱 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bigsmallbusinesspodcast for bonus content, updates, and behind-the-scenes moments.

In this episode of the Big Small Business Podcast, we sit down with Brittany Hendrix—founder of BIEN and a leader in the influencer management world. Brittany shares how she went from teaching middle school to building a thriving agency that represents top-tier influencers. We unpack what business owners can learn from the influencer industry—from branding and authenticity to audience engagement and long-term growth. Whether you’re running a local service business or scaling a startup, this conversation is packed with insights on how to humanize your brand, create loyal customers, and leverage social media with purpose.

Follow Brittany: @bientheagency | bientheagency.com

In this episode of Here and Now (soon to be Big Small Business), Ben and Wade dive into Part 2 of their conversation on how to bring your team together through internal company conferences. They break down how they plan and execute their biannual gatherings—sharing the themes, structure, tips, and even mistakes they’ve learned from along the way. Whether you lead a team of five or fifty, this episode gives you practical insights on how to use conferences to reinforce company culture, cast vision, and have some fun along the way. Plus, expect a few good laughs, personal stories, and an unexpected side quest into Reddit movie rabbit holes.

In this episode, Ben Hendrix and Wade Lombard discuss the importance of bringing your team together, no matter the size of your business. They explore how annual internal conferences build relationships, boost morale, align vision, and create a strong company culture. With personal stories and practical insights, they highlight why investing in team cohesion is crucial for long-term success.