Most businesses don’t fail because of bad ideas.

They fail because of bad decisions made early.

Underpricing.
Overdelivering.
Taking the wrong types of work.
Holding onto cash instead of investing in growth.

In the latest episode of Moving Operationally Up, I sat down with Kyle Duffy to break down what actually happens in those early years of building a business.

Not the highlight reel.

The real stuff.

The $500 projects.
The delayed “big win.”
The mindset shifts that separate surviving from scaling.

We talk about:

How underpricing quietly limits your growth
Why recurring revenue matters more than big contracts
The danger of overdelivering without boundaries
When you have to shift from working in the business to on the business
And how to start thinking like a true business owner

If you are building a business or thinking about starting one, this is the kind of conversation that can save you years of trial and error.

The episode is live now.

Listen here and let me know what resonates most.

Most marketing doesn’t fail because of execution.

It fails because it was built on assumptions.

New podcast episode is live: Turning Research into Revenue: The Art of the CMO Roadmap with Angelo Ponzi

In this conversation, we dig into something I see all the time with growing companies:

They jump straight into tactics — campaigns, ads, messaging — without truly understanding their customer, their market, or what actually drives buying decisions.

And then they wonder why it doesn’t work.

Angelo breaks down:

Why “build it and they will come” is a dangerous mindset

How to actually use research to drive revenue (not just collect data)

Why one-size-fits-all marketing doesn’t work

How to build a real CMO roadmap that connects strategy to execution

One of my favorite takeaways:

Research doesn’t have to be expensive… but not doing it is.

If you’re trying to grow your business and want your marketing to actually perform, this episode is for you.

HR is not boring… until you are sitting in a deposition.

🎙️ New episode of Building Up Your Business is LIVE.

In this episode, I sit down with Tonyel Thompson, founder of Real HR Hero, to talk about something most business owners avoid until it is too late: HR as a strategic partner, not the policy police.

We unpack:

• What at-will employment actually means

• The real risk behind misclassifying 1099s

• Why exempt versus non-exempt mistakes get expensive fast

• How to add structure without killing your culture

• And how to align policies with your company values

Here is the truth: navigating complex regulations is part of scaling responsibly. The companies that treat HR as a strategic function grow with less chaos, less risk, and fewer expensive surprises.

If you are growing your team or thinking about hiring this year, this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in now and let me know your biggest HR question.

AI is not your competitive advantage.How you use it is.Our latest episode of Building Up Your Business is officially live, and Lael Sturm dives into one of the biggest misconceptions founders have right now about AI and remote teams.Everyone is chasing tools.New platforms.New automations.New “10x productivity” promises.But here is what we unpacked in this episode:AI alone does not scale a business.The right people using AI do.We talked about:• Why founders waste high-value hours trying to learn every new tool• How pairing skilled team members with the right technology creates leverage• Why daily 15-minute stand-ups can transform remote team performance• And how to stop spending $1,000 hours on $20 tasksIf you are growing, feeling stretched, or trying to stay competitive in this AI-heavy landscape, this episode is for you.The future is not humans versus AI.It is humans plus AI, managed well.

Marketing shouldn’t feel like a black hole where money disappears and “hope” is the strategy.

In the latest episode of Building Up Your Business, I sat down with Ted Lau from Ballistic Arts to break down how profit-driven marketing actually works—especially for B2B, manufacturing, and multi-generational businesses.

We cover:

Why most companies start marketing before understanding their true marginsHow to reverse-engineer growth using real numbers (not vanity metrics)

The difference between gross profit and what actually ends up in your pocketWhy data beats gut feel in marketing decisions

The 60/40 balance between content and paid ads that creates sustainable growth

This episode is practical, numbers-focused, and designed to help leaders stop guessing and start treating marketing like the investment it should be.

If you care about growth and profitability, this one’s for you.

The Two Ways Businesses Make Money (And Why Most Miss One)

Our latest episode of Building Up Your Business is officially live, and it’s one of those conversations that can fundamentally change how you think about growth.

I sat down with Mohamed Noohu, an entrepreneurial finance leader with decades of experience, to talk about why being profitable doesn’t always mean having cash and why many businesses struggle even when sales are strong.

In this episode, we cover:

• The difference between profit and cash flow

• The cash flow and working capital cycle explained simply

• The “second way” to make money most founders overlook

• Why banks care more about liquidity than profit

• How optimizing cash flow can unlock growth without selling more

If you’ve ever felt profitable on paper but stressed about cash, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

What Happens If ICE Shows Up At Your Business

That’s not a hypothetical question anymore.
It’s something employers are actively worrying about.

🎙️ Our latest podcast episode is officially LIVE, and we tackle this topic head-on with HR and compliance expert Barry Cohn.

In this episode, we break down:
• what actually happens during an ICE visit
• the biggest mistakes employers make in the moment
• how I-9 recordkeeping plays a huge role in audits
• what employers are legally allowed to do (and not do)
• how preparation and good-faith effort reduce risk

This conversation is practical, calm, and focused on what business owners actually need to know—without fear-mongering.

If you employ people, this episode is worth your time.

Did you know 82 percent of buyers want more human interaction in sales, even as AI becomes more common?

The newest episode of Building Up Your Business is officially live, and this one dives into exactly that dynamic.

I sat down with Reed Hansen to talk about how AI is reshaping the sales world, not by replacing the salesperson, but by acting as a true sales copilot.

We discussed:
• why humans still close deals
• where AI actually adds the most value
• and what skills will matter most going forward

If you want the short version, the takeaway is simple: AI handles the tasks so your people can handle the relationships.

This was a fascinating conversation and a great look at how sales teams can get better, not displaced.

Give it a listen and let me know what stood out to you!

Your first marketing hire can make or break your brand’s future.

The newest episode of Building Up Your Business is now live, and it’s one every founder needs to hear.

I sat down with Fractional CMO Vanessa Ting to unpack how to build your marketing function before you can afford one. We talked about how to choose your first marketing hire, when to bring them on, and why understanding your customer isn’t just a task—it’s your most valuable strategy.

Vanessa shares real-world advice for founders who want to grow with purpose, stay profitable, and build a brand that connects deeply with the people it serves.

🎧 Tune in now to the latest episode of Building Up Your Business with Vanessa Ting, available on all major podcast platforms.

#BuildingUpYourBusiness #MarketingStrategy #StartupGrowth #FractionalCMO #BrandBuilding #Leadership #CustomerInsight #ConsumerGoods #Ecommerce

Have questions? Ask Vanessa.

http://www.cpggrowth.com

To PEO or Not to PEO with Jeff KrumholzPEOs (Professional Employer Organizations) can be powerful tools for scaling companies — but they’re also one of the most misunderstood.In this episode of Building Up Your Business, I sit down with Jeff Krumholz, U.S. Navy veteran and HR/payroll expert, to unpack everything leaders should know about PEOs — what they do, when they make sense, and how to evaluate the right fit for your business.💡 We cover:What a PEO really is (and what it’s not)How co-employment works without losing controlThe key financial metrics to evaluate before you signWhy not all PEOs are created equal — and how to find the right partner for your stage of growthWhether you’re a startup founder, HR leader, or scaling CEO, this episode gives you the clarity to make smarter decisions about HR, benefits, and compliance — and avoid some costly mistakes along the way.🎧 Listen now.Have more questions? Ask Jeff.https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkrumholz/