Empowering Healthy Business: The Podcast for Small Business Owners

Tax season doesn’t cause stress because of paperwork; it causes stress because business owners don’t know what’s coming.

In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Cal Wilder talks with Greg Reed, Head of Tax at SmartBooks, about how business owners can prepare for tax season in January to avoid surprises and reduce anxiety.

They break down the difference between tax filing, projections, planning, and coaching, and explain what steps actually make tax season smoother.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why uncertainty creates tax anxiety
• What to organize in January to stay ahead
• How clean bookkeeping impacts tax prep
• How to prepare for 1099s and estimated payments
• When itemized deductions may apply again
• Why proactive tax support matters

If tax season feels stressful every year, this episode will help you approach it with more clarity and control.

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Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

Choosing the right retirement plan is one of the most important—and confusing, decisions a business owner makes.

In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Calvin Wilder talks with Charles Reichelt about how small business owners can design retirement plans that work for both the owner and the team.

They cover the pros and cons of different plan types, how to manage costs and compliance, and how employee education plays a critical role in plan success.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How different retirement plans work for small businesses
• When to use a 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, or solo 401(k)
• How to increase owner contributions while staying compliant
• How to keep plan fees transparent and competitive
• When it’s time to benchmark or redesign your plan

If you’re starting a retirement plan, or wondering whether your current plan still fits, this episode provides clear guidance to help you make confident decisions.
Charles Reichelt - FTG Squared
Direct phone: 301-466-9945

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Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

Many small and mid-size B2B companies extend payment terms—but struggle to know which customers are truly creditworthy.

In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, host Calvin Wilder sits down with Brian Suthoff, CEO of Truverto, to explain how businesses can finally get value from credit bureaus and make better credit decisions without heavy IT or manual uploads.

Brian breaks down how new accounting system integrations now allow small businesses to automatically share A/R data, receive validated company profiles, and get usable credit scores—all in real time.

💡 In This Episode:

• Why business credit bureaus matter for small businesses
• How to automate trade reporting with QuickBooks or Dynamics 365
• How to use bureau data to improve cash flow and reduce fraud
• Setting terms by risk tier (low, medium, high)
• The 5-step rollout plan to get results in 60 days

If your business extends credit, this episode will show you how to turn bureau data into a tool for faster payments, safer approvals, and better working capital.

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Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

As 2025 wraps up, smart business owners are already preparing for tax season.

In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Calvin Wilder speaks with Greg Reed, Head of Tax at SmartBooks and Certified Tax Coach, about the latest developments affecting 2025 year-end tax planning.

Greg explains how to use new rules and deductions to reduce your tax burden and plan confidently before December 31.

💡 In This Episode:

• 100% bonus depreciation vs. Section 179 — which to use
• SALT cap increase and PTET strategies for high-income owners
• What’s changing with QBI and 1099 thresholds
• How to reclaim R&D expenses from prior years
• The 100% write-off window for manufacturing and production facilities
• A practical year-end tax checklist for every business owner

Whether your business had a record year or a down year, this episode helps you identify the levers that actually lower your tax bill.

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Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

Crypto can be exciting — but it’s also one of today’s biggest financial risks.

In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Calvin Wilder talks with Jason Costain, a banking fraud expert with over 25 years of experience, about what business owners need to know to protect their money, data, and trust in the digital world.

Jason explains where crypto risk really lives, how scams operate, and what simple steps can help you avoid becoming the next victim.

 In This Episode:

• What makes crypto investments high-risk for small businesses
• How modern scams exploit human behavior, not just technology
• Real tactics banks use to detect and stop fraud
• Practical steps to protect your business accounts and payments
• How to prepare for AI-powered scams and deepfakes
• When blockchain technology actually makes sense

Whether you’re curious about crypto or just want to keep your finances safe, this episode delivers clear, actionable advice to help you stay ahead of fraud.

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Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

You can be the best plumber, electrician, or home-service provider in town — but if your marketing isn’t connected, your phone won’t keep ringing.

In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, host Calvin Wilder talks with Sean Garner, marketing strategist and founder of a full-service agency that helps small and local businesses grow through modern systems.

Sean explains why local marketing is different, how to use his Marketing Domination Framework (Build → Fill → Optimize), and which automations can help you turn missed calls into booked jobs.

In This Episode:

• Why mindset matters more than ad spend
• How to build, fill, and optimize your marketing funnel
• Why Google Local Service Ads outperform traditional campaigns
• Simple automations to capture every lead
• How to build trust and a recognizable local brand

Whether you run a home-service business or manage a local professional firm, this episode is your playbook for sustainable, scalable growth.

Listen now on all major podcast platforms.

Check out free resources from Sean Garner at https://www.seangarner.co/ehb

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Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

Most business owners rely on data—but great leaders know intuition matters just as much.

In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Calvin Wilder sits down with Nick Musica, founder of Optics In, to talk about how intuition helps business owners make smarter, more confident decisions.

Nick shares how he shifted from a data-driven marketing career to an intuitive leadership approach—balancing analytics with awareness to unlock clarity, creativity, and growth.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why intuition complements financial data in decision-making
• How to build intuitive awareness through meditation and practice
• How to coach with clarity using presence-based techniques
• How intuition can turn fear into opportunity
• The balance between logic, data, and emotion in business decisions

Whether you’re a business owner or a team leader, this episode will help you make decisions that feel right—and work in the long run.

Listen now and subscribe for more practical insights on building a healthy, thriving business.

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Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

Most homeowners worry about credit card fraud or identity theft—but few realize their property title can be stolen on paper. Title fraud and squatters are fast-growing threats that can cost property owners thousands of dollars and months of legal battles.

In this episode of Empowering Healthy Business, host Calvin Wilder speaks with Kurt Moore, founder of Mo Title Security and a veteran landman with 30 years of experience in public records and contracts. Kurt explains how title fraud works, why squatters are difficult to remove, and—most importantly—what homeowners can do to protect themselves.

You’ll learn:

• What title fraud is and how criminals profit from it
• Why elderly homeowners and mortgage-free properties are prime targets
• How a Title Freeze filing works like a “credit freeze” for real estate
• Why squatters are so hard (and costly) to evict
• How a Notice of Occupancy helps law enforcement and courts act faster

Protecting your home doesn’t have to be complicated—but it does have to be proactive. Listen now and learn how to safeguard your property from two of today’s fastest-growing real estate threats.

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Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

Growing from small business to mid-market changes everything—especially in finance. What used to work in “survival mode” no longer scales.

In the latest episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Calvin is joined by Priya Chanduraj of FIN Team to talk about how finance becomes a driver of growth, not just a record-keeper.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• When to hire a controller, a CFO, or fractional support
  
  
  
• How to evaluate if your systems and controls are ready to scale
  
  
  
• Why forecasting and strategy alignment matter more as you grow

What it takes to prepare for M&A and outside capital

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Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

Most B2B service businesses pour time and money into “lead gen,” only to be swamped with unqualified prospects and wasted effort. In this episode of Empowering Healthy Business, host Calvin Wilder talks with Tom Freedman of Defiant Enterprises about a smarter approach: building growth on referrals, not cold leads.

Tom shares his five-step framework for making referral-based selling repeatable and scalable, including how to:

• Reverse-engineer your numbers and model sustainable growth
• Position your offer, audience, and message for impact
• Use your CRM to track referral partners and conversations
• Build genuine partnerships instead of chasing cold leads
• Scale confidently by documenting your process and adding producers

If you’re tired of endless prospect lists and want a proven, relationship-driven way to grow, this episode will give you a clear, practical playbook you can start using right away.

Listen now and learn how to turn trusted introductions into paying clients.

Send us Fan Mail

Thanks for listening!

Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/