Empowering Healthy Business: The Podcast for Small Business Owners

Running a business with scattered spreadsheets and one-off emails makes growth harder than it needs to be. In this episode of Empowering Healthy Business, host Calvin Wilder sits down with Jason Kramer of Cultivize to unpack how small businesses can use a CRM to bring order, consistency, and measurable results to sales and marketing.

You’ll hear practical ways to:

• Build a repeatable sales process that doesn’t depend on memory
• Use data to prioritize leads and focus on quality over quantity
• Track marketing ROI without guesswork
• Start simple with phased CRM adoption—and avoid common pitfalls

Whether you’re still managing leads in Excel or ready to scale with automation, this conversation breaks CRM down into clear, actionable steps you can use right away.

Listen now and learn how a CRM can become one of the simplest levers for growth in your business.

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

Working from home has become a permanent reality for many entrepreneurs, but too often business owners miss out on valuable tax savings.

In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Calvin Wilder talks with Greg Reid, Head of Tax at SmartBooks, about how to take full advantage of the home office tax deduction.

You’ll learn:

• What qualifies as a home office under IRS rules
• Which expenses you can deduct, from office equipment to utilities and insurance
• How to calculate your deduction using square footage
• When depreciation makes sense—and what to know if you sell your home
• Why quarterly reimbursements and simple documentation keep you audit-ready
• Bonus: how to deduct mileage if your home office is your principal place of business

If you run a business from home—even part-time—this episode will help you avoid missed opportunities and keep more of your hard-earned money.

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

Finance and operations often operate in silos—but when they align, small businesses grow faster, make fewer mistakes, and stay profitable. In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, we break down why this alignment is critical and how to achieve it. You’ll learn:

• The key differences between finance and operations priorities
• Common challenges that cause miscommunication and inefficiency
• How to use data and metrics to bridge the gap between teams
• Essential metrics to track, like Gross Margin per Billable Hour, LTV:CAC, and Utilization Rate
• Practical tactics for building collaboration and accountability
• Why aligned teams grow 20–30% faster with fewer costly errors

By the end, you’ll see how finance and operations can work together seamlessly to maximize profitability and create sustainable growth.

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

Filing taxes for your small business doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. In this episode, you’ll learn practical steps to make tax season stress-free and efficient, including:

• How to gather and organize essential financial documents
• Why your business structure matters for tax filing
• The most common small business expenses you can deduct
• When and how to pay quarterly estimated taxes
• Choosing between tax software vs. hiring a professional
• How bookkeeping support can save time and maximize deductions

By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap for preparing taxes and avoiding costly mistakes—so you can focus more on growing your business.

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

Does building a successful business really mean sacrificing your health, family, and freedom? In this episode, Calvin Wilder sits down with James Brown, founder of the Business Accelerator Institute, to challenge the myth that growth requires endless sacrifice. You’ll discover:

• Why the “sacrifice myth” leads to burnout and declining revenue
• How delegation turns from an expense into a high-ROI investment
• The three areas owners should focus their time on strategy, marketing, and sales
• Key financial ratios every service business should track (payroll, marketing, occupancy)
• How shifting your mindset helps you build a business that supports your life
• Practical ways to grow without working nights and weekends

James shares his journey of learning to let go, measure results, and focus on what truly drives growth. The message is clear: your business should work for you—not the other way around.

James has made available download resources at https://businessaccelerator.institute/ehb/.

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

This episode's topic is near and dear to many business owners. There are probably a lot of misconceptions about it. There's a lot of gray area about it. Just because the business spends money on something doesn't necessarily mean it is tax-deductible on the tax returns. There are documentation, compliance considerations. Greg Reed, CPA joins the show to discuss the tax deductibility of:

• Meals
• Entertainment
• Travel

Greg can be reached at smartbookstax.com or [email protected].

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

With the Trump administration's "Big Beautiful Bill" working its way through Congress, Greg Reed joins us to discuss expected tax changes including:

• Overview of the "Big Beautiful Bill"
• SALT Deduction and Tax Benefits
• Bonus Depreciation and Section 179
• Tips, Medicaid, and Clean Energy Changes
• Key Takeaways and Quarterly Reminders

Reach Greg Reed at [email protected] or book a meeting with him at smartbookstax.com

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

In this episode, Cal sits down with tax expert Greg Reed to uncover hidden risks that business owners often miss when it comes to payroll tax withholding. As your income shifts, whether from business profits, life changes, or other sources, your W2 withholding may no longer be enough. Without regular adjustments, this can lead to surprise tax bills, penalties, or even overpayments. Greg explains why reviewing your withholding yearly (ideally in January) is essential, especially after major life or income changes. He also dives into strategies like year-end bonus withholding to avoid penalties, though these come with extra payroll taxes. Plus, state tax requirements often differ from federal, adding complexity. Bottom line? Staying proactive with your payroll tax planning can help avoid surprises, keep your cash flow healthy, and protect your business from costly mistakes.

Main Takeaways:

• Withholding errors can lead to surprise tax bills and penalties.
• Life and business changes (new business income, marriage, etc.) require withholding updates.
• Year-end bonus withholding can help avoid penalties, but increases payroll taxes.
• State and federal withholding rules can differ.
• Reviewing your withholding annually is smart and prevents surprises.
• Working with your CPA or using IRS tools can make adjustments easier

Reach Greg Reed at [email protected] or book a meeting with him at smartbookstax.com

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

Think tax season is over? Think again. In this episode, Cal sits down with tax expert Greg to talk about what savvy business owners should be doing after April 15th. From maximizing deductions to planning for upcoming tax law changes, this conversation is packed with insights for those who want to stay ahead—not just compliant.

Greg shares real-world strategies to avoid tax-time surprises, reduce penalties, and keep more of your hard-earned cash. Plus, he breaks down estimated taxes, business structure reviews, and how to fund retirement accounts strategically. He even clears up myths around the home office deduction and reveals a powerful state tax workaround that may not be around forever.

If you’ve ever felt blindsided by a big tax bill or waited too long to make tax-saving moves, this is your wake-up call.

If you’re serious about running a healthy business that’s profitable yet doesn't drown you in taxes, don’t miss this episode.

• Why tax planning is a year-round sport
• What the IRS won’t tell you about extensions and penalties
• A simple strategy to make home office deductions easy and audit-proof
• When to talk to your CPA (hint: now!)
• How the “Pass-Through Entity Tax” workaround can save you thousands

Reach Greg Reed at [email protected] or book a meeting with him at smartbookstax.com.

Send us Fan Mail

Thanks for listening!

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

The US Treasury Department announced a major change to beneficial filing requirements affecting most small business owners in the U.S. In this episode, Greg Reed, head of tax at SmartBooks, shares important updates. 

He also shares a tax planning success story about how he saved a client $29,000 in tax.

We also discuss important informational filings that still must be made by many U.S. businesses that do business internationally that have major penalties if not done.

Reach Greg Reed at [email protected] or book a meeting with him at smartbookstax.com.

Send us Fan Mail

Thanks for listening!

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