Hiring employees is exciting—but it also comes with responsibilities many small business owners never expected.

In this episode of Giants Helping Giants, Lois Wyant talks with Penny McNerney, founder of Total Circle HR, about how fractional HR support helps growing businesses navigate hiring, onboarding, employee handbooks, compliance, payroll, documentation, and even difficult termination conversations.

If you're a home service business owner, contractor, or entrepreneur growing your team, this conversation will help you avoid costly mistakes while creating a better experience for both you and your employees.

✔ When it's time to bring in HR support

✔ Why every business needs an employee handbook

✔ How to properly onboard new employees

✔ Common HR mistakes small business owners make

✔ Documentation tips that can protect your business

✔ How employment laws change as your business grows

✔ Why termination conversations require planning and empathy

✔ How fractional HR saves time and reduces risk

Growing your business doesn't mean you have to become an HR expert.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pennymcnerney/

[email protected]

totalcirclehr.com

Watch this episode to learn how having the right HR partner can protect your business while giving you more time to focus on growth.

🎥 Watch the full episode here:

https://youtu.be/T3qtVu1fMso

Learn more about Giants Helping Giants:

https://GiantsHelpingGiants.com

#SmallBusiness #HR #HiringEmployees #Entrepreneur #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #HomeServiceBusiness #FractionalHR #GiantsHelpingGiants #LoisWyant

Growing your business is exciting—until you become the person doing everything.

If you're answering phones, updating your website, handling bookkeeping, managing payroll, posting on social media, and trying to serve customers, it may be time to get help.

In this episode of Giants Helping Giants, Lois Wyant sits down with Marney Lumpkin, founder of Strategic Management & Logistics, to explore how fractional business support can help small businesses grow without the expense and commitment of hiring full-time employees.

Marney explains how business owners can outsource administrative tasks, bookkeeping, HR, CRM management, website updates, social media, IT support, and much more—all while scaling at their own pace.

Whether you're a home service company, contractor, nonprofit, or local business owner, this episode will help you understand how to reclaim your time and focus on what you do best.

In this episode you'll learn: What fractional business support really is When it's time to stop doing everything yourself How outsourcing can save money while increasing productivity The most common pain points for small business owners Why bookkeeping and administrative support are often the first tasks to delegate How to gradually let go of responsibilities without losing control The importance of finding the right personality fit when outsourcing How to choose technology that fits your business instead of overbuying software Why flexibility is critical as your business grows How AI and business automation are creating new opportunities for small businesses

If you're ready to spend more time growing your business instead of being buried in day-to-day operations, this episode is packed with practical advice you can use immediately.

Subscribe to Giants Helping Giants for weekly conversations with business leaders who share practical strategies to help entrepreneurs build stronger businesses and better lives.

[email protected] https://www.strategic-management-logistics.com/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/marney-lumpkin/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategicmanagement&logistics/

00:00 Why growing businesses get overwhelmed

00:32 Meet Marney Lumpkin

01:22 What is fractional business support?

02:23 Services that can be outsourced

04:33 Why fractional support saves money

05:57 Common pain points for home service businesses

06:42 Bookkeeping, HR & admin support

08:55 Learning to delegate as a business owner

10:11 Building a support plan that fits your budget

11:09 Working with your existing CRM & software

12:36 Saving money by choosing the right tools

14:19 What is a Hokie?

14:57 Life outside of business

16:22 What's next for Strategic Management & Logistics

17:10 AI agents and the future of business support

18:23 The power of business partnerships

19:18 Final thoughts

#FractionalSupport #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneur #BusinessGrowth #Outsourcing #VirtualAssistant #Leadership #BusinessOwner #GiantsHelpingGiants #LoisWyant

AI is changing the way customers find local businesses—but technology alone isn't enough.

In this episode of Giants Helping Giants, Lois Wyant sits down with Kenny Perry, founder of Organic Mindset Agency, to discuss how local businesses can stand out by combining strong branding, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), SEO, AI-powered marketing, and custom business dashboards.

Kenny explains why consistent branding builds trust, how AEO helps businesses become more visible in AI search tools like ChatGPT, and why your website, social media, and messaging all need to work together.

He also shares one of his favorite tools—a custom dashboard that helps business owners organize operations, automate communication, track projects, and improve customer service.

If you own a home service business or any company that depends on local customers, this episode is packed with practical ideas to help you grow.

In this episode you'll learn:

What Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is and why it matters

The difference between SEO and AEO

Why branding influences buying decisions

How consistent messaging builds trust

When it's time to update your logo and website

How AI is changing digital marketing

Tips for improving your social media presence

How custom dashboards can organize your business

Ways to automate customer communication

Why getting outside feedback can strengthen your brand

Subscribe to Giants Helping Giants for weekly conversations with entrepreneurs and experts sharing practical strategies to help business owners grow smarter.

[email protected]

Website: https://organic-mindset.com

Booking: https://tidycal.com/organicmindsetagency

Instagram: @organicmindsetagency

00:00 Why AI is changing local business marketing

00:29 Meet Kenny Perry

01:17 Why branding is the foundation

01:45 AI, SEO & AEO explained

04:28 Building a stronger social media brand

05:57 Free Google Business Profile webinar

06:13 Why branding matters

07:53 Should you update your logo?

08:54 What happens during a discovery call?

10:50 The story behind Organic Mindset Agency

12:26 AI dashboards that simplify your business

14:49 Integrating dashboards with Go High Level

15:58 Final branding advice

17:05 Closing thoughts

#AIMarketing #Branding #AEO #SEO #SmallBusiness #HomeServiceBusiness #BusinessGrowth #DigitalMarketing #GiantsHelpingGiants #LoisWyant

Most business owners think networking means attending an event, handing out business cards, and hoping someone calls.

Maria Medina says that's exactly why most networking fails.

In this episode of Giants Helping Giants, host Lois Wyant talks with business coach and networking strategist Maria Medina about how to build meaningful business relationships that lead to referrals, partnerships, and long-term growth.

Instead of treating networking like a sales activity, Maria explains how successful entrepreneurs use networking to build an entire support system around their business.

She also shares why follow-up is the biggest mistake business owners make, how CEO Days can completely change your business, and why asking for help is one of the smartest things an entrepreneur can do.

If you're a local business owner, contractor, entrepreneur, or service professional looking to grow your business without relying solely on advertising, this episode is for you.

• Why networking is much more than finding customers

• The biggest networking mistake most business owners make

• Why follow-up creates trust and referrals

• How CEO Days help business owners make better decisions

• Why successful entrepreneurs ask for help

• How systems prepare your business for growth

• Why a growth mindset separates successful business owners

Subscribe for more interviews with experts helping local businesses grow.

[email protected]

https://www.youtube.com/

⁨@TheCoachingNetwork⁩

https://thecoachingnetwork.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/medinacoach/

00:00 Networking Isn't Just About Sales

00:27 Meet Maria Medina

02:00 What Networking Really Means

03:24 The Biggest Networking Mistake

05:02 Why Follow-Up Matters

06:01 Growth Mindset for Entrepreneurs

07:40 Free Google Business Profile Webinar

08:01 CEO Days That Change Your Business

09:31 Learning from Other Business Owners

11:01 Three Pieces of Business Advice

13:29 What It's Like to Work with Maria

14:54 Final Advice for Entrepreneurs

https://giantshelpinggiants.com/

[email protected]

Most local business owners think podcasts are only for influencers, celebrities, or media companies.

They're wrong.

In this episode of Giants Helping Giants, Lois Wyant talks with podcast strategist D.R. Fay of Mouthy Broad Media about why podcasts have become one of the most powerful marketing tools available for local businesses.

Whether you own an HVAC company, roofing business, pest control company, plumbing company, landscaping business, or another local service company, a podcast can position you as the trusted authority in your community while generating new customers and business opportunities.

D.R. explains why most podcasts fail after only a few episodes, how to avoid "podfade," and how outsourcing production allows business owners to stay focused on serving customers.

Lois also shares two creative podcast strategies specifically for local businesses:

• Become the coach in your industry

• Become the voice of your local community

Instead of chasing sponsorships, you'll discover why your own business should be the primary advertiser on your podcast and how a simple mid-roll promotion can consistently generate leads.

If you've ever wondered whether starting a podcast is worth it, this conversation may completely change your perspective.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why every business should consider having a podcast

• How podcasts build authority and trust

• Two podcast strategies for local businesses

• Why most new podcasters quit

• How podcasts generate customers without selling

• Audio vs. YouTube podcasts

• Basic equipment you need to get started

• SEO vs. AEO (Answer Engine Optimization)

• Using AI to optimize podcast content

• Why email marketing still matters

• How podcasting supports long-term business growth

If you're looking for practical marketing ideas that help your business stand out in today's AI-driven search world, this episode is packed with actionable advice.

Subscribe for more conversations that help local business owners build stronger companies, attract more customers, and become giants in their communities.

MouthyBroadMedia.com

https://pod.link/1728781644

[email protected]

00:00 Introduction

01:00 Meet D.R. Fay

02:05 Why Every Business Should Have a Podcast

03:45 Coaching Through Podcasting

05:00 Become the Authority in Your Town

06:25 How Podcasts Generate Business

07:50 First Steps to Starting a Podcast

10:30 Why Email Marketing Still Matters

13:45 Podcast Equipment for Beginners

17:15 Audio vs YouTube Podcasts

19:15 SEO, AEO and AI Search

20:45 DIY or Hire an Expert

22:10 Final Advice for Business Owners

Want to check your online visibility - send me an email; [email protected]

Or join me on my weekly webinar: https://gmb.jftwebmarketing.com/register

Choosing the wrong software can waste thousands of dollars, frustrate your team, and slow down your business.

In this episode of Giants Helping Giants, Lois Wyant talks with software strategist Dustin Gordon about how small business owners can confidently choose technology that actually supports their growth instead of creating more headaches.

Dustin explains why business owners should focus on their processes before shopping for software, how AI can help evaluate software options, and why owning your digital assets—including your website, domain name, and business accounts—is critical.

Whether you're running a home service company, local business, or growing organization, this conversation will help you make smarter technology decisions that save time and money.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why most businesses choose software the wrong way

• How to define your goals before buying technology

• Why your business systems matter more than the software itself

• How AI can help research software solutions

• When it's time to upgrade your software

• Why "Done beats perfect" in business technology

• The importance of owning your website, domain, and business accounts

• How to avoid costly software implementation mistakes

Connect with Dustin Gordon:

(Insert website/contact information)

Subscribe for more conversations that help business owners grow stronger businesses.

https://www.youtube.com/@GiantsHelpingGiants?sub_confirmation=1

0:00 Introduction

0:23 Meet Dustin Gordon

1:20 Helping Small Businesses Use Technology

3:08 How to Choose the Right Software

3:58 Start with Your Business Process

5:38 When to Hire an Expert

6:30 Begin with Your Business Goals

7:44 Breaking Down the Tasks You Need

8:41 Using AI to Research Software

9:26 Should You Start Small or Wait?

11:05 What Working with Dustin Looks Like

12:01 AI and the Future of Small Business

13:35 AI as a Powerful Business Tool

15:26 Own Your Digital Assets

18:16 Final Advice for Business Owners

Most business owners are overwhelmed by marketing. Social media, websites, ads, AI, email campaigns, networking events, and countless other options make it difficult to know where to focus.

In this episode of Giants Helping Giants, Lois Wyant sits down with business strategist Jean Kuhn to discuss the two marketing strategies she believes every business owner should prioritize: building real relationships through speaking and staying connected through email marketing.

Jean shares her journey from becoming an entrepreneur in 1985 to buying and turning around two bankrupt businesses, adding more than $100,000 to their bottom line within a year. She explains why many business owners accidentally buy themselves a job instead of building a business, why answering the phone can make or break customer relationships, and how simple marketing habits can create long-term success.

You'll learn why local networking still matters, how to identify your ideal customer, what makes an email newsletter effective, and why authentic human connection remains one of the most powerful marketing tools available.

In this episode:

• Why many business owners stay stuck at break-even

• The difference between owning a business and owning a job

• Why answering the phone is still a competitive advantage

• How speaking can generate more business opportunities

• The power of email marketing for long-term growth

• The five elements of a successful newsletter

• How to build stronger customer relationships

• Lessons learned from turning around failing businesses

• Why helping others is the foundation of success

Connect with Jean:

Jean's Free Gift: https://jeansfreegift.com

[email protected]

Learn more about JFT Web Marketing:

https://jftwebmarketing.com

Subscribe for more conversations designed to help business owners build stronger businesses, stronger relationships, and stronger communities.

#GiantsHelpingGiants #SmallBusinessMarketing #EmailMarketing #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #MarketingStrategy #LeadGeneration #BusinessSuccess

00:00 Introduction

00:19 Meet Jean Kuhn

00:52 Becoming an Entrepreneur

02:22 Why Small Business Owners Get Stuck

04:15 Franchise Owners vs Business Owners

06:20 Marketing Mistakes Business Owners Make

06:55 Why Speaking Builds Businesses

07:37 Advice for Home Service Businesses

08:05 The Power of Answering the Phone

09:43 AI and Phone Answering Systems

11:38 Understanding Your Ideal Customer

13:24 Why Email Marketing Still Works

14:42 Turning Around Bankrupt Businesses

16:07 Common Email Marketing Mistakes

16:39 The Subject Line That Worked

20:24 Five Elements of a Great Newsletter

23:54 How Often Should You Email?

24:19 Jean's Free Marketing Gift

24:51 A Lesson from Zig Ziglar

25:29 Final Thoughts

What makes some businesses instantly recognizable while others blend into the background?

In this episode of Giants Helping Giants, Lois Wyant sits down with visual identity and branding specialist Istvan Weisz to discuss how businesses can create a memorable and recognizable brand that attracts customers and builds trust.

Istvan shares his journey from studying photography at a fine arts university to becoming a branding expert with more than 20 years of experience helping businesses develop powerful visual identities. He explains why branding goes far beyond a logo and includes everything from colors and typography to packaging, websites, marketing materials, and customer experiences.

Whether you own a local service business, sell products online, or are building a personal brand, this conversation will help you understand how visual consistency influences customer perception and buying decisions.

Whether you own a local service business, sell products online, or are building a personal brand, this conversation will help you understand how visual consistency influences customer perception and buying decisions. In this episode you'll learn:

• What visual identity really means

• Why branding matters for small businesses • How colors, fonts, and design impact trust

• The biggest branding mistakes businesses make

• How to stand out from competitors without confusing customers • Why authenticity matters in branding

• The difference between a logo and a complete visual identity • How great branding creates long-term business value

If your business has grown organically and your branding feels disconnected, this episode will help you understand why creating a unified visual identity can strengthen your reputation and increase recognition.

👉 Connect with Istvan Weisz

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/weiszistvan/

https://weiszistvan.com/

https://designordering.com/

https://partner.designordering.com/

👍 Please Like, Subscribe, and Share this episode with another business owner.

#Branding #VisualIdentity #SmallBusinessMarketing #BusinessGrowth #GraphicDesign #Entrepreneurship #BusinessBranding #MarketingStrategy #GiantsHelpingGiants

00:00 Why visual identity matters

00:29 Introduction to Istvan Weisz

01:18 Istvan's background and branding journey

03:00 What visual identity really means

04:41 Personal branding vs business branding

05:07 Branding beyond logos

06:35 Creating recognizable brands

08:17 The branding discovery process

09:14 Why brands must reflect reality

10:36 Working across different industries

12:19 Finding solutions through entrepreneurship

13:17 Helping small businesses compete with large brands

15:19 Reducing packaging waste through design

18:19 Sustainability and convenience in packaging

19:22 Final branding advice for business owners

21:01 When businesses should revisit their branding

21:43 Closing thoughts

AI search is changing how customers find local businesses, and many business owners do not realize how much their Google Business Profile now influences buying decisions.

In this episode of Giants Helping Giants, Lois Wyant explains why your Google Business Profile may be more important than your website when it comes to generating leads, building trust, and attracting new customers. Today's consumers often make decisions directly inside Google without ever visiting a website. They compare reviews, photos, business information, posts, and customer interactions before deciding who to call.

Lois shares her personal business journey, from owning a cake decorating business and working in wedding photography to helping local businesses improve their online visibility. She explains how customer behavior has shifted from traditional search to zero-click searches and how artificial intelligence is transforming local search results.

You'll learn why trust matters more than rankings, how AI evaluates local businesses, and the seven key areas of Google Business Profile optimization that can help increase visibility and generate more leads.

Whether you own an HVAC company, plumbing business, roofing company, electrical service, restaurant, medical practice, or any local business, this episode will help you understand how to position your company for success in the AI-powered future of local search.

If you found value in this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with another business owner.

Schedule an AI Visibility Review:

https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/websiteadit

#GoogleBusinessProfile #LocalSEO #AISearch #LocalMarketing #SmallBusinessMarketing #GoogleMaps #BusinessGrowth #LeadGeneration #LocalBusiness #GiantsHelpingGiants

00:00 Introduction

00:58 Why Google Business Profiles Matter

01:25 Lois Wyant's Business Journey

03:49 Technology Shifts Create Winners and Losers

04:26 AI Is Changing Local Search

05:29 Why Customers Check Google Before Calling

06:57 How Search Has Changed Since Google Started

07:32 Understanding Zero-Click Searches

08:58 The Rise of Local Search and Near Me Searches

10:36 Why Customers Decide Without Visiting Websites

11:41 How AI Is Transforming Business Visibility

13:20 The Myth of Ranking Number One

13:49 The HVAC Company Story

15:22 Three Reasons Businesses Struggle Online

18:33 What Actually Works for Local Businesses

19:31 Real Business Growth Example

21:38 The Power of Reviews and Engagement

23:27 Using Google Posts for Visibility

24:23 Why Competitors Lose Their Position

25:23 The Seven-Step Optimization Framework

26:45 Google Is Measuring Trust

27:23 AI Search Opportunities for Local Businesses

27:56 Three Final Takeaways

28:35 Final Thoughts and Closing

What if the next stage of growth for your business isn't opening another location yourself—but teaching others to duplicate your success?

In this episode of The Giant Builders, Lois Wyant sits down with Rick Morgin to explore one of the most overlooked growth opportunities available to business owners today: franchising.

Many entrepreneurs spend years building a successful business model, but few realize that their systems, processes, and brand could potentially become a regional or even national franchise. Rick shares what makes a business franchise-ready, how to protect your intellectual property, what kind of investment is required, and how franchise owners generate long-term recurring revenue.

Whether you own a local service business, retail shop, restaurant, healthcare company, or specialty business, this conversation will help you think beyond your current market and explore what is possible when you build a business designed to scale.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Signs your business may be ready for franchising

• How successful franchises are built and protected

• The role trademarks and intellectual property play

• Common misconceptions about franchise ownership

• How franchise fees and royalty revenue work

• Different franchise growth strategies and exit plans

• Why some businesses grow to dominate a local market while others expand nationally

If you've ever wondered how business owners build brands that operate in multiple cities or states, this episode will give you a practical introduction to the franchising process. Based on the discussion with Rick Morgin, franchising can offer a path to growth without requiring the owner to personally manage every location.

Watch now and start thinking bigger about what's possible for your business.

[email protected]

https://linkedin.com/in/richardmorgin

TikTok @rickd212

00:00 Introduction

00:30 Meet Rick Morgin

01:05 What Makes a Business Franchise Ready?

02:05 Key Requirements Before Franchising

03:00 Protecting Your Brand and Intellectual Property

04:21 Real-World Examples of Franchise Opportunities

05:33 Mentoring Future Franchise Owners

06:11 You're Not Alone in the Franchise Process

06:44 The Home Healthcare Franchise Success Story

08:27 Thinking Bigger About Business Growth

09:32 Different Franchise Growth Models

10:20 Understanding Franchise Revenue

11:13 The Power of Royalty Income

11:53 Planning Your Franchise Exit Strategy

12:27 Final Advice for Business Owners

13:00 How to Start Exploring Franchising