Online Business Launchpad | Start An Online Business | Online Business Growth

Are you bringing in revenue, but your business still feels like it’s drowning?

In this episode of the Online Business Launchpad podcast, host Trudy Rankin sits down with accountant and financial strategist Chidi Egbujie to unpack the #1 cash flow mistake that silently sinks good businesses—and how to avoid it.

“Every number has a story,” Chidi says.  And he goes on to add that if you’re only talking to your accountant at tax time, you’re missing the plot.

Chidi brings years of corporate finance experience.  And now, as founder of Virtual Focus Accountants, he helps small business owners use their financial data not just to survive, but to grow strategically. From fixing your over reliance on your bank balance numbers to designing a business that supports your life (not the other way around), this episode is packed with practical insights for service-based entrepreneurs ready to get out of the weeds.

If you’re tired of hustling without clarity, this one’s for you.

If your business brings in revenue but still feels like it’s gasping for air, you’re not alone. My newsletter is for founders and business owners who didn’t sign up for 80-hour weeks and client emails at midnight. If that sounds like you, join me for free, here.

We Also Talked About:

• Why most small business owners overlook the real power of financial data
• How using QuickBooks or Xero properly can change your business trajectory
• A client turnaround story that started with confusion and ended in clarity (and profits)
• Why goals based on your personal life vision make better business targets
• What every business owner should be doing—but most aren’t—when it comes to planning
• Preparing your business for sale (or scale) and why you should start now
  
• Why “knowing your numbers” is more than just bookkeeping—it’s strategic survival
• The single most misunderstood concept in business finance: cash flow
  How to choose the right technology—and avoid drowning in it
• His thoughts on AI, where it works, and where it’s not quite there yet 

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• QuickBooks:  quickbooks.intuit.com 
• Xero:  xero.com 
• Virtual Focus Accountants: https://virtualfocusaccountants.co.uk
• Connect with Chidi on LinkedIn: Chidi Egbujie
  
  

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"If you’re not using analytics, you’re just shooting in the dark.”

Philippa Gamse doesn’t mince words—and she’s right. In this episode, Trudy chats with digital marketing strategist and analytics expert Philippa Gamse, who unpacks the powerful, often overlooked role analytics plays in business growth. “People look at the numbers and glaze over,” Philippa says. But once you know what to look for, data becomes a goldmine of insights. From why your visitors might never see your call-to-action to how a simple change boosted one client’s revenue with an eBook, this episode is packed with real-world examples and straight-talking advice.

Philippa has been working in digital strategy and web analytics since the early days of the internet (think: pre-Google Analytics!). With decades of experience helping businesses turn confusing data into strategic advantage, she’s on a mission to make analytics not just understandable—but actionable.

We Also Talked About:

• Why analytics is the one business tool most people ignore (to their detriment)
• How to break through the “I’m scared of data” inertia
• The one key question to ask before opening Google Analytics
• What to measure and why “vanity metrics” can mislead you
• How one client turned “wrong” visitors into a whole new revenue stream
• Using Google Tag Manager and Search Console the right way
• The myth of exact data matching—and why trends matter more

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RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Philippa’s Website: https://websitesthatwin.com/
• Five Hidden Gems (Philippa’s free eBook with real-life case studies)
• Website Wealth (Philippa’s newest book) (affiliate link)
• 42 Rules for a Winning Website by Philippa Gamse (affiliate link)
• Google Analytics
• Google Tag Manager
• Google Search Console

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"It just seemed fun and easy—and I really didn’t have anything to lose."

That moment of curiosity led Andreea Matei into the world of the Amazon Influencer Program, and two years later, she’s turned it into a six-figure revenue stream. In this episode, Andreea breaks down exactly how she did it—from shooting 30-second videos to building multiple income streams, all without ever needing to show her face on camera. If you’ve ever wanted a realistic and accessible side hustle (or full-blown business), this one’s for you.

Andreea Matei is a seasoned Amazon Influencer who’s made over $140,000 in two years by reviewing products from her home (and her sister’s). A former marketer turned ecommerce expert, she now teaches others how to succeed with this surprisingly low-barrier income model.

We Also Talked About:

• What the Amazon Influencer Program is—and why it’s different from affiliate marketing
• How to get approved (even if you don’t have a massive following)
• The types of videos that perform best (hint: you can stay behind the camera)
• Smart strategies for choosing which products to review
• Breaking into paid brand collaborations and free product offers
• How to leverage your influencer content across platforms like YouTube
• Common mistakes to avoid when applying and creating your first videos
• How Andreea’s course helps beginners accelerate their Amazon Influencer journey
  
  

My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Six Figure Reviewer: Amazon Influencer Edition Course
• Launch Grow Joy (Andreea’s main site): launchgrowjoy.com
• Find Andreea on all platforms: @launchgrowjoy

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"I tell people: Google's a machine, not a person. You have to feed it the right signals." 

In this episode of the Online Business Launchpad podcast, Trudy sits down with SEO expert Brandon Leibowitz, founder of SEO Optimizers, who’s spent the last 15+ years helping small and medium businesses turn clicks into conversions. With his no-fluff approach to SEO, Brandon demystifies what it really takes to get your website found online, and why most entrepreneurs are spinning their wheels with outdated tactics.

Brandon’s journey started with a job board internship, evolved into a side hustle, and eventually became a thriving agency. He shares practical, real-world strategies that don’t require a PhD in Google wizardry, just a little consistency, common sense, and a willingness to test and tweak.

We Also Talked About:

• Why SEO isn’t about “tricking” Google—it’s about talking its language
• The biggest mistakes small businesses make with their websites
• How backlinks really work—and how not to get burned
• Why posting on social media is not a substitute for good SEO
• The long game of content marketing (and why most people give up too soon)
• What to look for (and avoid) when hiring an SEO consultant
• How Brandon scaled his business without going the agency route
  
  

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• SEO Optimizers - Brandon’s website
• Ubersuggest – for keyword research
• Google Search Console – for tracking how Google sees your site
• MozBar – for checking on-site SEO and backlinks
  
  

Want regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business? My newsletter is for business owners who miss having weekends — and sanity. Sign up here and start reclaiming both.

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In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Steve Anderson — risk expert and bestselling author of The Bezos Letters — to explore how hidden friction points quietly drain momentum from your business.

If you’re ready to clear the roadblocks standing between you and your customers, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you move faster, serve better, and grow smarter.

Steve Anderson brings decades of experience at the intersection of insurance, technology, and business growth strategy. He’s the author of The Bezos Letters: 14 Principles to Grow Your Business Like Amazon, a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller that’s been translated into 20 languages. With a sharp eye for spotting the patterns of business success and failure, Steve helps founders build businesses that last.

We Also Talked About:

• Why “obsessing over customers” is more than a catchphrase—it's a mindset shift
• The hidden cost of waiting too long to adopt new technology
• What Amazon’s “Day One” philosophy teaches us about staving off irrelevance
• Why 3rd-party sellers succeed—or get booted—on Amazon
• How to spot and remove friction points in your customer journey
• The real definition of a “successful failure” and why you need more of them
• Why innovation isn’t enough—and how invention powers real business growth
• How AI is changing the game (and why using it badly could be worse than not using it at all)

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Book:  The Bezos Letters: 14 Principles to Grow Your Business Like Amazon by Steve Anderson and Karen Anderson
• Steve’s website: thebezosletters.com
• Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: Steve Anderson

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"A community-first mindset means showing up for your people—even when they're just quietly watching." That’s how Paul Gowder, founder of PowWows.com, defines decades-long success in the online space. What started as a college hobby has blossomed into a vibrant, multimillion-follower platform celebrating Native American culture and proving that niche communities can not only survive but thrive in today’s noisy digital world.

Paul’s journey is a masterclass in staying true to your values, listening to your audience, and building engagement through heart, strategy, and the occasional well-placed email sequence.

We Also Talked About:

• How Paul turned a college web project into a thriving, sustainable business
• The surprising power of "lurkers" in online communities
• Why email is still king (and how Paul uses Kit (was ConvertKit) to dominate it)
• The moment social media nearly killed his forums—and how he pivoted
• Using Group Leads to bridge Facebook groups and email sequences
• What a “community-first mindset” really looks like in action
• Hiring from your own community to build a rock-solid team
• How a mastermind and a coach helped him 10x his email marketing results
• Why the medium (Facebook, email, TikTok) is less important than the mindset

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Find a PowWow near you:  https://www.powwows.com/powwowsnearme
• Paul’s personal site:  https://www.paulgowder.com
• Behind-the-scenes look at his email toolkit: https://www.paulgowder.com/emailtools
• ConvertKit (now branded as Kit) – Paul’s go-to email platform (affiliate link)
• Tool to sync Facebook group signups with email sequences -https://groupleads.net/ 
• Mediavine – Advertising partner for monetizing traffic - https://www.mediavine.com/ 

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"The world doesn’t happen to you — it happens through you." — Martin Salama

What if losing millions, a home, a marriage, and a BMW all within a few months could actually be the best thing that ever happened to you? For Martin Salama, that's exactly what it was. In this episode, Martin shares how he transformed personal and financial disaster into a powerful coaching philosophy — one that helps entrepreneurs not just survive chaos, but thrive because of it.

Martin is known as The Architect of The Warrior's Life, a coach who specializes in helping people live incredibly full lives — despite (or perhaps because of) the bumps in the road. After building and losing a multimillion-dollar business, Martin turned his own lessons into a seven-figure coaching program with a risk-reversal strategy that’s as bold as his personality.

We Also Talked About:

• How Martin’s five-year dream project collapsed overnight — and why it was the making of him
• Why most people stay stuck in a “why is this happening to me” mindset, and how to shift to “through me” thinking
• What reading The Four Agreements unlocked for him about anger, people-pleasing, and personal responsibility
• His journey from being a people-pleaser and control freak to a confident, compassionate coach
• How he built the "Live Incredibly Full Every Day" (LIFE) framework
• The problem with "done for you" coaching programs — and how Martin’s model is different
• The power of guarantees in business (and why Martin’s guarantee is a true game-changer)
• The gift he gave — and received — by donating stem cells to save a life

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz (affiliate link)
• Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki (affiliate link)
• Who Not How by Dan Sullivan (affiliate link)
• Martin’s book: Worrier to Warrior (affiliate link)
• Connect with Martin: ConnectWithMartin.com

Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business.

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"You can’t out-hustle burnout. Trust me, I tried."

That’s the hard-earned insight from Dr. Victoria Mensch, who went from clinical psychologist to Silicon Valley high-achiever — and burned out in both. Now she teaches leaders how to create burnout-proof lives by mastering energy, not just calendars. In this episode, Victoria breaks down why traditional success so often leads to emotional exhaustion, and how you can build a life and business that leaves room for joy, not just productivity.

With a PhD in psychology and an MBA from UC Berkeley, Victoria brings both brain science and boardroom experience to the conversation. Her approach to self-leadership, energy management, and redefining control will have you rethinking the way you work — and why.

We Also Talked About:

• Why burnout isn’t always obvious — and how to spot the subtle signs

• The myth of “success = happiness” (and what actually creates fulfillment)

• How self-awareness is the first step in becoming a resilient leader

• The surprising power of intentionally scheduling joy

• How to relinquish control — and why it’s essential for avoiding burnout

• Moving from corporate life to entrepreneurship: the real risks and rewards

• What “languishing” looks like — and how to shift into a state of flourishing

• A practical framework for balancing time, energy, and values

• Why leadership always starts with self-leadership

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Silicon Valley Executive Academy – Victoria’s corporate consulting hub

• Victoria Mensch on LinkedIn – connect with her for insights and support

Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business. 

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“Marketing hasn’t fundamentally changed in 150 years. The tools have — but the core principles? Still the same.”

That’s Phillip Marzouk, branding strategist and marketing nerd (his words), explaining how modern business owners often get tripped up by tactics while missing the big-picture strategy. With a background spanning website development, airline marketing campaigns (hello, Hobbiton!), and helping mom-and-pop shops thrive, Phillip breaks down how solopreneurs can stop chasing every shiny tool and start focusing on what actually works.

Phillip has over 13 years of marketing experience, starting out in film before transitioning to the digital world. He’s led campaigns for big names like Qantas and Warner Bros, but what really lights him up is helping small businesses and solopreneurs cut through the noise and find what works for them — not just what’s trending.

We Also Talked About:

• The marketing truths that haven’t changed since Rolex used influencer marketing… in the 1920s
• What PPC (pay-per-click) and SEO really mean, and when you should use them
• Phillip’s journey from webmaster to high-level strategist (and why he left the Cannes Film Festival experience behind)
• How big-budget brands still rely on scrappy marketing strategies — and what solopreneurs can learn from that
• The critical moment when Phillip realized he preferred helping struggling small businesses over running blockbuster campaigns
• Why AI can’t replace your expertise — and how to use tools like ChatGPT without sounding like a robot
• The exact process he uses to turn bland AI output into high-performing marketing content
• When to stop doing it all yourself and finally hire help (hint: it's when you're spending more time fixing than growing)
• Why your business is no longer “your baby” once you start hiring — and why that’s a good thing

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RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Phillip’s website: https://digitalonbrand.com
• Sign up for Phillip’s newsletter and marketing tips via the website above

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Have you ever faced a moment in life that completely changed your trajectory? For Alan Lazaros, that moment came in the form of a near-fatal car accident. Once a corporate high-flyer with a successful career in engineering and business, Alan found himself questioning everything he thought he knew about success, fulfillment, and purpose. That moment of reckoning led him to embrace podcasting as a vehicle for growth, connection, and impact.

Fast forward to today, and Alan is the co-host of the Next Level University podcast, boasting nearly 2,000 episodes and a global reach. His journey is one of grit, reflection, and resilience, proving that real transformation happens when we align our work with our values and commit to daily self-improvement. If you're navigating the challenges of building a business or searching for a deeper sense of purpose, Alan's insights will inspire and motivate you to take action.

We Also Talked About:

• The pivotal moment that made Alan re-evaluate his life and career
• Why he chose podcasting over other business models
• The journey from two guys having deep conversations to running a daily global podcast
• How core values shape business success and partnerships
• The key mindset shifts needed to sustain a long-term business
• The role of humility and work ethic in building a strong team
• Navigating conflict in a business partnership and why it’s essential for growth
• The difference between external success and internal fulfillment—and why both matter
• Why hiring from within your community can lead to a stronger, more aligned team

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RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Podcast: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-university-podcast/ 
• Alan’s Book Club:  https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/next-level-book-club/ 
• Alan’s Website:  https://www.nextleveluniverse.com 
• The Conscious Couples Podcast
  • Spotify
  • Apple
• Books by Russell Brunson on entrepreneurship and sales funnel:
  
  • Traffic Secrets
  • Expert Secrets

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