Small Business Stories

S5:E26

In this punchy, practical episode of Small Biz Stories with Dr. LL, John Horn, CEO of StubGroup (a Google Premier Partner - note that very, very few companies have this distinction and honor!!), breaks down how small businesses can turn Google Ads into reliable profit instead of a money pit. From the Search Terms Report to negative keywords, smart budget math, and review mechanics, John gives you a field guide you can use today.

KEY TIMESTAMPS

[06:03–07:34] Cut wasted spend fast: Use the Search Terms Report and add negative keywords (e.g., "Dollar Tree" for a tree service) to block irrelevant clicks.

[08:20–10:26] Budget reality check: Why ~$2K/mo is a sensible baseline (context matters by CPC), and why you must allow time to learn, iterate, and improve.

[19:51–22:20] Prep before ads: Dial in your Google Business Profile, reviews, and get familiar with LLM-driven search (ChatGPT/Perplexity) to stay findable beyond Google.

[23:33–25:28] Website that sells: Treat your site as your 24/7 reputation with proof, offers, awards, reviews, working links, and helpful content that establishes expertise.

[26:46–28:43] Reviews that move the needle: Ask every time, make it frictionless (texted link/QR), and try incentives tied to the rep who served the customer.

One-liners you'll take away:

• "Google makes it easy to spend money and hard to make it back."

• "PPC works when you measure, prune, and iterate."

• "Your website and reviews are the runway and ads are the takeoff."

⭐Why listen now: StubGroup sits in the top 1% of Google partners, with 3M+ leads and $400M+ in revenue generated. John turns "complex" into checklist.

❇️ Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to YouTube ⁨@Midlifesuccess⁩ for more great content like this!

#googleads #smallbusiness #leadgeneration #digitalmarketing #entrepreneurship #advertising

S5:325

In this episode of Small Business Stories, host Dr. LL sits down with Emil Abedian, CEO of Council CPAs and newly minted author of Council to Council. Emil shares candid lessons from 15+ years in entrepreneurship, scaling from a solo CPA to a trusted partner for law firms nationwide.

🚨 Most entrepreneurs make this $100,000 mistake.

They treat their business like a job instead of an investment.

My guest on Small Business Stories, Emil Abedian, learned this lesson the hard way — grinding through 80-hour weeks, doing everything for everyone, and nearly burning out.

Then he made the shift: 👉 He niched down to focus only on law firms. 👉 He reframed compliance accounting into strategic partnership. 👉 He scaled his CPA practice into a thriving business — all while reclaiming time for family.

In this episode, Emil breaks down: ✅ How to avoid the "hamster wheel" trap. ✅ The KPI red flags every small business owner should track. ✅ Why niching down is the fastest path to scaling up. ✅ The 80/20 rule for launching ANY product (including a book).

If you're a solopreneur, lawyer, or small business owner wearing 17 hats — you can't afford to miss this.

🔑 Key Moments & Takeaways for Small Business Owners:

[00:05:30] Balancing Business & Family: Emil reveals the tipping point that forced him to shift from 80-hour work weeks to protecting time with his kids — and how entrepreneurs can do the same.

[00:12:45] Mindset Shift from Job to Business: Why too many professionals see their firm as a "job" instead of an investment, and how reframing this accelerates growth.

[00:20:10] Lessons from Success vs. "Less Success" Stories: Emil explains why learning from both wins and mistakes helps entrepreneurs shorten the path to growth.

[00:34:50] Beyond Compliance — Becoming a Strategic Partner: How CPAs (and other service providers) can add real value by moving from "check-the-box" compliance to year-round strategic insight.

[00:47:15] Riches Are in the Niches: Emil's bold pivot to exclusively serving law firms — and why specialization was the best business decision he ever made.

👉 follow us on YouTube ⁨@Midlifesuccess⁩

#smallbusinessstories #entrepreneurship #financetips #worklifebalance #finance #podcast

S5:E24

In this soul-shifting episode of Small Biz Stories, host Dr. LL sits down with Sofia Rozhko, a powerhouse mindset and visibility coach who helps high-achieving women and visionary entrepreneurs show up as their most authentic selves. With roots in Ukraine and a global impact, Sofia reveals the inner transformation needed to unlock business success from rewriting your self-worth to crafting an aligned personal brand.

She shares how she turned years of survival into a thriving practice, and why your energy and mindset (not your tactics) determine your outcomes. If you've ever felt stuck, undervalued, or afraid to be seen—this episode is your permission slip to go big.

⏱️ Timestamp Highlights

[04:48] – "There's no clarity without courage." → Sofia explains why bold action unlocks mental clarity, not the other way around.

[09:21] – "When you lead with authenticity, the right clients come to you." → Discover why showing your truth is the greatest marketing strategy.

[14:12] – "I'm a brand. You're a brand. We're all a brand." → Sofia breaks down how to own your narrative as a personal brand—even if you're a solo founder.

[22:07] – "Most people sell themselves short. Literally." → A powerful call to raise your rates, own your value, and shift from scarcity to sovereignty.

[30:18] – "Before strategy, we work on safety." → Sofia explains why inner security is the true foundation of outer success.

Follow Sofia and learn more about her work as a nutritionist:

🌟https://www.instagram.com/sofi_rozhko/

🌟https://thebody.school/en/team/

🌟https://www.tiktok.com/@sofia.rozhko

And don't forget to subscribe ✅ to YouTube ⁨@Midlifesuccess⁩ !

#entrepreneur #mindset #coaching #nutrition #wellness

S5:E23

College financial planning meets entrepreneurial reality. Brad Baldridge, host of Taming the High Cost of College, breaks down complex rules into simple moves any small business owner can use to lower net price and avoid bad loans. He sat down with Dr. LL to share some INCREDIBLE cost-savings tips that you, as a small business owner, can do if you have a child in college.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

[06:04] FAFSA rule change for businesses.Small businesses under 100 employees now must be reported as assets. Brad explains what has value (e.g., real estate) vs. low-value consultancies—and why outdated blog posts still say otherwise. Takeaway: get current, not cached, guidance.

[08:01] Put your kids on payroll (the right way). Paying teens legitimately can lower parent income without hurting aid (up to ~$11k earned income). Takeaway: move from "cash for shifts" to payroll to help taxes + aid eligibility.

[08:50] Create a tuition reimbursement plan. Even small firms can mirror big-company education benefits (with rules—talk to your tax pro). Takeaway: convert wages into structured, policy-based education support.

[11:06] How to negotiate offers. It's not lawyer-vs-lawyer; it's "can you help us?"—often led by the student. Many private schools discount; appeals are strongest with documented changes (disaster, disability, divorce, business shock). Takeaway: ask, document, and appeal respectfully.

[27:11] Plan early with look-back income. Aid uses prior-prior year taxes (e.g., Class of 2025 aid uses 2023 income).

MAIN Takeaway: founders who can shift income should start in 9th–10th grade to optimize the right tax years. Bonus gems throughout: model multiple income scenarios (7:20–7:44), understand "merit vs. need" by school type (18:01–19:50), and compare net prices across acceptances before falling in love with a brand name (16:15–17:12).

Brad's site & podcast: Taming the High Cost of College

👉https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/

Baldridge College Solutions / Wealth Management

👉https://baldridgewealthmanagement.com/

🔻And don't forget to ✅SUBSCRIBE to YouTube ⁨@Midlifesuccess⁩ !

#college #tuition #finance #smallbusiness #entrepreneur

S5:E22

In this episode of Small Biz Stories, host Dr. LL is joined by Justin Abrams, a Business & Strategy Consultant who's helped over 250 companies achieve an average 350% sales growth and 10x audience expansion. Justin is the head of Aryo Consulting Group. Both the host and guest are among UpWork's Top 1% of more than 17,000,000 freelancers, so the conversation gets interesting!

We dive deep into:

✴️Why your Google and Meta ads aren't working

✴️How to run smarter, low-cost TikTok Shop campaigns

✴️The truth about LinkedIn ad funnels

✴️How to get more Google reviews (even in "boring" industries)

✴️Why most lead generation tactics fail and what actually works Justin unpacks myths, shares insider strategies, and outlines a flywheel approach that helps small businesses outpace the competition in today's oversaturated, AI-noisy market.

⏱️ Timestamps (Valuable Nuggets for Entrepreneurs)

[06:27] – Why Google and Meta ads are 4x more expensive and what to do instead Justin explains how ad costs have skyrocketed and why small businesses need to rethink their marketing budgets.

[11:12] – The secret edge in 2025: Combine digital strategy with physical space Learn how businesses in "unsexy" industries are dominating with smart SEO and CRO tactics.

[16:02] – Why A/B testing is dead and how A to Z testing wins on TikTok Shop Justin shares a low-cost, influencer-driven strategy that outperforms traditional ad campaigns.

[20:22] – Newsletter marketing that works: The "flywheel" funnel that fuels 20% conversion rates Ditch the book flogging—this circular approach builds trust, authority, and recurring revenue.

[25:40] – The #1 hack to get more Google Reviews without being pushy From tipping staff to donating to charities, Justin shares genius ways to ethically increase 5-star reviews.

👉 follow us on YouTube @Midlifesuccess

#podcast #entrepreneur #smallbusiness #smallbizstories #marketing #leadgeneration

S5:E21

In this Small Biz Stories episode, Dr. LL sits down with Michael Barbarita, Jr., a fractional CFO, award-winning speaker, author of Powerful Business Strategies, and serial entrepreneur who's helped generate millions across industries from retail to manufacturing. With over 40 years of financial leadership and firsthand entrepreneurial grit, Michael shares how small business owners can make smarter financial decisions, structure irresistible offers, and unlock hidden value in their companies.

You'll walk away with tactical advice on:

💰Making compelling offers rooted in financial logic

💰Avoiding rookie money mistakes

💰Scaling sustainably using simply money-making moves to sell more product

💰Building a business that sells itself—with numbers to back it If you've ever thought, "I need someone to make sense of my business finances," this episode is for you.

⏱️ Highlights (Tips & Insights):

"It's not just about revenue. It's about value." Michael explains why adding real business value requires more than top-line growth; it's about strategic financial infrastructure.

"A compelling offer starts with understanding your costs." Learn why most business offers fail and how anchoring your offer in margin and value unlocks results.

"Hire a fractional CFO before you think you need one." The right time to bring in financial help isn't when you're drowning; it's before the flood. Michael explains when and why.

"Small business owners should stop guessing and start forecasting." Discover a simple forecasting framework any founder can use to predict cash flow and growth opportunities.

"Financial clarity builds confidence for you and your investors."

Michael reveals how financial reporting done right can turn uncertainty into investor-ready trust.

Don't forget to subscribe to YouTube @Midlifesuccess

#entrepreneur #business #money #smallbusiness #finance

You when you just "hit it off" with a total stranger? Watch the ideas fly! What a fabulous guest and learning experience! Filip is easy going and curious which is a terrific combination to understand how to get unstuck in the customer journey.

In this episode, Filip Sardi, founder of Client Flow™, reveals to Dr. LL how online entrepreneurs can stop chasing new clients and start multiplying results with the ones they already have. Drawing from 11+ years in coaching and eLearning, Filip shares actionable strategies to make client success predictable, scalable, and profitable. From onboarding to upsells, he explains how to create lasting growth engines that build trust, retention, and referrals.

Key Takeaways:

✴️ Why focusing on existing clients generates more profit than constantly hunting new ones.

✴️ How to design an onboarding experience that builds trust quickly and sets clients up for success.

✴️ Identifying drop-off points in client momentum—and what to do about them before they churn.

✴️ Using the ClientFlow Pulse™ AI tool to see which clients are thriving, stuck, or ready for more.

✴️ Designing upsells that feel like a natural next step, boosting revenue without feeling "salesy."

Whether you're a course creator, high-end service provider, or membership owner, this episode will give you concrete systems to increase retention, referrals, and long-term profitability.

To learn more about Filip's work 👇 https://filipsardi.com/

Follow Filip on Instagram 👇 https://www.instagram.com/filip.sardi/

🔻And don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube @Midlifesuccess

#business #entrepreneur #sales #growth #smallbusiness #learning

S5:E19

In this inspiring episode of Small Biz Stories, we sit down with New Jersey photographer and former educator Janet Joyner, founder of Janet Joyner Photography📸, to explore how she empowers women (especially those over 40) to rediscover their beauty, embrace confidence, and show up strong in a digital world. Janet shares invaluable photography tips, branding insights, and her journey of starting a business at 50 after leaving education.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a woman reinventing herself, or just camera-shy, this episode is packed with wisdom on how to be seen, and remembered.

💡 Timestamps & Takeaways:

📸[2:45] Starting at 50: Reinventing Yourself Is Always Possible "You're never too old. I love photography—so I said, why not try it?"

📸[4:45] How to Make Anyone Feel Beautiful in Front of a Camera "I sell you the way the world sees you—not the way you see yourself."

📸[7:54] Top 3 Photo Tips for Women Over 40 "Back straight, create space, and 'turtle' your neck for a slimmer profile."

📸[10:55] Why Great Headshots Matter More Than Ever "People make snap decisions based on your headshot—invest in it."

📸[15:35] Genius Business Card Strategy That Gets Remembered "Each card features different client portraits—people remember the card and the photographer."

✨ Bonus: Hear how Janet fosters authentic community through love-tapping and weekly support circles—boosting visibility, connection, and confidence for women entrepreneurs.

💡 Learn more about Janet's work: https://janetjoyner.com/index.html

*️⃣Don't forget to follow us on YouTube @MidlifeSuccess!

#smallbusiness #entrepreneur #photography #headshot #women

S5:E18 In this heartwarming and brilliant episode of Small Biz Stories, Dr. LL welcomes Jonathan Mast, affectionately known as "The Whitebeard of AI." He is a generous educator, strategist, and AI expert with a mission to make AI accessible for small business owners. Jonathan reveals the top 3 AI tools every entrepreneur should be using, how to overcome fear and overwhelm with technology, and how to create an AI-powered board of advisors (fictional and real!). He also shares touching and unexpected ways he's used AI from health advocacy to writing a tear-jerking Mother's Day letter.

Whether you're AI-curious or already deep in prompt engineering, this episode will inspire you to embrace the future with practical tips, humor, and a Santa-sized dose of generosity.

🧠 Topics Covered:

Must-have AI tools for beginners

Prompting frameworks that work

Overcoming AI fear with confidence

Building your own AI board of advisors

How AI can support emotional intelligence and relationships

🎯 Perfect for: Small business owners, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, consultants, and coaches.

LEARN MORE ABOUT Jonathan Mast

👉https://jonathanmast.com/

JOIN his AI Entrepreneurs HUB

👉https://tac.whitebeardstrategies.com/communities/groups/ai-entrepreneurs/home

✴️And don't forget to follow us on YouTube @MidlifeSuccess

⏱️ Timestamp Highlights (SEO-Rich Tips): 1:12 – "You don't need the perfect tool. You just need a tool—and start!"

➡️ Stop chasing perfection—Jonathan breaks down 3 simple tools to start your AI journey: ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Midjourney. 9:00 – "Use this 4-step framework for perfect prompts."

➡️ Jonathan reveals his prompting method: declare the expert, give context, ask a question, then say: "Ask me any questions you have." 15:13 – "I built a board of advisors using AI—real, fictional, and even dead people."

➡️ A mind-blowing technique to simulate advice from Steve Jobs, Tony Stark, and others using generative AI. 23:00 – "The fear of AI is like asking someone out—you overthink it. Just try it."

➡️ Jonathan likens AI hesitation to dating nerves—his advice? Jump in! It's not scary, and it won't bite. 26:22 – "Search 'white beard AI guy'—you'll find me."

➡️ Jonathan's signature branding: a heart-led leader whose goal is to help you save time, make money, and grow smarter with AI.

🔖#AI #JonathanMast #Entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #podcast

S5:E17

In this high-voltage episode, Dr. LL sits down with Neil Twa, substack writer of column, ⚡"High Voltage Business Builders" and author of Almost Automated Income with FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon). He shares hard-won lessons from going bankrupt to building a multimillion-dollar Amazon consulting business. Whether you're trying to break through a revenue plateau or reframe your leadership mindset, Neil's battle-tested advice is a game-changer for entrepreneurs ready to level up. For over 17 years, Neil has been constructing businesses both online and offline after departing his senior IBM role. Since 2012, he's launched 5+ personal brands, generated 10's of millions in revenues as 8 figures sellers, and assisted in the growth of 1000+ others through consulting, coaching, and mentoring alongside his partner, Reed, and their Voltage team.

🎯 Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs:

Letting Go to Scale: Neil explains how fear and scarcity mindsets hold business owners back from reaching the $5M to $10M mark, and what it takes to shift.

Failing Forward: Hear why "failing forward" is essential to success, and how reframing mistakes as momentum-builders transforms your journey.

RGAs = Revenue: Neil introduces the concept of Revenue-Generating Activities and how focusing on RGAs keeps growth in motion.

Hiring with Common Sense: Discover his practical approach to interviewing and why "firing fast" saves your culture and cash.

Bankruptcy to Breakthrough: Neil opens up about hitting rock bottom—and how he rebuilt stronger by staying focused on the right high-leverage actions.

✉️[email protected]

🌐voltagedm.com/

👨‍👧facebook.com/neiltwa/

📖to get a FREE copy of his book, enter the discount code SMALLBIZ on this website: https://www.voltagedm.com/freebook

❇️Don't forget to subscribe to ✅YouTube @MidlifeSuccess and to 👍like this episode!

#EntrepreneurMindset #AmazonFBA #SmallBusiness #businessgrowth #startup #ecommerce