Hey Small Business School! Today on the show I am talking with Dylan Jahraus, a seasoned ecommerce expert with over 10 years of experience and went from corporate e-commerce to making over $1M profit on Etsy, Amazon and Shopify. She and her team now help thousands of Etsy Sellers grow with corporate e-commerce principles through her 1:1 coaching program, the Ultimate Etsy Course. Outside of being an 8 figure CEO she's also a military spouse and a mom of two boys!

In our conversation we dive deep into what it takes to build a successful brand on Etsy, from pricing strategies to understanding your customer, Dylan shares practical tips and valuable insights that will help you navigate the world of online selling with confidence!

Topics Covered:

• Getting Started on Etsy: Why it’s the best platform for new sellers and how to leverage its built-in marketing.  
• Pricing and Product Market Fit: How to create a compelling value proposition and use pricing strategies for different business stages.  
• Etsy SEO and Branding.  
• Wholesale vs. Direct-to-Consumer: Why you need both and how to use customer data to strengthen your strategy.  
• Success Traits in Sellers: Why busy moms and action-oriented individuals often thrive in e-commerce.
• Starting small and integrating your business into the “margins of life”.
• How much time you need to dedicate to your Etsy journey. 
• Why Etsy isn’t for passive income seekers but rewards grit and endurance.  

It’s never too late to start in e-commerce! Don’t miss out on this episode packed with insight for any looking to start or grow in e-commerce!

Connect with Dylan!

Dylan ’s Links:
Instagram
YouTube
Website
Free Strategy Call
16-Step Checklist Daily Actions For Etsy

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Welcome back to Small Business School! This is my first recording of 2025, and I am so thrilled to kick off the year with the incredible Carly Ottaway founder of Web of Words. Web of Words is an award-winning agency of 9 years obsessed with building brand legacies. Carly is not just a business powerhouse, she’s also a lighthouse of wisdom and inspiration, I am so excited for our conversation on the pressures of social media and business expectations in January, how to show up authentically and with gratitude amidst personal struggles, and adjusting your routines to fit your season of life!

In this episode we also discuss: 

• The pressure of January goal-setting vs. embracing your own pace and season.
• The transformative power of small daily habits for creativity and mental clarity.
• Balancing big dreams with actionable steps to show up as the person you need to be for your goals.
• Adjusting routines to fit your lifestyle, whether it’s nightly reflections or embracing authenticity in your journaling.
• Using social media as a tool to connect, not compare.
• Balancing growth strategies with staying authentic and building meaningful relationships.
• How knowing why you're on a platform is key to using it effectively.
• How to manage showing up in both your highs and lows while avoiding oversharing.
• Balancing vulnerability and professionalism when sharing challenges online and with clients.
• How to approach showing up in tough seasons authentically.
• Building trust by staying consistent and delivering despite personal struggles.
• How to discover and lean on your “authentic pillars” to guide your actions and decisions.

Tuning into your personal rhythm, building trust in small habits, and redefining success can help you create space for a thriving business and a joyful life in 2025. 

Let’s go into this year refreshed together!

Connect with Carly and keep an eye out for her upcoming Substack launch!
Instagram
Web of Words
Web of Words Instagram

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Welcome back to Small Business School, in today’s guest episode I am joined by Megan Golightly, founder and CEO of Simplified Inc., widely recognized through her popular Instagram handle @gosimplified. 

Since 2008, Megan has led her team in empowering individuals to declutter, organize, and embrace simplicity. Her work spans organizing projects of all sizes and collaborating with families for remarkable home transformations. With a background in psychology and a passion for neuroscience, Megan's books highlight the relationship between our brains and the spaces we inhabit. Her online community, inspired by her tips, tricks, guides, and transformative before-and-afters, has grown to hundreds of thousands of followers. Megan frequently organizes Canadian celebrities' homes and is a sought-after speaker at home shows and corporate events across Canada. She has been featured by Chatelaine, Global News, and the CBC!

In this episode, we dive into the importance of staying aligned with your mission, prioritizing value, and setting boundaries in business and life. Whether you're managing a team, starting a project, or organizing your home, tune in, there are nuggets of wisdom here for you!

Topics Covered:

• Megan’s journey of reinvention and how she discovered her passion for organizing.  
• How starting an Instagram account propelled Megan’s business growth.
• The importance of asking questions, seeking experts, and being curious.  
• Overcoming challenges in scaling a business, building a team, and managing overwhelm.  
• Megan’s strategic approach to collaborations and leveraging social media for success.  
• The significance of providing value in every interaction and avoiding "filler" content.  
• Recognizing personal strengths and building a team that complements your weaknesses.  
• Exploring the neuroscience behind procrastination and how to overcome mental blocks.  
• Balancing the drive for growth with the need to protect mental health and boundaries.  
• Lessons on mindful consumerism and curating what (or who) earns a place in your space.  
• Why celebrating small wins can reduce anxiety and keep you climbing the ladder of success.  
• How organization and decluttering can transform not only your home but your mindset as an entrepreneur.

Join us for an honest, relatable, and inspiring conversation packed with actionable advice for small business owners navigating growth and change.

Connect with Megan!

Megan’s Links:
Instagram
Website
Explore Megan's How To Guides

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Welcome back to another Accounting Q&A episode of Small Business School, in this episode, we’re diving into the ins and outs of monthly bookkeeping! 

Whether you’re managing your own finances or considering outsourcing, this episode is packed with tips to help you streamline your bookkeeping process and keep your finances in check. Let’s make sure your financial foundation is rock solid!

Topics Covered:

• Why monthly bookkeeping is non-negotiable. Building good financial decisions starts with consistent and accurate bookkeeping.
• Choosing your tools. From spreadsheets to QuickBooks, we discuss the pros, cons, and costs of various bookkeeping options.
• Three key steps to great bookkeeping: Categorize transactions, reconcile accounts, and review your work for accuracy and insights.
• Keeping personal and business finances separate, catching missed expenses, and asking the CFO-level questions about your spending.

Mastering monthly bookkeeping boils down to categorizing transactions, reconciling accounts, and reviewing your work to make informed financial decisions!

Reach out if you have questions!

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

In today’s episode I am diving into an Accounting Q&A  is for everyone who's puzzled by year-end adjusting entries and why accountants seem so particular about them. I'll break down why these entries matter, how they affect your business numbers, and what you need to know to handle them confidently!

Topics Covered:

• The role of accountants in reviewing year-end entries to ensure accuracy and adherence to accounting standards.
• Why year-end adjustments aren’t usually made in your bookkeeping software and how to update them.
• Key entries like depreciation, accruals, and inventory adjustments that commonly appear at year end.
• Understanding adjusting entries to improve bookkeeping accuracy and prevent recurring errors.
• Practical tips on where to look and what to ask your accountant for clarity on your year-end financials.

Know your numbers! Getting clear on these entries will help you see the real story of your finances and avoid surprises when tax season rolls around!

Have questions? Reach out, I’d love to connect with you!

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

In this Accounting Q&A episode, we’re diving into a hot topic recently at Thrive Accounting: deciding whether or not to incorporate your business. Incorporating has its perks, but there are also costs and considerations you need to weigh before making the jump. This episode is all about helping you understand when incorporation makes sense, how it affects your finances, and the questions you should be asking your accountant or lawyer.

Topics Covered:

• The upfront and annual fees for incorporating versus the expenses of staying a sole proprietor.
• The reason why you only save on taxes if your business leaves money in the bank.
• How incorporation can act like an insurance policy for risk-heavy industries.
• Why a shareholder agreement is critical if you’re starting a business with a partner.

Incorporating can be a smart move for the right business, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Know the costs, assess your profits, and ask the right questions before taking the leap!

DM me if you have questions!

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Hey Small Business School! Today, I’m challenging the idea that charging more automatically equals success in business. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for business success, it’s all about creating a purposeful and profitable business model that works for you. Whether you’re a luxury service or an accessible option, there’s a place for your business to thrive!

Topics Covered:

• Why higher prices don’t necessarily mean more success and how businesses like Walmart and Target thrive without being “luxury.”
• Success isn’t just about pricing; it’s about profitability, impact, and loving the work you do.
• The pros and cons of operating in high-end vs. affordable spaces, and how to make either model work for you.
• Why it’s essential to match your price with the value you deliver and how to avoid the “race to the bottom.”

Success isn’t about charging the most! It's about creating a business that feels purposeful, profitable, and aligned with your goals!

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

In this episode of Small Business School I am excited to dive into a discussion with seasoned real estate broker and entrepreneur Stephanie Soave, founder of Soave Group. Stephanie has a passion for helping others build financial freedom and make life-changing moves. With a background rooted in small businesses and over a decade of experience in real estate, Stephanie has built a reputation for her personalized approach and commitment to empowering families and business owners. Stephanie’s mission is to inspire others to achieve financial independence and build a legacy through strategic real estate and financial planning.

Together we dive into Steph’s journey growing up in a family-run restaurant, building her real estate business, empowering others through real estate and financial independence, and helping Canadians navigate the journey of expanding their lives and businesses internationally. 

Topics Covered:

• Stephanie’s journey in entrepreneurship, and the lessons she learned about teamwork and trust.
• The importance of creating a home that serves as both a sanctuary and a workspace for entrepreneurs and how Stephanie helps clients achieve that.
• How Stephanie’s “Make Your Move Method” supports families in finding homes that align with their dreams and business needs.
• Why trust, service, and community are the foundations of her business, and how focusing on these has led to repeat and referral success.
• How Stephanie helps Canadian families expand businesses and relocate across borders.
• Why Costa Rica is a booming market for vacation properties and business investments.
• Practical advice for diversifying assets and creating generational wealth.
• Connect with Stephanie for insights into real estate and financial freedom!

Steph’s Links:
Instagram
Website

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Have you ever felt completely called out by a podcast episode? That’s exactly where I found myself recently, and it sparked some big reflections on business, distractions, and focus. 

In this episode, I’m diving into what happens when we spread ourselves too thin and how getting clear on our goals can transform how we allocate our energy and resources.

Topics Covered:

• The cost of distractions. Why spreading your efforts across too many projects slows down growth and makes success more expensive.
• How focusing on one goal at a time can maximize returns and efficiency.
• Letting go with intention. Strategies for shelving side projects, creating exit plans, or finding help to step back.
• How not having clear goals can leave you feeling lost, and why setting them is the first step to success.

Success often comes down to focus. By clarifying your goals and shedding distractions, you can build momentum in your business and set the stage for greater opportunities later!

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Hey Small Business School! Starting a business while relying on it for income can be incredibly challenging and might even hold you back. In this episode, I dive into the pressure that comes with needing immediate cash flow and why a slower, more intentional start might be the key to long-term success for your small business.

Let’s get started!

Topics Covered:

• The “burn it all down” mentality: Why quitting your job cold turkey isn’t always the best choice and how to assess if it’s right for you.
• Understanding your financial runway to avoid running out of resources too soon, from budgeting to planning for the unexpected.
• Time investment vs. quick wins, why it’s crucial to focus on sustainable growth rather than chasing short-term “hacks” for fast cash.
• Building visibility over time: how consistent networking and creating visibility can ease the pressure to earn immediately.
• Balancing stability and ambition: tips on leveraging a job or savings as a financial buffer while growing your business.

It’s not always better to dive in head first. How can you be putting a safety net in place?

Tune in for a real talk about setting yourself up for sustainable business growth without the stress of immediate income needs.

DM me on Instagram if you have questions!

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!