The Small Business School Podcast

What started as a $20,000 funding award three years ago has grown into an initiative worth close to $125,000, and a much bigger mission to change how Canadian women entrepreneurs access funding and build valuable businesses.

Erin Sisko joins me to talk about the 2026 Capital Elle Business Impact Awards, why she wants more women thinking beyond simply starting a business, and how this year’s award is tackling gaps in networks, growth capital, and acquisition opportunities.

What you'll takeaway from this episode:

• The Capital Elle Business Impact Awards have grown significantly. This year’s award is valued at close to $125,000, with nearly 45 partners coming together to support Canadian women entrepreneurs.
• Every applicant gets value. Applying immediately unlocks more than $500 worth of business resources from Canadian women founders across the country.
• The mission goes beyond funding individual winners. Erin wants to help change Canada’s funding ecosystem so more women can access the resources they need to scale and build valuable companies.
• Women need to think about their businesses as assets. The goal isn’t simply to create a job or income for yourself, but to understand the value-driving levers that can turn your business into an appreciating, wealth-creating asset.
• Don’t count yourself out before you apply. This year’s award focuses on three key access gaps: networks, growth capital, and acquisition opportunities. If you’re questioning whether you’re ready or deserving, Erin’s message is simple: put your name forward.

If you’re a Canadian woman entrepreneur, take the 10 minutes and put your name forward. And if you know a woman building something valuable who should hear about this opportunity, send this episode her way.

Links & Resources:

Capital Elle Business Impact Awards: https://www.elleiance.ca/award (Application deadline - October 28 at 9:00 PM ET)

Follow Elleiance through their newsletter, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay connected to future awards and opportunities.

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

Wanting a more profitable business is one thing. Building the strategy, understanding the numbers, and becoming the business owner who can actually execute it is another.

Nicole and Kaila of My Aligned Purpose join me to talk about their Aligned CEO Method, why mindset and math have to work together, and how to move beyond trading more of your time for more money. We get into recurring revenue, pricing, business metrics, what your goals actually require from you, and their new book designed to help women build profitable businesses and get their time back.

Key Takeaways

• Mindset and math have to work together. A spreadsheet can show you exactly how to hit a revenue goal, but if you’re not willing or ready to take the actions behind those numbers, the plan doesn’t matter.
• Stop relying on more hours to make more money. Moving from a “maxed-out founder” to a “visionary expert” means building a business model that can grow without requiring you to personally deliver every dollar of revenue.
• Recurring revenue still requires value. The goal isn’t to put customers on a payment plan and do less. Sustainable recurring revenue comes from delivering something people continue to value in a way that also works for you.
• Know what your goal is actually going to cost you. It’s easy to say you want a $250K year, but are you willing to build the audience, sell at the necessary price point, invest the time, or make the tradeoffs required to get there?
• Learn your business metrics. Customer lifetime value, acquisition costs, conversions, profit margins, and other key numbers aren’t just for “numbers people.” Understanding them gets you into the conversations—and decisions—that help businesses grow.

A profitable business isn’t built on strategy alone, and it isn’t built on mindset alone. You need to understand the numbers, be willing to do what the goal requires, and create a business model that supports the life you actually want.

Grab Kayla and Nicole’s new book at www.myalignedpurpose.com/book and start putting their Aligned CEO Method into practice.

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

AI is changing how we work, but fear around it can keep us from seeing the opportunity.

In this episode, I’m breaking down how small business owners can navigate this transition without ignoring AI or blindly handing everything over to it. We’re talking repeatable tasks, systems thinking, and why your expertise and judgment still matter.

Key Takeaways

• Turn down the fear and look for the opportunity. Get clear on what’s actually changing and where it could make your business better.
• Use AI for repeatable tasks. Clear, recurring work with minimal decision-making is often the best place to start.
• Think in systems. The better you can define how work gets done, the easier it becomes to delegate, automate, and create consistent results.
• Keep a human in the loop. AI can get you further faster, but your expertise and judgment still need to steer the ship.
• You still have to put in the reps. AI can shorten the learning curve, but it can’t replace the experience and discernment that come from doing the work.

Transitions are part of business, and there’s always opportunity in the shift. Pay attention to what’s changing, use what makes sense, and make sure you’re still the one steering the ship.

If this episode got you thinking differently about AI and your business, send me a DM and tell me what stood out.

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this reflective solo episode of Small Business School, host Staci Millard shares a major milestone, episode 399, and announces a thoughtful pause and evolution for the podcast.

As she steps into building new software alongside her accounting firm, Staci opens up about the importance of reinvention, intentionality, and allowing space for growth. She also shares what listeners can expect moving forward, including a shift in publishing cadence, more intentional guest curation, and a renewed focus on high-impact, strategic content.

Key topics covered:

• Reaching 399 episodes of Small Business School
• The evolution of entrepreneurship over time and “delusional optimism” when starting something new
• Staci’s new venture: building software alongside her accounting firm
• Lessons from building multiple businesses from scratch
• The importance of evolving business models as you grow
• Why intentionality matters more as your workload and impact increase
• The decision to pause new podcast episodes for the summer
• Using the summer to focus on software development and long-term business strategy
• Reviewing and refining what’s worked (and what hasn’t) in podcast formats

Staci is looking forward to celebrating episode 400 and beyond as a major milestone and turning point this Fall!

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School, host Staci Millard sits down with business coach Ola Adeyemi to unpack what it really takes to build a business that is not only profitable, but also sellable. Fresh off her experience exiting a print and embroidery business in the UK, Ola shares the hard-won lessons that reshaped how she now coaches entrepreneurs through growth, leadership, and systems.

Key topics covered:

• Ola’s entrepreneurial journey: from running a clothing line to scaling and exiting a print & embroidery business in the UK
• The reality of business exits (and why most founders aren’t prepared for them)
• Why “building a business to sell” changes everything
• The difference between hiring for growth vs hiring for gaps
• Using a skills matrix to restructure and right-size a team
• Why smaller, more aligned teams often outperform larger ones
• Letting go of tasks you’re “good at but don’t enjoy”
• The importance of DISC profiling in team performance
• The financial blind spots most entrepreneurs miss before exit
• Why knowing your numbers weekly can transform decision-making
• The “Five Ways” framework: leads, conversion, frequency, average spend, and profit margin
• How systems create freedom, scalability, and business value
• Building a business that supports the life you actually want

From hiring missteps to financial blind spots and the emotional reality of exiting a founder-led business, this conversation challenges entrepreneurs to rethink how they build from day one.

Connect with Ola:

Instagram: @ola_bisi_adeyemi

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School, Staci Millard sits down with Isabel Nolan from Startup Canada to unpack the incredible (and often overlooked) ecosystem of support available to entrepreneurs across Canada. From free programming and funding opportunities to the power of networking and mindset, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone starting or growing a business. 

Key topics covered:

• The role of Startup Canada in supporting entrepreneurs nationwide
• Free programs, pitch competitions, and funding opportunities available
• Why networking is more powerful than most entrepreneurs realize
• The mindset traits that lead to success (and what holds people back)
• The importance of confidence, market research, and asking for help
• Common mistakes entrepreneurs make when scaling too quickly
• Misconceptions around funding, grants, and investment

Success in business isn’t about having everything figured out—it’s about taking action, asking for help, and surrounding yourself with the right resources and people along the way. 

Connect with Isabel:

Instagram: @startupcanada

Website: https://www.startupcan.ca/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelnolan/

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this joint episode of Small Business School and Community, Staci Millard and Kristina Bartold, Co-Founder of The Social Snippet and High Vibe Women dive into one of the most powerful (and often misunderstood) parts of entrepreneurship: building meaningful relationships and a strong professional network. Staci and Kristina reflect on their real-life experiences growing referral-based businesses, navigating in-person and online networking, and learning how to build connections that are rooted in authenticity, not pressure.

Together, they unpack what it really means to approach networking from a place of service, how to avoid “taker energy,” and why the strongest business growth often comes from the relationships you nurture over time.

Key topics covered:

• Why relationships are more powerful than traditional marketing for long-term business growth
• The difference between building relationships online vs. in-person networking
• Shifting from “what can I get?” to a service-first mindset when entering a room
• Recognizing “taker energy” vs. “giver energy” in networking situations
• How to approach events when you’re feeling nervous, introverted, or out of your comfort zone
• The importance of follow-up and how to do it in a way that feels natural, not transactional
• How to create value for others first and why that often leads to unexpected opportunities
• Navigating boundaries in relationships as your business grows
• Letting go of perfection in networking and focusing on consistency over time

Building a strong network isn’t about collecting contacts, it’s about showing up with intention, leading with service, and trusting that the right relationships will grow your business in ways you can’t always plan for. 

Connect with Kristina:

Instagram: @kristina.bartold

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this solo episode of Small Business School, Staci Millard shares three powerful reflections as we head into summer 2026. From stepping into your power to getting intentional with time and money, this episode is a grounded yet energizing reminder of what actually moves the needle in business and life. 

Key topics covered:

• Stop waiting for permission—create your own opportunities
• Reflection is the key to better time and energy management
• Intentional decisions create freedom, not restriction
• Money becomes less stressful when you understand it
• You only need a few key metrics to feel confident in your business
• Ignoring finances now leads to burnout later

As you head into summer, remember: step into your power, be intentional with your time, and build confidence with the numbers that truly matter because that’s where real freedom in your business begins. 

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School, Staci Millard sits down with entrepreneur and coach Catherine Dahl to unpack what it truly takes to scale a business successfully. From her early days in hospitality management to leading a tech company through a nine-figure exit, Catherine shares the systems, strategies, and leadership insights that transformed her approach to business. This conversation dives into the power of KPIs, the importance of hiring A-players, and why systems (not hustle) are the key to sustainable growth. 

Key topics covered:

• How to identify and implement the right KPIs for growth
• Why many entrepreneurs struggle without clear metrics and scorecards
• The importance of building and maintaining an A-player team
• Why team dynamics and leadership structure impact business growth
• The concept of running your business like a sports team
• Common challenges female entrepreneurs face with risk and scaling
• How coaching and mentorship accelerate business success
• When and why to transition team members as your company grows
• The balance between data-driven decisions (“hard edge”) and leadership/culture (“soft edge”)
• The biggest lesson from a nine-figure exit: implement systems early

Connect with Catherine:

Website: https://www.athena.coach/

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School, Staci sits down with Kristina Bartold, Co-founder of The Social Snippet and High Vibe Women to dive into a topic that many entrepreneurs have experienced but few talk about openly: trades in business. From early-stage “girl math” decisions to messy partnerships that strained relationships, they share real-life stories, lessons learned, and practical advice on when to avoid trades altogether and what to do instead.

Key topics covered:

• How to recognize when a trade is coming from scarcity rather than strategy
• Why trades often lead to misaligned expectations and strained relationships
• The hidden cost of “free work” and why it rarely benefits your business long-term
• What to do instead of trading, including smarter financial and strategic alternatives
• How to confidently decline trade offers while preserving the relationship
• When (and how) trades can work, with the right boundaries and structure
• Why clear communication and contracts are essential, even in informal agreements

Connect with Kristina:

Instagram: @kristina.bartold

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.