Welcome back to Small Business School! Today on the podcast I want to share my insights on when and how to invest the right amount of time and resources into the
foundational elements of a mission, vision and values. These statements should genuinely serve your business growth and not be wasted words on the website. Let's get into it!

Topics Covered:

• When you're just starting out, focus on your mission, but keep it simple. 
• Why you should never develop your mission, vision, and values in isolation.
• Engage your team in the process to ensure they live by these principles.
• Why as your team grows you should prioritize defining your values. 
• Don’t get bogged down in overthinking these elements early on. Invest the appropriate amount of time and energy based on where your business is in its journey.

I hope this episode helps you find the right balance in building a strong foundation for your business as well as a clear vision! 

Until next time, share this with a friend and keep growing!

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 to Small Business School! In today’s episode I am joined by Andrea Reindl! Andrea is on a mission to simplify complicated jargon that over promises and instead pave a path for people with big ideas and the teams that support them to be able to bring their visions to life. She does this by creating a plan, adding timelines and budgets, and making it real. Andrea and her team at Legacy Creative love to take chaos and tame it into common-sense business practices that are end-user-focused and rich in quality experiences!
I am so excited to dive deep into the world of brand development with Andrea and discuss how clarity can transform a brand from ordinary to extraordinary! 

Topics Covered:

• The importance of simplifying complex ideas for clear brand communication.
• Why consistency in messaging is crucial for brand recognition.
• The three pillars of great branding: clarity, making it real, and growing it.
• The law of gestation in business and why giving your brand time to grow is essential.
• Why networking and direct referrals are often underestimated but are a major source of business.
• How clarity in your purpose and instructions leads to better performance from your team.
• The power of niching down to serve your ideal client and why it attracts the right audience.

Tune in and discover how to bring your brand to life with purpose and intention! Want to learn more? Connect with Andrea and check out her free resources!

Andrea’s Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legacycreative_/
Website: https://legacycreative.com/
Free Resources: https://legacycreative.com/resources/

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, we're diving into one of the biggest hurdles I see for entrepreneurs today. It is our tendency to abandon strategies too quickly. We all want to go further, faster to achieve more, but the real secret to success lies in sticking with the problem and constantly refining our approach. Let's break it down together!

Topics Covered:

• The urge for instant success and the importance of not switching strategies too quickly.
• It's not just about having great ideas; it's about seeing them through and refining them along the way.
• Sticking with strategies, whether it's networking, marketing, or financial planning, success requires time, effort, and consistency.
• Resisting the urge to jump ship at the first sign of discomfort.
• How by sticking with and refining your strategies, you set the foundation for a business that can scale and thrive beyond the initial startup phase.

Lasting success doesn’t come from constantly chasing the next big thing, it comes from the dedication to solve problems and make strategies work. Stick with it, refine it, and watch your business grow! 

Share what you learned with a  friend and chat soon!

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!

On today's episode of the Small Business School, I reflect on my own past experience of investing time and money into launching a course and one of the most costly business lessons I learned in my early entrepreneurship days. We’re keeping it real today, whether you're a service provider or a product-based business owner, this one's for you!

Topics Covered:

• How the course landscape has changed, and why launching a course is a different skill set from running your current business.
• Right-sizing your investment, prepare to learn through trial and error. Your first attempt might not be perfect, and that’s okay.
• Before selling a course, focus on creating a strong, engaged community that values what you offer.
• Show up in small groups, make connections, and genuinely care about people’s businesses to grow your network.
• Ensure your course truly meets a need and provides value for people.

Take your time to launch, build your community, and when you’re ready, your course will have a solid foundation to succeed!

If you found value in this episode, share it with a friend or someone you met at a networking event. Let's build stronger businesses together!

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 to Small Business School! In this incredible episode I chat with Sydney Ryker, an inspiring entrepreneur, business owner, and transformational speaker. She has been the driving force behind a health company with over 7,000 active customers and multiple 8-figure global sales organizations, speaking on dozens of stages worldwide. Sydney empowers individuals through her "Identity Deconstruction" method, guiding them to shed societal conditioning and rediscover their true selves.

Together we discuss Sydney's incredible journey and how she discovered that true fulfillment goes beyond financial success. We dive deep into her ‘Identity Deconstruction” method and how it empowers individuals to reconnect with their true selves, fostering confidence and alignment in both life and business!

Topics Covered:

• Sydney’s journey from sleeping on a mattress to leading eight-figure global sales organizations.
• The concept of identity deconstruction and its role in shedding societal conditioning.
• How true confidence and alignment emerge when we move beyond the ego and societal expectations.
• The importance of taking a step back to gain perspective and prevent burnout in business.
• Embracing a feminine approach in business to align with our natural design and avoid burnout.

Sydney is so full of wisdom and offers such a fresh perspective on building a fulfilling business and life. Want to learn more from her? Connect with her below!

Sydney’s Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydney_ryker/
Website: https://sydneyryker.com

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 on Small Business School we're diving into a hot topic that might ruffle some feathers but needs to be discussed. There are massive gaps in the support for growing businesses! While there's plenty of government support and advice for startups, there's a concerning lack of guidance as businesses progress beyond the initial stages. Let’s talk about what’s missing and how I want us to bridge the gap!

Topics Covered:

• While well-intentioned, many government initiatives for businesses focus on startups but leave growing businesses struggling for guidance and support.
• Lack of financial literacy is a major reason businesses fail, yet there's still little emphasis on teaching business owners how to manage their finances effectively.
• Why mentorship from experienced business owners who have navigated various challenges is crucial for scaling businesses.
• The misconception that more funding is the answer, but without the right financial education and strategic planning, businesses are unlikely to succeed even with additional funds.
• A call for better business support with more robust education and strategic funding initiatives tailored for growth stages.

I feel like we are always prompting the start of businesses, and not the growth of healthy businesses. We need a shift in how we support small businesses, focusing on sustainability rather than just getting started!

What do you think? Reach out to me, I’d love to know what your experience with government support has been like! 

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 diving into a listener's question about what’s often overlooked in business and can be tough to fix. There are some key areas that came to mind and can make or break your success if not handled thoughtfully from the start. Let’s break them down!

Topics Covered:

• Don’t let optimism or ego lead you into expensive lease agreements. Be realistic about what your business truly needs and consider flexible options that won’t strain your finances.
• Failing to invest in yourself as a leader can lead to poor team culture, high turnover, and significant costs.
• Spending too much on branding and websites early on can drain resources.
• Focus instead on building relationships and gaining visibility through cost-effective means.
• Setting your prices too low can be a costly mistake. Understand your costs and the value you provide to ensure your pricing supports profitability and growth.
• Without a deep understanding of your expenses and pricing, you risk running a business that’s not sustainable.

Hope this episode helps you navigate these common challenges in the early stages of business. Have more questions about this? Reach out to me on Instagram, I’d love to connect! 

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! Today, we're diving into the world of wealth preservation with Daniela DeGasperis and Sarah Helmer from DDM Group. DDM is a Wealth Preservation Consultancy. By understanding the big picture of their clients’ situations, they craft tailored strategies and solutions using our innovative proprietary frameworks to help achieve client’s unique goals. Daniela is the Founder of DDM Group and Sarah is the VP of Communication, together with the rest of the DDM Group they are passionate about connecting people with the ideas, information, and introductions they need to take control of their financial futures!

Tune into our conversation to hear how they’re breaking down financial barriers and offering bespoke strategies that empower entrepreneurs and business owners to build lasting wealth!

Topics Covered:

• Daniela's personal story and the inspiration behind starting DDM Group.
• How DDM Group stands out by prioritizing client relationships and personalized strategies.
• Sarah's transition from legal to financial services and her passion for financial literacy.
• Insights on how DDM Group helps clients at various stages of their financial journey, even before they have significant assets.
• The importance of open, judgment-free discussions about finances and the unique approach they bring to their clients.
• DDM’s in-depth process for understanding clients' financial situations, goals, and the nuances of their portfolios to provide the best advice.
• Strategies for small business owners to plan for retirement, including using innovative methods like tax-free personal pensions and effective asset management.

Want to take control of your financial future? Reach out to the DDM group!

DDM Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ddm.group/
Website: https://www.ddmgroup.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ddm-group-2020/?originalSubdomain=ca

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 of Small Business School we’re tackling a common challenge: why so many business owners shy away from their numbers. It’s time to shift our perspective and start seeing numbers not as a judgment but as a tool for growth. Let’s dive into how you can make the most out of your financial information!

Topics Covered:

• Numbers Aren’t a Scorecard. Many of us view financial numbers as a pass/fail test, but they should be seen as tools to help us refine and improve. 
• Instead of fearing numbers, see them as a resource for making better decisions. 
• Approach your financial data like a scientist with a hypothesis. Test your strategies, make adjustments based on the results, and iterate to find what works best for your business.
• When you stop seeing numbers as a scorecard, you empower yourself to make informed, less reactive decisions. This shift reduces stress and enhances your strategic thinking.
• With the right mindset, you can use your numbers to make smart investments and drive growth.

Embrace the numbers as a tool for growth and watch how it transforms your approach to business. Here’s to making the numbers work for you, not against 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!

Welcome back to Small Business School! Today’s episode dives into a powerful lesson: treating your business like a business. It’s not just about crunching numbers and enforcing policies—it’s about shifting your mindset to create a legacy. Let’s break down why this mindset shift is crucial and how it can transform your business!

Topics Covered:

• Start viewing your business as an entity separate from yourself. This means understanding that it's not just about you but about creating a lasting legacy.
• Don’t undervalue yourself or your role. Pay yourself based on the value you bring to the business, not just personal needs. This helps in maintaining financial health and setting the right standards.
• When you treat the business like a business, you empower your team to make decisions and learn from mistakes. 
• Stepping back lets you see how different parts of your business interact and identify opportunities. This broader view helps in making informed decisions and spotting areas for improvement.
• Shifting your mindset and implementing these changes might take time, but it’s worth it. Trust in the process and the benefits will follow as you see your business flourish beyond its current limits.

Your business isn’t just about you, it is about creating a lasting legacy. You can balance your passion while ensuring sustainability and growth. Here’s to making that shift and watching your business thrive!

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!