Hey Small Business School! Today I am going to cover the strategic use of consultants in business growth. We are going to discuss why it matters and when you should consider making this important shift! I think this is an often overlooked decision that can make a huge difference in the development of your business, let get into it!

Topics Covered:

• Initial reliance on personal time and energy versus financial investment in consultancy.
• The pivotal moment when business growth demands hiring expertise for efficiency and scalability.
• Tips on selecting consultants who align with your business goals and values.
• Insights on the impact of not investing in expertise, with practical examples from real business experiences.
• Options like grants and financing for business development through consultancy.

Eventually a shift is needed to bring in the expertise that you don’t have the skills or time to provide for your business. You need to ask yourself, is this a time where I should be investing my time in my business growth, or is this the time where I should be investing my money in consultant services?

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 family! I am so honored to be joined by the amazing Adriana Fierastrau! Adriana runs an Online Business Management company helping small businesses and entrepreneurs systematize their business for maximum efficiency and profit. Three years ago, Adriana swapped her legal hat for that of entrepreneur, striking out to negotiate her own happiness and live life on her own terms. These days, she’s wearing even more hats as a mom, CEO, and founder of Negotiating Happiness, the podcast about life + entrepreneurship, and juggling all the hats. Through engaging conversations with fellow entrepreneurs from all walks of life, she explores the intersections of business, work-life balance, travel, and lifestyle. Tune in to learn how to systematize your business for maximum efficiency and profit as you go through the summer season and navigate the busyness of business, life, and parenting!

Topics Covered:

• Adriana’s transition from law to entrepreneurship.
• The importance of processes and how varied experiences contribute to creating custom solutions.
• Steps to audit your business processes, understand your audience, and streamline operations for better efficiency.
• Tips for effective delegation.
• Strategies for your business to run smoothly during vacations/ slower seasons by leveraging waitlists, automation, and efficient lead management. 
• Creating 'no disturb zones' and dedicating specific days solely to business development, rather than client work.
• The significance of truly disconnecting during your time off.

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is hard, especially in the summer when the schedules are packed and the kids are home from school. What can you implement from this episode to ensure your business is set up for summer success? For more insights on streamlining systems in your business connect with Adriana using the links below!

Adriana’s Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/assistant.ontario/
Website: https://ontarioassistant.com/day-reservations
Free biz audit/quiz: https://www.ontarioassistant.com/secrets-business-efficiency

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 I am so excited to get to podcast with my sister! My sister, Kelsey Clevett recently quit her corporate job and embarked on her small business journey as an energy healer and life coach. Together, we explore the nuances of our upbringing, entrepreneurship, embracing intuition, and finding your path in business!

Topics Covered:

• My sister Kelsey shares her leap from a traditional job to starting her energy healing and coaching business.
• What it's like to pursue entrepreneurship alongside a sibling who's already established in the field.
• Kelsey’s emotional journey of leaving a stable job to follow her passion for energy healing, despite initial uncertainties.
• How challenges and personal growth shaped Kelsey's approach to business and decision-making.
• The importance of networking, community building, and staying true to a heart-centered approach in business.

I think so many of us can relate to the ups and downs of the journey my sister is on. I loved hearing her perspective on leaning into intuition and authenticity in business, such sound advice for us all!

Connect with Kelsey with the links below!

Kelsey’s Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourlife_yourenergy/
Website: https://yourlifeyourenergy.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!

Welcome back to Small Business School! Today’s episode addresses a common topic for entrepreneurs, but I strongly believe that taking action against burnout is one of the most important changes you can make in your business! Parents and entrepreneurs alike often feel the weight of endless tasks and stress cycles that don’t seem to break. During this busy time of year let’s dive into some practical strategies to break the stress cycle and find balance!

Topics Covered:

• Understanding how continuous stress without closure leads to burnout, especially for busy entrepreneurs and parents.
• The importance of ending each day by acknowledging both physical tasks completed and emotional/mental achievements.
• Practical tips for creating clear boundaries between work and personal time to prevent stress from spilling over into the next day.
• Simple ways to build moments of peace and relaxation into your daily routine to help reset and recharge.
• Creating physical cues, like taking a deep breath on your porch after work, to signal the end of the workday and transition to personal time.

What physical cues can you implement in your day to day in order to ground yourself and prevent burnout? Reach out on Instagram, and let’s support each other on this journey!

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 I'm thrilled to have Brianna Goslin, a mortgage agent and educator based in Muskoka, Ontario, on the show. She is passionate about teaching Canadians what they don't learn in school about their home loan. Catch Brianna on YourTV Muskoka, where she hosts Let's Talk About Money (streaming on all podcast platforms). Together we’re diving into the world of money management, specifically tailored for small business owners to help you handle your finances better. Let's jump into some eye-opening money conversations that will set you up for success!

Topics Covered:

• Tips for small business owners on how to qualify for a mortgage, including the importance of having a two-year work history in the industry.
• The significance of having organized financial records, paying business taxes on time, and registering for a ‘CRA My Account’.
• The trade-off between minimizing taxes and qualifying for a better mortgage rate, and why it's crucial to plan ahead.
• How to approach mortgage renewals and the importance of consulting with a broker for the best options.
• Monitoring your credit, managing debt payments, and ensuring your credit report is accurate before applying for a mortgage.

Check out Brianna’s podcasts through the link in her Instagram bio and learn more about managing your finances effectively to qualify for that dream mortgage!

Brianna’s Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannagoslinmortgages/
Book a call with Brianna: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ0qq0Rm76sSSbaUA1sAZPzTrnwSp--hM97P2FpZQM-IkUI7Bv6Br6Yi5V2ykNnEPnRb_7Su0IN2

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, In today’s episode I wanted to share my fascination with a company called Yacht Water I’ve recently learned about started by Arlen Hamilton. I think their marketing and crowdfunding strategy is genius and can inspire you in your own business journey!

Topics Covered:

• Learn about Arlen Hamilton's innovative venture, Yacht Water, and its unique market positioning.
• The importance of aspirational branding and how Yachtwater leverages the luxury lifestyle.
• Crowdfunding with a twist, how using WeFunder to gather thousands of small investors can create a loyal customer base.
• The growing trend of sobriety and how it presents opportunities for new product markets.
• Creative ways to get customers invested in your business's success beyond traditional equity sharing.

I think what Arlen Hamilton is doing is fascinating and worth checking out if you are trying to motivate your community to get behind your business! Have questions? Reach out to me on Instagram, I’d love to hear from you!

Learn more about Yacht Water:
Website: https://wefunder.com/yachtwater/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yachtwatersparkling/

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 I am sitting down with the amazing founder of Buttercream Clothing, Candice Munro! After having her first child, Candice started baking cakes for friends and family as a means to contribute to family income and be able to stay home with her small children. When she couldn’t find a cute, vintage-style apron that she loved, she decided to sew a custom apron herself. It didn’t take long for clothing requests to start coming in when word got around that Candice could sew. Buttercream Clothing was born because the community asked for locally made, comfortable clothing and they are forever committed to creating just that – right alongside you. After a decade of many pivots Buttercream’s mission stays the same, to provide fashion that you feel good in and feel good about. In our conversation Candice shares her incredible journey of brand building, community, ethics, and adaptability!

Topics Covered:

• The Origin Story of Buttercream Clothing.
• Navigating Business Pivots and the ups and downs, including a surprising boom during COVID-19 and the challenges of adapting to economic changes.
• How Candice has cultivated a loyal and engaged customer base through direct feedback and inclusivity.
• The importance of customer service, delegation, problem-solving, and continuous learning in sustaining a successful business.
• How prioritizing a people-first approach has set Buttercream Clothing apart and the importance of small businesses in the community.
• Candice’s advice for small business owners.
• The importance of vulnerability and transparency in business.

Join us as we dive deep into Candice's entrepreneurial journey, offering inspiration and practical advice for building a resilient and community-focused business!

Have a takeaway from this episode? Tag @staci.millard and @buttercreamclothing Instagram with your takeaway and the first person will get $100 to Buttercream Clothing from me!

Candice’s Links:
Buttercream Clothing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buttercreamclothing/
Buttercream Clothing Website: https://www.buttercreamclothing.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!

Small Business School! In this episode, I want to get home the idea that when it comes to your business processes, simple and efficient systems are best. From leveraging the power of simplicity to embracing the "lazy" approach, in this episode I’m going to explore how to work smarter, not harder, for better results in your business!

Topics Covered:

• The importance of creating repeatable systems and streamlining processes for scalability and growth.
• The "Lazy" Approach: Exploring why seeking the simplest, fastest solution can often lead to better outcomes than overcomplicating tasks.
• How our brains can become addicted to stress hormones like cortisol, influencing our work habits and preferences.
• Optimizing backend systems such as bookkeeping and customer interactions where simplification can lead to significant time and cost savings.
• Encouraging leaders to train their teams to prioritize simplicity and efficiency in all aspects of their work, from customer touchpoints to internal processes.

I hope these insights inspire you to reevaluate your business processes and find ways to make them simpler and more effective. Sometimes the "lazy" way is actually the smartest way! Reach out and let me know your thoughts!

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! I am pumped for the conversation I get to share with you today with my friend Janette Downie! Janette is a Co Founder of Space Creatorz, a fractional marketing team, the host of “Cool, Calm and Rich” podcast, and a huge advocate for female founder wellness.Together we are talking about life and business with all the success, and not the burnout. This is something the two of us could have talked about for hours! I think there is so much value here, so tune in to here about:

Topics Covered:

•  Breaking away from cookie-cutter approaches and customizing life and business fit your individual needs and preferences.
• The importance of self-awareness and understanding what works best for you in managing your business and life.
• The permission to be happy now and have happiness as a part of the journey and not postponed until a future achievement.
• Differentiating between hard work and burnout, and how to sustain passion without sacrificing well-being.
• Finding contentment and joy in work and personal life, without conforming to societal norms or external expectations.
• Listening to your inner voice, setting personal boundaries, and building self-trust.

You shouldn’t sacrifice your wellness for success, we believe you can have it all! Figure out what works for you and flourish with it! Want to learn more from Janette? Check out the Cool, Calm and Rich” podcast linked below!

Janette’s Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsjanettedownie/
Cool, Calm, and Rich Podcast: https://coolcalmrich.buzzsprout.com/2198188
Cool, Calm, and Rich Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coolcalmrich/
Space Creatorz Website: https://www.spacecreatorz.com/
Newsletter: https://coolcalmrich.myflodesk.com/bj3xxvhkbr

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, In this episode, we are diving deep into the journey of entrepreneurship and why it's crucial to focus on the rise of successful business figures rather than just their current status. Drawing from my own experiences growing businesses I am going to share how to apply the right advice at the right stage of your business!

Topics Covered:

• The difficulty of clearly expressing business problems and the validation of hearing similar concepts from other experts.
• Reflecting on the changing landscape of business mentors and the importance of distinguishing valuable advice from unqualified opinions.
• Why we should study how successful entrepreneurs grew their businesses rather than mimicking their present-day routines.
  The different advice applicable at various stages of business, from startup flexibility to the necessity of stability in later stages.
• Seeking actionable advice tailored to your current business stage and the significance of niche focus for breaking through the noise.

Seek mentorship for where you are in business, not just where you want to be! Reach out and let me know your thoughts on this episode and how it could apply to your business!

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!