In this episode of The Small Business School, we tackle the question: how should you determine your own salary as a business owner? You need to pay yourself fairly while considering your roles in the business.

Topics Covered:

• The importance of paying yourself for the work you do in your business and a step-by-step approach to determine your worth based on market standards.
• How to differentiate between paying yourself as an employee and compensating yourself as a shareholder.
• Why it's crucial to look at your business as an outsider and assess its health objectively.

For more questions or assistance, connect with Staci on social media or become part of the Small Business Club for valuable insights and networking opportunities.

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School, we dive into actionable advice for small business owners on marketing with Maggie Glenski, Founder and CEO of Wrinkles Content Studio. Wrinkle's Content Studio collaborates with ambitious female founders every step of the way, bringing big agency experience to content strategy and development for social media, email and blogs. Maggie shares her journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of aligning with your passion and connecting with your audience.

Topics Covered:

• Maggie specializes in social media, blogs, and email newsletters for lifestyle brands and female founders. These modalities offer different ways to connect with your audience and enhance your online presence.
• Developing a solid content strategy involves understanding your audience, choosing the right platforms, diversifying your content buckets, defining your brand's tone and look, and creating a content calendar for consistency.
• Analyzing your content's performance through engagement metrics, such as likes, comments, shares, and saves, is crucial for refining your content strategy. Engaging with your audience by responding to comments and actively participating in social platforms is equally important.
• Be consistent with your content posting, but start with a realistic schedule that you can maintain. Above all, have fun with your content creation and explore new ideas and trends in your industry.

Maggie recommends the book "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert for inspiration and fostering creativity in both personal and business pursuits.

Connect with Maggie if you want to learn more content marketing strategies!

Maggie’s Link’s:

Website: https://wrinklesstudio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wrinklesmedia/

Email newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64d683d94e6d7765ad52a59f

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School we dive headfirst into the world of SEO with Jade Pruitt, founder of Hello SEO. Get ready to take some notes because we're demystifying this three-letter word and making it approachable for everyone. Don't wait to start, dive into SEO now and watch your online presence soar!

Topics Covered:

• Which businesses can't afford to neglect SEO. It's not just about online stores; local service providers like plumbers, cosmetic surgeons, and locksmiths can benefit immensely.
• The three pillars of SEO: content, technical SEO, and backlinks.
• Why connecting Google Search Console to your website is crucial for ensuring that Google's robots can index your site properly.
• The importance of using the right keywords and creating content that answers your audience's questions effectively.
• How backlinks from authoritative websites can boost your SEO ranking and how to go about acquiring them.
• How SEO can serve as a powerful tool for understanding what your potential customers are looking for and what questions they have.

Connect with Jade by following her on Instagram and visit her website for valuable insights and tips.

Jade’s Link’s:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadefromhelloseo/
Website: https://helloseo.com/

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In today’s episode we're diving into finances. As a fractional CFO and mentor to small businesses, I've seen firsthand how the financial side of things is the lifeblood of any business. It's not just about making money; it's about keeping it and using it wisely. In this episode, we'll uncover the fears and narratives that hold us back in our finances. Don't let fear hold you back; embrace the numbers and take intentional action to achieve the results you want and watch your business thrive!

Topics Covered:

• The common fears and anxieties that prevent small business owners from addressing their financial situation.
• How ignoring financial problems can lead to the accumulation of negative narratives and hypothetical worst-case scenarios.
• How gaining clarity about your financial situation can empower you to make intentional actions and changes.
• The importance of not getting stuck in self-blame when facing financial challenges and how to use financial information as a tool for progress and growth.

If you enjoyed this episode, feel free to reach out on social media. I'd love to connect and chat about all things business. Until next time, keep pushing forward!

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode, marketing expert Lindsay Breitwieser, founder of the CMO Lab joins to discuss the art of making money through strategic marketing Lindsay challenges the conventional approach to marketing by encouraging business owners to invest in a solid marketing plan. Lindsay is an ex-creative agency girl, Fractional CMO, and marketing educator. She is on a mission to democratize brilliant marketing and help more business owners learn how to use their data and insights to drive revenue. If you're looking to transform your marketing strategy, this episode is a must-listen!

Topics Covered:

• The common mistake of using marketing tactics without considering the bigger vision for your business.
• The importance of asking yourself, "What makes you money?" Many business owners struggle to answer this question, which can be a significant obstacle to effective marketing.
• The dilemma of hiring marketing specialists vs. generalists as your business scales and the need for a well-structured marketing plan before diving into tactics.
• The benefits of a top-down approach to marketing; where you start with your financial goals, delve into data analysis, and then select the appropriate tactics.
• Marketing plans are not one-size-fits-all; they must evolve with your business.

Connect with Lindsay and the CMO Lab!

Lindsay’s Link’s:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thecmolab
Website: www.thecmolab.co
Free Masterclass- The 3 Rules for Marketing That Sells: www.thecmolab.co/masterclass

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode join Mallory Rowan, a serial entrepreneur, real estate investor and content creator, as she brings us into her journey of entrepreneurship. Mallory emphasizes the importance of understanding the psychology behind human behaviour for business in 2023. You’ll learn how psychology influences social media engagement and the importance of staying authentic to your brand. 

Topics Covered:

• How creators can scale their influencer business with authenticity and build a personal brand that aligns with your values.
• How creators need to choose platforms that align with their strengths and resonate with their audience.
• Evolving strategies in the ever-changing world of social media marketing, the importance of staying adaptable and focusing on what works best for you and your audience.
• How understanding human psychology can transform your social media strategy. 
• The benefits of building boredom into your business model.

By diversifying your offerings and keeping things fresh, you can maintain passion for your work and adapt to changing market trends.

Mallory’s Link’s:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malloryrowan/
Website: https://malloryrowan.com/ 

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode, we get into the realities of business expenses and marketing strategies. The financial aspects of your business isn't just about dollars and cents; it's about seizing opportunities, optimizing your business model, and serving your customers better. 

Topics Covered:

• The misconception that gifting products to influencers is free. Breaking down the hidden costs from product costs to shipping fees.
• The two major currencies in marketing: cash and time. What is the best investment for your business?
• Assign dollar values to their time. By doing so, they make more informed decisions about how to allocate their time and prioritize tasks efficiently. 
• The importance of evaluating and adapting your business model in response to changing industry dynamics, high shipping costs, and other challenges.
• Proactively seek opportunities for disruption within their industries, as disruption can lead to growth and sustainability.

Share this episode with fellow entrepreneurs to help them navigate the complex world of small business. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and stay tuned for more episodes of "Small Business School." Your success is our passion!

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

Today expert in leadership development, Alyssa Krupp joins the podcast to dive into essential skills for new leaders in small businesses. Alyssa has been in sales for 15 years, sales leadership for over a decade and has sold for and led teams at Viacom, The Knot & small startups. In November 2022, she launched the Casslo Group with a mission of putting people first in the workplace and developing leaders employees are inspired to work for. Leadership is an ongoing journey, and continuous improvement is key to building a successful and harmonious team in your small business.

Topics Covered:

• Leadership is a skill that must be learned, irrespective of how great you are at your core business.
• We explore signs that indicate you might need help with leadership.
• The four common internal blocks that can hold you back as a leader: assumptions, interpretations, limiting beliefs, and gremlins.
• Leaders need to regularly ask, "What's it like to be on the other side of me?" 
• The only limitations you have are the ones you create for yourself.

If you're looking to improve your leadership skills, Alyssa's insights are invaluable. Follow her on social media for daily leadership inspiration and actionable tips.

Alyssa’s Link’s:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casslogroup/

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of HR and effective hiring practices with Jackie Koch. Jackie has over 15 years of experience hiring teams and leading HR for Fortune 500 companies, startups and digital entrepreneurs. Jackie has spoken to entrepreneurs at various stages of growth teaching them about how to hire, compliance and legal considerations, and how to build a great team culture. We discuss the importance of tracking time, categorizing tasks, and using tools like Toggle to gain insights into how you're spending your work hours. 

Topics Covered:

• The importance of hiring classification, compliance, and the pitfalls of misclassification and potential lawsuits.
• The hiring environment in Canada versus the litigious nature of the United States.
• Establishing workflows and time tracking systems before making your first hire.
• The importance of tracking your time to evaluate your business's efficiency, understand your tasks, and make informed hiring decisions. 
• How time tracking can help you assess your pricing and identify areas for automation.
• The strategic aspects of hiring, emphasizing the need to hire revenue-producing roles and the value of outsourcing key tasks to experts.
• Treating employees well, even if they move on to new opportunities. Building an alumni mentality can lead to positive referrals and long-term relationships.

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Before making that first hire, ensure you've laid the groundwork with efficient workflows and time tracking systems.

Jackie’s Link’s:
Website: https://www.peopleprinciples.co/
Compliance Checklist: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/647e7946dfd04634e99766e8
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackie.koch_/

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

Today, we're diving into a topic that might just change the way you look at your business! Success in business is not just about crunching numbers; it's about following where those numbers lead and optimizing your business systems for better efficiency and customer satisfaction!

Topics Covered:

• Why business systems are the unsung heroes of success. They're not just about cost-cutting but improving how you deliver your products or services.
• How to challenge traditional approaches and identify areas in your business that could benefit from a fresh perspective. Is there a better way to do things?
• The importance of considering the full spectrum of costs and savings when implementing changes in your business. It's not just about the immediate financials; it's about long-term growth.
• How to choose the right learning path for your business journey. Find out what suits your needs best.

See your business through a new lens, making it more efficient, customer-centric, and adaptable to change. Get ready to unlock the secrets to business success!

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.