The Turtlesmith Podcast

What's the difference between marketing and advertising — and why does it matter for your small business? In this episode, John and Calvin are joined by Dylan, host of the Sense of Direction podcast and Turtle Smith's own marketing expert, to break down two of the most misunderstood concepts in business. They explore how small business owners can identify their ideal customers, why market research reports cost a fortune (and what to do instead), and how to stretch a modest budget — like that $3,500 tax refund — to both launch and promote a business. Plus, the conversation takes some fun detours into pool cue demographics, Japanese quit-for-hire services, DoorDash foot pics, and the very real business potential of cleaning up dog poop. Whether you're side-gigging or building an empire, this episode is packed with real talk on getting eyes on your business without breaking the bank.

0:00 — Intro & Welcome

0:57 — Season 3, Episode 22 begins

2:13 — Today's topic: businesses you can start for $3,500

3:04 — Marketing vs. Advertising: What's the difference?

5:40 — Meet Dylan: Turtle Smith's marketing expert

6:24 — How Dylan builds market reports for small businesses

12:02 — Trusting the data: balancing reports vs. real-world knowledge

13:55 — Cheap & effective advertising strategies for new businesses

14:09 — Social media as a free advertising tool

21:41 — Using government vendor lists to build your business resume

26:54 — Final advice: Don't quit your day job on a $3,500 stake

27:02 — Dylan's tip: Free work builds your portfolio

27:44 — Outro & where to find Turtle Smith

In this episode of the Turtle Smith podcast, hosts Scott Hess and John Barton dive into the evolving world of digital currency to ask a pivotal question: Do small businesses hold the key to mainstream cryptocurrency adoption? The team explores the surprising statistic that roughly 33% to 34% of small businesses are already accepting crypto. From wild stories of early Bitcoin pizza purchases to the modern mechanics of crypto debit cards, they break down how these transactions actually work at the point of sale. Small business owners will find essential insights as the hosts unpack the hidden processing fees of platforms like BitPay and navigate the complex IRS tax implications of treating cryptocurrency as property.

Episode Timestamps

0:00 - Scott Hess and John Barton introduce the Turtle Smith podcast and their mission to help small business owners.

0:32 - Calvin introduces the episode's main topic regarding cryptocurrency acceptance. He notes that up to 34% of small businesses have already started accepting cryptocurrency.

1:45 - The hosts share personal anecdotes about early Bitcoin encounters and regret not buying in when prices were extremely low. They also discuss the famous transaction where thousands of Bitcoin were spent on Papa John's pizzas.

4:25 - The conversation shifts to how modern point-of-sale systems process cryptocurrency through auto-converting debit cards.

5:52 - The hosts break down processing fees from merchant services like BitPay. They discuss how these services often charge both the vendor and the customer.

7:20 - A crucial discussion on how the IRS views cryptocurrency as property, making its sale or conversion a taxable event subject to capital gains.

9:05 - The hosts explore direct wallet-to-wallet crypto transfers via QR codes. They mention the potential for zero-fee transactions but reiterate the tax complexities involved.

11:00 - The episode concludes with a debate on whether large corporations, rather than small businesses, will ultimately be the ones to drive mainstream cryptocurrency adoption.

Is your business being impersonated online right now — and you don't even know it? In this episode, Scott and John get into the increasingly common threat of business identity theft, where scammers steal your photos, clone your brand, and take money from your customers before you can do anything about it. John shares firsthand experience running JB Cases, a custom pool cue case company that has been repeatedly targeted by fraudsters on Facebook and Instagram. The crew breaks down the payment methods scammers rely on (and why platforms like Cash App and Venmo make it nearly impossible to recover your money), the tools small businesses can use to fight back — including Brand Verify, ZeroFox, and Brand Shield — and why Facebook's so-called "proactive impersonation protection" might be one of the biggest scams of all. If you sell anything online, this episode is a must-listen. Follow us turtlesmithok across all socials Visit us at www.turtlesmith.com

In this episode of Turtle Smith, hosts Scott Hess and John Barton dive deep into one of the most shocking business fraud cases in recent Oklahoma history: the spectacular collapse of the American Heartland Theme Park. What was supposed to be a $2.5 billion mega-resort in Venita, Oklahoma, turned out to be an elaborate scheme involving fake messages from God, a 91-year-old Pizza Hut franchise mogul, and developers with a history of failed theme park projects.

Join us as we explore how sophisticated scams can fool even experienced business owners, discuss the importance of due diligence, and share practical advice on protecting yourself from fraud. We examine the red flags that everyone missed, the devastating consequences for local vendors and the community, and the critical lessons every small business owner needs to know.

Key Topics:

• The rise and fall of American Heartland Theme Park
• How psychological manipulation works in business fraud
• Essential due diligence practices for partnerships and large projects
• Protecting yourself from client insolvency
• Recognizing and acting on red flags before it's too late

Whether you're a contractor, service provider, or entrepreneur, this episode offers invaluable insights into avoiding the pitfalls that can destroy your business.

Follow us @turtlesmithok across all social media networks, and visit us at www.turtlesmith.com

Episode Timestamps

• 0:00 - Introduction
• 0:18 - American Heartland Theme Park Story
• 5:36 - The Fraud Revealed
• 14:06 - Due Diligence & Red Flags
• 24:28 - Protecting Your Business

Join hosts Scott Hess and Dylan Steele as they explore timely financial topics affecting young adults and small business owners. In this candid discussion featuring guest Calvin, the crew dives into the spending habits of 18-25 year olds during spring break (averaging $3,863/month!), shares wild travel stories from Vegas to Barcelona, and debates the real impact of the Jones Act waiver on gas prices.

The conversation shifts to Oklahoma City hosting NCAA March Madness games and the estimated $10 million economic boost, sparking ideas for creative side hustles during major events. From Uber driving to impromptu tour guide services, learn how locals can capitalize on big crowds.

Plus: Gas theft flashbacks from the early 2000s, New Orleans scams, and why tattooed shorts might be the ultimate Barcelona fashion statement.

Topics Covered:

• Spring break spending habits & budget travel tips
• Jones Act waiver and oil price impacts
• March Madness economic benefits for host cities
• Side hustle opportunities during major events
• Wild travel stories and scam warnings

⏱️ Episode Timestamps

• 0:00
  • Intro & What Happened to John?
• 1:45
  • Spring Break Spending: $3,863/Month for Gen Z?
• 3:48
  • Best Spring Break Destinations Then & Now
• 9:47
  • The $250/Month Rent Days & College Living Stories
• 13:09
  • Houston Spring Break Scam: $2,500 Nightclub Ripoff
• 16:19
  • Jones Act Waiver & Rising Oil Prices Explained
• 18:53
  • When Gas Hits $4+: Theft & Economic Impact
• 24:21
  • March Madness Coming to OKC: $10M Economic Boost
• 25:50
  • Side Hustles for Big Events: Uber, Water, Tour Guides
• 31:47
  • Wild Travel Stories: New Orleans & Barcelona
• 35:07
  • Outro & Where to Find Turtle Smith

Join Scott Hess and John Barton as they share hard-won lessons about entrepreneurship in today's world. John reflects on his year-long journey navigating commercial building permits and kitchen licensing, highlighting the costly lessons of impulsivity versus preparation. The hosts dive deep into their origin stories—from John's basement workshop in Germany to Scott's leap from corporate accounting—revealing how boom-and-bust upbringings shaped their risk tolerance as entrepreneurs.

Key topics include: the importance of nailing your elevator pitch, becoming an industry expert before launching, finding competitive advantages in saturated markets, and why 2026 is actually the best time to start a business. Packed with practical advice and real-world examples, from screen printing innovations to the pitfalls of taking on investors too early.

Whether you're in the early dreaming stage or ready to take the leap, this episode offers invaluable insights for aspiring business owners.

🕐 Chapter Timestamps

• 0:00 - Introduction & Kitchen Licensing Update
• 1:14 - Learning from Mistakes: Preparation vs Impulsivity
• 9:00 - Origin Story: Starting the Case Business
• 17:27 - Risk Tolerance & Entrepreneurial Mindset
• 24:00 - The Importance of Planning & Expert Knowledge
• 37:00 - Competitive Advantage & Finding Your Niche

Join us as we explore Michael Jordan's fascinating journey beyond the basketball court - from his struggles as an NBA team owner to his unprecedented success with NASCAR racing. This 33-minute episode dives deep into the challenges elite performers face when transitioning to business ownership, featuring insights about hiring, delegation, and building organizations that outlast their founders.

Key Topics:

• Why being the best in your field doesn't guarantee business success
• Jordan's NASCAR team's historic three-win streak to start the season
• The importance of hiring for your weaknesses
• Moving from "closer" to "architect" in your business
• Building systems that survive without you
• The reality distortion field and managing expectations

Perfect for entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone interested in the intersection of peak performance and business management.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction & Episode Topic 00:17 - Michael Jordan's NASCAR Team Success 00:51 - Jordan's Struggles as NBA Team Owner 01:44 - Larry Brown on Jordan's Inner Circle 02:38 - The Best Player vs. Business Owner Dynamic 03:41 - The Breakfast Club & Jordan's Work Ethic 05:30 - Talent vs. Hard Work: The 10,000 Hour Rule 06:39 - Avoiding the Yes-Man Trap 08:35 - Hiring for Your Weaknesses 10:00 - The Entrepreneur as Bottleneck 11:56 - Becoming an Expert in Business, Not Just Your Craft 12:00 - Learning to Let Go & Stop Micromanaging 13:38 - Finding the Right Mastermind to Run Operations 16:21 - Jordan's NASCAR Philosophy: Positioning for Success 18:00 - You Don't Need to Be the Smartest Person in the Room 19:47 - Treating Your Team Like World-Class Athletes 22:30 - The Closer vs. The Architect Mindset 25:00 - Building an Institution vs. a Monument to Yourself 27:21 - The Perfect Example: A Cue Maker's Legacy 28:39 - Using Resources to Make Life Better 29:12 - Jordan's $180M Investment That Became $3B 32:39 - The Scale of Modern Numbers (Million vs. Billion vs. Trillion) 32:59 - Final Thoughts & Closing

Join Scott Hess (Tax & Business Consultant) and John Barton (Small Business Owner) as they explore why 27% of small businesses lack professional advisors and how isolation costs entrepreneurs time, money, and growth.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] Introduction & episode overview

[1:33] The cost of doing it all yourself - why isolation is hurting small businesses

[3:43] Defining small business: What revenue range are we really talking about?

[6:06] Why most businesses lack professional advisors (and how many actually do)

[9:29] The fractional C-suite strategy: Getting CFO-level advice without the CFO salary

[11:05] Why business owners remain optimistic despite complexity and challenges

[14:46] The "empire is far away" principle: What actually affects your business vs. what doesn't

[19:37] John's story: Losing a major deal and the lesson learned about contracts

[23:35] Three pillars of your advisory board: Financial, Legal, and Growth Strategy

[29:00] ROI on professional advice: How one good tip pays for an entire year

[30:44] Thinking long-term: The $10K wardrobe that costs $1,250/year

[31:17] How to know if your advisor is actually good

[32:08] Actionable steps: The blind spot audit and finding your advisors

[34:00] The accidental discovery: How John found Scott (and what makes a great advisor)

[37:20] The abundance mentality in business networking

[38:23] SBA SCORE program: Free help from retired executives

[38:40] Budgeting for expertise: Treating professional fees as growth insurance

[39:29] Recap: From optimism to action

[41:20] Learning to delegate and let go

[42:23] Closing quote and final thoughts

Connect with us: All socials: @turtlesmithok Website: www.turtlesmith.com

Key Takeaway: You can't do it all alone. Building a network of professional advisors (fractional CFO, legal counsel, growth strategist) isn't an expense—it's growth insurance. Start by identifying what keeps you up at night, then find one or two professionals to fill those gaps.

Join Scott Hess (tax and business consultant) and John Barton (small business owner) as they discuss the controversy surrounding Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt's proposal to repeal medical marijuana in the state. The hosts explore the political, economic, and social implications of such a move, while examining what reform might look like instead of outright repeal.

0:00 Property tax payment frustrations

1:44 Kitchen licensing challenges

3:41 Stitt's marijuana repeal proposal

5:24 Federal rescheduling and 280E

7:42 Reform versus repeal discussion

8:57 Anti-marijuana propaganda history

10:24 Oklahoma's wild west licensing

11:32 Operation Blunt Force bust

13:20 Straw man ownership schemes

15:05 Foreign farms national security

16:55 Market consolidation and prices

18:59 Scott's kitchen rezoning loss

20:35 Prepackaged product requirements

21:58 Stricter inspections needed

23:24 Stitt's potential business interests

25:17 Billion-dollar repeal damages

26:41 Medical patient impact

30:10 Children and marijuana discussion

31:41 Delta-8 and gas station products

33:17 Binary morality on health

34:29 Testing and transparency needed

36:16 Politician accountability and advice

Join John Barton and Scott Hess as they dive deep into succession planning for small businesses. Inspired by Bob Iger's transition at Disney, they explore the critical differences between corporate leadership changes and small business exits. Learn why most small business owners fail to plan their exit strategy, discover the five common transition methods, and get practical steps to prepare your business for sale or transfer.

Key Topics: The "two-week test" to assess business readiness Common bottlenecks that prevent successful transitions Family transfers vs. third-party sales Why documentation and SOPs are crucial Real-world examples of successful and failed transitions

Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction and kitchen renovation woes

2:42 - Show intro and topic introduction

3:24 - Bob Iger stepping down as Disney CEO

4:48 - Disney parks and the Disney superfan experience

6:33 - Succession planning in small vs. corporate businesses

7:29 - Three layers of succession: leadership, operational, ownership

8:46 - The two-week vacation test

10:28 - Don't buy yourself a job

11:32 - Common owner bottlenecks

13:19 - Five ways to transition: selling to third parties

13:59 - Internal sales to key employees

14:24 - Family transfers and their challenges

15:30 - Story: The Chinese factory betrayal

16:20 - Making family transitions work

17:44 - Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)

18:30 - Winding down the business

19:29 - Case study: House of Gucci disaster

20:01 - Planning for the next generation

21:26 - More cautionary tales: Yahoo and Sears

22:50 - Success story: Jerry Buss and the Lakers

23:30 - Step 1: Define success for your exit

24:48 - Step 2: Pick a target timeline (2-5 years minimum)

25:39 - Step 3: Clean financials are essential

26:59 - Step 4: Remove bottlenecks and document knowledge

28:19 - The challenge of getting information out of your head

29:31 - Creating and using standard operating procedures

31:13 - Step 5: Risk reduction and client diversification

32:30 - Step 6: Formalize ownership and continuity

33:15 - Buyers who hunt for businesses without exit plans

34:28 - Story: The failed Chester's sale

35:28 - Task for the week: Plan your two-week vacation

36:14 - What if something serious happened to you?

37:30 - The brick layer who was too good

38:30 - Teaching employees vs. protecting your business

40:05 - Final thoughts on exit planning

40:46 - Outro and call to action