Things Entrepreneurs Should Know

A full calendar can feel like proof that your business is doing well. But what is all that activity actually producing?

In this episode of Things Entrepreneurs Should Know, Chip Schweiger explores how busy businesses can still struggle with weak profits, repeated mistakes, and work that consumes more than it contributes.

From customers who require more service than anyone priced to reports nobody uses, Chip looks at what keeps businesses occupied—and how owners can decide what deserves their time.

One question worth asking this week: What kept us busy, and what did it actually accomplish?

For show notes, past episodes, and more from Things Entrepreneurs Should Know, visit TESKPod.com.

Want to continue the conversation? You can reach Chip directly at [email protected]

Follow the show on Instagram at @teskpod.

Things Entrepreneurs Should Know is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast should be considered accounting, tax, legal, investment, or other professional advice.

Some of the most expensive decisions in a business begin with two words: “Sure, we can.”

A custom request, an extra revision, or a project that doesn’t quite fit can seem reasonable on its own. But those commitments add up, taking time and attention away from more valuable work.

In this episode, Chip Schweiger looks at why capable owners find it so hard to say no, how to spot the true cost of a yes, and what to do when an old commitment no longer serves the business. He also admits that this is a lesson he hasn’t always applied well in his own work.

For show notes, past episodes, and more from Things Entrepreneurs Should Know, visit TESKPod.com.

Want to continue the conversation? You can reach Chip directly at [email protected]

Follow the show on Instagram at @teskpod.

Things Entrepreneurs Should Know is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast should be considered accounting, tax, legal, investment, or other professional advice.

Would more revenue make your business stronger? Or merely busier?

When profits disappoint, or cash gets tight, the instinct is often to sell more. But growth can magnify weak pricing, thin margins, and working-capital demands just as easily as it can improve performance.

In this episode, Chip Schweiger explores three different problems that often receive the same prescription: not enough revenue, inadequate margins, and profit that isn’t turning into cash. Before chasing more sales, it’s worth understanding which one your business actually has.

Sometimes the next move isn’t more revenue. It’s making better money from the revenue you already have.

For show notes, past episodes, and more from Things Entrepreneurs Should Know, visit TESKPod.com.

Want to continue the conversation? You can reach Chip directly at [email protected]

Follow the show on Instagram at @teskpod.

Things Entrepreneurs Should Know is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast should be considered accounting, tax, legal, investment, or other professional advice.

Sometimes the biggest constraint on a growing business is the person who built it.

As companies grow, the habits that once made them fast and successful can start holding them back. Decisions still flow through the owner. Employees wait for approvals. Customer relationships depend on one person. And before long, the business can only move as quickly as the owner can.

In this episode, Chip Schweiger looks at how owner dependency develops, why hiring more people doesn't necessarily solve it, and the important difference between being valuable to your business and being indispensable to it.

Because eventually, building a stronger business means building one that needs you less.

For show notes, past episodes, and more from Things Entrepreneurs Should Know, visit TESKPod.com.

Want to continue the conversation? You can reach Chip directly at [email protected]

Follow the show on Instagram at @teskpod.

Things Entrepreneurs Should Know is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast should be considered accounting, tax, legal, investment, or other professional advice.

It rarely happens all at once. A good customer asks for something special, a salesperson needs pricing flexibility, a manager wants their preferred vendor. And you say yes, because each decision makes sense in the moment. But string enough of those "yeses" together, and you end up with a business that's harder to run, more expensive to operate, and quietly less profitable than anyone realizes.

In this episode of Things Entrepreneurs Should Know, explore where the hidden cost of complexity tends to show up: in averages that mask which customers and products actually drive profit, in the friction created by too many vendors and exceptions, and in the temptation to hire your way out of problems that shouldn't exist in the first place. We'll also dig into how growth can amplify dysfunction rather than fix it, and why owners often become the bottleneck in their own company.

Simplifying isn't about shrinking your business. It's about making sure the complexity you carry actually earns its keep.

For show notes, past episodes, and more from Things Entrepreneurs Should Know, visit TESKPod.com.

Want to continue the conversation? You can reach Chip directly at [email protected]

Follow the show on Instagram at @teskpod.

Things Entrepreneurs Should Know is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast should be considered accounting, tax, legal, investment, or other professional advice.

Your biggest customer may also be one of the biggest risks in your business.

A large customer can bring steady revenue, better utilization, and growth opportunities. But over time, that relationship can quietly begin shaping your staffing, pricing, capital investments, cash flow, and even your ability to say no.

In this episode of Things Entrepreneurs Should Know, Chip Schweiger looks beyond the usual customer-concentration percentages to a more important question: How dependent has your business become on the decisions of a single customer?

You’ll hear why a highly valuable account isn’t necessarily a highly profitable one, how customer dependence changes negotiating leverage, and why the best time to reduce concentration risk is often when everything is going well.

The goal isn’t to get rid of your best customers. It’s to build a business that can survive without any particular one of them.

For show notes, past episodes, and more from Things Entrepreneurs Should Know, visit TESKPod.com.

Want to continue the conversation? You can reach Chip directly at [email protected]

Follow the show on Instagram at @teskpod.

Things Entrepreneurs Should Know is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast should be considered accounting, tax, legal, investment, or other professional advice.

This week, enjoy an Encore presentation of one of the most popular episodes from the Things Entrepreneurs Should Know archives. Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or revisiting a classic, I hope you enjoy this timeless advice for business owners. I’ll be back next week with a brand new episode.

Feeling the emotional whiplash of running your business? You're not alone. In this episode we deliver invaluable insights to help you conquer stress, tackle burnout, and overcome the fear of failure. From setting realistic goals to celebrating small victories, discover practical strategies to navigate the inevitable highs and lows of entrepreneurship. 

Join us as we explore the importance of self-care, boundary-setting, and task delegation to maintain balance and productivity. Learn how to reframe failure as a stepping stone rather than a setback, and implement actionable tips to build lasting confidence. Whether you're just starting or a seasoned veteran, this episode is packed with wisdom to help you thrive emotionally and financially in your entrepreneurial journey. 

For show notes, past episodes, and more from Things Entrepreneurs Should Know, visit TESKPod.com.

Want to continue the conversation? You can reach Chip directly at [email protected]

Follow the show on Instagram at @teskpod.

Things Entrepreneurs Should Know is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast should be considered accounting, tax, legal, investment, or other professional advice.

Cash flow crunch got you sweating? You’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. In this episode, Chip Schweiger cuts through the fluff and lays out exactly how unsecured lending can be a smart, strategic move for growth-minded business owners.

Forget the stigma and scare tactics. Chip breaks down:

• Why even healthy businesses hit cash flow walls
• How unsecured lending works (and why it’s not just for the desperate)
• The right—and wrong—ways to use fast capital
• The must-know checklist before you borrow a dime

Ready to take action? Click this link for access to up to $500,000 in unsecured lending—no collateral, no nonsense, just real solutions for real businesses.

If you’re serious about keeping your business moving forward, you won’t want to miss this episode.

For show notes, past episodes, and more from Things Entrepreneurs Should Know, visit TESKPod.com.

Want to continue the conversation? You can reach Chip directly at [email protected]

Follow the show on Instagram at @teskpod.

Things Entrepreneurs Should Know is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast should be considered accounting, tax, legal, investment, or other professional advice.

You’re working hard, but is your business bank account bleeding out behind your back? In this episode, learn the hidden profit leaks draining small businesses, right under their owners’ noses. Forget the obvious expenses; we’re talking about the silent killers: forgotten subscriptions, unchecked scope creep, underpricing, and more.

Chip reveals the five most common ways businesses lose money without realizing it, shares real-world stories, and gives you a no-nonsense checklist to stop the leaks for good. If you’re ready to keep more of what you earn and finally tighten up your bottom line, this episode is your wake-up call. Listen in, take action, and plug those leaks before they sink your ship.

For show notes, past episodes, and more from Things Entrepreneurs Should Know, visit TESKPod.com.

Want to continue the conversation? You can reach Chip directly at [email protected]

Follow the show on Instagram at @teskpod.

Things Entrepreneurs Should Know is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast should be considered accounting, tax, legal, investment, or other professional advice.

Struggling to keep your business’s cash flow steady? You’re not alone. In this episode of Things Entrepreneurs Should Know, learn the essentials of cash flow management for small businesses—why it matters, the most common mistakes to avoid, and practical steps you can implement today to keep your business running smoothly. Plus, you'll get the top tips for forecasting, building a cash reserve, and using technology to make cash flow easier.

Ready to take control of your business finances?
Get 30% off six months of QuickBooks with [this link]

For show notes, past episodes, and more from Things Entrepreneurs Should Know, visit TESKPod.com.

Want to continue the conversation? You can reach Chip directly at [email protected]

Follow the show on Instagram at @teskpod.

Things Entrepreneurs Should Know is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast should be considered accounting, tax, legal, investment, or other professional advice.