Time to Thrive - Marketing Strategies For Small Business

What happens when you combine military precision with entrepreneurial heart? You get Walter and Tasha Carter—co-founders of Maximize Growth and a dynamic husband-and-wife duo helping organizations elevate their leadership, communication, and team performance.

In this episode of Time to Thrive, we explore the most common leadership pitfalls small business owners face—and how to overcome them. From building self-awareness and creating effective communication channels, to fostering workplace culture and embracing generational differences on your team, Walter and Tasha deliver wisdom that’s both practical and powerful.

They also share:

• Why self-awareness is the foundation of strong leadership
• How to make communication a culture, not a checklist
• Why asking questions is the secret to unlocking team potential
• Strategies for leading younger generations with empathy and purpose
• The role systems, structure, and documentation play in scaling a business
• How their coaching approach is shaped by John Maxwell’s core principles

Plus, we chat about why friction might be the thing holding your business back, and how intentionality can lead to breakthroughs.

Whether you’re building a team, growing your influence, or simply trying to get out of the weeds of day-to-day operations, this conversation will inspire you to lead with both strategy and soul.

🔗 Connect with Walter & Tasha at maximizedgrowthllc.com or on social @MaximizedNow.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:56 Icebreaker Question: Spending $1,000 on a Friend
02:22 Leadership Development: Self-Awareness and Influence
04:28 Communication in Growing Organizations
07:43 Delegation and Trust in Leadership
10:56 John Maxwell's Influence on Leadership Coaching
13:54 Building a Positive Workplace Culture
16:45 Understanding Employee Motivations
19:07 Structure and Accountability in Small Businesses
20:23 Documenting Conversations for Growth
21:21 Understanding and Addressing Friction
24:04 The Importance of Communication and Systems
25:49 Leveraging AI and Productivity Tools
27:24 The Role of Coaching in Business
31:40 Military Insights on Leadership and Operations
35:02 Common Mistakes in Leadership
38:29 Maximize Growth: Services and Contact Information

Discover the strategies, systems and skills that lead to success in business. Visit TimeToThriveInBusiness.com to learn more.

What does it take to go from life-threatening trauma to thriving entrepreneur? In this powerful episode of Time to Thrive, host Bethany Meadows sits down with Nick Prefontaine—top motivational speaker, 3x best-selling author, and founder of Common Goal. At just 14 years old, Nick suffered a devastating snowboarding accident and was told he might never walk or talk again. Not only did he defy the odds, he created a life and business rooted in purpose.

Nick shares how he developed the S.T.E.P. system—a practical and empowering method that helps individuals move through trauma and toward their highest potential. From rebuilding his life to building a mission-driven business, Nick’s story is a reminder that our greatest challenges can unlock our deepest purpose.

Whether you're facing personal adversity or business burnout, this conversation will inspire you to take that first step—because as Nick says, “Once you take your first step, your next step is always possible.”

🎧 Tune in to learn:

• How to move through fear and take action anyway
• The S.T.E.P. system for overcoming obstacles
• Why aligning with your purpose is the ultimate growth strategy
• How trauma can become the foundation for impact-driven entrepreneurship

www.nickprefontaine.com

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:21 Nick's Inspirational Story Begins
02:32 The Snowboarding Accident
04:46 Miraculous Recovery and STEP System
13:20 Real Estate Journey
23:29 Finding Purpose and Overcoming Fear
29:04 Advice for Entrepreneurs
32:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Discover the strategies, systems and skills that lead to success in business. Visit TimeToThriveInBusiness.com to learn more.

In today’s polarized world, consumer decisions are influenced by more than just price and quality—values and worldview play a major role. In this episode, we sit down with Chris Peterson, author of Red & Blue Customers and co-founder of LifeMind, to explore how small business owners can refine their marketing strategies to better connect with their ideal customers.

Chris shares insights on:
 ✅ How political and cultural identity shape buying behavior
 ✅ The biggest mistakes businesses make when trying to appeal to "everyone"
 ✅ Practical steps to identify and attract the right audience
 ✅ Subtle messaging shifts that can make your brand more effective
 ✅ How to market smarter—without taking a political stance

Whether you're a small business owner, marketer, or entrepreneur, this episode will give you actionable takeaways to help you craft marketing messages that truly resonate.

🔗 Get Chris’s book, Red & Blue Customers → Buy Here
🌐 Learn more about LifeMind AI → lifemind.ai

Tune in now to discover how to align your brand for success!

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:39 Icebreaker Question
01:39 Exploring the Book: Red and Blue Customers
02:30 Research Insights and Market Behavior
06:55 Applying Insights to Business
10:06 Marketing Strategies for Different Audiences
26:05 Challenges and Missteps in Marketing
29:11 Practical Steps for Business Owners
35:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Discover the strategies, systems and skills that lead to success in business. Visit TimeToThriveInBusiness.com to learn more.

Want to start a side hustle but not sure where to begin? In this episode of Time to Thrive, host Bethany Meadows sits down with Nick Loper, founder of Side Hustle Nation, to share practical strategies for launching and growing a successful side hustle.

✅ Low-risk side hustles you can start while keeping your full-time job
✅ How to validate an idea before investing time and money
✅ Time management hacks to balance business, work, and family
✅ Scaling beyond trading time for money with automation & outsourcing

Nick shares real-world tactics that have helped countless entrepreneurs turn their skills and passions into profitable income streams. Whether you're looking for extra cash or aiming to transition into full-time entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with actionable insights!

📢 Listen now and start your side hustle journey today!

🔗 Connect with Nick Loper:
👉 Website: SideHustleNation.com
👉 Podcast: The Side Hustle Show (Available on all podcast platforms)

#SideHustle #Entrepreneurship #PassiveIncome #SmallBusiness #TimeToThrive

Discover the strategies, systems and skills that lead to success in business. Visit TimeToThriveInBusiness.com to learn more.

In this episode of Time to Thrive, host Bethany Meadows sits down with small business expert and bestselling author Steve Strauss to explore the future of entrepreneurship. From leveraging AI and automation to streamlining operations and securing funding, Steve shares practical strategies for scaling smart and staying ahead in a rapidly evolving market. He also discusses the power of thought leadership, branding and maintaining the human touch in a digital age. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you thrive.

Tune in now and learn how to future-proof your business!

Learn more at www.MrAllBiz.com

Subscribe to Notes To An Entrepreneur (I did!) at Notes To An Entrepreneur

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:36 Icebreaker Question
02:22 Challenges for Small Businesses
03:01 The Role of Technology
07:02 Lessons from Big Brands
14:12 Scaling Smart and Growth Strategies
20:53 Succession Planning and Personal Stories
22:14 Unexpected Inheritance and Business Challenges
22:51 The Importance of Succession Planning
23:42 Innovative Marketing Strategies
25:03 The Power of Pay Per Click Advertising
26:48 Leveraging AI and Technology in Business
34:13 Securing Funding for Your Business
36:28 Future Trends and Human Touch in Business
40:40 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

Discover the strategies, systems and skills that lead to success in business. Visit TimeToThriveInBusiness.com to learn more.

From struggling to make payroll to running multi-million-dollar affiliate programs, Matt McWilliams knows what it takes to scale a business through partnerships. In this episode of Time to Thrive, Matt breaks down the power of affiliate marketing and how entrepreneurs can leverage it to grow quickly with minimal risk.

Discover how to start your own affiliate program, attract top affiliates and avoid common mistakes that hold businesses back. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your strategy, Matt’s insights will help you turn connections into cash.

Key topics:
✅ The fastest way to scale a business with affiliate marketing
✅ Essential elements of a successful affiliate program
✅ Common mistakes to avoid when recruiting affiliates
✅ How personal branding helps attract top affiliates

Tune in and start building your affiliate empire today!

🔗 Learn more from Matt at www.mattmcwilliams.com/first100

00:00 Welcome to Time to Thrive

00:03 Meet Matt McWilliams: The Affiliate Guy

02:56 The Power of Affiliate Marketing

05:15 Matt's Journey into Affiliate Marketing

08:58 Building a Successful Affiliate Program

14:38 Common Mistakes in Affiliate Marketing

20:55 Incentivizing Affiliates for Maximum Sales

22:05 The Importance of Personal Branding

25:43 Starting Your Affiliate Marketing Journey

28:21 Innovative Affiliate Strategies

32:17 Building Mutually Beneficial Partnerships

35:52 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

Discover the strategies, systems and skills that lead to success in business. Visit TimeToThriveInBusiness.com to learn more.

Most businesses compete on price, but what if there was a better way to attract and retain customers? In this episode of Time to Thrive, host Bethany Meadows sits down with John Dwyer, founder of the Institute of Wow, to uncover a simple yet powerful marketing strategy that 97% of businesses overlook—incentives.

John shares real-world success stories of businesses that boosted sales without slashing prices, including a restaurant that fills its seats every night and a bank that stopped advertising interest rates and still grew by billions.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ Why incentives work better than discounts
✅ How to create offers that make your business stand out
✅ The biggest mistakes businesses make with customer engagement
✅ How to collect and use customer data to increase loyalty

If you're tired of price wars and want a smarter way to market your business, this episode is a must-listen.

🔗 Learn more about John Dwyer and the Institute of Wow at instituteofwow.com.

🎧 Tune in now and discover the marketing tactic that could transform your business.

Other websites to explore:

• Vacations Incentive - https://vacationsincentive.com
• Facebook Contest Formula - https://fbcontestformula.com
• https://aigenietrades.com  (targeted at trades)
• https://aigeniephone.com (All industries)

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:39 Icebreaker Question
01:43 Understanding the Wow Factor
03:30 Importance of Data Collection
11:02 Effective Loyalty Programs
16:16 Digital Marketing Strategies
23:21 Transition to Small Business Sector
24:12 The Power of Storytelling
25:10 Building Trust and Personal Branding
25:58 Surrounding Yourself with the Right People
26:59 Effective Marketing Tactics
29:44 Case Study: Greater Building Society
33:55 Content Marketing Success
37:45 The Power of Incentives
41:28 Inspiring Others Through Generosity
44:32 Key Takeaways and Conclusion

Discover the strategies, systems and skills that lead to success in business. Visit TimeToThriveInBusiness.com to learn more.

AI can feel overwhelming—especially for entrepreneurs who aren’t “tech-savvy.” But what if getting started was easier than you think? In this episode of Time to Thrive, host Bethany Meadows sits down with Diana Lee, founder of Waggle.ai, to break down the first steps to using AI in your business.

Diana shares her journey from pharmacist to AI entrepreneur and explains how small business owners can use AI to work smarter, not harder. Whether you’re a solopreneur looking to scale or simply curious about AI, this episode will help you understand:

✅ How AI can support (not replace) your business
✅ The simplest way to get started with ChatGPT
✅ How AI can help with brainstorming, goal-setting, and automation
✅ Why embracing AI now can give you a competitive edge

If you’ve been hesitant to explore AI, this episode will give you the confidence and practical steps to start today!

🔗 Learn more about Diana Lee and Waggle.ai at waggle.ai.

🎧 Tune in now and take your first step toward scaling smarter with AI!

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:43 Icebreaker Questions
02:25 Diana's Journey to AI
05:30 The Power of AI for Solopreneurs
06:20 The Origin of Waggle
08:01 Transitioning to Entrepreneurship
19:15 Balancing Automation with Authenticity
22:55 Practical AI Tips for Small Businesses
32:02 Mindset and Overcoming Self-Doubt
36:31 Conclusion and Contact Information

Discover the strategies, systems and skills that lead to success in business. Visit TimeToThriveInBusiness.com to learn more.

Are you drowning in daily tasks and struggling to scale your business? It’s time to simplify, systematize and thrive! In this episode of Time to Thrive, host Bethany Meadows welcomes Kate Erickson, the brains behind the systems at Entrepreneurs on Fire. Kate shares her expert insights on how to bring order to business operations, create repeatable processes and build the kind of structure that fuels long-term success.

You’ll learn:
✅ How to take inventory of your daily tasks to identify inefficiencies
✅ The key systems that keep Entrepreneurs on Fire running smoothly
✅ Why avoiding the “shiny object syndrome” is crucial for business growth
✅ The secret to balancing big-picture vision with operational details
✅ How to delegate effectively without sacrificing quality

If you're ready to take control of your business and create the freedom you dreamed of when you started, this episode is a must-listen!

🎧 Tune in now and take the first step toward a more streamlined, scalable business.

Learn more about Entrepreneurs on Fire at www.eofire.com

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:49 Random Questions with Kate
01:53 First Steps to Systematizing Your Business
05:21 Creating Effective Systems and Processes
07:56 Balancing Big Picture Thinking and Details
11:53 Tools and Strategies for Productivity
14:36 Building Freedom in Your Business
17:33 Delegating and Building a Team
23:26 Building and Engaging a Community
30:30 Common Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make
34:47 Key Takeaways and Conclusion

Discover the strategies, systems and skills that lead to success in business. Visit TimeToThriveInBusiness.com to learn more.

Are you ready to transform your business with the power of predictable income? In this episode of Time to Thrive, host Bethany Meadows sits down with Stu McLaren, a leading expert in membership-based business models and the creator of The Tribe Experience. Stu shares his inspiring journey from a service-based entrepreneur to building thriving membership platforms that empower businesses to scale sustainably while creating impact and freedom.

Discover why membership models are revolutionizing industries, how they create stability for business owners, and the key strategies to launching and growing a profitable membership. Whether you’re a small business owner, creative entrepreneur, or service provider, Stu’s insights will open your eyes to the untapped potential of recurring revenue.

Want to learn more from Stu? Visit stu.me for expert advice, and check out his latest book, Predictable Profits, at stu.me/book to take your membership strategy to the next level.

00:00 Welcome to Time to Thrive

01:08 Stu McLaren's Influences and Early Life

04:45 The Birth of a Membership Business

09:12 Challenges and Pivotal Moments

14:34 Understanding the Membership Model

21:16 Exploring Product-Based Memberships

21:57 Service-Based Memberships: Real-Life Examples

23:14 Information-Based Memberships: Teaching and Learning

24:11 Community-Based Memberships: Building Connections

25:15 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Memberships

30:07 Open vs. Closed Membership Models

39:32 The Power of Recurring Revenue

42:38 Where to Get the Book and Final Thoughts

Discover the strategies, systems and skills that lead to success in business. Visit TimeToThriveInBusiness.com to learn more.