The Business Behind Small Business

EPISODE DESCRIPTION: For small business owners, staying comfortable feels like stability. It rarely is. The clients you keep at discounted rates, the systems you don't fix, the service you don't expand, the hire you keep putting off — comfort has a cost, and it compounds quietly until it doesn't. This episode opens with Blockbuster vs. Netflix — the most instructive cautionary tale about what happens when a dominant business mistakes its current position for safety. Blockbuster had the brand,...

Most small business owners don't undercharge because they don't know their numbers. They undercharge because pricing is emotional — tangled up in fear, comparison to competitors, and the belief that "affordable" is a strategy. It isn't. This episode breaks down why small business owners hesitate to charge what their work is worth, how pricing psychology works in your favor when you understand it, and the three frameworks (cost-plus, value-based, and capacity-based) that strip emotion out of t...

88. Rebranding is one of the most misunderstood moves a small business can make. Done right, it opens new markets, resets a damaged reputation, or realigns a business with where it's actually going. Done wrong — or done for the wrong reasons — it confuses existing clients and wastes money you don't have. This episode covers the real reasons small businesses should consider rebranding (and the wrong ones that trap owners into expensive pivots), the timing signals that tell you the moment is ri...

87. Most service-based small businesses quote work one project at a time — and that model quietly limits both income and client retention. Packaging your services changes the dynamic: it makes your pricing predictable, your value clearer, and your client decisions easier. This episode walks through the complete process of building service packages for a small business: how to identify your core services, group them into tiers that make sense for different client budgets, price them in a way t...

86. How does the demise of DEI affect small business? What to do if you are a government contractor in 2025? How to know what profit margins should you have? How much does your payroll really cost you? Today, Sevana and Tiffany talk a little bit of everything in business. ************************ Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too. ************************ Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana to cover? Email us at thebusinessbehindsmallbu...

85.Tariffs aren't just a policy debate — for small business owners who import materials, source from overseas suppliers, or compete with imported goods, they're a direct hit to your cost structure and your margins. This episode covers what the current tariff landscape actually means for small business owners in practical terms: how upstream cost increases travel downstream to your prices, how to evaluate your exposure, and the steps small businesses can take to protect their margins when trad...

84. Power and status are two very different things in business — and confusing them is one of the most common ways small business owners undermine their own authority. This episode explores how men and women approach power and status differently in professional settings, why likability and competence are not mutually exclusive even when the world treats them that way, and how small business owners can develop the self-awareness to navigate both dynamics intentionally. The conversation covers ...

#83. Trump. Harris. Harris. Trump. How does their plans impact you as a small business owner? That's the center of today's episode - breaking down the main parts of each candidate's plans for taxes and the economy so you can make the vote that is right for you! ************************ Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too. ************************ Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana and Tiffany to cover? Email us at thebusinessbehi...

#82. The difference between a small business clients return to and one they forget often has nothing to do with the product or service. It has to do with how the experience felt — from first contact through final delivery. This episode covers five specific ways small business owners can define and elevate the customer experience even without a big budget or a dedicated team. The anchor story is Alfred Peet of Peet's Coffee — the man who changed how Americans experienced coffee and, in the pro...

#81. Find out about how Duns & Bradstreet came about and learn how to build your business credit score on today's episode with Sevana and Tiffany. Topics in today's episode includes: - Why your business credit score matters - How to build your business credit score - The origin story about Duns & Bradstreet ************************ Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too. ************************ Got questions or have a topic you...

#80. Inspired by the viral rise of Sabeer Bhatia and Jack Smith, founders of Hotmail. Sevana and Tiffany talk about how to build a referral village to grow a business. Topics in today's episode includes: - What is a referral partner and how to meet one - How to build your own referral network - How to do 1:1 for referral opportunities ************************ Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too. ************************ Got questions...

#79. Starting with the story of today's spotlight entrepreneur Franklin Clarence Mars, founder of the chocolate candy company Mars Incorporated, Sevana and Tiffany talk about the complicated dynamics of doing business with family. Topics in today's episode includes: - How to get your kids involved in the business and when - How to pay our kids through your business - What are proven ways to work with family, especially if you plan to have your kids inherit your business CORRECTI...

#80. Every small business owner starts out doing everything. That's how you survive. The problem is that most owners never stop — and the business that was supposed to create freedom quietly becomes the most demanding job they've ever had. This episode covers the transition from owner-operator to owner-CEO: how to identify which roles are keeping you in the business instead of working on it, how to start building a team and systems that don't depend entirely on you, and what the mindset shift...

#77. When too much growth in a business spirals out of control ... in today's episode, Sevana and Tiffany take on business lessons from the story of Barry Minkow, owner of ZZZZ Best Carpet Cleaning and share with you how to avoid the same mistakes in your business, including: - how too much business can be a serious problem - making desperate decisions in a desperate situation with a desperate mindset doesn't give your wins for your business or for you - accidentally (or intentionally) fin...

#76. What can you learn from someone else’s mistake? Today, Sevana and Tiffany shake things up a bit by starting with the fascinating story of a well known entrepreneur who was conned by her closest advisors and how you can avoid the mistakes she made that is all too common for small business owners today! Resources/References: https://books.google.com/books?id=DBoAAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA37&dq=Thomas%20A.%20Andrews%20GLORIA%20VANDERBILT&pg=PA3#v=onepage&q=Thomas%20A.%20Andrews...

#75. Sevana and Tiffany share two successful business people from history who aren't given much spotlight but amazing in their own rights nonetheless and worth showcasing in today's episode. These super successful business people have inspired Sevana and Tiffany and they hope the stories can inspire you! Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana and Tiffany to cover? Email them at thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com and see your question answers or topic of interest discussed on ...

74. One of the keys to having a successful business that you can enjoy is by working with your BEST customers as much as possible, but how do you find them? Well, today Sevana and Tiffany chat about how to identify what your best customer looks like and then where to find them (and how to keep them around!) Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana and Tiffany to cover? Email them at thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com and see your question answers or topic of interest discussed ...

73. Are you new to hiring or have been doing it for some time but it always seems to be a miss? In today's episode, Sevana and Tiffany go over what you need to have in place at your company BEFORE you hire so you have a greater success of hiring right, the first time and keep those good hires! References: NETFLIX company culture values: 1. Freedom and Responsibility The idea is to hire high-performing individuals and trust them to do their best work without micromanagement. This...

#72. Feeling anxious about hiring your first employee? Sevana and Tiffany got you covered with one aspect of hiring that many business owners mis-step which not anticipating the TRUE COST of employees. Sevana and Tiffany break it all down in today's episode! Resources: ADP Payroll Calculator: https://www.adp.com/resources/tools/calculators.aspx Gusto Payroll Calculator: https://gusto.com/resources/calculators/payroll QuickBooks Payroll Calculator: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/pay...

#71. Feeling the heat of tax filing before the deadlines? Then today's episode is for you! Sevana and Tiffany dive into small business tax topics with Helaine Weissman and Lori Roberts of PB Mares, two CPAs who know a whole lot about taxes for small business owners and how to get ahead of your next tax return and avoid the year-end panic! Learn More about PB Mares: https://www.pbmares.com/ **************************** About BBSB - We are two business owners with two very different pe...

#70. In today's episode, a reply of a popular past episode of when Sevana and Tiffany talk about Sole Proprietorship, S-Corp, C-Corp, and what you should be and when. Famous Example - Hulk Hogan and Gawker Media Rihanna and Fenty Videos - Explanations on entity formation: https://youtu.be/uXOHnZy0y4Ahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3BcB1r5h74 Books: LLC vs S Corp vs C Corp Explained (https://www.amazon.com/LLC-vs-S-Corp-C-Corp-Explained/dp/1950967093/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12ZSR3DWZTY9L&...

#69. The Corporate Transparency Act is actively affecting businesses in 2024, so does it affect yours? If so, what do you do about it? Sevana and Tiffany break it all down in today's episode! **Sorry for the poor sound quality toward the end of this episode** RESOURCES: FinCEN’s Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting homepage, offering guidance and educational materials FinCEN’s Reference Material, featuring rules and regulations related to the CTA FinCEN’s Small Entity Com...

#68. Let's kick off the new year thinking about how to work ON your business rather than IN it. **Due to a technical hiccup, we will be airing part 2 of this episode on Jan 15th.** **************************** About BBSB - We are two business owners with two very different perspectives on building business, and the business behind that in order to achieve your goals. One of us built to sell, and will continue on the serial entrepreneurial path, which means your focus and ...

#67. Welcome to this year's holiday special where we talk about past episode, where it all began, how we are ending season 3 and what exciting new things you can look forward to in season 4! Recommedations: Books - https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/4-must-read-business-books-to-kickoff2024.html Donald Miller - How To Grow Your Small Business https://www.amazon.com/How-Grow-Your-Small-Business-ebook/dp/B09831W8S6 https://getjobber.com/academy/small-business-apps/ http...

#66. Every small business owner has kept a client they should have ended sooner. The one who never pays on time, moves goalposts on every project, demands hours of unbillable revisions, and makes the work feel impossible. You keep them because losing revenue feels worse than tolerating the behavior. In most cases, the math doesn't actually support that decision. This episode breaks down how to identify when a client relationship has genuinely crossed into costly territory, how to calculate wh...

#65: Continuing on the series about your business money, Sevana and Tiffany talk about the #1 wrong way to spend your business money so you can avoid it to spend it the right way! Famous Examples: Nissan & Business Adventures: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/11/why-billionaires-warren-buffett-and-bill-gates-agree-this-is-the-best-business-book-of-all-time.html https://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/the-7-books-that-created-our-modern-business-world.html **************************...

#64: Continuing on the series about your business money, Sevana and Tiffany go over the red flags to look for on your financial reports so you keep your business on the up-and-up. You don't need to be an accountant or financial whiz to understand today's episode. We're breaking things down so that any entrepreneur can get smart enough to look for or avoid financial red flags! Famous Examples: Uber & FedEx Recommendations: Financial Intelligence, Revised Edition: A Man...

#63: Getting a business loan can seem like daunting task if you go into the conversation with a lender unprepared, so today, Sevana and Tiffany are going to help you get ready by going over common business loans and what exactly the lenders are looking for from you. Famous Examples - Under Armour: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-under-armour-got-its-name-2015-6 **************************** About BBSB - We are two business owners with two very different perspectives o...

#62: There’s a lot of misinformation that gets spread through social media (surprise, surprise) and none more so than tax tips! Today, Sevana and Tiffany go through a few viral tax tips with special guest, Phil Gaudiano, to set the record straight on a few of these TikTok Tax Truths or Tales! Trending tax tips we go over includes: Renting Your House to Your Business (Augusta Rule) Paying Your Child Through Your Business Earning Points And Cashing In On Credit Card Rewards and more... ...

#61: Let’s talk about reconnecting your disconnected team! These days, you may have already decided to go forth permanently with a fully remote team or maybe even a hybrid of some kind. Regardless of which model you have, including a full return-to-the-office model, disengaged employees are not good for business! Today, Sevana and Tiffany talk about the signs of a disengaged employee and what you can do to pull them back into the fold! **We're sorry, Sevana's video had some challenges so ...

#60: When you are self-funding your business or working with a shoestring budget, it's easy to go cheap on things in your business to conserve the cash. BUT, there are a few things in your business you absolutely do not want to go cheap on, and that's what Sevana and Tiffany will be diving into today! **We're sorry, Tiffany's audio didn't survive the recording....so please excuse her audio!! ** Famous Examples - #1. Circuit City #2. Tiffany & Co. Companies who kn...

#59: all great companies experience Growing Pains and at the core of that is the business owner, so let's spend some time today to discuss what decision fatigue and paralysis means and how you can eat that elephant! Famous Examples - #1. Wearing the Same Outfit Every Day #2. Blockbuster & Toy 'R Us https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/podcast/knowledge-at-wharton-podcast/the-demise-of-toys-r-us/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/03/18/toys-r-us-bankruptcy-liqui...

#58: (Replay) Let's talk about what to expect when running a business pulling in 10k, 100k, $1M & $10M of top-line revenue. How do you build it, and what do you do to prepare for it once you get it! **Sorry for the lagging audio, we had just switched to a new platform and were working through the kinks, BUT we loved making this episode and it was highly downloaded, so please enjoy! Sevana and Tiffany will be back with a brand new episode soon.** Famous Examples - #1. Shan H...

#57: Sevana and Tiffany are going to dive into how AI can help streamline your growing business! They are sharing a few AI tools that they use every day in their business and new tools that they test drove while researching for this episode. This is a great episode for anyone who feels like they are drowning in too much conceptual AI knowledge and not enough hands-on applicable knowledge. Famous Examples: Tesla's Autopilot Incidents IBM's Watson Misdiagnosis Google's "Deep Dream" Ni...

#56. Owning a business is not one-size-fits-all, and certainly not the answer to getting rich quick! While many people thrive in the world of entrepreneurship, it is essential to acknowledge that it may not be suitable for everyone. Today, Sevana and Tiffany is going to explore why owning a business might NOT be right for you. Famous Examples: Colonel Sanders Thomas Edison (https://www.businessinsider.com/the-worst-ceos-in-american-history-2010-5#thomas-edison-the-pho...

#55. Today we'll be delving into the concept of value pricing! If you're a business owner or entrepreneur looking to maximize your profits and create lasting customer relationships, this episode is for you! Many of us start our businesses with a cost-based pricing, which is ok, for some, at first, but then you’ll find your competitors are soaring faster to levels of success, you’ve not reached yet, or maybe you have but it’s been a chaotic topsy turvy ride you’re not sure your heart can han...

#54. We’re here to talk about what happens after you ride off into the sunset-the after sale of your business. How to prepare for it before you sell and ensure your life after the sale of the business is the one you wanted! #smallbusiness #exitstrategy #entrepreneurship Famous Examples: Howard Schultz Sharon Redstone: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shari_Redstonehttps://www.tharawat-magazine.com/facts/succession-goes-awry-four-famous-examples/ Sevana's Recommendations: Forbes ...

#53. In episode #52, we explored what it means to sell your business to an external 3rd party. In today's episode, we'll be taking a look at a different exit by selling. Let’s discuss selling your business internally to your next generation or to your employees: what it means, what you need, and how to do it in the most delicate way possible. #smallbusiness #exitstrategy #entrepreneurship ***PLEASE RATE US AND SUBSCRIBE TO ENSURE OUR PODCAST PLATFORMS CONTINUE TO HELP PROMOTE O...

#52. Whether you want to sell your business to an outside source, someone inside of the company, or to a relative, there’s a lot of preparation involved, and if you don’t follow the necessary steps, you stand to lose or owe a lot of money. We’re starting with the most important aspect, which is the money. How to prepare, present, and create value. #smallbusiness #exitstrategy #entrepreneurship Here is a link of a report on what the common multiples used for various industr...

#51. We’re going to do some introspection today on whether your personality is sinking or soaring business - so let's ask the question: Are you a people pleaser? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/funny-bone-pick/202207/how-deal-people-pleasers-who-go-too-far Inside Small Business: https://insidesmallbusiness.com.au/marketing/how-not-to-be-a-people-pleaser-in-business Overit.com: https://overit.com/blog/people-pleaser-ceo/ Dan Dinsmore's POV from a business owner: https://hbr...

#50. We are shaking things up by doing a guest interview about today's topic! Business Plans: should you have one from the beginning? Why? What goes into a business plan? We'll find out in today's episode! Get in touch with our guest: Dr. Michael Mort, Esq. Argent Place Law https://www.argentplacelaw.com/ Famous Example: Instagram (https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/07/instagram-used-to-be-called-brbn/373815/) Richard Branson (https://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/21/billionaire-ri...

#49: Let's talk about the services you should spend your business's money on (and the services you can wait on). These are going to include apps, platforms, third parties, contractors, employees, and more! *Sorry (again!) for our audio issue... Sevana and I really do like each other and don't compete for air time, but we had periods of lag time when recording that caused us to sound like we're trying to talk over each other. Don't worry, we'll already got a plan to see if we can fix this in t...

#48. In today's episode, we're doing a replay of one of our most popular episode from Season 2. Sevana and Tiffany talk about Sole Proprietorship, S-Corp, C-Corp, and what you should be and when. Famous Example - Hulk Hogan and Gawker Media Rihanna and Fenty Videos - Explanations on entity formation: https://youtu.be/uXOHnZy0y4A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3BcB1r5h74 Books: LLC vs S Corp vs C Corp Explained (https://www.amazon.com/LLC-vs-S-Corp-C-Corp-Explained/dp/19509...

#47: Let's talk about what to expect when running a business pulling in 10k, 100k, $1M & $10M of top-line revenue. How do you build it, and what do you do to prepare for it once you get it! Famous Examples - #1. Shan Hanif What happens in a 100M+ business: https://youtu.be/l8cs_SVyOEQ Week in the life of a CEO running a 100M+ business: https://youtu.be/s0E1i9mXe1A How I build a $10MM business in 18months: https://youtu.be/8vvkQLbwye8 #2: Crumbs & KIND (https://www.entrep...

#46: Today we’re going to discuss employee manuals and SOPs: what are they, why are they so important, and where do you begin. If your business has started hiring employees or even contractors you probably know how important an employee manual can be. Even if your business is just you and only you a procedures manual is also just as important. Writing a manual is much like creating a recipe. It’s constantly being updated, it needs to be perfect, because after all, it’s how to recreate...

#45: Let's talk about money! Well, every one of our show is about money in a way, but today, we're talking about as your business grows, what you get paid and how you get paid could be the determining factor behind how much tax you pay, and how the IRS defines your business. References - https://quickbooks.intuit.com/payroll/salary-or-draw-how-to-pay-yourself-as-business-owner/ Famous Examples - #1: UnderArmour Recommendations - https://www.youtube.com/@quickbooks https:/...

WOW! We cannot believe that we are wrapping up season TWO of The Business Behind Small Business podcast. THANK YOU to all our listeners. Because of you, we are planning a big season THREE and can't wait to tell you about it in today's special. Have a wonderful New Year's and we look forward to getting back together with you in 2023! **************************** About BBSB - We are two business owners with two very different perspectives on building business, and the busines...

#43. Let's talk about money - more specifically, the people your company that deal with the money. In today's episode, Sevana and Tiffany talk about the difference between a bookkeeper, Accountant and CPA, and when you’ll need any and each one! Famous Examples - #1:FTX Cryptocurrency Exchange: https://nypost.com/2022/12/13/ftx-ceo-john-ray-iii-grossly-inexperienced-execs-used-quickbooks/ https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/ftx-bankruptcy-alameda-research-no-accountin...

#42. How do you choose which works best for you and why? Is it even a real thing? Join Sevana and Tiffany in discussing the pros and cons of work/life balance vs work/life integration and how they followed which approach as business owners that allows them to "manage their happy" while building successful businesses. Famous Example - #1: https://hbr.org/2014/10/what-successful-work-and-life-integration-looks-like #2: https://www.workstars.com/recognition-and-engagement-blog/2020...

#41. We've talked about quality control for your customer (see episode #39), now let's talk about quality control for your employees! How can you measure the quality of your employees, making sure they are happy and likely to stay; that they are also making clients happy and likely to stay or come back, and do all of this while your company grows? Sevana and Tiffany give you the how-to's build quality control for your employees into your operations. References: Harvard Business Review: http...

40. Since we are in the midst of talking about quality control and how one method to ensure that you have quality control over the output of your company to your clients or customers, be it a service or a product, is to lay down processes, we wanted to bring by an oldie but a goodie episode from Season 1! Sevana and Tiffany (formerly known as, Chloe) goes in-depth in this episode about processes and why you need them, how to get started, and then what to do afterwards. Famous Example - ...

39. Let's talk about quality control for what you are delivering to your clients! How do you make sure you are hitting the mark for your customers each and every time? In today's episode, Sevana and Tiffany talk about what and how to install quality control in your company along with software, systems, and tools they used themselves or would highly recommend for other business owners who are in the midst of trying to figure it out on their own. References - 1. https://www.getfeedback.com/re...

#38. In today's episode, Sevana and Tiffany are back with part 2 of talks about getting into government contracting, the major pitfalls to avoid and some cautionary tales of contractors who didn't follow the rules and what happened to them. Famous Example - #1: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/government-contractor-sentenced-57-months-prison-37-million-procurement-fraud-scheme #2: https://www.whistleblowerattorneys.com/blog/6-successful-defense-industry-whistleblower-cases Web Resourc...

#25. Government contracting is one of the most lucrative and least understood revenue channels available to small businesses — and most owners who could qualify never pursue it because the process feels impossibly complex. This episode demystifies the path into government contracting for small business owners: what certifications exist and which ones you might qualify for (8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB), how the federal procurement process actually works, where small businesses find contract op...

#36. Today, we have a replay...business and life got in the way of our recording schedule so we pulled out an episode that is an oldie but a goodie, as they say, and the perfect followup to our last episode about client who ghost you. This replay is of the 3rd episode that Sevana and I have ever worked on together. We were (and still are) two good friends with lots to say and share, while trying to figure out our equipment, our sound, and our technology as we embark into the world of podcasti...

#35. In today's episode, Sevana and Tiffany talk about what does it mean when a client ghosts you, especially when they owe you money, and, how do you prevent it from happening? Famous Example - The 5 Best Debt Collection Agencies (https://www.investopedia.com/best-debt-collection-agencies-4846335) E-Book: Accounts Receivable Management Best Practices By John G. Salek (https://www.amazon.com/Accounts-Receivable-Management-Best-Practices-ebook-dp-B000QECBMU/dp/B000QECBMU/ref=mt_other...

#34. In today's episode, Sevana and Tiffany talk about Sole Proprietorship, S-Corp, C-Corp, and what you should be and when. Famous Example - Hulk Hogan and Gawker Media Rihanna and Fenty Videos - Explanations on entity formation: https://youtu.be/uXOHnZy0y4A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3BcB1r5h74 Books: LLC vs S Corp vs C Corp Explained (https://www.amazon.com/LLC-vs-S-Corp-C-Corp-Explained/dp/1950967093/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12ZSR3DWZTY9L&keywords=LLC+Vs.+S-Corp+Vs.+C-C...

#33. In today's episode, Sevana and Tiffany discuss who you should hire when and why. What purpose do key personnel serve, and how would you know when you them? Famous Example - Brian Scudamore of 1-800-Got-Junk (https://bench.co/blog/small-business-stories/brian-scudamore/) Other Brian Scudamore interviews: YouTube Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDDaHMZYE3s NPR How I Built This: https://www.npr.org/2018/06/07/590234095/1-800-got-junk-brian-scudamore Kristen Hadeed...

#32. In today's episode, Sevana and Tiffany dive into a question that business owners who hire employees will ask: at what point should you consider hiring an HR professional and what are the benefits and drawbacks (if any) you should consider? Famous Example - Uber (https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2019/12/18/uber-sexual-harassment-investigation-me-too/2694091001/) FedEx Wegman's Articles - HR Outsourcing Options (https://fitsmallbusiness.com/best-hr-outsourcing/) Da...

#31. In today's episode, Sevana and Tiffany will discuss working with a team you don’t see. How to build a remote culture, is it possible, can you do it effectively, and if so, what is the secret to that success? Famous Example - Slack (https://hbr.org/2021/02/wfh-doesnt-have-to-dilute-your-corporate-culture) Alibaba (https://hbr.org/2021/02/wfh-doesnt-have-to-dilute-your-corporate-culture) Buffer (https://www.fleetinglife.com/best-companies-with-remote-jobs/) Articles - ...

#30. In today's episode, Sevana and Tiffany discuss onboarding practices and how to create a workplace experience that goes hand in hand with that. Has the conversation changed since Covid, and do you expect things to stay the same? If they do, how do you ensure you’re the right fit for this new wave of workplace culture? **We apologize for the inconsistent sound quality in this episode, but we hope you enjoy the content!** Famous Example - Square (https://softstart.app/blog/best-emp...

#29. In today's episode, Sevana and Tiffany talk about the interview process and what to do and not to do for a successful hire in the 2nd part of our 3-part series about hiring post COVID! Famous Example - Chic-Fil-A (Article 1 Here) Chick-Fil-A (Article 2 Here) Books - Redefining HR: Transforming People Teams to Drive Business Performance By Lars Schmidt Articles - Best Practices for Sourcing FAQ for Sourcing Candidates Sourcing vs. Recruiting How T...

#28. In today's episode, Sevana and Chloe/Tiffany will focus on how culture has changed! The expectations of a job from the employee’s perspective and how important that is for you as the employer to know when searching for talent. Famous Example - WWII, Apollo 13, Dyson, Alibaba, Chick-Fil-A (Article Link Here) IBM, Peloton, Mirror(Article Link Here and Here) Articles - Work After Covid by Time (Article Here) Why The Great Resignation Is Far From Over by Fast...

27. In today's episode, Sevana and Chloe shed some light on what digital marketing is and what you should be doing with it at any stage in your business. Famous Example - Dollar Shave Club (Article Link Here) ALS Ice Bucket Challenge (Article Link Here) Books - Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk Articles - What is Digital Marketing by HubSpot Advice - Chloe: Get creative ...

#26. In today's episode, Sevana and Chloe share why networking for the purposes of creating long-term relationship is so important to your business and your business future. Article refer'd by Chloe: Paul Teshima Article refer'd by Sevana: Harvard Business Review Famous Exp - Paul Teshima & Eloqua (Article Link Here) Mark Z. & Steve Jobs (Article Link Here) Books - Your Network Is Your Net Worth: Unlock the Hidden Power of Connections for Wealth, Success, and Hap...

#25. In today's episode, Sevana and Chloe want to help you think about your brand and how your brand is your success! Article about Branding from 99designs.com referenced by Chloe. Famous Example - Warby Parker (Article Link Here) Apple (Article Link Here) Books - Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller Start with Why by Simon Sinek Website - Simon Sinek TED Talk https://storybrand.com/ Advice - Schedule a brainstorming session with yourself a...

#24. In this episode, Sevana and Chloe are deep diving into what happens to your business when something happens to you. Famous Examples - Jeff Bezos (HRD Magazine Article) Sarah Winchester and the Winchester Mystery House (History Chick Podcast Episode Link) Books - The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle Keep the Family Baggage Out of the Family Business: Avoiding the Seven Deadly Sins that Destroy Family Businesses by Quentin J. Fleming Advice - Talk to your attorney, your in...

#23. In this episode, our hosts, Sevana Stone and Chloe Lee talk about ways to avoid or take steps to transition out of being a slave to your business and feeling like you've created a job for yourself rather than the business owner that you set out to be! Famous Example - Cathy Hughes: How I Built This - Radio One Ford's and Mazda's Process Mining AirBNB Product Development Process Books - The Focus Project:The Not So Simple Art of Doing Less by Erik Qualman ...

#22. In this episode, Sevana and Chloe share actionable advice of how to make 1-2-1s work for you so you don't miss an opportunity or waste your time. Famous Example: It Takes A Village to Raise An Entrepreneur Ada Loveletter Recommendations: Books - Duck Tape Marketing By John Jantsch The Referral Engine: Teaching Your Business to Market By John Jantsch Video - The Art of Asking - Ted Talk by Amanda Palmer Want to ask a question, leave a comment or become a sponsor...

#21. In this episode, Sevana and Chloe share actionable advice of how to make 1-2-1s work for you so you don't miss an opportunity or waste your time. Today’s famous examples include: Matthew McConaughey BMW and Louie Vuitton Target & Influencer and Local Brands Today’s recommendations include: Books - (Original Article of Chloe's list is found here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rhettpower/2019/07/29/7-books-on-relationship-building-every-entrepreneur-should-read/?sh=495f40...

Sevana and Chloe hosts a short and special holiday episode that previews what's to come next year, ending with a small Christmas story as this episode's famous example. *************************** To all our listeners: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU We are honored to have you listen to us in 2021 and we hope we can continue to provide value to you in 2022. Happy holidays and happy new year! *************************** We love to hear from you, so let us know if you have any ideas, to...

#20: In this episode, Sevana and Chloe talk about what to do with those business cards you are giving out or receiving from your networking activity so you are making the cards work for you and your business. Do business cards still have a use in this day and age or are they a relic of the past? Today’s famous examples include: Mark Zuckerburg's first business card A History of Business Cards - Started in 15th century China Today’s recommendations include: Tools - Moo.com LinkedIn Abb...

#19: In this episode, Sevana and Chloe start a 4-part series about networking! To kick things off for Part 1, they discuss how you can best navigate a networking event, the do's and the don'ts that you can apply to your next networking opportunity, and advice to help make you a more effective networker. Today’s famous examples include: Jimmy Fallon (Business Insider Article) Business Wars (Late Night Wars | A Darker Night Ahead) Ben Franklin Today’s recommendations include: Videos- Lis...

#18: In this episode, Sevana and Chloe share stories about themselves, talk about their most impactful lessons while creating and working on their business, their inspirations, and dig a little deeper into what makes them tick. This is a great episode you don't want to miss! Today’s famous examples include: Sara Blakely (https://spanx.com/pages/about-us) Tony Robbins (https://www.tonyrobbins.com/ and Tony Robbins Podcast) Jim Rohn (https://www.jimrohn.com/) Wayne Dyer (https://www.drwayne...

#17: In this episode, Sevana and Chloe share share tips, advice, and pain points to help you hire right the first time, every time. Today’s famous examples include: www.greenhouse.io > www.booking.com > slack.com www.nerdwallet.com www.docusign.com www.airbnb.com Today’s recommendations include: Websites: www.16personalities.com www.ziprecruiter.com builtin.com - list of 67 recruitment tools! www.truity.com www.facebook.com www.linkedin.com Want to ask a question, leave a ...

#16: In this episode, Sevana and Chloe talk about falling out of love with your business. How do you know and what do you do when you've stopped loving what you do or what you've created? Can you spark your excitement again or is it time to move on? Today's famous examples include: Bob Bowman Caleb Bradham Warren Buffett Today's recommendations include: Meditation (apps) - Calm - Omvana Motivational Speakers (podcast/youtube) - Tony Rob...

#15: In this episode, Sevana and Chloe go in-depth about processes. You've heard them use this word plenty of times, and in this episode, they will tell you exactly why you need them, how to get started, and then what to do afterwards. Want to ask a question, leave a comment or become a sponsor for a future episode of “The Business Behind Small Business"? Let us know here: thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com Check out our website! www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com Send us...

#77: Attracting a great client is hard enough. Keeping them — while protecting your team's time, your margins, and your own sanity — is a completely different skill. This episode covers the specific strategies small business owners can use to build client relationships that last: how to create touchpoints that feel like care rather than noise, how to proactively identify at-risk relationships before they become problems, and how to recognize when a client relationship has run its course and e...

#76: Most small businesses lose clients not because the work was bad — but because the beginning was messy. A client who feels confused, uncertain, or underinformed in the first two weeks is a client who starts looking for reasons to leave. This episode covers exactly how to build a client onboarding process for your small business that sets expectations clearly, reduces the back-and-forth that eats your time, and creates the kind of first impression that makes clients feel like they made the...

#75: Every small business owner needs clients. The question is whether you're farming them or fishing for them — and the answer determines the kind of clients you end up with, the energy it takes to keep them, and how sustainable your growth actually is. This episode breaks down the difference between organic marketing and networking as client-acquisition strategies for small businesses: what each approach costs in time and money, which types of businesses benefit most from each, and how to d...

#11: In this episode, Sevana and Chloe dive in to how to retain talent, measure value and create experiences to retain your staff. Want to ask a question, leave a comment or become a sponsor for a future episode of “The Business Behind Small Business"? Let us know here: thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com Check out our website! www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behi...

#10: In this episode, Sevana and Chloe are deep diving into what happens to your business when something happens to you. Want to ask a question, leave a comment or become a sponsor for a future episode of “The Business Behind Small Business"? Let us know here: thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com Check out our website! www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your bu...

#9: **Uh-Oh. This episode is being re-recorded. We'll upload it as soon as we have it done (again)!** In this episode, Sevana and Chloe will help you define who you are, who you are to and within your company, who you want to be, and then separate those roles to help you separate yourself from your company. Want to ask a question, leave a comment or become a sponsor for a future episode of “The Business Behind Small Business"? Let us know here: thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.co...

#8: In this episode, our hosts, Sevana Stone and Chloe Lee discuss what does commingling in your business looks like, what are the consequences, and how to stop doing this to your business. Want to ask a question, leave a comment or become a sponsor for a future episode of “The Business Behind Small Business"? Let us know here: thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com Check out our website! www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe on A...

#7. In this episode, our hosts, Sevana Stone and Chloe Lee go over RED FLAGS on your financial reports so you know what to look for! Want to ask a question, leave a comment or become a sponsor for a future episode of “The Business Behind Small Business"? Let us know here: thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com Check out our website! www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind yo...

#6: In this episode, our hosts, Sevana Stone and Chloe Lee discuss essential bookkeeping terms that are all business owners should be familiar with and can use to know their financial reports better to manage the business. Want to ask a question, leave a comment or become a sponsor for a future episode of “The Business Behind Small Business"? Let us know here: thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com Check out our website! www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com Send us Fan Mail Support the...

#5: In this episode, our hosts, Sevana Stone and Chloe Lee talk about ways to avoid or take steps to transition out of being a slave to your business and feeling like you've created a job for yourself rather than the business owner that you set out to be! Want to ask a question, leave a comment or become a sponsor for a future episode of “The Business Behind Small Business"? Let us know here: thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com Check out our website! www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness....

#4: In this episode, our hosts, Sevana Stone and Chloe Lee talk about ideas, tips, and tricks of how to work from home and making it work, whether you've voluntarily or involuntarily are at risk of merging your personal space with your business space. Want to ask a question, leave a comment or become a sponsor for a future episode of “The Business Behind Small Business"? Let us know here: thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com Check out our website! www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com ...

#3: In this episode, our hosts, Sevana Stone and Chloe Lee talk about identifying toxic clients and ways to improve those relationships or, if needed, knowing when it's time to call it quits and how to handle exiting those toxic relationships. Want to ask a question, leave a comment or become a sponsor for a future episode of “The Business Behind Small Business"? Let us know here: thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com Check out our website! www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com S...

#2: In this episode, our hosts, Sevana Stone and Chloe Lee talk about their journey to build both of their respective companies, one with the focus to build a legacy business that is to be inherited and one with the focus to build a business to sell. Want to ask a question, leave a comment or become a sponsor for a future episode of “The Business Behind Small Business"? Let us know here: thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com Check out our website! www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness...

#1: In this episode, we introduce our hosts, Sevana Stone and Chloe Lee. They speak to why they created the Business Behind Small Business and their journey to build both of their respective companies, one with the focus to build a legacy business that is to be inherited and one with the focus to build a business to sell. Want to ask a question, leave a comment or become a sponsor for a future episode of “The Business Behind Small Business"? Let us know here: thebusinessbehindsmallbusi...