The Small Business School Podcast Staci Millard

Hey Small Business School! Get ready for an eye-opening episode that I think can revolutionize the way you approach business leadership. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, understanding the importance of delegation and fostering a culture of autonomy can be a game-changer. Are you the bottleneck in your business? Let's get on the path to business freedom together!
Topics Covered:
Recognizing the common challenge of becoming the bottleneck in your business as it scales up.Why delegating tasks, even if done at 80%, is better than hoarding responsibilities.Leadership isn't innate and may require intentional learning and development.Creating a work environment where employees feel empowered to make decisions without constant approval.The cautions of running a business like a genius with 1000 helpers.My personal experiences transitioning from being the sole decision-maker to empowering my team.Reflect on how you’re leading your business, does everything run through you? Are you delegating the tasks that someone else could do? You might be the bottleneck that is holding you back from business freedom!

Reach out to me and share your experiences, I would love to hear how you have made steps to empower your team!
Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Welcome back to another episode of Small Business School! In today's 12th edition of The Boardroom series I want to introduce you to a process that I use in my own business, adapted from a book called "The 12 Week Year". I'll walk you through my personalized approach to goal setting and strategic planning. I’m so excited for how this can help achieve meaningful results in your business! So let’s dive in!
Topics Covered: 
The effectiveness of setting shorter-term goals, like six to twelve months, over lengthy multi-year plans.Breaking down long-term visions into actionable steps each week, for 12 weeks.Identifying priorities; assessing key areas of your business that require attention, whether it's foundational fixes or growth initiatives.Strategies for allocating time and resources effectively to accomplish weekly action items and avoid overwhelm.Evaluation and refinement; the importance of reflecting on existing strategies before pivoting to new goals, ensuring thorough effort and refinement.Weekly Challenge: Conduct a thorough assessment of your business goals and priorities. Identify three to five key areas that require attention and set clear, measurable objectives for the next 12 weeks. Break down these goals into actionable steps and schedule dedicated time in your calendar to work on them consistently. Before jumping to new initiatives, reflect on existing strategies to ensure they've been given ample time and effort for refinement.
I am confident that this can change your business for the better! Have more questions about how you implement this 12 week strategy? Reach out to me on Instagram, I’d love to connect!


Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Hey Small Business School! In today’s episode I’m joined by Elaine Comeau, a sought after speaker, author, educator, mompreneur and the founder of Easy Daysies Ltd. Elaine started her career as a teacher and ended up accidentally inventing a children’s product from her kitchen table. From there she became a CEO and Founder of one of Dragons’ Den favorite pitches, Easy Daysies, which incited a bidding war among all five Dragons! She has been featured in Forbes, Macleans, CBC, FOX, CTV, Canadian Business Magazine, Parents Magazine, and the Financial Post. Elaine loves supporting women in business and motherhood through her podcast “Elaine’s Kitchen Table… the Business of Real Life”, and through her book, “Sell Your Passion”. I am so excited to dive into Elaine’s entrepreneurial journey!
Topics Covered:
Elaine's Journey. From being a stroke survivor to a mom of three, Elaine wears many hats, including founder of Easy Daisies, an educator, speaker, and author.  The Birth of Easy Daisies. Elaine's realization of the need for visual schedules in classrooms led her to create Easy Daisies, a tool that aids children's learning and independence.The challenges and rewards of expanding Easy Daisies into retail stores like Staples and the importance of building strong relationships with buyers.The pros and cons of selling on Amazon.Elaine’s Dragon's Den Experience and the power of a compelling business story and productTradeshows, IP protection and the importance of trademarking and copyrighting.In the end, business is about people, show them that you are all in! Check out Elaine’s podcast and book or reach out to her on Instagram, she has such a wealth of knowledge!
Elaine’s Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elainetancomeau/
Easy Daysies Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/easydaysies/
Website: www.ElainesKitchenTable.com
Easy Daysies Website: www.EasyDaysies.com
Elaine’s Kitchen Table Podcast: https://elaineskitchentable.com/podcast/
Elaine’s Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Busy-Moms-Guide-Passion-Principles/dp/1980841993


Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Hey Small Business School! As a Fractional CFO and Accountant today’s topic is close to heart, I want to dive into the disconnect between small business owners and their financial advisors. As someone deeply entrenched in the world of accounting for nearly two decades, I've seen the frustration firsthand. In this episode I want to break down the roles of bookkeepers, accountants, and CFOs, and discuss how to find the right financial partner for your business. Let’s get started!
Topics Covered:
Differentiating between the responsibilities of bookkeepers, accountants, and CFOs in managing business finances.The role of bookkeepers in data entry and basic financial tasks, and their limitations in providing strategic advice.The focus of accountants on tax compliance and financial statements, and their role in audits for larger companies.The importance of CFOs with a well-rounded business experience, capable of offering strategic advice beyond financial numbers.Challenges of investing in quality financial advice and strategies for negotiating contracts with financial advisors.Your financial advisor should be a trusted partner in your business journey! Take some time this week to evaluate your current financial advisory setup and identify any gaps or areas for improvement!
Have questions? Reach out to me, I’d love to help you along this path!
Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Small Business School! Today I am excited to bring you episode eleven of the boardroom series. We're diving into a topic that might sound daunting but is essential for every entrepreneur, creating a proper business plan. But hold up, before you hit pause, I promise I am going to help you make this easy and actionable with a streamlined, one-page business plan that packs a punch without overwhelming you. So, grab your notebook and let's shape the future of your business!
Topics Covered:
The importance of keeping business plans concise and adaptable, especially for small businesses that require agility.Breaking down key sections of the one page business plan; purpose, value pillars, ideal customers, product offerings, team dynamics, competition analysis, costs, and the X factor.How to utilize the business plan as a strategic tool for decision-making and alignment within the team.Revisiting and updating the business plan regularly to ensure alignment with evolving goals and strategies.Weekly Challenge: Your challenge this week is to carve out some time to draft your own one-page business plan using my template below or creating your own simplified version. Focus on clarity, brevity, and alignment with your business goals!

Once you are done you plan, share it with me! This only takes an hour. Let's take a step closer to business success together!

Link to my one page business plan: https://stacimillard.ck.page/onepageplan
Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Hey Small Business School, in today’s episode I chat with Genevieve Weeks! Genevieve is an incredibly experienced dancer and a graduate of the School of Ballet Chicago and the San Francisco Ballet School. During school became a founding member of the Ballet Chicago Studio Company. As she began performing as a freelance artist throughout North America after school, she started to dream about opening her own ballet school for kids. So the Tutu School was born! Since its first studio, the Tutu School has grown into a collection of boutique ballet schools all over the US and Canada, and Genevieve helps other entrepreneurs launch and nurture their own Tutu Schools. Genevieve is so passionate about the importance of creativity and joy in the lives of children and she’s so knowledgeable about franchising! This is one of my favorite conversations I’ve had, so let’s get into it!
Topics Covered:
Genevieve's background in ballet and her journey from dancer to entrepreneurship.The beginnings of Tutu School and its mission to foster creativity and joy in young children.The decision to franchise and the challenges and rewards of scaling your business.How to nurture a network of franchisees and maintaining brand consistency while allowing for entrepreneurial independence.Financial considerations for franchising, from setting franchise fees to providing value to franchisees, and the importance of aligning financial models with the support and resources offered.Staying connected to the mission of the business, especially during challenging times, and how it guides decision-making and fosters loyalty among stakeholders.Franchising your business is not a passive income strategy, it requires lots of nurturing. Stay connected to your ‘why’ and find people who love your business as much as you do! Interested in Franchising? Genevieve is an expert, reach out to her on instagram!
Genevieve’s Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tutugenevieve/
Website: https://www.tutuschool.com/


Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!