Grow A Small Business Podcast

Troy Trewin
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Our weekly 30 minute podcast helps you, a small business owner with 5 to 30 team members, take your company to the next level. The Grow A Small Business community, weekly cast, blog and leadership email supports leaders get through the pain of growth. With insights, lessons learned, books and tools as well as habits these experienced small business owners suggest you develop, our interviews unearth tremendous value for anyone wanting to grow their business with less stress.

  1. From Pro Ironman to 125+ Stockists: Daniel McDonnell's Maple Movement Revolution – How Gut Issues Sparked a Natural Energy Gel Brand Scaling to $500K, 70K Months & National Growth Without Big Investors. (Episode 766 - Daniel McDonnell)

    2H AGO

    From Pro Ironman to 125+ Stockists: Daniel McDonnell's Maple Movement Revolution – How Gut Issues Sparked a Natural Energy Gel Brand Scaling to $500K, 70K Months & National Growth Without Big Investors. (Episode 766 - Daniel McDonnell)

    In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Daniel McDonnell co-founder of Maple Movement, shares how severe gut health issues during his professional Ironman career led him to discover the power of maple syrup as a natural fuel source and launch Maple Movement. What began as a house-deposit gamble quickly evolved into a fast-growing gut-friendly energy gel brand now stocked in 125+ stores across Australia and New Zealand. Daniel opens up about bootstrapping the business, learning margins from scratch, managing rapid growth from his living room, and transitioning to a 3PL. He dives into brand positioning, organic content strategy, subscription revenue, and building a lean, aligned team. It's a raw, practical story of turning personal pain into a scalable FMCG business with purpose and momentum. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Daniel McDonnell, the hardest part of growing a small business is keeping up with rapid growth before scalable systems are fully in place, especially during big sales months when demand spikes beyond operational capacity. He shared how he and his wife were packing nearly 95 orders a day from their living room while trying to maintain a personal brand touch, highlighting that the real challenge wasn't generating sales but managing growth sustainably while building the right infrastructure to support it. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Daniel said his favorite business book that's helped him the most is "Built to Sell" by John Warrillow — a practical guide about structuring and scaling a business so it's not dependent on the founder and becomes sellable. He's mentioned it shaped how he thinks about systems, value creation, and building something that can run beyond him. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? According to Daniel McDonnell, one podcast he highly recommends for small business growth is Chew the Fat by the Greive brothers, where they share real, relatable stories after building and exiting Realbase. He values listening to founders who have scaled and exited businesses, as their practical lessons help avoid costly mistakes. Daniel also emphasizes learning directly from experienced mentors and operators rather than figuring everything out the hard way. For him, real-world business conversations and founder-led insights have been the most impactful learning resources. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Daniel McDonnell would point to a tool that helps you systemize and scale without chaos, and one he personally recommends is Notion — it's where he organizes products, SOPs, content calendars, order processes, and more in one place so nothing slips through the cracks. He also emphasizes tools for automating the parts of your business that don't need manual work, like Mailchimp or Klaviyo for email automation, and Shopify + a good 3PL integration to handle orders cleanly as volume grows. For analytics and ads, basic dashboards like Google Analytics and Facebook/Meta Business Suite help you make smarter decisions instead of guessing. The key, he says, isn't having every tool under the sun — it's picking the ones that actually save you time and help you standardize your processes so the business can scale. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? According to Daniel McDonnell, on day one he would tell himself to raise far more capital than he thinks he needs, understand margins and cash flow from the start, and build scalable systems early—because growth can come fast, but without enough cash and structure, it becomes far more stressful than it needs to be. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Solve a real problem and the market will pull you forward - Daniel McDonnell When the team wins in their own lane the whole brand moves faster - Daniel McDonnell Build systems early because growth exposes every weakness - Daniel McDonnell

    31 min
  2. From Fired to $25K Per Speech: Gail Kasper of Gail Kasper LLC Reveals the Real Secrets to Business Success, $600K Contracts, Authentic Leadership, Sales Mastery & Scaling from Solo to a Powerful Team of 5. (Episode 765 - Gail Kasper)

    FEB 22

    From Fired to $25K Per Speech: Gail Kasper of Gail Kasper LLC Reveals the Real Secrets to Business Success, $600K Contracts, Authentic Leadership, Sales Mastery & Scaling from Solo to a Powerful Team of 5. (Episode 765 - Gail Kasper)

    In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Gail Kasper, founder of Gail Kasper LLC, shares her journey from being fired and starting with no money to building a thriving speaking and training business. She reveals how authenticity became her competitive edge and how mastering professional sales transformed her income from free gigs to $25,000 keynotes and $600K contracts. Gail breaks down the power of referrals, structured sales systems, and strong core values in scaling sustainably. She also opens up about leadership lessons, hiring mistakes, and the mindset required to handle setbacks. This conversation is packed with practical insights for entrepreneurs who want real business success without losing who they are. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Gail Kasper of Gail Kasper LLC, the hardest thing in growing a small business is dealing with failure and having the resilience to keep going despite repeated setbacks. She explains that as an entrepreneur you get "hit in the face" many times through failed projects, wrong decisions, or ideas that don't take off, and the real challenge is not letting those moments stop you. Instead of quitting, she believes the key is to keep pushing forward, learn from mistakes, take action, and stay committed even when things feel uncertain or discouraging. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? According to Gail Kasper, her favorite business book that has helped her the most is Atomic Habits by James Clear. She values its focus on small, consistent disciplines rather than just chasing big end goals, emphasizing that daily incremental improvements create real momentum. For Gail, the book reinforces that tiny wins build confidence, strengthen habits, and ultimately drive long-term business success. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? According to Gail Kasper, she recommends podcasts and learning resources that strengthen mindset, sales, and brain-based performance, including Huberman Lab for its science-backed insights on stress and peak performance, and The Ed Mylett Show by Ed Mylett for its focus on growth, vulnerability, and high-level thinking. She values resources that blend psychology, communication, and practical application, believing that understanding how people think—especially in sales and leadership—gives small business owners a strong competitive edge. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? One highly recommended tool that Gail Kasper often points small business owners toward is HubSpot CRM, because it helps organize leads, track sales activity, automate follow-ups, and manage customer data in one place — all without needing a big tech team. Gail emphasizes that having a system that captures conversations, schedules reminders, and analyzes what's working versus what's not can dramatically improve consistency in sales and client relationships, which is essential for growth. If you're just getting started, HubSpot's free tier gives you powerful CRM basics, and you can scale into its marketing and automation tools as your business expands. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? According to Gail Kasper, the advice she would give herself on day one of starting out in business is simple: move and take action. When she was suddenly on her own with no money in the bank, she learned that inaction is the real danger, not mistakes. She would remind herself to stay logical instead of emotional, keep pushing forward even when uncertain, and allow herself to fall and learn along the way, because consistent action is what ultimately creates momentum and success.   Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Authenticity is the foundation of confidence and the gateway to real growth - Gail Kasper Failure is not the signal to stop, it is the signal to adjust and move forward - Gail Kasper Failure is not the signal to stop, it is the signal to adjust and move forward - Gail Kasper

    25 min
  3. Nevada Matthews of Cube Loans: The Incredible Journey from Sweeping Floors at 16 to Leading a $300M Mortgage Business — Scaling with Systems, Community Marketing, and a High-Performance Team. (Episode 764 - Nevada Matthews)

    FEB 15

    Nevada Matthews of Cube Loans: The Incredible Journey from Sweeping Floors at 16 to Leading a $300M Mortgage Business — Scaling with Systems, Community Marketing, and a High-Performance Team. (Episode 764 - Nevada Matthews)

    In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Nevada Matthews from Cube Home Loans shares his inspiring journey from leaving school at 16 to becoming a co-owner of a fast-growing mortgage brokerage in Brisbane. He explains how the business scaled from $86M to $300M in annual settlements, growing the team from 6 to 18 members in just five years. Nevada highlights the shift from working long hours to focusing on strategy, systems, and hiring the right people for sustainable success. He also reveals powerful marketing wins through local community groups and partnerships with aligned businesses. This episode is packed with practical lessons on culture, balance, and building a thriving small business without burnout. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Nevada Matthews of Cube Home Loans, the hardest thing in growing a small business is getting the balance right between having enough resources and capacity to support growth while also managing cash flow. He explains that you want extra team support to maintain great customer service, but paying for those resources at the right time is the real challenge. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Nevada Matthews said his favorite business book that has helped him the most is "The E-Myth Revisited" by Michael E. Gerber — because it shifted his thinking from working in the business to building systems and processes that help the business run without him. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? According to Nevada Matthews of Cube Loans, two of the best podcasts he recommends for growing a small business are Grow A Small Business Podcast and My First Million, as they provide practical insights and real entrepreneurial lessons. He also shares that most of his professional development comes from consistently listening to business podcasts and reading books that help improve strategy, systems, and leadership. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Nevada Matthews recommends tools that help small business owners systemize, manage leads, and improve communication — the kind that take work off your plate so you can focus on growth. One tool he highlights is HubSpot CRM, because it's easy to use, helps you track customers and marketing in one place, and scales with your business needs. He also suggests using project management tools like Trello or Notion to keep teams aligned and workflows organized, which can be a game-changer as you grow. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? According to Nevada Matthews of Cube Loans, the advice he would give himself on day one is to enjoy the process and the stage you're in, rather than always rushing toward the next milestone. He shares that business growth can feel stressful and uncertain, but it's important to stay calm, trust that you're heading in the right direction, and appreciate the journey as much as the outcome. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Growth isn't about working harder forever, it's about building better systems. – Nevada Matthews Consistency in the important things is what separates thriving businesses from struggling ones. – Nevada Matthews Hire for character and attitude first, skills can be developed over time. – Nevada Matthews

    28 min
  4. Amanda Daering of Newance Shares How She Built a Thriving Recruitment Firm — Turning a Difficult 2024 Loss Into a Remarkable 2025 Comeback With 12% Sales Growth, 25% Cost Cuts, and a Lean, High-Performing 6-Person Team. (Episode 763 - Amanda Daering)

    FEB 8

    Amanda Daering of Newance Shares How She Built a Thriving Recruitment Firm — Turning a Difficult 2024 Loss Into a Remarkable 2025 Comeback With 12% Sales Growth, 25% Cost Cuts, and a Lean, High-Performing 6-Person Team. (Episode 763 - Amanda Daering)

    In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Amanda Daering, co-founder of Newance, shares how she built a successful recruitment and fractional HR firm after becoming frustrated with traditional agencies. She reflects on navigating a tough hiring market and experiencing the company's first loss in 2024. Amanda explains how Newance achieved a strong turnaround in 2025 with 12% sales growth while cutting costs by 25%. She discusses the importance of candid leadership, sustainable culture, and hiring for mindset over resume. This episode offers valuable lessons on resilience, clarity, and building a thriving small business with a lean, high-performing team. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Amanda Daering shares that the hardest part of growing a small business is not getting distracted by being busy, but instead focusing on the few key activities that truly create leverage and move the business forward. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Amanda Daering shares that her favorite business book is the classic "High Output Management" by Andy Grove. She values it because Grove views business through the lens of systems, which aligns with how she likes to lead and advise others. She pairs this systematic approach with a deep sense of empathy for the humans operating within those systems. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Amanda Daering recommends using AI as a thought partner for online learning, specifically by using prompts to have AI "polish" ideas or identify flaws in a plan. Regarding podcasts, she frequently listens to Esther Perel's "Where Should we Begin?" and finds value in attending conferences outside her industry—such as those focused on therapy or human behavior—to understand how human trends impact the workplace. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Amanda Daering recommends a weekly clarity meeting as the most essential resource for growing a small business. Rather than searching for complex technology, she believes the real "unlock" is a simple, consistent check-in where leaders face reality and look at the actual numbers. She emphasizes that without this core rhythm and clarity, any additional technology or tools piled on top will not be effective. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Amanda Daering's advice to her "day one" self, from over seven years ago, is to let it feel easier. While she emphasizes maintaining a strong sense of hard work and discipline, she suggests doing so without the heavy pressure and weight often associated with entrepreneurship. She reflects that she was originally missing the fact that she was actually having fun along the journey. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Balance realism with optimism, because growth becomes easier when you can see both risk and possibility clearly – Amanda Daering Let entrepreneurship feel lighter, because the journey is meant to be enjoyed, not just endured – Amanda Daering Being candid and honest builds more trust than trying to sound polished or perfect – Amanda Daering

    18 min
  5. Success in Business by Working Smarter, Not Harder with Sam Carpenter (Centratel) — How Systems Thinking Built a $7M Call Center, 25–30% Profit Margins, Total Freedom, and the "Work the System" philosophy. (Episode 762 - Sam Carpenter)

    FEB 1

    Success in Business by Working Smarter, Not Harder with Sam Carpenter (Centratel) — How Systems Thinking Built a $7M Call Center, 25–30% Profit Margins, Total Freedom, and the "Work the System" philosophy. (Episode 762 - Sam Carpenter)

    In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Sam Carpenter, founder and CEO of Centratel, shares how he built a $7M emergency call center business by focusing on systems instead of hustle. Sam opens up about working 80–100 hour weeks, hitting burnout, and the mindset shift that changed everything. He explains his "Work the System" philosophy and how documenting processes created freedom, profit, and scale. The conversation dives into pricing courage, delegation, and building a business that runs without you. A powerful lesson on achieving real success in business through clarity, structure, and smart leadership. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Sam Carpenter, the hardest thing in growing a small business is enduring the long hours and mental pressure while trying to balance relationships and personal life. Early on, business consumes your mind 24/7, which can strain health, family, and focus. He explains that most owners feel overwhelmed because they see the business as chaos instead of separate systems. The real challenge is learning to step back, stop reacting emotionally, and work on the business mechanically. Once you shift that mindset, growth becomes manageable and sustainable. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Sam Carpenter's favorite business book — the one he says helped him the most — is "The E-Myth Revisited" by Michael E. Gerber. He often credits it with shifting his mindset from working in the business to working on the business by building systems. It deeply influenced his "Work the System" philosophy and helped him see how to structure processes so the business can run without burning out the founder. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? According to Sam Carpenter, he doesn't really rely on podcasts or fancy online learning platforms for growing a small business; instead, he believes the most powerful resource is reading books deeply and consistently. He prefers learning through focused reading and real-world application rather than consuming endless content. Sam emphasizes using simple, reliable tools like email and basic software, avoiding distractions, and developing long attention spans through reading, clear thinking, and systems-based learning rather than chasing trends or tools. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? One tool Sam Carpenter would recommend for growing a small business is a process documentation system — it doesn't have to be fancy, just something that gets you thinking in systems rather than chaos. Many business owners use tools like Notion, Evernote, or Google Docs to write down and organize standard operating procedures, workflows, and checklists. Sam's whole philosophy is about capturing how your business actually works so you can improve it, delegate it, and scale it. The power isn't in the software itself — it's in consistently writing, refining, and using your documented processes to free up time and create predictable results. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Sam Carpenter says that if he could advise himself on day one, he'd say: stop running the business emotionally and start running it mechanically. Instead of seeing the business as chaos, he'd focus on breaking it into separate systems, fixing the biggest problem first, and documenting everything early. He believes years of stress could have been avoided by working on the business instead of being trapped in it. The core lesson: face reality, build systems, and don't try to be the hero. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.   Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: A business isn't chaos — it's a collection of systems, and the moment you see that, everything changes — Sam Carpenter Freedom in business comes from documentation, delegation, and discipline — Sam Carpenter Stop trying to be the hero and start building a machine that works — Sam Carpenter

    1h 9m
  6. From Concrete to $15M Online Sales: Matthew Stafford of Build Grow Scale on E-Commerce Growth, CRO+, Scaling Teams, Cash Flow Challenges, and the Real Mindset Behind Long-Term Business Success. (Episode 761 - Matthew Stafford)

    JAN 25

    From Concrete to $15M Online Sales: Matthew Stafford of Build Grow Scale on E-Commerce Growth, CRO+, Scaling Teams, Cash Flow Challenges, and the Real Mindset Behind Long-Term Business Success. (Episode 761 - Matthew Stafford)

    In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Matthew Stafford, founder of Build Grow Scale, shares his journey from running a commercial contracting business to generating over $15M in e-commerce sales. He explains how data, analytics, and user experience—not just CRO—drive predictable growth. Matthew opens up about cash flow stress, scaling teams, and hard lessons from rapid growth. He also dives into mindset, self-belief, and why the business owner is often the real bottleneck. A must-listen for entrepreneurs serious about sustainable, long-term success. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here.   Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.   And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Matthew Stafford shares that the hardest thing in growing a small business is staying resilient and persistent, as every stage of growth brings new challenges and the business owner often becomes the biggest bottleneck. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Matthew Stafford shares that his favorite business book is The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson, which focuses on the power of small, consistent daily habits and long-term improvement. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Matthew Stafford shares that he recommends podcasts and learning resources like The Operators podcast and newsletter, where experienced entrepreneurs openly discuss real growth challenges, wins, and failures. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Matthew Stafford shares that the most valuable tool for growing a small business is Google Analytics along with Google Tag Manager, as they provide clear insights into customer behavior and data-driven decision-making. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Matthew Stafford shares that the advice he would give himself on day one is to commit for the long term, stay patient, and not quit too early, because success often comes right after the hardest phase. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Most business problems aren't strategy issues—they're mindset issues hiding in plain sight — Matthew Stafford The entrepreneurs who win are rarely the smartest—they're the ones who don't quit — Matthew Stafford If your business is stuck, look in the mirror first—that's usually where the real work begins — Matthew Stafford

    24 min
  7. From earning $35 a week to leading a thriving salon, owner of Hairport One reveals insights on consistency, leadership, Facebook ads, team growth, and scaling a hair and beauty business through lockdowns and rapid expansion. (Episode 760 - Maya Khoweiss

    JAN 18

    From earning $35 a week to leading a thriving salon, owner of Hairport One reveals insights on consistency, leadership, Facebook ads, team growth, and scaling a hair and beauty business through lockdowns and rapid expansion. (Episode 760 - Maya Khoweiss

    In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Maya Khoweiss, owner of Hairport One Hair & Beauty, shares her journey from earning just $35 in a week to building a high-performing salon with a large, dedicated team. She talks about the power of consistency, personal growth, and stepping into the role of a true business leader. Maya explains how understanding your audience and smart use of Facebook ads helped scale her business. She also opens up about navigating COVID lockdowns, managing rapid growth, and leading through uncertainty. The episode is packed with real lessons on resilience, culture, and sustainable business growth. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:   What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Maya Khoweiss shares that the hardest thing in growing a small business is building the right mindset and resilience. Showing up every day, staying consistent, and having faith in what you're building—even during tough times—is often the biggest challenge. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Maya Khoweiss shares that her favorite business books that helped her the most are Think and Grow Rich, The E-Myth, and How to Win Friends and Influence People, as they shaped her mindset, systems thinking, and ability to build strong relationships. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Maya Khoweiss shares that great podcasts and learning resources she recommends are Diary of a CEO and The Queen of Confidence by Erica Kramer, which have helped her grow in leadership, confidence, and personal development. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Maya Khoweiss shares that the most valuable tool to grow a small business is being crystal clear on your vision and goals, because clarity makes decision-making faster, easier, and more aligned. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Maya Khoweiss shares that the advice she would give herself on day one is to stay focused, stay consistent, and make decisions based on strong values, vision, and mission to reach success faster. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Success isn't one big win, it's built by showing up and staying consistent every single day — Maya Khoweiss Real success is having freedom while your business runs without you — Maya Khoweiss Clarity in your vision makes every business decision easier and faster — Maya Khoweiss

    16 min
  8. Success in Business: Building a Scalable Sports Tech Company Through Smart Pivots and Data-Driven Growth, Co-Founder of Athlete Agent — Creating the IMDb for Athletes and Turning Vision into a Profitable Platform. (Episode 759 - Ryan Rottman)

    JAN 11

    Success in Business: Building a Scalable Sports Tech Company Through Smart Pivots and Data-Driven Growth, Co-Founder of Athlete Agent — Creating the IMDb for Athletes and Turning Vision into a Profitable Platform. (Episode 759 - Ryan Rottman)

    In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Ryan Rottman, Co-Founder of Athlete Agent, shares how he built a scalable sports tech platform by identifying market gaps and making smart pivots. He explains the power of data-driven decisions, focus, and customer feedback in driving sustainable growth. Ryan also discusses leadership lessons, managing teams, and adapting quickly in competitive industries. This conversation highlights how resilience and clarity turn ideas into profitable ventures. A practical story of building long-term success in business. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Ryan Rottman, the hardest thing in growing a small business is knowing when to pivot. He emphasizes listening closely to customers, recognizing early signs that something isn't working, and having the courage to change direction before wasting too much time, money, and energy on the wrong path. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Ryan Rottman's favorite business book that's helped him the most is "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries — he often says its principles of rapid testing, validated learning, and iterative growth were game-changers in how he approached building and scaling Athlete Agent. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Ryan Rottman recommends learning from practical, founder-led resources, especially podcasts like How I Built This, Masters of Scale, and The Tim Ferriss Show for real stories on growth, resilience, and decision-making, along with hands-on platforms like Y Combinator Startup School and HubSpot Academy for actionable lessons that help small businesses scale smarter. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Ryan Rottman often points to project management and customer engagement tools as must-haves for small business growth. One he recommends is Notion — it's great for organizing ideas, goals, workflows, and team collaboration all in one place. For customer growth and marketing, he also suggests HubSpot CRM, which helps track leads, manage contacts, and automate marketing without a huge budget. Both tools are practical, scalable, and especially helpful when you're building structure and consistency in your business. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? According to Ryan Rottman, his advice to himself on day one would be to focus intently on what customers actually need, not on your own initial vision. He would stress communicating with concise clarity to earn quicker and more meaningful responses. He recommends building a firm but fair management style by setting clear expectations from the beginning. Additionally, he advises pivoting decisively when the data shows a need, rather than delaying out of pride. Finally, he emphasizes developing a resilient mindset to withstand rejection and persevere through challenges. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.   Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: A small win in a small business feels like a huge win — Ryan Rottman Humor and self-deprecation can be the most powerful forms of marketing — Ryan Rottman Success is not just selling the business, it's waking up every day loving what you do — Ryan Rottman

    44 min
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4.8
out of 5
40 Ratings

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Our weekly 30 minute podcast helps you, a small business owner with 5 to 30 team members, take your company to the next level. The Grow A Small Business community, weekly cast, blog and leadership email supports leaders get through the pain of growth. With insights, lessons learned, books and tools as well as habits these experienced small business owners suggest you develop, our interviews unearth tremendous value for anyone wanting to grow their business with less stress.

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