The Small Business School Podcast

Staci Millard
  • 4.8 (23)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Ready to leave the small business struggle behind? The Small Business School Podcast supports small business owners in scaling a business that is profitable, purposeful, and doesn’t leave you burnt out. No matter whether you run your business online or you own a brick-and-mortar, you can expect our world class experts to support you with mindset, tactics, and everything in between so you can have the business you dreamed of. Based on our lived experience, we know that small business CAN be easy and we are here to show you how. The Small Business School Podcast is hosted by Staci Millard, a CPA by trade with over 15 years of experience seeing the behind the scenes of thousands of small businesses. After growing and selling her first 7 figure business, Staci has been on the ground running - mentoring small businesses and working to increase success rates. Staci strongly believes you don’t need to have gone to business school to be successful so you can expect nothing but simple, impactful advice.  Tune in each Tuesday for a new episode of nothing but valuable advice to help you grow your small business. We are so excited for you to be on this journey with us! 

  1. 5d ago

    Changing the Funding Conversation for Canadian Women Entrepreneurs with Erin Sisko

    What started as a $20,000 funding award three years ago has grown into an initiative worth close to $125,000, and a much bigger mission to change how Canadian women entrepreneurs access funding and build valuable businesses. Erin Sisko joins me to talk about the 2026 Capital Elle Business Impact Awards, why she wants more women thinking beyond simply starting a business, and how this year’s award is tackling gaps in networks, growth capital, and acquisition opportunities. What you'll takeaway from this episode: The Capital Elle Business Impact Awards have grown significantly. This year’s award is valued at close to $125,000, with nearly 45 partners coming together to support Canadian women entrepreneurs.Every applicant gets value. Applying immediately unlocks more than $500 worth of business resources from Canadian women founders across the country.The mission goes beyond funding individual winners. Erin wants to help change Canada’s funding ecosystem so more women can access the resources they need to scale and build valuable companies.Women need to think about their businesses as assets. The goal isn’t simply to create a job or income for yourself, but to understand the value-driving levers that can turn your business into an appreciating, wealth-creating asset.Don’t count yourself out before you apply. This year’s award focuses on three key access gaps: networks, growth capital, and acquisition opportunities. If you’re questioning whether you’re ready or deserving, Erin’s message is simple: put your name forward.If you’re a Canadian woman entrepreneur, take the 10 minutes and put your name forward. And if you know a woman building something valuable who should hear about this opportunity, send this episode her way. Links & Resources: Capital Elle Business Impact Awards: https://www.elleiance.ca/award (Application deadline - October 28 at 9:00 PM ET) Follow Elleiance through their newsletter, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay connected to future awards and opportunities. Staci's Links: Instagram. Website.

  2. Sep 22

    Mindset, Money & the Math Behind a Profitable Business with Nicole and Kaila from My Aligned Purpose

    Wanting a more profitable business is one thing. Building the strategy, understanding the numbers, and becoming the business owner who can actually execute it is another. Nicole and Kaila of My Aligned Purpose join me to talk about their Aligned CEO Method, why mindset and math have to work together, and how to move beyond trading more of your time for more money. We get into recurring revenue, pricing, business metrics, what your goals actually require from you, and their new book designed to help women build profitable businesses and get their time back. Key Takeaways Mindset and math have to work together. A spreadsheet can show you exactly how to hit a revenue goal, but if you’re not willing or ready to take the actions behind those numbers, the plan doesn’t matter.Stop relying on more hours to make more money. Moving from a “maxed-out founder” to a “visionary expert” means building a business model that can grow without requiring you to personally deliver every dollar of revenue.Recurring revenue still requires value. The goal isn’t to put customers on a payment plan and do less. Sustainable recurring revenue comes from delivering something people continue to value in a way that also works for you.Know what your goal is actually going to cost you. It’s easy to say you want a $250K year, but are you willing to build the audience, sell at the necessary price point, invest the time, or make the tradeoffs required to get there?Learn your business metrics. Customer lifetime value, acquisition costs, conversions, profit margins, and other key numbers aren’t just for “numbers people.” Understanding them gets you into the conversations—and decisions—that help businesses grow.A profitable business isn’t built on strategy alone, and it isn’t built on mindset alone. You need to understand the numbers, be willing to do what the goal requires, and create a business model that supports the life you actually want. Grab Kayla and Nicole’s new book at www.myalignedpurpose.com/book and start putting their Aligned CEO Method into practice. Staci's Links: Instagram. Website.

  3. Sep 15

    How to Navigate Business Transitions (Like the Rise of AI) Without Letting Fear Take Over

    AI is changing how we work, but fear around it can keep us from seeing the opportunity. In this episode, I’m breaking down how small business owners can navigate this transition without ignoring AI or blindly handing everything over to it. We’re talking repeatable tasks, systems thinking, and why your expertise and judgment still matter. Key Takeaways Turn down the fear and look for the opportunity. Get clear on what’s actually changing and where it could make your business better.Use AI for repeatable tasks. Clear, recurring work with minimal decision-making is often the best place to start.Think in systems. The better you can define how work gets done, the easier it becomes to delegate, automate, and create consistent results.Keep a human in the loop. AI can get you further faster, but your expertise and judgment still need to steer the ship.You still have to put in the reps. AI can shorten the learning curve, but it can’t replace the experience and discernment that come from doing the work.Transitions are part of business, and there’s always opportunity in the shift. Pay attention to what’s changing, use what makes sense, and make sure you’re still the one steering the ship. If this episode got you thinking differently about AI and your business, send me a DM and tell me what stood out. Staci's Links: Instagram. Website.

  4. Jun 30

    Episode 399 & Beyond: The Future of Small Business School

    In this reflective solo episode of Small Business School, host Staci Millard shares a major milestone, episode 399, and announces a thoughtful pause and evolution for the podcast. As she steps into building new software alongside her accounting firm, Staci opens up about the importance of reinvention, intentionality, and allowing space for growth. She also shares what listeners can expect moving forward, including a shift in publishing cadence, more intentional guest curation, and a renewed focus on high-impact, strategic content. Key topics covered: Reaching 399 episodes of Small Business SchoolThe evolution of entrepreneurship over time and “delusional optimism” when starting something newStaci’s new venture: building software alongside her accounting firmLessons from building multiple businesses from scratchThe importance of evolving business models as you growWhy intentionality matters more as your workload and impact increaseThe decision to pause new podcast episodes for the summerUsing the summer to focus on software development and long-term business strategyReviewing and refining what’s worked (and what hasn’t) in podcast formatsStaci is looking forward to celebrating episode 400 and beyond as a major milestone and turning point this Fall! Staci's Links: Instagram. Website.

  5. Jun 25

    Building a Business That Can Be Sold with Ola Adeyemi

    In this episode of Small Business School, host Staci Millard sits down with business coach Ola Adeyemi to unpack what it really takes to build a business that is not only profitable, but also sellable. Fresh off her experience exiting a print and embroidery business in the UK, Ola shares the hard-won lessons that reshaped how she now coaches entrepreneurs through growth, leadership, and systems. Key topics covered: Ola’s entrepreneurial journey: from running a clothing line to scaling and exiting a print & embroidery business in the UKThe reality of business exits (and why most founders aren’t prepared for them)Why “building a business to sell” changes everythingThe difference between hiring for growth vs hiring for gapsUsing a skills matrix to restructure and right-size a teamWhy smaller, more aligned teams often outperform larger onesLetting go of tasks you’re “good at but don’t enjoy”The importance of DISC profiling in team performanceThe financial blind spots most entrepreneurs miss before exitWhy knowing your numbers weekly can transform decision-makingThe “Five Ways” framework: leads, conversion, frequency, average spend, and profit marginHow systems create freedom, scalability, and business valueBuilding a business that supports the life you actually wantFrom hiring missteps to financial blind spots and the emotional reality of exiting a founder-led business, this conversation challenges entrepreneurs to rethink how they build from day one. Connect with Ola: Instagram: @ola_bisi_adeyemi Staci's Links: Instagram. Website.

  6. Jun 23

    Navigating Entrepreneurial Startup Support with Isabel Nolan from Startup Canada

    In this episode of Small Business School, Staci Millard sits down with Isabel Nolan from Startup Canada to unpack the incredible (and often overlooked) ecosystem of support available to entrepreneurs across Canada. From free programming and funding opportunities to the power of networking and mindset, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone starting or growing a business.  Key topics covered: The role of Startup Canada in supporting entrepreneurs nationwideFree programs, pitch competitions, and funding opportunities availableWhy networking is more powerful than most entrepreneurs realizeThe mindset traits that lead to success (and what holds people back)The importance of confidence, market research, and asking for helpCommon mistakes entrepreneurs make when scaling too quicklyMisconceptions around funding, grants, and investmentSuccess in business isn’t about having everything figured out—it’s about taking action, asking for help, and surrounding yourself with the right resources and people along the way.  Connect with Isabel: Instagram: @startupcanada Website: https://www.startupcan.ca/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelnolan/ Staci's Links: Instagram. Website.

  7. Jun 18

    Building Relationships That Last In Entrepreneurship with Kristina Bartold

    In this joint episode of Small Business School and Community, Staci Millard and Kristina Bartold, Co-Founder of The Social Snippet and High Vibe Women dive into one of the most powerful (and often misunderstood) parts of entrepreneurship: building meaningful relationships and a strong professional network. Staci and Kristina reflect on their real-life experiences growing referral-based businesses, navigating in-person and online networking, and learning how to build connections that are rooted in authenticity, not pressure. Together, they unpack what it really means to approach networking from a place of service, how to avoid “taker energy,” and why the strongest business growth often comes from the relationships you nurture over time. Key topics covered: Why relationships are more powerful than traditional marketing for long-term business growthThe difference between building relationships online vs. in-person networkingShifting from “what can I get?” to a service-first mindset when entering a roomRecognizing “taker energy” vs. “giver energy” in networking situationsHow to approach events when you’re feeling nervous, introverted, or out of your comfort zoneThe importance of follow-up and how to do it in a way that feels natural, not transactionalHow to create value for others first and why that often leads to unexpected opportunitiesNavigating boundaries in relationships as your business growsLetting go of perfection in networking and focusing on consistency over timeBuilding a strong network isn’t about collecting contacts, it’s about showing up with intention, leading with service, and trusting that the right relationships will grow your business in ways you can’t always plan for.  Connect with Kristina: Instagram: @kristina.bartold Staci's Links: Instagram. Website.

  8. Jun 16

    Summer Reflections & Business Shifts

    In this solo episode of Small Business School, Staci Millard shares three powerful reflections as we head into summer 2026. From stepping into your power to getting intentional with time and money, this episode is a grounded yet energizing reminder of what actually moves the needle in business and life.  Key topics covered: Stop waiting for permission—create your own opportunitiesReflection is the key to better time and energy managementIntentional decisions create freedom, not restrictionMoney becomes less stressful when you understand itYou only need a few key metrics to feel confident in your businessIgnoring finances now leads to burnout laterAs you head into summer, remember: step into your power, be intentional with your time, and build confidence with the numbers that truly matter because that’s where real freedom in your business begins.  Staci's Links: Instagram. Website.

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4.8
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

Ready to leave the small business struggle behind? The Small Business School Podcast supports small business owners in scaling a business that is profitable, purposeful, and doesn’t leave you burnt out. No matter whether you run your business online or you own a brick-and-mortar, you can expect our world class experts to support you with mindset, tactics, and everything in between so you can have the business you dreamed of. Based on our lived experience, we know that small business CAN be easy and we are here to show you how. The Small Business School Podcast is hosted by Staci Millard, a CPA by trade with over 15 years of experience seeing the behind the scenes of thousands of small businesses. After growing and selling her first 7 figure business, Staci has been on the ground running - mentoring small businesses and working to increase success rates. Staci strongly believes you don’t need to have gone to business school to be successful so you can expect nothing but simple, impactful advice.  Tune in each Tuesday for a new episode of nothing but valuable advice to help you grow your small business. We are so excited for you to be on this journey with us! 

Information

  • Creator
    Staci Millard
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    403
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Small Business School Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Small Business School Podcast

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