Per Her Perspective

Marla Noel
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Entrepreneurship

Learn about excellent business practices and ways you can run and improve your business by listening to business leaders talk about wins and challenges, the stuff many business owners experience. Years of studying business, reading business books, and participating in peer groups can sharpen business skills and help us avoid some of the many pitfalls business owners encounter. Learn from others about some of the positive business practices and how implementing tools and processes helped build and scale their businesses. What are some of the business challenges you experience? You may hear about a good solution as you listen to others share their experiences in growing and sharpening their business skills.

  1. 5d ago

    The Budgeting Process

    Budgeting: An Important Part of Running a Business Marla Noel explains why budgeting is not just a finance exercise but a core business discipline for cash flow, decision-making, and growth planning. She walks through how to build a practical budget from real historical data, how to account for revenue, expenses, salaries, and cost of sales, and why the process should start early enough for leadership review before the new year. In this solo episode, Marla focuses on one main topic: building a realistic annual budget that helps a business avoid cash shortfalls and stay aligned with its goals. The guidance is especially useful for owners and leaders who need a budget that is detailed enough to use, but flexible enough to reflect real-world changes. Key topics Marla explains why budgeting should begin in September and be finished in November so leadership can review it before January.She frames budgeting as a tool for cash control, target-setting, and decision-making, not just a spreadsheet task.Revenue should be budgeted line by line based on business type, whether services billed by volume or products sold by unit.She stresses using last year’s numbers as a starting point but not copying totals without understanding what drove them.Any projected revenue increase should have a reason, such as price increases, new salespeople, new services, or a new division.Expenses should be estimated using a 12-month view, with unusual one-time costs excluded unless they are expected to recur.Cost of sales belongs below revenue and should include direct costs tied to production or delivery.She warns that revenue growth can strain cash flow if customer payments lag behind payroll and other obligations.Marla recommends building cash reserves equal to six months of administrative expenses as protection against disruption.Budget assumptions should be documented in the spreadsheet so anyone reviewing it can understand the reasoning behind the numbers.She says the finished budget should be reviewed by the CEO and, if applicable, the board before the fiscal year begins.Timestamps (0:28) Why budgeting matters and what this episode covers (1:27) Cash flow, targets, and the danger of running out of money (2:19) Why budgets are estimates, not perfect predictions (3:20) Starting with revenue by business type (4:17) Justifying revenue growth with real strategy (5:11) Using prior-year data to estimate expenses (6:06) Handling unusual expenses and separate salary planning (7:30) How seasonality affects revenue and cash flow (8:25) Accounting for inflation and rising business costs (8:54) Linking aggressive growth goals to staffing needs (9:53) Why Marla recommends six months of cash reserves (10:53) Calculating cost of sales for product businesses (11:50) Separating direct costs from administrative expenses (14:18) Comparing against prior-year numbers and reviewing the draft (15:43) Aligning the budget with profitability and business goals (16:42) Capturing assumptions inside the spreadsheet (17:35) Sharing budgeting responsibility with department heads Action Items Start the budgeting process early, ideally in September.Use prior-year financials as the foundation for next year’s budget.Write down the assumptions behind every major revenue and expense estimate.Separate salary planning from the rest of the budget if that makes the process clearer.Check whether projected growth is supported by staffing, pricing, and operations.Review the draft budget with leadership before the fiscal year starts.Build or protect cash reserves, especially for administrative expenses.

  2. Oct 6

    Patricia De Fonte The Importance of Estate Planning

    Per Her Perspective with Patricia De FonteMarla Noel sits down with Patricia De Fonte, founder of DeFonte Law PC, to talk about building an estate planning firm around freedom, family, and a deliberately designed lifestyle. Patricia explains how she returned to law after years away, why she chose estate planning over entertainment law and litigation, and how coaching, hiring, and community shaped her business. This conversation connects business operations to real life: time, caregiving, capacity, and the practical consequences of not having your affairs in order. Key topicsHow Patricia built a boutique estate planning practice around a part-time schedule, a remote team, and a family-centered life.Why she left entertainment law and litigation, and how estate planning offered intellectually stimulating, emotionally satisfying, and financially sustainable work.What she learned from returning to school for an LLM in estate planning, probate, and trust administration.How coaching and peer groups influenced her business—including a coaching program after which she increased revenue by 30 percent.Her firm’s “urgent and important” rule, Friday team meetings, and methods for protecting focus.How the team uses Kaizen—small, incremental improvements—to refine client experience, technology, and internal processes.Why hiring earlier could have helped, how her operations director became essential, and why team chemistry matters.The value of professional networks like ProVisors when members focus on learning about one another’s work, not just exchanging referrals.Why estate planning can protect women and families, especially when caregiving, incapacity, or inheritance issues arise.Why freedom—of time, values, and how she works—is Patricia’s primary motivation.Timestamps00:00 - Patricia De Fonte’s background and boutique estate planning firm 02:17 - Returning to law after raising a family and leaving entertainment law 03:55 - Going back for an LLM and learning about estate planning 05:06 - The entrepreneur incubator and a social media wake-up call 06:37 - Family influences: a builder father and a structured mother 08:50 - Realizing she could not commit to a traditional office job 09:57 - Starting her practice from home and growing into office space 11:09 - Mentors, peer support, and paying it forward 13:39 - Why networking works best when you learn, not just refer 15:30 - Family support and sibling closeness 16:22 - Coaching, business growth, and the “urgent and important” rule 17:36 - Friday team meetings and protecting focus 20:03 - Hiring early and building strong operations 21:09 - Why she wished she had hired an associate sooner 22:41 - Team chemistry and choosing happiness over growth at all costs 23:15 - Why process and client experience are not the same thing 24:29 - Kaizen and continuous improvement 26:26 - Trust, discernment, and lessons from business mistakes 28:11 - How Patricia’s team might describe her as a boss 29:30 - The recurring administrative tasks that frustrate business owners 32:29 - Giftology, branding, and the significance of apple pie 34:07 - The origin of the apple pie tree-of-life story 37:24 - WPO, Allison Tabor, and the value of chapter culture 40:00 - Peer review, clarifying questions, and lived experience 42:49 - Five-to-ten-year plans and building a turnkey firm 46:36 - Freedom as Patricia’s core motivation 49:31 - Why estate planning protects women and families 53:52 - Life insurance and the needs of clients in their 30s, 40s, and 50s 54:41 - Final thoughts on probate and why estate planning matters at every income level

  3. Sep 8

    KPIs - How KPIs can help your business

    KPIs are supposed to improve performance— Marla Noel breaks down how to build KPIs that actually motivate people, align with strategy, and help you grow without turning measurement into a morale problem. For business owners and department leaders, this episode cuts through the KPI noise and gets practical fast. Marla shares why the first number is often just an estimate, why employee buy-in matters more than perfection, and how one client went from aiming for 45 outreach touches to landing on a realistic 28 after the team defined what “outreach” actually meant. You’ll discover: How to introduce KPIs without triggering fear or resistanceWhy leading indicators often matter more than lagging resultsHow to choose the right KPI count so everything important does not become nothing importantWhat it means for KPIs to align from the company level down to managers and employeesHow to build a follow-up system so KPIs do not become “the flavor of the month”Marla also shares practical examples for sales, client outreach, blog posts, contracts, gross margin, and net profit, plus the difference between stretch goals and numbers that are simply unrealistic. If you’ve ever struggled to get your team to care about metrics, or worried that your KPIs are measuring the wrong things, this conversation gives you a clear path forward. She also points you to two helpful resources: Measure What Matters by John Doerr and Drama Free Management, by Marla Noel and Pete Fowler, which includes a KPI template you can use with your staff. The big takeaway is simple: KPIs should drive focus, accountability, and growth—not confusion, fear, or box-checking. Perfect for founders, managers, and leaders who want measurement systems that people will actually use and trust. Timestamps 00:28 – Why KPIs matter for business owners and managers 01:05 – How KPIs can scare employees if handled poorly 01:35 – Using a trusted business coach to introduce KPIs 02:05 – Starting with estimates when the right number is unknown 03:05 – Examples of financial and activity-based KPIs 03:39 – Defining what counts as outreach before setting the target 04:39 – Why 45 was too high and 28 became the stretch goal 05:39 – Leading KPIs vs. lagging KPIs 06:39 – Why leading indicators are more actionable 07:32 – Lagging metrics like sales, billable hours, and signed contracts 08:02 – Why three to five KPIs is usually enough 08:32 – Aligning KPIs with business strategy 09:32 – Why follow-up keeps KPIs from becoming a fad 10:14 – Monthly reporting, spreadsheets, and KPI software 11:14 – Reviewing KPIs with executives and employees 11:44 – Books Marla recommends for KPI planning 12:39 – Marla’s recap: keep KPIs useful, focused, and motivating

  4. Aug 26

    Kyra Hokanson Gray- International Business in Medical Devices

    Kyra Hokanson Gray, president and owner of Hokanson Vascular, shares insights into the company's history, her personal journey, and the challenges of business management. From the early days of the company's founding to the impact of her father's death. Kyra's story is one of resilience, leadership, and dedication to work-life balance. The conversation covers a range of topics including challenges in personnel management, dealing with workplace issues, managing business sensitivities, coping with personal loss and business continuity, building relationships with customers, the value of peer advisory groups, Women Presidents' Orgaization, the impact of grief on decision making, passion for music and involvement in Meany Center, hobbies and personal interests, and future plans and exciting opportunities. Takeaways Resilience in the face of unexpected challengesCross training and how it helped the business survive.The importance of work-life balance and personnel management in business.The value of trusting your employees to do the job they were hired to do. Trust but Verfy.Effective personnel management is a significant challenge in business operations.Coping with personal loss and maintaining business continuity requires resilience and determination. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Hokanson Vascular03:31 Early Life and Company History10:23 Transition and Leadership17:13 Challenges and Business Management23:51 Work-Life Balance and Personal Reflection29:33 Global Impact and Personnel Management31:44 Challenges in Personnel Management32:09 Dealing with Workplace Issues33:06 Managing Business Sensitivities35:20 Coping with Personal Loss and Business Continuity34:06 Building Relationships with Customers42:09 The Value of Peer Advisory Groups37:46 The Impact of Grief on Decision Making48:55 Passion for Music and Involvement in Meany Center53:07 Hobbies and Personal Interests56:34 Future Plans and Exciting Opportunities

  5. Aug 12

    Sarah Henry Building Better Lives While Building a Great Business

    Sarah Henry, the second-generation owner of Gaspars Construction, shares her journey of leading a woman-owned residential remodeling company and the challenges she faced. She discusses her passion for people, the impact of her family background, and the importance of finding the right people for the team. The conversation covers a range of topics, including leadership, WPO membership, personal passions, and the importance of structure in business. The discussion also delves into the significance of strategic planning and the impact of public speaking. Takeaways Family background and values influence business leadershipChallenges of running a business in a male-dominated industry Leadership and the responsibility of leading vs. followingRecommendations for business books and podcastsThe value of WPO membership and its impact on businessPersonal passions and the importance of structure in businessThe significance of strategic planning and the impact of public speaking Chapters 00:00 The Journey of Gaspars Construction02:19 Motivation to Join the Family Business03:31 Childhood and Early Influences04:20 Career Path and Business Ownership08:19 Dealing with Sexism in the Industry10:38 The Concept of Final Usie11:30 Positive Impact on Company Growth17:46 Regrets and Tough Business Decisions14:40 Business Management and Work-Life Balance22:04 Challenges of Business Growth24:07 Leadership and Responsibility24:35 Business Books and Recommendations25:13 WPO Membership and Impact30:32 Personal Passions and Structure in Business37:13 Strategic Planning and Public Speaking

  6. Jul 28

    Meghan Lynch from Six-Point Strategy

    Meghan Lynch, CEO of Six Point Strategy, shares her journey from mentorship to leadership, emphasizing the value of curiosity, learning, and stewardship. She discusses the impact of family values, mentorship, and the importance of being present in both business and personal life. Meghan also reflects on the lessons learned from mistakes and the value of taking improv classes for personal growth and business success. Meghan Lynch shares insights on self-care, leadership, business books, and the podcast she created with her son, Building Unbreakable Brands. She also discusses the importance of brand strategy and the value of WPO in her business journey. Additionally, she talks about her future plans and personal interests. Takeaways Mentorship SuccessionCuriosity and LearningStewardship and LeadershipBeing PresentLessons from MistakesPersonal Growth and Business Success Self-care is essential for stretching out of your comfort zone.Brand strategy is about reputation and trust.WPO provides valuable support and guidance for business owners.Family business centers play a crucial role in addressing generational challenges. Chapters 00:00 From Mentorship to Leadership02:10 Family Values and Mentorship03:48 Lessons from Childhood05:16 Impact of Mentors06:10 Learning and Curiosity07:34 Business Education and Growth20:00 Discipline and Time Management22:27 Work-Life Balance and Personal Growth25:30 Reflections on Mistakes28:54 Unconventional Business Advice29:51 Self-Care and Leadership31:14 Leadership and Connecting People32:47 Business Books and Podcasts36:19 Family Business Centers and Generational Branding43:49 WPO Support and Future Plans50:05 Personal Interests and Conclusion

  7. Jul 13

    How Boundaries Transformed a CEO's Business and Life

    Mikaela Kiner, founder and CEO of Reverb, shares the candid story of leaving big corporations to craft a purpose-driven, people-first company that prioritizes work-life harmony. Her journey reveals unexpected lessons about leadership, boundary-setting, and building a culture where everyone thrives—not just survives. This episode is perfect for entrepreneurs hungry for practical strategies to foster workplace kindness, craft a sustainable business, and leave a lasting positive impact on your team and yourself. Show Notes Embracing Purpose and Flexibility in Leadership with Mikaela Kiner Discover how Mikaela Kiner transitioned from corporate HR to founding Reverb, a company dedicated to creating inclusive cultures, and explore her insights on leadership, and understanding the true purpose behind her business. In this episode, you will learn: Mikaela’s motivation to leave corporate HR for entrepreneurship rooted in seeking authenticity and balanceThe importance of setting clear boundaries and values for sustainable successStrategies Mikaela uses for effective delegation and leadership developmentThe benefits of cultivating community through retreats and peer groups like WPO Timestamps: 00:00 - Introducing Mikaela Kiner: leadership, purpose, and organizational culture 02:02 - Mikaela’s journey from corporate HR to entrepreneurship 05:16 - What fuels Mikaela’s fire to be an entrepreneur 09:02 - Reassessing self-criticism through mentorship insights 10:16 - Building a strong team and professional network 14:09 - Business management disciplines and hiring strategies 15:53 - The challenge and ease of delegation 16:47 - Achieving and maintaining work-life balance 20:09 - Regrets in business and lessons learned 21:35 - Setting boundaries and living by core values 22:32 - How Mikaela’s team perceives her as a boss 26:42 - Essential leadership and management books 28:47 - The value of peer groups such as WPO 31:47 - The value of roundtable discussions for peer support 33:50 - Surfing in Costa Rica: a hobby that fosters mindfulness Resources & Links: Female Firebrands by Mikaela KinerReverb - Creating Inclusive CulturesThe Leadership Pipeline by Ram CharanMultipliers by Liz WisemanThe Art of Gathering by Priya ParkerWPO - Women Presidents' OrganizationCosta Rica Travel GuideConnect with Mikaela Kiner: LinkedInTwitter

  8. Jul 2

    Business Beyond Borders with Divyata Rajaram

    The conversation with Divyata Rajaram covers her entrepreneurial journey; motivation to start a business; childhood and early influences; career aspirations; working with a spouse in business; challenges and successes in entrepreneurship; authorship and its impact on business; global business expansion; business management disciplines; and work-life balance and wellness. Divyata shares insights into her experiences and the intersection of creativity, business, and personal well-being. The conversation covers topics such as leadership, emotional intelligence, creating a happy work environment, challenges of entrepreneurship, agility in small businesses, strategic thinking, long-term vision, benefits of WPO membership, opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Dubai, and promoting literature and cultural advocacy. Takeaways Entrepreneurial JourneyGlobal Business Expansion Emotional intelligenceAgility in small businesses Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Divyata Rajaram05:15 Childhood and Early Influences11:40 Working with a Spouse in Business19:45 Impact of Creativity on Business26:31 Business Management Disciplines32:41 Leadership and Emotional Intelligence38:26 Strategic Thinking and Long-Term Vision46:29 Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs in Dubai

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5
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About

Learn about excellent business practices and ways you can run and improve your business by listening to business leaders talk about wins and challenges, the stuff many business owners experience. Years of studying business, reading business books, and participating in peer groups can sharpen business skills and help us avoid some of the many pitfalls business owners encounter. Learn from others about some of the positive business practices and how implementing tools and processes helped build and scale their businesses. What are some of the business challenges you experience? You may hear about a good solution as you listen to others share their experiences in growing and sharpening their business skills.

Information

  • Creator
    Marla Noel
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Marla Noel