Mastering Risk

Dr. Jeff Donaldson, CD
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Risk cannot be eliminated, disasters cannot be prevented and you cannot purchase your way to an insulated life. You can identify, codify, judge and mitigate risk in your professional and private life. Non-apocalytpic evidence-based risk and preparedness education, for individuals, families, solo-entrepreneurs, businesses and communities. Your host, Dr. D is a veteran, professor, author and entrepreneur.  No one is coming to help, so you and you alone are responsible for your outcomes. The choice is yours, choose wisely.

  1. 1D AGO

    Cyber Risk, Cash Crunch, Cancel Culture: The 3 Systems That Protect Your Side Hustle or Startup

    Send a text In today's unpredictable economy, plagued by cyber threats, supply chain disruptions, political shocks, reputational attacks, and regulatory surprises, most entrepreneurs operate without a real safety net.  The result? One bad event can wipe out years of hard work. In this episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. Jeff Donaldson (PhD in Disaster & Emergency Management) reveals the three essential, mostly free systems every founder-led business (especially those under $1M in revenue) needs to implement immediately to mitigate downside risk and thrive amid chaos. You'll learn: Financial System: How to calculate your true runway, set up smart budgeting, map overhead + marketing spend, and secure a low-dependency line of credit so you can survive 3–6 months of zero revenue without panic. Data Security Program: The simple 3-2-1 backup rule (3 copies, 2 media types, 1 off-site/air-gapped), how to identify truly critical data, and why practicing recovery is more valuable than any expensive software. Content Production System: Build a repeatable, aggressive-patience machine to tell the world you exist, define your avatar, choose platforms where they live, leverage AI for scale (without replacing your voice), block time daily, and test for 6 months before pivoting. These aren't theoretical consultant decks, they're battle-tested, low-to-no-cost actions Dr. D uses in his own five-figure businesses and teaches to founder-led companies just like yours.Whether you're just starting, running a side hustle, or scaling a six-figure operation, these three systems create resilience against cyber, operational, strategic, and reputational threats.  Visit Preparedness Labs: https://preparednesslabs.ca   Subscribe + turn on notifications for weekly risk-mastery episodes DISCLOSURE  Information shared here is for educational purposes only.  Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks.  The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary. Copyright © 2026. Support the show https://preparednesslabs.ca/

    32 min

  2. FEB 4

    Why Most $1M Advice Will Fail You: The 4 Risk Spheres Every Small Business Must Master

    Send us a text Tired of endless "scale to $1M in months" gurus promising overnight success? The data tells a different story: 95% of registered businesses never reach $1 million in annual revenue, and 70% never even break six figures (SBA stats).  As a disaster and emergency management professor and founder of Preparedness Labs Incorporated, Dr. Jeff Donaldson cuts through the hype on Mastering Risk. In this episode, discover why chasing unicorn stories sets most entrepreneurs up for failure, and how real evidence-based risk management helps everyday small business owners (yes, including those proudly running profitable five-figure operations) thrive amid chaos. You'll learn the straightforward Steps to Risk framework: Step 1: Ask the brutal question: "What could realistically hurt my business?" (Think people, systems, environment, not aliens or nukes.) Step 2: Scan the 4 Spheres of Risk every business faces: Cyber, Operational (your "home game"), Strategic (regulatory/industry shifts), and Reputational (cancel culture nightmares). Step 3: Measure what actually matters with a simple risk matrix, no fancy software needed, just a whiteboard and 30 minutes a month. Step 4: Mitigate smartly, focus on controls you control (insurance is just one tool; cyber coverage is often too expensive for smaller ops), plus rehearsals and building a true culture of risk awareness. Whether you're running an Etsy shop, print-on-demand store, digital courses, SaaS, or solo consulting gig, this no-BS approach helps you identify threats, reduce likelihood and impact, and jump into uncertainty with confidence, not blind optimism. Stop reacting to headlines. Start proactively protecting your dream. Drop a comment:  What's the #1 thing keeping YOU up at night as a business owner?  What risk topics do you want covered next? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more evidence-based insights for small and medium entrepreneurs. Let's master risk together. https://preparednesslabs.ca DISCLOSURE  Information shared here is for educational purposes only.  Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks.  The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary. Copyright © 2026. Support the show https://preparednesslabs.ca/

    28 min

  3. JAN 24

    Chaos 2026: 5 Free Ways to Bulletproof Your Business Against Cyber, AI, Tariffs & More

    Send us a text In these unpredictable times of multipolar tensions, shifting tariffs, AI disruption, and escalating cyber threats, small and medium business owners face more chaos than ever before.  If you're an entrepreneur, solo operator, or leading an SMB team, ignoring these dangers could cost you everything—revenue, employees, and your livelihood. In this episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. Jeff Donaldson breaks down the 5 critical risks every small business must address in 2026, and delivers practical, step-by-step, mostly free strategies to mitigate them before it's too late. You'll learn: Why cyber is still the #1 global business risk and the dead-simple habits (no-click links, air-gapped backups, MFA, patch discipline) that protect you without big budgets. The real AI danger isn't job loss, it's employees unknowingly handing your sensitive data to public tools. Discover how to use AI safely and powerfully inside controlled, paid systems. How one supplier failure can shut you down overnight and the "10-contract" redundancy model to keep operations flowing no matter what. Navigating explosive regulatory changes (EU AI rules, tariffs, privacy laws) by building upstream relationships for early warnings and strategic advantage. Why your personal online behaviour is now your business reputation, and the crisis communication playbook to survive public backlash. These aren't theoretical ideas. They're battle-tested tactics from supply chain logistics, cyber defence, and real-world SMB consulting at Preparedness Labs Incorporated. Whether you're on the fence about entrepreneurship or fighting to keep your business thriving, this episode equips you to turn uncertainty into opportunity and seize market share while others scramble. Visit preparednesslabs.ca for your FREE entrepreneur risk download, Fractional Chief Risk Officer services, and more tools to master risk in chaotic times. https://preparednesslabs.ca Why politics and business do not mix: https://youtu.be/6ZHiAnydk0I?si=_JWuFFldozS1VLy_ DISCLOSURE  Information shared here is for educational purposes only.  Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks.  The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary. Copyright © 2026. Support the show https://preparednesslabs.ca/

    33 min

  4. JAN 19

    Why Talking Politics Online Is Killing Your Business & the Smarter Way to Turn Chaos into Leverage

    Send us a text In today's hyper-polarized world, politics isn't just background noise, it's a direct threat (and hidden opportunity) to your small or medium-sized business.  One wrong post, one heated opinion, and you could alienate 40%+ of your customers overnight. But what if you could navigate the chaos, protect your brand, and actually turn political turbulence into competitive advantage? In this powerful episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. Jeff Donaldson breaks down the minefield of online and global politics for SMB owners. Drawing from real-world evidence, disaster research, and decades of experience, he shares the four essential strategies that put you ahead of your peers: 1.) Map the true power landscape & discover who really holds influence over your business (it's rarely just the mayor or prime minister). 2.) Build strategic relationships & cultivate genuine social capital with decision-makers at every level, because people win the day, not plans. 3.) Claim the high ground, stay professional, neutral, and principle-driven publicly. Why broadcasting your politics is almost always a negative ROI. 4.) Turn politics into leverage, use early warnings, linking relationships, and ethical influence to shape regulations before they hurt you. Whether you're in Canada, the U.S., Europe, or beyond, these free, time-tested tactics help you hold market share, reduce friction, and thrive amid uncertainty, without ever compromising your personal beliefs. If you're a solo entrepreneur, growing team leader, or fractional risk pro ready to master disruption, this episode is your roadmap. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Politics as a Business Minefield 02:45 – Step 1: Chart the Real Power Landscape 08:20 – Step 2: Build Strategic Relationships 14:10 – Step 3: The High-Ground Neutral Strategy 19:30 – Step 4: Turn Politics into Leverage 25:00 – Recap & Final Thoughts Drop a comment: What's your biggest political risk right now? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more no-BS risk mastery for SMBs. https://preparednesslabs.ca DISCLOSURE  Information shared here is for educational purposes only.  Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks.  The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary. Copyright © 2026. Support the show https://preparednesslabs.ca/

    27 min

  5. JAN 14

    Prepare Your Family for 2026 Chaos: 100% Free, Evidence-Based Strategies

    Send us a text In a world of fractured systems, economic uncertainty, and cascading disruptions, your family's safety shouldn't depend on money, government help, or expensive gear.  In this powerful episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. Jeff Donaldson (PhD in Disaster & Emergency Management) reveals how to prepare your family for 2026: completely free, using evidence-based strategies proven in real disasters from hurricanes to mega-earthquakes. Forget the myth that preparedness requires a budget. The data shows zero economic barrier to real resilience. Discover the Trifecta of Preparedness Plans every family needs:  Shelter-in-place for up to 14 days (backed by hard stats: 94% of critical infrastructure restores in 14 days)    Smart, no-cost evacuation with predetermined destinations and grab lists   Your "when I get fired" career pivot plan for the precarious job market ahead Learn battle-tested secrets to:   Reunite your family without phones or internet   Build unbreakable social capital in your community (the #1 predictor of post-disaster success)   Master essential skills like first aid using only free resources  Whether you're an entrepreneur, small business owner, or just a concerned parent, this episode proves one thing: if your home base is strong, everything else follows.  Preparedness isn't a stockpile — it's a lifestyle. Download the FREE 4-page Family Preparedness Primer: https://preparednesslabs.ca/products/4-step-guide-to-beginning-your-preparedness-journey Watch the full Roadmap to Resilience video series on our YouTube channel, no email required: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7b7or5anKA&t=114s The only barrier to preparedness is you, it's your choice, choose wisely Support the show https://preparednesslabs.ca/

    32 min

  6. JAN 12

    Why Most Small Businesses Will Fail in 2026 – The 4 Risks You're Probably Ignoring

    Send us a text As we kick off 2026, the world feels more unpredictable than ever, political shifts, economic pressures, tariffs, cyber threats, and global chaos are hitting small businesses hard.  If you're a solo entrepreneur, side hustler, or thinking about scaling (or even launching) your independent business, ignoring these forces could be costly. In this episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. D breaks down the four critical risks every lean business owner must address right now, risks you can actually control in a world where almost everything else is out of your hands. You'll discover: -Why cybersecurity is no longer optional. Simple, affordable steps (password managers, patches, 2FA, off-site backups) that prevent disaster (plus why managed service providers are a game-changer for small ops) -How inflation, tariffs, and regulatory changes (like the new EU AI rules starting June 2026) are silently squeezing margins, and the KISS principle to stay compliant without overwhelm -The hidden danger of overload, burnout, and scaling limits — how to automate ethically with AI (saving 12–16 hours/week), keep systems dead simple, and always leave white space in your calendar -The surprising #4: You win in collectives, why solo grinding is a myth, and how building real human relationships, joining entrepreneur networks, and leveraging social capital will exponentially boost your success This isn't theory, it's battle-tested advice from recent expert immersions, real-world experience, and years of studying risk as a professor and entrepreneur. Whether you're questioning "Is now the time to launch?" or ready to take your business to the next level, watch this episode to gain clarity and confidence in turbulent times. https://preparednesslabs.ca DISCLOSURE  Information shared here is for educational purposes only.  Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks.  The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary. Copyright © 2026. Support the show https://preparednesslabs.ca/

    33 min

  7. JAN 7

    How to Launch a Profitable Side Hustle for Under $300 in 2026 (No Experience Needed)

    Send us a text Tired of watching economic uncertainty chip away at your financial security while you sit on the sidelines? 2026 is shaping up to be even more unpredictable, but here’s the truth: you don’t have to be a victim of it. In this episode of Mastering Risk, I break down exactly why NOW is the best time to launch a profitable side hustle, and the proven 6-step roadmap I personally used to build Preparedness Labs into a healthy five-figure business, starting with just a few hundred dollars and zero prior experience. You’ll discover: • How to spot a real, burning pain people are already begging to solve (skip this and you’ll waste years) • The “pill vs. gym” secret that makes customers choose YOUR solution over everyone else’s • How to pick a bulletproof name and secure it everywhere – without legal headaches • My near-free logistics setup: federal incorporation, separate bank account, BuyMeACoffee + Stripe storefront – all done in days for under $300 • Where your ideal customers actually hang out online • The “aggressive patience” advertising system that finally gets eyes on your offer (including the Rule of 100)This isn’t theory.  This is the exact playbook that took me from zero to consistent revenue, and it works whether you’re in Canada or anywhere else (just adapt the incorporation step to your country). If you’ve ever thought “I should start something on the side” but felt overwhelmed, this episode removes every excuse. Watch now, take notes, and start building the income stream that protects your family no matter what 2026 throws at us. Drop a comment: What pain are YOU thinking of solving with a side hustle? Like + subscribe for weekly no-nonsense strategies on risk, preparedness, and wealth-building. https://preparednesslabs.ca Links: Corporations Canada: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/corporations-canada/en BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com Alex Hormozi – https://www.acquisition.com Just do it. Your future self will thank you. Support the show https://preparednesslabs.ca/

    27 min

  8. JAN 3

    I Run a 100% Digital Small Business – Here’s Exactly How I Stay Operational During a Prolonged Power Outage

    Send us a text What happens to your small business when the power goes out… and stays out for days or even weeks? Most small business owners assume it’ll only be a minor inconvenience. But prolonged grid-down events cost the U.S. alone $90–150 billion every year, and small businesses get hit the hardest. With thin financial runways and total reliance on electricity, internet, and cell networks, many simply can’t survive extended outages. In this episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. D breaks down the realistic, no-nonsense preparedness strategy he uses for his own fully digital small-to-medium business. You’ll discover the exact 5 things you can implement right now, most at zero cost, that will keep your revenue flowing even when the grid fails. You’ll learn: How to identify your true minimum viable operations (hint: for most digital businesses, it’s just your phone + power) Simple, proven backup power solutions that don’t require storing barrels of fuel Why community agreements and pre-planned mobility beat expensive generators every time The critical training step 99% of owners skip (and why it’s the difference between surviving and collapsing) Real-world case studies from Hurricane Sandy, Maria, and more that show what actually works No apocalyptic fear-mongering, no “two years of food in the basement” nonsense, just practical, actionable steps tailored for urban entrepreneurs running real small businesses in 2026. Whether you’re a solopreneur, Etsy seller, consultant, or home-based service provider, this episode gives you the roadmap to stay operational when everyone else is shut down. Watch now and build the resilience your business deserves. Timestamps: 0:00 – Why small businesses are most vulnerable 3:15 – The critical infrastructure cascade 7:40 – Minimum viable power profile 12:20 – Backup power solutions that actually work 18:30 – Mobility & community redundancy 23:45 – The training step you can’t skip  If you found this valuable, buy me a coffee (link below) to support ad-free, no-BS risk education for entrepreneurs. https://preparednesslabs.ca Support the Show: https://buymeacoffee.com/masteringrisk DISCLOSURE  Information shared here is for educational purposes only.  Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks.  The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary. Copyright © 2026 Support the show https://preparednesslabs.ca/

    31 min
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About

Risk cannot be eliminated, disasters cannot be prevented and you cannot purchase your way to an insulated life. You can identify, codify, judge and mitigate risk in your professional and private life. Non-apocalytpic evidence-based risk and preparedness education, for individuals, families, solo-entrepreneurs, businesses and communities. Your host, Dr. D is a veteran, professor, author and entrepreneur.  No one is coming to help, so you and you alone are responsible for your outcomes. The choice is yours, choose wisely.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Jeff Donaldson, CD
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    398
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Preparedness Labs Incorporated
  • Show Website
    Mastering Risk