Small Business Matters

Small Business Matters

The Small Business Matters Podcast features interviews and conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders, small business owners and executives, and management gurus. Topics include business management, marketing, finance, and much more.

  1. Fixing Leaks: A Holistic Approach to Growing Revenue with Keith Finger

    11/24/2025

    Fixing Leaks: A Holistic Approach to Growing Revenue with Keith Finger

    Struggling to convert marketing activity into predictable revenue? In this episode of Small Business Matters, Tim and Taylor Fulton welcome Keith Finger, founder and Chief Revenue Fixer of Revenue Insights. Keith breaks down why “more leads” is often a band-aid, how to hunt down the real breakdowns in the revenue journey, and why documenting processes and improving handoffs can outpace any new website or shiny tech tool. If you run an SMB or a B2B shop and want practical, systems-first thinking, you can apply this week — from fixing churn to building a sales culture that empowers people — press play. Keith explains how to stop shoveling more prospects into a leaky funnel, diagnose root causes (process vs people), and prioritize changes that produce sustainable revenue growth. Takeaways • Fix the root causes — not just the symptoms. Many revenue problems look like marketing or sales issues, but the real breakdowns often come from unclear processes, poor handoffs, or misaligned expectations across teams. More leads won’t fix a leaky system. • Documented processes create freedom, not bureaucracy. Keith emphasizes that clear, repeatable processes help teams deliver consistently, reduce confusion, and allow leaders to step out of daily chaos. If it’s not written down, it’s not scalable. • Technology can’t replace strategy. New tools won’t solve foundational problems. Tech only accelerates what’s already working—or exposes what isn’t. Start with the workflow, not the software. • Sales leadership matters more than sales hacks. The most successful teams have leaders who coach, ask questions, encourage critical thinking, and foster accountability. A strong sales culture consistently beats short-term tactics. • Revenue is a full-company responsibility. The customer experience spans marketing, sales, product, and service. When each stage works in isolation, revenue suffers. When they’re aligned, growth becomes far more predictable. Highlights [03:22] What Matters Most to Small Businesses [03:52] Symptomatic Fixes vs. Holistic, Process-driven Solutions [05:40] Keith’s Journey [07:59] Recognizing Common Patterns Across Different Clients [09:58] How Rapid Tech Innovation Affects Revenue [12:00] Problems Occur [13:40] Identifying Good Customers [16:01] Process Verses People Issues [20:11] Attributes of a Successful Sales Leader [21:59] Differences in Marketing Post-COVID [24:42] Rapid-fire [29:05] Contact Information [29:55] Takeaways [31:42] SBM News About the Guest Keith Finger is the founder and Chief Revenue Fixer at Revenue Insights. A Tulane alumnus, Keith has spent 20+ years helping B2B companies diagnose and fix revenue problems across marketing, sales, product, and customer success. He’s worked in over 20 countries, supporting sales teams and onboarding customers. Keith enjoys photography, hiking, traveling (over 60 countries and counting), exploring new cuisines, and brings a curiosity-driven, empathy-forward approach to revenue strategy. Contact Information Website: getrevenueinsights.com Phone: 770-309-5651 Email: keith@keithfinger.com

    34 min
  2. Reinventing Success: Growing a Service Business with Zac Nicklas

    10/10/2025

    Reinventing Success: Growing a Service Business with Zac Nicklas

    What does it take to build a thriving company in a competitive industry—and keep it growing for more than a decade? In this episode of Small Business Matters, host Tim Fulton and co-host Taylor Fulton sit down with Zac Nicklas, President & CEO of The Pool Boys in League City, Texas. Zac shares how he turned a small family-run pool service into a trusted, 15-employee operation that’s earned a reputation for professionalism, reliability, and integrity. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Zac’s story is packed with insights about scaling smart, leading well, and finding balance between growth and personal priorities. Episode Highlights: • What Matters to Small Business? [03:36] • Leading Like a CEO [06:32] • Sustaining a Long-term Business Partnership [10:53] • A Big Mistake Changes Everything [15:09] • Building a Loyal, Low-turnover Team [15:36] • Industry Involvement As a Growth Accelerator [18:37] • Hiring a Second-in-command [23:09] • Rapid-fire [25:55] • Takeaways [29:06] • Contact Information [30:58] • SBM News [31:15] About the Guest Zac Nicholas is the President & CEO of The Pool Boys, a full-service pool maintenance and repair company based in League City, Texas. Founded in 2011, the company has grown from a two-man operation into a respected local brand known for its commitment to customer care and continuous improvement. Zac’s leadership philosophy centers on integrity, teamwork, and investing in people—principles that have helped him build a sustainable business with strong community roots. Tune in to hear how one small business owner built not just a company, but a culture of professionalism, trust, and purpose.

    32 min
  3. From Billboard to Business: Brendan Martin on Music, Marketing & Mindset

    09/08/2025

    From Billboard to Business: Brendan Martin on Music, Marketing & Mindset

    In this episode of the Small Business Matters podcast, Tim Fulton and his co-host, Taylor Fulton, welcome Brendan Martin, a Billboard-charting artist, songwriter, coach, and founder of Purpose Driven Entertainment. Brendan has collaborated with top names like Kendrick Lamar, T-Pain, and Mac Miller, while also helping over 1,000 artists land label deals, achieve a billion Spotify streams, and generate hundreds of millions of social media views. Brendan shares his journey from freestyle battles in high school to opening for Mac Miller and Snoop Dogg, signing a restrictive record deal that stalled his career for a decade, and ultimately finding his calling in developing and marketing artists. His story highlights the resilience needed to pivot, adapt, and turn setbacks into opportunities. Key takeaways from the conversation include: • Customer care is everything: Small businesses can differentiate themselves from larger competitors through exceptional client service and relationships. • Leadership responsibilities: As CEO, Brendan focuses on reputation, vendor relationships, negotiations, and exploring automations and AI to scale services. • Innovation in marketing: He’s experimenting with AI-generated influencers, social media strategies, and playlisting to help artists grow audiences. • The performer-to-mentor shift: Brendan explains why he thrives helping others succeed in music, offering insights shaped by both his creative experience and industry challenges. • Lessons from mistakes: Losing relationships has often opened new doors, while overextending himself across too many projects has been a costly misstep. Brendan’s story blends the creativity of music with the discipline of business, offering inspiration to entrepreneurs navigating growth, uncertainty, and the balance between passion and sustainability. Episode Highlights: • What Really Matters to Small Businesses? [02:46] • Starting in the Music Industry [03:52] • Responsibilities as the CEO [06:58] • Current Technology and Marketing Trend [09:15] • Transitioning from Performer to Producer [11:30] • Experiencing and Enjoying the Power of AI [13:29] • The Best and Worst Mistakes [16:06] • Rapid Fire [19:05] • Takeaways [24:47] • Contact Information [24:47] • SBM News [25:21]

    26 min
  4. Ready for Anything: Crisis Communications with Megan Paquin

    07/14/2025

    Ready for Anything: Crisis Communications with Megan Paquin

    What happens when a crisis hits your business? Would you be ready—or reactive? In this thought-provoking episode, Tim Fulton sits down with Megan Paquin, founder and CEO of Paquin Public Relations, to explore the high-stakes world of crisis communications. With experience advising Fortune 100 brands, global institutions, and even litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court, Megan knows exactly how reputations are built—and how they can unravel in an instant. She shares candid insights on: • What crisis communications really is (and what it’s not) • Why reputational equity is your best defense • The underrated power of asking for help as a business owner • How adopting an abundance mindset can reframe uncertainty and drive growth A seasoned strategist, accredited PR counselor, and entrepreneur, Megan also reflects on launching her own agency—and what she would’ve done differently if she could go back—she would have started sooner. Whether you're navigating a challenge now or want to prepare for what’s ahead, this episode is packed with wisdom, strategy, and encouragement for small business leaders ready to grow with confidence. Episode Highlights: • What Matters to Small Business [0:2:40] • Becoming an Entrepreneur [0:03:38] • What is a Crisis? [0:06:50] • An Interesting Case [0:09:02] • Preventing a Crisis [0:10:26] • Fueling Growth [0:11:31] • Role of the CEO [0:12:53] • Advice for New Entrepreneurs [0:13:30] • Learning from Mistakes [0:14:20] • Dealing with Uncertainty [0:15:55] • Rapid Fire [0:17:20] • Takeaways [0:20:11] • Contact Information [0:21:17] • SBM News [0:21:25]

    23 min
  5. Preparing for Success & Setbacks with Ryan Tabb

    06/30/2025

    Preparing for Success & Setbacks with Ryan Tabb

    Longtime SBM friend Ryan Tabb recently joined Tim on the Small Business Matters Podcast. Ryan was an early graduate of the SBDC GrowSmart program (then called Fast Track) and a founding member of the SBM Mastermind Group. The Founder and CEO of Peachtree Junk Removal was working for a trash pickup company when he realized the demand for bulk item removal in metro Atlanta could support a small business. He created a business plan and launched Peachtree Junk Removal in 2009 with two employees. Fifteen years later, Peachtree has earned a reputation for exceptional customer service and professionalism. In this episode, Ryan shares his entrepreneurial journey spanning 25 years in junk removal and recycling. He offers insights on maintaining a standard of professionalism, the importance of building strong internal and external relationships, and using digital marketing to grow your customer base. Join us to learn how to leverage Google in your marketing efforts, why CEOs need to prepare for both success and setbacks, and how Ryan outcoached Kirby Smart. Episode Highlights: • What Matters to Small Business [0:2:45] • Journey to Junk Removal [0:04:53] • The Role of CEO [0:06:36] • Learning from Good and Bad Mistakes [0:08:18] • Generating and Retaining Customers [0:11:32] • Advice to New Business Owners [0:14:10] • Rapid Fire [0:15:51 • Takeaways [0:19:35] • Contact Information [0:20:24] • SBM News [0:20:50]

    22 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Small Business Matters Podcast features interviews and conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders, small business owners and executives, and management gurus. Topics include business management, marketing, finance, and much more.