The Number

Wendy Brookhouse
  • 5.0 (6)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Number is a business podcast about the numbers that actually run your business. Each episode focuses on one number. Revenue, profit, cash flow, capacity, time, valuation, customer cost, risk, or exit readiness. Hosted by Wendy Brookhouse, and often joined by Kelsey MacAulay, the show breaks down what that number means, why it matters, and how it should influence the decisions you make as an owner. Some episodes feature guests. Some are honest conversations. Some are solo deep dives. If you own a business and want better clarity, better decisions, and better outcomes, it starts with knowing your numbers.

  1. 001: The Story Behind the Numbers: Two Decades of Financial Evolution

    MAR 3

    001: The Story Behind the Numbers: Two Decades of Financial Evolution

    Twenty years. That’s the number that launches The Number. The milestone number 20 marks Wendy’s twentieth year in the financial industry. What began as business consulting evolved into an independent financial planning practice grounded in curiosity, education, and doing what is right—not what is easy. In this first episode, Wendy Brookhouse and Kelsey MacAulay introduce the podcast and the concept behind it: beginning every conversation with a number and uncovering the story that sits behind it. Wendy and Kelsey discuss what has changed over the past two decades, from pandemic‑driven digital acceleration to the rise of AI and faster approval processes. They also explore what has stayed constant: every client brings their own story, fears, aspirations, and definition of success. With fewer than 17 percent of independent financial advisors being female, Wendy reflects on the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence in modern financial planning—skills that she believes will matter even more in the years ahead. They also outline the three core planning pathways at Black Star Wealth: The One Number SolutionRetirement PlanningTotal Wealth Blueprint for Business OwnersYou’ll hear why the firm is shifting toward fixed‑fee models to offer greater transparency and clarity for clients. This episode sets the tone for what The Number is all about: clarity, empowerment, and real conversations about the numbers that shape your life. Join The Freedom FilesTired of money advice that feels complicated or out of touch?Discover Freedom Files from Black Star Wealth — a bi-weekly dose of smart financial insights and real stories about building a life on your own terms. Because freedom isn’t someday — it’s something you design. Subscribe now at blackstarwealth.com/freedomfiles

    12 min
  2. Episode 158 - What 2025 Taught Us About Business Value And Exits

    12/30/2025

    Episode 158 - What 2025 Taught Us About Business Value And Exits

    This episode takes a turn. Wendy’s not in the host chair. I slide in to interview her and Kelsey as we wrap up 2025 and look straight into 2026. We cover what surprised them about business owners this year, where owners are getting stuck, why so many people are tired, and why resilience and action suddenly matter more than ever. We dig into the myths that refuse to die, the habits that make a business sellable, and the blind spots that can wipe out value overnight. We also talk about life after the sale. The identity stuff. The what now moment. If you’re planning to sell in five years or you’re nowhere near ready but want the option, this one will get you thinking. Join The Freedom FilesTired of money advice that feels complicated or out of touch?Discover Freedom Files from Black Star Wealth — a bi-weekly dose of smart financial insights and real stories about building a life on your own terms. Because freedom isn’t someday — it’s something you design. Subscribe now at blackstarwealth.com/freedomfiles

    34 min
  3. Episode 157 - Cybersecurity First, AI Second, Always

    12/18/2025

    Episode 157 - Cybersecurity First, AI Second, Always

    AI is showing up everywhere in business. And a lot of owners are turning it on without realizing what they just gave access to. In this episode, Wendy sits down with Darryl Cresswell, CEO and founder of myDWARE, to talk about why cybersecurity has to come before any AI rollout. They dig into real world examples entrepreneurs can actually relate to. AI agents running under owner level access. Sensitive data leaking through email, CRM systems, and shadow AI tools. And why flashy automation without guardrails can quietly destroy trust, value, and deal readiness. Darryl breaks down the difference between AI bots, AI agents, and agentic AI in plain language. They talk about shadow AI, third party tools, and how employees accidentally create risk. And why buyers and auditors are now paying close attention to cybersecurity when valuing a business. If you are experimenting with AI, thinking about automation, or planning to sell your business one day, this conversation will change how you think about “just turning it on.” Cybersecurity first.AI second.Always. Join The Freedom FilesTired of money advice that feels complicated or out of touch?Discover Freedom Files from Black Star Wealth — a bi-weekly dose of smart financial insights and real stories about building a life on your own terms. Because freedom isn’t someday — it’s something you design. Subscribe now at blackstarwealth.com/freedomfiles

    36 min
  4. Episode 156 - The Wildest Founder Origin Story I’ve Ever Heard

    11/25/2025

    Episode 156 - The Wildest Founder Origin Story I’ve Ever Heard

    I invited Graham Barlow onto The Real Bottom Line because his founder journey is one of the wildest I’ve ever heard. He started out as a teenager selling virtual game items on eBay, scaled that “hobby” into almost six figures a month, and eventually went on to build and exit multiple companies. In our conversation, Graham and I dig into How he and a group of friends used bots to farm virtual currency long before in-app purchases were normal Why cash flow, projections, and financial discipline matter far more than top-line revenue The painful lessons he learned building a game studio and raising money How ego and “I’m the only one who can do this right” thinking quietly caps your business Why community and the rooms you put yourself in can dramatically change your sense of what’s possible The two strategic gaps he sees in most businesses right now… outbound sales and how teams use AI We also talk about Founder Link, the community he never planned to build, and why so many founders desperately need a place where they can ask real questions, drop the armour, and get guidance from people who’ve already walked the path. If you’ve ever hit a ceiling, questioned your next move, or wondered what it actually takes to build something someone would buy, you’ll get a lot from this conversation. Join The Freedom FilesTired of money advice that feels complicated or out of touch?Discover Freedom Files from Black Star Wealth — a bi-weekly dose of smart financial insights and real stories about building a life on your own terms. Because freedom isn’t someday — it’s something you design. Subscribe now at blackstarwealth.com/freedomfiles

    40 min
  5. Episode 155 - From Boardroom to Rockstar, Leading the Next Stage

    11/12/2025

    Episode 155 - From Boardroom to Rockstar, Leading the Next Stage

    FinTech leader Carrie Forbes, CEO of Rockstar Advisory, joins Wendy to unpack the shift from startup energy to running energy, the corporate habits worth keeping, and how to make AI projects succeed with tiny, low risk wins. Human skills remain the moat... and that’s the optimistic bottom line. Join The Freedom FilesTired of money advice that feels complicated or out of touch?Discover Freedom Files from Black Star Wealth — a bi-weekly dose of smart financial insights and real stories about building a life on your own terms. Because freedom isn’t someday — it’s something you design. Subscribe now at blackstarwealth.com/freedomfiles

    39 min
  6. Episode 154 - Revisioning Retirement: Identity, Meaning, and the Art of Becoming

    10/30/2025

    Episode 154 - Revisioning Retirement: Identity, Meaning, and the Art of Becoming

    Wendy talks with Dr. Susan Reid, revisioning specialist, author, and keynote speaker, about designing life after work. They explore identity beyond titles, why meaning matters in retirement, and how a simple “being vision” guides the next chapter. Susan shares research, lived lessons from building and selling businesses, and practical tools like journaling push/pull factors and building a “retirement team” of strong and weak ties. Show Notes (light timestamps) 0:00 — Intro and Susan’s path: scientist → MBA → PhD → entrepreneur3:30 — The Bob Proctor yo-yo story and discovering vision7:55 — Creating a category: ice cider, then maple whisky12:10 — Why a seven-word vision moves people faster than a long plan13:40 — “Life after work” and early-retirement trends17:20 — Hard stop vs glide path and the anxiety dip21:30 — Prep to vision: quiet, journaling, push/pull factors24:30 — Open via nature, people, and the “universe”26:20 — Your Retirement Team: strong ties and weak ties33:00 — Values → being vision (stop obsessing about how)38:36 — The art of becoming + how to reach SusanKey Takeaways Treat retirement as revisioning: move from freedom from to freedom to.Start with values and a being vision, then let the how emerge.Build a Retirement Team for support and fresh ideas.Keep the vision simple enough to remember.Prototype the next chapter before you leap. Join The Freedom FilesTired of money advice that feels complicated or out of touch?Discover Freedom Files from Black Star Wealth — a bi-weekly dose of smart financial insights and real stories about building a life on your own terms. Because freedom isn’t someday — it’s something you design. Subscribe now at blackstarwealth.com/freedomfiles

    38 min
  7. Episode 153 - How Employee Ownership Trusts Are Changing Business Succession in Canada

    10/14/2025

    Episode 153 - How Employee Ownership Trusts Are Changing Business Succession in Canada

    Episode: The Real Bottom Line with Wendy Brookhouse Guest: Jennifer Williams, Founder of Firefly Insights In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Williams, founder and partial owner of Firefly Insights, to unpack one of the most exciting developments for Canadian entrepreneurs — Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs). If you’re a business owner starting to think about succession, exit planning, or legacy, this episode will open your eyes to a whole new way to transition your business — one that rewards your team, sustains your community, and can even save you millions in taxes. We talk about: Jennifer’s unique path from nonprofit work to social entrepreneurship and employee ownershipThe tough mindset shift around profit versus missionHow to find the right scale in your business without burning outThe new Canadian EOT legislation and what it means for small and mid-sized companiesWho qualifies, how the trust is structured, and the real financial and cultural benefitsMy favorite moment: when Jennifer breaks down how profit can amplify your mission rather than distract from it. If you’ve ever wondered, “What’s next for my business when I step away?”, this conversation might just change the way you think about exit planning. Connect with Jennifer: fireflyinsights.ca Email: jennifer@fireflyinsights.ca Join The Freedom FilesTired of money advice that feels complicated or out of touch?Discover Freedom Files from Black Star Wealth — a bi-weekly dose of smart financial insights and real stories about building a life on your own terms. Because freedom isn’t someday — it’s something you design. Subscribe now at blackstarwealth.com/freedomfiles

    32 min
  8. Episode 152 - Done Beats Perfect: Ray Samuels on Iteration, Momentum, and the Real Currency of Relationships

    10/01/2025

    Episode 152 - Done Beats Perfect: Ray Samuels on Iteration, Momentum, and the Real Currency of Relationships

    Guest: Ray Samuels, Growth Advisor and Founder, Cer Capital Episode in a sentence: Ray shares how “done beats perfect,” why relationships are the real currency, and how a simple idea plus disciplined iteration can create momentum, funding, and valuation growth. What we cover From high-school dances to London Telecom to Direct Energy: Ray’s entrepreneurial through-lineThe 65% rule: ship, listen, iterate“Clarity beats complexity,” and getting “pedestrian” with customers to gather real feedbackG.R.O.W. mindset: Gratitude, Resilience, Optimism, WillpowerThe Equal Tank story: a simple washer-fluid dispenser, environmental impact, and national rolloutFunding growth: why sales orders are easier to fund than ideasPackaging a story investors understand and want to backDaily relationship rituals that keep your network aliveKey takeaways Ship at 65% and improve with feedbackRelationships compound if you maintain them intentionallyKeep the product and the story simple so adoption is easyGrowth needs cash, data, and proof, not perfectionMomentum creates new problems, but they are the right problemsTimestamps 00:00 Meet Ray and the power of relationships02:30 Early entrepreneurship: dances, driveways, done over perfect07:10 Iteration vs. perfection and the 65% rule08:50 Clarity beats complexity and learning to listen18:20 The G.R.O.W. mindset explained23:20 Equal Tank: simple solution, big impact28:20 When and how to fund growth35:50 Packaging the story for partners and investors36:30 Wrap: relationships and iteration as operating systemsConnect with Ray LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-samuels-a20165/ Like this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a founder who needs a nudge to ship. Join The Freedom FilesTired of money advice that feels complicated or out of touch?Discover Freedom Files from Black Star Wealth — a bi-weekly dose of smart financial insights and real stories about building a life on your own terms. Because freedom isn’t someday — it’s something you design. Subscribe now at blackstarwealth.com/freedomfiles

    35 min
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5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Number is a business podcast about the numbers that actually run your business. Each episode focuses on one number. Revenue, profit, cash flow, capacity, time, valuation, customer cost, risk, or exit readiness. Hosted by Wendy Brookhouse, and often joined by Kelsey MacAulay, the show breaks down what that number means, why it matters, and how it should influence the decisions you make as an owner. Some episodes feature guests. Some are honest conversations. Some are solo deep dives. If you own a business and want better clarity, better decisions, and better outcomes, it starts with knowing your numbers.

Information

  • Creator
    Wendy Brookhouse
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    158
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Number Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Number