In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by Sarah B Stern, an EOS implementer and family business expert, for part one of a powerful two-part series on navigating the complex intersection of family dynamics and business strategy.

Together, they explore the Harvard three-circle family business model and how to apply EOS tools to create clarity, define roles, and manage conflict in family-run businesses. Sarah shares practical insights on fairness across family, business, and ownership circles, the importance of clearly defined roles like Visionary and Integrator, and why conflict can be healthy if handled in the right context.

If you're navigating blurred roles, tension, or unclear expectations on leading a multi-generational company or just beginning succession planning, this episode offers essential tools for building a stronger business and healthier family relationships.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:        

___________________________________________        

►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.co.nz

►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/      
____________________________________________        

GUEST’S DETAIL:

► Website Link

► Grab a Copy of Start Here: A Guide for Family Business Succession and Married to the Family Business

► Sara B. Stern - LinkedIn

Chapters:  

00:32 - Introduction

02:12 - Balancing Family Dynamics and Business Strategy

03:38 - Challenges in Family Business Dynamics

05:18 - Defining Fairness in Family Business

08:21 - Role Assignment and Succession Planning

11:14 - The Importance of the Owner's Box

20:54 - Handling Conflict in Family Businesses

23:10 - Practical Tips for Family Business Owners

32:21 - Recommended Books for Family Business Owners

Welcome to Better Business, Better Life. In this episode, host Debra Chantry-Taylor tackles a common challenge in family businesses and professional services firms: too many people wearing too many hats.

She explains how too many hats, like founders micromanaging or family members in the wrong roles, can slow growth and drain energy. Debra also introduces powerful tools like the EOS Accountability Chart, GWC framework, and RACI model with an S to bring structure, clarity, and accountability back into the business.

If your team is stretched thin or unsure who’s doing what, this episode will help you untangle the mess and move forward with confidence.

Tune in to learn how structure leads to confidence, where confidence drives results.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:        

___________________________________________        

►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.co.nz

►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/      

____________________________________________        

Chapters:  

00:08 - Problem of Too Many Hats in Family Businesses

01:46 - Complexity in Family Businesses

02:18 - Using the EOS Accountability Chart

04:19 - Example of a Multi-Generational Family Business

04:34 - RACI Tool with an S for Complex Businesses

06:46 - Cost of Inaction in Family Businesses

08:55 - Tough Conversations and Emotional Triggers

09:42 - Conclusion

In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by guest, Michelle Taylor, a Financial Advisor from Gambin Financial Group to talk about the critical role financial management plays in business success.

Michelle shares her personal journey from surviving leukaemia to building a career helping entrepreneurs take control of their finances. Together, they unpack common financial mistakes, the power of having a personal board of directors, and strategies to avoid "shiny object syndrome." She also introduces her Women in Wealth community, designed to empower women to take control of their financial futures.

If you want to future-proof your business and personal finances, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.

Tune in to explore essential tips for creating lasting financial strength.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:        
___________________________________________        
►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.co.nz

►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/      
____________________________________________        

GUEST’S DETAIL:

► Gambin Financial Group Website

► Women in Wealth Community

► Michelle Taylor - LinkedIn

Chapters:  

00:25 - Introduction

03:38 - Michelle's Personal Journey and Financial Lessons

07:40 - Entrepreneurial Challenges and Financial Management

25:09 - Building a Personal Board of Directors

30:27 - Financial Tips for Entrepreneurs

36:02 - Michelle's Women in Wealth Program

Welcome to Better Business, Better Life. In this episode, Host Debra Chantry-Taylor dives into how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) can help fast-growing family businesses stay focused, aligned, and in control.

Using the Harvard Three-Circle model and her own F1 "pit stop" analogy, Debra explains how EOS tools like the Accountability Chart, Scorecard, Rocks, and Level 10 Meetings bring clarity, focus, and alignment to even the most complex family dynamics.

If your family business is scaling quickly, this episode will show you how to create structure, improve communication, and keep your business and relationships on track.

Tune in to learn how EOS can help you build a business that thrives without losing control.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:        

___________________________________________        

►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.co.nz

►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/      

____________________________________________        

Chapters:  

00:07 - Introduction

00:50 - EOS for Family Businesses

02:27 - Challenges of Fast Growth in Family Businesses

03:07 - EOS as a Tool for Family Businesses

04:20 - Components of an EOS Pit Stop

06:55 - Foundational Tools in EOS

08:04 - Unique Challenges in Family Businesses

09:43 - The Vision, Traction, Organiser (V/TO) Process

13:49 - Road Map for Family Businesses

19:41 - Recap and Final Thoughts

In another episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor chats with Landon Eckles, co-founder of Clean Juice and now an EOS implementer, about how he and his wife grew their business from a single idea into a 100-store franchise, then found clarity through EOS.

Landon shares how he and his wife scaled Clean Juice to 100 stores in just five years and the growing pains that came with it. He reveals how discovering EOS transformed their leadership, decision-making, and meetings, giving their business the structure it needed to thrive through COVID-19 and beyond.

Now, as an EOS implementer, Landon is passionate about helping other business owners find the same freedom through simple, effective systems.

Tune in to hear how EOS helped one couple build, grow, and exit on their terms and how it might help you do the same.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:        

___________________________________________        

►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.co.nz

►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/      

____________________________________________        

GUEST’S DETAIL:

► Landon Eckles Website

► Landon Eckles - EOS Implementer

► Landon Eckles - LinkedIn

Chapters:  

00:24 - Introduction and Guest Background

03:16 - Challenges and Solutions in Business Growth

11:27 - Implementing EOS and Its Impact

15:57 - Growth Pains and Overcoming Challenges

23:37 - Transition to EOS Implementation

36:08 - Personal Reflections and Advice

38:43 - Conclusion and Future Plans

In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor chats with guest, Susan Toft, founder and CEO of The Laundry Lady, about her incredible journey from doing laundry as a side hustle to building a $9 million national business with over 300 contractors.

Susan shares her journey from starting with a $5,000 grant to leading a tech-enabled service business with over 300 contractors. She talks about the realities of bootstrapping, the impact of appearing on Shark Tank, and how staying true to her values, like flexibility and persistence helped her scale sustainably.

From MVPs to market expansion, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration for entrepreneurs at any stage.

Tune in to an inspiring story of grit, growth, and getting the job done.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:        
___________________________________________        
►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.co.nz

►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/      

____________________________________________        

GUEST’S DETAIL:

► The Laundry Lady AU and The Laundry Lady NZ

► Susan Toft Website

► Susan Toft - LinkedIn

Chapters:  

00:21 - Introduction

02:25 - Susan Toft’s Journey to Success

04:11 - Building and Scaling the Business

07:21 - Challenges and Solutions in Business Growth

14:23 - Branding and Market Expansion

22:29 - Shark Tank Experience and Lessons Learned

34:15 - Personal and Professional Growth

34:41 - Advice for Entrepreneurs

41:27 - Future Plans and Contact Information

Welcome to Better Business, Better Life. In this episode, host Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by Barry LaBov, two-time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and branding expert, to explore the power of differentiation in business.

Barry introduces the idea of the “Commodity Monster”, the danger of becoming just another option in the market. He shares powerful stories and practical advice on how to identify your business’s key differentiators, use specific language to tell your brand story, and ensure your customer experience lives up to the promise.

If you’re launching a new product, looking to refresh your brand, or simply want to avoid blending in, this episode will show you how to stand out and stay that way.

Tune in to learn how to define your difference, and make sure the world knows about it.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:        

___________________________________________        

►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: ⁠debra@businessaction.co.nz⁠

►See how she can help you: ⁠https://businessaction.co.nz/⁠      

____________________________________________        

GUEST’S DETAIL:

► ⁠LaBov Website⁠

► ⁠Barry LaBov Writes⁠

► ⁠Grab Your Copy of "The Power of Differentiation"⁠

► ⁠Barry LaBov - LinkedIn⁠

Chapters:  

00:35 – Introduction

02:10 - Barry LaBov's Journey and Philosophy

05:40 - The Commodity Monster and Differentiation

09:43 - Examples of Successful Differentiation

18:07 - The Role of Words and Storytelling

30:59 - Practical Tips for Fighting Commoditisation

31:12 - The Importance of Imperfection and Innovation

35:54 - Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In another episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by leadership expert and author Kevin Eikenberry to explore what it truly means to lead with flexibility in an ever-changing world. Drawing from his latest book, Flexible Leadership, Kevin unpacks how great leaders adapt their style based on context, not habit—and why that’s more important now than ever.

Together, Debra and Kevin dive into the realities of hybrid work, proximity bias, ego management, and how to balance urgency with long-term vision. Kevin introduces the idea of “flexors”—simple questions that help leaders move beyond their default responses—and explains how staying curious, context-aware, and open to new perspectives can dramatically improve team performance and trust.

Whether you're leading a small team or a growing organisation, this conversation is filled with timely insights and practical tips to help you lead with confidence and clarity in uncertain times.

Tune in to learn how to lead with greater flexibility, curiosity, and confidence.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:        

___________________________________________        

►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.co.nz

►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/      

____________________________________________        

GUEST’S DETAIL:

► The Kevin Eikenberry Group Website

► Grab a Copy of Kevin's Book - Flexible Leadership

► Kevin Eikenberry - LinkedIn

Chapters:  

00:36 - Introduction

02:27 - Understanding the Concept of Flexible Leadership

04:12 - The Concept of Flexible Leadership

06:52 - Navigating Uncertainty and Leading with Confidence

12:27 - The Role of AI in Leadership

23:06 - Effective Leadership in a Hybrid Work Environment

28:37 - Managing End Runs and Building Trust

33:02 - Challenges for Leaders in a Changing World

44:02 - Practical Tips for Leaders

45:09 - Conclusion and Call to Action