Episodios

  • QFF: Troy Trewin on Beating Burnout, Scaling Lark Distillery, and Launching Grow A Small Business’s Free Course That’s Helped 100+ Owners Work Smarter, Stress Less & Win Back Time. (Episode 700 - Troy Trewin)

    QFF: Troy Trewin on Beating Burnout, Scaling Lark Distillery, and Launching Grow A Small Business’s Free Course That’s Helped 100+ Owners Work Smarter, Stress Less & Win Back Time. (Episode 700 - Troy Trewin)
    Jul 24 2025

    QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse!

    Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week.

    Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends!

    To celebrate our epic 700th episode, we’re going behind the scenes with Troy Trewin, Founder of Grow A Small Business, shares his journey from burnout to balance, highlighting his leadership at Lark Distillery and the New Zealand Whisky Collection. He reveals how a life-changing moment in Bali inspired him to create the free Transform Your Performance course.

    The course has already helped over 100 small business owners and their teams work smarter, reduce stress, and reclaim their time. Troy discusses practical productivity tips, mindset shifts, and the power of simplicity in business. This episode is packed with real stories, proven tools, and powerful insights for every small business owner.

    Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners:

    Ditch Morning Meetings – Protect Your Power Hours: Troy swears by keeping his mornings meeting-free to do two deep 90-minute focus sprints. Your brain is sharpest early—use it to tackle the big stuff, not check calendars!

    Hustle Less, Achieve More: Forget the hustle culture hype. Productivity isn’t about grinding—it’s about building smart, lasting habits that let you work less and get better results.

    Say No, or Not Yet – Prioritize Like a Pro: When everything is a priority, nothing is. Learning to say “no” or “not yet” helps you focus on what actually moves the needle in your business.

    Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for?

    Inbox Lockdown = Game Changer: Troy uses a tool to block email access during work blocks—because "just checking" often turns into hours lost. Control your inbox before it controls you.

    Use the 'Success List' – Not a To-Do List: Forget endless to-do lists. Troy’s simple 2-page “Success List” system helps you plan your week with intention, reduce stress, and finish each day with purpose.

    Burnout Isn’t a Badge – It’s a Warning Sign: Troy hit burnout four times before realizing something had to change. Your business won’t thrive if you’re running on empty—prioritize balance, or you’ll pay the price.

    One action small business owners can take:

    According to Troy Trewin, one action small business owners can take is to block out their mornings for deep, distraction-free work—no meetings, no emails—just 90-minute sprints focused on high-impact tasks that drive real results.

    Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximize your time.

    Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. 👇

    Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

    If everything’s a priority, nothing truly gets done – Troy Trewin

    Productivity isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what matters most – Troy Trewin

    Real growth happens when you stop saying yes to everything – Troy Trewin
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    11 m
  • How Kerry Boulton of Exit Strategy Group Tripled a Freight Biz to $50M with 63 Staff, Now Guides Owners to Be ‘Exit Ready’ & Spot Their Alan Bond Moment — Secrets on Cash, People & Freedom from 38 Yrs in Business. (Episode 699 - Kerry Boulton)

    How Kerry Boulton of Exit Strategy Group Tripled a Freight Biz to $50M with 63 Staff, Now Guides Owners to Be ‘Exit Ready’ & Spot Their Alan Bond Moment — Secrets on Cash, People & Freedom from 38 Yrs in Business. (Episode 699 - Kerry Boulton)
    Jul 22 2025
    In this episode of Grow a Small Business host Troy Trewin interviews Kerry Boulton from Exit Strategy Group, who shares her incredible journey of buying a freight business doing $16M and growing it to $50M with the same 63 staff. Kerry reveals how she executed a strategic exit after seven years, then went on to build and sell multiple ventures. Now through The Exit Strategy Group, she mentors owners on being “always exit ready,” balancing business, financial, and personal goals. She discusses the power of systems, the Value Builder tool, and finding your “Alan Bond moment.” Kerry’s story is a masterclass in scaling, cash flow, people, and creating true freedom. Other Resources: An easy way to measure if your customers love you in 21 minutes – use the Net Promoter Score (NPS). And it’s FREE. Maximise Your Business Sale Price To Meet Your Expectations! How to Exit Your Business Feeling Fulfilled Personally Satisfied and Have the Biggest Pay Day of Your Life Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let’s get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Kerry Boulton, the hardest thing in growing a small business is managing cash flow. Growth eats up cash faster than most owners expect, and many don’t realize how easily they can run into a squeeze. She says you’ve got to keep a constant eye on cash, plan ahead, and understand that scaling up often means funding gaps you need to prepare for. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Kerry shares that her favorite business book is “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey, which she says gave her a rock-solid foundation for both business and life. She also loves “The Great Game of Business” by Jack Stack for teaching how to build financial literacy and an ownership mindset in your team. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? For podcasts and learning resources, Kerry highly recommends “Built to Sell Radio” by John Warrillow, which dives into making your business more valuable and sellable. She also likes “Business Lunch” with Roland Frasier & Ryan Deiss, plus the Exit Planning Institute’s podcast. And of course, she’s a fan of Troy’s Grow Small Business Podcast, which she appeared on. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? When it comes to tools, Kerry swears by the Value Builder System, which helps owners see their business through a buyer’s eyes, score it across key value drivers, and figure out exactly where to improve to maximize value and exit readiness. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? If she could give herself advice on day one of starting out in business, Kerry laughs and says she’d simply tell herself to “buckle up,” because it’s going to be a hell of a ride—full of challenges, personal growth, and ultimately the chance to create freedom and live life on her own terms. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Always run your business as if you’ll sell it tomorrow — that’s how you build something truly valuable — Kerry Boulton Buckle up — because business is the best roller coaster ride you’ll ever take — Kerry Boulton Cash is the oxygen of your business; ignore it and you’ll suffocate — Kerry Boulton
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    1 h y 5 m
  • Scott Cundill of My Most Trusted on Growing to $1M Revenue & 20%+ YoY, How a BNI Philippines Pilot Transformed His Biz, Building 100-100 Networks & Why Free Diving Helps Him Stay Sane While Leading Ethical Networking. (Episode 698 - Scott Cundill)

    Scott Cundill of My Most Trusted on Growing to $1M Revenue & 20%+ YoY, How a BNI Philippines Pilot Transformed His Biz, Building 100-100 Networks & Why Free Diving Helps Him Stay Sane While Leading Ethical Networking. (Episode 698 - Scott Cundill)
    Jul 20 2025
    In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Scott Cundill, founder of My Most Trusted, a platform that overlays LinkedIn and Zoom to build genuine, trust-based business connections. Scott shares how he grew the business to around $1M AUD annual revenue (equivalent), scaling at 20-30% per year while staying fully bootstrapped. He dives into the power of his 100-100 network strategy, explains how a pilot with BNI Philippines became a turning point for their white-label model, and talks about why he’s passionate about creating ethical, human-to-human networking over spammy automation. Scott also reveals how free diving in Okinawa keeps him grounded as he continues to grow his business. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let’s get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Scott Cundill, the hardest thing in growing a small business is getting enough revenue to keep going, especially to consistently cover staff and operational costs. He also pointed out how tough it can be managing team dynamics — making sure you have the right people who can adapt as the business changes. For him, if you can secure steady revenue and build a team that evolves with you, you’re already overcoming the biggest hurdles. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Scott Cundill didn’t name a single favorite business book, but said he’s most helped by books and resources about understanding different personality types — like those based on DISC, Myers-Briggs, and the Enneagram. For Scott, learning how to quickly read people and spot hidden agendas has been one of the most valuable skills in business. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Scott Cundill didn’t specifically recommend any podcasts or typical online learning resources. Instead, he highlighted that he finds the most value in tools and materials that help understand personality types, like DISC, Myers-Briggs, and the Enneagram. These have helped him navigate human behavior in business far more than traditional professional development content. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Scott Cundill’s top recommendation is his own tool, My Most Trusted. He firmly believes in using it (or at least building the same concept) to create a 100-100 network — that’s 100 people you deeply know, like, and trust, each with their own 100 trusted connections, opening up 10,000 warm opportunities. For Scott, this is hands down the best way to grow a small business. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Scott Cundill’s advice to his younger self on day one would be: “Build your network early and keep nurturing it.” He emphasized that the contacts and friendships you make at the start often become your strongest allies and best business opportunities down the road — just like an alumni network you create for yourself. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Build a 100-100 network and you'll never run out of doors to knock on — Scott Cundill Learn to spot hidden agendas early; it’ll save you years of pain — Scott Cundill One good meeting can change your life — nurture every connection — Scott Cundill
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    33 m
  • QFF: Joel Salomon of SaLaurMor: Former Hedge Fund Manager Turned Prosperity Coach Helping Spiritual Entrepreneurs Triple Income by Shifting Money Mindset, Pricing with Confidence, and Acting As If to Manifest Business Success. (Episode 697 - Joel Salomon)

    QFF: Joel Salomon of SaLaurMor: Former Hedge Fund Manager Turned Prosperity Coach Helping Spiritual Entrepreneurs Triple Income by Shifting Money Mindset, Pricing with Confidence, and Acting As If to Manifest Business Success. (Episode 697 - Joel Salomon)
    Jul 17 2025

    QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse!

    Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week.

    Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends!

    In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Rob Cameron speaks with Joel Salomon, founder of SaLaurMor, a former hedge fund manager turned prosperity coach. Joel now helps spiritual entrepreneurs shift their limiting beliefs around money and implement strategies to grow their businesses. He shares the powerful story of helping a client triple her income and quit her job within 60 days. A key takeaway from the episode is the concept of "acting as if", where entrepreneurs start behaving like their future successful selves. Joel also emphasizes that mindset without strategy—and vice versa—won’t lead to lasting success. This episode is packed with practical tools to break through financial and visibility blocks.

    Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners:

    Shift Your Money Mindset: Joel emphasizes that most business owners carry limiting beliefs about money. To grow, you must replace thoughts like "I can’t afford it" with empowering beliefs of abundance and prosperity.

    Act As If You’re Already Successful: Visualize your future business success and start making decisions from that mindset. Whether it’s interviewing a new team member or planning a big event, acting as if helps you attract what you want.

    Charge What You’re Worth: Underpricing your services creates an imbalance. Joel encourages business owners to price according to the transformation they provide—because helping clients achieve their dreams is priceless.

    Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for?

    Align Strategy With Mindset: Having the right systems without a strong mindset—or vice versa—limits growth. Lasting success comes when belief and business strategy work hand-in-hand.

    Embrace Sales and Marketing: Many entrepreneurs, especially in spiritual fields, shy away from selling. Joel stresses that selling is serving—and visibility is key to helping more people.

    Tailor Your Business Strategy: Avoid cookie-cutter solutions. Joel’s approach is to work with each client individually, ensuring their strategies align with their personality, values, and goals.


    One action small business owners can take:

    According to Joel Salomon, one action small business owners can take is to "act as if" their business is already successful — whether that means visualizing higher revenue, drafting a future team structure, or planning a celebration for hitting big goals. By aligning their mindset and behavior with their desired outcome, they start attracting the results they want faster.

    Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximize your time.

    Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. 👇

    Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

    Doubt the doubt—have faith in your dream – Joel Salomon

    Act as if success is already yours, and it will follow – Joel Salomon

    Strategy without belief is wasted effort – Joel Salomon
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    20 m
  • From $0 to $2M: Nelly Gal on Scaling Live Vibrant Wellness & Esthetics, Supporting 12 Families in Cuba, Working 3 Days a Week, Overcoming Burnout & Inspiring Women to Build Wealth Without Sacrificing Life. (Episode 696 - Nelly Gal)

    From $0 to $2M: Nelly Gal on Scaling Live Vibrant Wellness & Esthetics, Supporting 12 Families in Cuba, Working 3 Days a Week, Overcoming Burnout & Inspiring Women to Build Wealth Without Sacrificing Life. (Episode 696 - Nelly Gal)
    Jul 15 2025
    In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Nelly Gal, founder of Live Vibrant Wellness & Esthetics, who shares her incredible story of going from $0 to building a $2M+ med spa business in just four years. Nelly opens up about supporting 12 family members back in Cuba, working only three days a week, and how she overcame burnout while scaling her clinic. She dives into the mindset shifts that helped her grow, the power of trusting her team, and why true success means having wealth without sacrificing joy or health. It’s a must-listen for entrepreneurs, especially women, seeking inspiration to build a thriving business and life on their own terms. Other Resources: When should a growing small business have a Board of Directors or Advisors?en should a growing small business have a Board of Directors or Advisors? Get a return from an effective Chairperson of a Board Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let’s get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Nelly Gal, the hardest part is changing your own mindset and truly believing in yourself. She says overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome is tougher than any operational or financial challenge. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Nelly Gal shares that Traction by Gino Wickman has been one of the most impactful books for her business journey, along with favorites like Atomic Habits and The 4-Hour Workweek. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Nelly Gal reveals that her biggest resource lately is actually ChatGPT and exploring AI tools. She’s also invested in learning platforms like the app Cursive to deepen her knowledge of AI and tech for business. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Nelly Gal strongly recommends having a solid CRM like Go High Level, using QuickBooks for finances (handled by her accountant), and above all — mastering AI tools like ChatGPT to save time and unlock new strategies. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Nelly Gal would tell her younger self: keep going, it gets better. Believe in yourself, stay patient, and know that you’re far more capable than you think — your hard work will create something that feeds people, brings joy, and changes lives. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Success isn’t a number in your bank account — it’s working three days a week, caring for your family, and living without burnout — Nelly Gal Trust your gut when hiring; the wrong person in the wrong seat will cost you more than you can imagine — Nelly Gal Invest in ads, invest in your team, and most importantly, invest in yourself — because your growth is the foundation of your business — Nelly Gal 👍
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    53 m
  • How Jarrad Goulding Built The Local Guys Into a 200+ Franchise Empire Across Australia & NZ — Serving The Market, Flat Fees, & AI Tools That Transformed Their Business Journey (Plus Why He Turned Down Big VC Offers!). (Episode 695 - Jarrad Goulding)

    How Jarrad Goulding Built The Local Guys Into a 200+ Franchise Empire Across Australia & NZ — Serving The Market, Flat Fees, & AI Tools That Transformed Their Business Journey (Plus Why He Turned Down Big VC Offers!). (Episode 695 - Jarrad Goulding)
    Jul 13 2025
    In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Jarrad Goulding, founder of The Local Guys, who scaled his service-based franchise from humble beginnings in electrical test & tag to over 200 franchises across Australia and New Zealand. Jarrad shares how a flat fee model, leveraging AI tools, and prioritizing franchisee success drove their impressive growth. He also opens up about turning down big VC offers to keep the business family-focused and values-led, revealing what true success means to him. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let’s get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Jarrad Goulding, the hardest part of growing a small business is realizing that ultimately, no one is coming to save you. As he put it, when you’re in the driver’s seat, every detail — from strategy to the smallest operational checks — rests on your shoulders. If something goes wrong, it’s your responsibility, and that can be both terrifying and empowering. This mindset shift, understanding that you must push everything forward yourself and constantly verify results, is critical but also one of the toughest realities for any entrepreneur. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? According to Jarrad Goulding, two standout resources that have significantly contributed to his professional growth are the Dave Ramsey EntreLeadership podcast and the Diary of a CEO. He appreciates how EntreLeadership delivers practical, values-driven advice tailored for small business owners, while Diary of a CEO offers powerful, candid interviews that dig into the mindset and challenges of high performers. Jarrad also consumes a wide range of content on YouTube, treating it as a daily learning platform to keep sharpening his skills. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? According to Jarrad Goulding, two standout resources that have significantly contributed to his professional growth are the Dave Ramsey EntreLeadership podcast and the Diary of a CEO. He appreciates how EntreLeadership delivers practical, values-driven advice tailored for small business owners, while Diary of a CEO offers powerful, candid interviews that dig into the mindset and challenges of high performers. Jarrad also consumes a wide range of content on YouTube, treating it as a daily learning platform to keep sharpening his skills. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? According to Jarrad Goulding, the most essential tool he recommends for growing a small business is a solid CRM system. He believes that in today’s world, relying on pen-and-paper methods or informal tracking is simply not sustainable once your customer base grows. A good CRM allows you to manage quotes, scheduling, follow-ups, and client relationships professionally, helping turn one-time jobs into long-term, repeat business. For Jarrad, this kind of system is the backbone of scaling a service business, enabling consistent customer engagement and building reliable, compounding revenue year after year. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? According to Jarrad Goulding, the advice he would give himself on day one of starting out in business is to understand that success is not about what you personally gain but about who you become through the journey. In the early days, he thought it would all be about making money and enjoying the rewards, but over time, he realized the real value lies in the growth, resilience, and humility you develop by serving others, facing challenges, and building something meaningful. He believes that keeping this perspective from the start would have made the journey even more purposeful and fulfilling. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Success isn’t about what you get — it’s about who you become along the way — Jarrad Goulding A CRM isn’t just a tool; ...
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    47 m
  • QFF: Unlock Buyer Minds! Rai Hyde Cornell of Cornell Content Marketing Reveals How to Outsmart Big Brands, Build Trust, & Win Market Share Without Burning Out – Empathy-Driven Marketing That Lasts. (Episode 694 - Rai Hyde Cornell)

    QFF: Unlock Buyer Minds! Rai Hyde Cornell of Cornell Content Marketing Reveals How to Outsmart Big Brands, Build Trust, & Win Market Share Without Burning Out – Empathy-Driven Marketing That Lasts. (Episode 694 - Rai Hyde Cornell)
    Jul 10 2025

    QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse!

    Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week.

    Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends!

    In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Rob Cameron speaks with Rai Hyde Cornell of Cornell Content Marketing reveals how to tap into buyer psychology, outsmart giant competitors, and win loyal clients—all without blowing your budget on ads. Discover how empathy-driven, long-term strategies can fill your pipeline for years, build unshakable trust, and turn your brand into the obvious choice. If you’re ready to grow your market share the smart, sustainable way, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.

    Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners:

    Use buyer psychology: Understand what keeps your ideal customers up at night—even beyond what you sell — and craft marketing that speaks directly to their real problems.

    Stop chasing quick wins: Ditch short-term campaigns that burn cash and energy. Invest in long-term demand generation that keeps paying you back year after year.

    Get ahead of competitors early: Capture your audience before they’re ready to buy, so when the time comes, you’re already their favorite choice.

    Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for?

    Be genuinely helpful: Create content and tools that solve multiple pain points for your audience, not just those tied to your product. Trust builds loyalty.

    Empathize like crazy: Take time to imagine your buyers’ hectic lives—step into their shoes. This will sharpen your messaging more than any funnel hack ever could.

    Build brand relationships, not transactions: Focus on becoming a trusted advisor. When people know, like, and trust you, selling becomes almost effortless.

    One action small business owners can take:

    According to Rai Hyde Cornell, one action small business owners can take is to pause for 5-10 minutes, truly step into their buyer’s shoes, and empathize with what their Monday looks like—because understanding their world is the secret to crafting irresistible marketing.


    Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximize your time.

    Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. 👇

    Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

    If you want to win buyers’ trust, stop selling and start genuinely helping — Rai Hyde Cornell

    Stop chasing clicks; build relationships that last years, not minutes — Rai Hyde Cornell

    Empathy is the ultimate competitive advantage in business — Rai Hyde Cornell
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    18 m
  • Nicola Mason of Smitten Merino shares how she built a thriving Tasmanian fashion brand from her dining table to $4M revenue & 30 staff, championing local Merino wool, resilience, clever marketing & a family-run success story. (Episode 693 - Nicola Mason)

    Nicola Mason of Smitten Merino shares how she built a thriving Tasmanian fashion brand from her dining table to $4M revenue & 30 staff, championing local Merino wool, resilience, clever marketing & a family-run success story. (Episode 693 - Nicola Mason)
    Jul 8 2025

    In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Nicola Mason, co-founder of Smitten Merino, shares how she built a thriving Tasmanian fashion brand from her dining table to a $4M business with 30 staff. Using premium Merino wool, they’ve championed local manufacturing and sustainability, growing through clever strategies like authentic, personal email marketing. Nicola talks about navigating challenges during COVID, balancing rapid growth with family life, and how resilience and creativity turned their dream into a lasting success story.

    Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let’s get into it by clicking here.

    Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.

    And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:

    1. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business?

      According to Nicola Mason, the hardest thing in growing a small business is making sure you don’t damage family relationships along the way—especially in a family-run business. Balancing intense work demands with family harmony takes real intention.

    2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most?

      Nicola Mason shares that The E-Myth was one of the first business books that truly helped her, alongside Brene Brown’s work on vulnerability and leadership, and she recently found Hanging by a Thread by Erin Dearing particularly relevant.

    3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?

      According to Nicola Mason, some of the best resources to help grow a small business include the Grow a Small Business Podcast, Diary of a CEO, Huberman Lab, and anything by Brene Brown. She finds these not only practical but also inspiring for both business strategy and personal development.


    4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?

      Nicola Mason believes the best “tool” for growing a small business isn’t software or tech, but the qualities of passion and resilience—showing up every day, even when it’s tough.

    5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?

      Nicola Mason would tell herself on day one to keep going, hold onto the dream, trust the vision, and know that despite the setbacks, it truly will work out in the end.

    Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights!

    Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.

    Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

    Layer up in wool, layer up in courage — both will get you through the cold days — Nicola Mason

    Our customers don’t just wear our clothes — they become part of our family story — Nicola Mason

    If you love what you do, you’ll keep reinventing, even when the world wobbles — Nicola Mason
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    40 m