In an age where “growth” is often mistaken for success, what does it really take to scale a company with integrity, purpose, and impact?

On this episode of Become Sensible, I sit down with Paul Blackman, Jr., Managing Principal of Trusted Advisory Group, to unpack two decades of leadership experience across the public and private sectors. From overseeing $4B in city projects as Deputy Director of DC General Services to leading complex developments in healthcare, housing, and education, Paul shares what it means to grow a business that uplifts communities—not just bottom lines.

We talk about the myths of scaling, the power of relationships, and why “integration” matters more than “balance” when you’re leading a team and a family. “A problem well framed is half solved,” Paul says—and his story proves that clarity, consistency, and connection are the foundation of every sustainable business.

Paul Blackman, Jr. is the Managing Principal of Trusted Advisory Group, a Washington, D.C.–based consulting firm specializing in project and construction management, real estate development, and strategic advisory for public and private clients. A former Deputy Director of DC General Services, Paul has led over $4 billion in infrastructure projects and now mentors organizations and leaders on how to scale with purpose and integrity.

Guest Links

• Trusted Advisory Group
• Paul Blackman, Jr. on LinkedIn

Connect

• Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn. Learn more about Balannx.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Intro
• 0:32 – Paul’s journey from public service to entrepreneurship
• 4:00 – Bridging private- and public-sector values
• 9:00 – Early days of building Trusted Advisory Group
• 13:00 – The first big break and lessons from A-list partnerships
• 17:30 – Why relationships and time are the real business currencies
• 23:00 – Finding purpose during the pandemic and leading through uncertainty
• 29:00 – Shifting from operator to visionary leader
• 35:00 – Listening, feedback, and avoiding blind spots as a CEO
• 40:00 – Balancing high standards with sustainable growth
• 46:00 – Reinvesting wisely and preparing for the AI-driven future
• 55:00 – Paul’s advice to his day-one self and closing reflections

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the box your product ships in could make or break whether your customer buys from you again? Most entrepreneurs overlook packaging — treating it as a cost center, not a marketing channel. But as you’ll hear today, your box may be your most powerful untapped growth lever.

Derick is the founder of CustomBox.io, a packaging company helping small businesses replace plain shipping boxes with affordable branded packaging that boosts loyalty, lowers costs, and scales revenue. With a background spanning e-commerce, marketing, and software, he’s passionate about leveling the playing field for small business owners.

On this episode of Become Sensible, I sit down with Derick to explore how branded packaging builds trust, fuels repeat sales, and even creates sustainability wins. He shares his path from corporate roles at Yex, Cox Media, and Home Depot to scaling a side hustle into one of the top Shopify stores. We dive into lessons on customer reviews, capital challenges, and why you can’t be everything to everyone as you grow.

If you’ve ever underestimated the customer touchpoints in your business, this episode will spark new ideas—and maybe inspire you to rethink your product's packaging!

Resources

• Visit CustomBox.io Online
• Check out CustomBox.io's Instagram

Connect

• Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionahnguyen
• Learn more about Balannx: https://balannx.com/.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Intro
• 0:30 – Why packaging is part of the customer experience
• 2:15 – Derick’s path from corporate to CustomBox.io
• 4:50 – Early wins, setbacks, and $40K in month two
• 6:30 – Surviving the hard first six months
• 9:15 – Authentic reviews and customer passion
• 11:00 – Landing your first big client by solving pain points
• 13:45 – Scaling milestones: 10,000 orders and top 25% on Shopify
• 15:00 – Balancing speed, cost, and quality (“pick two” rule)
• 20:00 – Why CustomBox.io focuses on small businesses
• 24:00 – What most brands get wrong about packaging
• 28:30 – Environmental impact and the vision for 100% recycled boxes
• 32:30 – Lessons learned and advice to day-one Derick

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Become Sensible, I sit down with Rebecca and Yoni Levian, the husband-and-wife duo behind Skyehigh Interactive, a branding and web design agency trusted by major names and beloved by entrepreneurs who want both strategy and soul in their brands.

These two have built Skyehigh Interactive into a boutique agency known for delivering world-class branding and design with a personal, value-driven touch. Their work blends strategy, creativity, and authenticity to help clients scale with purpose.

We dive into their journey from agency life to running their own business, what it’s really like to build a company together while raising kids, and the lessons they’ve learned about clarity, design, and trust.

Rebecca shares how she transitioned from teaching to design, the importance of choosing clients intentionally, and why clarity of message trumps everything else. Yoni opens up about supporting the business in its early days, his background in video production, and the challenges of blending family and entrepreneurship. Together, they offer practical advice for entrepreneurs who want to land bigger clients, strengthen their brand presence, and create work that resonates.

Guest Links

• Skyehigh Interactive Website
• Instagram @skyehighinteractive

Connect

• Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn. Learn more about Balannx.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Introduction of Rebecca & Yoni Levian
• 3:00 – How Skyehigh Interactive began
• 7:00 – Balancing family life and entrepreneurship
• 15:00 – Critical lessons for new business owners
• 19:00 – The importance of clarity and niche in branding
• 24:00 – Approaching and landing bigger clients
• 33:00 – The elements that build trust on a website
• 44:00 – Scaling challenges and future ideas
• 50:00 – How they know when creative work is ready to ship
• 53:00 – Why client relationships stay deeply personal at Skyehigh

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tariffs might feel like something only politicians argue about on the news—but they could hit your business where it hurts. Whether you sell products or services, these policy shifts have ripple effects that show up in your supply chain, your pricing, and your customers’ wallets. So what can you actually do about it?

On this episode of Become Sensible, we explore how small business owners can stay resilient in the face of changing tariff laws. Fiona breaks down what tariffs really mean for product-based and service-based businesses, and walks you through the key questions to ask when forecasting your financial future. You’ll learn how to evaluate your costs, assess your pricing, and run scenario analyses that give you options instead of panic. We also talk through cash flow planning and why creativity is your best defense in uncertain times.

Connect

Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn. Learn more about Balannx.

Timestamps

- 0:00 - Introduction: Why tariffs matter more than you think

- 1:30 - Understanding the basics of tariff taxes and how they impact the economy

- 3:00 - Are you product-based, service-based, or in trading? Why it matters

- 4:15 - Why forecasting gives you confidence and clarity

- 5:10 - Step 1: Analyze your cost of goods sold and how tariff changes affect them

- 6:30 - Step 2: Scenario planning—how to identify alternatives to imported materials

- 7:45 - Step 3: Can you raise prices—or should you absorb the cost?

- 9:10 - Step 4: Pricing, packaging, and communicating value to your customers

- 10:20 - Step 5: Reviewing your cash runway and why it’s critical in economic shifts

- 11:15 - Step 6: Get creative—strategies to adapt your offerings and product tiers

- 12:30 - How tariffs indirectly affect service-based businesses too

- 13:45 - Financial forecasting for service providers: assumptions, pricing elasticity, and labor costs

- 15:10 - Final thoughts: Strategy over panic, and preparing for what’s ahead

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tax deadlines don't just bring paperwork---they bring panic. If you're a business owner making multiple six figures, that final stretch before April 15 can feel like a blur of spreadsheets, missed receipts, and unanswered questions. But what if you could face it with confidence instead?

On this episode of Become Sensible, I walk you through a comprehensive checklist designed specifically for business owners navigating tax season. From organizing essential financial documents to understanding depreciation schedules and verifying your entity structure, this episode gives you the exact steps to reduce errors, save money, and avoid last-minute stress. We also talk about strategic tax moves like retirement contributions, home office deductions, and how to have smarter conversations with your tax professional.

You don't have to be in the dark this tax season. With the right strategy, you can get ahead, stay compliant, and feel confident in your numbers.

• IRS Form 1065 Instructions
• IRS Publication 946 on Depreciation
• Guide to Section 179 Deduction

• Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn. Learn more about Balannx.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You're probably making money---but are you actually keeping it? Too many of us hustle hard, only to find ourselves scrambling during tax season, running out of cash mid-launch, or underpricing our way into burnout. Sound familiar?

On this episode of Become Sensible, I break down nine common money habits that quietly derail even the most promising businesses. From skipping tax planning to relying on revenue as our only success metric, I share the exact mindset shifts and strategic practices that can help us shift from survival mode to scalable growth. If you're ready to stop winging it with your finances and start running your business like a true CEO, this episode will give you a clear path forward.

• Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn. Learn more about Balannx.

• 0:56 - Habit #1: Not setting a non-negotiable salary for ourselves
• 2:26 - Why upfront revenue goals create clarity in chaotic seasons
• 4:00 - Habit #2: Not knowing our numbers---and what to do about it
• 5:10 - Habit #3: Over-relying on revenue as a success metric
• 6:46 - Why gross profit margins tell a more accurate story
• 7:00 - Habit #4: Avoiding tax planning until it's too late
• 8:26 - Understanding scaling stages and cash flow mismatches
• 9:46 - Habit #5: Operating without a cash buffer and its risks
• 11:14 - The danger of over-optimism in our business finances
• 12:12 - Habit #6: Pricing too low and failing to build margin for growth
• 13:34 - Habit #7: Not reviewing our financials monthly with our team
• 15:06 - Habit #8: Trying to scale without systems or automation
• 16:44 - Habit #9: Not asking for help early enough
• 17:32 - How the right financial support can pay for itself many times over

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just because you have an LLC doesn't mean you're fully protected. Many business owners assume their LLC shields them from legal and financial risks---but small mistakes in setup and management can leave them vulnerable. Are you making these costly errors?

On this episode of Become Sensible, I break down the most common LLC mistakes entrepreneurs make and how to avoid them. We'll also cover tax-saving strategies, how to protect your business assets, and the key documents you MUST have in place.

Connect

Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn. Learn more about Balannx.

• 1:12 - The #1 mistake: misunderstanding member-managed vs. manager-managed LLCs
• 4:38 - The financial risk of not separating business and personal accounts
• 7:52 - Why your LLC's operating agreement needs a profit distribution plan
• 10:27 - LLC tax classifications and how choosing the wrong one can cost you
• 14:05 - The benefits of using an LLC to own real estate
• 16:48 - Why assigning yourself an officer title in your LLC matters
• 18:33 - Smart tax strategies: business reimbursements, the Augusta Rule, and more
• 22:14 - The biggest tax filing mistakes LLC owners make

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You're not bad with money, and you're not disorganized—so why does managing your business finances feel like chaos? If you're constantly scrambling at tax time or unsure where your money is really going, you're not alone. The truth is, most entrepreneurs don't fail because they lack talent, but because they lack a financial system that works.

On this episode of Become Sensible, we break down why even successful six- and seven-figure business owners feel like they're flying blind when it comes to money and taxes. You'll learn how to create a simple, scalable financial system that gives you clarity, control, and confidence in your business finances. From bookkeeping strategies to tax-saving habits, we're covering everything you need to know to stop operating in reactive mode and start making data-driven financial decisions.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by bookkeeping, tax planning, or cash flow management, this episode will show you how to get back in control. Let's fix your financial foundation so your business can grow with confidence!

Connect

• Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn. Learn more about Balannx.

Timestamps

• 0:00 - Introduction: Why business finances often feel chaotic
• 2:12 - The common financial mistakes business owners make
• 5:07 - The importance of having a scalable financial system
• 7:45 - Why "winging it" with taxes will cost you in the long run
• 10:18 - The role of bookkeeping and financial data in decision-making
• 12:52 - How to set up tax-saving habits that reduce financial stress
• 15:36 - Managing cash flow to avoid the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle
• 17:58 - Building a financial system that grows with your business
• 20:44 - Key takeaways and next steps for better financial management

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.