Running a small business with family sometimes feels like walking a tightrope while juggling flaming torches—exciting, meaningful, and full of heart, but one wrong move and everything can slip into chaos. In this episode, When Family Is in the Business (or in the Way), I’m diving headfirst into the colorful mess that happens when family ties collide with business operations. I’m not just sharing the highs; I’m getting real about the struggles too—like trying to set boundaries when your cousin suddenly thinks he’s a partner just because he lent you some cash five years ago. I’ll also share stories from entrepreneurs who’ve felt the heat of family dynamics and how they managed to navigate some of the trickiest situations without burning bridges. Grab your favorite beverage and tune in with me—it’s time to talk about keeping the dinner table drama-free while building a business that actually works.

Read today's blog article

Check out the full podcast episode here

Navigating the often tumultuous waters of family involvement in business can feel like threading a needle blindfolded—am I right? In this episode, I dive deep into this intricate dance, unpacking the joys and struggles of intertwining family ties with entrepreneurial endeavors. You know that moment when you think bringing a loved one into your business will be a dream come true? I share stories that many of us can nod along to, and I couldn’t help but think of my own experiences where excitement quickly turned into a battlefield of expectations and misunderstandings. I show how family can be both your greatest ally and your biggest headache, especially when roles aren’t clearly defined. I’ve been at those family dinners where, instead of sharing laughter, I find myself mediating disputes about who’s supposed to handle what at work. I also emphasize the importance of setting clear boundaries from day one—assigning roles the same way you would with any employee and not assuming family members automatically know their place. After all, love doesn’t come with a job description, and running a family business requires clarity, communication, and courage.

Takeaways:

• Building a family business can feel like a wild rollercoaster ride, full of ups and downs, so buckle up!
• It's crucial to establish clear roles and expectations for family members involved in the business to avoid chaos later on.
• Running a family business requires systems and structure, not just a heartwarming family picnic mentality.
• Loyalty to family is important, but it shouldn't come at the cost of performance and accountability in your business.

Links referenced in this episode:

• https://www.gritandgrowthbusiness.com/
• https://www.gritandgrowthbusiness.com/join

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Ask Ralph Media

👉 Ready to take your business growth to the next level?

Join the Grit and Growth Business Community for exclusive access to weekly action sheets, business toolkits, and behind-the-scenes coaching from Ralph Estep Jr. Move from inspiration to implementation and start building your business with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Join now at gritandgrowthbusiness.com/join

Let’s dive into one of the biggest hurdles we face as small business owners: delegation. It sounds simple, right? Just hand over a task and move on. Oh boy, do we get tangled up in that! In “The Real Reason You’re Not Delegating,” I kick off the episode by digging into why so many of us cling to the reins, telling ourselves, “It’s just quicker if I do it myself.” Spoiler alert: that mindset is the silent killer of growth, leaving us exhausted and stuck in the trenches. I'm here to unpack the emotional and psychological blocks that keep us from letting go and explore why it’s time to swap our technician hats for a CEO crown. I also share practical tips to help us delegate like pros, so we can stop being the bottleneck in our own businesses. Let’s get into it and start reclaiming our time!

Read today's blog article

Check out the full podcast episode here

Diving deep into the world of small business delegation, I tackle one of the biggest hurdles that entrepreneurs face: the fear of letting go. As many of us know, the phrase 'it's faster if I just do it myself' can be a comforting mantra, but it’s also a sneaky little thief that steals our time and growth potential. I explore the emotional and psychological barriers that hold us back from delegating tasks effectively. It's not just about the nitty-gritty of task management; it's about identity, trust, and the fear of control. I share practical tips on how to shift your mindset from a 'Chief Everything Officer' to a true CEO, encouraging you to embrace delegation as a necessity, not a luxury. With actionable steps and some listener questions sprinkled in, this episode is all about breaking the chains of overwhelm and moving towards a more balanced business life. Grab your favorite drink, sit back, and let’s break down the walls that are keeping you stuck!

Takeaways:

• Delegation isn't just a skill, it's a mindset shift that can seriously unlock your business's growth potential.
• Many small business owners struggle with letting go because they fear losing control and their sense of identity.
• To effectively delegate, you need to have clear systems and processes documented for others to follow.
• Creating a culture that embraces learning from mistakes is key to effective delegation and team growth.
• Investing time in training and documenting processes now will save you loads of headaches later on.
• Delegation is not about offloading tasks, it's about strategically empowering your team to achieve outcomes.

Links referenced in this episode:

• https://www.gritandgrowthbusiness.com/join/

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Zendesk
• Ask Ralph Media

👉 Ready to take your business growth to the next level?

Join the Grit and Growth Business Community for exclusive access to weekly action sheets, business toolkits, and behind-the-scenes coaching from Ralph Estep Jr. Move from inspiration to implementation and start building your business with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Join now at gritandgrowthbusiness.com/join

Let’s talk about a game-changing federal tax law that affects how we handle tips and overtime. The New Overtime and Tip Tax Law — What It Means for Small Business Owners isn’t just another policy update—it’s a big deal for business owners, whether you’re running a restaurant, a salon, or any other gig where tips and extra hours come into play. We’re diving deep into what this means for your business, your team, and your profits, and trust me, you’ll want to stay ahead of the curve on this one. I’ll break it down so you can understand it well enough to explain it to your staff without scratching your head. So, if you’re ready to navigate this tax maze and potentially save some cash, grab a seat and let’s roll!

Read today's blog article

Check out the full podcast episode here

If you're in the biz world, you know that changes in tax laws can feel like a punch to the gut, especially when they come out of nowhere. Well, grab your coffee and settle in, because this episode dives deep into the recent federal tax law overhaul affecting overtime and tips. We break down the nitty-gritty details, so you know exactly what this means for your business and your bottom line. This isn't just fluff—this is about real money that could end up in your pocket or your employees' pockets. We're talking deductions for qualified tips and overtime that could save you a pretty penny come tax season. We ain't just throwing around jargon here; we want to make sure you're ready for when tax time rolls around. And hey, if you're a business owner with hourly workers, servers, or anyone who gets a little extra for their hustle, this episode is tailor-made for you. We cover tracking tips, understanding what qualifies for deductions, and how to communicate these changes to your team. So, buckle up, because we’re not just skimming the surface here—this is a full-on dive into keeping your finances straight and your team informed!

Takeaways:

• This new federal tax law changes the game for how tips and overtime are taxed, so it's essential for business owners to understand the details to avoid future headaches.
• Tracking tips and overtime separately is key to maximizing deductions and keeping employees informed about their earnings come tax season.
• The deductions are not immediate benefits; they will show up when employees file their taxes, which means managing expectations is crucial for employee satisfaction.
• Business owners should start tracking tips and overtime now to ensure compliance and avoid scrambling when tax season rolls around next year.

Links referenced in this episode:

• gritandgrowthbusiness.com
• gritandgrowthbusiness.com/join

👉 Ready to take your business growth to the next level?

Join the Grit and Growth Business Community for exclusive access to weekly action sheets, business toolkits, and behind-the-scenes coaching from Ralph Estep Jr. Move from inspiration to implementation and start building your business with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Join now at gritandgrowthbusiness.com/join