In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin speaks with Ryan Hughes, Director of Phil Hughes Office Solutions. They explore the remarkable journey of a family business that scaled a $1,500 investment into a $4.2 million, technology-led enterprise in Tasmania. Ryan details the pivotal move from traditional stationery to digital solutions, the counterintuitive strategy that doubled sales during COVID-19, and the core philosophies of valuing people and fostering a resilient culture. The conversation offers profound insights into navigating family business dynamics, adaptive leadership, and the pursuit of sustainable, innovative growth.

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?
   
   Ryan Hughes shares that the hardest part of growing a small business is finding the right people and then empowering them to act like owners. He believes people are both the biggest challenge and the biggest asset in any business.
   
   

2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most?
   
   Ryan Hughes shares that his favorite business book is "How to Win Friends and Influence People." He says his father gave it to him young, and it shaped how he deals with people and builds strong relationships.
   
   

3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?
   
   Ryan Hughes shares that he listens to the Grow A Small Business Podcast, especially episodes with people he knows. For relaxation and learning, he also enjoys the Sports Bizarre podcast, which teaches surprising lessons through storytelling.
   
   

4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?
   
   Ryan Hughes shares that ChatGPT, especially the paid version, is one of the most powerful tools for small business growth. He also recommends Aqua Voice, a voice-to-text tool that speeds up emails, quotes, and documentation.
   
   

5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?
   
   Ryan Hughes shares that he would tell his younger self to enjoy the journey more, not work nonstop, and understand that the business will bring plenty of good moments — so don't miss them by keeping your head down all the time.

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:

Valuing people is the real engine behind every successful business - Ryan Hughes

The most important sale you'll ever make is the next one - Ryan Hughes

Success isn't about growing fast, it's about growing with purpose and balance - Ryan Hughes

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Vance Morris, the founder of Deliver Service Now institute, joins the podcast to share his journey from a decade at Disney to building and scaling multiple successful home service businesses. He talks about creating premium customer experiences, growing his companies to a point where he now works only 90 minutes a week on operations, and the strategies he uses to retain loyal clients. Vance also explains how he transitioned from employee to entrepreneur, overcame major financial challenges, and built a strong team culture. His story highlights resilience, smart marketing, and the power of systems in business growth.

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?

Vance Morris has shared that the hardest thing is simply sticking with it. Most people give up too early when they hit financial pressure, setbacks, or slow periods, but long-term success comes from pushing through those tough moments.

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

Vance Morris has shared that his most valuable business book is "The Ultimate Sales Letter" by Dan Kennedy, which transformed how he approaches marketing and communication with customers.

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

Vance Morris has shared that he regularly uses MasterClass for high-level learning from experts, and finds it extremely useful for expanding mindset and gaining inspiration from top performers in different fields.

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

Vance Morris has shared that every small business must have a CRM (Customer Relationship Management system) to track clients, marketing, and follow-ups — it becomes essential once your customer base grows.

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

Vance Morris has shared that he would tell himself "Don't give up." There were many moments when quitting seemed easier, but staying persistent through financial challenges is what led to long-term success.

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:

Deliver an experience your competitors can't copy and your customers won't forget — Vance Morris

You can't grow a business you're not measuring every single day — Vance Morris

Freedom in business comes from systems, not from working more hours — Vance Morris

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 interviews Mike Goldman, leadership team coach and founder of The Better Leadership Team. Mike shares why most business growth problems are actually people problems — and how strong leadership teams fix them. They discuss stalled growth, rapid scaling challenges, and how to build teams that execute without constant micromanagement. Mike breaks down practical ways leaders can set clear expectations, coach effectively, and hold people accountable. A must-listen for business owners who want sustainable growth, higher profits, and a company that runs smoothly without burnout.

Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners:

People problems cause most growth problems — when progress stalls, the issue is usually leadership, structure, or talent, not strategy.

Strong leadership teams drive everything — as the leadership team performs, the rest of the business follows.

Clear expectations prevent poor results — unclear roles, behaviors, and success metrics always lead to disappointment.

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

Right people matter more than perfect strategy — even an average plan succeeds with the right team, while a great plan fails with the wrong one.

Growth requires structure, not hustle — fast-growing businesses collapse without clear roles, accountability, and discipline.

Great leaders coach, not just manage — consistent coaching and talent development turn average performers into top contributors.

You Will Lose Some Clients — and That's Good: Raising prices naturally filters out low-value customers, making room for clients who appreciate and pay for quality.

One action small business owners can take:

According to Mike Goldman, one action small business owners can take is to clearly define and document specific expectations and measures of success for each team member, then align on those expectations through open conversation so accountability, performance, and growth are no longer left to assumption.

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:

Unclear expectations always lead to unacceptable results – Mike Goldman

As the leadership team goes so goes the rest of the company – Mike Goldman

If leaders do not prioritize developing people they should not be surprised when growth stalls – Mike Goldman