Did you know that there are different strategies to how entrepreneurs and small business-owners can develop a budget for their company? This is a recording of a webinar on budgeting strategy for entrepreneurs and small businesses given by fractional CFO and founder of Sapphire Accounting, Shlomo Denburg. We will go through various budgeting strategies in detail, with additional commentary and perspective from financial expert Charlie Comparetto, and marketing & brand strategist, Alicia Nagel Creative.

Unlock strategies to optimize your budget for success in the upcoming year. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or relatively new, our experts will provide actionable insights to empower your financial journey.

BONUS: Stick around for an additional discussion recorded after the webinar where Shlomo addresses some great follow-up Q's we got after the event. If you want to skip to the webinar and cut right to this, go to minute 52.

The Entrepreneur Edge series seeks to empower small business owners and set them up for success by sharing insider tips and tricks geared specifically for entrepreneurs on the topics of finance and marketing.
Shlomo Denburg
www.sapphireao.com

Charlie Comparetto
www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-comparetto

Alicia Nagel Creative
www.alicianagel.com

Music
Sophisticated (inst) by Paul Werner from Audiosocket
www.paulwernermusic.com

As a small business owner, your compay's website should be working HARD for you. It should be an effective marketing and sales powerhouse that is helpful, persuasive, authentic to your brand, gives an idea of what it might be like to work with your company, and provides reasons to believe in your brand promises - so that by the time someone gets in touch via your contact form, they're already a warm lead. But is your current website lazy?? Making you do all the work? Watch a recording of my live webinar designed for entrepreneurs, "Make Your Website Work For You!" In this talk I will share some digital tools that can increase the effectiveness of your website and show you how to use brand strategy tactics to make sure your website has got your compay's back as a persuasive marketing machine.

This is part of the Entrepreneur Edge series where I, along with financial gurus Charlie Comparetto and Shlomo Denberg, share insider tips, tricks and tools designed to give entrepreneurs a competitive edge. 💻

For more resources, visit www.hustlewithaloha.com

Watch a video recording of our talk on the various approaches to pricing strategy that are geared specifically towards entrepreneurs. Learn how to put these strategies to use for your business immediately and hear examples of how other companies are employing them.

Who: Alicia Nagel Creative, Fractional CFO Shlomo Denburg, and Financial expert Charlie Comparetto

Why: Because we are three people passionate about giving back to the entrepreneurial community

This is part of the Entrepreneur Edge series that focuses on the cross-section of finance and marketing.
Shared with permission on Hustle With Aloha, a project by Alicia Nagel Creative.

This is the replay of The Power of Why—a Leaders Level Up workshop led by Alicia Nagel (of the Hustle With Aloha podcast and brand marketing and design consultant of Alicia Nagel Creative) and Helene Scott (founder of UNLOC Visionary Leadership). We presented this workshop in-person, and we did one on Zoom and recorded it.

Together, we explore what happens when entrepreneurs and small business owners reconnect with their deeper “why.” This workshop is about more than motivation—it’s about building a brand and business that feel aligned, authentic, and energizing.
You’ll walk away with:
• Clarity on your unique “why” and how it shapes your leadership and messaging
• Tools to align your business decisions with what matters most
• Confidence to show up with purpose and attract the right clients
• Fresh inspiration to lead and market from a place of vision and integrity

This workshop is for you if:
• Your business is growing, but your spark feels dim
• You’re pivoting or evolving and need to reconnect with your mission
• You want to market with more meaning and less burnout

Connect with us:

Alicia Nagel Creative
- Website: https://www.alicianagel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicianagelcreative
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicianagel

UNLOC | Visionary Leadership with Helene Scott
- Website: https://www.weareunloc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareunloc
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helene-scott

Video footage of attendee contributions and their likenesses have been removed to honor their privacy.

In this episode of Hustle With Aloha, Alicia Nagel of Alicia Nagel Creative chats with HR consultant Kathleen Gabriel of Gabriel HR to break down what entrepreneurs need to know when taking that first big step of hiring their first employee. Because hiring your first employee can be exciting—but also overwhelming!

Whether you're debating between a 1099 contractor vs. W-2 employee, wondering what should go in an offer letter, or thinking about building a team the right way, this episode is packed with practical advice for small business owners.

Topics covered include:
• Signs you're ready to hire your first employee
• 1099 vs. W-2 - does it matter?
• Avoiding common legal pitfalls
• Why you do need an employee handbook—even with one employee
• The importance of structure, documentation, and communication
• How Kathleen’s "Hire Right" package helps entrepreneurs hire employee 1, 2, 3, and maybe even up to employee number 10
• Hiring friends (and how to do it right)
• Fractional HR support and virtual assistants

Learn more about Kathleen’s services: https://gabrielhr.com
Entrepreneurs can book a free 30-minute consultation with Kathleen on her website.

Mentioned:
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280/

Stay connected:
• Alicia Nagel Creative: https://alicianagel.com
• Follow @hustlewithaloha on Instagram or Facebook

In this conversation, I (Alicia Nagel of Alicia Nagel Creative) interview Nikki Kimura of Web On Point SEO on the topic of getting your Google Business Profile verified as an entrepreneur or small business

A Google Business Profile (GBP) helps your business show up on Google Search and Google Maps—which means customers can find you, leave reviews, and connect directly with your business. But before your business can show up in local searches, you need to go through the verification process to prove that your business is legitimate and at the address you’ve listed. Without verification, your business won’t appear in search results, which means fewer opportunities to attract customers.

How Does Google Business Profile Verification Work?
To verify your business, you must handle the process directly. Google offers several methods, including a postcard, phone or text, email, or the most challenging verification method, a video the business owner must create and submit via Google's system. We’ve got some tips on how to successfully navigate video verification in particular, since it's the most problematic and growing more and more common as a requirement.

We'll cover things like:
• Exterior Shots: Film your storefront with clear views of the signage and nearby landmarks.
• Interior Shots: Show your workspace, inventory, or tools to prove your business is real.
• Proof of Ownership: Film yourself unlocking the door or displaying branded materials like business cards or vehicle wraps.
• File site: Make sure the video file is under 75 MB and has a resolution of at least 720p.

We talk about how it's important to have consistent business information across other online platforms, such as Yelp, Facebook, and other directories. If your name, phone number, or address isn’t consistent, it could derail your Google Business Profile verification.

Before applying for verification, it’s helpful to build a strong digital footprint. A digital footprint signals to Google that your business is active and trustworthy.

Once verified, optimizing your Google Business Profile will help you show up in the local map pack (the top three businesses in local search results). Do things like add images of your products, storefront, or team, include business hours and services, and create some posts to your profile. Ideally, you also have positive reviews on Google as well.

While not a guarantee, Google Ads can sometimes help expedite the verification process. Verified businesses that run ads may be prioritized, especially if they target local customers. So, running ads while you wait for verification might help speed things up. Even a modest ad budget can help with this - not to mention it can increase your visibility and help you reach more customers. If you're a local business, appearing in "the map pack" displays you in the top three businesses in search results, often above paid ads. The best part might be that Google only charges you for ads when someone clicks on them, so you get can get visibility without paying for the spot.

Getting your Google Business Profile Verified is a great way to ensure your business shows up in local searches and on Google Maps. If you’re ready to take your online presence to the next level by investing in hiring a professional, you can engage Nikki Kimura at Web OnPoint SEO by reaching her via the following methods:
Website: https://www.webonpointseo.com/
Calendly link: https://calendly.com/webonpointseo/noriko
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-noriko-kimura/
Alignable: https://www.alignable.com/honolulu-hi/web-on-point-seo

This video is part of a project by Alicia Nagel Creative called "Hustle With Aloha". The philosophy is that a rising tide lifts all ships, so Alicia interviews experts on topics that will be helpful for the entrepreneurial and small business community to know about, focused mostly on the areas of marketing, branding, and design. You can find more videos at www.HustleWithAloha.com.

Since 2008, Alicia Nagel has worked as a consultant providing branding, marketing and graphic design services to over 130 brands via Alicia Nagel Creative. Learn more at www.AliciaNagel.com

In this video, I (Alicia Nagel Creative) have a discussion with Boyega Ajayi, CEO/Founder of Bolton Advisory Group, about the role that branding plays in business valuation when owners are planning their exit strategy. This is shared as part of the Hustle With Aloha project.

When it comes to the value of a company, branding is much more than just a logo or a catchy tagline—it's the way your business presents itself to the world and how it's perceived by your customers. In simple terms, branding is the personality of your business. It’s what makes you different from competitors and what builds trust with your customers. When done right, a strong brand contributes directly to the value of your business by increasing customer loyalty, supporting premium pricing, and building competitive advantage.

Branding is also a powerful intangible asset—something you can’t touch but plays a critical role in determining the worth of your business. Whether it’s the feeling people get when they see your logo, the trust they place in your services, or the loyalty they have to your products, branding drives long-term business success.

"Branding is the soul of your business—it’s not just what you sell, but the story you tell and the trust you build with every interaction. It’s what sets you apart and keeps customers coming back."

We discuss the elements of business value, including: Pricing Power, Customer Loyalty, Market Differentiation, and Risk Reduction.

Intangible assets—such as brand reputation, patents, and customer loyalty—are just as important as physical assets like machinery or buildings. These intangible elements contribute to a company’s intangible capital.

Branding plays a critical role in increasing a company’s EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) and expanding its market multiple.

To understand how branding works in practice, here are three proven strategies that successful businesses use to create and maintain strong brands: Three Lines of Business (Cost to Produce, Price, Perceived Value), the Clock Model (Pre-Purchase, Purchase, Post-Purchase) and the Three Hurdles Framework (Differentiation, Sustainability, Relevance)

Branding isn’t just about logos and taglines—it’s about creating a long-term relationship with your customers and stakeholders. A strong brand can charge higher prices, retain loyal customers, and stand out in competitive markets, making it a key driver of business value. By using strategies like the Three Lines of Business, the Clock Model, and the Three Hurdles Framework, companies can build brands that not only look good but also deliver real, measurable value to the bottom line

Learn more about Boyega Ajayi and connect with him on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boyegaajayi/

Learn more about Bolton Advisory Group at: http://www.boltonadvisorygroup.com/

ABOUT ALICIA NAGEL CREATIVE & HUSTLE WITH ALOHA
Hustle With Aloha is a project by Alicia Nagel Creative that gives away free advice from professionals as well as tools and resources. The idea is that a rising tide lifts all ships, and this is a vessel to give back to the small business and entrepreneurial community when Alicia has time. Find more videos and articles, and learn more about Hustle With Aloha, at: https://hustlewithaloha.com/
Learn more about Alicia Nagel Creative at: https://www.alicianagel.com/

Alicia Nagel of Hustle With Aloha sits down with Brandon Halbert, owner of Halbert Insurance Services, to pick his brain on questions that small business owners might have about getting health insurance as an individual or for their employees.

Brandon is the owner of Halbert Insurance Services, an independent insurance brokerage. Brandon has been a Florida Native his entire life. He was born in Melbourne, FL, and graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in finance. He is a licensed Health and Life Insurance Agent, with a focus on Group and Individual Health Insurance. Brandon is excited to continue his passion of helping individuals, families, and businesses find quality and affordable coverage.

Hustle With Aloha is a project by Alicia Nagel Creative, where Alicia shares helpful resources and advice for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

https://www.hustlewithaloha.com/
https://www.alicianagel.com/