If you think ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) only applies to big corporations, think again. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney welcomes back author and small business champion Bronwyn Reid to explain why ESG matters for SMEs.

Bronwyn shows how ESG isn’t just box-ticking—it’s about building resilient businesses that attract customers, employees, and funding. You’ll hear why ESG is a competitive advantage, what practical steps you can take without being overwhelmed, and how to leverage what you’re already doing in your community and operations.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why ESG is no longer optional for small businesses.
• How ESG drives loyalty, talent, and funding opportunities.
• Simple, low-cost steps SMEs can start with today.
• How to turn existing practices into an ESG story.
• Why ESG is ultimately just good business.

Get Bronwyn's book here: Small Business - Big Impact: Why ESG Won't Save You But Smart Strategy And Real Action Will

Bronwyn Reid is a successful business owner, bestselling author of three books, and winner of multiple business awards. Her books have been dubbed THE text books for small company – big business relationships. Now, as organisations become more aware of their ESG obligations, Bronwyn’s expertise and experience are critical to business success.

Bronwyn and her companies have spent a lifetime being smaller suppliers to big organisations. Her environmental consultancy counts giants BHP, Rio Tinto and Glencore amongst their client base, as well as international research organisations and all levels of Government. She has also been on the other side of the big company/small business transaction, having worked in Corporate for many years – both within Australia and overseas. She understands, and fixes, the issues that prevent more valuable, profitable and long-lasting commercial relationships between the big and small end of town.

Bronwyn is the “Google Translate” app for small business – big company relationships. She writes regularly for several SME publications including First 5000 (Medium-size business market), Kochies Business Builders and Inside Small Business. She is a regular conference speaker, for both corporate and SME audiences, and appears regularly on radio and business-related podcasts. She has been a member of BHP’s Local Buying Program Advisory Committee for 10 years.

Bronwyn’s training programs

Bronwyn’s other books:
Small Company Big Business: How to find, keep and win big customers
Small Company, Big Crisis

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Building a business that lasts isn’t about luck, start-up capital, or chasing every new trend—it’s about discipline, structure, and creating harmony between your work and personal life. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney speaks with serial entrepreneur Lance Cayko, co-founder of F9 Productions and host of the Inside the Firm podcast.

Lance shares how he scaled from a two-person start-up into a thriving group of vertically integrated businesses, including architecture, construction, real estate development, education, and even a nonprofit. Listeners will discover how discipline creates freedom, why mindset matters more than money, and how to use systems and vertical integration to stabilize and grow your business.

You’ll also learn:

• How to structure your day for maximum productivity (and less stress).
• Why “work-life harmony” is better than chasing work-life balance.
• How to keep business challenges from overwhelming your personal life.
• The role of systems, communication, and financial discipline in sustainable growth.
• Why vertical integration can give your business resilience and create new revenue streams.

If you’ve ever wondered how some entrepreneurs manage multiple businesses while staying calm, focused, and in control, this conversation with Lance will give you practical tools and mindset shifts to apply right away.

Lance Cayko is a serial entrepreneur and the co-founder of wildly successful architecture and construction firms in Northern Colorado. His career in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry spans over two decades and includes several design awards including the international Architizer A+ Award for Architecture + Living Small in 2016.

He co-founded F9 Productions, his architecture firm, in 2009 with his business partner Alex Gore after being laid off from a boutique firm in Boulder during the Great Recession. Since its inception, the partners have grown F9 from two employees grossing less than six figures to a team of 11.

Throughout his now seasoned career, Lance has also served his community by managing a community garden in Longmont which he is now turning into a formal non-profit. He also teaches part-time at the University of Colorado Boulder and North Dakota State and co-hosts one of the top five architecture and business podcasts in the world, Inside the Firm.

When he is not doing any of the above Lance is usually spending time with his family, fishing or editing his outdoor adventures for his YouTube channel, Fishing with Lance. When he's not fishing in Colorado he's back in North Dakota chasing Walleye and giant Paddlefish with his brother Lucas.

www.insidethefirmpodcast.com

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In today’s digital world, standing out as a small business feels harder than ever. Between endless noise, flashy marketing tactics, and conflicting advice, many business owners are left frustrated with wasted time and money. But what if narrowing your focus could actually unlock growth?

In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, Paul Sweeney sits down with Jennifer Christensen, Co-Founder and CMO of Beacon Media + Marketing, to unpack the power of niche marketing. Jennifer shares why focusing on a specific audience doesn’t limit you—it liberates you. She explains how to build trust with the right customers, remove barriers in their buying journey, and stop wasting money on ineffective tactics.

Listeners will learn:

• Why niche marketing creates stronger, more authentic connections with customers
• How to identify your “perfect match” clients and what messaging resonates with them
• Practical steps to increase conversions by improving your website and customer experience
• Common mistakes small businesses make with marketing—and how to avoid them
• How to ethically use AI as a supportive tool (without replacing your expertise)

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by marketing or struggled to get real results, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to focus your efforts where they matter most.

Jennifer Christensen is the Co-Founder and CMO of Beacon Media + Marketing, a national digital agency they've grown over the past 13 years with a mission to help small businesses thrive. At Beacon, they specialize in ROI-driven marketing campaigns that deliver measurable impact for both businesses and non-profits. Jennifer's journey as an entrepreneur began in her early 20s with a company that ultimately failed — an experience that shaped her profoundly. She didn’t plan to start another company at 40, but that failure taught her the humility, character, and resilience that have fueled Beacon’s success. Today, Jennifer has the privilege of partnering with visionary leaders to grow authentic, sustainable brands. Their team now serves clients across the country with locations coast to coast. The work they do has purpose, and that purpose drives everything they build. Outside the office, Jennifer is a proud wife of 30 years, mom to three amazing adult kids, and a passionate traveller who loves time with family and friends.

www.beaconmm.com

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Too many business owners chase revenue while overlooking the bigger picture—building wealth and long-term value. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney speaks with Stephanie Hayes, business and exit strategist and founder of Assets to Exits. Stephanie explains why every business owner, regardless of size or stage, needs to think about an exit strategy—not just as a final step, but as a roadmap for smarter decisions and sustainable growth.

Listeners will learn:

• Why exit planning is not just for large corporations or retirement-bound founders
• How shifting focus from short-term revenue to long-term assets can reduce burnout and reignite passion for your business
• The different types of exits available—including partial, operational, and legacy exits
• How identifying hidden assets (like IP, content, partnerships, or communities) creates real value
• Why building with exit in mind helps you make stronger business decisions today

This episode will help business owners reframe their thinking—so instead of simply hustling for the next sale, they can build businesses with value, flexibility, and lasting impact.

Get Stephanie's free guide: 9 Types of Assets to Build in Your Service-Based Business

Stephanie Hayes is the founder of Assets to Exits, a strategic pathway that helps business owners shift their focus from chasing revenue to building wealth. As a business and exit strategist, she works with small business owners and solo expert brands to design asset-based business models that create long-term value and open the door to full or partial exits.

Drawing on over 25 years of experience in business model design, innovation strategy, and acquisitions, Stephanie shows entrepreneurs that exit planning isn’t just for Silicon Valley start-ups or large corporations—it’s a powerful tool for any business at any stage. She helps owners uncover hidden assets, align their growth strategies with long-term value, and ultimately build businesses that are profitable, sustainable, and transferable.

Stephanie is also an acquisition entrepreneur, having purchased her first business while continuing to run a software company she co-founded more than a decade ago. She shares her insights and real-world lessons through her work with clients, as well as on her podcast Real People, Real Business.

www.stephaniehayes.biz

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Are you chasing sales but still struggling to see money in the bank? In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business Podcast, financial strategist and Profit First professional Pam Jordan explains why focusing on revenue alone is a dangerous trap for business owners. Instead, she shows you how to get radically intentional about profit—because at the end of the day, it’s not what you make, it’s what you keep.

Dive into the crucial differences between sales, profit, and cash flow, and why so many business owners confuse them. You’ll discover how to shift your mindset and your numbers so your business works for you, not against you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why sales don’t equal success—and how to avoid being “rich but broke”
• The critical difference between profit and cash flow (and why both matter)
• How to price your products and services based on real profitability
• Practical steps to apply the Profit First method in your business
• Why knowing your numbers is essential to scaling, exiting, or building legacy wealth
• How to stay profitable even when external challenges force you to pivot

If you want to stop leaving profit to chance and start building a business that delivers financial freedom, this conversation is packed with insights you can apply immediately.

Pam Jordan is the CEO of Pivot Business Group. With her no-nonsense approach and expertise in financial analysis and strategic growth, Pam has become a driving force behind the success of fast-growing companies. With over 20 years of experience in assisting small businesses, Pam has mastered the art of translating the story of numbers to empower entrepreneurs. With her guidance and expertise, Pivot Business Group is dedicated to helping businesses reach their destinations while ensuring their financial engines run smoothly.

Pam is also a wife and mom to 3 kids.

www.pamjordan.com

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If you’ve ever had a great idea for a product or brand but weren’t sure how to protect it—or whether it was even worth pursuing—this episode will change how you think about intellectual property. In this conversation, Paul Sweeney speaks with Jeff Holman, founder of Intellectual Strategies, who combines engineering, law, and business expertise to guide innovators from concept to commercial success.

Jeff breaks down the essentials of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, and explains how small and medium businesses can use these tools strategically—not just to defend their creations, but to drive growth. You’ll learn why intellectual property should be part of your business plan from day one, how to validate your ideas without overspending, and the critical steps to avoid infringing on someone else’s rights.

The episode also explores the dangers of skipping early-stage legal checks, the complexities of international IP protection, and how the “fractional legal team” model can give growing businesses big-company legal expertise at a fraction of the cost. Whether you’re a start-up founder, an inventor, or a scaling business, this is a masterclass in protecting your innovation and building with confidence.

Jeff Holman helps founders, innovators, and scaling companies solve one of the most frustrating problems in business: how to navigate legal, business, and strategic decisions without burning time, money, or momentum. As the founder of Intellectual Strategies, Jeff created the Fractional Legal Team model—designed specifically for start-ups and growth-stage companies who need expert legal help without the overhead of a full-time legal department.

But legal is only part of the picture. Jeff is one of the rare advisors who blends the rigor of an engineer, the precision of an attorney, the perspective of an MBA, and the scrappy mindset of an entrepreneur. For over two decades, he’s worked with companies across SaaS, ecommerce, consumer products, and technology—helping founders not just protect what they’re building, but strategically grow it. Jeff’s guiding principle—both in business and in life—is simple: “Innovate with Confidence.” It’s not just a slogan; it’s the objective that drives how he supports his clients, how he operates his own business, and how he shows up for his family.

Whether it’s guiding a founder through IP strategy, helping a leadership team build a real business strategy, or navigating a complex deal, Jeff’s focus is always on turning complexity into clarity—and helping people take bold, confident action toward what they’re building. When he’s not translating between the worlds of legal, tech, and business, Jeff speaks on topics like business strategy, innovation mindsets, and how companies can use fractional services to scale smarter.

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www.intellectualstrategies.com

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Succession planning isn’t just about passing on a business—it’s about protecting your legacy, preserving value, and ensuring the people you care about aren’t left scrambling when you’re gone.

In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Rob Ferguson, seasoned CEO, trusted advisor, and founder of Ferguson Alliance, to unpack the essential steps for building a strong succession plan. Rob shares why waiting until you’re “ready to retire” is far too late, how to avoid the “founder’s trap” where the business can’t function without you, and why intangible assets—your brand, relationships, systems, and culture—are often worth more than your tangible ones.

You’ll learn how to start planning from day one, create a business that can thrive without your daily involvement, and transition smoothly to the next generation or a buyer while keeping your purpose intact. Whether you plan to sell, hand over the reins to family, or keep the business in the community, this episode offers practical strategies and a mindset shift that will help you secure the future of your hard work.

Get Rob's free eBook, The Prosperity Plan.

Rob Ferguson has been a trusted advisor to family businesses since 2010. Prior to becoming an advisor, Rob had a distinguished career in leadership – including ten years as a CEO at two different companies. One was a public company with $300 million in revenue, the other a family business with $100 million in revenue where he successfully managed the restructuring and sale of the company. Rob has led companies through 10x growth, helped turn struggling companies around, and has conducted more than $100 million in acquisitions.

Rob's company, Ferguson Alliance, is on a mission to increase the lifespan of family businesses. Rob believes that with the right foundation in place, businesses can live infinitely.

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www.ferguson-alliance.com

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Can you really be a great entrepreneur and a present parent at the same time?

In this heartfelt and honest episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney is joined by Dan Peterson — founder of Flip Switch Social Media, and father of three — for a real talk about the challenges of entrepreneurship and parenting.

If you're a business owner trying to juggle growing a business while showing up for your family, this conversation will resonate deeply. Dan shares how he’s learned (and is still learning) to give himself grace, why balance is a myth, and how embracing imperfection has actually made him a better parent and entrepreneur.

You’ll walk away with:

• A new mindset around "balance" between business and family
• Practical insights for handling guilt and internal pressure
• Encouragement to re-centre on why you started your business in the first place
• A reminder that showing up — even imperfectly — still counts

Whether you're a parent running a business or someone who supports one, this is a must-listen episode that acknowledges the messy, meaningful, and beautiful overlap of work and life.

Dan Peterson has 25+ years of experience in small business management and ownership. Most recently (in 2012), Dan founded FlipSwitch Social Media, a nationally recognized, award winning social media agency that helps small to midsize businesses grow using the power of social media.

Dan aims to help motivate and guide other entrepreneurs and businesspeople using his diverse range of experience across multiple genres of business.

Dan is also a singer-songwriter acoustic guitarist who performs throughout Chicagoland on a regular basis.

In 2008 Dan married his amazing wife Amy, and is the proud father of three daughters: Kylie, Taylor and Brooklyn.

www.flipswitchsocialmedia.com

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