It’s frustrating to run a business that feels like a leaking bucket. That’s the situation in businesses that make money from sales, but there’s hardly anything left as profit. In this episode of the Smallstarter Business Podcast, I explore the common suspects in these kinds of businesses.  I talk about how to look at your business data, and how to troubleshoot everything from sales, expenses, and overhead costs. You’re going to find this quite interesting. Happy learning ..read more

Big companies can make great customers.  They have deep pockets. They’re less price sensitive, and they are more likely to work with you for the long term.  That’s why B2B sales can be an important growth opportunity for your business. In this episode of the podcast, I explore the opportunities and considerations for targeting B2B customers and 5 practical tips to help you successfully land your first big client. You’re going to learn interesting stuff ..read more

99.99% of businesses sell a version of a product or service that already exists. This means that if you plan to start a new business or launch a new product, you will likely be facing a crowded or competitive market. Crowded markets can be a big advantage and a huge opportunity for newcomers. However, they also come with dangers and risks you need to watch out for. In this episode of the Smallstarter Business Podcast, I explore the nature of crowded markets, their upsides, and their risks. I also explore 5 specific strategies you can deploy to increase your chances of success when you enter a ..read more

Many small and mid-sized businesses are failing at customer service. This is a big opportunity for you because improving how you serve your customers can become a strong competitive advantage for your business. This episode is a mini-Masterclass in how you can achieve this. You’re going to unlearn some of the misconceptions you may have about your customers, and how you can serve your customers in a way that makes them loyal, protective, and promoting of your business. This is a really exciting episode. Happy learning ..read more

You cannot build a successful business on your own. You will likely need the help of employees. But how can you tell the right kind of person to hire for your business? How much knowledge, skill, and experience should they have? What kind of personality should you be looking for? In this episode of the Smallstarter Business Podcast, I discuss the 4 types of people who will likely do well as employees in your business. Happy listening ..read more

How can you be sure your business is in good hands while you’re away on travel, vacation, study, or just busy taking care of another business? In this episode, I’m going to introduce you to the interesting concept of “vital signs”. It’s an effective tactic that is used to great effect in hospitals around the world. And there is a lot you can learn from this and apply to your business. Remember, your ultimate achievement as an entrepreneur is to build a business that can thrive in your absence. The lessons you’ll learn from this episode will show you how it can be done. Happy listening ..read more

Many young businesses fail because they run out of money. Some of these failed businesses had great potential and may have become successful businesses if only they survived a little longer. Fortunately, this is a fixable problem. In this episode of the Smallstarter Business Podcast, I explore the most common reasons why young businesses fail and how you can avoid these situations. You’re going to learn a lot from this. Happy learning ..read more

It’s boom time for startups around the world.  Last year alone (2021), startups on the African continent raised over $4 billion from local and international investors. But do you really have to raise money from investors? Or should you continue running as a self-funded business and ignore the temptations to raise money from banks and outside investors? In this interesting episode of the Smallstarter Business Podcast, I explore the pros and cons of self-funded businesses versus investor-funded businesses. You’re going to learn some great stuff from this. Happy learning ..read more

Why does it often seem that ‘nice’ people are easily taken advantage of in business? And does this suggest that we have to be mean, nasty and brutal to win in business? The truth is, there are aggressive and domineering people out there who will take advantage of your “niceness”, generosity and patience. These people could be your customers, employees, suppliers, or investors. In this episode of the Smallstarter Business Podcast, I share my thoughts on how nice people get exploited in business and some specific ways you can handle these situations without losing your decency.  ..read more

Some businesses are just deadends by design. They may look exciting on the surface, but the reality is much worse than your eyes can see. After investing your time, money, and efforts in them, you’re very likely to regret your decision down the road.  But what if you could identify these kinds of businesses in advance? That’s exactly what this episode is all about. Based on John-Paul’s experience and preferences, you will discover 6 types of businesses that are not worth your time and investment. You’re going to learn a lot from this. Happy listening ..read more