Get Business Smart with Tony Bradshaw

EP16: Building Profits with Compassion | Bruno Cignacco

In this episode, Tony talks with Bruno Signacco, author of The Art of Compassionate Business, about how integrating compassion into the workplace can boost profits, improve employee retention, and transform company culture. Discover practical ways to foster human-oriented leadership, develop strong relationships, and create sustainable, successful businesses through kindness and empathy. TAKEAWAYS * The true resource behind business success: humans, not just technology or capital * How compassion fosters cooperation, psychological safety, and innovation * The importance of understanding employees' emotional, mental, and social needs * Practical strategies for building compassionate workplaces (e.g., cross-departmental meetings, social events, feedback culture) * The scientific basis and measurable results of compassionate leadership * The role of humility and active listening in fostering human-oriented leadership * How aligning company mission with human and environmental values shapes culture * The impact of compassion on employee turnover and company profitability * Practical resources for adopting compassionate business principles CONNECT WITH BRUNO CIGNACCO AT brunocignacco.com [https://brunocignacco.com/] Get Business Smart Coaching helps entrepreneurs and leaders build better businesses and better lives on purpose with purpose. Learn more about Get Business Smart Coaching at TonyBradshaw.com

EP15: Marketing and Promoting Your Author Brand and Book | Wiebke Tasch | Digital Author

What if your book could open doors that no business card ever could? In this episode of Get Business Smart with Tony Bradshaw, publishing expert and bestselling author Wiebke Tasch reveals the strategy, craft, and savvy behind turning an idea into a book that actually sells — and builds your brand for years to come. Wiebke shares her fascinating journey from working as a PR professional in Germany to becoming a bestselling author and helping other entrepreneurs and thought leaders do the same. Her story is proof that writing a book isn't just a creative endeavor — it's one of the smartest business moves you can make. The conversation dives deep into the mechanics of successful publishing: how to position your book in the right market, why your cover design can make or break your sales, and the critical importance of those first five days after launch on Amazon. Wiebke also tackles the modern author's toolkit, explaining how AI can be used to sharpen your manuscript without losing your voice, and why the layout stage is far more important than most first-time authors realize. Beyond the tactics, Wiebke shares a powerful mindset shift — your book isn't the product, it's the calling card. It's the credibility builder that attracts clients, speaking gigs, and opportunities that no amount of advertising can replicate. For entrepreneurs and aspiring authors ready to stop overthinking and start publishing, this episode is required listening. TAKEAWAYS * Strategic positioning matters before you write a single word — understanding your market and niche determines whether your book finds its audience or gets lost in the noise. * Cover design is a science, not just art — genre conventions and buyer psychology should drive every design decision. * The first 5 days on Amazon are make or break — having a launch strategy in place before publication is non-negotiable. * AI is a powerful editing assistant, not a replacement for a human editor — use it to catch what you miss, not to write what you feel. * Your book is a long-term asset — a well-published book continues generating leads, credibility, and income long after launch day. CONNECT WITH WIEBKE TASCH AT digital-authors.com [https://digitial-authors.com] Get Business Smart Coaching helps entrepreneurs and leaders build better businesses and better lives on purpose with purpose. Learn more about Get Business Smart Coaching at TonyBradshaw.com

EP14: Scaling Your Business with a Fractional COO | Derek Fredrickson | The COO Solution

In this episode, I sit down with Derek Fredrickson, founder and CEO of The COO Solution, to dig into one of the most underutilized levers in business growth: fractional COO services. Derek brings deep experience helping entrepreneurs and small-to-mid-sized business owners build the operational infrastructure they need to scale — without the overhead of a full-time executive hire, and honestly, this conversation opened my eyes to just how much founders are leaving on the table. Derek breaks down something I think a lot of us get wrong — the difference between the CEO and COO dynamic. The CEO is the visionary pulling the business forward, while the COO is the integrator making sure the engine doesn't fall apart at speed. He walks through the scaling challenges that trip up even the most experienced business owners, from communication breakdowns and accountability gaps to simply not having repeatable systems in place — and how a fractional COO can step in and change all of that. We also spend a good chunk of time on AI and what it means for business operations right now. Derek's take is refreshingly direct — early adoption isn't just a competitive advantage anymore, it's becoming the baseline expectation. I loved his perspective on empowering your whole team with these tools, not just the folks at the top. We wrap things up with his framework for vetting business ideas before you go all in, plus some book recommendations I'm personally adding to my reading list. TAKEAWAYS * Fractional COO services give growing businesses access to senior operational leadership without the cost of a full-time executive hire — especially powerful for businesses in the $1M–$20M revenue range. * The CEO is focused on vision and external relationships; the COO translates that vision into executable systems and manages internal operations. * Delegation is a skill that must be developed — without it and clear accountability structures, growth stalls. * Scaling requires repeatable systems and organizational structure, not just hustle. Build them before you need them. * AI adoption is no longer optional — businesses that invest in AI literacy and implementation now will have a significant edge. * The real operational gains from AI come from enabling entire teams to use these tools, not just leadership. * Project management platforms are rapidly evolving with AI integration — reassess your tools and workflows regularly. * Stress-test your business ideas before committing time and capital — fall in love with viability, not just the idea. CONNECT WITH DEREK FREDRICKSON AT thecoosolution.com Get Business Smart Coaching helps entrepreneurs and leaders build better businesses and better lives on purpose with purpose. Learn more about Get Business Smart Coaching at TonyBradshaw.com

EP13: Humble Beginnings to $10M Fractional CFO Empire | Jody Grunden | CEO, Summit CPA

This week on Get Business Smart, I talked with Jody Gruden, Fractional CFO anf founder of Summit CPA. What does it take to build a $10 million virtual CFO business from scratch? In this episode, we sit down with Jody Grundin, the pioneer widely credited with creating the fractional CFO industry, to find out. Jody opens up about his early life challenges and the unconventional path that led him to entrepreneurship. From founding Summit CPA Group to scaling it into a multi-million dollar virtual firm, his story is proof that the right systems, the right team, and the right mindset can transform a small accounting practice into a thriving business. TAKEAWAYS * Why building a repeatable process is the single most important key to scaling a service business * How hiring complementary partners lets you double down on your strengths * The digital marketing and SEO strategies Jody used to consistently attract ideal clients * Why a subscription-based billing model creates the predictable revenue every business owner craves * How KPIs and financial forecasting can drive smarter, faster decision-making — even for small businesses Whether you're an entrepreneur trying to get your finances under control or a service business owner looking to scale, this episode is packed with actionable CFO-level insights you can start using today. "Measure from where you started, not just the goal." — Jody Grundin CONNECT WITH JODY GRUNDEN AT summitcpay.com [https://summitcpay.com] Resources Mentioned: * 🌐 Summit CPA Group [https://summitcpa.com] * 📖 E-Myth by Michael Gerber [https://www.amazon.com/E-Myth-Revisited-Why-Small-Business/dp/0887307280] * 📖 The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan [https://www.amazon.com/Gap-Game-Measure-Yourself-Progress/dp/1938309114] Get Business Smart Coaching helps entrepreneurs and leaders build better businesses and better lives on purpose with purpose. Learn more about Get Business Smart Coaching at TonyBradshaw.com

EP12: How to Achieve Financial Freedom: 5 Key money Insights | Scott Curry | CEO Faith Roar

In this episode of Get Business Smart, Tony talks with Scott Curry, CEO of Faith Roar. Discover 5 essential insights from Scott Curry on achieving financial freedom. Learn how to take action and reshape your financial future today. In today's world, the pursuit of financial freedom is more critical than ever. Why do so many people feel trapped in their jobs and unable to spend quality time with their families? In this blog post, we’ll explore the journey of Scott Curry, founder, and CEO of Faith Roar, as he shares his personal experiences and insights on achieving financial independence. By the end of this post, you will have actionable strategies to move towards a life where you control your time and finances. About Scott Curry Scott Curry is an entrepreneur on a mission to empower others to achieve financial freedom. With a background in finance and a wealth of personal experiences, Scott transitioned from a traditional career path to entrepreneurship. His journey is both inspiring and instructive, making him a credible source for anyone looking to break free from the confines of a 9-to-5 job. CONNECT WITH SCOTT CURRY AT faithroar.com [http://faithroar.com] Get Business Smart Coaching helps entrepreneurs and leaders build better businesses and better lives on purpose with purpose. Learn more about Get Business Smart Coaching at TonyBradshaw.com