SBM Boot Camp Online: The Blueprint for Small Business Growth

SBM Boot Camp Online: The Blueprint for Small Business Growth

Most small business owners start with expertise in a product, service, or trade. Very few start with expertise in strategic planning, marketing, leadership, financial management, or organizational design. And that's often where growth stalls. In this special episode of the Small Business Matters Podcast, host Tim Fulton steps into the guest seat as Taylor Fulton interviews him about the new SBM Boot Camp Online Course—a practical, on-demand program built from years of helping business owners navigate the challenges of growth. Tim shares the five core disciplines every business owner must understand to build a stronger, more scalable company: - Strategic Planning - Marketing - Leadership - Financial Performance - Organizational Design Along the way, he discusses how marketing has evolved in the AI era, why leadership is more complex than ever, what most owners misunderstand about financial performance, and why organizational systems are critical for sustainable growth. If you're looking for practical business education without spending years earning an MBA, this episode is a great place to start. Highlights: [3:30] Why create the SBM Boot Camp Online Course? [6:05] What business challenges does the course help owners solve? [8:34] Why strategic planning remains essential in today's business environment [10:15] How marketing has changed—and what hasn't [14:57] Leadership lessons for today's workforce [18:20] Why financial performance is the least understood skill among business owners [21:37 ] The importance of organizational design and systems [25:01] Which of the five modules is Tim's personal favorite? [25:58] Which business discipline is changing the fastest? [26:46 ] What future module could be added to the Boot Camp? [29:06] The books every small business owner should read Whether you're launching a business, leading a growing company, or looking to sharpen your leadership skills, this conversation offers insights that can help you build a stronger foundation for long-term success.

What Small Business Leaders Can Learn from Nonprofits with Susannah Darrow

What if one of the most overlooked groups of small businesses has the most to teach you about sustainability and growth? In this episode of Small Business Matters, Tim and Taylor Fulton sit down with Susannah Darrow CEO of Purpose Possible, to explore the realities of running and supporting nonprofits—and why their challenges mirror those of every small business owner. From navigating the chaos of Covid to managing constant staff turnover and evolving workforce expectations, Susana shares a behind-the-scenes look at how nonprofits have adapted—and what for-profit leaders can learn from it. Her biggest insight? Nonprofits are small businesses—and they face the same pressures, just with fewer resources. This episode dives into: • Why burnout happens when leaders wear “5 to 25 hats a day” • The rise of fractional support models (and why they work) • What today’s workforce really wants (hint: it’s not perks) • How fundraising is just like sales—and what most get wrong • Why flexibility is becoming the #1 driver of retention If you’re a small business owner trying to build a stronger team, improve retention, or create more sustainable growth, this episode offers practical insights you can apply immediately—no matter your industry. Highlights [3:52] What matters most to small businesses? [5:04] How does Purpose Possible support nonprofits today? [7:46] What challenges have nonprofits faced over the past several years? [12:27] How can organizations improve employee retention? [18:36] How should nonprofits (and businesses) approach fundraising/sales? [22:43] What is the role of a CEO—and where can leaders improve? [27:21] If you could redo one business decision, what would it be? [29:06] Rapid Fire [33:27] Contact Information [33:57] Takeaways [36:16] SBM News About Susannah Darrow Susannah Darrow is the CEO of Purpose Possible, a consulting firm that partners with small to mid-sized nonprofits across the country. With more than 15 years of experience in mission-driven organizations, she specializes in strategic planning, fundraising, and organizational development. Before launching Purpose Possible in 2017, Susannah spent a decade working in arts and culture, supporting hundreds of artists and arts organizations to increase the presence of the arts in communities around the country. Today, she leads a team that provides fractional, high-impact support to nonprofits—helping them scale their impact without overwhelming their internal teams. Contact Info: Website purposepossible.com

Marketing That Actually Connects (and Converts) with Sarah Quezada

What if your marketing isn’t broken...It’s just not telling the right story? In this episode of Small Business Matters, Tim and Taylor Fulton sit down with Sarah Quezada, founder of Ruby Brick, to unpack what truly drives connection in today’s noisy, overcrowded marketplace. From nonprofits to growing businesses, Sarah shares a refreshing perspective: great marketing isn’t about making your brand the hero—it’s about empowering your customer to be. If you’ve ever struggled to stand out, questioned where to invest your marketing dollars, or wondered how AI fits into your strategy, this episode delivers practical clarity you can act on immediately. What You’ll Learn: • Why most marketing fails to connect (and how to fix it) • The simple messaging shift that changes everything • Where small businesses should really focus (hint: it’s not social media) • How to use AI without losing your voice • The surprising value of stepping away from your business to grow it Whether you’re building a brand, scaling a team, or just trying to get more traction from your marketing, this conversation will challenge your assumptions—and sharpen your approach. Highlights: [02:41] What matters most to small businesses? [03:16] The types of clients working with Ruby Brick [04:44] The difference between marketing for nonprofits vs. for-profit businesses [06:27] How marketing has changed in the past five years [08:04] The role as a business owner and leader [09:56] Taking a sabbatical [13:23] Advice for leaders thinking about stepping away from their business [14:37] The most common marketing mistakes small businesses make [17:10] How should businesses be thinking about AI in marketing today? [18:40] Developing a custom AI approach [24:15] Best advice for someone starting a business [26:40] Rapid Fire [30:50] Takeaways [32:05] SBM News About the Guest: Sarah Quesada is the founder and CEO of Ruby Brick, a marketing and communications agency that partners primarily with nonprofit and mission-driven organizations. With a background in nonprofit leadership, higher education, and corporate marketing, she specializes in helping organizations craft compelling, data-informed messaging that drives engagement and impact. Sarah is also an author and alum of the Emory University Start:ME Accelerator, where she sharpened her approach to scaling businesses. Known for blending strategy with storytelling, she brings a human-centered perspective to modern marketing—helping organizations connect more deeply with the audiences they serve. Contact Info: linkedin.com/in/sarahquezada Websites: sarahquezada.com (Personal) rubybrick.com (Company) Email:sarah@rubybrick.com

Fixing Leaks: A Holistic Approach to Growing Revenue with Keith Finger

Struggling to convert marketing activity into predictable revenue? In this episode of Small Business Matters, Tim and Taylor Fulton welcome Keith Finger, founder and Chief Revenue Fixer of Revenue Insights. Keith breaks down why “more leads” is often a band-aid, how to hunt down the real breakdowns in the revenue journey, and why documenting processes and improving handoffs can outpace any new website or shiny tech tool. If you run an SMB or a B2B shop and want practical, systems-first thinking, you can apply this week — from fixing churn to building a sales culture that empowers people — press play. Keith explains how to stop shoveling more prospects into a leaky funnel, diagnose root causes (process vs people), and prioritize changes that produce sustainable revenue growth. Takeaways • Fix the root causes — not just the symptoms. Many revenue problems look like marketing or sales issues, but the real breakdowns often come from unclear processes, poor handoffs, or misaligned expectations across teams. More leads won’t fix a leaky system. • Documented processes create freedom, not bureaucracy. Keith emphasizes that clear, repeatable processes help teams deliver consistently, reduce confusion, and allow leaders to step out of daily chaos. If it’s not written down, it’s not scalable. • Technology can’t replace strategy. New tools won’t solve foundational problems. Tech only accelerates what’s already working—or exposes what isn’t. Start with the workflow, not the software. • Sales leadership matters more than sales hacks. The most successful teams have leaders who coach, ask questions, encourage critical thinking, and foster accountability. A strong sales culture consistently beats short-term tactics. • Revenue is a full-company responsibility. The customer experience spans marketing, sales, product, and service. When each stage works in isolation, revenue suffers. When they’re aligned, growth becomes far more predictable. Highlights [03:22] What Matters Most to Small Businesses [03:52] Symptomatic Fixes vs. Holistic, Process-driven Solutions [05:40] Keith’s Journey [07:59] Recognizing Common Patterns Across Different Clients [09:58] How Rapid Tech Innovation Affects Revenue [12:00] Problems Occur [13:40] Identifying Good Customers [16:01] Process Verses People Issues [20:11] Attributes of a Successful Sales Leader [21:59] Differences in Marketing Post-COVID [24:42] Rapid-fire [29:05] Contact Information [29:55] Takeaways [31:42] SBM News About the Guest Keith Finger is the founder and Chief Revenue Fixer at Revenue Insights. A Tulane alumnus, Keith has spent 20+ years helping B2B companies diagnose and fix revenue problems across marketing, sales, product, and customer success. He’s worked in over 20 countries, supporting sales teams and onboarding customers. Keith enjoys photography, hiking, traveling (over 60 countries and counting), exploring new cuisines, and brings a curiosity-driven, empathy-forward approach to revenue strategy. Contact Information Website: getrevenueinsights.com Phone: 770-309-5651 Email: keith@keithfinger.com

Reinventing Success: Growing a Service Business with Zac Nicklas

What does it take to build a thriving company in a competitive industry—and keep it growing for more than a decade? In this episode of Small Business Matters, host Tim Fulton and co-host Taylor Fulton sit down with Zac Nicklas, President & CEO of The Pool Boys in League City, Texas. Zac shares how he turned a small family-run pool service into a trusted, 15-employee operation that’s earned a reputation for professionalism, reliability, and integrity. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Zac’s story is packed with insights about scaling smart, leading well, and finding balance between growth and personal priorities. Episode Highlights: • What Matters to Small Business? [03:36] • Leading Like a CEO [06:32] • Sustaining a Long-term Business Partnership [10:53] • A Big Mistake Changes Everything [15:09] • Building a Loyal, Low-turnover Team [15:36] • Industry Involvement As a Growth Accelerator [18:37] • Hiring a Second-in-command [23:09] • Rapid-fire [25:55] • Takeaways [29:06] • Contact Information [30:58] • SBM News [31:15] About the Guest Zac Nicholas is the President & CEO of The Pool Boys, a full-service pool maintenance and repair company based in League City, Texas. Founded in 2011, the company has grown from a two-man operation into a respected local brand known for its commitment to customer care and continuous improvement. Zac’s leadership philosophy centers on integrity, teamwork, and investing in people—principles that have helped him build a sustainable business with strong community roots. Tune in to hear how one small business owner built not just a company, but a culture of professionalism, trust, and purpose.