Cybersecurity expert Nick Mullen shares how you can protect your business from cyber attacks. Small businesses are often the target for today’s most dangerous cyber threats.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/575-nick-mullen-cyber-security/

Cyberattacks are no longer just a threat to large corporations - small business owners are now the most frequent and most vulnerable targets. In this episode of The How of Business, Henry Lopez speaks with cybersecurity expert and Entoo Security founder Nick Mullen about how you can protect your business from cyber attacks using clear, practical, and affordable strategies.

Nick breaks down the modern cyber threat landscape, including:
Ransomware and extortion scams
AI-powered phishing emails and voice impersonations
The myth of "I’m too small to be a target"
The importance of email access controls and proper backups

They also explore the FTC Safeguards Rule, which now applies to many more small businesses, and what it means to be compliant. Nick emphasizes the importance of understanding where your data lives, limiting who can access it, and training your team to spot threats before they cause damage.

“You might think you’re too small to be a target, but $50,000 is a huge payday for a criminal overseas—and they can attack thousands of small businesses every day,” Nick warns.

Whether you run a solo business or have a growing team, this episode will give you the clarity and steps you need to protect what you've worked so hard to build.

Nick Mullen is the founder of N2 Security, a full-service cybersecurity firm helping small businesses including accountants, bookkeepers, and service providers meet compliance standards and avoid devastating cyberattacks. He has nearly two decades of experience in security, compliance, and governance.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

Learn the 5 reasons your businesses will fail and how to avoid them.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/574-5-reasons-your-business-will-fail/

Most small businesses don’t fail because of bad luck - they fail because of predictable and avoidable mistakes. On this episode of The How of Business podcast, Henry Lopez shares the top five reasons small businesses fail, drawing on decades of experience coaching entrepreneurs and running his own small business ventures.

Henry Lopez explores the most common traps: launching with a broken business model, mismanaging cash flow, struggling to attract customers, doing everything yourself, and refusing to adapt when things aren’t working.

Whether you're just starting or already in business, this episode will help you evaluate your strategy, spot early warning signs, and build a more resilient business.

“These are common mistakes—and completely avoidable if you’re willing to be honest, stay flexible, and ask for help.” — Henry Lopez

Five Reasons Your Small Business Will Fail:

1: Lack of a Clear Business Model.

2: Poor Cash Flow Management.

3: Not Enough Customers (Weak Marketing & Sales)

4: Trying to Do Everything Yourself

5: No Adaptability or Stubbornness

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

Maximize your Google Business Profile to improve local SEO, generate more leads, and protect your online presence.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/573-marco-silva-google-business-profile/

For small local businesses, visibility online can make or break your customer acquisition efforts. In this episode, Henry Lopez is joined by Marco Silva with Oostas to break down why your Google Business Profile (GBP) may be your single most important marketing asset, and how to use it to your full advantage.

Google Business Profile is a free tool that helps your business appear on Google Search and Maps.

Marco explains the three key factors that influence visibility - relevance, distance, and prominence - and outlines how to optimize your profile for each.

From accurate hours to high-quality photos, and from managing user edits to strategically collecting reviews, every element of your profile impacts whether or not potential customers find you.

"Think of your Google Business Profile like your storefront window—it needs to be clean, fresh, and inviting if you want people to walk in." - Marco Silva

He walks listeners through the modern verification process, which now often includes submitting a video or documentation, instead of the old postcard method. Henry emphasizes that failing to claim and maintain your GBP can leave your business vulnerable and invisible.

They also dive into review strategies, how to ask for them tactfully, why the quality and quantity of reviews matters, and what role keywords play in visibility. Marco explains how reviews written by customers (not replies) help with local ranking and how to handle both positive and negative feedback publicly.

To tie it all together, Marco introduces a $99 GBP Pulse Check from Oostas, a trusted partner of The How of Business. The GBP Pulse Check is an in-depth audit with personalized video feedback and actionable tips for improvement. As a bonus, Henry encourages listeners to download a free resource: “5 Ways to Supercharge Your Google Business Profile” from the show notes page.

Marco Silva is a local SEO expert and digital marketing strategist at Oostas who helps small businesses get found online.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com