In this week’s episode of Small Business School, we’re switching gears and leaning into the mindset and spiritual side of entrepreneurship. I’m joined by the beautiful soul Renee Walker, founder of Renee Walker Wellness and host of the Spiritually Wired podcast. Together, we chat about the inner work that truly supports business growth—from mindset blocks to money beliefs and how reconnecting to ourselves (and something greater) creates real, lasting fulfillment.

Key topics covered:

• Why mindset and self-connection are the missing ingredients for so many entrepreneurs
• How your relationship with money impacts your ability to receive success
• The physical signs your body gives you when you're blocking abundance
• What “upper limits” are and how they might be quietly sabotaging your growth
• How to bring more intention, awareness, and joy into your business journey
• Renee’s beautiful Spiritually Wired community and how to try it free for 30 days

This is your permission slip to slow down, breathe deeply, and remember—you’re allowed to build a business with ease, not just hustle.

Use code ELEVATE for 30 days free in her membership.

Mentioned in this episode: Find your entrepreneurial soulmates. Join the exclusive community of Canadian women entrepreneurs. Imagine finding your Work Wives™ who share the same bold, ambitious, entrepreneurial goals.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__workwives.co&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=NgHx3ikc5TkuG2GbHk3F2xqAsEGb-mzfBI-Gys9vwYw&m=88CFq1oXxvHuveOHhLqQahTlm82SwWEfbi-P5aAdEDNKAzlUZcOm7G4LsPuYfzzq&s=ZGabyIGi8QeCQWYPVZP87NbEpvjTAj7omZneLouM2BQ&e=

Connect with Renee:

• Instagram: @reneewalkerwellness
• Website: www.reneewalkerwellness.com

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Welcome back to Small Business School! In this week’s episode of the Business Builder series, we’re tackling something most entrepreneurs know they should be doing… but often avoid: building systems and procedures in your business (aka SOPs). But don’t worry—this isn’t about creating a stuffy, never-used operations manual. I’m walking you through how to build simple, repeatable systems that actually help you grow, without making it your full-time job. If you’ve ever said, “I know I need systems, but who has time?”—this one’s for you.

Key topics covered:

• What SOPs really are—and what they aren’t
• How to create effective systems in just 3 minutes using the tools you already have
• Why messy, imperfect SOPs are better than perfect ones that never get used
• Tips for building a culture where your team creates and owns the systems too

Whether you’re onboarding clients, posting content, or running payroll—this episode gives you a clear roadmap to make systems your secret weapon (without the overwhelm). Let’s get your time back and start building a business that runs without you in the weeds.

Challenge

A simple action step: pick one task you do regularly that you're ready to delegate. Record yourself doing it—using Loom, a voice note, or a Zoom video—and save it in an SOP folder.

Mentioned in this episode: If you are running a business in Canada and you need help with all the things accounting related, but more importantly understanding the numbers I invite you to check out https://thriveaccounting.co/

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Today I’m chatting with the incredible Jana Boyko, co-creator of The Bedside Business Plan—a guided journal that’s helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs rethink how they approach starting and growing a business. We talk about the power of combining strategy with mindfulness, how entrepreneurship is as much a personal growth journey as a professional one, and why you should always begin your business journey by checking in with you. This one’s part inspiration, part practical roadmap, and all heart.

Whether you’re just thinking about launching or you’ve been in business for years, Jana’s approach will have you rethinking how to build something that feels as good as it performs.

Key topics covered:

• The story behind The Bedside Business Plan and why Jana turned her coaching questions into a tangible journal
• Why most business plans don’t work—and how guided prompts help you ask (and answer) the right questions
• How your mindset, fears, and identity shifts affect your business more than any tactical checklist ever will
• Why seasoned entrepreneurs are returning to basics with this journal (and what that says about what we miss early on)
• Jana’s behind-the-scenes process—from duct-taped prototypes to getting stocked at Indigo!
• A sneak peek at her next journal, Employee to Entrepreneur, and how it supports a sustainable and empowered transition out of 9–5 life

Get The Bedside Business Plan → Available on Amazon + Indigo and Employee to Entrepreneur → https://www.bedsidebusinessplan.com/employee-to-entrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode: Find your entrepreneurial soulmates. Join the exclusive community of Canadian women entrepreneurs. Imagine finding your Work Wives™ who share the same bold, ambitious, entrepreneurial goals.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__workwives.co&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=NgHx3ikc5TkuG2GbHk3F2xqAsEGb-mzfBI-Gys9vwYw&m=88CFq1oXxvHuveOHhLqQahTlm82SwWEfbi-P5aAdEDNKAzlUZcOm7G4LsPuYfzzq&s=ZGabyIGi8QeCQWYPVZP87NbEpvjTAj7omZneLouM2BQ&e=

Connect with Jana:

• Instagram: @bedsidebusinessplan
• Website: https://www.bedsidebusinessplan.com/

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Ever feel like your business would fall apart if you stepped away for even a day? Whether you dream of selling your business someday or just want the freedom to take a real vacation, this episode is for you. I'm diving into the mindset shifts and practical systems that will help you build a business that doesn’t rely solely on you to keep it afloat. This concept was a total game changer for me—and I think it will be for you too.

Let’s talk about how to stop being the bottleneck and start building a self-sustaining business you can actually enjoy.

Key topics covered:

• Why your business might actually be a job in disguise if it can’t function without you
• The “genius with a thousand helpers” trap and how to escape it
• 3 critical mindset and role shifts every business owner needs to make
• Practical steps to start documenting, delegating, and empowering your team
• A weekly challenge to offload one task and create breathing room in your biz

Challenge

Identify one area of your business where your involvement is no longer necessary (or shouldn't be)—then choose one task or decision to delegate or document and take the first step toward offloading it.

Mentioned in this episode: If you are running a business in Canada and you need help with all the things accounting related, but more importantly understanding the numbers I invite you to check out https://thriveaccounting.co/

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Welcome back to Small Business School! This episode is packed with wisdom, warmth, and real talk. I sat down with Marissa Teeter—executive coach, wealth advisor, podcaster, and community champion—to explore what it really means to lead yourself, your business, and your team in today’s uncertain world. From money mindset to walk-and-talk leadership to the magic of giving back, Marissa brings insight and authenticity to every part of this conversation. You’re going to walk away feeling more grounded, inspired, and ready to take action in your own life and business.

Key topics covered:

• Marissa’s journey from scrappy student entrepreneur to corporate exec to bold business owner (and podcast host!)
• How understanding your relationship with money can change your life—and your business
• What great leaders do differently when it comes to mindset, money, and navigating uncertainty
• The ripple effect of giving back and why community involvement is one of the best brand builders there is
• A powerful reminder that your business should fuel your life—not consume it

Hit play on this one if you need a boost of encouragement, clarity around your finances, or a nudge to get involved in your community (even in small ways). Marissa’s story will meet you right where you are.

Mentioned in this episode: Find your entrepreneurial soulmates. Join the exclusive community of Canadian women entrepreneurs. Imagine finding your Work Wives™ who share the same bold, ambitious, entrepreneurial goals.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__workwives.co&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=NgHx3ikc5TkuG2GbHk3F2xqAsEGb-mzfBI-Gys9vwYw&m=88CFq1oXxvHuveOHhLqQahTlm82SwWEfbi-P5aAdEDNKAzlUZcOm7G4LsPuYfzzq&s=ZGabyIGi8QeCQWYPVZP87NbEpvjTAj7omZneLouM2BQ&e=

Connect with Marissa:

• Instagram: @marissa.m.teeter + @teetertalks
• Website: www.marissateeter.com

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Hiring can feel like a total minefield, right? In this episode of the Business Builder series, I’m diving into one of the biggest decisions a small business owner can make: who to hire next and how to make sure it’s a smart move—not just an emotional one. If you’re feeling stretched too thin, overwhelmed, or unsure how to grow your team, I’ve got you. I’ll walk you through how to decide if it’s time to hire, how to choose the right role, and how to avoid the most common hiring pitfalls. You don’t need a massive team to get big results—just the right help at the right time.

Key topics covered:

• How to know when it’s time to hire (spoiler: burnout isn't a strategy)
• The three-part filter for deciding who to hire next
• Why “boxes before people” is your new hiring mantra
• Common hiring mistakes that slow growth instead of fueling it
• How to define success for your new hire and onboard them well

You’ve got this! Hiring is a leadership skill, not just a to-do—and you're well on your way to mastering it. Let’s grow smart.

Challenge

Make a “Not Me” list—identify the top 3 tasks someone else could do better—and sketch out what success in that role would look like.

Mentioned in this episode: If you are running a business in Canada and you need help with all the things accounting related, but more importantly understanding the numbers I invite you to check out https://thriveaccounting.co/

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Ever wonder what it really takes to build a successful product-based business? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Christine Manning—Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) founder, consultant, and mindset coach—who built a thriving food brand from scratch, scaled it into major retailers, and eventually sold the business. She shares the messy middle, mindset shifts, and what most makers get wrong when growing a product-based brand. This one is full of golden takeaways!

Key topics covered:

• Christine’s accidental start in entrepreneurship and how preserves turned into a full-blown CPG business
• The reality of low margins and why scaling is not optional in food-based businesses
• What most entrepreneurs get wrong about branding—and how to actually stand out on the shelf
• The mental shifts and mindset work Christine did to prepare for a business exit
• How burnout shaped her decision-making and why slowing down created more clarity
• Tips on building a sellable business (even if you’re not ready to sell yet)

Mentioned in this episode: Find your entrepreneurial soulmates. Join the exclusive community of Canadian women entrepreneurs. Imagine finding your Work Wives™ who share the same bold, ambitious, entrepreneurial goals.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__workwives.co&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=NgHx3ikc5TkuG2GbHk3F2xqAsEGb-mzfBI-Gys9vwYw&m=88CFq1oXxvHuveOHhLqQahTlm82SwWEfbi-P5aAdEDNKAzlUZcOm7G4LsPuYfzzq&s=ZGabyIGi8QeCQWYPVZP87NbEpvjTAj7omZneLouM2BQ&e=

Connect with Christine:

• Instagram: @the.christinemanning

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Hey friends, welcome back to another episode of the Business Builder series on Small Business School! This week, I’m talking all about what happens when your business starts growing fast—and things start feeling a little... stretched. If you've ever worried about how to keep up with client demand without letting quality slip, this episode is for you. Whether you're selling products or services, I’m breaking down how to scale delivery in a way that still feels solid, thoughtful, and true to what makes your business great in the first place.

Key topics covered:

• What usually breaks first when a business scales too fast—and how to fix it before it becomes a bigger issue
• Why systemizing your delivery process is essential (and how to know when it’s time)
• Easy steps to standardize your workflows using checklists, SOPs, and tools you probably already have
  The magic of client communication touchpoints—and how they build trust and reduce back-and-forth
• How to delegate with ownership, not just tasks, and why that makes all the difference as you grow

Let’s grow without the chaos. You’ve got this!

Challenge

Choose one repeatable part of your delivery process, document it step-by-step, and find one way to simplify or improve it—whether that’s automation, delegation, or clearer communication.

Mentioned in this episode: If you are running a business in Canada and you need help with all the things accounting related, but more importantly understanding the numbers I invite you to check out https://thriveaccounting.co/

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!