Welcome back to another episode of SoTellUs Time! Today, Trevor reveals one of the most overlooked growth strategies in business: The December Advantage — your secret weapon for launching the new year with clarity, momentum, and massive profit potential.

Most entrepreneurs treat December like a slowdown. Business gets quiet, customers get busy with friends and family, and owners mentally check out. But the truth is this:

In this episode, Trevor breaks down a powerful year-end review process that separates thriving businesses from stagnant ones. You'll learn how to analyze what worked, what didn't, and what absolutely needs to go — whether that's a system, a process, or even a person.

Using this simple three-column method, you'll discover how to:
✅ Identify your most profitable systems, strategies, and partnerships
✅ Eliminate the hidden "profit killers" draining your business
✅ Spot outdated tools or processes that need to be cut or optimized
✅ Evaluate your team with clarity, compassion, and honesty
✅ Strengthen your foundation with loyal, hardworking people
✅ Implement automation and AI the right way (not by replacing people!)
✅ Start January as a completely transformed business

Trevor also shares real consulting experiences where decades-old companies used this December process and walked into January looking like entirely new organizations.

Whether your year was strong or challenging, December gives you the advantage:
📝 Time to review
🧹 Space to remove and refine
🚀 Opportunity to rebuild stronger

If you take this month seriously, you won't enter the new year hoping for better results — you'll create them.

• Why business slows down in December — and how that benefits YOU

• The exact 3-column breakdown: What worked, what kind of worked, and what failed

• The truth about people problems vs. process problems

• The power of loyalty and why it has fueled SoTellUs for 27 years

• Why AI should support your team, not replace it

• How outdated systems silently drain your revenue

• Why 2026 is shaping up to be a major opportunity year

• How to prepare your company NOW to capitalize on increased consumer spending

Start by transforming December.
Write down your three columns from this episode and do the honest review every successful entrepreneur must do.

This episode was built from the full transcription here:

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Let's make 2026 your most profitable year ever.

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Your story is your most powerful marketing tool — and in this episode of SoTellUs Time, Trevor and Troy Howard reveal how to use authentic storytelling to build trust, attract customers, and drive massive business growth. If you've ever wondered why some brands instantly connect while others struggle… this episode breaks down the secret.

People buy from people they feel connected to.
Your story is the bridge.
Your authenticity is the magnet.
Your journey is the one thing no competitor can duplicate.

✔ Why storytelling is more persuasive than facts or features
✔ The biggest storytelling mistakes entrepreneurs make
✔ The 4-Part Story Framework that always sells:
• Spark – What started it all
• Struggle – The challenges that shaped you
• Shift – The breakthrough that changed everything
• Success – The transformation your customers can experience
✔ How to tell your story without oversharing
✔ How to integrate storytelling into your daily marketing
✔ Real-world examples of stories that converted better than ads

Humans make decisions emotionally and justify them with logic. That means your personal journey — your purpose, your struggles, your wins — is what pulls people in. In a noisy digital world, authenticity is your competitive edge.

• Website About Page
• Sales presentations
• Email welcome sequences
• Social media posts
• Podcast appearances
• Speaking engagements
• Intro videos
• Ads and retargeting
• Team onboarding (build culture fast)

When you use storytelling consistently, people feel like they know you — and trust you before you ever sell them anything.

Write your Spark → Struggle → Shift → Success story and share it in a simple post or video. Watch how your audience reacts differently. Connection creates customers.

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More episodes on business growth, reviews, automation, and scaling your company every week.

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What if the key to explosive growth, happier employees, and loyal clients wasn't another marketing tactic — but something much simpler? In this episode of SoTellUs Time, hosts Trevor and Troy Howard uncover one of the most underrated business superpowers of all time: listening.

You'll discover how the world's most successful companies — from Microsoft to Starbucks, LEGO, Toyota, and Zappos — transformed their culture, customer loyalty, and profits by learning to truly hear what people were saying.

This episode breaks down exactly how to apply those same listening strategies inside your business — to increase team morale, drive innovation, and attract lifelong customers. Whether you're a small business owner, team leader, or entrepreneur, these lessons will change how you communicate forever.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown:
00:00 - Intro: The most profitable skill you're overlooking
01:00 - Why listening is a business superpower
03:00 - How listening transformed Microsoft's culture
05:00 - The hidden goldmine: listening to your employees
09:00 - How Ritz-Carlton, Toyota & Southwest turned feedback into millions
13:00 - Listening to clients: the key to retention and referrals
17:00 - What Starbucks, Netflix & small businesses do differently
21:00 - Listening to data & reviews like LEGO and Spotify
23:00 - Turning what you hear into powerful action steps
25:00 - The challenge: practice deep listening this week

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Listening isn't passive — it's strategic awareness.

• Employees are your greatest innovation source when you actually hear them.

• Customers will tell you how to grow if you ask the right questions.

• Data is your silent advisor — it's speaking volumes about what matters most.

• True leaders turn what they hear into measurable action.

🚀 Featured Business Stories:

• Microsoft's "Learn-It-All" transformation under Satya Nadella

• Ritz-Carlton's $2,000 empowerment rule

• Toyota's "Kaizen" idea system

• Starbucks' crowd-sourced innovation platform

• LEGO's revival through fan feedback

• Zappos' customer-first culture

🎯 Who This Episode Is For:

• Business owners & entrepreneurs

• Managers & team leaders

• Customer service professionals

• Anyone who wants to build stronger teams, happier clients, and a smarter company

📢 Your Challenge:
This week, listen deeply to one employee, one client, and one piece of feedback — then take action. The smartest leaders don't just talk… they listen.

👉 Watch more episodes of SoTellUs Time for powerful strategies that grow your business, improve your team, and skyrocket customer loyalty:
🎥 youtube.com/sotellus

#BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #TeamBuilding #SoTellUsTime #CustomerExperience #EmployeeEngagement #ListeningSkills #SatyaNadella #MicrosoftCulture #Starbucks #LEGO #Toyota #Zappos #Netflix #Spotify #CustomerFeedback #BusinessPodcast #TrevorHoward #TroyHoward #SoTellUs #SmallBusinessTips #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessLeadership #InnovationCulture #ClientRetention #CommunicationSkills #CompanyCulture #CustomerLoyalty #SoTellUsReviews

How many brilliant ideas have you started but never finished? A new website, marketing campaign, or system that got 80% done — then lost steam? You're not alone. In this episode of SoTellUs Time, hosts Trevor and Troy Howard reveal the exact Follow-Through Formula successful entrepreneurs use to finish what they start, turn ideas into action, and get real business results.

🔥 You'll discover:
✅ Why most projects stall before the finish line
✅ The 5-step "Follow-Through Formula" to complete ANY project
✅ How to regain momentum when motivation fades
✅ The secret power of clarity, accountability, and celebration
✅ Real-world success stories of teams that went from stuck to scaling fast

If you've ever felt like you're always "working on" something but rarely finishing — this episode will change that. You'll walk away with a repeatable system to turn your big ideas into completed, revenue-driving wins for your business.

💡 TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Introduction: Why so many great ideas go unfinished
02:00 – The #1 reason projects stall (and how to fix it fast)
05:00 – The Follow-Through Formula: 5 steps to finish strong
12:00 – Real-world success story: from stalled to scaling
14:00 – Wrap-up: Your challenge for the week

💬 QUOTE WORTH SHARING:
"Motivation starts a project. Systems finish it." — Trevor Howard

🎥 WATCH NEXT:
👉 How to Spot Hidden Revenue Streams in Your Business
👉 The Business Owner's Guide to Managing Stress Like a Pro
👉 Why Every Business Needs an Emergency Plan (and How to Build One)

📲 FOLLOW & CONNECT:
✅ Subscribe for more business growth strategies: youtube.com/sotellus
✅ Learn how SoTellUs helps businesses get more reviews, referrals, and revenue: https://www.sotellus.com
✅ Follow us on Instagram & Facebook @SoTellUs

#SoTellUsTime #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Motivation #Productivity #FollowThrough #GoalSetting #Accountability #SuccessHabits #Mindset #Leadership #SmallBusiness #FinishStrong #Procrastination #BusinessTips #EntrepreneurLife #TrevorHoward #TroyHoward #SoTellUsPodcast #SelfImprovement #SystemsThatScale

Running a business is tough — but burning out doesn't have to be part of the journey. In this powerful episode of SoTellUs Time, hosts Trevor and Troy Howard reveal how to manage stress like a pro — the same way top-performing entrepreneurs, CEOs, and elite leaders handle pressure without losing their sanity.

💥 You'll discover:
✅ Why business owners are more prone to chronic stress than most people
✅ The early warning signs of burnout that you can't afford to ignore
✅ 3 proven strategies to manage stress effectively (used by elite business owners!)
✅ How to stay calm and make clear decisions even when everything feels chaotic
✅ The mindset shift that separates overwhelmed entrepreneurs from unstoppable leaders

From real-world examples like "Sarah's Bakery" to practical tools you can use immediately — this episode gives you the roadmap to protect your energy, focus, and peace of mind.

Whether you're hustling to grow your startup, managing a busy service business, or leading a large team, these techniques will help you:
💪 Reclaim your time
💪 Improve your mental clarity
💪 Boost your business performance
💪 And enjoy the entrepreneurial journey again!

🎯 TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Introduction: Why You Can't Pour From an Empty Cup
02:00 – Why Business Owners Are Especially Prone to Stress
05:00 – Recognizing the Warning Signs of Burnout
07:00 – Strategy #1: Control What You Can, Let Go of What You Can't
10:00 – Strategy #2: Build Recovery Into Your Schedule
13:00 – Strategy #3: Delegate & Automate for Freedom and Focus
17:00 – Final Takeaways & Challenge

🚀 WANT TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS FASTER?
Visit 👉 https://www.sotellus.com
and discover how SoTellUs helps you get more reviews, automate your marketing, and generate more sales — stress-free.

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Most business owners think, "That'll never happen to me." But when disaster strikes — from data breaches to power outages, or even your top employee quitting overnight — the businesses that survive are the ones that prepared in advance.

In this episode of SoTellUs Time, Trevor and Troy Howard break down why every business needs an emergency plan and give you the exact steps to build one that protects your people, profits, and peace of mind.

🚨 Here's what you'll learn in this episode:
00:00 – Intro: Why preparation is your greatest advantage
01:00 – Why most businesses skip creating an emergency plan (and the costly mindset behind it)
04:00 – The shocking cost of not being prepared (FEMA stat: 40% of businesses never reopen after a disaster!)
07:00 – What every business emergency plan should include: Communication, roles, backups, recovery
11:00 – How to build your plan in 5 simple, actionable steps
14:00 – Real-world example: How one café's lack of preparation cost them their business
17:00 – Call to Action: How to identify your top three business risks this week

💡 Key Takeaway: Emergencies are unpredictable — but your response doesn't have to be. With a solid plan, you can turn chaos into control and protect everything you've built.

🎯 In this episode, we cover:

• Emergency preparedness for small businesses

• Business continuity and disaster recovery plans

• How to handle a data breach or cyberattack

• Protecting your business from natural disasters

• Crisis communication strategies for your team and customers

• Backup systems, leadership roles, and recovery planning

✅ Action Step: Spend 30 minutes this week identifying your top 3 business risks and outline your first response steps.

💬 Join the conversation:
Have you experienced a business emergency? Share your story below — it might help another business owner prepare!

👥 About SoTellUs Time:
Welcome to SoTellUs Time — the podcast for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and go-getters who want to scale smarter, serve better, and stay ahead of the curve. Hosted by Trevor and Troy Howard, creators of SoTellUs, the world's only review platform that lets your customers leave video, audio, and written reviews instantly!

🎧 Watch more episodes → https://www.youtube.com/@sotellus
🚀 Learn how SoTellUs helps businesses get more reviews, referrals, and revenue → https://www.SoTellUs.com

#EmergencyPlan #BusinessContinuity #SoTellUsTime #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessTips #CrisisManagement #DisasterPreparedness #BusinessStrategy #Cybersecurity #Leadership #BusinessOwners #BusinessPodcast #EntrepreneurMindset #SoTellUs

Most business owners are sitting on hidden profits they don't even know exist! 💎 In this episode of SoTellUs Time, Trevor and Troy Howard reveal how to spot and seize hidden revenue opportunities already inside your business — no new products, no massive investments, just smarter strategy.

🎯 Episode Goal:
Help business owners uncover overlooked income streams, fix profit leaks, and make small tweaks that create big financial gains.

00:00 - Intro: The hidden gold inside your business
01:00 - Why Hidden Revenue Gets Overlooked
👉 Comfort zones, busyness, and lack of tracking are silent killers of profit.
💡 Example: A company discovered 30% of leads never got follow-ups!

04:00 - 5 Hidden Revenue Sources Most Businesses Miss
1️⃣ Unconverted Leads – Old calls, quotes, and emails = instant cash flow.
2️⃣ Upselling & Cross-Selling – Train your team to suggest smarter add-ons.
3️⃣ Pricing & Value Perception – Compete on experience, not discounts.
4️⃣ Recurring Revenue Opportunities – Create memberships or care plans.
5️⃣ Operational Inefficiencies – Trim waste, boost margins.

10:00 - How to Find Hidden Opportunities in YOUR Business
🔍 Audit your customer journey.
📊 Track conversions, repeat sales, and lead follow-ups.
💬 Ask your team what they see daily — they know where the gaps are!

13:00 - Turning Insight Into Action
✅ Start small: focus on one improvement this week.
✅ Measure, reinvest, repeat.
💬 "Hidden revenue isn't about working harder—it's about working smarter."

Most businesses can uncover 5-10% more profit within 30 days by reactivating cold leads and refining pricing strategies.

Comment below:
👉 What's one area of your business that might be hiding extra revenue?

📺 How to Turn Competitors Copying You Into an Advantage
📺 The Secret to Getting 5-Star Reviews on Autopilot

Hosted by Trevor and Troy Howard, founders of SoTellUs.com — the world's only verified video review platform — this podcast helps business owners grow smarter, scale faster, and dominate their markets using proven systems and automation.

👉 Subscribe for weekly business growth episodes:
🎧 youtube.com/@sotellus
👍 Like this video if it sparked new ideas for your business!
🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss a strategy that could boost your profits.

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