In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Ryan Carey, founder of Better On — a platform that helps leaders enhance their communication skills through asynchronous video. Carey recounts his path from working at YouTube to establishing his own venture in 2019. He underscores the importance of self-care and mental health, sharing how his company has achieved consistent 15% year-over-year growth and now employs seven full-time team members, all without external investment. Carey highlights the power of video in marketing, the ongoing challenge of balancing sales efforts with product development, and the critical roles of trust, exercise, and sound financial management. He also reflects on the value of mentorship and the courage required to navigate the uncertainties of growing a business.

Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let’s get into it by clicking here.

Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.

And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:

1. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business?
   
   Ryan Carey believes the hardest part of growing a small business is facing the unknown — never knowing what tomorrow might bring, how you’ll feel, or what changes could come in the market or industry—which means having the courage to move forward despite constant uncertainty.
   
   

2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most?
   
   Ryan Carey said his favorite business book that has helped him the most is Blue Ocean Strategy, explaining that it opened his eyes to how to approach markets differently.
   
   

3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?
   
   Ryan Carey shared that he doesn’t listen to many podcasts, but he did highlight his use of tools like Loom, an asynchronous video recorder, as a valuable resource. While not a traditional learning tool, he uses video heavily to communicate more effectively and save time — something he considers essential for running and growing a small business.
   
   

4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?
   
   Ryan Carey recommended QuickBooks as a key tool to help grow a small business. He stressed the importance of getting your “money house in order,” noting that having clean, organized financials makes running and growing a business much easier.
   
   

5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?
   
   Ryan Carey said that if he could give himself advice on day one of starting out, it would be: “It’s going to be hard as shit, but it’s going to be so great.”

Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights!

Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.

Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

Take care of your body first — it’s the only temple you’ve got — Ryan Carey

Success is helping the most people, making the most money, while hiring the fewest — Ryan Carey

Trust your people, make them feel seen, and you’ll build a culture that lasts — Ryan Carey

QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse!

Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week.

Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends!

In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Rob Cameron interviews transformational executive coach Will Samson of WillSamson.com. Will shares his approach to helping IT executives and small business owners manage chaos by focusing on internal transformation and “radical self-ownership.” He emphasizes the power of identifying what can and cannot be controlled, using personal narratives to reshape outcomes. Through compelling case studies—including a CFO overcoming trauma and a successful post-merger integration—Will illustrates how shifting mindset leads to measurable business success. Listeners are encouraged to clarify their own controllable factors to gain focus and resilience.

Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners:

Practice Radical Self-Ownership: Take complete responsibility for your internal state and actions. Lasting business success starts with personal transformation.

Control What You Can, Release What You Can’t: Create a simple list of what’s within your control versus what isn’t. This clarity helps reduce overwhelm and sharpen focus.

Your Internal Narrative Shapes Your Reality: The stories you tell yourself influence how you respond to challenges. Rewriting those stories can lead to better decisions and outcomes.

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Success Brings New Challenges: Growth isn’t the end of struggle—it introduces new layers of complexity. Be prepared to adapt your mindset and systems as you scale.

Interdependence Beats Independence: You can’t do it all alone. Building systems and relationships around shared support fosters sustainable success.

Business Chaos is Often Personal Chaos: Many external challenges reflect unresolved internal conflicts. Addressing the personal side of leadership often unlocks the solutions to business problems.

One action small business owners can take:

According to Will Samson, one action a small business owner should take is to make a list dividing what they can control and what they can’t—this simple exercise brings clarity, reduces overwhelm, and empowers focused, intentional decision-making.

Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximize your time.

Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. 👇

Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

Chaos outside is often a reflection of unresolved chaos within – Will Samson

Success doesn’t eliminate problems; it introduces new ones you’re now strong enough to solve – Will Samson

Radical self-ownership is the first step toward real leadership – Will Samson

QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse!

Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week.

Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends!

In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Michael Denehey interviews Joey Coleman, Chief Experience Composer at Design Symphony, shares insights on how business owners can design their first 100 days to foster momentum, clarity, and joy. He highlights the value of taking extended breaks, recommending at least two weeks to recharge and prevent burnout. Advocating for personal growth, Coleman encourages reading fiction and scheduling time for self-care to prioritize well-being. Additionally, he emphasizes celebrating achievements and maintaining a balance between work and personal life as key strategies for sustaining long-term success.

Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners:

Design Your Own First 100 Days: Apply the same strategic thinking you use for customers and employees to yourself—plan your first 100 days of any new business phase with intention and clarity.

Take True Time Off to Reset: Even a 10+ day break (ideally more) away from work and tech can dramatically reset your energy, creativity, and focus. You’re not just resting—you're recharging your leadership capacity.

Celebrate Small Wins Regularly: Don’t wait for big milestones to celebrate—acknowledge small victories to boost motivation and prevent burnout. Even a solo movie or walk can be a powerful reward.

Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for?

Grow Yourself, Not Just the Business: Set personal growth goals with the same focus you give business metrics. A stronger, wiser version of you is needed to lead the next stage of your company.

Protect Appointments with Yourself: Treat time with yourself as sacred. If you wouldn’t cancel a client meeting, don’t cancel on yourself. Your well-being directly impacts your business health.

Rediscover Joy Through Non-Business Activities: Read fiction, take a dance class, explore hobbies—doing things that have no direct business ROI can reignite creativity and emotional resilience.

One action small business owners can take:

According to Joey Coleman, one action a small business owner should take is a 10-day (or longer) true break from work—completely unplugged from emails, calls, and business tasks—to reset, gain clarity, and return with renewed energy.

Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximize your time.

Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. 👇

Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

If your business can’t run without you, you don’t have a business—you have an expensive job – Joey Coleman

Design your first 100 days with intention, or you risk running on autopilot – Joey Coleman

Time away from work isn’t a luxury—it’s a leadership strategy – Joey Coleman

QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse!

Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week.

Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends!

In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Michael Denehey interviews David Dilger, co-founder of Edge Legal, to explore the critical topic of psychosocial safety for small business owners. Drawing on over 30 years of legal and leadership experience, Dilger highlights the significant impact of unmanaged mental health risks in the workplace—emphasizing that mental health injuries cost three times more and take four times longer to resolve than physical injuries. He identifies key psychosocial hazards such as interpersonal conflict, inappropriate behavior, resistance to change, and mismatched expectations. Dilger underscores the importance of self-aware leadership, cultivating a respectful workplace culture, and conducting regular one-on-one meetings with team members. He also stresses the need for up-to-date policies, comprehensive training, and proactive risk assessments to effectively manage psychosocial risks and ensure legal compliance.

Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners:

Mental Health Risks Are Costly: Mental health injuries cost businesses three times more and take four times longer to resolve than physical injuries—making prevention and early action essential.

Know Yourself as a Leader: The way leaders behave significantly influences workplace culture. Self-awareness and empathy are crucial for building trust and psychological safety.

Interpersonal Issues Are the Core Hazards: Most psychosocial risks stem from interpersonal conflict, inappropriate behaviors, resistance to change, and unmet expectations—addressing these proactively reduces harm.

Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for?

One-on-One Meetings Are Powerful Tools: Regular 10–15 minute one-on-one meetings between managers and team members help detect issues early, improve communication, and strengthen relationships.

Update Policies and Train Your People: Outdated policies won’t protect your business. Regularly revise them to reflect current expectations, and ensure all staff are trained and understand them.

Risk Management Is Not Optional: Conducting proper risk assessments, applying reasonable controls, and reviewing them over time is essential for compliance and maintaining a healthy work environment.

One action small business owners can take:

According to David Dilger, one action a small business owner should take is to implement regular one-on-one meetings with employees, as this fosters open communication, builds trust, and helps identify and address psychosocial risks early.

Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximize your time.

Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. 👇

Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

You get the culture you deserve—leaders shape it every day – David Dilger

The most powerful tool in management is a regular one-on-one – David Dilger

If you don’t understand people, you don’t understand business – David Dilger