Fractional COO Guy Beretta, explains how small businesses can stop firefighting and scale with structure.The COO guy shares a practical playbook; start with your P&L, clarify the owner’s vision, run dual SWOTs (owner and business), and set a weekly 90-minute execution rhythm. We cover picking the right fractional leader, common franchise/real-estate ops pitfalls, and why fundamentals beat AI hype. Walk away with steps to streamline operations, grow revenue, and build toward a succession or exit.

Breanna shares her inspiring journey from receptionist to founder of a multi-state HR consulting firm. She discusses the most common HR challenges small businesses face; compliance gaps, employee-relations issues, and why clear expectations and professional guidance are essential. Breanna explains how her personalized, people-first approach combines technology with genuine human connection. She also offers practical advice for business owners: seek mentorship, set expectations early, and focus on long-term relationships. Her firm helps businesses nationwide build compliant, sustainable, and employee-centered workplaces.

Eric is a former videographer who turned his creative eye toward marketing and went on to found Solid House Marketing. Today, he works as a fractional CMO for small businesses, helping them scale by building the foundations that make marketing truly work - optimized websites, CRM and lead capture systems, data tracking, SEO, aligned channel strategies, and a clear sales process. His approach blends AI automations with authentic storytelling, ensuring both efficiency and a human touch. Many of his clients are referral-driven companies eager to grow but lacking the systems to consistently capture and convert high-quality leads. What sets Eric apart is his holistic, consultative style. He ensures email, ads, and messaging all reinforce the same story, while also organizing founders’ scattered ideas into actionable roadmaps that he personally implements. His advice is simple but powerful - if you’re aiming big, don’t shy away from investing heavily in what works to build long-term enterprise value. If you’re just starting out, get a coach, say yes to opportunities to learn, then niche down and start saying no to scale.

Aashi Arora specializes in helping practices and health organizations turn difficult dynamics into aligned, high-performing teams. Most business problems are people problems. If you don’t define your culture and values, they get defined for you, creating conflict, misaligned expectations, and stalled decisions. Some of the key takeaways are:

• Culture first, not last: Clarify mission, vision, and a few lived values before problems arise.
• Recruit for fit, not just skill: Screen for soft skills and emotional intelligence against your stated values.
• Name the right problem: Surface issues (billing, EMR burden, payer mix) often mask root causes (misalignment, unclear expectations, unsafe communication).
• Strengths-based change: Focus on what’s working, using positive psychology to reach outcomes faster.
• Structure matters: Build measurable Individual/Team Development Plans.
• Leaders must thrive to lead: Invest in well-being across financial, career, physical, community, social; poor emotional regulation from burnout cascades to teams.
• Even top performers need help: Like elite athletes, great leaders surround themselves with complementary support and asking for help is a strength.

Nathan Jines is a 5th-generation real estate professional with family roots back to the 1870s (great-great-grandfather sold Texas land for $2/acre). He attributes his success to relentlessly focusing on clients’ real needs, demonstrating genuine care, and bringing deep expertise, rather than chasing shortcuts. He emphasizes that empathy and competence are essential when guiding clients through one of the most significant financial transactions of their lives.

To ensure positive outcomes, Nathan leverages a full bench of professionals; estate planners, family-law attorneys, CPAs, wealth advisors, and more—so that every detail is handled with precision.

He also shared practical tips for choosing the right realtor:

• Interview multiple agents to compare experience and style.

• Look for a broker’s license and top-tier performance (e.g., top ~1–1.5% nationally).

• Confirm a dedicated team, not just a large brokerage headcount.

• Seek a fiduciary mindset, with the ability to identify and fill blind spots (estate plan reviews, tax implications, property tax considerations, etc.).

• Avoid focusing only on the lowest commission, since saving a few thousand may cost you $100k+ in lost value.

Small businesses often fail because owners dive into their ventures with a product or service they love, but without a solid business plan. While they may try marketing through channels like social media or online ads, their messaging often falls flat, failing to clearly communicate the value they offer. The key to success lies in creating a strong, market-dominating position that sets you apart and makes it clear why clients should choose you over competitors. Without this, many entrepreneurs fall into the trap of lowering prices to attract customers, which leads to frustration and burnout.

The solution is simple: if you are struggling, accept that you need help and talk to someone who can help. One can hire a coach with experience who understands the intricacies of building a market-dominating position. This expert can help you identify what makes your business unique and guide you in taking small, consistent steps toward improvement. Business growth doesn’t happen through giant leaps; it's an evolution, not a revolution. Before diving into strategies like upselling or drip marketing, you must first establish a strong foundation with clear messaging that aligns with your market-dominating position.

To find the right coach, seek referrals from others who have used coaches successfully. Pay close attention to their track record and ensure they have a deep understanding of the full business approach, not just individual tactics. Harm believes in continuous learning, emphasizing that expertise in your field is vital for long-term success. With the right coach and a focused strategy, you can build a strong foundation for sustainable growth and profitability.

Many people invest to secure their future and ensure a comfortable retirement. Denis emphasizes the importance of working with a certified financial planner—someone you trust, connect with, and feel confident will prioritize your best interests. With just over 100,000 certified financial planners in the U.S., finding the right professional can make all the difference. Financial planning involves numerous variables, such as determining the right amount of liquid assets, considering health and life expectancy, and preparing for a secure retirement. Denis advises keeping it simple: hire an expert to guide you toward success.

Selling a business is not the same as running one, especially for first-time small business sellers. The challenges? Plenty.

Small businesses often come with risks that can make buyers cautious. Common concerns include:

• Heavy reliance on the owner without an empowered second layer of management
• Revenue concentrated in a few clients
• High employee turnover

Additionally, sellers may have higher valuation expectations, but is the deal easy to finance?

This is where the expertise of a seasoned business broker becomes invaluable. A good broker brings:

• A buyer’s perspective to evaluate the business objectively
• The ability to close the deal, which is more important than finding the highest offer
• The experience to educate, communicate, and simplify complex transactions

It takes years of relevant experience and closing numerous deals to become a trustworthy broker who can ensure a smooth sale—even for businesses with unique challenges.