Stagione 1
Brand Development
The Feasibility Study
Market Research
Become an Expert
What is The Elevator Pitch?
The Cost of Isolation in Business
Today we take a look at how to develop your brand, and the importance of doing so. Scott and John also get into a conversation about Seasonal businesses and their models.
Today's episode is all about the Feasibility Study. This is the study you want to conduct to see if your idea is even feasible as a business. After that we talk about the importance of reliability in business, before also talking about how the IRS hiring a bunch of agents, doesn't really affect you.
Today Scott and John share with you the importance of doing your Market Research. It wouldn't be wise to start a business in a market that isn't right for your particular business, or a market that is too saturated. How do you know which is which? Market Research is how you find out. They also get into a discussion on "Tipflation" and some Successes and Failures as well!
In this episode, Scott and John break down the importance of becoming an expert in your business. We also look at some ways to protect yourself and your business from scammers.
In the first episode we break down our first step in Phase 1 (The Planning Phase) of starting a business, and that's how to develop an Elevator Pitch, and why that's important. Scott and John then get into a discussion about the customer experience, before finally sharing some failures and success stories of their own. The Turtlesmith Podcast is aimed at people who want to take their step into entrepreneurship, and start a small business. We get into everything from Business strategies, actionable advice, taxes, and all the things it takes to build a profitable business. In our weekly episodes, we break down a step by step plan across 3 phases. Our motto is "Get Rich Slow". Tune in with Scott Hess, an expert tax accountant and business consultant, and John Barton, serial entrepreneur and business man, as we tackle the mystery and break down the walls of information to help you reach your dreams.
Join Scott Hess (Tax & Business Consultant) and John Barton (Small Business Owner) as they explore why 27% of small businesses lack professional advisors and how isolation costs entrepreneurs time, money, and growth. Episode Highlights: [0:00] Introduction & episode overview [1:33] The cost of doing it all yourself - why isolation is hurting small businesses [3:43] Defining small business: What revenue range are we really talking about? [6:06] Why most businesses lack professional advisors (and how many actually do) [9:29] The fractional C-suite strategy: Getting CFO-level advice without the CFO salary [11:05] Why business owners remain optimistic despite complexity and challenges [14:46] The "empire is far away" principle: What actually affects your business vs. what doesn't [19:37] John's story: Losing a major deal and the lesson learned about contracts [23:35] Three pillars of your advisory board: Financial, Legal, and Growth Strategy [29:00] ROI on professional advice: How one good tip pays for an entire year [30:44] Thinking long-term: The $10K wardrobe that costs $1,250/year [31:17] How to know if your advisor is actually good [32:08] Actionable steps: The blind spot audit and finding your advisors [34:00] The accidental discovery: How John found Scott (and what makes a great advisor) [37:20] The abundance mentality in business networking [38:23] SBA SCORE program: Free help from retired executives [38:40] Budgeting for expertise: Treating professional fees as growth insurance [39:29] Recap: From optimism to action [41:20] Learning to delegate and let go [42:23] Closing quote and final thoughts Connect with us: All socials: @turtlesmithok Website: www.turtlesmith.com Key Takeaway: You can't do it all alone. Building a network of professional advisors (fractional CFO, legal counsel, growth strategist) isn't an expense—it's growth insurance. Start by identifying what keeps you up at night, then find one or two professionals to fill those gaps.
In this hard-hitting episode, Scott Hess and John Barton tackle one of the most controversial topics affecting American small businesses today: immigration enforcement and its economic ripple effects. 📍 TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Introduction Meet the hosts and learn what's on deck for this episode 3:27 - History of Immigration Laws From open borders to the Chinese Exclusion Act—how we got here 4:43 - Modern Immigration System Why today's quota system is completely disconnected from labor reality 7:00 - ICE and Immigration Enforcement The 2003 creation of ICE and what it actually does (and doesn't do) 9:56 - Legal vs Illegal Entry Two paths, one broken system—and the rise of "quasi-slave labor" 15:43 - Economic Impact of Undocumented Workers 8 million workers, $96.7 billion in taxes, and the quota system forcing agents to target the "lowest hanging fruit" 18:28 - ICE Raids and Their Consequences How fear is destroying trust, community safety, and local economies 19:59 - Economic Consequences Georgia lost $180M in crops. Your strawberries might cost $30 each. Here's why. 33:33 - Effects on Small Businesses Real stories: 50% revenue drops, empty restaurants, and the math that doesn't lie 41:49 - Closing Thoughts A plea for rational reform over heavy-handed tactics 🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS: ✓ Undocumented workers contribute $96.7B annually in taxes ✓ Current enforcement targets people doing things "the right way" ✓ Small businesses seeing 50%+ revenue drops as Latino customers stay home ✓ Hospitality, agriculture, and construction industries face collapse ✓ We need immigration reform that doesn't rely on fear and oppression Connect with Turtle Smith: 🌐 TurtleSmith.com 📱 @TurtleSmithok on all socials 🎥 Live Q&A every Thursday at 4:30 PM Central on YouTube @turtlesmithok