The Business Behind Your Business - Real Advice to Help Small Business Owners Build, Lead and Thrive
Conversations to help your business grow and thrive — like having your own board of expert advisors in your pocket.
The Business Behind Your Business is the go-to podcast for small business owners who want practical guidance, clearer decision-making, and strategies that actually work in the real world.
Hosted by Paul Sweeney, each 15–30 minute episode takes you behind the scenes of how small businesses grow, lead teams, manage money, and solve the problems that keep owners up at night. Whether you’re running a team of one or twenty, you’ll find relatable stories, expert insights, and tools you can put into action straight away.
From improving cash flow and pricing for value to building systems, reducing overwhelm, and preparing for long-term success, our guests share straightforward advice without the jargon.
What you’ll learn:
* How small businesses make money — and where they lose it
* Leadership and team-building strategies that actually work
* Smart marketing ideas for busy owners
* Financial planning and forecasting explained simply
* How to scale without burning out
* What successful businesses do differently behind the scenes
If you want your business to run better, grow stronger, and give you more freedom, this show gives you the practical steps and confidence to make it happen — one smart decision at a time.
Subscribe and join thousands of business owners who are building better businesses, not just bigger ones.
Episodes
209 episodes
From Bottleneck to Freedom: How to Reclaim Your Time Without Slowing Growth
Most business owners don’t start their companies dreaming of 80-hour weeks, missed family milestones, and being trapped as the bottleneck — yet that’s exactly where many end up. This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur who feels time-...
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Episode 209
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35:19
Disruption by Design: How to Stop Tech Projects from Failing
If you’ve ever wondered why digital transformation projects fail or felt unsure about what “disruption” actually means, this episode brings much-needed clarity. You’ll learn the difference between digitalisation, transformation, and disruption ...
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Episode 208
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34:14
Scaling Without Compromise: How PLNT Burger Grows With Purpose
If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s truly possible to grow and scale a business without compromising on the values it was founded on, this episode will give you the blueprint. In today’s conversation, you’ll learn how PLNT Burger has expanded ...
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Episode 207
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28:21
Global Opportunities: How to Sell to the US Federal Government From Anywhere
If you’ve ever assumed that American government contracts are only for big companies—or only for businesses based in the United States—this episode will change everything you think you know. In this eye-opening conversation, you’ll learn how yo...
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Episode 206
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31:10
From Invisible to In-Demand: How to Make Your Business Impossible to Ignore
If you’ve ever felt frustrated because you know your business offers something incredible—but the world isn’t noticing—this episode is for you. Many business owners excel at creating a great product or delivering exceptional service, y...
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Episode 205
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29:46
The Biggest Payday You’re Not Ready For: How to Prepare Your Business for Sale
If you’re a business owner, one day you will exit your business — whether by choice or circumstance. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: most business owners are not ready when that moment arrives. And that lack of preparation could co...
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Episode 204
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27:11
The Hidden Cost of Cost Cutting: Why Businesses Need a Better Strategy
Running a business often comes with the constant pressure to reduce expenses and improve profit. But what if cost cutting alone isn’t the right answer? What if the real opportunity lies in rethinking how you resource, structure, and in...
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Episode 203
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31:50
Clean Up Your Business: Fix Your Data, Fix Your Decisions
Running a business becomes overwhelming when your data, systems, and processes slip into chaos—making it harder to make smart decisions, stay profitable, and plan for the future. In this episode, you’ll learn exactly how to clean up your busine...
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Episode 202
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29:29
Bootstrapping a Start-Up: Real Lessons from a $30M Founder
If you’ve ever wondered how to scale your business from a solo operation to a multimillion-dollar enterprise — without outside investors — this episode is for you. Bryan Clayton, CEO and co-founder of GreenPal, joins host Paul Sweeney to share ...
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Episode 201
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37:42
Delegate Up, Not Down: The Secret to Founder Freedom
What if your business could run smoothly—even grow—without you being the one to make every decision, solve every problem, or put out every fire? It’s not a fantasy. It’s completely possible. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Busin...
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Episode 200
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32:26
Stop Waiting for the Bank: Smarter Ways to Fund Your Business
If you’ve ever struggled to find funding for your start-up or early-stage business, this episode is for you. Many founders assume that capital raising is only for big corporations or venture-backed tech firms—but as Dr David Cunic reveals, smal...
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Episode 199
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37:30
They’ll Fight Over It When You’re Gone: Building a Legacy with Dave Munson
What if your business was built to outlast you? In this inspiring episode, Dave Munson, founder of Saddleback Leather Company, shares how he turned a simple idea for a long-lasting leather bag into a global brand known for its craftsmanship, pu...
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Episode 198
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33:47
Transform Your LinkedIn: How AI Can Build Your Personal Brand
Are you treating your LinkedIn profile like just another digital résumé? If so, you’re missing one of the most powerful business tools available. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Al...
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Episode 197
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27:00
ESG Made Simple: A Roadmap for Small Business Success
If you think ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) only applies to big corporations, think again. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney welcomes back author and small business champion Bronwyn Re...
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Episode 196
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35:31
From Architecture to Real Estate: The Power of Vertical Integration
Building a business that lasts isn’t about luck, start-up capital, or chasing every new trend—it’s about discipline, structure, and creating harmony between your work and personal life. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business
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Episode 195
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39:31
How to Keep Your Human Voice in a Digital-First World
In today’s digital world, it’s easy to get caught up in chasing algorithms and producing content at scale—only to lose sight of the real goal: connecting with people. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Swee...
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Episode 194
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31:49
Niche Marketing: Why Less Is More for Business Growth
In today’s digital world, standing out as a small business feels harder than ever. Between endless noise, flashy marketing tactics, and conflicting advice, many business owners are left frustrated with wasted time and money. But what if narrowi...
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Episode 193
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30:30
Unlocking Hidden Value: Turning Your Business Into an Asset
Too many business owners chase revenue while overlooking the bigger picture—building wealth and long-term value. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney speaks with Stephanie Hayes, business and exit str...
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Episode 192
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28:35
Why Sales Don’t Equal Success (and What to Focus on Instead)
Are you chasing sales but still struggling to see money in the bank? In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business Podcast, financial strategist and Profit First professional Pam Jordan explains why focusing on revenue alone is ...
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Episode 191
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28:08
From Idea to Market: How to Use Intellectual Property to Drive Growth
If you’ve ever had a great idea for a product or brand but weren’t sure how to protect it—or whether it was even worth pursuing—this episode will change how you think about intellectual property. In this conversation, Paul Sweeney speaks with J...
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Episode 190
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35:40
The Prosperity Plan: Preparing Your Business for the Next Generation
Succession planning isn’t just about passing on a business—it’s about protecting your legacy, preserving value, and ensuring the people you care about aren’t left scrambling when you’re gone. In this episode of The Business Behi...
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Episode 189
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31:59
Permission to Be Imperfect: A Real Talk on Parenting & Business
Can you really be a great entrepreneur and a present parent at the same time?In this heartfelt and honest episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney is joined by Dan Peterson — founder of Flip Switch ...
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Episode 188
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31:17
The LinkedIn Mistake Most Business Owners Make (And How to Fix It)
What if your next great client is already looking at your LinkedIn profile—right now—and you’re sending them away?In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with LinkedIn strategist and aut...
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Episode 187
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29:47
How to Win Again: Business Strategy Inspired by Sport
If you’ve ever played a sport—and especially if you’ve tried to turn your sporting passion into a business—this episode is a must-listen. Paul Sweeney sits down with Pete Moore, founder of Integrity Square and the driving force behind the HALO ...
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Episode 186
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29:28
Feeling Stuck? How to Break Through with Your Unique Leadership Style
Are you feeling stuck in your business—like you're pushing a boulder uphill with no reward in sight? In this episode, business coach and leadership expert Liz Wolfe joins host Paul Sweeney to unpack why hard work isn’t always the answer, and ho...
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Episode 185
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32:42
