This year will be the year for small business growth. And we couldn't bring you a better expert on growing your small business than Darlene Ziebell, Prominent Entrepreneur, Business Consultant, and Business Strategy Specialist, and the author of “A Dozen Avalanches Threaten Small Business: Which One Will Bury You Alive?”
In this episode, we will be providing information on the issues that challenge small business owners. Plus focus on the top tips for foundation building, vision, and success in the new year.
We are going to focus on three phases of developing/sustaining a business ~ tips that you can use in growing your business in the new year:
First ~ how do we get it started?
Second ~ how do we make it a reality?
Third ~ do we exit, or do we grow, or both?
The first questions a potential business owner will ask themself include “…how do I get this entity started and off the ground?” We delve into this phase – taking an idea from paper to structure.
Once an individual has a good understanding of what path they will take, they need to create the company – basically, they are creating the operational pieces. This second phase is making the business a reality ~ where do they start and how do they evaluate their progress?
The third phase may come as a surprise to listeners! Darlene has mentioned that every business plan has to have an exit strategy…..seems like you are closing it down before it actually gets started! Why is this needed so early in the planning? Shouldn’t we be focusing on growing the business?
Money is the top issue for every business. Are some funders open to small businesses and are some to be avoided? How can you provide yourself with a level-playing field in borrowing money – is it harder or easier for smaller businesses?
Darlene provides her expertise to female-owned businesses, through her nonprofit, the “Center for Women Business Owners”. It is extremely difficult to be successful as a female owner. What are the top tips for female-owned businesses?
One of the most sensitive topics of small business is the notion of “succession” or “preservation planning.” How does a small business owner meet such challenges?
Resources for the top tips mentioned in the podcast.
https://darleneziebell.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/darleneziebell/
darlene@darleneziebell.com
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Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.
Copyright 2026 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson
