This special episode of Small Business School was recorded live at the High Vibe Women event—and let me tell you, the energy in the room was electric! I had the absolute joy of sitting down with Julie Cole, co-founder of Mabel’s Labels, mom of six, bestselling author, and all-around force. She shared how a product idea born out of her own family chaos turned into a beloved brand known across North America. We dove into her story, her mindset, and the lessons she’s learned about building a business with heart (and humour).

Key topics covered:

• How Mabel’s Labels went from a basement startup to a multimillion-dollar brand
• What it really looks like to grow a business while raising six kids (and why Julie gave up mom guilt 5 kids ago!)
• Visibility, community, and building a brand people connect with—especially in today’s noisy world
• The importance of delegating, hiring help, and knowing when to get out of your own way
• Productivity hacks, mindset shifts, and prepping for an exit—even if you're not there yet

Julie’s real-talk and unapologetic approach will leave you inspired and ready to take your next step—whatever that looks like for you. Whether you’re just starting or scaling, this one’s full of gold.

Connect with Julie:

Website: https://mabelslabels.ca/

Instagram: @juliecoleinc

High Vibe Women: Empowering Events for High Vibe Female Entrepreneurs

Website: https://www.highvibewomen.ca/

Instagram: @highvibe.women

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

In this episode of Business Builders, I’m sharing a little pep talk I honestly needed for myself too. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in the weeds, or like your team can’t move without you — this one’s for you. We’re talking about the shift from being the do-it-all operator to becoming the strategic CEO your business actually needs. I’ll walk you through what it means to delegate with confidence, build trust in your systems, and finally stop being the glue that’s holding everything together (in the not-so-good way).

Key topics covered:

• How to know if you might be the bottleneck in your business
• Simple mindset shifts to move from operator to true visionary leader
• Tips for delegating with trust (not guilt!) and empowering your team
• Creating repeatable systems that let you scale without cloning yourself
• The “Not Me List” homework that’ll free up your time — starting this week

If you've ever felt like you're the only one who can do things "right" — this episode will lovingly challenge that belief. Let’s grow through it together. 💪

Challenge

Make a “Not Me” list. Identify 3 tasks you’re currently doing that someone else could take over. Choose one and document or delegate it this week.

Mentioned in this episode: If you are running a business in Canada and you need help with all the things accounting related, but more importantly understanding the numbers I invite you to check out https://thriveaccounting.co/

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

In this episode of Small Business School, I sit down with Puja Malhotra, brand strategist and founder of ROOP Creative Agency. We get real about what it actually means to show up authentically online, why branding is more than just visuals, and how you can build a business that aligns with your life—not just your to-do list. This convo is a must-listen if you’ve ever felt pressure to be louder, do more, or market to everyone. Puja brings the calm, thoughtful vibes and major wisdom on how to stand out by being exactly who you are.

Key topics covered:

• Why branding is really a self-discovery journey (and why it’s okay to feel a little lost at times)
• How introverts can show up online in a way that feels right—without faking it
• Why personal and cultural identity play a big role in how you build a brand
• The power of getting clear on your “why” before diving into a full brand strategy
• How branding isn’t about constant rebranding, but building a solid foundation you can expand from

Mentioned in this episode: Find your entrepreneurial soulmates. Join the exclusive community of Canadian women entrepreneurs. Imagine finding your Work Wives™ who share the same bold, ambitious, entrepreneurial goals.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__workwives.co&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=NgHx3ikc5TkuG2GbHk3F2xqAsEGb-mzfBI-Gys9vwYw&m=88CFq1oXxvHuveOHhLqQahTlm82SwWEfbi-P5aAdEDNKAzlUZcOm7G4LsPuYfzzq&s=ZGabyIGi8QeCQWYPVZP87NbEpvjTAj7omZneLouM2BQ&e=

Connect with Puja

• Website: ROOP Creative Agency
• Instagram & Threads: @roopcreativeagency

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

In this episode of Small Business School, I’m joined by the brilliant Quinn Tempest—business and brand strategist, founder of Create Your Purpose, and all-around champion for purpose-led entrepreneurship. We dive deep into burnout, business evolution, and what it really means to grow a sustainable business that doesn’t drain the life out of you. If you’ve ever hit a wall in your business and thought, “What now?”—this conversation is for you.

Key topics covered:

• Why burnout isn’t always a red flag—sometimes, it’s a signal that you’re ready to evolve
• The real difference between hustle that helps vs. hustle that hurts
• Moving from “doing it all” to stepping into your role as the leader of your business
• How to refine your vision, reset your purpose, and reclaim your energy
• Why nuance in business advice matters more than ever (spoiler: it’s not one-size-fits-all)

Plus, Quinn shares a free tool to help you set purposeful priorities and make decisions with clarity (check it out at quinntempest.com/priority)

Connect with Quinn

• Website: https://quinntempest.com/
• Instagram: @quinn.tempest

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Welcome back to Small Business School! In this episode of Business Builders, we’re diving into a topic that’s going to hit home for a lot of entrepreneurs: creating predictable revenue. If you’ve ever felt like your income is a rollercoaster—big sales one month, crickets the next—you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. We’re diving into the importance of predictable revenue, the three best ways to create consistent income, and how to stabilize your cash flow for long-term growth.

Key topics covered:

• The truth about unpredictable revenue and why it holds your business back
• The power of predictable income and how it improves decision-making and reduces stress
• 3 main types of predictable revenue streams: subscriptions/retainers, evergreen offers, and repeat client relationships
• Real-world examples of how ANY business—product or service-based—can create stable income
• Actionable steps to analyze your income and start building a revenue strategy that smooths out the highs and lows

Challenge:

Analyze your past 12 months of revenue and identify one way to make it more predictable—whether through a subscription model, an evergreen offer, or better client retention.

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Emily Van Straten, host of Your Gen Z Coworker and founder of Think HR. We dig into the generational shift happening in the workforce and how small business owners can better understand, support, and retain Gen Z team members. From honest conversations to evolving leadership styles, Emily brings a fresh perspective that’ll leave you rethinking how you hire and lead.

Key topics covered:

• Emily’s “career bachelorette” journey and how trying 14 jobs led her to launch her HR consulting biz.
• What Gen Z is really looking for in a job—and why it’s not just about perks or pay.
• How “stay interviews” (not just exit interviews!) can massively improve retention.
• Why business owners should stop expecting employees to care as much as they do—and what to do instead.
• Practical tips for interviewing, onboarding, and creating impact—even if a team member only sticks around for a year or two.

If you’ve ever scratched your head wondering how to keep younger employees engaged, this one’s for you. Let’s stop making it “us vs. them” and start building better workplaces—together.

Connect with Emily:

• Website: www.thinkhr.ca
• Instagram: @em.thinkhr

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

Welcome back to Small Business School, Are you actively collecting feedback from your clients and team—or are you just guessing what needs improvement? I get it — hearing constructive criticism can be tough, but when you learn to ask the right questions and embrace what you hear, incredible growth follows. Tune in to discover practical tips on how to gather, analyze, and apply feedback in a way that drives your business forward.

Key topics covered:

• Asking the Right Questions: Focus on open-ended, strategic questions that reveal insights without giving away control of your business direction.
• Making Feedback Easy: Skip lengthy surveys — instead, ask simple, casual questions in conversations or emails.
• Spotting Patterns: Don’t stress over one-off complaints; pay attention to consistent feedback trends that signal real issues.
• Turning Feedback into Action: Sort insights into quick fixes, process improvements, and strategic shifts — then follow through with visible changes.

Challenge:

Ask one open-ended question to either your team or clients about how your business could improve. Write down their responses and identify one small change you can implement right away.

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!

In this episode of Small Business School, I sit down with Kelly Lorenzen, CEO of KLM Consulting. With over 22 years of business ownership experience, Kelly shares her insights on scaling a small business by focusing on what you love and outsourcing the rest. From building the right team to embracing technology, Kelly’s advice is packed with actionable steps for busy entrepreneurs.

Key topics covered:

• Outsource Smartly: Identify tasks that are repetitive and low-expertise. Document these processes through video tutorials to make delegating easier.
• Focus on Your Zone of Genius: Do what you love most in your business and hire experts for bookkeeping, marketing, and administrative work.
• Embrace Being the Face of Your Business: While you can outsource many marketing tasks, showing up personally on video, social media, and podcasts is key to building trust.
• Build a Team the Right Way: Start by creating a detailed task list, separate what requires your expertise, and delegate the rest. Hire intentionally and train effectively with SOPs.
• Embrace Technology: Don’t fear software. Implementing the right CRM and automated systems can drastically reduce manual work and improve efficiency.

Tune in for practical tips that will help you scale your business faster — and with less stress!

Connect with Kelly:

• Website: https://duplicatemyselfklm.com/
• Instagram: @dupplicatemyselfklm

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

The School for Small Business Podcast is a proud member of the Female Alliance Media.

To learn more about Female Alliance Media and how they are elevating female voices or how they can support your show, visit femalealliancemedia.ca.

Head over to my website https://www.stacimillard.com/ to grab your FREE copy of my Profit Playbook and receive 30 innovative ways you can add more profit to your business AND the first step towards implementing these ideas in your business!