The How of Business - How to start, run, grow and exit a small business.

• 588 – Bookkeeping Essentials with Jodi Arrant

  Bookkeeping essentials for small business with Jodi Arrant, including best practices, and the biggest mistakes to avoid in small-business bookkeeping. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/588-jody-arrant-bookkeeping-essentials/ This episode brings a practical deep dive into small-business bookkeeping with financial professional Jodi Arrant, who shares her journey, best practices, and the most common bookkeeping mistakes business owners make. Henry and Jodi talk through essential topics like proper transaction categorization, the differences between Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet statements, and why regular bank reconciliation protects business owners from costly errors. They also discuss key year-end tasks, including cleaning up uncategorized expenses, preparing for 1099s, and reviewing financial reports before tax time. "Accurate coding and regular reconciliation are everything - your books simply can't be trusted without them," Jodi explains, offering practical advice for business owners who want cleaner books and clearer financial insights. Jodi Arrant is the founder of J. Arrant Consulting, a bookkeeping and financial operations firm based in Eugene, Oregon. With over 17 years of experience in bookkeeping, payroll, and QuickBooks consulting, she helps small business owners gain clarity, confidence, and organization in their financial systems. Jodi specializes in simplifying bookkeeping for entrepreneurs so they can focus on growing their small businesses. This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

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• 587 – Eisenhower Matrix Prioritization

  How to use the Eisenhower Matrix to cut through chaos, focus on what truly matters, and make faster, smarter decisions as a small business owner. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/587-eisenhower-matrix-prioritization/ Feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list? In this episode, Henry Lopez explains how to use the Eisenhower Matrix—a simple yet powerful framework—to prioritize your daily tasks and regain control of your time. Originally developed by Dwight D. Eisenhower and later popularized by Stephen Covey in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the matrix helps business owners separate what's urgent from what's important, so they can focus on activities that truly move their business forward instead of reacting to every fire. Henry walks through how this framework complements the Big Rocks time management approach (Episode 569) and why most entrepreneurs mistakenly live in "urgent mode," constantly firefighting instead of leading strategically. He also shares how the Eisenhower Matrix inspired the creation of his free Task Management Tool, co-developed with his son-in-law, Colin Rhoades, using AI technology. "What is important is seldom urgent, and what is urgent is seldom important." — Dwight D. Eisenhower Henry and Colin also discuss how AI made it possible to create this simple browser-based productivity tool in just a few hours - proof that automation can make business life simpler in more ways than one. Listen to learn how to: Reduce overwhelm by categorizing tasks by urgency and importance. Identify your "Big Rocks" and schedule them intentionally. Use the Eisenhower Matrix for daily and even hourly decision-making... This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

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• R393 – Rethinking Hourly Worker Motivation

  Motivating hourly employees starts with a mindset shift. To do it well, it requires rethinking how we lead, communicate, and create purpose for hourly workers. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r393-rethinking-hourly-worker-motivation/ Host Henry Lopez and his original co-host and business partner David Begin explore what it really takes to motivate, manage, and retain hourly or minimum-wage employees. Drawing from years of experience leading both corporate teams and blue-collar workforces, Henry and David reveal why so many entrepreneurs struggle when managing hourly staff and how a simple but powerful mindset shift can change everything. They share practical advice for: Understanding what truly motivates hourly workers beyond money. Creating a culture of respect, flexibility, and recognition. Building better systems for onboarding, training, and communication. Keeping your business both enjoyable to own and a great place to work. If your business employs and depends on hiring and retaining hourly wage employees, this conversation will help you build a happier, more reliable team by understanding what motivates them.. This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

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• 586 – The Power of Play in Business with Cas Holman

  Toy designer and educator Cas Holman explores how embracing play can unlock creativity, reduce stress, and help small business owners reframe failure as part of growth. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/586-cas-holman-play-in-business/ Cas Holman, renowned toy designer, educator, and author of Playful: How Play Shifts Our Thinking, Inspires Connection, and Sparks Creativity, shares with host Henry Lopez how play isn't just for children. It's a powerful mindset for entrepreneurs. From her early projects like Rigamajig and playful installations at New York's High Line to working with teams at Google, Nike, and the LEGO Foundation, Cas has made a career out of turning curiosity and experimentation into design breakthroughs. Cas and Henry discuss how small business owners can benefit from a more playful approach to work, shifting from rigid outcomes to exploration and possibility. Cas explains her "three essentials for adults to relearn play": release judgment, embrace possibility, and reframe success. Together they reveal how these principles foster innovation, collaboration, and agility - qualities essential for thriving in today's rapidly changing business environment. "The most important thing any human can be right now is flexible," Cas shares. "A playful mindset makes us more creative, more agile, and more open to what's possible." You will be inspired to integrate play into small business meetings, problem-solving, and daily business life. Transforming creativity from a childhood memory into a strategic advantage. Cas Holman is an award-winning toy designer, educator, and author. Founder and Chief Designer of Heroes Will Rise and creator of the acclaimed Rigamajig building kits, her work focuses on the combination of creativity, design, and learning through play. Formerly a professor of Industrial Design at the Rhode Island School of Design, Cas now consults with companies and teams around the world, including Google, Nike, and Disney Imagineering, on the power of play to inspire innovation. This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

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• 585 – Crafting Your Sales Pitch

  Learn a simple, repeatable framework for crafting an effective sales pitch that connects, communicates value, and inspires action. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/585-crafting-your-sales-pitch/ Crafting an effective sales pitch isn't about being slick or persuasive - it's about clarity, empathy, and storytelling. In this episode, host Henry Lopez breaks down how small business owners can build a compelling sales pitch using a customer-centered approach inspired in part by Donald Miller's book Building a StoryBrand. Henry explains that every great sales pitch starts with understanding your audience (your ideal client or avatar), defining their problem, and showing how your solution helps them win. You will learn six core elements of every great pitch: Audience, Problem, Solution, Differentiator, Proof, and Call to Action.  Then, Henry walks through a five-step process that will help you craft and use an effective sales pitch for your small business. Drawing insights from past guests like Andy Paul, Carole Mahoney, and Ryan Dohrn, Henry shows that clarity and empathy consistently outperform clever slogans and aggressive selling. Whether you're refining your elevator pitch, rewriting your website copy, or preparing for a formal sales presentation, this episode gives you the structure to tell your business story with confidence and authenticity." This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

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