Episodes

As a business grows, the owner who once made everything move faster can become its biggest bottleneck. Here’s how owner dependency develops, why hiring more people doesn’t necessarily solve it, and what it takes to build a business that can operate without you.

As businesses grow, they naturally add customers, products, people, vendors, systems, and exceptions. But all that growth can create hidden costs. This episode explores where business complexity hides, how it affects profitability, and why sometimes a better business is a simpler one.

A great customer can drive growth, improve utilization, and create opportunity. But what happens when your business begins depending on them? This episode explores customer concentration, hidden profitability, negotiating leverage, and the difference between a valuable relationship and a dangerous dependency.

This week, enjoy an Encore presentation of one of the most popular episodes from the Things Entrepreneurs Should Know archives. Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or revisiting a classic, I hope you enjoy this timeless advice for business owners. I’ll be back next week with a brand new episode. Feeling the emotional whiplash of running your business? You're not alone. In this episode we deliver invaluable insights to help you conquer stress, tackle burnout, and overcome the fear of f...

Cash flow crunch got you sweating? You’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. In this episode, Chip Schweiger cuts through the fluff and lays out exactly how unsecured lending can be a smart, strategic move for growth-minded business owners. Forget the stigma and scare tactics. Chip breaks down: Why even healthy businesses hit cash flow walls How unsecured lending works (and why it’s not just for the desperate) The right—and wrong—ways to use fast capital The must-know check...

Profit doesn't usually disappear because of one dramatic mistake. More often, it leaks away through pricing, inefficiency, overlooked costs, and decisions that seem insignificant on their own. This episode looks at where those leaks occur—and why owners often miss them.

Cash flow tells you more than whether there's enough money in the bank. It reveals how the business is operating, where pressure is building, and which choices may be coming next. Understanding it gives an owner something especially valuable: time to act.

Reducing taxes can be a worthwhile goal, but it shouldn't become the goal of the business. This episode looks at common tax-driven decisions and why owners should consider cash flow, growth, risk, and long-term value before allowing the tax consequences to drive the strategy.

An eventual exit may be years away, but the decisions that determine what a business is worth happen much earlier. This episode explores why thinking about the end can help owners build stronger, more transferable, and ultimately more valuable businesses today.

Running a business can create a particular kind of pressure, one that follows an owner long after the workday ends. This episode looks at recognizing stress and burnout, managing their effects, and building the resilience needed to lead effectively over the long haul.

Delegation isn't simply handing someone a task. Done well, it requires matching responsibility with authority, expectations, and accountability. This episode explores four levels of delegation and how owners can gradually build a business that depends less on their involvement in every decision.

A 13-week cash flow forecast isn't valuable because it predicts the future perfectly. It's valuable because it forces you to see what's coming. This episode explains how a rolling short-term forecast can expose problems earlier and give owners more time to make better decisions.

Private companies don't need the bureaucracy of public ones, but some public-company disciplines can make a business considerably stronger. This episode examines how better reporting, governance, accountability, and financial discipline can help owners build an organization with greater durability and transferable value.

The risks that hurt a business aren't always the ones an owner is watching. Customers, employees, cash, contracts, operations, and outside events can each create vulnerabilities. This episode looks at identifying those exposures early and making the business more resilient before something goes wrong.

Forming an LLC or corporation doesn't automatically protect an owner's personal assets forever. That protection has to be maintained. This episode looks at the everyday practices that help preserve the separation between owner and company—and the seemingly small mistakes that can put it at risk.

Could understanding the difference between business and personal credit be the game-changer your business needs? In this episode of Things Entrepreneurs Should Know, I unravel the essential steps to building robust business credit. We kick things off by exploring why separating your business and personal finances is crucial, followed by practical advice on registering your business, opening a business bank account, and obtaining a DUNS number (get yours here). We’ll also dive into the importanc...

Can mastering accounts receivable management really supercharge your business's cash flow? Find out as we unpack the essential strategies for optimizing your receivables process and boosting your financial health. In this episode, Chip breaks down the nuts and bolts of accounts receivable—from setting clear payment terms and ensuring invoice accuracy to utilizing technology for efficiency. You'll discover why managing AR is not just a back-office function but a critical element in sustaining you...

Feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of business borrowing? We're here to guide you through the labyrinth of different borrowing options available to entrepreneurs. This episode of is all about demystifying the process of borrowing, enabling you to make smart and informed decisions for your business. We decode everything from traditional bank loans, SBA loans, business lines of credit to invoice factoring, giving you the essential low-down on eligibility criteria, interest rates, repayment te...

Ever wondered why some entrepreneurs seem to sail effortlessly towards their goals, while others keep treading water? It's all tied to an intriguing blend of motivation, focus, drive, and a sprinkle of something we'll call grace. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the science of achievement to reveal three key steps that can pave your path to success. We also delve into a surprising research study that reveals a simple trick which could double your chances of transforming your business...

Ever wondered what the secret sauce is that makes some companies more valuable than others in the same industry? This episode of Things Entrepreneurs Should Know could hold the answers you've been looking for. With nuggets of wisdom drawn from transactional data of over 55,000 businesses, we explore ten attributes that can push your company's value beyond that of its peers, even if you're not looking to sell. If you're interested in measuring your company against your peers, a Value Builder Sc...

Ever wondered about the best business structure for your startup while navigating the maze of tax implications? Well, look no further. We’re shining a light on the complexities of business entities and legal considerations that often befuddle even the brightest of minds. We discuss the limitations of sole proprietorship, analyze the ease of setting up an LLC, and explore the tax advantages of C and S Corporations. This episode is your golden ticket to understanding the intricate world of busine...

[ORIGINALLY AIRED AUGUST 3, 2022] Strapped for strategies to keep your business afloat during these tumultuous times? Imagine if you could have a roadmap to deftly navigate the stormy waters of economic downturns. In this episode of Things Entrepreneurs Should Know, your host, Chip Schweiger, provides just that. He shares five invaluable pieces of wisdom that gleaned over his years advising entrepreneurs. We discuss smart staffing strategies, the importance of turnarounds, and the value of consi...

What's the secret to having autonomous employees and running an efficient business? The answer lies in properly documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Welcome back to another episode of Things Entrepreneurs Should Know, where we're breaking down the art of SOPs. From customer service to logo usage, every nook and cranny of your operations should be covered. But remember, SOPs shouldn’t be generic templates that dissolve your brand's uniqueness. They should be a mirror of your brand ide...

Ever wondered how to build a business that’s designed to sell and deliver consistent customer experiences? Join Chip Schweiger and unravel the secret that successful businesses swear by - Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This is the first episode of a two-part series where Chip discusses the instrumental role SOPs play in structuring businesses and the power they possess in guaranteeing happy customers and more entrepreneurial freedom. Listen in to understand how SOPs minimize time spent pr...