The Business Behind Your Business

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 how your leadership style might be the hidden culprit holding you back. With over 25 years of experience coaching entrepreneurs, Liz shares practical strategies to help you move from frust...

If you've ever looked at your business bank account and wondered, “Where did all the money go?”—this episode is for you. Discover why so many small business owners feel frustrated when their business shows a profit on paper but has no cash to show for it. In this powerful episode, certified Profit First professional Debbie Deknight breaks down how traditional accounting sets businesses up for financial confusion—and how the Pr...

In today’s crowded digital landscape, where businesses fight for attention and AI-generated content floods every channel, one element consistently cuts through the noise: genuine emotional connection. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Geoffrey Stern, founder and CEO of Voice Express and the consumer brand VoiceGift, to explore how emotional engagement can transform even the most ...

Public speaking is no longer just for TEDx headliners or CEOs on giant stages. Whether you're pitching to clients, speaking at industry events, or simply leading a team meeting, how you communicate can determine how your business is perceived. In this episode, Carmen Sederino, founder of Illuminated Story, reveals how small and medium business owners can turn public speaking from a fear into a business growth weapon.

Carmen sha...

In an era flooded with AI-generated content and marketing noise, how do small and medium-sized businesses truly stand out? This episode delivers a fresh, deeply human perspective on how to use AI—not just to produce more content, but to create authentic connections and lasting customer loyalty. If you're overwhelmed by automation tools or worried about blending into a sea of sameness, this conversation with marketing veteran S...

If you’ve ever been frustrated by a team member, confused by a client’s behaviour, or struggled to influence outcomes in your business—this episode is for you. Host Paul Sweeney welcomes experts Josh Davis and Greg Prosmushkin to explore the power of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and how small and medium-sized business owners can use it to become more effective communicators, leaders, and decision-makers.

In this engaging and p...

How to Lead with Happiness, Hope, and Human Connection—Even in Tough Times

If you're a small or medium business owner struggling with team morale, leadership challenges, or just the daily grind of running a business, this episode is for you. In this inspiring conversation, Dr Calvin Lawrence Jr—a seasoned educator, leadership expert, and author of The Happy Leader—shares the powerful case for leading with joy, purpose, and genu...

Imagine waking up to find your website gone, your email list inaccessible, or your brand’s identity being misused online—and you have no idea how to take it back. That’s the nightmare too many business owners face because they’ve unknowingly handed over control of their digital assets. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Paige Wiese, founder and CEO of Tree Ring Digital, to help yo...

Why should you care about restructuring your business—especially when things seem to be going fine?  Because waiting for a crisis to act could be the most expensive decision you ever make. In this episode, turnaround expert James Martin reveals why restructuring isn’t just a last resort—it’s a powerful tool for transforming challenges into competitive advantage. 

If you're a business owner navigating market volatility, rising i...

Work That’s Worth It: How Purpose Transforms Performance with Georgi Enthoven

In a time when attracting and retaining great talent is tougher than ever, especially among Gen Z workers, are you approaching employee engagement the right way? In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Georgi Enthoven—entrepreneur, Harvard Business School alumna, and author of Work That’s Worth It—to challenge...

Why understanding your customer’s values can unlock serious business growth

Are you missing the mark with your customers—and don’t even know it? In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with marketing strategist and author Chris Peterson to explore a transformative idea: your customers’ personal values—specifically whether they lean conservative or liberal—can dramatically shape how they enga...

Financial literacy isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a survival skill for business owners. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney speaks with tax expert and financial educator Michelle Campbell about the hidden financial pitfalls entrepreneurs often face, and how a lack of financial understanding can quietly sabotage your business. Whether you’re avoiding tax obligations out of fear, struggling to unders...

Ready to sharpen your e-commerce strategy and stay ahead of the curve?

In this episode, Matthew Stafford joins us to share real-world tips and forward-thinking advice to help business owners thrive in the ever-evolving world of online retail. With years of hands-on experience, Matthew offers a clear perspective on what it really takes to succeed in e-commerce today — and why now is one of the most exciting times to be building onlin...

What happens when you stop following the rules—and start following your passion? In this inspiring and insightful episode, Stephen Ridley shares how he built a globally recognized music brand, grew an online academy that now teaches over 1.2 million students, and turned personal passion into a thriving, purpose-driven business. Whether you're an entrepreneur or creative professional,  Stephen’s story offers a powerful blueprin...

Negotiation is more than winning—it’s about creating value for both sides. Many business owners struggle with negotiations, relying on outdated strategies that often lead to conflict or lost opportunities.

Whether you're dealing with vendors, partners, or internal stakeholders, your ability to negotiate directly affects your bottom line and professional confidence. In this episode, you’ll learn how to negotiate with clarity, ca...

If you're a small or medium-sized business owner, this episode could save you from costly legal missteps that threaten your business's growth—or even its survival. Legal expert Matthew Fornaro joins the podcast to highlight the essential contracts and legal strategies that many entrepreneurs overlook in their rush to launch or scale. Whether you're just starting out or already running a business, you’ll learn how to ...

If you think pay is just about numbers, think again. In today’s talent-short market, the way you compensate your people could be the reason they leave—or why they stay and thrive. In this episode, Trudy MacDonald, award-winning business leader and Managing Director of TalentCode HR, pulls back the curtain on remuneration. She explains why most businesses are getting it wrong and what you can do to build a pay strategy that actually...

In today’s fast-changing business landscape, survival isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about adapting, innovating, and thinking long-term. In this episode, we sit down with Rick Yvanovich, an experienced entrepreneur and business strategist, to explore what it takes to thrive in an era of constant transformation. Whether you're a start-up founder or an established business leader, this conversation will help you rethink tra...

If you're a business owner who feels overwhelmed, overworked, and constantly in the thick of everything, this episode is a must-listen. Host Paul Sweeney takes a deep dive into the "hub and spoke" model—a common but problematic setup where every decision, task, and communication flows through you, the owner. While this might seem manageable in the early stages, it quickly becomes a bottleneck to growth, profitability...