Let's Talk small Business with Mitchell Wilson

Coachbirds

Running a SME business shouldn’t feel like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole.
Let’s Talk Small Business is the straight-talking podcast for owners who are tired of the fluff and ready to get results. Hosted by business coach Mitchell Wilson, you’ll get insights, proven strategies, and the occasional reality check — all designed to help you build a business that actually works.

Because guess what? You don’t need another guru — you need a breakthrough.

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21 episodes
a few times a week
Avg 40 min
English

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S1 · E60
Yesterday · 36 min
Let’s Talk the Owner Bottleneck: How to Step Out of the Day-to-Day and Scale with Jens Nielsen
What if the single biggest roadblock standing between your business and explosive growth isn’t your marketing, your team, or your strategy—it’s you? In this episode of Let’s Talk Small Business, Mitchell Wilson sits down with high-performance coach, business advisor, and real estate operator Jens Nielsen. With 27 years in tech leadership and a staggering portfolio of 2,500+ units worth over $250 million, Jens knows the hard difference between owning a scalable asset and being owned by an exhausting job. We break down the "Tyranny of Competence," how a single laminated cookie recipe freed a frantic bakery founder, why tracking just 5–10 vital KPIs beats corporate bureaucracy, and how to unhook your time from money for good. If you're working 70-hour weeks putting out fires, this conversation will help you reclaim your calendar, your team's confidence, and your sanity. Ready to trade the daily grind for real leverage? Come join fellow founders building smarter systems inside The Business Nest: https://www.skool.com/businessnest
S1 · E59
Saturday · 40 min
Let’s Talk Founder Psychology & Mental Fitness with Byron McCaughey
What if the single biggest predictor of your business success isn’t your sales funnel, but what’s happening between your ears? In this episode of Let’s Talk Small Business, host Mitchell Wilson sits down with Byron McCaughey—former venture-backed fintech founder turned registered psychologist and founder of Sublime Studio. Byron gets candid about the emotional fallout of a folded startup, how anxiety secretly disguises itself as perfectionism and procrastination, and why "gym memberships for the mind" should be standard issue for every business owner. Mitchell shares his own dramatic burnout moment, while Byron breaks down his 3-step “Dropping the Anchor” (ACE) framework to stay grounded in high-stakes moments. Plus, want to surround yourself with ambitious founders working through the same mental and strategic hurdles? Join our free business community at https://www.skool.com/businessnest.
S1 · E58
October 27 · 42 min
Let’s Talk Conscious Leadership and Ditching the Daily Grind with Mike Handcock
Ever feel like the business you started for freedom has turned into your heaviest ball and chain? In this episode of Let’s Talk Small Business, Mitchell Wilson sits down with Mike Handcock—rock musician turned multinational founder, global speaker, and bestselling author of Conscious Leadership. Mike unpacks his journey from an orphaned teen and corporate GM to steering operations across dozens of countries, revealing why your business must fit around your life, not the other way around. Discover how to kill your daily 28-item to-do list using the game-changing "4G" framework, ditch shiny tech distractions, and tune into the natural rhythm of your enterprise. If you're ready to cut through the noise, scale with purpose, and lead without burning out, this conversation is an absolute masterclass. Ready to stop running your business in isolation? Connect with like-minded operators and scale smarter inside The Business Nest: https://www.skool.com/businessnest
S1 · E57
October 26 · 40 min
Let’s Talk Escaping the Operator Trap: From 168-Hour Hustle to Total Freedom with Mike Dejong
Ever landed on a beach in Mexico, ordered a cocktail, and picked up the phone only to hear your general manager quit on the spot? Turnaround specialist, multi-unit franchise owner, and author of Grow Smart, Mike DeJong, lived that exact nightmare. That brutal wake-up call forced him to realize he didn’t own an actual company—he owned a high-stress job with massive overhead. In this episode, Mitchell and Mike get real about the "operator trap" that burns so many hardworking owners out. Mike shares how he transitioned from commercial pilot and corporate manager to building automated business operations that run without him. Discover why simple video SOPs beat 100-step manuals, the danger of "delegate and disappear," and the two non-negotiable tests you must pass before opening location number two. Ready to stop being the bottleneck in your business? Come join fellow owners building smarter systems inside The Business Nest: https://www.skool.com/businessnest
S1 · E56
October 15 · 39 min
Let’s Talk Numbers, Clarity, and Small Business Growth with Dev Punjani
In this episode of Let’s Talk Small Business, Mitchell Wilson sits down with Dev Punjani, founder and director of Credible Accounting. Starting out as a weekend bookkeeping side hustle back in 2016, Dev turned a part-time gig into a full-service firm specializing in tax, payroll, business advisory, and fractional CFO support. Dev gets real about the grit and growth of his journey—from delivering pizzas after unpaid internships to realizing his weekend hustle could triple his employee salary. Mitchell and Dev dive into what business owners get wrong about their numbers, why profit on paper rarely equals cash in the bank, and how to eliminate financial anxiety for good. Whether you're drowning in BAS statements or ready to scale, this conversation delivers pure practical clarity. 🔥 Ready to master your numbers and connect with like-minded business owners? Join The Business Nest on Skool today: https://www.skool.com/businessnest
S1 · E55
October 10 · 38 min
Let’s Talk Funding & Alternative Capital with Oz Konar
Most small business owners wait until they are desperate before looking for funding — and when the bank says no, they think they're out of options. In this episode of Let’s Talk Small Business, Mitchell Wilson sits down with Oz Konar, founder of Business Lending Blueprint, to break down what really happens behind the scenes in alternative lending. Oz shares how he went from making 600 cold calls a day to building an Inc. 5000 education company that has trained over 7,000 business loan brokers. They dive deep into why 85% of small business loan applications get rejected by traditional banks, how to become "fundable" before you actually need money, and why financial literacy is the ultimate secret weapon for long-term growth. If you’ve ever felt confused by capital or want to make smarter financial moves, this conversation is pure gold. Want to surround yourself with growth-minded business owners making smarter financial moves? Join The Business Nest community today: https://www.skool.com/businessnest
S1 · E54
October 4 · 43 min
Let’s Talk Security Without the Stick with Craig Taylor
For 25 years, the cybersecurity industry has relied on fear, shaming, and punitive "gotcha" tests to force employee compliance. The result? Frustration, resentment, and higher security risks. In this episode of Let’s Talk Small Business, host Mitchell Wilson sits down with Craig Taylor, founder of CyberHoo and a 30-year industry veteran. Craig reveals why punishing people for clicking bad links completely backfires—and how human-centered, positive reinforcement builds resilient security habits instead. From spotting the subtle red flags of AI-driven phishing emails and phone scams to implementing non-negotiable protections like multi-factor authentication, passkeys, and password managers, Craig breaks down digital safety into practical, stress-free steps for every small business owner. 🎧 Listen to the full episode live now: https://www.coachbirds.com/podcast 🚀 Ready to grow alongside other driven business owners? Join our business community today at https://www.skool.com/businessnest
S1 · E54
September 30 · 38 min
Let’s Talk Leading Yourself First with Ian Hatton
Why do so many traditional leadership models leave us feeling drained, disconnected, and burnt out? In this episode of Let’s Talk Small Business, host Mitchell Wilson sits down with Ian Hatton—international keynote speaker, leadership mentor, and founder of Totally Morpheus. Ian gets real about his transition from corporate IT at Microsoft to becoming a global advocate for conscious leadership, sharing the pivotal moment his team’s trust score plunged by 50% when he tried to lead like someone else. Together, Mitchell and Ian dissect the difference between management and strategic leadership, the vital role of emotional intelligence (EQ) over IQ, and how self-awareness transforms team dynamics. Plus, Ian breaks down his EG3 Leadership Assessment—categorizing leaders into Survivors, Strivers, and Thrivers—and reveals why making yourself your "#1 job every day" is the least selfish thing a business owner can do. 🚀 GET MORE INSIDE THE BUSINESS NEST Join The Business Nest FREE for more practical training, tools, templates, resources and real-world business advice.⚡️ JOIN THE BUSINESS NEST → http://coachbirds.com/nest The Business Nest brings together ambitious tradies, professionals and local service business owners across Australia and New Zealand to learn, share ideas, solve problems and keep moving forward.🚀 WANT A BETTER BUSINESS, MORE MONEY & MORE FREEDOM? We focus on three things: 💰 Simple Sales - attract, connect & convert ⚙️ Smart Systems - streamline, automate & scale 🎯 Savvy Strategy - clarity, direction & freedom ⚡️ INSIDE THE NEST: ✅ Practical business coaching ✅ Live calls & training ✅ Tools, templates & resources ✅ One-Page Plan, Strategic Planner, AI tools & more ✅ Real-world business conversations ✅ Connect with ambitious business owners 👋 ABOUT MITCHELL & COACHBIRDS I’m Mitchell Wilson, founder of Coachbirds. I’ve spent 20+ years building businesses, generated over $100M in sales, and now help business owners build better businesses with more money, more freedom and less reliance on them. Coachbirds helps service-based businesses grow through Simple Sales, Smart Systems and Savvy Strategy. 🚀 WANT MORE PERSONALISED HELP? If you want to identify what’s holding your business back and create a clear plan for where to focus next, book a FREE Breakthrough Call. 👉 Book your FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.coachbirds.com/breakthrough 🔔 Subscribe for practical videos on business growth, sales, systems, strategy, leadership and building a better business.
S1 · E53
September 27 · 40 min
Let’s Talk Organic Social Media Growth (Without the Stress) with Jenna Oberstein
In this episode of Let’s Talk Small Business, Mitchell sits down with Jenna Oberstein, founder of ATAG Communication, to demystify organic social media for growing businesses. Jenna breaks down why relies on word-of-mouth are essentially "hope marketing" and explains how to build a clear, intentional strategy that actually converts. From avoiding common pitfalls (like posting 10 times a day or hiding behind AI) to practical tips on lighting, timing, and storytelling, Jenna reveals how small businesses can build genuine community and stay top-of-mind. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by platforms or struggling to find your authentic voice online, this conversation delivers actionable, low-stress insights to level up your digital footprint. 🚀 GET MORE INSIDE THE BUSINESS NEST Join The Business Nest FREE for more practical training, tools, templates, resources and real-world business advice.⚡️ JOIN THE BUSINESS NEST → http://coachbirds.com/nest The Business Nest brings together ambitious tradies, professionals and local service business owners across Australia and New Zealand to learn, share ideas, solve problems and keep moving forward.🚀 WANT A BETTER BUSINESS, MORE MONEY & MORE FREEDOM? We focus on three things: 💰 Simple Sales - attract, connect & convert ⚙️ Smart Systems - streamline, automate & scale 🎯 Savvy Strategy - clarity, direction & freedom ⚡️ INSIDE THE NEST: ✅ Practical business coaching ✅ Live calls & training ✅ Tools, templates & resources ✅ One-Page Plan, Strategic Planner, AI tools & more ✅ Real-world business conversations ✅ Connect with ambitious business owners 👋 ABOUT MITCHELL & COACHBIRDS I’m Mitchell Wilson, founder of Coachbirds. I’ve spent 20+ years building businesses, generated over $100M in sales, and now help business owners build better businesses with more money, more freedom and less reliance on them. Coachbirds helps service-based businesses grow through Simple Sales, Smart Systems and Savvy Strategy. 🚀 WANT MORE PERSONALISED HELP? If you want to identify what’s holding your business back and create a clear plan for where to focus next, book a FREE Breakthrough Call. 👉 Book your FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.coachbirds.com/breakthrough 🔔 Subscribe for practical videos on business growth, sales, systems, strategy, leadership and building a better business.
S1 · E52
September 23 · 41 min
Let’s Talk Presentation Systems with Eugene Moreau
Most business owners don’t lack talent; they lack clarity. In this episode of Let’s Talk Small Business, host Mitchell Wilson sits down with 30-year speaking veteran, strategist, and creator of the 13 Box Presentation System, Eugene Moreau. Eugene breaks down how to stop overthinking your message, ditch the overly dense slide decks, and deliver a pitch that actually moves clients to action. From unlearning bad presentation habits to using AI as an effective editing partner without losing your soul, Eugene shares the exact framework to make your communication punchy, authentic, and high-converting. 🚀 GET MORE INSIDE THE BUSINESS NEST Join The Business Nest FREE for more practical training, tools, templates, resources and real-world business advice.⚡️ JOIN THE BUSINESS NEST → http://coachbirds.com/nest The Business Nest brings together ambitious tradies, professionals and local service business owners across Australia and New Zealand to learn, share ideas, solve problems and keep moving forward.🚀 WANT A BETTER BUSINESS, MORE MONEY & MORE FREEDOM? We focus on three things: 💰 Simple Sales - attract, connect & convert ⚙️ Smart Systems - streamline, automate & scale 🎯 Savvy Strategy - clarity, direction & freedom ⚡️ INSIDE THE NEST: ✅ Practical business coaching ✅ Live calls & training ✅ Tools, templates & resources ✅ One-Page Plan, Strategic Planner, AI tools & more ✅ Real-world business conversations ✅ Connect with ambitious business owners 👋 ABOUT MITCHELL & COACHBIRDS I’m Mitchell Wilson, founder of Coachbirds. I’ve spent 20+ years building businesses, generated over $100M in sales, and now help business owners build better businesses with more money, more freedom and less reliance on them. Coachbirds helps service-based businesses grow through Simple Sales, Smart Systems and Savvy Strategy. 🚀 WANT MORE PERSONALISED HELP? If you want to identify what’s holding your business back and create a clear plan for where to focus next, book a FREE Breakthrough Call. 👉 Book your FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.coachbirds.com/breakthrough 🔔 Subscribe for practical videos on business growth, sales, systems, strategy, leadership and building a better business.
S1 · E51
September 20 · 43 min
Let’s Talk Silver Tsunami & Smart Business Acquisitions with Kris Schumacher
In this episode of Let’s Talk Small Business, Mitchell Wilson sits down with Kris Schumacher—co-founder of New Majority Capital and owner of Trellis Structures. After spending two decades in corporate dealmaking, contract negotiations, and pricing systems, Kris stepped away from the corporate ladder to acquire a legacy manufacturing business and help other entrepreneurs do the same. Mitchell and Kris dive into the massive opportunity behind the "silver tsunami"—the historic transfer of small businesses as baby boomers retire. Kris breaks down why buying an existing business beats starting from scratch, the hidden danger of long cash conversion cycles, and how pricing courage can instantly unlock bottom-line profit. Whether you're looking to acquire or prepare your own business for succession, this conversation provides a practical blueprint for building lasting value. 🚀 GET MORE INSIDE THE BUSINESS NEST Join The Business Nest FREE for more practical training, tools, templates, resources and real-world business advice.⚡️ JOIN THE BUSINESS NEST → http://coachbirds.com/nest The Business Nest brings together ambitious tradies, professionals and local service business owners across Australia and New Zealand to learn, share ideas, solve problems and keep moving forward.🚀 WANT A BETTER BUSINESS, MORE MONEY & MORE FREEDOM? We focus on three things: 💰 Simple Sales - attract, connect & convert ⚙️ Smart Systems - streamline, automate & scale 🎯 Savvy Strategy - clarity, direction & freedom ⚡️ INSIDE THE NEST: ✅ Practical business coaching ✅ Live calls & training ✅ Tools, templates & resources ✅ One-Page Plan, Strategic Planner, AI tools & more ✅ Real-world business conversations ✅ Connect with ambitious business owners 👋 ABOUT MITCHELL & COACHBIRDS I’m Mitchell Wilson, founder of Coachbirds. I’ve spent 20+ years building businesses, generated over $100M in sales, and now help business owners build better businesses with more money, more freedom and less reliance on them. Coachbirds helps service-based businesses grow through Simple Sales, Smart Systems and Savvy Strategy. 🚀 WANT MORE PERSONALISED HELP? If you want to identify what’s holding your business back and create a clear plan for where to focus next, book a FREE Breakthrough Call. 👉 Book your FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.coachbirds.com/breakthrough 🔔 Subscribe for practical videos on business growth, sales, systems, strategy, leadership and building a better business.
S1 · E50
September 16 · 40 min
Let’s Talk Marketing the Long Game with Bron Watson
In this episode of Let’s Talk Small Business, Mitchell Wilson sits down with Bron Watson—founder of The Social Coach and The Serenade Project, registered nurse, educator, and speaker. Drawing on 30 years in health and education alongside over a decade in business, Bron unpacks what it takes to play the long game in marketing without burning out. From raising five boys in under eleven years while launching her first venture to navigating two cancer diagnoses, Bron gets real about resilience, clarity, and building a business aligned with your life. Discover why marketing is about emotion and connection, how to focus on your target 63% instead of chasing silver bullets, and why executing the "next play" creates momentum. 🚀 GET MORE INSIDE THE BUSINESS NEST Join The Business Nest FREE for more practical training, tools, templates, resources and real-world business advice.⚡️ JOIN THE BUSINESS NEST → http://coachbirds.com/nest The Business Nest brings together ambitious tradies, professionals and local service business owners across Australia and New Zealand to learn, share ideas, solve problems and keep moving forward.🚀 WANT A BETTER BUSINESS, MORE MONEY & MORE FREEDOM? We focus on three things: 💰 Simple Sales - attract, connect & convert ⚙️ Smart Systems - streamline, automate & scale 🎯 Savvy Strategy - clarity, direction & freedom ⚡️ INSIDE THE NEST: ✅ Practical business coaching ✅ Live calls & training ✅ Tools, templates & resources ✅ One-Page Plan, Strategic Planner, AI tools & more ✅ Real-world business conversations ✅ Connect with ambitious business owners 👋 ABOUT MITCHELL & COACHBIRDS I’m Mitchell Wilson, founder of Coachbirds. I’ve spent 20+ years building businesses, generated over $100M in sales, and now help business owners build better businesses with more money, more freedom and less reliance on them. Coachbirds helps service-based businesses grow through Simple Sales, Smart Systems and Savvy Strategy. 🚀 WANT MORE PERSONALISED HELP? If you want to identify what’s holding your business back and create a clear plan for where to focus next, book a FREE Breakthrough Call. 👉 Book your FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.coachbirds.com/breakthrough 🔔 Subscribe for practical videos on business growth, sales, systems, strategy, leadership and building a better business.
S1 · E49
September 13 · 44 min
Let’s Talk Unstoppable Habits with Loz Antonenko
Burnout doesn't always look like a dramatic collapse—sometimes it looks like grinding through every single day until your body stops whispering and starts shouting. In this episode of Let’s Talk Small Business, Mitchell Wilson sits down with Loz Antonenko, founder of Loz Life and creator of the Mojo Method, to talk about ditching the chaos, ditching the woo, and building daily habits that actually fit real life. Loz gets real about scaling a seven-figure business to 17 years before realizing it was secretly strangling her health. Together, they break down the 5 Handbrake Habits (eating, breathing, sleeping, moving, and hydrating), how to spot your lowest-hanging fruit to build instant momentum, and why running a business without systemized self-care caps your potential. If you’re ready for no-BS, practical strategies to unlock your energy without the 4 AM guru routines, this episode is your wake-up call. 🚀 GET MORE INSIDE THE BUSINESS NEST Join The Business Nest FREE for more practical training, tools, templates, resources and real-world business advice.⚡️ JOIN THE BUSINESS NEST → http://coachbirds.com/nest The Business Nest brings together ambitious tradies, professionals and local service business owners across Australia and New Zealand to learn, share ideas, solve problems and keep moving forward.🚀 WANT A BETTER BUSINESS, MORE MONEY & MORE FREEDOM? We focus on three things: 💰 Simple Sales - attract, connect & convert ⚙️ Smart Systems - streamline, automate & scale 🎯 Savvy Strategy - clarity, direction & freedom ⚡️ INSIDE THE NEST: ✅ Practical business coaching ✅ Live calls & training ✅ Tools, templates & resources ✅ One-Page Plan, Strategic Planner, AI tools & more ✅ Real-world business conversations ✅ Connect with ambitious business owners 👋 ABOUT MITCHELL & COACHBIRDS I’m Mitchell Wilson, founder of Coachbirds. I’ve spent 20+ years building businesses, generated over $100M in sales, and now help business owners build better businesses with more money, more freedom and less reliance on them. Coachbirds helps service-based businesses grow through Simple Sales, Smart Systems and Savvy Strategy. 🚀 WANT MORE PERSONALISED HELP? If you want to identify what’s holding your business back and create a clear plan for where to focus next, book a FREE Breakthrough Call. 👉 Book your FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.coachbirds.com/breakthrough 🔔 Subscribe for practical videos on business growth, sales, systems, strategy, leadership and building a better business.
S1 · E48
September 6 · 40 min
Let’s Talk Exit Readiness: Building a Business That Runs (and Sells) Without You with Christian Sykes
Most owners spend decades grinding to build a business, but almost zero time preparing to actually sell it. In this episode of Let’s Talk Small Business, Mitchell Wilson sits down with Christian Sykes, founder of Exit Ready, to tackle the reality of founder dependency—and how it quietly kills business value. Christian breaks down why building an "exit ready" company isn't about black magic or five-year plans; it's about 12 months of smart systems, clear documentation, and learning to let go. Whether you want to step back in 12 months or 10 years, optimizing your business today gives you mental bandwidth now and a massive payout later. 🚀 GET MORE INSIDE THE BUSINESS NEST Join The Business Nest FREE for more practical training, tools, templates, resources and real-world business advice.⚡️ JOIN THE BUSINESS NEST → http://coachbirds.com/nest The Business Nest brings together ambitious tradies, professionals and local service business owners across Australia and New Zealand to learn, share ideas, solve problems and keep moving forward.🚀 WANT A BETTER BUSINESS, MORE MONEY & MORE FREEDOM? We focus on three things: 💰 Simple Sales - attract, connect & convert ⚙️ Smart Systems - streamline, automate & scale 🎯 Savvy Strategy - clarity, direction & freedom ⚡️ INSIDE THE NEST: ✅ Practical business coaching ✅ Live calls & training ✅ Tools, templates & resources ✅ One-Page Plan, Strategic Planner, AI tools & more ✅ Real-world business conversations ✅ Connect with ambitious business owners 👋 ABOUT MITCHELL & COACHBIRDS I’m Mitchell Wilson, founder of Coachbirds. I’ve spent 20+ years building businesses, generated over $100M in sales, and now help business owners build better businesses with more money, more freedom and less reliance on them. Coachbirds helps service-based businesses grow through Simple Sales, Smart Systems and Savvy Strategy. 🚀 WANT MORE PERSONALISED HELP? If you want to identify what’s holding your business back and create a clear plan for where to focus next, book a FREE Breakthrough Call. 👉 Book your FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.coachbirds.com/breakthrough 🔔 Subscribe for practical videos on business growth, sales, systems, strategy, leadership and building a better business.
S1 · E47
August 29 · 43 min
Let’s Talk Smarter Benefits & Small Business Grit with Mike Notte
Building a business isn't a straight line—just ask Michael Notte. From chasing heavy metal dreams and hitting rock bottom with zero dollars for a stamp, to becoming the "Small Biz Benefits Pro," Mike's journey is pure grit. In this episode, Mitchell sits down with Mike (owner of MJN Insurance Services) to break down why small and medium-sized businesses don't need to get outspent by big corporations to win top talent. They unpack how structuring smarter employee benefits creates a strategic recruiting tool without blowing out your costs. It’s an unfiltered look at persistence, mindset, and practical strategies to better your business. 🚀 GET MORE INSIDE THE BUSINESS NEST Join The Business Nest FREE for more practical training, tools, templates, resources and real-world business advice.⚡️ JOIN THE BUSINESS NEST → http://coachbirds.com/nest The Business Nest brings together ambitious tradies, professionals and local service business owners across Australia and New Zealand to learn, share ideas, solve problems and keep moving forward.🚀 WANT A BETTER BUSINESS, MORE MONEY & MORE FREEDOM? We focus on three things: 💰 Simple Sales - attract, connect & convert ⚙️ Smart Systems - streamline, automate & scale 🎯 Savvy Strategy - clarity, direction & freedom ⚡️ INSIDE THE NEST: ✅ Practical business coaching ✅ Live calls & training ✅ Tools, templates & resources ✅ One-Page Plan, Strategic Planner, AI tools & more ✅ Real-world business conversations ✅ Connect with ambitious business owners 👋 ABOUT MITCHELL & COACHBIRDS I’m Mitchell Wilson, founder of Coachbirds. I’ve spent 20+ years building businesses, generated over $100M in sales, and now help business owners build better businesses with more money, more freedom and less reliance on them. Coachbirds helps service-based businesses grow through Simple Sales, Smart Systems and Savvy Strategy. 🚀 WANT MORE PERSONALISED HELP? If you want to identify what’s holding your business back and create a clear plan for where to focus next, book a FREE Breakthrough Call. 👉 Book your FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.coachbirds.com/breakthrough 🔔 Subscribe for practical videos on business growth, sales, systems, strategy, leadership and building a better business.
S1 · E46
August 23 · 39 min
Let’s Talk Battling through the Dark Days to Build a Business with Toby Lawrence
What does it take to push through seven brutal years of self-doubt, regulatory hurdles, and near-daily urges to quit? In this episode of Let’s Talk Small Business, Mitchell Wilson sits down with Toby Lawrence—founder and CEO of Arrow Health Private Hospital and a serial entrepreneur. Toby opens up about turning personal family tragedy into an evidence-based addiction treatment facility, navigating the complex world of healthcare governance, and learning hard lessons about HR along the way. Plus, he reveals how delegating and relocating his life to Bali helped him escape 80-hour work weeks, scale up new ventures like Soda King, and finally hit that elusive work-life balance. It’s an honest, no-bullshit look at resilience, radical pivots, and why the best business ideas often strike in the shower. 🚀 GET MORE INSIDE THE BUSINESS NEST Join The Business Nest FREE for more practical training, tools, templates, resources and real-world business advice.⚡️ JOIN THE BUSINESS NEST → http://coachbirds.com/nest The Business Nest brings together ambitious tradies, professionals and local service business owners across Australia and New Zealand to learn, share ideas, solve problems and keep moving forward.🚀 WANT A BETTER BUSINESS, MORE MONEY & MORE FREEDOM? We focus on three things: 💰 Simple Sales - attract, connect & convert ⚙️ Smart Systems - streamline, automate & scale 🎯 Savvy Strategy - clarity, direction & freedom ⚡️ INSIDE THE NEST: ✅ Practical business coaching ✅ Live calls & training ✅ Tools, templates & resources ✅ One-Page Plan, Strategic Planner, AI tools & more ✅ Real-world business conversations ✅ Connect with ambitious business owners 👋 ABOUT MITCHELL & COACHBIRDS I’m Mitchell Wilson, founder of Coachbirds. I’ve spent 20+ years building businesses, generated over $100M in sales, and now help business owners build better businesses with more money, more freedom and less reliance on them. Coachbirds helps service-based businesses grow through Simple Sales, Smart Systems and Savvy Strategy. 🚀 WANT MORE PERSONALISED HELP? If you want to identify what’s holding your business back and create a clear plan for where to focus next, book a FREE Breakthrough Call. 👉 Book your FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.coachbirds.com/breakthrough 🔔 Subscribe for practical videos on business growth, sales, systems, strategy, leadership and building a better business.
S1 · E45
August 16 · 31 min
Let’s Talk Mental Hygiene and Sharpening the Axe with Shalin Desai
When you’re running a small business and wearing every single hat, feeling overwhelmed isn't just exhausting—it directly damages your decision-making. In this episode of Let’s Talk Small Business, Mitchell sits down with Shalin Desai, Senior Programme Director at the Art of Living Foundation. Shalin breaks down why busyness often leads to a downward spiral of low energy, and how simple daily breathwork operates like essential "mental hygiene." Backed by science—including a landmark Yale University study—Shalin explains how tools like SKY breathing reduce stress hormones, keep leaders grounded in the present moment, and restore strategic clarity. Plus, Mitchell puts Shalin to the test with a live "intuitive life scan." If you’ve ever felt too busy to pause, this conversation is your reminder that taking 15 minutes to sharpen your axe will save you hours in the long run. Ready to identify your biggest bottleneck and map out your next smart move? 🚀 GET MORE INSIDE THE BUSINESS NEST Join The Business Nest FREE for more practical training, tools, templates, resources and real-world business advice.⚡️ JOIN THE BUSINESS NEST → http://coachbirds.com/nest The Business Nest brings together ambitious tradies, professionals and local service business owners across Australia and New Zealand to learn, share ideas, solve problems and keep moving forward.🚀 WANT A BETTER BUSINESS, MORE MONEY & MORE FREEDOM? We focus on three things: 💰 Simple Sales - attract, connect & convert ⚙️ Smart Systems - streamline, automate & scale 🎯 Savvy Strategy - clarity, direction & freedom ⚡️ INSIDE THE NEST: ✅ Practical business coaching ✅ Live calls & training ✅ Tools, templates & resources ✅ One-Page Plan, Strategic Planner, AI tools & more ✅ Real-world business conversations ✅ Connect with ambitious business owners 👋 ABOUT MITCHELL & COACHBIRDS I’m Mitchell Wilson, founder of Coachbirds. I’ve spent 20+ years building businesses, generated over $100M in sales, and now help business owners build better businesses with more money, more freedom and less reliance on them. Coachbirds helps service-based businesses grow through Simple Sales, Smart Systems and Savvy Strategy. 🚀 WANT MORE PERSONALISED HELP? If you want to identify what’s holding your business back and create a clear plan for where to focus next, book a FREE Breakthrough Call. 👉 Book your FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.coachbirds.com/breakthrough 🔔 Subscribe for practical videos on business growth, sales, systems, strategy, leadership and building a better business.
S1 · E44
August 8 · 43 min
Let’s Talk Pulling Profits (and Water) Out of Thin Air with Jeffrey Szur
What if your next big business breakthrough literally came out of thin air? In this episode of Let’s Talk Small Business, Mitchell Wilson sits down with Jeff Szur, founder and CEO of Altitude Water. Jeff shares his journey from running restaurants and trading natural gas futures to manufacturing cutting-edge technology that harvests pure drinking water directly from humidity in the air. From navigating a multi-generational business partnership with his 88-year-old dad to giving long-term factory workers equity in the business, Jeff gets real about what it actually takes to scale a mission-driven manufacturing brand in the US. They dive deep into overcoming category-building hurdles, surviving harsh supply chain realities, and why true business resilience is about leaving a legacy, not just watching profit margins. 🚀 GET MORE INSIDE THE BUSINESS NEST Join The Business Nest FREE for more practical training, tools, templates, resources and real-world business advice.⚡️ JOIN THE BUSINESS NEST → http://coachbirds.com/nest The Business Nest brings together ambitious tradies, professionals and local service business owners across Australia and New Zealand to learn, share ideas, solve problems and keep moving forward.🚀 WANT A BETTER BUSINESS, MORE MONEY & MORE FREEDOM? We focus on three things: 💰 Simple Sales - attract, connect & convert ⚙️ Smart Systems - streamline, automate & scale 🎯 Savvy Strategy - clarity, direction & freedom ⚡️ INSIDE THE NEST: ✅ Practical business coaching ✅ Live calls & training ✅ Tools, templates & resources ✅ One-Page Plan, Strategic Planner, AI tools & more ✅ Real-world business conversations ✅ Connect with ambitious business owners 👋 ABOUT MITCHELL & COACHBIRDS I’m Mitchell Wilson, founder of Coachbirds. I’ve spent 20+ years building businesses, generated over $100M in sales, and now help business owners build better businesses with more money, more freedom and less reliance on them. Coachbirds helps service-based businesses grow through Simple Sales, Smart Systems and Savvy Strategy. 🚀 WANT MORE PERSONALISED HELP? If you want to identify what’s holding your business back and create a clear plan for where to focus next, book a FREE Breakthrough Call. 👉 Book your FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.coachbirds.com/breakthrough 🔔 Subscribe for practical videos on business growth, sales, systems, strategy, leadership and building a better business.
S1 · E38
August 8 · 42 min
Let’s Talk Business Resilience with Keith Erwood
What happens to your business when everything breaks down? In this episode, Mitchell gets real with crisis management expert Keith Erwood, co-founder of the Erwood Group. Drawing from his profound background as a New York City EMS responder on the frontlines of 9/11, Keith now authors business continuity plans protecting more than a billion dollars in annual revenue. Forget the boring corporate jargon—we dive straight into the brutal reality of operational downtime, the scary trap of co-insurance, and why standard policies leave most small businesses completely exposed. Keith shares a dead-simple resilience habit you can implement today for absolutely zero dollars to protect your cash flow before disaster strikes. If you think your business is safe just because you tick a few safety boxes, this conversation is your ultimate reality check. Ready to stop crossing your fingers and start building a bulletproof operation? 🚀 GET MORE INSIDE THE BUSINESS NEST Join The Business Nest FREE for more practical training, tools, templates, resources and real-world business advice.⚡️ JOIN THE BUSINESS NEST → http://coachbirds.com/nest The Business Nest brings together ambitious tradies, professionals and local service business owners across Australia and New Zealand to learn, share ideas, solve problems and keep moving forward.🚀 WANT A BETTER BUSINESS, MORE MONEY & MORE FREEDOM? We focus on three things: 💰 Simple Sales - attract, connect & convert ⚙️ Smart Systems - streamline, automate & scale 🎯 Savvy Strategy - clarity, direction & freedom ⚡️ INSIDE THE NEST: ✅ Practical business coaching ✅ Live calls & training ✅ Tools, templates & resources ✅ One-Page Plan, Strategic Planner, AI tools & more ✅ Real-world business conversations ✅ Connect with ambitious business owners 👋 ABOUT MITCHELL & COACHBIRDS I’m Mitchell Wilson, founder of Coachbirds. I’ve spent 20+ years building businesses, generated over $100M in sales, and now help business owners build better businesses with more money, more freedom and less reliance on them. Coachbirds helps service-based businesses grow through Simple Sales, Smart Systems and Savvy Strategy. 🚀 WANT MORE PERSONALISED HELP? If you want to identify what’s holding your business back and create a clear plan for where to focus next, book a FREE Breakthrough Call. 👉 Book your FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.coachbirds.com/breakthrough 🔔 Subscribe for practical videos on business growth, sales, systems, strategy, leadership and building a better business.
S1 · E43
August 3 · 38 min
Let’s Talk Rebuilding Smarter After Losing It All with Scott Proposki
What does it take to build a seven-figure photography empire, lose it all overnight, and rebuild smarter from the ground up? In this episode, host Mitchell Wilson sits down with Scott Proposki, founder of the Camera Focus Method. Scott went from photographing events at the White House and National Geographic with a 52-person team to seeing his entire operation evaporate in 2020.Instead of walking away, Scott used the collapse as a masterclass in business design. He breaks down why high revenue without high profit is a trap, how to shift from a overworked technician to a true CEO, and why 10x growth is actually easier than 2x. Whether you run a creative agency or a service business, Scott shares practical strategies to fix your client attraction, price for real profit, and build a system that runs without you. 🚀 GET MORE INSIDE THE BUSINESS NEST Join The Business Nest FREE for more practical training, tools, templates, resources and real-world business advice.⚡️ JOIN THE BUSINESS NEST → http://coachbirds.com/nest The Business Nest brings together ambitious tradies, professionals and local service business owners across Australia and New Zealand to learn, share ideas, solve problems and keep moving forward.🚀 WANT A BETTER BUSINESS, MORE MONEY & MORE FREEDOM? We focus on three things: 💰 Simple Sales - attract, connect & convert ⚙️ Smart Systems - streamline, automate & scale 🎯 Savvy Strategy - clarity, direction & freedom ⚡️ INSIDE THE NEST: ✅ Practical business coaching ✅ Live calls & training ✅ Tools, templates & resources ✅ One-Page Plan, Strategic Planner, AI tools & more ✅ Real-world business conversations ✅ Connect with ambitious business owners 👋 ABOUT MITCHELL & COACHBIRDS I’m Mitchell Wilson, founder of Coachbirds. I’ve spent 20+ years building businesses, generated over $100M in sales, and now help business owners build better businesses with more money, more freedom and less reliance on them. Coachbirds helps service-based businesses grow through Simple Sales, Smart Systems and Savvy Strategy. 🚀 WANT MORE PERSONALISED HELP? If you want to identify what’s holding your business back and create a clear plan for where to focus next, book a FREE Breakthrough Call. 👉 Book your FREE Breakthrough Call: https://www.coachbirds.com/breakthrough 🔔 Subscribe for practical videos on business growth, sales, systems, strategy, leadership and building a better business.

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