Grow A Small Business Podcast

Our weekly 30 minute podcast helps you, a small business owner with 5 to 30 team members, take your company to the next level. The Grow A Small Business community, weekly cast, blog and leadership email supports leaders get through the pain of growth.With insights, lessons learned, books and tools as well as habits these experienced small business owners suggest you develop, our interviews unearth tremendous value for anyone wanting to grow their business with less stress.

Grow A Small Business Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Troy Trewin, with 795 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Troy Trewin hosts Grow A Small Business Podcast, a business show with 795 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #796

  Myriam Barthes of Journey Clinical: From COVID Living Room Startup to 100+ Team Members, 3,000+ Clinicians & 1M+ Treatment Hours | Scaling Psychedelic Healthcare, Hiring, Culture & Customer Growth Tips. (Episode 796 - Myriam Barthes)

  Sep 27, 202626 minS1

  In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast host Troy Trewin interviews Myriam Barthes shares how she and her husband built Journey Clinical from a COVID-era living room startup into a 100+ person company. She reveals how the business grew to support 3,000+ clinicians and deliver over 1 million hours of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. Myriam discusses raising venture capital, scaling teams, hiring the right people, and building a sustainable company culture. She also explains why customer obsession, strong execution, sleep, and treating yourself like an athlete are essential for founders. Plus, she shares lessons on navigating rapid growth, overcoming challenges, and building a business around an emerging industry. Journey Clinical posts an outstanding patient NPS of ~80—well above the global average of 20 and the tough benchmark of 50. This score reflects deep loyalty in a sensitive mental-health space, where 9–10 scorers actively recommend the service. Learn how to measure customer love in 21 minutes with free NPS: https://www.growasmallbusiness.com/an-easy-way-to-measure-if-your-customers-love-you-in-21-minutes--use-the-net-promoter-score-nps-and-its-free Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here . Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Myriam Barthes shares that the hardest thing in growing a small business is showing up every day and giving it your best. She highlights the importance of staying consistent and committed throughout the challenges of business growth. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Myriam Barthes shares that *Who: The A Method for Hiring* by Geoff Smart and Randy Street was the business book that helped her the most, particularly by improving her approach to hiring, especially in the early stages of building her team. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Myriam Barthes shares that she mainly uses podcasts to distract herself and take a break from work, so she does not have one particular podcast or online learning resource that she would recommend. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Myriam Barthes shares that the most important resource for growing a small business is being obsessed with your customers, talking to them, listening to them, and acting on their insights. She believes staying close to the customer is the most important thing. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Myriam Barthes shares that she would tell herself, "You got this. You're going to be okay. And also, it's fun." She encourages herself to trust the journey and remember to enjoy the experience of building the business. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Treat yourself like an athlete and take care of yourself – Myriam Barthes Your belief system is what ends up driving everything – Myriam Barthes Be obsessed with your customers and listen to their insights - Myriam Barthes

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  Episode #795

  Chris Buttenham of Reins: From Selling a SaaS Business to Scaling 300% YoY, Processing $35M+ in Equity for 150 Customers, Growing to 9 Employees, and Using ESOP Lite to Retain Key Talent Without Giving Up Control in 2026. (Episode 795 - Chris Buttenham)

  Sep 20, 202624 minS1

  In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast host Troy Trewin interviews Chris Buttenham , founder of Reins , shares how his journey from his father's security business to selling a SaaS company shaped his mission to help small businesses. He explains how Reins makes equity-style incentives more accessible through its ESOP Lite platform. Since launching in 2024, Reins has grown to around 150 customers, processed more than $35 million in equity, and achieved roughly 300% year-over-year growth. Chris discusses the challenges of scaling a fast-growing team, learning sales, building culture, and staying agile while growing from two founders to nine employees. He also shares lessons from his previous business exit, the importance of knowing your worth, and why consistency, humility, and enjoying the journey matter in entrepreneurship. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here . Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Chris Buttenham shares that the hardest thing in growing a small business is simply staying alive and staying in the game. He believes entrepreneurship requires persistence through the challenges and pressures that come with running and growing a business. For him, continuing to show up and keep moving forward is essential to surviving the journey. His message is simple: stay in the game and keep going. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Chris Buttenham shares that his favorite business book is the Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson. He explains that he simply loves stories, and this one stood out as especially compelling. That love of narrative and firsthand experiences is what made it the most helpful for him. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Chris Buttenham shares that he really likes the All In podcast, noting that while he's not sure it counts strictly as professional development, he finds it valuable, and beyond that he prefers learning by doing and seeking out real stories of failure rather than formal online courses. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Chris Buttenham recommends Claude as a coworking tool for growing a small business, noting that if harnessed correctly it can be absolutely game-changing, but if not used properly it could waste a ton of time and money. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Chris Buttenham shares that the advice he would give himself on day one of starting out is to "stop and smell the roses". Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Consistency and showing up with old-fashioned hard work is the easiest way to differentiate yourself. — Chris Buttenham Kill your darlings, leave your ego at the door, and stay agile enough to iterate toward the real solution. — Chris Buttenham There is no such thing as balance something always has to give, and you choose what that is. — Chris Buttenham

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  Episode #794

  Jellaine Dee of Mogul Methods: From $90K Credit Card Debt & Selling Her Wardrobe to Scale Cherry Blooms to $10M in 3 Years, 12 Team Members, U.S. Distribution in 50 States & Canada, and a Private Equity Exit. (Episode 794 - Jellaine Dee)

  Sep 14, 202643 minS1

  In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast host Troy Trewin interviews Jellaine Dee , founder of Mogul Methods , shares how she built Cherry Blooms from weekend markets into a $10M business in just three years. She started with $90K in credit card debt, selling her wardrobe and using grants and export finance to fund growth. Jellaine expanded into the U.S., securing distribution across all 50 states and Canada and growing her team to around 12 people. She eventually sold Cherry Blooms to private equity and now helps other brands get products onto retail shelves and expand internationally. Her journey highlights resilience, showing up, smart funding, continuous learning, and building a business that creates freedom and impact. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here . Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Jellaine Dee shares that the hardest thing in growing a small business is having patience and resilience, as success takes time, sacrifice, obsession, and the willingness to keep going through difficult periods without giving up. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Jellaine Dee shares that her favorite business book is The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss, which taught her valuable principles about designing her life and inspired her to explore distribution opportunities in the U.S. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Jellaine Dee shares that she listens to podcasts focused more on mindset and founder wellbeing, while for business development she prefers investing in paid coaching and advisory because the advice can be tailored to her specific needs and circumstances. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Jellaine Dee shares that business owners should consistently fill their minds with positive audio, books, and other positive influences to stay motivated, inspired, and resilient through the challenges of growing a small business. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Jellaine Dee shares that she would tell herself, "You got this, girl, and it's going to be a lot of fun." She would encourage herself to live boldly, believe she is made for it, enjoy the adventure, and embrace the personal growth that comes with building a business. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Success requires resilience, patience, sacrifice, and the willingness to keep going when results don't come instantly — Jellaine Dee Show up, get in the room, and create opportunities instead of waiting for them to come to you — Jellaine Dee Believe you're made for it, enjoy the adventure, and embrace the personal growth that comes with building a business — Jellaine Dee

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  Episode #793

  Raj Thiruchelvarajah of Hytro: From PwC to Building a Human Performance Business Used by 400+ Pro Sports Teams and NASA/SpaceX Astronauts—Why Strategy, Networking, Resilience & a Bold B2B Pivot Drive Growth. (Episode 793 - Raj Thiruchelvarajah)

  Sep 6, 202639 minS1

  In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast host Troy Trewin interviews Raj Thiruchelvarajah , co-founder of Hytro , shares his journey from 15 years at PwC to building a pioneering human performance company used by elite athletes and astronauts. He explains how Hytro's wearable blood flow restriction technology helps improve performance, recovery, strength, and endurance. Raj discusses the company's pivotal shift from direct-to-consumer to B2B, which helped Hytro gain credibility through professional sports and expand into more than 400 teams. He highlights strategy, networking, resilience, and making fast decisions with limited information as essential lessons for growing a startup. Raj also opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship, including fundraising challenges, work-life pressures, and why founders must continuously learn, adapt, and enjoy the long journey. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here . Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Raj Thiruchelvarajah shares that the hardest thing in growing a small business is managing the work-life balance, especially during intense periods of the startup journey. He explains that building a business can be brutal and demanding, requiring founders to constantly juggle business pressures, family responsibilities, and their own wellbeing. He believes there are peaks and troughs rather than a perfect balance, and founders need to accept that some phases will be particularly challenging. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Raj Thiruchelvarajah shares that his favorite business book that has helped him the most is The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz, which he plans to reread because it powerfully illustrates that there is no playbook for building a startup—you are constantly learning on the job amid the brutal realities and hard decisions that come with growth. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Raj Thiruchelvarajah recommends the UK podcast Startup Inside Out (formerly part of Bay HQ), hosted by Amadip Palmer, as a standout resource for founders, praising it as a really strong show that delivers practical insights into the startup journey. He also values peer learning through founder groups and networks (including a sports-tech founders group he's part of), conversations with other entrepreneurs further along the path, conferences and face-to-face events, coaches and mentors tailored to different stages of growth, and revisiting classic startup books such as The Lean Startup. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Raj Thiruchelvarajah recommends networking and cultivating a strong community as the most powerful "tool" for growing a small business. He explains that Hytro's organic growth has come from authentic relationships with pro coaches and athletes who love the product and advocate for it, creating word-of-mouth advocacy that no paid marketing can match. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Raj Thiruchelvarajah would tell himself on day one: "Do you really want to do this?" He would also warn that it takes far longer than you expect, they once thought they'd be multimillionaires in five or six years, but the reality is much slower. The journey is beautiful and amazing, so try to enjoy it as much as you can, even though it is brutal and will take longer than you think. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Strategy is everything — if you're not really clear at the beginning, you end up scrabbling around and wasting your time and effort – Raj Thiruchelvarajah I don't think I'll ever feel like we've succeeded; as a founder you're always thinking about the next thing and fixing the next problem – Raj Thiruchelvarajah It takes far longer than you think — the journey is beautiful and amazing, but it's a brutal one, so try to enjoy it as much as you can – Raj Thiruchelvarajah

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  Episode #792

  Owner of Chiro One Wellness Centers: From Four Failed Businesses and Being Forced Out to Scaling from 2 Clinics & 12 Staff to 164 Offices in 13 States with 1000+ Team Members and a Landmark $100M+ Private Equity Exit Deal!. Episode 792 - Brett Penager)

  Aug 30, 20261h 2mS1

  In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast host Troy Trewin interviews Brett Penager , co-founder of Chiro One Wellness Centers, shares his remarkable journey from four failed businesses and being forced out of a top practice management firm to building a chiropractic empire that grew from just two clinics and 12 team members to 164 offices across 13 states with over 1,000 employees. In this candid conversation, he reveals the highs and lows of rapid scaling, including a near-collapse that forced the closure of dozens of locations, the landmark $100M+ private equity deal in 2017, and hard-won lessons on culture, leadership, and accountability. Penager challenges the myth of work-life balance, stresses surrounding yourself with smarter people, and explains why complete personal responsibility is the true lid on any company's growth. He also discusses his book Larger Than Life and his new mission to support 5,000 entrepreneurs worldwide. Packed with practical wisdom for owners scaling past the 5–30 team stage, this episode delivers both inspiration and actionable insights. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here . Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Brett Penager shares that the hardest thing in growing a small business is learning to set it up so you're no longer the source of everything, especially once you reach around 40–50 employees. He emphasizes putting capable people in place, staying out of their way even if they don't do the job exactly as well as you would, and accepting that acceptable results from others free you to focus on what you do best. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Brett Penager shares that his favorite business books are The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Good to Great, and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. If he had to choose just one, he says The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has been the most powerful for him. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Brett Penager shares that he listens to a wide variety of podcasts and online learning resources rather than sticking to just one or two regularly. He values hearing many different voices and perspectives, so he recommends exploring broadly across platforms instead of limiting yourself to a single show or tool. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Brett Penager recommends the Landmark Forum (from Landmark Education) as the most powerful tool for growing a small business. He describes it as transformational learning that accelerates personal growth, helping entrepreneurs become the kind of leaders who can successfully scale their companies by gaining decades of wisdom in a much shorter time. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Brett Penager shares that he would tell himself on day one: "It's all going to work out." He encourages embracing the beauty of the journey itself, because the real magic happens in the process—not just at the mountaintop—and that mindset helps shorten the learning curve when starting over. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Balance is a myth — when you're out of balance, it simply means you're doing things that aren't lighting you up – Brett Penager If it's working, it's on me. If it's not, it's on me. At the end of the day, the leader is the lid – Brett Penager Every problem has a solution, and every solution brings with it a new problem you could never have foreseen – Brett Penager

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