MYB081: Foundation First - Why Your Business Can’t Scale Without Solid Systems
Release Date: 04/03/2025
MYB094: How to Tell If Your Business Is Actually Making Progress (Not Just Keeping Busy)
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin explore one of the biggest challenges for business owners: how to measure real progress, not just busyness. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, but are you truly building a business that gives you more money and more time, or have things ended up a bit different than you’d hoped? Ben and David break down the blind spots that keep business owners from moving forward, share stories from clients who’ve turned things around, and offer practical tools for getting clarity on where you’re at and...
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MYB093: Planning the Year Ahead? Don’t Miss These 5 Key Steps
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin dive into a timely topic: getting your plan together for the new financial year. Whether you’re scrambling to close out June or already looking ahead, this episode gives you a practical framework to reset, refocus, and get results. If you’ve ever found yourself saying “Where did the year go?” or if your business plan is still sitting in your head instead of on paper, this episode is for you. Ben and David break down why planning doesn’t need to be complicated—and how keeping it simple is the key to...
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MYB092: How to Stop Discounting and Start Making Real Profit
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin tackle a challenge that hits home for so many business owners: You’re making sales… but where’s the profit? If you’ve ever looked at your revenue and wondered why there’s nothing left over at the end of the month, this episode is for you. Ben and David break down the real reasons why businesses stay busy but broke and what to do about it. From silent cost creep to outdated pricing and the dangerous mindset of discounting, Ben and David will help you uncover the financial leaks and get back on track to...
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MYB091: The Mindset Formula Every Business Owner Needs to Know
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin dive into the real game-changer in business—what’s happening between your ears. They’re talking mindset, beliefs, and how your internal dialogue directly shapes your outcomes. Whether you’re stressed out, stuck in scarcity thinking, or just feel like your business is plateauing, this episode cuts through the fluff and shows you how to shift your thinking to unlock better results. Ben and David unpack the powerful formula E + R = O (Events + Response = Outcome), how stress is self-created, and why...
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MYB090: Building a Real Team vs. Just Hiring People
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin get real about one of the most common business complaints: “It’s hard to find good people.” But is it really a people problem or a leadership one? If you’ve ever hired someone who didn’t work out, struggled to keep staff accountable, or found yourself doing everything because “it’s easier that way,” this episode is a must-listen. Ben and David unpack why most small businesses don’t have teams—they have groups of people—and how to fix that. From sports analogies to real hiring mistakes, they...
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MYB089: Should You Be Using AI in Your Business?
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way business owners work, plan, and grow. If you’re picturing robots or complex coding, think again. This is about simple, practical uses that save time, reduce admin, and help you make better decisions. From writing emails and analysing financials, to handling job applications and quoting systems, AI is now a real, affordable tool for small businesses. Ben and David break down the possibilities and share examples from their own clients (and lives) to show...
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MYB088: How to Get Your Customers Spending More (Without Being Salesy)
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin break down one of the easiest, most overlooked ways to grow your revenue—getting your customers to spend more, without resorting to hard-selling or gimmicks. From supermarkets to service-based businesses, the strategies shared in this episode apply to any industry. Whether it’s bundling products, using checklists, or simply asking the right questions at the right time, Ben and David unpack real-world tactics you can implement straight away. If you’ve been focused on getting more customers, this episode will...
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MYB087: When Should You Hire a General Manager? A Guide for Growing Businesses
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin tackle one of the biggest transitions a business owner can face—handing over the reins to a General Manager. Most business owners are already acting as the GM without even realising it. But if you want to scale, take a step back, or simply stop being the bottleneck in your business, at some point you’ll need to redefine your role. Ben and David unpack what a true General Manager actually does (hint: it's not just being a glorified operations manager), the mindset shifts required to step away from the...
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MYB086: Small Business Budgeting Made Easy - Stop Guessing and Start Growing
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin unpack a topic that too many business owners avoid – budgeting. If you’re making sales but still struggling to pay the bills, this one’s a must-listen. Ben and David dive into why most small businesses react to their finances instead of planning for them, and how flipping that approach can help you build a business that actually works for you. Ben and David share simple strategies, personal lessons, and practical tools that show you budgeting isn’t about cutting back – it’s about making confident,...
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MYB085: Why KPIs Matter and How to Set the Right Ones for Your Team
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, join hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin as they dive into why tracking KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) is absolutely critical if you want to grow and future-proof your business. With their usual practical, no-nonsense advice, Ben and David unpack how KPIs serve as the "dashboard" for your business, helping you stay on course, measure progress, and make better decisions rather than relying on gut feel alone. They also share real-world strategies for setting up simple, effective KPIs that keep you and your team focused without overwhelming...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin take you back to where every great business begins: the foundations.
Whether you're flying by the seat of your pants or already have a team in place, this episode is your reality check. Ben and David share what they've learned from decades of coaching thousands of business owners—most of whom skipped the vital first step. If you're constantly putting out fires, working insane hours, or feel like the business falls apart without you, this is a must-listen.
Without these foundational pieces in place, any attempt to grow your business will likely just magnify the problems you're already facing.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Introduction to the Max Your Business Podcast
02:19 – Why stepping back from your business feels impossible (but shouldn’t be)
03:51 – What the Blueprint really is—and why it’s not just another business model
06:28 – Would you build a house without a plan? Then why do it in your business?
08:34 – Why most owners are still stuck in the "job" stage, not the business stage
10:36 – What’s inside the Foundation Checklist: 75 critical items to assess
16:30 – You can’t grow if your base isn’t stable (seriously, don’t skip this step)
19:09 – The mindset shift that changes everything: From “I do it” to “Who will do it?”
24:03 – You don’t need a second business—you need to fix the first one
28:10 – Long-term vision and strategic planning that actually works
Key Takeaways:
Stop Flying Blind: You wouldn’t build a house without blueprints—so don’t build a business without a plan.
Foundations First: Before scaling or stepping back, you need systems, financial clarity, and role structure in place.
Mindset is Everything: Success starts when you stop doing everything and start thinking like a business owner.
Take Stock: Most business owners are still in the Foundation stage (and don’t even realise it).
Clarity Brings Confidence: Know your break-even, cash flow, KPIs, and 90-day goals—not just “hope” it all works out.
🚀 Download the free Foundation Checklist at maxmyprofit.com.au/foundations and finally get your business set up to grow—with or without you.
Want to know exactly where you’re at in your business journey? Take the free Blueprint Quiz at maxmyprofit.com.au/blueprint and get instant clarity on what to focus on next.
Tune in for a practical, no-fluff conversation that could completely shift the way you see your business. Whether you’re starting out or levelling up, this episode is your invitation to build better—and smarter. Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly tips that actually move the needle.