#154: The Importance of Customer Experience in Business Growth
Release Date: 12/02/2024
#175: One Big Beautiful Bill Tax Changes 2025
Cultivating Business Growth
Jaime Staley is joined by partner and CFO, Katina Peters, to break down what’s actually changing, who may benefit, and how to start planning before year-end instead of being surprised next April. In this episode, we cover: How the 2025 tax brackets and standard deduction look under the new bill “No tax on tips” and “no tax on overtime” - who qualifies and what the limits are Updates to the child tax credit, senior deduction, SALT cap, and estate & gift tax exemption Key small business changes, including QBI, bonus depreciation, Section 179, and more What Trump child...
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#174: How Technology Audits Transform Business Efficiency with Brian Zielinski of ShapeConnect
Cultivating Business Growth
Is your tech stack helping your business grow, or holding it back? In this episode of the Cultivating Business Growth Podcast, host Katina Peters, CPA & CGMA, talks with Brian Zielinski, President and Managing Director of ShapeConnect, about how a technology audit can uncover inefficiencies, streamline data flow, and set your business up for scalable success. Brian shares real stories of companies that transformed operations and doubled revenue through the right software systems, and why even small and mid-sized businesses should regularly assess their technology. Practical...
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#173: What is the Difference Between an S Corp and C Corp?
Cultivating Business Growth
Choosing the right entity taxation is not just a startup decision, it’s a lever that can create or erase six figures as your business grows. In this episode, Jaime and Katina discuss the difference between an S Corp and a C Corp, how LLCs fit into the picture, and why entity choice should be reviewed over time, not just once when you file paperwork. Katina explains the tax implications of each structure, including when C Corp double taxation is actually worth it, how reasonable compensation works for S Corp owners, and the five-year lock-in rule when switching. We also talk about the types...
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#172: How to Build High-Performing Teams that Drive Growth with Lindy Hoyt
Cultivating Business Growth
Willow Virtual CFO’s Jaime Staley sits down with Lindy Hoyt, founder of People Ambassadors, to unpack people-first leadership and how to build high-performing teams. Learn the building blocks, trust and psychological safety, goal alignment, real accountability, and intentional onboarding, plus low-cost plays small businesses can use now. Stick around for two simple actions you can take this week, and grab the free resource in the show notes.
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#171: 4 Modern Strategies to Increase Profitability in 2025
Cultivating Business Growth
In today’s fast-changing business world, profitability isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. In this updated episode of Cultivating Business Growth, we revisit one of our most popular topics from Episode 18 with a fresh look at four modern strategies to increase profitability in 2025 and beyond. Join Megan Spicer and Katina Peters, Partner at Willow Virtual CFO, as they discuss: Why doubling down on high-margin offers and clients is key to sustainable growth How to reevaluate and modernize your pricing strategies, including value-based and tiered models ...
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#170: How Business Systems and Processes Drive Real Growth with Holly Jean Jackson
Cultivating Business Growth
Are your daily tasks keeping you from growing your business? In this episode, business coach and systems strategist Holly Jean Jackson joins us to share why documenting key processes, like sales, client onboarding, and team workflows, is the secret to sustainable growth. Tune in to learn how the right systems (and tools like ClickUp, Pipedrive, and ActiveCampaign) can help you delegate with confidence, create “delight moments” for your clients, and free up your time to focus on what matters most.
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#169: How to Do a Business Health Check
Cultivating Business Growth
When was the last time you gave your business a real checkup? In this episode of the Cultivating Business Growth podcast, we’re talking about the importance of a business health check, a structured way to review profitability, cash flow, expenses, pricing, and strategy so you can catch problems early and keep your company on track. Megan Spicer is joined by Willow Virtual CFO co-founder Katina Peters to walk through a simple DIY framework for evaluating your business’s financial health. You’ll learn how to do a business health check on your own, what red flags to watch out for, and when...
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#168: Growth Strategies for Small Law Firms to Reach Retirement Goals with Darren Wurz
Cultivating Business Growth
Are you building a law firm that will truly support your retirement goals? In this episode of Cultivating Business Growth, Katina Peters welcomes Darren Wurz—financial planner, CEPA®, CFP®, MSFP, author of The Lawyer Millionaire, and host of The Lawyer Millionaire podcast—to talk about how to align law firm growth with personal financial independence. Darren specializes in helping attorneys and small law firm owners increase profitability, create businesses that can run without them, and design a retirement plan that goes beyond simply saving for the future. Together, Katina and Darren...
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#167: The Evolution & Future of Willow Virtual CFO
Cultivating Business Growth
In this episode, we explore the evolution of our firm from PJS & Co. CPAs to Willow Virtual CFO with co-founders Katina Peters and Jaime Staley. We discuss the motivations behind the rebrand, how we’re addressing the growing need for financial accounting advisory services, and how our fractional CFO offerings support small businesses with clarity and confidence. Key Topics: What led to the rebrand and why it matters How the advisory landscape is shifting for small businesses Launching the Willow Cultivator: a financial health check for business owners Staying grounded in core...
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#166: Negotiating with Confidence: Insurance Strategies for Profitable Dental Practices
Cultivating Business Growth
Dealing with dental insurance can feel like a never-ending maze—especially when you're unsure whether you're getting the reimbursement you deserve. In this episode, we’re joined by Adriana Steinberg of Apex Reimbursement Specialists to talk about how dental practice owners can take control of their insurance strategy and boost profitability through effective PPO fee negotiation, credentialing, and billing improvements. Topics covered in this episode: The current insurance landscape and its impact on dental revenue How PPO fee negotiation works (and why it matters) Credentialing...
info_outlineWelcome to Episode #154 of the Cultivating Business Growth Podcast, brought to you by PJS & Co. CPAs! In this episode, host Megan Spicer teams up with Kim Nixon, Director of Operations, to explore how prioritizing customer experience can become a pivotal driver for business growth. Together, they discuss the differences between customer service and customer experience, share strategies to improve client relationships, and highlight the measurable benefits of focusing on this often-overlooked area.
If you’re looking for actionable advice on transforming your client relationships into a powerful growth engine, this episode is for you!