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Stephen Candelmo of Paralex reveals how he's revolutionizing small business law with AI, slashing costs by 80%, doubling clients every quarter & exposing the risky truth behind using ChatGPT as your DIY legal advisor. (Episode 704 - Stephen Candelmo)

Grow A Small Business Podcast

Release Date: 08/02/2025

Co-founder of Four Pillars Gin, shares how he turned a bold idea into a global brand, selling over 6M bottles and growing to 150 team members before a $100M exit, with insights on branding, leadership, and unstoppable growth. (Episode 725 - Stu Gregor) show art Co-founder of Four Pillars Gin, shares how he turned a bold idea into a global brand, selling over 6M bottles and growing to 150 team members before a $100M exit, with insights on branding, leadership, and unstoppable growth. (Episode 725 - Stu Gregor)

Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews , co-founder of , shares his journey of growing a bold idea into a global gin brand. Starting in 2013, he scaled the business to 150 team members, sold over 6M bottles worldwide, and achieved a $100M exit. Stu dives into the challenges of competing with global giants, the power of storytelling in marketing, and building a strong company culture. He also reflects on navigating crises like COVID-19 and the lessons learned along the way. This episode is packed with insights on branding, leadership, and sustainable growth. Why...

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QFF: Unlocking Small Business Growth and Profitability with Fractional CFO Expertise – A Conversation with Carla Titus, Founder & CEO of Wealth & Worth Within, on How Knowing Your Numbers Can Transform Financial Success. (Episode 724 - Carla Titus) show art QFF: Unlocking Small Business Growth and Profitability with Fractional CFO Expertise – A Conversation with Carla Titus, Founder & CEO of Wealth & Worth Within, on How Knowing Your Numbers Can Transform Financial Success. (Episode 724 - Carla Titus)

Grow A Small Business Podcast

QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse! Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week. Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends! In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Rob Cameron speaks with...

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Founder of The Body School, shares her decade-long journey building a global wellness business. Discover how she bootstrapped her way to 10,000+ clients by putting community and values first, even through a pandemic. (Episode 723 - Sofia Rozhko) show art Founder of The Body School, shares her decade-long journey building a global wellness business. Discover how she bootstrapped her way to 10,000+ clients by putting community and values first, even through a pandemic. (Episode 723 - Sofia Rozhko)

Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews , founder of , shares her 10-year journey of growing from a solo nutritionist to building a global wellness business serving over 10,000 clients across 32 markets. She credits her success to a values-driven team, a strong focus on product quality, and fostering community support. By pivoting online before COVID, Sofia positioned her business for explosive growth during the pandemic. Her story highlights resilience, innovation, and the importance of staying true to one’s values. This episode is packed with...

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Justin Snyder of Forest Superfoods reveals how he grew a global health brand from just $250 to 350,000+ orders with 25% yearly growth, a passionate team of 10, and a mission-driven journey of business success and impact. (Episode 722 - Justin Snyder) show art Justin Snyder of Forest Superfoods reveals how he grew a global health brand from just $250 to 350,000+ orders with 25% yearly growth, a passionate team of 10, and a mission-driven journey of business success and impact. (Episode 722 - Justin Snyder)

Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast host Troy Trewin interviews , founder of , who turned a $250 idea into a global health brand. He shares how his passion for nutrition and persistence led to 350,000+ orders and 25% annual growth. Justin opens up about the early struggles, the lessons learned in e-commerce, and how building a small but dedicated team of 10 fueled his success. He discusses the importance of customer trust, product quality, and word-of-mouth growth in scaling a business. Listeners will gain powerful insights into resilience, sales focus, and creating long-term...

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QFF: Unlock purpose-driven growth with Anita Dahlenburg, Founder of B-spoke Co! Discover how B Corp certification helps businesses boost profits, attract talent, and make a real impact on people & planet. (Episode 721 - Anita Dahlenburg) show art QFF: Unlock purpose-driven growth with Anita Dahlenburg, Founder of B-spoke Co! Discover how B Corp certification helps businesses boost profits, attract talent, and make a real impact on people & planet. (Episode 721 - Anita Dahlenburg)

Grow A Small Business Podcast

QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse! Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week. Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends! In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Amanda Jones speaks with...

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Founder of Crowds Now, went from restaurants and a chocolate franchise to creating an app with 500K+ users that disrupts influencer marketing by paying everyday people to be brand ambassadors and empower communities. (Episode 720 - Adriana Brusi) show art Founder of Crowds Now, went from restaurants and a chocolate franchise to creating an app with 500K+ users that disrupts influencer marketing by paying everyday people to be brand ambassadors and empower communities. (Episode 720 - Adriana Brusi)

Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews , founder of , takes us through her entrepreneurial journey from restaurants and a chocolate franchise to creating an innovative app with over 500K users. Crowds Now empowers everyday people to earn as brand ambassadors, redefining influencer marketing while helping businesses grow and communities thrive. In this episode, Adriana shares her insights on resilience, scaling ventures, and building lasting impact through innovation and people-first leadership. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you...

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Nathan Baws of Numberfied shares his journey from launching 15 businesses to scaling a global team of 80 across 5 countries, turning failures into Shark Tank success, and driving 100% growth with creative business strategies. (Episode 719 - Nathan Baws) show art Nathan Baws of Numberfied shares his journey from launching 15 businesses to scaling a global team of 80 across 5 countries, turning failures into Shark Tank success, and driving 100% growth with creative business strategies. (Episode 719 - Nathan Baws)

Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews , founder of , joins the Grow a Small Business podcast to share his incredible journey from launching his first “business” at age six to building 15 diverse ventures across industries. He opens up about scaling his catering company after Shark Tank success and transforming failures into seven-figure wins. Nathan explains how Number Five grew from one VA to a global team of 80 across five countries, providing affordable growth solutions for small businesses. He dives deep into the power of mindset, creative...

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QFF: Unlock recruitment secrets with Troy Trewin — learn how to attract A-players, master cultural fit, boost retention, and build unstoppable teams that drive growth and lasting success for your small business. (Episode 718 - Troy Trewin on Recruitment show art QFF: Unlock recruitment secrets with Troy Trewin — learn how to attract A-players, master cultural fit, boost retention, and build unstoppable teams that drive growth and lasting success for your small business. (Episode 718 - Troy Trewin on Recruitment

Grow A Small Business Podcast

QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse! Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week. Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends! In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Amanda Jones speaks with...

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From Divorce & Health Struggles to Building a 12 Person Bookkeeping Firm, Sharon Francisco Reinvents Herself as a Global Coach – Helping Bookkeepers Win Clients, Gain Confidence & Create True Financial Freedom. (Episode 717 - Sharon Francisco) show art From Divorce & Health Struggles to Building a 12 Person Bookkeeping Firm, Sharon Francisco Reinvents Herself as a Global Coach – Helping Bookkeepers Win Clients, Gain Confidence & Create True Financial Freedom. (Episode 717 - Sharon Francisco)

Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews , founder of , shares her inspiring journey from joining her sister-in-law’s small bookkeeping business in 2013 and scaling it to a 12-person team within six years, to launching her own coaching business in 2019. Despite facing a divorce after 26 years of marriage and battling serious health issues, Sharon transformed her challenges into strength, now coaching bookkeepers and accountants worldwide. She emphasizes confidence, financial freedom for women, and the importance of building habits like a default diary. Sharon...

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From Pastor to Laundromat Leader: Jordan Berry shares the inspiring journey of building Laundromat Resource, growing a dedicated team of 7, overcoming failures, and finding lasting success in business, leadership, and life. (Episode 716 - Jordan Berry) show art From Pastor to Laundromat Leader: Jordan Berry shares the inspiring journey of building Laundromat Resource, growing a dedicated team of 7, overcoming failures, and finding lasting success in business, leadership, and life. (Episode 716 - Jordan Berry)

Grow A Small Business Podcast

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews , founder of , who transformed his journey from pastor to entrepreneur in the laundromat industry. Despite early failures, he persevered and now oversees multiple sites generating over $50K in monthly sales with strong 45% margins, netting about $22K profit. Alongside running laundromats, Jordan built a thriving membership model, courses, and a podcast to guide others entering the business. With a team of seven, he focuses on customer experience, community impact, and sustainable growth. His story reflects how...

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More Episodes

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Stephen Candelmo, founder and CEO of Paralex, a groundbreaking legal tech platform transforming how small businesses access legal support. Stephen shares how Paralex leverages AI to deliver fixed-fee legal services that are up to 80% cheaper than traditional law firms—making legal help more accessible for startups and small companies. He opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, pivoting from marketing tech to legal innovation, and building a scalable SaaS model with a human-in-the-loop approach. We also discuss the risks of relying solely on tools like ChatGPT for legal advice and the importance of blending tech with real legal expertise. Stephen’s insights are a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of law, AI integration, and startup growth.

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:

  1. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business?

    According to Stephen Candelmo, the hardest thing in growing a small business is having patience and faith when things are hard—which, he emphasizes, is often. He highlights how the journey is rarely linear and requires resilience through constant ups and downs.

  2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most?

    According to Stephen Candelmo, his favorite business book that has helped him the most is "Good to Great" by Jim Collins. He admires how the book outlines the art and science of elevating an organization from being merely good to truly great.

  3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?

    According to Stephen Candelmo, a great podcast he recommends for entrepreneurs is "How I Built This", which offers inspiring stories from founders about building their businesses. He also highlights the use of ChatGPT (GPT-4) as a powerful online tool—calling it his “consultant” and “thought partner”—for strategic thinking and exploring business ideas.

  4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?

    Stephen Candelmo recommends Dripify as a valuable tool to grow a small business. It's especially useful for automated LinkedIn outreach, helping small business owners connect with prospects through personalized messaging campaigns to generate leads and meetings.

  5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?

    According to Stephen Candelmo, the advice he would give himself on day one of starting out in business is: "It’s going to take time — keep on believing. One day at a time."

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:

When you combine need, experience, and passion, you find purpose — Stephen Candelmo

If you take everything personally, you're focusing on the wrong thing — Stephen Candelmo

Success is when your customers start referring you without being asked — Stephen Candelmo