143 - Is Your Business Actually Viable? 5 Tests Before You Spend a Dollar
The Small Business Mindset
Watch this episode on ! Before you invest time, money, and energy into a new business idea, there's one critical question you must answer: Is it actually viable? In this episode, host Kirsten Flory walks through give simple but powerful tests every entrepreneur should use to validate a startup idea before going all in. Through real-world examples - from product ideas to grocery delivery services - Kirsten shares how asking the right questions early can save you significant time, money, and frustration. Key Takeaways: Why idea validation matters more than passion alone The difference...
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142 - The Data You Need to Win in 2026
The Small Business Mindset
Watch this episode on ! As we kick of 2026, Kirsten Flory challenges small business owners to start the year with clarity - not guesswork. In this episode, she breaks down the most important data points every entrepreneur should be tracking to make smarter decisions, improve profitability, and eliminate what's no longer working. From understanding where you sales really come from, to evaluating clients, marketing spend, staff performance and even product offerings, this episode is a practical roadmap to use data to drive growth. Kirsten also shares real-world examples from her own...
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141 - Are You Interested or Committed?
The Small Business Mindset
Watch this episode on As we close out 2025 and step boldly into planning for 2026, Kirsten challenges you with a tough but transformational question: Are you committed to your goals, or merely interested? Most people like the idea of achieving big things - more income, more freedom, more abundance, etc. But liking the idea isn't enough. In this episode, Kirsten digs into the mindset shifts, the stories we tell ourselves, and the fears we cling to that keep us from living the bigger life we imagine. Key Takeaways: The difference between interest and commitment How your...
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140 - Time, Risk, and Wealth: What the Rich Know that Others Don't with Mike Milligan
The Small Business Mindset
Watch this episode on ! In this conversation, Mike Milligan discusses the critical relationship between risk and wealth building, emphasizing that significant risks are necessary for rapid financial growth. He highlights the importance of having a safety net when taking these risks and reflects on the value of time in the context of wealth creation, suggesting that successful individuals would trade their wealth for more time if given the chance. Key Takeaways: If you want to build wealth fast, you have to take huge risks and you have to be willing to fail. Many people who have failed...
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139 - The Energy Advantage: How to Fuel Your Life and Business Every Day
The Small Business Mindset
Watch this episode on ! In this energizing episode, Kirsten dives into the connection between your personal energy and your business success. From sleep and nutrition to boundaries, community, and environment - she shares practical ways to recharge and sustain your energy so you can show up as your best self every day, both at work and at home. Key Takeaways: Energy Drive Success - your personal energy affects every area of your business - decision-making, creativity, relationships, and growth. Treat it as one of your most valuable business assets. Prioritize Restful Sleep Create...
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138 - Building Green Goo: Family, Failure, and the Fight to Keep Going
The Small Business Mindset
Watch this episode on ! Every entrepreneur's journey is unique - and today's story is nothing short of remarkable. I sit down with Jodi Scott, the founder and CEO of Green Goo, a plant-based first aid and skincare company that grew from her family's kitchen to 150,000 stores nationwide. Jodi shared the incredible highs of building and selling her company, the heartbreak of nearly losing everything, and the grit it took to buy it back and rebuild stronger than ever. You'll hear how a simple idea sparked at a farmers market became a multimillion-dollar business, the realities...
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137 - Why the Phone Isn't Ringing & How to Fix It
The Small Business Mindset
Watch this episode on You Tube ! Are you struggling with sales and wondering why your phone isn't ringing? In this episode, Kirsten Flory dives into the challenges of sales outreach, why prospects may not be responding, and actionable strategies to turn things around. In this episode you'll learn: How to provide real value to prospects instead of just selling The importance of using multiple communication channels (phone, email, social media, handwritten notes, and more) Why consistency is key in outreach and follow-up How sharing success stories can boost your credibility and attract...
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136 - The Mindset Shift Every Business Owner Needs with Megan Schwan
The Small Business Mindset
Watch this episode on YouTube Most small business owners don't start out as financial experts - and that's exactly why 8 out of 10 small businesses fail. In this episode, I sit down with Megan Schwan, CEO and founder of Sidekick Accounting Services, to talk about how to set your business up for financial success. Megan has spent over two decades in accounting and has helped thousands of business owners understand their numbers, implement smart tax strategies, and build businesses that last. She's also a certified Profit First Professional, helping entrepreneurs prioritize...
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135 - Are You Trying on Your Dream?
The Small Business Mindset
Watch this episode on Have you ever created a vision board filled with dreams - but realized you've never actually experienced the things you were visualizing? In this episode, Kirsten Flory shared why it's so important to not just dream about success, but to touch it, feel it, and try it on before it becomes your reality. From painting her kitchen table purple for Feng Shui prosperity, to test-driving luxury cars and walking through multimillion-dollar open houses, Kirsten reveals how small, intentional steps help you bring your goals closer. These experiences shift your...
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134 - From Integrity to Impact: Character as Your Competitive Edge
The Small Business Mindset
Join Kirsten Flory, and as they delve into the aspect of your character. Watch this episode on YouTube at Key Takeaways: How do you define character for yourself? Do you follow your "gut" when something seems off? Do you want to follow the "in" crowd, even if it doesn't match your character? founders have come together as a way to provide you with expert guidance on branding, business coaching, and wealth building. Having a strong foundation on who you are, and what kind of character you bring gives you not only a competitive advantage, but the key to how you show up in your life,...
info_outlineIn this conversation, Kirsten Flory discusses the critical importance of not only earning money, but also keeping it. She emphasizes the need for careful financial planning, especially when receiving unexpected windfalls. She advised against impulsive spending on depreciating assets, and encourages listeners to live below their means to build sustainable wealth. Kirsten highlights the dangers of not planning for future financial stability and the importance of consistent effort in maintaining business momentum.
Key Takeaways:
- How do you keep the money once you've earned it?
- Don't go out and buy a bunch of dumb stuff
- If you want to build true wealth, don't blow your money
- Your lack of planning WILL create emergency situations
- Plan for the windfall - even before it happens
- Live below your means - even two levels below
- The goal is to plan to keep and expand upon the money you earn
Kirsten Flory is the President & CEO of Foundations Commercial Real Estate and host of The Small Business Mindset.