Empowering Healthy Business: The Podcast for Small Business Owners

Hosted by Cal Wilder

Business Entrepreneurship Education

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Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The Empowering Healthy Business Podcast is THE podcast for small business owners seeking to balance having a nicely profitable business, a sustainable, scalable, and salable business, lower stress levels, better work-life balance, and improved physical and emotional fitness. Yes, this is possible! Though it’s not easy. We’re here to help you navigate toward this objective.

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60 recent

August 4, 2026Episode 636 min

63 The Sales Funnel Framework That Turns Leads into Loyal Clients

More leads don't always mean more clients. In this compilation episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, guests Kevin Roy from Green Banana SEO, Tom Freedman from Defiant Enterprises LLC, and Sean Garner from Sean Garner Consulting break down the sales funnel framework that helps turn leads into loyal, long-term clients. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why defining your audience matters more than picking a marketing channel • The real difference between generating leads and converting clients • Why a sales funnel isn't a software tool — it's a customer journey • A simple automation that stops you from losing leads to competitors Featured Guests: Kevin Roy — Green Banana SEO Tom Freedman — Defiant Enterprises LLC Sean Garner — Sean Garner Consulting This episode is brought to you by SmartBooks — outsourced bookkeeping, accounting, and tax for small businesses. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening! Host Cal Wilder can be reached at: cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

July 7, 2026Episode 621 hr 1 min

62 Out-of-the-Box AI Tools Your Business Can Use Now with Zach Francis

Artificial intelligence is no longer optional — it's becoming part of everyday business. But most owners still ask the same question: how do I actually use it? In this episode, Cal Wilder sits down with Zach Francis — SEO systems builder, AI growth entrepreneur, and co-founder of Helm and Willow — to talk about practical, out-of-the-box AI tools businesses can use right now without building anything from scratch. Zach and Cal cover: • The AI marketing tools Zach's company has built (Helm & Willow) • How to automate repetitive marketing and content tasks • Why strong business systems matter more than the AI tool itself • How to keep human oversight where it counts • Simple ways to start using AI without overcomplicating your business Whether you're just starting your AI journey or refining your current systems, this episode is full of ideas you can put to work today. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening! Host Cal Wilder can be reached at: cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

June 23, 2026Episode 616 min

61 What Business Owners Should Know About Utilizing Fractional Consultants

This Utilizing Fractional Consultants recap brings together key insights from multiple Empowering Healthy Business podcast conversations focused on fractional leadership, business growth, operations, HR, marketing strategy, and organizational effectiveness. Topics discussed include: • Fractional COO support • Strategic planning and accountability • HR leadership and compliance • Employee relations and team development • Fractional marketing leadership • Sales and marketing alignment • Solving operational challenges • Executive-level expertise for growing businesses • Building stronger systems and processes Across these conversations, one theme remains consistent: Businesses often benefit from specialized expertise without needing to hire a full-time executive. Whether you're navigating growth challenges, building systems, improving accountability, or refining your marketing strategy, fractional consultants can provide valuable guidance and support. Hosted by Calvin Wilder. Sponsored by SmartBooks, provider of bookkeeping, accounting, and financial management services for growing businesses. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening! Host Cal Wilder can be reached at: cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

June 16, 2026Episode 6018 min

60 What Business Owners Should Know About Financial Management

This Financial Management recap brings together key insights from multiple Empowering Healthy Business podcast conversations focused on business metrics, financial reporting, cash flow management, accounting systems, and strategic decision-making. Topics discussed include: • Using financial metrics to improve business performance • Building systems for measuring success • Understanding the finance stack • Reading financial statements effectively • Managing cash flow and profitability • Applying Profit First principles • Owner compensation strategies • Bankruptcy versus insolvency • Creating accounting systems that support growth • Aligning finance and operations for better decision-making Across every conversation, one theme remains consistent: Better financial visibility leads to better business decisions. Whether you're building a new business or managing an established company, understanding your numbers is one of the most valuable investments you can make. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening! Host Cal Wilder can be reached at: cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

June 2, 2026Episode 5925 min

59 Tax & Compliance: What Business Owners Should Know

This Tax & Compliance recap brings together key insights from multiple Empowering Healthy Business podcast conversations focused on tax planning, compliance requirements, deductions, reporting obligations, and strategies that can help business owners make better financial decisions throughout the year. In this recap, you'll learn about: • Why tax planning should be a year-round activity • The difference between tax planning and tax projecting • How bookkeeping impacts tax strategy • Entity structure considerations for business owners • Sales tax and nexus requirements • Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting • W2 withholding and estimated tax planning • Home office deductions and business expense tracking • Bonus depreciation and other tax-saving opportunities • Common compliance and tax mistakes business owners make One of the biggest themes throughout these conversations is that proactive planning creates options, while waiting until tax season often limits them. Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or company leader, this recap provides practical insights to help you better understand taxes, compliance, and the financial decisions that can impact your business. Hosted by Calvin Wilder. Sponsored by SmartBooks, provider of bookkeeping, accounting, and financial management services for growing businesses. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening! Host Cal Wilder can be reached at: cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

April 21, 2026Episode 5848 min

58 Investing in Real Estate with Adam Landrum

At some point, many business owners begin asking what they should do with extra cash once the business becomes stable. In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Cal Wilder talks with Adam Landrum about how he approached investing in real estate as a business owner. Adam shares how high lease costs pushed him to think differently, what happened when he bought commercial property, the renovation mistakes that hurt short-term cash flow, and why the long-term outcome still made sense. He also compares residential and commercial real estate, explains the role of property management, and offers a realistic view of both the upside and the risk. In this episode: Why business owners often turn to real estate Renting vs owning office space How to think about property as part of a long-term strategy Renovation mistakes and what they cost Managing tenants, repairs, and day-to-day issues Residential vs commercial risk and complexity If you are considering real estate as part of your long-term wealth strategy, this episode gives you a practical place to start. To reach Adam: adam@madetomatter.coach https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlandrum/ Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening! Host Cal Wilder can be reached at: cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

April 7, 2026Episode 5757 min

57 How to Make EOS Successful in Marketing and Technology Businesses with Jami Mullikin

As marketing and technology businesses grow, they often become more chaotic, despite having more clients and more work. In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Cal Wilder speaks with Jami Mullikin, founder of Wonder, about how to make EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) successful in agencies and tech-driven businesses. They explore how EOS creates clarity, accountability, and alignment—and why structure can actually enhance creativity instead of limiting it. In this episode: Why agencies struggle with growth and complexity How EOS creates a clear operating rhythm The importance of accountability charts Why creative teams perform better with structure The role of scorecards in measuring performance Common challenges in implementing EOS How EOS improves both internal operations and client outcomes If your business feels harder than it should, this episode will help you rethink how structure can support growth. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening! Host Cal Wilder can be reached at: cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

February 24, 2026Episode 5655 min

56 Utilizing AI in Your Sales Process

AI is already part of business life—but most small and midsize companies are not using it intentionally inside their sales process. In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Cal Wilder talks with Jim Norton, MBA, Certified Sales Leader from Sales Acceleration, about how businesses can apply AI in practical ways to improve productivity, forecasting, lead generation, and coaching. They break down how to start small, measure results, and build confidence before investing in complex systems. In this episode: Practical productivity uses of AI in sales Smarter CRM systems with pattern recognition AI-driven lead generation Coaching with real call analysis Creating an internal AI policy Evaluating ROI before scaling If you’re curious about AI but unsure where to begin, this episode gives you a practical roadmap. Here is Jim's contact info if you want personalized support: Email: jnorton@salesxceleration.com LinkedIn: Jim Norton, MBA, Certified Sales Leader | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-s-norton/ Jim's Practice Site: Jim Norton - https://salesxceleration.my.canva.site/jim-norton AI Integration Services We Offer: AI for Sales | Sales Xceleration- https://salesxceleration.com/ai-for-sales/ Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening! Host Cal Wilder can be reached at: cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

February 17, 2026Episode 5525 min

55 What Your CPA Should Be Telling You (But Maybe Isn’t) — with Greg Reed

Most business owners think tax season is about filing returns. In reality, the biggest tax opportunities happen the other nine months of the year. In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Cal Wilder talks with Greg Reed about what your CPA should be telling you—especially if you want fewer surprises and better decisions year-round. They discuss the difference between tax prep and tax planning, why not all tax savings are equal, how multi-year strategy works, and when paying more tax can actually support growth. In this episode: Why filing early doesn’t mean you’re planning well The difference between deductions, credits, and deferrals Why income smoothing matters When higher taxable income helps with funding Why entity structure and owner pay need regular review The truth about extensions and safe harbor estimates Why tax planning must be proactive If you’re only meeting your CPA once a year, this episode may change how you think about taxes. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening! Host Cal Wilder can be reached at: cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

January 13, 2026Episode 5419 min

54 Tax Season Preparation with Greg Reed

Tax season doesn’t cause stress because of paperwork; it causes stress because business owners don’t know what’s coming. In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Cal Wilder talks with Greg Reed, Head of Tax at SmartBooks, about how business owners can prepare for tax season in January to avoid surprises and reduce anxiety. They break down the difference between tax filing, projections, planning, and coaching, and explain what steps actually make tax season smoother. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why uncertainty creates tax anxiety What to organize in January to stay ahead How clean bookkeeping impacts tax prep How to prepare for 1099s and estimated payments When itemized deductions may apply again Why proactive tax support matters If tax season feels stressful every year, this episode will help you approach it with more clarity and control. Send us Fan Mail Thanks for listening! Host Cal Wilder can be reached at: cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/