Small Business Confidential

Hosted by Mike Reilly

Business Entrepreneurship

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Episodes

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

40+ year business owner, Mike Reilly, shares the dirty secrets of owning your own small business.

Listen to episodes

55 recent

June 19, 2026Episode 5558 min

How To Bring Value To Your Customers and Not Just A Price

[1:15] Mike opens the weekly sales meeting by discussing price, customer budgets, and why the number a customer gives is not always the final number.[13:15] A’marri explains why knowing the product, the audience, and the customer’s hot words is important when marketing properties.[20:30] Bob and Mike shift to the contracting side, using a recent estimate to discuss how to offer value instead of simply giving customers a price.[36:00] A’marri talks about using AI to organize sales situations, understand what went wrong, and learn from why customers say yes or no.[52:15] A’marri and Mike discuss continuous improvement, staying open to change, and using storytelling to strengthen marketing.

May 29, 2026Episode 5443 min

How to Separate Yourself From Competition

[1:15] Mike opens the episode by introducing the sales meeting and framing the discussion around how small business owners can better sell their services, products, and value.[4:45] Mike explains why closing strategy starts with asking the right questions, identifying the customer’s urgency, budget, and “hot word” theme.[13:30] Brook shares an estimate story where listening carefully helped turn a hardwood floor request into a more valuable interior refresh project.[24:15] Mike explains the “customer for life” approach, comparing contracting to an advisory service that helps homeowners protect and budget for their biggest asset.[33:00] The conversation shifts to hiring, with Mike explaining how small businesses also need to sell themselves to attract proactive people who are willing to learn.

May 21, 2026Episode 5327 min

How Selling Informs The Marketing

Mike leads our weekly sales meeting and we talk [1:15] Mike introduces the weekly sales meeting and explains how the team uses sales feedback to adjust marketing.[6:45] A’marri explains how marketing helps communicate RPC’s value, proactivity, and problem-solving approach to customers.[9:30] Mike explains why sales and marketing work together, and how customer questions reveal what people really need.[20:00] Mike and Lyndsey discuss filtering serious leads, responding quickly, and creating urgency during the rental process.[25:00] Mike and A’marri discuss tracking sales statistics, understanding why customers say yes or no, and using that feedback to improve marketing.

March 13, 2026Episode 5247 min

Sale is Not a 4-Letter Word and How to Create a Customer for Life

[3:10] Mike introduces the topic of sales and explains why selling should not be viewed negatively, emphasizing that strong sales skills help build long-term customer relationships.[11:20] Mike compares sales to investigative journalism, explaining that great salespeople ask questions, listen carefully, and uncover the real problem before offering solutions.[20:05] Mike explains the concept that “the customer is not the foreman,” and how professionals must provide expertise instead of letting customers dictate the solution.[31:40] Brook discusses the importance of listening more than talking in sales and how customers can sense anxiety when a salesperson over-explains or tries too hard.[43:50] The group wraps up with advice for sales professionals—build confidence, focus on relationships, and remember that even if you don’t close the sale, you can still build a connection.

February 27, 2026Episode 5132 min

AI and Improving the Workflow in your Small Business

Mike, Brook, Mac, and A’marri break down how AI is transforming business and everyday life — from workouts and financial planning to marketing and content creation. The conversation highlights proactive leadership, requiring AI adoption in the workplace, and why adapting to technology isn’t optional — it’s survival.1:15 Mike introduces the discussion on AI tools and explains why being proactive is the most important skill in a rapidly changing business environment.3:15 Brook shares real-world examples of using ChatGPT for workout planning, health advice, financial analysis, and generating amortization schedules.9:00 Mac and A’marri explain how they use AI for marketing, creative prompts, transcription, and improving social media content efficiency.18:15 The conversation shifts to leadership — how employers should require AI usage, reward competence, and challenge employees to step outside their comfort zones.30:15 Mike wraps up by comparing AI to past technological disruptions like Uber and television, emphasizing the need to “adapt or die.”

December 11, 2025Episode 5043 min

It's Being A Leader.... Stupid. Lessons In Running An Organization.

We break down how leadership, culture, and accountability drive success—using the Cleveland Browns as a case study—why creating a culture matters more than schemes and products0:30 Mike opens the episode by defining what real leadership looks like — from small businesses to the Cleveland Browns — and why management matters more than schemes.3:00 Mike uses Bill Walsh and the 49ers’ culture as a model for how winning organizations are built from top to bottom.7:00 Brook explains why Kevin Stefanski was originally seen as the “safe hire” and why it’s now clear he has reached his coaching ceiling.17:30 A’marri connects Browns discipline issues to real-world business leadership, stressing how small lapses compound into major failures.28:45 Mike calls out Stefanski’s press conferences and the Browns’ lack of accountability, challenging ownership and media to demand real leadership.

October 17, 2025Episode 4937 min

Production Is Required in Managing Your Small Business and The Cleveland Browns

Mike, Brook and A'marri talk about managing, leadership and the Cleveland Browns.There is irony in the statement from Kevin Stefanski's first press conference as The Browns coach, "Personality is welcome, production is required." as all we see is platitudes and "personality" in the Browns organization and no production. There is plenty to learn from this as the owner of a small business from how to confront bad attitudes and performance, addition by subtraction, walking the talk as a manager and more. 0:00 Mike opens the episode introducing the crossover topic of management and coaching — connecting leadership lessons between business and football.2:45 Brook highlights the importance of confronting issues early, whether dealing with employees, customers, or players.4:30 A’marri talks about setting firm boundaries and addressing problems in the moment to maintain authority and respect.6:00 Mike compares management fairness in small businesses to accountability problems with the Cleveland Browns’ culture.14:15 The team discusses Kevin Stefanski’s quote “Personality is welcome, production is required” — emphasizing real leadership through consistent results and accountability.

October 16, 2025Episode 4835 min

Setting Goals, Scripting Plans

Mike and Brook discuss setting your goal, setting your script, extreme ownership and connecting daily goals to your strategic goal for the year. Fail to plan, plan to fail.02:15 Brook explains how planning and budgeting in everyday life applies to business and investing.04:30 Mike and Brook discuss the savings from quitting smoking and the importance of measuring progress.07:00 The team highlights why many investors don’t realize they’re losing money on rental properties.10:15 Mike shares a story about a restaurant manager considering law school and how unconventional paths can create success.20:30 Mike reflects on selling underperforming properties, repositioning into stronger assets, and the value of long-term awareness.

September 12, 2025Episode 4730 min

How We're Using AI Both Personally And Professionally

Mike, Brook, and A’Marri share how they personally and professionally use AI — from handling emails and financial reports to streamlining business processes and even creative work.2:30 A’Marri explains how ChatGPT helps solve work problems and create podcast notes more efficiently.5:30 Brook describes using AI for workout plans, financial schedules, and even relationship advice.7:00 Mike compares the rise of AI to the early days of personal computers in the 1980s.11:30 Discussion on how foremen and staff can use AI for drafting emails, organizing hours, and summarizing reports.22:15 Brook and A’Marri wrap up with the importance of adapting to AI, its role in creative industries, and practical advice for anyone new to the technology.

September 1, 2025Episode 4621 min

Where's My Money!

Mike, Brook and A'marri talk about collections and problem customers.How do you collect the money owed to you? When to do a deposit or a prepay? How to make sure you don't run into the same problems with the same customers.1:15 Mike kicks off the discussion on unpaid bills, asking Brook how to handle clients who don’t pay.2:15 Brook shares prevention tactics like deposits, credit cards on file, and liens to secure payment.4:00 A’marri emphasizes profiling customers and requiring upfront payments for newer clients.6:00 Mike and A’marri explain the “status X” system to flag problem customers and avoid repeat issues.15:15 The team wraps up with final thoughts on deposits, due diligence, and credit score consequences.