What the Biz?!

Hosted by What the Biz?!

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Episodes

133

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Brigitte Vegter, Daniel Proczko, and Richard Piet are 3 entrepreneurs sharing their journey to build their businesses beyond 6 figures. Each WhatTheBIz?! episode features a discussion surrounding a business building topic, recent events from the trenches of running a business, balancing life, and all the WTB in between. Enjoy entertaining banter, highly valuable resources and tools, and in less than 60min.

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June 10, 2026Episode 13340 min

The Hidden Relationship Killers in Small Business

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of What The Biz?!, hosts Brigitte Vegter and Daniel Proczko flip the script on small business advisory. While past episodes exposed what entrepreneurs should look for in their financial and growth teams, this week reveals the ultimate plot twist: the success of an advisory relationship rests heavily on the business owner. If your goal is to maximize business valuation, reduce tax liabilities, and scale sustainably, you must learn how to step into the role of a high-performance client. The duo merges the worlds of finance and growth to deliver a definitive, unified 10-Step Guide to Being a Dream Client. Brigitte and Daniel unpack why paying for a "pair of hands" to perform basic tasks will never yield strategic blueprints. They tackle the massive communication breakdowns that occur when owners withhold live financial access , fail to provide direct client-conversion feedback loops , or issue purely subjective, aesthetic critiques on marketing collateral. Most importantly, the hosts dive deep into the concept of "Strategic Lag Time", explaining that pulling up your operational seeds every three days guarantees that nothing in your business will ever bloom.Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at WhatTheBiz.com.Join the WhattheBiz?! newsletter to be the first to learn about upcoming events and specials.Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a voicemail on WhatTheBiz.com!*********HostsDaniel Proczko - myPocketMarketingBrigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

June 2, 2026Episode 13255 min

The Dream Growth Partner: Moving from Content Decorators to Revenue Engineers

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of What The Biz?!, hosts Brigitte Vegter and Daniel Proczko explore the high-stakes world of customer acquisition and reveal why so many small business owners get trapped on the content creation treadmill. Following last week's deep dive into finding a financial quarterback , the duo addresses the other side of your business scaling coin: your growth partner. We tackle the five core criteria that separate basic tactical graphic designers or decorators from a true, high-performing revenue engineer. Brigitte shares insights from her latest training cohort , highlighting the power of real-world internship experiences over static, textbook-style learning. Dan breaks down why strategic growth partners must focus on hard data—such as customer acquisition costs, lifetime value, and average order value —rather than hiding behind empty vanity metrics like impressions and reach. We also look at why a sophisticated marketing funnel must leverage existing customer profiles to run win-back campaigns and trigger intentional follow-up sequences. Finally, Brigitte shares a frustrating "What The Biz" local retail experience where a purely finance-driven app modification added massive customer friction and destroyed a perfectly seamless corporate brand loyalty experience.Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at WhatTheBiz.com.Join the WhattheBiz?! newsletter to be the first to learn about upcoming events and specials.Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a voicemail on WhatTheBiz.com!*********HostsDaniel Proczko - myPocketMarketingBrigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

May 26, 2026Episode 13137 min

The Five Questions Every Business Owner Must Ask Their Accountant

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of What The Biz?!, hosts Brigitte Vegter and Daniel Proczko crack open a viral Reddit thread where business owners rip the lid off what they actually want from their financial teams. A recurring theme cuts to the heart of the industry: "I don't need more reports. I need decisions." We address the massive structural gap leaving one-third of business owners flying solo with no strategic advisor, walking through a heartbreaking scenario where a business owner was blindsided by a $130,000 back-tax bill after relying on TurboTax and basic compliance software. The duo exposes the dangerous compliance trap of hiring "historians when you need architects". Brigitte maps out the five core pillars that separate a standard tax preparer from a true Financial Quarterback—including turning historical metrics into forward-looking decisions, mapping out year-round aggressive tax strategies, and actively building internal capacity. We also arm you with five specific interview questions to stress-test your accountant's proactive cadence. Finally, Dan shares a "What The Biz" retail experience with Fifth Third Bank that highlights how tiny, paperless customer service wins dictate which institutions modern entrepreneurs choose. Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at WhatTheBiz.com.Join the WhattheBiz?! newsletter to be the first to learn about upcoming events and specials.Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a voicemail on WhatTheBiz.com!*********HostsDaniel Proczko - myPocketMarketingBrigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

May 19, 2026Episode 13050 min

Your Business Big 8: The Dream Team Every Small Business Needs

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of What The Biz?!, hosts Brigitte Vegter and Daniel Proczko extend their conversation on exit strategy to tackle the advisor gap. While a staggering 54% of business owners are eyeing the exit door over the next five years, over 27% are flying completely solo without a trusted advisor in their corner. We break down why maximizing your valuation and protecting your wealth requires moving past a simple vendor list to build a true financial dream team—Your Business Big 8. The duo maps out the exact eight roles every business owner needs: from the Growth-Oriented Accountant who acts as your strategic quarterback, to business consultants, marketing growth partners, corporate attorneys, risk-mitigating insurance pros, wealth advisors, strategic bankers, and M&A brokers. Brigitte and Dan explain why breaking down the silos between these professionals is the ultimate key to proactive planning. Finally, Dan shares a "What The Biz" retail fail from Hobby Lobby that reveals how predictable, bi-weekly discounts train consumers to never buy at full price, eroding potential profit margins.Show Topics & SourcesThe High-Performance Advisor Network: Why only 5% of small businesses utilize a true business consultant to solve operational bottlenecks.The Growth-Oriented Accountant: Moving away from once-a-year tax preparers to a monthly partner who turns metrics into strategic moves.The Reactive Legal Trap: Why hiring an attorney in a panic costs up to five times more than building a strategic, proactive relationship.Protecting the Bottom Line: How specialized insurance policies like cyber liability safeguard your business assets during catastrophic outages.WTB Moment: Analyzing the psychology of discounting and why "always on" sales signals an artificial markup to the consumer.Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at WhatTheBiz.com.Join the WhattheBiz?! newsletter to be the first to learn about upcoming events and specials.Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a voicemail on WhatTheBiz.com!*********HostsDaniel Proczko - myPocketMarketingBrigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

May 12, 2026Episode 12948 min

Why 80% of Small Businesses Never Actually Sell

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of What The Biz?!, hosts Brigitte Vegter and Daniel Proczko explore a startling reality revealed by a recent Huntington Bank report: while 54% of business owners hope to sell within the next five years, statistics show that between 80% and 89% of businesses will never successfully complete a transaction. We break down the massive gap between "intention" and "preparation" and why a feeling is not a formal succession plan.The duo discusses the shift away from generational hand-offs—with only 19% of businesses staying in the family—and what it really takes to be "exit-ready." Brigitte highlights the "Compliance vs. Advisory" gap, noting that only about 5% of businesses have a true consultant or strategist in their corner. We provide three immediate action items, including the 30-Day Dependency Test, to help you start your five-year exit clock today. Finally, Brigitte shares a "What The Biz" win from a hotel coffee shop that turned a mechanical failure into a masterclass in employee empowerment and customer loyalty.Show Topics & SourcesThe Reality of Business Sales: Why industry reports from the Exit Planning Institute suggest only 11% to 20% of businesses listed actually sell. The Exit-Ready Blueprint: Key requirements for a high-multiple sale, including due-diligence-ready financials, documented processes, and leadership depth. The Advisor Audit: Only 6% of businesses use a consultant, with many relying on friends or family for critical strategic advice. Revenue vs. Margin Trends: Why buyers look for 3–5 years of increasing profit margins rather than just "coasting" revenue. WTB Moment: How a pre-determined "drink on us" policy during equipment failure saved a brand and empowered its front-line staff. Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at WhatTheBiz.com.Join the WhattheBiz?! newsletter to be the first to learn about upcoming events and specials.Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a voicemail on WhatTheBiz.com!*********HostsDaniel Proczko - myPocketMarketingBrigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

May 5, 2026Episode 12843 min

How to Write for AI Citations and Human Attention

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of What The Biz?!, hosts Brigitte Vegter and Daniel Proczko dive into the "zero-visit" reality of modern search. With Google’s AI Overviews now appearing in nearly 50% of all searches—a massive 58% increase in just one year—the game has shifted from chasing clicks to earning citations. We explore why articles being cited aren't always in the top 10 results and how "fluff content" is becoming a major liability for small businesses. Daniel breaks down the Pyramid Style of writing and the power of Content Clusters to build 200x faster visibility. Brigitte shares how she uses Claude to turn morning brain dumps into high-level advisory dashboards, proving that human expertise is the only cure for "AI slop". Finally, we discuss a frustrating "What The Biz" moment regarding the "black box" of TikTok support and why gaslighting your customers with automated loops is a recipe for brand disaster.Sources: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/seo-pulse-aio-citations-diverge-from-rankings-bing-rewrites-rules/568881/https://almcorp.com/blog/top-digital-marketing-trends-2026-guide/https://www.seo.com/blog/geo-trends/Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at WhatTheBiz.com.Join the WhattheBiz?! newsletter to be the first to learn about upcoming events and specials.Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a voicemail on WhatTheBiz.com!*********HostsDaniel Proczko - myPocketMarketingBrigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

April 28, 2026Episode 12734 min

TikTok and Instagram are the New Google

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of What The Biz?!, hosts Brigitte Vegter and Daniel Proczko explore a seismic shift in consumer behavior: social media is officially rivaling Google as a primary search engine. With over half of Gen Z and a third of all consumers searching TikTok and Instagram first, small businesses can no longer win through mere visibility—they have to win by being authentically human.The duo breaks down the rise of creator marketing, explaining why 40% of digital ad budgets are shifting toward authentic, original content that outperforms high-end, polished productions. We also demystify the "numbers game," proving why most small businesses don't need millions of followers—they just need to resonate with the right hundred people. Finally, Daniel shares a frustrating "What The Biz" moment involving a TikTok account setup and why the "black box" of AI support makes a human fail-safe essential for any business.Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at WhatTheBiz.com.Join the WhattheBiz?! newsletter to be the first to learn about upcoming events and specials.Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a voicemail on WhatTheBiz.com!*********HostsDaniel Proczko - myPocketMarketingBrigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

April 21, 2026Episode 12638 min

The Tax Season Hangover: Navigating the 2026 Compliance Crunch

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of What The Biz?!, hosts Brigitte Vegter and Daniel Proczko help you navigate the "Tax Season Hangover" and the rapidly shifting compliance landscape of 2026. We dive into the significant jump in the Social Security wage base ceiling to $184,500 and explain why S-Corp owners need to re-evaluate their "reasonable salary" strategies to avoid a stealth tax on their success.The duo also issues a major "trigger warning" for QuickBooks users: starting May 8th, the new AI-powered bank feed becomes the mandatory default experience with no option to toggle back. We share tips on how to audit these "AI hallucinations" to ensure your coffee shop runs don't end up categorized as loan payments. Finally, we discuss the "Compliance Cliff" regarding new federal tax exemptions for tips and overtime, and why your payroll software choice could be your biggest audit risk this year.Show Topics & SourcesThe 2026 Social Security Jump: Understanding the 6.2% tax impact on high-earners and the strategic shift for S-Corp distributions.QuickBooks AI Mandate: What you need to know before the May 8th permanent default switch and how to maintain data integrity.Agentic AI in Accounting: Why 45% of firms see efficiency gains, but 15% are battling "hallucinated reconciliations".No-Tax-on-Tips Compliance: The reporting nightmare of separating qualified overtime and tips, and why Gusto is leading the way in tracking.WTB Moment: A "fail and a win" from the golf course on why pushing your internal busyness onto your customers is a recipe for losing them forever.Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at WhatTheBiz.com.Join the WhattheBiz?! newsletter to be the first to learn about upcoming events and specials.Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a voicemail on WhatTheBiz.com!*********HostsDaniel Proczko - myPocketMarketingBrigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

April 14, 2026Episode 12532 min

Why the Smartest Small Businesses are Trading Growth for Cash Flow

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of What The Biz?!, hosts Brigitte Vegter and Daniel Proczko tackle the sudden shift in small business sentiment. While optimism was high just months ago, a recent U.S. Chamber of Commerce report reveals that only 25% of owners now expect an economic uptick in the next year. We explore why "growth at all costs" is being replaced by defensive excellence—a strategy focused on protecting cash flow and perfecting internal systems.The duo also introduces the concept of the "Super Worker" and the transition from simple chatbots to autonomous AI Agents that can manage operations without constant human oversight. Plus, we discuss a major external threat: the national state of emergency in the Philippines. With energy shortages threatening to take outsourced teams offline, we break down why every business needs a "when crap hits the fan" backup plan for their digital infrastructure.Show Topics & SourcesThe Economic Pivot: Why small businesses are moving into "turtle mode" to protect themselves from high prices and a cooling labor market.Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business IndexThe Rise of AI Agents: How to redesign your workforce by integrating "digital employees" that handle routine tasks like scheduling and quoting.Sources: PWC Workforce Insights & Accresure AI TrendsOutsourcing Vulnerabilities: The energy crisis in the Philippines and what it means for businesses reliant on overseas VAs.WTB Moment: A tale of two coffee shops in rural Illinois and how to thrive alongside your competition by owning your unique brand vibe.Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at WhatTheBiz.com.Join the WhattheBiz?! newsletter to be the first to learn about upcoming events and specials.Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a voicemail on WhatTheBiz.com!*********HostsDaniel Proczko - myPocketMarketingBrigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

April 7, 2026Episode 12436 min

AI as an Operating System: Automating Repetitive Tasks for Small Business Growth

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of What The Biz?!, hosts Brigitte Vegter and Daniel Proczko explore how AI is evolving from a simple content generator into a full-scale "operating system" for small businesses. With nearly 60% of small businesses now using AI to automate routine tasks like invoicing and data entry, we discuss how tools like Claude are enabling "vibe coding"—allowing non-technical owners to solve complex process issues with custom scripts.The duo also tackles the darker side of tech with a breakdown of the IRS "Dirty Dozen" for 2026, highlighting a surge in AI-enabled voice mimicry and sophisticated "smishing" scams targeting business owners during tax season. Brigitte shares details on her new coaching cohort's VIP track, and Daniel provides a "What The Biz" win for One Well Brewery for staying true to their "unplugged" culture by refusing to show March Madness games.Show Topics & SourcesAI as a Business Operating System: AI adoption has doubled since 2023, with 80% of small business users reporting massive gains in efficiency.Source: https://tucson.com/news/nation-world/business/personal-finance/article_98df6461-62a3-5435-961c-5ee9a1c20399.htmlSmall Business AI Adoption Stats: Insights from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on how 58% of small firms now use generative AI.Source: https://www.uschamber.com/technology/empowering-small-business-the-impact-of-technology-on-u-s-small-businessIRS Dirty Dozen 2026: A warning on AI-powered tax scams, including voice mimicry and fake charity fraud.Source: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-tax-scams-for-2026-irs-reminds-taxpayers-to-watch-out-for-dangerous-threatsMeta's AI for Work Initiative: Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth takes charge of the internal "AI for Work" rollout to drive agility and efficiency.Source: https://www.techradar.com/pro/meta-has-a-new-boss-to-help-encourage-its-workers-to-use-more-aiWTB Moment: Why One Well Brewery’s decision to remain a "no-sports" zone during peak basketball season is a win for brand consistency.Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at WhatTheBiz.com.Join the WhattheBiz?! newsletter to be the first to learn about upcoming events and specials.Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a voicemail on WhatTheBiz.com!*********HostsDaniel Proczko - myPocketMarketingBrigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial