Send us a text

In these unpredictable times of multipolar tensions, shifting tariffs, AI disruption, and escalating cyber threats, small and medium business owners face more chaos than ever before.

If you're an entrepreneur, solo operator, or leading an SMB team, ignoring these dangers could cost you everything—revenue, employees, and your livelihood.

In this episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. Jeff Donaldson breaks down the 5 critical risks every small business must address in 2026, and delivers practical, step-by-step, mostly free strategies to mitigate them before it's too late.

You'll learn:
Why cyber is still the #1 global business risk and the dead-simple habits (no-click links, air-gapped backups, MFA, patch discipline) that protect you without big budgets.
The real AI danger isn't job loss, it's employees unknowingly handing your sensitive data to public tools. Discover how to use AI safely and powerfully inside controlled, paid systems.
How one supplier failure can shut you down overnight and the "10-contract" redundancy model to keep operations flowing no matter what.
Navigating explosive regulatory changes (EU AI rules, tariffs, privacy laws) by building upstream relationships for early warnings and strategic advantage.
Why your personal online behaviour is now your business reputation, and the crisis communication playbook to survive public backlash.

These aren't theoretical ideas. They're battle-tested tactics from supply chain logistics, cyber defence, and real-world SMB consulting at Preparedness Labs Incorporated.

Whether you're on the fence about entrepreneurship or fighting to keep your business thriving, this episode equips you to turn uncertainty into opportunity and seize market share while others scramble.

Visit preparednesslabs.ca for your FREE entrepreneur risk download, Fractional Chief Risk Officer services, and more tools to master risk in chaotic times.

https://preparednesslabs.ca

Why politics and business do not mix:
https://youtu.be/6ZHiAnydk0I?si=_JWuFFldozS1VLy_

DISCLOSURE
Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.
Copyright © 2026.

Support the show

https://preparednesslabs.ca/

Send us a text

In today's hyper-polarized world, politics isn't just background noise, it's a direct threat (and hidden opportunity) to your small or medium-sized business.

One wrong post, one heated opinion, and you could alienate 40%+ of your customers overnight. But what if you could navigate the chaos, protect your brand, and actually turn political turbulence into competitive advantage?

In this powerful episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. Jeff Donaldson breaks down the minefield of online and global politics for SMB owners. Drawing from real-world evidence, disaster research, and decades of experience, he shares the four essential strategies that put you ahead of your peers:

1.) Map the true power landscape & discover who really holds influence over your business (it's rarely just the mayor or prime minister).
2.) Build strategic relationships & cultivate genuine social capital with decision-makers at every level, because people win the day, not plans.
3.) Claim the high ground, stay professional, neutral, and principle-driven publicly. Why broadcasting your politics is almost always a negative ROI.
4.) Turn politics into leverage, use early warnings, linking relationships, and ethical influence to shape regulations before they hurt you.

Whether you're in Canada, the U.S., Europe, or beyond, these free, time-tested tactics help you hold market share, reduce friction, and thrive amid uncertainty, without ever compromising your personal beliefs.

If you're a solo entrepreneur, growing team leader, or fractional risk pro ready to master disruption, this episode is your roadmap.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: Politics as a Business Minefield
02:45 – Step 1: Chart the Real Power Landscape
08:20 – Step 2: Build Strategic Relationships
14:10 – Step 3: The High-Ground Neutral Strategy
19:30 – Step 4: Turn Politics into Leverage
25:00 – Recap & Final Thoughts

Drop a comment: What's your biggest political risk right now? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more no-BS risk mastery for SMBs.

https://preparednesslabs.ca

DISCLOSURE
Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.
Copyright © 2026.

Support the show

https://preparednesslabs.ca/

Send us a text

In a world of fractured systems, economic uncertainty, and cascading disruptions, your family's safety shouldn't depend on money, government help, or expensive gear.

In this powerful episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. Jeff Donaldson (PhD in Disaster & Emergency Management) reveals how to prepare your family for 2026: completely free, using evidence-based strategies proven in real disasters from hurricanes to mega-earthquakes.

Forget the myth that preparedness requires a budget. The data shows zero economic barrier to real resilience. Discover the Trifecta of Preparedness Plans every family needs: Shelter-in-place for up to 14 days (backed by hard stats: 94% of critical infrastructure restores in 14 days)

Smart, no-cost evacuation with predetermined destinations and grab lists
Your "when I get fired" career pivot plan for the precarious job market ahead

Learn battle-tested secrets to:
Reunite your family without phones or internet
Build unbreakable social capital in your community (the #1 predictor of post-disaster success)
Master essential skills like first aid using only free resources

Whether you're an entrepreneur, small business owner, or just a concerned parent, this episode proves one thing: if your home base is strong, everything else follows.

Preparedness isn't a stockpile — it's a lifestyle.

Download the FREE 4-page Family Preparedness Primer: https://preparednesslabs.ca/products/4-step-guide-to-beginning-your-preparedness-journey

Watch the full Roadmap to Resilience video series on our YouTube channel, no email required: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7b7or5anKA&t=114s

The only barrier to preparedness is you, it's your choice, choose wisely

Support the show

https://preparednesslabs.ca/

Send us a text

As we kick off 2026, the world feels more unpredictable than ever, political shifts, economic pressures, tariffs, cyber threats, and global chaos are hitting small businesses hard.

If you're a solo entrepreneur, side hustler, or thinking about scaling (or even launching) your independent business, ignoring these forces could be costly.

In this episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. D breaks down the four critical risks every lean business owner must address right now, risks you can actually control in a world where almost everything else is out of your hands. You'll discover:
-Why cybersecurity is no longer optional. Simple, affordable steps (password managers, patches, 2FA, off-site backups) that prevent disaster (plus why managed service providers are a game-changer for small ops)

-How inflation, tariffs, and regulatory changes (like the new EU AI rules starting June 2026) are silently squeezing margins, and the KISS principle to stay compliant without overwhelm

-The hidden danger of overload, burnout, and scaling limits — how to automate ethically with AI (saving 12–16 hours/week), keep systems dead simple, and always leave white space in your calendar

-The surprising #4: You win in collectives, why solo grinding is a myth, and how building real human relationships, joining entrepreneur networks, and leveraging social capital will exponentially boost your success

This isn't theory, it's battle-tested advice from recent expert immersions, real-world experience, and years of studying risk as a professor and entrepreneur.

Whether you're questioning "Is now the time to launch?" or ready to take your business to the next level, watch this episode to gain clarity and confidence in turbulent times.

https://preparednesslabs.ca

DISCLOSURE
Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.
Copyright © 2026.

Support the show

https://preparednesslabs.ca/

Send us a text

Tired of watching economic uncertainty chip away at your financial security while you sit on the sidelines? 2026 is shaping up to be even more unpredictable, but here’s the truth: you don’t have to be a victim of it.

In this episode of Mastering Risk, I break down exactly why NOW is the best time to launch a profitable side hustle, and the proven 6-step roadmap I personally used to build Preparedness Labs into a healthy five-figure business, starting with just a few hundred dollars and zero prior experience.

You’ll discover:
• How to spot a real, burning pain people are already begging to solve (skip this and you’ll waste years)
• The “pill vs. gym” secret that makes customers choose YOUR solution over everyone else’s
• How to pick a bulletproof name and secure it everywhere – without legal headaches
• My near-free logistics setup: federal incorporation, separate bank account, BuyMeACoffee + Stripe storefront – all done in days for under $300
• Where your ideal customers actually hang out online
• The “aggressive patience” advertising system that finally gets eyes on your offer (including the Rule of 100)This isn’t theory.

This is the exact playbook that took me from zero to consistent revenue, and it works whether you’re in Canada or anywhere else (just adapt the incorporation step to your country).

If you’ve ever thought “I should start something on the side” but felt overwhelmed, this episode removes every excuse. Watch now, take notes, and start building the income stream that protects your family no matter what 2026 throws at us.

Drop a comment: What pain are YOU thinking of solving with a side hustle?
Like + subscribe for weekly no-nonsense strategies on risk, preparedness, and wealth-building.

https://preparednesslabs.ca

Links:
Corporations Canada: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/corporations-canada/en
BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com
Alex Hormozi – https://www.acquisition.com

Just do it. Your future self will thank you.

Support the show

https://preparednesslabs.ca/

Send us a text

What happens to your small business when the power goes out… and stays out for days or even weeks?

Most small business owners assume it’ll only be a minor inconvenience. But prolonged grid-down events cost the U.S. alone $90–150 billion every year, and small businesses get hit the hardest. With thin financial runways and total reliance on electricity, internet, and cell networks, many simply can’t survive extended outages.

In this episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. D breaks down the realistic, no-nonsense preparedness strategy he uses for his own fully digital small-to-medium business. You’ll discover the exact 5 things you can implement right now, most at zero cost, that will keep your revenue flowing even when the grid fails.

You’ll learn:
How to identify your true minimum viable operations (hint: for most digital businesses, it’s just your phone + power)
Simple, proven backup power solutions that don’t require storing barrels of fuel
Why community agreements and pre-planned mobility beat expensive generators every time
The critical training step 99% of owners skip (and why it’s the difference between surviving and collapsing)
Real-world case studies from Hurricane Sandy, Maria, and more that show what actually works

No apocalyptic fear-mongering, no “two years of food in the basement” nonsense, just practical, actionable steps tailored for urban entrepreneurs running real small businesses in 2026.

Whether you’re a solopreneur, Etsy seller, consultant, or home-based service provider, this episode gives you the roadmap to stay operational when everyone else is shut down.

Watch now and build the resilience your business deserves. Timestamps:
0:00 – Why small businesses are most vulnerable
3:15 – The critical infrastructure cascade
7:40 – Minimum viable power profile
12:20 – Backup power solutions that actually work
18:30 – Mobility & community redundancy
23:45 – The training step you can’t skip If you found this valuable, buy me a coffee (link below) to support ad-free, no-BS risk education for entrepreneurs.

https://preparednesslabs.ca

Support the Show:
https://buymeacoffee.com/masteringrisk

DISCLOSURE
Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.
Copyright © 2026

Support the show

https://preparednesslabs.ca/

Send us a text

Tired of setting ambitious goals every January… only to feel stressed, overwhelmed, or like a failure by March?

In this episode, I explain why traditional goal-setting often backfires for entrepreneurs and side-hustlers and why a repeatable system is the real secret to sustainable growth.

You’ll discover:
The critical difference between goals (stressful finish lines) and systems (daily actions that compound)
Why “aggressive patience” beats instant gratification every time
My exact 3-hour daily system (Monday–Friday) that generates 400+ pieces of social content per week—with almost zero decision fatigue.

How I create 2 long-form YouTube videos weekly, turn them into 280+ shorts automatically, plus daily handheld videos, AI-generated ads, LinkedIn posts, and targeted outreach.

Tools I actually use (Opus Pro, Holo.ai, Grok + ChatGPT + Perplexity) and budget-friendly alternatives.

How this system drives consistent growth without arbitrary subscriber targets or burnout.

Whether you’re building a side hustle, selling digital courses, coaching, or running a small business, this system is designed for real people with limited time; not multi-million-dollar influencers.Stop chasing unreachable targets in 2026. Start building a calm, repeatable process that grows your reach, impact, and income over time.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Why goals create unnecessary stress
02:15 – What a “system” really means for entrepreneurs
05:40 – My mission & why growth has no finish line
09:20 – The Rule of 100 + my 400-piece weekly target
13:45 – Step-by-step YouTube & shorts strategy
20:10 – LinkedIn system for B2B reach
25:30 – Aggressive patience explained
29:00 – How to build your own systemDrop a comment: Are you team Goals or team Systems in 2026? Let’s talk!Subscribe for proven, no-BS systems to thrive in chaos.

https://preparednesslabs.ca

DISCLOSURE
Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.
Copyright © 2025 / 2026.

Support the show

https://preparednesslabs.ca/

Send us a text

Why do 92% of New Year’s resolutions fail? Because most people never pause long enough to ask the real question: “Am I even on the right track?”

In this raw, no-BS 2025 year-in-review video, I walk you through the exact three-step process I’ve used to rebuild my health, turn my company profitable, and protect my sanity while the world went completely insane around me.

I’ll show you:
* Why I threw out resolutions years ago and replaced them with one big, unbreakable annual goal
* The “pause and ponder” method that forces brutal honesty about your actions, integrity, and reactions to chaos
* How to build a crystal-clear life strategy across the only five areas that actually matter (personal, professional, leisure, family, community)
* The visualization technique I use on a whiteboard to erase excuses and face the truth
* Why I now set goals in complete silence (and why telling people actually hurts your progress)
* My realistic, no-nonsense 2026 plan that splits the year in two for maximum focus and results

This isn’t fluffy motivation. It’s a self-confessional from a 55-year-old entrepreneur, former smoker, heavy drinker, who finally got serious about getting healthy.

If you’re tired of spinning your wheels, beating yourself up, or letting external chaos derail your life, this video will give you a simple, repeatable framework to reflect, reset, and actually move forward.

Watch it all the way through, grab a notebook, and try the process yourself. I promise it will hit differently when you’re brutally honest with yourself.

Free strategy guides & more resources: https://www.preparednesslabs.ca

Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1046719

Let’s make 2026 the year you stop wishing and start winning.

Support the show

https://preparednesslabs.ca/