Welcome to Small Business Mornings! I'm your host, Pat Miller, the founder of the Small Business Owners Community (SBOC). Today, we need to discuss a critical new financial report that small business owners must file by the end of the year, or you could face fines of $500 a day and even jail time. Have you filed your FinCEN report yet? No one seems to be talking about this, so we're diving in today with Cierra to explain what this is all about and how to avoid penalties. Also coming up, we'll talk about entering a dead zone for client communication, our question of the week about impulse business purchases, and some exciting changes and reminders for the SBOC community.

Happy Monday! Is it the 4th of July yet? Summer is in full swing with fireflies, rounds of golf, and brats on the grill. What did you do this weekend? I played some golf, worked in the yard, and mostly relaxed. In other news, our monthly meetups are moving to the Technology Innovation Center in Wauwatosa, and we’re building partnerships to serve more entrepreneurs. Plus, we're making big changes to the SBOC, including a 200-member cap and a shift to an annual fee structure. Don't forget to check out our Meme of the Week, and remember, these changes go into effect on July 1st. Thanks for joining this episode of Small Business Mornings.

Mentioned in this episode:

2 week free trial to SBOC

Welcome to Small Business Mornings! I'm your host, Pat Miller, the founder of the Small Business Owners Community. Today, we're diving into the latest study suggesting that some small business owners need to act fast to stay ahead of the digital competition. We’ll be talking marketing with Lisa Raebel from Rebel Girl Marketing, sharing three big changes to the Small Business Owners Community, and presenting our Meme of the Week. Happy Monday! Let’s kick off the week with some positivity and motivation.

Our lead story highlights the impact of AI on the labor market, with a significant decrease in demand for digital freelancers in writing, coding, and social media post-production. The study indicates a 21% drop since the launch of ChatGPT, and I expect these numbers to rise. To stay competitive, move your business upstream and harness AI to boost productivity and client lists. Also, don’t miss our 4th annual SBOC conference featuring Lisa Raebel, where she’ll discuss making marketing easier. Thanks for joining us on Small Business Mornings. Talk to you next week!

Mentioned in this episode:

2 week free trial to SBOC

In this episode of Small Business Mornings, Pat Miller, founder of the Small Business Owners Community (SBOC), announces the exciting addition of a new co-host, Ivy, powered by ChatGPT. Ivy will assist with news updates, data analysis, and content creation, providing practical insights for small business owners. Pat also shares details about a unique one-week sponsorship deal and offers tips for keeping your community engaged both online and in person. He humorously rants about the complications of smart devices and reflects on a perfect weekend spent with family.

Upcoming events include the SBOC Milwaukee Networking and Idea Slam and the Biz Times Expo in Brookfield, where attendees can win a free conference ticket. Pat reminds listeners about the early bird deadline for the SBOC Conference tickets on June 10th, urging them to take advantage of the discount. He emphasizes the importance of embracing new technology like ChatGPT to stay ahead in business. Tune in again on June 3rd for more insights and motivation.

Mentioned in this episode:

2 week free trial to SBOC

SBOC Annual Conference tickets can be found here!

https://event.smallbusinesscommunity.com/24conference

Mentioned in this episode:

2 week free trial to SBOC

Welcome to another episode of Small Business Mornings with your host, Pat Miller, founder of the Small Business Owners Community.

Today's episode dives into a topic that every entrepreneur grapples with but rarely confronts head-on: risk. Join us as we explore how embracing risk is essential to business growth and personal development.

Episode Highlights:

The Essence of Risk:

Pat discusses the inherent risks involved in leaving a corporate job to start a business, sharing his personal story of stepping away from a secure corporate career six years ago. He reflects on the growth and challenges since then and how the willingness to embrace risk has been crucial in his journey as a small business community leader, host, speaker, and coach.

Analyzing Risk:

The discussion shifts to how we traditionally view and analyze risk. Pat challenges listeners to consider risk not just in terms of potential loss but as a necessary step for change and innovation. He encourages embracing the uncertainty of risk to avoid the regret of inaction.

The Impact of Doing Nothing

Drawing from business school lessons, Pat emphasizes evaluating the cost of inaction. He asks listeners to consider where they want to be in 12 months and whether their current path will get them there. This segment aims to motivate listeners to move beyond complacency and make the changes necessary to achieve their goals.

Upcoming Changes and Announcements:

Pat announces a significant change for the Small Business Owners Conference, moving it from Lake Geneva to Milwaukee. He explains the reasons behind the move, including reaching a larger audience and increasing accessibility. This change exemplifies taking a calculated risk to potentially enhance the impact and success of the event.

Community Responses to the Question of the Week:

Pat shares responses from the LinkedIn community on their preference between Mac or PC, highlighting diverse perspectives and the reasons behind their choices. This segment provides insights into how different tools fit into the professional and personal lives of entrepreneurs.

Mentioned in this episode:

2 week free trial to SBOC

As the founder of the Small Business Owners Community, I’m here to kick off your week with insights that matter to you, no matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey.

Today's Lineup:

1. Taylor Swift’s Influence on Business:

• We're starting with a look at Taylor Swift’s latest album release and her massive influence not just in music but as a business powerhouse. Why should entrepreneurs care? Because her strategies for engagement and audience capture are lessons in excellence for any business.

1. Networking for Real Results:

• Forget endless meet-and-greets. I’m sharing a personal story about how I accidentally discovered a strategy for making 'dream connections' that can significantly impact your sales and business growth.

1. The Small Business Summit Update:

• Get the latest updates on the upcoming Small Business Summit sponsored by The Connection Agency. We've got some exciting speakers and sessions lined up that you won't want to miss!

1. Chester the Mouse Saga Continues:

• An update on my battle with Chester the Mouse, who decided my basement was his new home. Spoiler: high-tech gadgets might be winning the war.

1. Question of the Week - Thinking About Quitting:

• I posed a question to our LinkedIn network: "When's the last time you thought about quitting?" The responses were both enlightening and inspiring, showing just how resilient entrepreneurs can be.

Feeling inspired or want more insights like these?

Join the Small Business Owner Community where you can connect with other like-minded entrepreneurs and access resources to help you grow your business.

Don’t grow it alone®

Join the SBOC Here: https://info.smallbusinesscommunity.com/try

Mentioned in this episode:

2 week free trial to SBOC

What's on Today's Show:

Tax Day Reflections: It’s that time of the year again – April 15, the due date for federal taxes in the US. While writing those checks to Uncle Sam is nobody’s idea of fun, I find a deep sense of pride in it. It’s a tangible reminder that my business is growing, and that’s worth celebrating.

Book Recommendations from the Community: We’ve reached out to our community to find out which books have truly transformed their approach to business. This question underlines the importance of gaining multiple perspectives. Whether it's understanding complex tax obligations or exploring new growth strategies through recommended reads, listening to diverse voices can significantly broaden our understanding and enhance our approach to business challenges.

Exciting News – Small Business Owners Community Digital Summit: Mark your calendars for May 1st! We're hosting a digital summit that's all about expanding your audience, speeding up sales, and boosting efficiency. This event is a must for any entrepreneur looking to take their business to the next level. Plus, we have an incredible BOGO offer this week – buy one ticket and bring a friend for free! Don’t miss this chance to grow together.

New Hotline in the Small Business Owners Community: Latest enhancements in the Small Business Owners Community that you won't want to miss.

Thank you for tuning in to Small Business Mornings.

Click here for your 2 week free trial into the community: https://info.smallbusinesscommunity.com/try

Mentioned in this episode:

2 week free trial to SBOC

In this episode we share the launch of the Small Business Owners Community, marking a significant evolution from the previous Idea Collective. Our mission is the same, to be the support system for small business owners facing the inevitable the challenges and helping business owners beat the odds and survive and thrive past 5 years in business. The Small Business Owners Community aims to fill this gap by providing a platform for collaboration, feedback, and problem-solving among entrepreneurs. Transitioning from the Idea Collective to the Small Business Owners Community signifies a shift towards clarity in purpose of the community. Check out the SBOC with your 2 week free trial here: https://info.smallbusinesscommunity.com/try