Send us a text Every dashboard tells you you’re winning — green lights, perfect metrics, record performance. But if the business still feels stuck, it might be because you’re chasing the wrong numbers. In this episode of Mike and Blaine, we tackle the myth of “magic KPIs” and why metrics can sometimes blind you instead of guide you. We share the real stories behind times we crushed every goal on paper but still almost crashed the business — and how we learned to separate meaningful resu...

Send us a text It’s one of the oldest rules in business—under promise and over deliver. But is it still the best strategy in today’s fast-moving, client-driven world? In this episode, Mike and Blaine dive into the delicate dance of managing expectations. Should you build trust with small wins or aim high and hope you can pull it off? They’ll share real-life stories where this rule saved a deal—and when it backfired spectacularly. Plus, a few beer-fueled thoughts on what it really takes to kee...

Send us a text In an age of AI, automation, and remote everything, it’s easy to forget that business still runs on people. In this episode, Mike & Blaine dive into why relationships, trust, and genuine human connection are still the foundation of success—no matter how digital your business gets. We’re talking about making business personal again: building trust through conversations (not clicks), showing up for your clients, and finding the fun in working with real people instead of scree...

Send us a text In this episode of Mike and Blaine, we tackle one of the toughest parts of running a business—cutting costs without cutting corners. Some owners approach expense reduction like a surgeon—precise, deliberate, and strategic—while others swing the axe wildly and end up hurting their own growth. Mike and Blaine break down how to trim the fat and keep the muscle in your business. You’ll learn when to make small, smart cuts versus when to make bold moves, how to spot waste hiding in ...

Send us a text Ever build a process so perfect that no one actually uses it? In this episode, Mike and Blaine tackle one of the biggest traps entrepreneurs and small business owners fall into: overengineering. From automating tasks that never needed automating, to building dashboards for a team of one, to writing SOPs that no one ever reads—these are the mistakes that slow businesses down instead of moving them forward. We share real-world stories, laugh at the times we’ve been guilty o...

Send us a text Growth is exciting, but it often leaves behind a mess of broken systems, unused tools, and outdated processes that slow you down. In this episode of *Mike and Blaine*, we dive into the concept of “Growth Exhaust”—the hidden clutter that builds up as your business scales. From duct-taped software stacks and ghost clients still sitting on old pricing, to spreadsheets that just won’t die, we’re exposing the mess entrepreneurs try to ignore. We’ll share real-world examples, l...

Send us a text Hiring isn’t just expensive—it’s complicated. Between salaries, onboarding, benefits, and the endless HR headaches, adding to payroll can slow you down more than it helps. In this episode of Mike and Blaine, we break down why efficiency often beats expansion when it comes to growth. From SaaS founders to local business owners, we explore real-world examples of companies boosting revenue without adding headcount. You’ll learn how to scale smarter with automation, delegation, and...

Send us a text Every entrepreneur begins with a vision of how their journey will unfold—but reality often takes unexpected turns. In this episode of Mike and Blaine, we dive into the essential skill of trusting the process, even when the road looks uncertain. Mike and Blaine share candid stories about adapting when things don’t go as planned, how to connect the dots looking back, and why resilience matters more than perfection. We explore the mindset shifts that help business owners stay focu...

Send us a text Most entrepreneurs think they know their business partners—until debt quietly takes a seat at the table. In this episode of Mike and Blaine, we explore how debt acts as a hidden partner in your business, shaping decisions around pricing, hiring, expansion, and risk—often without you realizing it. It’s not about fear—it’s about visibility. If you’ve ever borrowed money, signed a lease, or leveraged financing to grow, debt has already become part of your leadership team. Mike and...

Send us a text Artificial intelligence promises to revolutionize the way we work and live—but why does “smart” tech so often feel dumb? In this episode of Mike and Blaine, we dive into the real frustrations of AI in business and everyday life. From customer service chatbots that trap you in endless loops, to voice assistants that don’t understand context, to productivity tools that almost deliver but never quite work, we break down the everyday struggles that business owners, entrepreneurs, a...

Send us a text We’ve all been there—stuck on hold, bounced between departments, or treated like an inconvenience. In this episode of Mike and Blaine, we dive into the frustrating world of bad customer service and how it silently kills customer success, retention, and brand loyalty. Poor service experiences cost businesses millions in lost revenue every year, and for small businesses and entrepreneurs, one bad interaction can be the difference between growth and failure. From viral customer se...

Send us a text When you’re the boss, everyone looks to you for answers, paychecks, and stability—but who has the boss’s back? In this episode of Mike and Blaine, we dig into the hidden reality that many entrepreneurs and small business owners face: carrying the weight of leadership alone. From sleepless nights over payroll to tough decisions that affect employees and families, the entrepreneurial journey often comes with isolation that no one talks about. We explore why small business owners ...

Send us a text Some business phrases are so overused they make you cringe—yet we keep saying them anyway. In this episode of Mike and Blaine, we explore the world of business jargon and corporate buzzwords, from classics like “circle back,” “touch base,” and “low-hanging fruit” to terms like “red tape” that sneak into meetings, emails, and everyday conversations. These phrases may sound empty today, but they all have surprisingly real origins. Mike and Blaine trace how these sayings started o...

Send us a text pisode 200 is here, and we’re celebrating with a big question every entrepreneur has asked at some point: should you turn your hobby into a business? In this milestone episode of Mike and Blaine, we dive into the real challenges and opportunities of turning passion projects into profitable ventures. From weekend hobbies that spark full-time startups to the risks of burning out when your favorite pastime becomes your paycheck, we explore what it really takes to make the leap. We...

Send us a text Everyone loves an underdog story—but in business, winning takes more than heart, it takes strategy. In this episode of Mike and Blaine, we crack open the story of a small craft brewery that dares to take on the beer industry’s biggest players by doubling down on quality, authenticity, and community. It sparks a bigger conversation about how small businesses can carve out their own space and thrive, even when they’re outspent, outstaffed, and outscaled by corporate giants. We di...

Send us a text Think your small business website is too boring for hackers to care about? Think again. In this episode of Mike and Blaine, we uncover the shocking truth about why cybercriminals target small business websites—and why ignoring cybersecurity could cost you big. From stolen credit card testing and brute force logins to DDoS attacks and outdated plugins, we dive into the most common threats that quietly put small businesses at risk every single day. We break down how hackers explo...

Send us a text Every entrepreneur claims they “know their numbers,” but do they really? In this episode of Mike and Blaine, we dig into the tension every small business owner faces: when to trust your gut instinct and when to let the data lead the way. Business decisions are rarely black and white, and sometimes the best path forward depends on striking the right balance between intuition and analysis. We explore real stories where listening to instinct paid off with big wins—and other times ...

Send us a text Forget 80-page business plans collecting dust on a shelf—today’s entrepreneurs need something faster, simpler, and more effective. In this episode of Mike and Blaine, we dive into the Lean Canvas model and show how you can map your entire business strategy on a single page. This modern approach to business planning helps small business owners, entrepreneurs, and startups identify gaps, clarify priorities, and adapt quickly in a constantly changing market. We break down why trad...

Send us a text Every business wants growth—but the real question is how to get it. Should you focus on winning new customers, or double down on the ones you already have? In this episode of Mike and Blaine, we dive into one of the biggest dilemmas entrepreneurs and small business owners face: scale wide or scale deep. It’s a battle of volume versus value, where every choice impacts margins, customer loyalty, and long-term sustainability. We explore the pros and cons of each growth path, from ...

Send us a text Every business owner knows the feeling—getting slighted, ignored, or disrespected and suddenly plotting revenge like a Bond villain with a balance sheet. In this episode of Mike and Blaine, we dive headfirst into the dangerously entertaining world of petty business decisions and explore the fine line between making a power move and throwing a pity party. We share real examples of entrepreneurs who cut ties with clients over something as small as Comic Sans, launched entire prod...