The Power of a Fresh Set of Eyes

This week, in episode 229, Jay Goltz, Jaci Russo, and William Vanderbloemen discuss their experiences bringing in outside consultants to review their business operations. Before the holidays, Lou Mosca, who runs American Management Services, offered to have his team take a look at any of the businesses owned by the regulars on this podcast. Jaci took Lou up on the offer, and she shares here what she learned. Jay declined the offer, and he explains why he declined it. William, meanwhile, has had two experiences with consultants that went well—and one he won’t talk about. Plus: The three owners assess what they think the coming mix of regulatory changes, tax cuts, increased tariffs, and mass deportations might mean for their businesses. They also offer their views of the state laws that forbid businesses to ask job candidates about their salary histories. “I'm sorry,” William says, “but if you believe what people tell you when you say, ‘Tell me how much you're making,’ you need to stop.”

Om Podcasten

The 21 Hats Podcast presents an authentic weekly conversation with small business owners who are remarkably willing to share what’s working for them and what isn’t. Unlike many business podcasts, which tend to talk to highly successful entrepreneurs whose struggles are in the past, the 21 Hats Podcast features a rotating cast of business owners who are still very much in the trenches fighting the good fight. Every week, our regulars gather to talk about the kinds of important issues many owners won’t even discuss behind closed doors: whether their businesses are as profitable as they should be, whether they are willing to give up some control to an investor in order to grow faster, why they had to lay off employees, how they wound up with way too much inventory, why they don’t have a succession plan, and even why they are concerned about their own mental health. Visit 21hats.com to hear all of our podcast episodes, read episode transcripts, and learn more. The show is produced by Jess Thoubboron, founder of Blank Word.