Lessons from The Art of Shaving: starting, growing, and selling The Art of Shaving company.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/547-eric-malka-the-art-of-shaving/

On this episode, Henry Lopez is joined by Eric Malka, co-founder of the luxury men’s grooming brand The Art of Shaving and author of On the Razor’s Edge.

Eric shares his incredible entrepreneurial journey, from starting with just $15,000 to building a globally recognized brand that was ultimately acquired by Procter & Gamble.

Eric dives into:

• The importance of starting small and thinking big.
• How constraints can spark innovation and lead to success.
• The critical role of branding and intellectual property in building value.
• Why prudence, patience, and timing are essential for sustainable growth.
• The role of luck and how to position yourself to seize opportunities.

He also reflects on key lessons learned from both successes and failures, offering actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners.

"Brands are more valuable than companies, and IP is the most valuable aspect of your brand." – Eric Malka

Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or looking to scale your small business, this episode is packed with insights to inspire and guide you.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

How to create a Strategic Plan for your small business. Use a Strategic Plan to set your goals, objectives and initiatives for your small business.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r504-strategic-planning/

In this episode of The How of Business, host Henry Lopez dives into annual strategic planning - a critical tool for small business owners to achieve growth and long-term success.

Strategic planning helps you align your goals, allocate resources efficiently, and create a clear action plan for the year ahead.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why Strategic Planning Matters: Understand the benefits of having a focused and adaptable strategy for your business.
• The Key Difference Between Strategy & Planning: Learn how a clear strategy drives your planning process and positions your business to win in the market.
• 10 Steps to Build an Effective Strategic Plan: A comprehensive framework covering everything from reviewing the past year to setting goals, defining KPIs, budgeting, and adapting quarterly.
• Actionable Insights & Examples: Get practical tips to simplify your planning process, even if this is your first attempt at creating a strategic plan.

Free Resource: Download the Annual Strategic Plan Outline to guide you through the process from the Show Notes page for this episode.  

Whether you’re an experienced business owner or just starting, this episode will help you focus on what matters most, measure your progress, and achieve success in 2025.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

How to own a successful Power Washing franchise small business with Aaron Harper. 

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/546-aaron-harper-power-washing-franchise/

On this episode we dive into the world of franchising and small business success with Aaron Harper, CEO of Rolling Suds, the leading power washing business franchise.

Aaron shares his inspiring journey from Hollywood executive to franchise business leader, offering insights into how franchising can empower entrepreneurs to build thriving businesses.

Discover how Rolling Suds is transforming the power washing industry with its proprietary equipment, streamlined processes, and focus on professionalization.

Learn why franchising is the perfect model for aspiring small business owners looking for a proven system and strong support.

Whether you’re interested in starting your own power washing business, exploring the franchise business model, or simply gaining inspiration from a compelling entrepreneurial story, this episode has something for everyone.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

Overcoming Fear to start and grow your small business, with Ruth Soukup - author of “Do It Scared: Finding the Courage to Face Your Fears, Overcome Obstacles, and Create a Life You Love”.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r255-ruth-soukup-overcoming-fear /

"The whole idea behind ‘do it scared’ is not that you don’t ever feel afraid because we all feel afraid. It’s that you take action even in the face of fear and you continually take action because ultimately action is the antidote to fear."

Ruth introduces the concept of the Seven Fear Archetypes, which she developed through research involving over 4,000 participants. These archetypes include the Procrastinator, Rule Follower, People Pleaser, Outcast, Self-Doubter, Excuse Maker, and Pessimist.

Each archetype reflects distinct ways fear manifests, such as procrastination driven by perfectionism or self-doubt stemming from insecurities. Understanding these archetypes allows individuals to identify their unique fears and develop targeted strategies to overcome them.

Our discussion also focuses on principles of courage, including “owning your choices” and “recognizing that balance is overrated.”

Ruth argues that taking responsibility for one’s life, while letting go of the myth of perfection and balance, empowers individuals to prioritize purpose over superficial ideals. She highlights the importance of rejecting excuses, embracing imperfections, and persistently moving forward, even when success feels uncertain.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

How to take control of your time, and trade stress, overwhelm and anxiety for peace, freedom and clarity, with Andrew Hartman.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/545-andrew-hartman-take-control/

Andrew Hartman introduces the "Time Boss" framework to help small business owners regain control over their time by setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and incorporating "whirlwind time" to manage daily interruptions.

Andrew shares time management and productivity improvement tips and techniques for small business owners.  He also introduces his time operating system designed to multiply your time. By adopting weekly planning and reflection habits, entrepreneurs can reduce stress and sustainably increase productivity without overworking.

Andrew Hartman is the Founder of Time Boss, a training organization helping leaders and their teams take control of their time to get more done with less stress and anxiety. He founded Time Boss after burning out several times over, even losing his sense of smell for a season. He has taken all he has learned over the years to build a system to help business leaders avoid the same mistakes and chaos.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

Henry’s Top 10 Personal & Business Productivity Tools.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/544-top-10-productivity-tools/

In this episode of The How of Business, host Henry Lopez shares his current top 10 productivity tools that help him stay organized and efficient as a small business owner and business coach.

These essential tools form the foundation of his daily operations, from using Outlook to manage all scheduling, to creating visuals with Canva, and simplifying client bookings with Calendly.

Henry explains why he relies on ChatGPT for content creation, how Zapier automates repetitive tasks, and how Mailchimp and HubSpot enhance his client communication and relationship management.

Listen to this episode to hear Henry's tips for choosing affordable, easy-to-use technology that can transform productivity and streamline operations for small business owners at any stage.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

1-3-1 Problem Solving Method, a simple yet effective approach to empower your team to independently tackle and solve problems in your small business.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/542-employee-on-boarding/

**Episode Summary: The 1-3-1 Problem Solving Method for Small Business Owners**

Co-hosts Henry Lopez and David Begin introduce the 1-3-1 Problem Solving Method, a simple yet effective approach to empower your team to independently tackle challenges.

This method encourages critical thinking, autonomy, and proactive problem-solving by guiding team members to define a problem, brainstorm three possible solutions, and then recommend one solution to implement.

As a small business owner, you don’t have to be the Chief Problem Solver. By teaching your team to use the 1-3-1 method, you can delegate decision-making, develop your team’s leadership skills, and free yourself to focus on strategic activities.

We’ll walk through how to introduce this method to your team, using real-world examples, and share tips on how to foster a culture of independent problem-solving.

Key benefits of the 1-3-1 Method include:

- Empowering teams to solve problems on their own.

- Reducing dependency on management for day-to-day issues.

- Accelerating decision-making.

- Encouraging proactive, strategic thinking and boosting accountability.

Listen to this podcast episode to learn how to implement this method and develop a more self-sufficient, confident, and capable team.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

The 6 Stages of Successful Employee On-Boarding for small businesses. How to create an effective on-boarding process that sets new hires and contractors up for long-term success.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/542-employee-on-boarding/

Go to the Show Notes to download the free Employee On-Boarding Guide.

In this episode of The How of Business podcast, Henry Lopez dives deep into the essential strategies for creating a robust employee onboarding process tailored for small business owners.

Employee onboarding is not just about the first day - it’s about setting new hires, including contractors, up for long-term success.

From pre-hire preparation to ongoing support, Henry breaks down the six key stages of effective onboarding, offering practical tips to ensure new team members feel welcomed, engaged, and productive from the start.

Some of the critical benefits discussed include improved employee retention, enhanced productivity, and clarity in role expectations.

Henry highlights the importance of a well-prepared first day, structured training, regular performance check-ins, and continuous feedback. He also shares insights on avoiding common pitfalls, such as overwhelming new hires, and emphasizes how a smooth onboarding process can strengthen the culture of a small business.

Listeners will learn how to develop a structured approach that fosters clear communication, effective training, and consistent feedback.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your existing program or build one from scratch, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you create a seamless onboarding experience that boosts productivity and retention for your small business.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

Navigating growth while minimizing chaos in your small business, with entrepreneur Garrett Delph.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/541-garrett-delph-navigating-growth/

In this episode of The How of Business, Henry Lopez chats with serial entrepreneur Garrett Delph about how to navigate growth while minimizing chaos in your small business. Garrett shares his insights on streamlining operations, defining roles, and building a culture that fosters employee retention and sustainable growth.

Learn how to scale your business without letting chaos take over!

Garrett Delph advises that minimizing chaos in a small business requires mindful planning, clear role definitions, and effective delegation. He stresses that chaos often results from disorganization, reactive decision-making, and the lack of proper operational structures. To combat this, business owners should create clear job descriptions, define values that guide decision-making, and establish processes that support growth without overloading employees.

He highlights the importance of hiring the right talent, creating growth paths for employees, and ensuring responsibilities are balanced. Garrett also emphasizes that chaos is not inevitable and can be managed with the right frameworks and proactive leadership.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

Is your small business competitive? Whether you are starting a business, or running and growing a small business, you must be able to beat the competition in your selected market for your business to remain viable.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/540-is-your-business-competitive/

On this episode Henry shares his thoughts and tips on remaining competitive in your market or expanding and shifting into new markets in order to remain competitive.

While the business idea is the "what" of the business, the business model is the "how." Your business model is how you will run your business to make a profit, have the ability grow, and remain competitive.

Staying competitive is essential for long-term growth and success of your business.

Being competitive starts with understanding your Competitive Landscape. Who are the competitors in your market? What is their position? Are they dominant or is there truly an opportunity to compete or displace them? If it’s a new competitor, are going to be able to leapfrog you unless you change something?

Topics covered on this episode include:

What it means to be a competitive small business. Blue Ocean Strategy. Signs Your Business is NOT competitive. How to help your small business remain competitive.

Staying competitive isn’t just about competing—it’s about innovating, understanding your unique strengths, and focusing on your customers.

Remaining competitive in business requires offering unique value, understanding the competitive landscape, and using strategies like differentiation and the Blue Ocean Strategy. A small business can lose its competitiveness because of stagnant innovation which ultimately results in declining profits. A small business most remaining competitive, including refining a unique value proposition, exploring new markets, and continuous innovation.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

Achieving small business success requires personal sacrifice. What are you willing to sacrifice to launch and grow your small business?

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r239-personal-sacrifice/

This is a re-release of Episode 239 of The How of Business podcast with additional new content and edits.

Outline of this episode on the personal sacrifices required to achieve small business success:

Definition and Meaning of Sacrifice: Henry Lopez, host of The How of Business podcast, defines "sacrifice" in the context of small business success: Sacrifice is defined as the destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else. Henry Lopez emphasizes that sacrifice is essential for small business success, particularly when launching a new business.

Willingness to Make Sacrifices: A major obstacle to business success is the lack of willingness to make necessary sacrifices. Aspiring small business owners often struggle with giving up their current lifestyle, free time, or comfort in pursuit of their business dreams.

Examples of Sacrifices: Sacrifices might include giving up hobbies, free time, sleep, and even time with friends and family. Henry explains that launching and growing a business often requires significant dedication and effort, sometimes at the expense of personal life.

Financial Sacrifices: Aspiring business owners must have their personal finances in order to start and sustain a business. Henry highlights the importance of reducing debt, improving credit scores, and being financially prepared to go without a paycheck during the early stages of business start-up.

Actionable Advice: Henry encourages listeners to list 2-5 specific things they are willing to sacrifice and allocate the time saved toward starting or building their business. He stresses the importance of being honest with oneself and remaining focused on these sacrifices to achieve long-term business goals.

Sacrifice - what are you willing to personally sacrifice to become your own boss and start your first business? If you are already in business, what are you willing to sacrifice further to grow it? On this episode of the top-rated podcast for small business, Henry Lopez shares his thoughts on the kind of sacrifices that, based on his entrepreneurship experience, you must be willing to make in order to succeed as a small business owner - particularly when launching your first business.

The questions to ask yourself include:

What are you willing to sacrifice to realize your dreams of becoming your own boss?

Are you willing to sacrifice your quality of life today for something more in the future?

Are you willing to give up hobbies, free time, family time and friend time all to devote to your business?

Are you willing to work harder than you ever have at something?

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com