3 Stages of Small Business and How to Maximize Each Step episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 23, 2026 · 26 MIN

3 Stages of Small Business and How to Maximize Each Step

from 15 Minutes of Finance · host James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC® and Brandon West, CPA

If you’re a small business owner, you’re not just running a business, you’re moving through stages. And the strategy that works in the beginning is not the same strategy that works when you’re growing, and it’s definitely not the same strategy once you’ve reached a plateau. In this episode, Brandon breaks down the three stages of small business growth and explains how to maximize each phase so you can keep more money, grow faster, and build a business that supports the life you actually want.Stage 1 is the Startup Phase. This is the stage where you’re building momentum, reinvesting into your business, and laying the foundation for future growth. Brandon talks about how to think through tax write offs the right way, how to make smart purchases that support growth, and how to position your business financially so you’re not just surviving, you’re building something scalable.Stage 2 is the Growth Phase, which usually happens a few years in once things start working and your marketing and ROI are becoming more predictable. This is where the big financial moves begin to matter, including when it makes sense to shift from a sole proprietorship to an S Corp, how paying yourself the right way can reduce taxes, and how to take advantage of business benefits like health insurance. Brandon also explains how retirement accounts like a SEP IRA or Solo 401k can become a major part of your long term strategy as income increases.Stage 3 is the Plateau Phase, where you’ve reached many of your goals and ambitions, but now your focus shifts to sustainability and long term vision. This is the phase where business owners start asking bigger questions like how to make more while working fewer hours, how to structure the business to reduce stress and burnout, and what success really looks like moving forward. Whether that means optimizing operations, changing the way you work, or even planning for a sale one day, Brandon walks through how to think about the long term path with clarity and intention.Drop a comment below, which stage are you in right now, 1, 2, or 3? And if you want more videos on small business strategy, tax planning, wealth building, and long term investing, make sure to subscribe.All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

If you’re a small business owner, you’re not just running a business, you’re moving through stages. And the strategy that works in the beginning is not the same strategy that works when you’re growing, and it’s definitely not the same strategy once you’ve reached a plateau. In this episode, Brandon breaks down the three stages of small business growth and explains how to maximize each phase so you can keep more money, grow faster, and build a business that supports the life you actually want.Stage 1 is the Startup Phase. This is the stage where you’re building momentum, reinvesting into your business, and laying the foundation for future growth. Brandon talks about how to think through tax write offs the right way, how to make smart purchases that support growth, and how to position your business financially so you’re not just surviving, you’re building something scalable.Stage 2 is the Growth Phase, which usually happens a few years in once things start working and your marketing and ROI are becoming more predictable. This is where the big financial moves begin to matter, including when it makes sense to shift from a sole proprietorship to an S Corp, how paying yourself the right way can reduce taxes, and how to take advantage of business benefits like health insurance. Brandon also explains how retirement accounts like a SEP IRA or Solo 401k can become a major part of your long term strategy as income increases.Stage 3 is the Plateau Phase, where you’ve reached many of your goals and ambitions, but now your focus shifts to sustainability and long term vision. This is the phase where business owners start asking bigger questions like how to make more while working fewer hours, how to structure the business to reduce stress and burnout, and what success really looks like moving forward. Whether that means optimizing operations, changing the way you work, or even planning for a sale one day, Brandon walks through how to think about the long term path with clarity and intention.Drop a comment below, which stage are you in right now, 1, 2, or 3? And if you want more videos on small business strategy, tax planning, wealth building, and long term investing, make sure to subscribe.All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

NOW PLAYING

3 Stages of Small Business and How to Maximize Each Step

0:00 26:57

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Ask A Spaceman Archives - 365 Days of Astronomy Ask A Spaceman Archives - 365 Days of Astronomy Podcasting Astronomy Every Day of the Year Eat to Live Jenna Fuhrman, Dr. Fuhrman Our health is our most precious gift and smart nutrition can change your life. Each month, join Dr. Fuhrman and his daughter, Jenna Fuhrman as they discuss important topics in the world of nutrition. Eat to Live will change the way you eat and think about food. French Your Way Jessica: Native French teacher founder of French Your Way Boost your French listening skills and test your comprehension with this one of a kind series of podcasts. Get the chance to listen to a real conversation between native speakers talking at normal speed AND customise your learning experience through carefully designed sets of questions (2 levels of difficulty) available for download at www.frenchvoicespodcast.com. All interviews also come with the transcript. French teacher Jessica interviews native speakers of French from around the world who share a bit of their life and passion. Where else would you meet in one same place a French yoga teacher based in Melbourne, a soap manufacturer from Provence, or a couple cycling around the world? That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding That Hoarder Hoarding disorder is stigmatised and people who hoard feel vast amounts of shame. This podcast began life as an audio diary, an anonymous outlet for somebody with this weird condition. That Hoarder speaks about her experiences living with compulsive hoarding, she interviews therapists, academics, researchers, children of hoarders, professional organisers and influencers, and she shares insight and tips for others with the problem. Listened to by people who hoard as well as those who love them and those who work with them, Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder aims to shatter the stigma, share the truth and speak openly and honestly to improve lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of 15 Minutes of Finance?

This episode is 26 minutes long.

When was this 15 Minutes of Finance episode published?

This episode was published on January 23, 2026.

What is this episode about?

If you’re a small business owner, you’re not just running a business, you’re moving through stages. And the strategy that works in the beginning is not the same strategy that works when you’re growing, and it’s definitely not the same strategy once...

Can I download this 15 Minutes of Finance episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!