PODCAST · business
The Turtlesmith Podcast
by Turtlesmith
The Turtlesmith Podcast is aimed at people who want to take their step into entrepreneurship, and start a small business. We get into everything from Business strategies, actionable advice, taxes, and all the things it takes to build a profitable business. In our weekly episodes, we break down a step by step plan across 3 phases. Our motto is "Get Rich Slow". Tune in with Scott Hess, an expert tax accountant and business consultant, and John Barton, serial entrepreneur and business man, as we tackle the mystery and break down the walls of information to help you reach your dreams.
Episodes
-
Marketing vs Advertising & Understanding the Difference
What's the difference between marketing and advertising — and why does it matter for your small business? In this episode, John and Calvin are joined by Dylan, host of the Sense of Direction podcast and Turtle Smith's own marketing expert, to break down two of the most misunderstood concepts in...
-
Should Your Small Business Accept Bitcoin? (Fees & Taxes Explained)
In this episode of the Turtle Smith podcast, hosts Scott Hess and John Barton dive into the evolving world of digital currency to ask a pivotal question: Do small businesses hold the key to mainstream cryptocurrency adoption? The team explores the surprising statistic that roughly 33% to 34% of...
-
Business Identity Theft
Is your business being impersonated online right now — and you don't even know it? In this episode, Scott and John get into the increasingly common threat of business identity theft, where scammers steal your photos, clone your brand, and take money from your customers before you can do anything...
-
American Heartland Collapse | Text Messages from God
In this episode of Turtle Smith, hosts Scott Hess and John Barton dive deep into one of the most shocking business fraud cases in recent Oklahoma history: the spectacular collapse of the American Heartland Theme Park. What was supposed to be a $2.5 billion mega-resort in Venita, Oklahoma, turned...
-
Open Topics
Join hosts Scott Hess and Dylan Steele as they explore timely financial topics affecting young adults and small business owners. In this candid discussion featuring guest Calvin, the crew dives into the spending habits of 18-25 year olds during spring break (averaging $3,863/month!), shares wild...
-
Starting a Business in 2026
Join Scott Hess and John Barton as they share hard-won lessons about entrepreneurship in today's world. John reflects on his year-long journey navigating commercial building permits and kitchen licensing, highlighting the costly lessons of impulsivity versus preparation. The hosts dive deep into...
-
Michael Jordan's Wild Ride
Join us as we explore Michael Jordan's fascinating journey beyond the basketball court - from his struggles as an NBA team owner to his unprecedented success with NASCAR racing. This 33-minute episode dives deep into the challenges elite performers face when transitioning to business ownership,...
-
The Cost of Isolation in Business
Join Scott Hess (Tax & Business Consultant) and John Barton (Small Business Owner) as they explore why 27% of small businesses lack professional advisors and how isolation costs entrepreneurs time, money, and growth. Episode Highlights: [0:00] Introduction & episode overview [1:33] The cost of...
-
Oklahoma Governor Wants to Ditch Cannabis Program
Join Scott Hess (tax and business consultant) and John Barton (small business owner) as they discuss the controversy surrounding Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt's proposal to repeal medical marijuana in the state. The hosts explore the political, economic, and social implications of such a move,...
-
Succession Planning
Join John Barton and Scott Hess as they dive deep into succession planning for small businesses. Inspired by Bob Iger's transition at Disney, they explore the critical differences between corporate leadership changes and small business exits. Learn why most small business owners fail to plan…
more -
Snowmageddon
Scott and John discuss the challenges small businesses face during severe weather events, using the recent "Snowmageddon" storm as a case study. They explore critical topics including employee attendance policies during dangerous weather, insurance coverage for snow and ice damage, business...
-
The Drone Ban
In this episode of Turtle Smith, hosts Scott Hess and John Barton dive deep into the recent FCC ban on Chinese-made drones and its massive impact on small businesses across America. With special guest Calvin joining the conversation, they explore the timeline of events, the security concerns...
-
The Impact of I.C.E. on Small Businesses
In this hard-hitting episode, Scott Hess and John Barton tackle one of the most controversial topics affecting American small businesses today: immigration enforcement and its economic ripple effects. 📍 TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Introduction Meet the hosts and learn what's on deck for this episode 3:27…
more -
CES and AI in Business
This episode of the Turtle Smith podcast discusses the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and its implications for AI in business. Scott and John explore: CES Origins & History: CES began as an offshoot of the Chicago Music Show in 1967 Started with radios, stereos, and televisions in New York City...
-
The War for Warner Bros
In this episode, Scott Hess and John Barton break down the high-stakes corporate battle for Warner Brothers Discovery, as Netflix and Paramount go head-to-head with multi-billion dollar offers. The hosts explore the implications of these potential mergers for the entertainment industry, including...
-
End of Year Operations
In this episode, Scott Hess (Tax and Business Consultant) and John Barton (Small Business Owner) dive into the essential steps every business should take to wrap up the year successfully. They discuss the importance of updating business processes, conducting accurate year-end inventory, and...
-
Managing Employee Burnout
In this episode, Scott Hess and John Barton dive deep into the topic of employee burnout—what it is, how to spot it, and most importantly, how to address and prevent it in your business. Drawing from their own experiences as a tax and business consultant and a small business owner, they discuss…
more -
Managing Seasonal Help
In this episode, Scott Hess (tax and business consultant) and John Barton (small business owner) dive into the challenges and strategies of managing seasonal employees. As the holiday season approaches, they discuss the importance of planning, recruiting, onboarding, and offboarding seasonal...
-
Holiday Retail Inventory Management
In this episode, Scott Hess and John Barton dive deep into the challenges and strategies of holiday inventory management for small businesses. From personal stories of inventory missteps to practical advice on forecasting, ordering, and cash flow, they cover essential systems like reorder points,...
-
Holiday Retail Operations (How To Survive!)
In this episode of Turtle Smith, Scott and John kick off Season 3 with a deep dive into the 2025 holiday shopping season. They break down the latest forecasts, including a projected $253 billion in total spending, the rise of mobile shopping (now over half of all online sales), and the growing...
-
Put It All Together: End of Phase 2
In this episode of Turtle Smith, John and Scott wrap up phase two of their small business series by discussing how to put all the pieces together before launching your business. They share personal stories about home renovations, the challenges of mastering YouTube algorithms, and the importance…
more -
What Business Structure Should I Choose?
In this episode of Turtle Smith, John Barton and Scott Hess dive deep into the crucial decision of choosing the right business structure for your new venture. They break down the differences between LLCs, S Corps, C Corps, partnerships, and nonprofits, explaining the legal and tax implications of...
-
How Do I Plan To Scale My Business?
In this episode of Turtlesmith, Scott Hess (tax and business consultant) and John Barton (small business owner) dive deep into the art of developing a scaling strategy for your business. They discuss the importance of long-term planning, from setting 1, 5, and 15-year goals to understanding when...
-
What Type Of Insurance Does My Business Need ?
In this episode, Scott and John dive deep into the world of business insurance, breaking down the essential policies every business owner should consider. From business owner’s policies and general liability to cyber liability, workers’ compensation, and product liability, they explain what each...
-
What is the Best Way to Hire Someone?
In this episode of Turtle Smith, Scott Hess and John Barton dive deep into the world of employment for small business owners. They break down the crucial differences between employees and independent contractors, share practical advice on payroll, benefits, and compliance, and discuss how to…
more -
The Very Basic, Basics of Accounting
In this episode of "The Basics of Accounting," Scott Hess (tax and business consultant) and John Barton (small business owner) break down the essentials every entrepreneur needs to know about accounting. From understanding the difference between cash and accrual accounting, to the importance of...
-
Do I Need Licenses or Permits?
n this episode, Scott and John dive deep into the often-overlooked world of business licenses and permits. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand, understanding the legal requirements for your business is crucial. The hosts break down the different types of licenses—professional,...
-
How To Find Funding
John and Scott dive into the world of small business funding. They share personal stories and practical advice on self-funding, loans, investors, and alternative financing options. The hosts break down the pros and cons of using credit cards, seeking friends and family support, working with angel...
-
Let's Put It All Together - End of Phase 1
Today we spend some time recapping Phase 1 (Planning) of our series before moving on to Phase 2, which is Preparing. We've discussed The Elevator Pitch, Becomming an Expert, Market Research, The Feasibility Study, Brand Development, Concept Development, Marketing and Sales, and Financial…
more -
How Do I Financially Plan to Start My Business?
In this episode, John and Scott dive deep into the crucial topic of financial planning for small business owners and entrepreneurs. They break down the essential steps of calculating startup costs, understanding monthly cash burn, and building a realistic pro forma to project revenue, expenses…
more -
Marketing Strategy and Sales Approach
On todays episode we get into Step 7 which is Marketing Strategy and Sales Approach. Scott and John share their tips on how to navigate this complex step in the development of your business. After that we discuss consumer rights to repair the products they own, and how those laws are changing.…
more -
Concept Development
Today we jump into Concept Development. How well does your concept hold up against scrutiny, and how can we develop it further? We also get into a discussion about Employees, and avoiding burnout. Follow us across socials at @Turtlesmithok
-
Brand Development
Today we take a look at how to develop your brand, and the importance of doing so. Scott and John also get into a conversation about Seasonal businesses and their models.
-
The Feasibility Study
Today's episode is all about the Feasibility Study. This is the study you want to conduct to see if your idea is even feasible as a business. After that we talk about the importance of reliability in business, before also talking about how the IRS hiring a bunch of agents, doesn't really affect you.
-
Market Research
Today Scott and John share with you the importance of doing your Market Research. It wouldn't be wise to start a business in a market that isn't right for your particular business, or a market that is too saturated. How do you know which is which? Market Research is how you find out. They also…
more -
Become an Expert
In this episode, Scott and John break down the importance of becoming an expert in your business. We also look at some ways to protect yourself and your business from scammers.
-
What is The Elevator Pitch?
In the first episode we break down our first step in Phase 1 (The Planning Phase) of starting a business, and that's how to develop an Elevator Pitch, and why that's important. Scott and John then get into a discussion about the customer experience, before finally sharing some failures and…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Turtlesmith Podcast is aimed at people who want to take their step into entrepreneurship, and start a small business. We get into everything from Business strategies, actionable advice, taxes, and all the things it takes to build a profitable business. In our weekly episodes, we break down a step by step plan across 3 phases. Our motto is "Get Rich Slow". Tune in with Scott Hess, an expert tax accountant and business consultant, and John Barton, serial entrepreneur and business man, as we tackle the mystery and break down the walls of information to help you reach your dreams.
HOSTED BY
Turtlesmith
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Turtlesmith Podcast have?
The Turtlesmith Podcast currently has 37 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Turtlesmith Podcast about?
The Turtlesmith Podcast is aimed at people who want to take their step into entrepreneurship, and start a small business. We get into everything from Business strategies, actionable advice, taxes, and all the things it takes to build a profitable business. In our weekly episodes, we break down a...
How often does The Turtlesmith Podcast release new episodes?
The Turtlesmith Podcast has 37 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Turtlesmith Podcast?
You can listen to The Turtlesmith Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Turtlesmith Podcast?
The Turtlesmith Podcast is created and hosted by Turtlesmith.
URL copied to clipboard!