Simplifying Small Business: The Growth Table

Someone recently commented on one of my Instagram posts, “And yet you can’t even build an IG account.” My response? “Interesting that you think an IG account is a requirement for building a business.”That exchange sparked this episode, an honest, data-backed conversation about one of the most damaging myths in small business: that you need a large social media following to have a successful business.I break down what social media actually is (a tool, not a business model) and walk through seven proven customer connection strategies that work without a single follower — from email marketing and direct outreach to referral systems, strategic networking, and partnerships.Whether you love social media or dread it, this episode will help you think more clearly about where to spend your limited marketing time and energy, so it actually brings customers to your door.Pull up a seat at the table and let’s get into it.--------------------------------------------------------------The doors are open to my Business Builder Bootcamp. This is 5 days built to take you from idea to launch. No fluff, no woo woo, just hard work and a fully-fledged business by the end of the week. Early bird pricing ends May 11th. Head to https://subscribepage.io/businessbootcamp

Define success on your own terms and develop systems to get there!Most small business advice is tailored to those who are scaling their business to the next level or who have grand aspirations. If you have ever scrolled through business advice online or listened to a business podcast and felt like you were the only person in the room who doesn’t want a seven-figure business, you are not alone.Most people in the beginning stages of their solopreneur journey have much more down-to-earth goals at the beginning. That doesn't mean they wouldn't want to scale in the future, but that's not where they are now.They want to make enough. They want to have time left over. They want a business that doesn’t keep them up at night.Those goals are not small. They are not a consolation prize. They are a completely valid reason to build a business.And today I’m going to give you the four systems that will actually get you there.--------------------------------------------------------------I will be hosting the next Business Builder Bootcamp coming up on May 18th through 22nd 2026. Over those five days, you're going to go from "I have an idea" to "My business is live and I'm talking to customers." That's a big move.You’ll get one hour of hands-on instruction from me each day and then you’ll complete that day’s workbook, getting you ready for the next day. Five days to create your first viable offer, decide on the pricing, get your basic online presence out there, create an outreach system so you can get your first customers in the pipeline, and a 30-day plan for how to continue that momentum.This isn't a course where you watch videos and feel inspired and then go home and do nothing. This is 5 days of work, making real decisions, taking real action and getting real results.You’ll find the link with all the information in the show notes or you can go to https://GrowthTableSBC.com/bootcamp. I promise you, you’re going to want to be there.

Underpricing doesn’t buy you safety in your small business. It buys you burnout.When prices are too low, you don’t just earn less. You often end up working more hours, taking on harder clients, and cutting corners you never wanted to cut.On today's episode we're going to flip the script on your pricing so you can pay yourself fairly, you can pay your overhead, and your business remains healthy.----------------------------------------------------------If you want support dialing in your pricing, especially the parts that feel emotionally charged, come join us inside The Growth Table Small Business Collective.Inside the Collective, we help microbusiness owners build simple, repeatable systems for the stuff that actually moves the needle: pricing, cash flow, time management, marketing routines, and operations without turning your business into a complicated corporate machine with just one employee ... you.You’ll get practical guidance, accountability, and a community of business owners working through the same challenges.Find us at https://GrowthTableSBC.com

You’ve built the foundation; now how do you make sure your business actually stays on track without adding hours of admin to your already-full plate?In this episode, I introduce the Business Pulse: four simple numbers - revenue, hours, new leads, and owner wellbeing - that tell you almost everything you need to know about how your business is doing.You’ll learn how to run a 15-minute weekly check-in and a 30-minute quarterly review, so you always have a clear, current picture of your business health. I also walk you through a practical framework for knowing when to stay the course, when to tune one thing, and when a real pivot conversation is warranted.Perfect for solopreneurs and microbusiness owners who want to work smarter, protect their energy, and build a business that stays aligned with the life they’re actually trying to create.Pull up a seat at the table and let’s get into it._______________________________________________________Want help applying today’s topic to your business? Inside The Growth Table Small Business Collective, we work through these steps together with monthly workshops, templates, and peer support. And you can ask me questions directly. It’s low-key, no pressure, and built for real life. GrowthTableSBC.com

If your business is growing but your energy isn't keeping up, this episode is your next step. Today I’m walking you through the real signs it's time to bring in help and the false signals that can lead you to hire too soon or for the wrong reasons.You'll learn the difference between a contractor and an employee in plain English, how to use a simple 3-category sort to figure out what to outsource first, and five steps to set up any contractor relationship so it actually saves you time instead of adding to your plate (and your stress). Plus, a quick money check to make sure the hire makes sense before you commit.Whether you're thinking about a virtual assistant, a bookkeeper, or a specialist contractor, this episode gives you a clear, practical framework to make your first move with confidence. Pull up a seat at the table and let's get into it.---------------------------------------------------------------If you feel like you've been building your business in a silo, come join us in the Growth Table Small Business Collective. We're a group of entrepreneurs who are either building or been there, done that! Some are making their first hires, just like you, and some have already made theirs and can help you on your journey. You can find us at https://growthtablesbc.com.

I'm just finished with the Women in Business Advocacy Day at the Missouri State Capitol and I'm pumped!So, I recorded this episode in my car immediately after the event to share my thoughts with you on networking.Business networking involves establishing and maintaining positive relationships with clients, peers, mentors, and industry professionals. It is not limited to exchanging business cards; it focuses on authentic connections, trust, and mutual value.So why do so many of us feel like we have to sell ourselves and our businesses at networking events?Let's dive into that.------------------------------------------------------The Growth Table Small Business Collective is the perfect place to bounce ideas off of other solopreneurs and microbusinesses owners and to build those connections and relationships that are critical to our business. Join us for free the first seven days at https://growthtablesbc.com.

There’s a season in nearly every business where you’re doing the work - showing up, posting, serving clients, improving your offers - and it still feels like growth is crawling.And that’s where motivation goes south and you start asking:“Is this working?”“Am I doing enough?”“What if I’m not cut out for this?”“Why does it feel like everyone else is growing faster?”So today, we’re going to build a simple system for staying consistent when the results are delayed, without relying on hype, hustle, or constant inspiration.It’s about the consistency and dedication that keeps the momentum moving forward when maybe motivation has waned. Let’s dive in.Resources:Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and Human Behavior. (Reinforcement schedules and behavior maintenance.)Gollwitzer, P. M., & Brandstätter, V. (1997). Implementation intentions and effective goal pursuit. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73(1), 186–199.Wood, W., & Neal, D. T. (2007). A new look at habits and the habit-goal interface. Psychological Review, 114(4), 843–863.Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation. American Psychologist, 57(9), 705–717.-----------------------------------------------------------If you’re in a slow-growth season and you want support staying consistent without turning your life into a constant hustle experiment, come join us inside The Growth Table Small Business Collective.This community is built for microbusiness owners who want simple systems, clear priorities, and steady progress. You’ll get practical trainings, accountability, and a room full of people who understand what it’s like to build something real one week at a time.https://GrowthTableSBC.com

Sometimes something comes along that shouldn't land in your inbox. Sometimes you have a big idea that needs to live somewhere else until you can give it the attention it deserves without taking attention away from the other significant items on your "to do" list.Today on Simplifying Small Business I'm introducing you to your business's Idea Vault, the place where the shiny things live until you can give them space in your business. This is an important place for safekeeping things that may have an impact, but that don't need to be worked on yet.--------------------------------------------If you want more insights like this and a community of other small business owners doing this exact work right alongside you, join me in The Growth Table Small Business Collective. We're a group of entrepreneurs in various stages of our business all working through the same struggles together - because there's no sense in doing it alone. You can find us at https://GrowthTableSBC.com.

If you’re operating solo or with a very small team your biggest constraint isn’t talent or ideas. It’s attention. And attention is fragile.Today we’re talking about time and tasks … which sounds boring until you realize this is the difference between “I’m building a business” and “I’m trapped inside my business.”In this episode of Simplifying Small Business, I’m going to give you a simple, straightforward system that helps you:• keep tasks from living in your head• focus on the right work at the right time• reduce the mental load of “what am I forgetting?”• and create a workflow that still works when life gets busyNo fancy apps required. If you like tools, great, but this system works with a just notebook, a calendar, and a couple of lists.Let's go!____________________________________________If you want help putting these systems into place—without overcomplicating them—come join us inside The Growth Table Small Business Collective.It’s built for microbusiness owners who want practical support, simple tools, and real accountability. We take topics just like this and turn them into usable workflows you can apply immediately—plus you’ll have a community of business owners doing the same work right alongside you, including me.You can find the details at GrowthTableSBC.com .

Today we’re building a simple DIY marketing strategy you can run for 90 days without fancy tools, without a big budget, and without feeling like you have to be a full-time content creator.Your goal with sales and marketing is not to do everything. We want to pick two or three marketing plays we can repeat every single week.Consistency beats intensity. Every single time. So, if we can find two or three actions we can take every week, those actions will compound over time to create a real difference in your marketing which, of course, leads to sales.It is very easy to get caught up in the day-to-day operations of the business and neglect the parts that actually get us those clients or customers that bring in the revenue. It is important to be intentional about driving that part of our business on a consistent basis. Let's get into it.___________________________________________________If you want support staying consistent, join us in The Growth Table Small Business Collective. Monthly workshops, a resource library you can actually use, peer support, and access to me as a mentor when you need a nudge or a next step.https://GrowthTableSBC.com

You do not need a perfect website, a thousand followers, or a fancy funnel to start getting customers. Today we’re setting up your online presence in a way that’s simple and realistic.If you’re just starting out, your online presence should do one job: help the right people understand what you do and take the next step.And, yes, I'm going to preach to you about an email list. Because this is a key piece to the puzzle.Let's get into it.______________________________________________________If you want a calm place to build, off social media, come join us in The Growth Table Small Business Collective. You get monthly workshops, a growing resource library, peer-to-peer support, and access to me as a mentor when you need direction. https://growthtablesbc.com

If people don’t understand what you do quickly, they don’t buy. And that’s not because your business isn’t valuable, it’s because your message isn’t clear yet. Today, we’re going to fix that by Crafting Your Brand Message and Elevator Pitch!Today is all about your message: how to explain what you do in a way that’s clear, confident, and consistent on your website, in a DM, in a networking event, and anytime anyone asks, “What do you do?” By the end of this episode you’ll have:• a one-sentence brand message,• a 10-second hook,• a 30-second pitch,• and a simple way to keep your message consistent everywhere.Let's get into it.____________________________________________If you’d like a calm place to keep building your message, come join us in The Growth Table Small Business Collective. We host monthly workshops, keep a growing resource library, and offer peer-to-peer support, and you get access to me for questions and simple guidance. It’s a low-pressure way to get consistent help while you grow.https://growthtablesbc.com

The right professional help buys back your time, reduces mistakes, and lowers risk so you can focus on the parts of your business that actually move the needle.You don’t necessarily need a full team right away, just the next bit of support that returns more value than it costs.In today's episode, we'll define what accounts, bookkeepers, and lawyers do (and don't do) for your business, key factors that indicate it may be time to hire one, and how to get the most productive use of their time right away so you don't waste your precious small business money._____________________________________________If you need a little structure to put today’s topic into action, The Growth Table Small Business Collective has a resource library, monthly workshops, and a friendly community to keep you moving - plus you can tap me for quick mentorship when you’re stuck. It’s a simple, low-lift way to get support and it is free for the first 7 days!https://GrowthTableSBC.com

Good bookkeeping isn’t just about knowing your income and expenses; it’s about making better decisions, faster. Today we’ll pick an accounting method, set up a simple account structure, and lock in a rhythm so your numbers can inform you on what to do next in your business.These first 10 episodes are designed to be your roadmap to starting your new business or re-evaluating an existing one. Money matters can be scary so today I'm breaking it down in the simplest terms._____________________________________________________________if you need help staying accountable with your accounting join us in The Growth Table Small Business Collective. We have peer accountability pods around topics like bookkeeping, monthly workshops, and a resource library, all in a community of small business owners just like you. It’s a low-pressure way to get consistent help while you grow. Head to GrowthTableSBC.com.

Legal setup does not have to be a maze. Think of your setup as a simple checklist, and every item on that checklist protects your time and money.These first 10 episodes are designed to be your roadmap to starting your business or re-evaluating an existing one to see what can be improved.Last week, we talked about business structure. This week we’re tackling some of the legalities of operating your own business, including your banking requirements. As usual I’m going to break it down in the simplest terms.-------------------------Want help applying today’s topic to your business? Inside The Growth Table Small Business Collective, we work through these steps together with monthly workshops, templates, and peer support - and you can ask me questions directly. It’s low-key, no pressure, and built for real life and real business. Head to GrowthTableSBC.com.

Naming your business is fun. Choosing a structure usually isn’t.But this choice does three important jobs: it sets your liability protection, it defines your paperwork, and it affects how you’re taxed. So, let’s make it simple.These next four episodes will focus on probably the most intimidating but necessary components of starting a business: your structure, some of the legalities, money matters like bank accounts and accounting systems, and how to know when it’s necessary to outsource some of the important services and when you can DIY.Some of this can be confusing so I’m going to try to give this to you in plain English so you know what decisions need to be made and how to make them. One of my favorite phrases is “we don’t know what we don’t know” and it’s hard to make decisions when that happens, so let’s break it down.Today, we’re starting with choosing your business structure.DOWNLOAD: Business Structure Cheat Sheets-------------------If today’s episode clarified your next step and you’d like a calm space to keep building (off social media) come join us in The Growth Table Small Business Collective. We host monthly workshops, keep a growing resource library, and offer peer-to-peer support, plus access to me for questions and simple guidance. It’s a low-pressure way to get consistent help while you grow. You’ll find us at GrowthTableSBC.com.

Learn how to choose a clear, searchable business name and create a one-page brand identity you can use everywhere.In this episode, we walk through five naming paths and three quick tests to help you choose a clear, effective name for your business. Then we build your brand starter: voice, values, visuals, and a one-sentence brand story that explains who you serve, the problem you solve, and the outcome you deliver.You’ll also hear practical tips for basic availability checks, when a DBA or trademark search may be appropriate, and how to stay consistent across your website, email, and social profiles. Perfect for new small business owners or a smart refresh for rebrands. Pull up a seat at the table and let’s dive in!---------If today’s episode sparked ideas and you’d like a calm space to keep building, off social media, come join us in The Growth Table Small Business Collective. We host monthly workshops, keep a growing resource library, and offer peer-to-peer support, plus access to me for questions and simple guidance. It’s a low-pressure way to get consistent help while you grow your business. You’ll find us at GrowthTableSBC.com.

Turn your idea into a simple, testable business model fast.In this episode, you’ll learn how to define one audience, one problem, and one clear promise, then package your offer with delivery and starter pricing. We walk through a one-page model and show practical ways to validate in 7–14 days.You’ll also hear what counts as real proof of concept versus vanity signals, plus tips for narrowing scope so you don’t overspend before demand is confirmed. Perfect for new solopreneurs and microbusiness owners who want to validate a business idea, choose pricing with confidence, and launch a lean offer without guesswork.Pull up a seat at the table and let’s dive in!---------------If today’s episode sparked ideas or maybe now you have more questions, and you’d like a super supportive space to keep building check out The Growth Table Small Business Collective.We host monthly workshops, keep a growing resource library, offer peer-to-peer support, plus you have access to me for questions and guidance. It’s a low-pressure way to get consistent help while you start and grow your business.You can check it out at GrowthTableSBC.com.

If you’re dreaming about starting a business or you’ve already started and you’re knee-deep in the busywork, today we get clear. Because when you know exactly why you’re doing this, decisions stop feeling like guesswork and start feeling like a plan.Your why is more than a motivational poster. Knowing your why is a decision tool. When you clearly define why you are starting your business, it becomes a simple set of filters when we have to make decisions about our workload or our investments or our systems: Does this move me toward my version of success? Does it fit my life? Is it worth it at this stage of my business?Today, I’ll help you put that that set of filters onto paper so you can have a simple north star you can point to every time a choice feels kind of murky.If you want a steady place to learn and connect with other small business owners without the noise of social media, I invite you to check out The Growth Table Small Business Collective. You’ll get monthly workshops, practical templates, and a supportive community of solopreneurs and microbusiness owners, including me, to help when you need it. You can check it out at GrowthTableSBC.com.

If you’re building a business around your passion but feel buried in the day-to-day grind, you’re not alone.Welcome to The Growth Table: Simplifying Small Business.I’m Karin Velez, a multi-passionate entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience starting, growing, and guiding small businesses just like yours.Each week, I’ll help you cut through the chaos, breaking down the systems, strategies, and mindset shifts that make running your business simpler, smarter, and a whole lot more sustainable.Whether you’re a one-person show or leading a small team, this is your seat at the table, where we turn big ideas into practical action for a business your size.I give you quick wins you can apply right away, and just the right amount of big sister motivation (and occasional kick in the pants) that you need to keep you moving forward.Stop spinning your wheels and start building the business you actually enjoy running. Pull up a chair every Wednesday for bite-sized business lessons at The Growth Table and let’s simplify your small business.