Lynn Rivest is the Founder of Lynn Rivest Consulting, a firm specializing in helping small service-based business founders define profitable positioning to attract high-value clients. With over 23 years of experience in digital marketing and strategy, Lynn has worked extensively with founders to refine their messaging, improve client acquisition, and streamline their business models for maximum revenue. Her approach combines simplicity and focus, enabling businesses to gain clarity and stand out in competitive markets.

Positioning your business in a crowded marketplace can feel overwhelming. How do you ensure your message stands out and reaches the right audience?

According to Lynn Rivest, a digital strategist and business advisor, positioning is about defining your business’s unique value and ensuring it resonates with the right audience. She highlights that without clear positioning, businesses often struggle to explain their value, leading to missed opportunities and ineffective marketing. Positioning acts as a guide for all business decisions, from product offerings to marketing strategies, and helps you focus on what matters most to your ideal clients. Lynn emphasizes that strong positioning not only amplifies your message but also saves time, resources, and money by attracting the right clients and simplifying other aspects of business, like referrals and messaging.

In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, host Hannah Smolinski sits down with Lynn Rivest, Founder of Lynn Rivest Consulting, to discuss strategic positioning and differentiation for small businesses. They explore why positioning is essential for standing out, how it amplifies business decisions, and why differentiation is critical for success. Lynn also shares insights on identifying and serving your ideal clients while implementing positioning strategies effectively.

Mark Wainwright is the Principal Consultant and Founder of Wainwright Insight, a firm specializing in fractional sales management and consulting for professional services firms. With over seven years of experience, Mark focuses on helping businesses refine their sales pipelines, build future sales leaders, and create client-centric sales processes. He is also the co-host of the Breaking BizDev podcast, where he explores the intersection of sales, marketing, and business development for professional services.

What’s the secret to turning technical professionals into confident sales leaders? For many service-based businesses, the line between delivering exceptional work and securing new clients can feel blurry — if not overwhelming. How can businesses build a sales process that is both strategic and empathetic while maintaining the integrity of their craft?

According to Mark Wainwright, a fractional sales management consultant and expert in professional services sales, the key lies in structured and client-centric sales processes. He highlights that great sales aren’t about being pushy but about curiosity and inquiry. By teaching technical professionals to approach sales as an organized and logical process, they can develop confidence and achieve better outcomes. Mark’s framework — Create, Choreograph, and Contract — guides businesses in proactively identifying opportunities, orchestrating seamless sales conversations, and establishing solid agreements, ensuring long-term success.

In this episode of Financial Clarity, host Hannah Smolinski sits down with Mark Wainwright, Principal Consultant and Founder of Wainwright Insight, to discuss building a sustainable and healthy sales pipeline. They explore Mark’s insights on empowering technical professionals, the importance of realistic pipeline management, and how to overcome common misconceptions about sales. Mark also shares actionable strategies for staying solo while scaling impact effectively.

Jackie Meyer is the Founder and President of TaxPlanIQ, a software platform that equips tax advisors with tools to streamline tax planning and maximize client savings. A CPA with extensive experience, Jackie previously owned an award-winning CPA firm and developed the ROI Method of Value Pricing to align services with client value. She is also an educator and speaker focused on improving financial literacy and efficiency for professionals and small businesses.

Are you paying more taxes than you should? Many business owners assume their CPA or tax preparer has every deduction and strategy covered, but the truth is tax planning often goes beyond the basics. What strategies can keep more money in your pocket while staying compliant with the law?

According to Jackie Meyer, a pioneering tax strategist and educator, true tax planning is about going beyond simple projections to uncover actionable strategies that minimize liabilities. She highlights the importance of asking the right questions when engaging a CPA, such as whether they offer advanced tax strategies or attend ongoing education. By focusing on proactive, ROI-driven planning, individuals and businesses can save tens of thousands of dollars annually.

In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, host Hannah Smolinski hosts Jackie Meyer, Founder and President of TaxPlanIQ, to discuss actionable tax planning strategies that save money and increase value. They cover the critical differences between tax preparation and planning, how to identify when tax planning is worth the investment, and practical tips for finding the right tax professional. Jackie also shares insights into value pricing and how it transforms client relationships and CPA practices.

Laura Shiel is the COO at Clara CFO Group, a firm that specializes in offering strategic financial guidance and support to small businesses. With a diverse background in accounting and finance, Laura’s experience spans various sectors, including public accounting, financial services, and corporate finance in a Fortune 500 company. She holds two esteemed credentials in the finance world: she is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). As a fractional CFO, Laura is dedicated to helping small business owners achieve their personal and professional aspirations.

Navigating the complexities of growing a business while ensuring financial and operational alignment can be a daunting task. How can small businesses effectively merge financial expertise with strategic leadership to achieve their vision?

According to Laura Shiel, a seasoned financial strategist, integrating a CFO into EOS implementation provides critical financial insight and operational clarity. She highlights how fractional CFOs, by participating in Level 10 meetings and quarterly strategy sessions, ensure that financial implications are considered at every decision point. This alignment fosters efficient problem-solving and sharper decision-making. Laura emphasizes that CFOs bring valuable outside perspectives from working with diverse clients, allowing them to introduce best practices and innovative solutions that elevate the EOS process.

In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, Hannah Smolinski speaks with Laura Shiel, COO at Clara CFO Group, to discuss how outsourced CFOs play a transformative role in EOS. They cover how CFOs contribute to long-term visioning, enhance decision-making in leadership teams, and create future financial plans to meet growth targets. Laura also shares her insights on when to bring a CFO into the EOS process and how finance and operations are deeply intertwined in achieving business success.

Laura Shiel is the COO at Clara CFO Group, a firm that specializes in offering strategic financial guidance and support to small businesses. With a diverse background in accounting and finance, Laura’s experience spans various sectors, including public accounting, financial services, and corporate finance in a Fortune 500 company. She holds two esteemed credentials in the finance world: she is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). As a fractional CFO, Laura is dedicated to helping small business owners achieve their personal and professional aspirations.

Scaling a small business can be exciting but overwhelming without the right systems in place. How can business owners bring structure and accountability to support growth without getting bogged down by chaos?

According to Laura Shiel, a seasoned CPA and COO, implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) provides clarity and organization, helping teams set clear roles and realistic goals. She emphasizes that EOS allows companies to transition from reacting to everyday issues to proactively driving strategic growth. This structured approach, she notes, empowers everyone on the team to align around the vision, paving the way for sustainable success.

In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, Hannah Smolinski speaks with Laura Shiel, COO at Clara CFO Group, about their journey of implementing EOS at the company. They share insights on defining roles and responsibilities, setting 90-day “rocks,” and running effective weekly meetings to keep everyone on track. Laura also offers advice on the benefits and challenges of self-implementing EOS, with practical tips for small teams looking to adopt this transformative system.

Zac Cramer is a Certified EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide, a company that provides tools and support to help businesses implement the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Zac is a neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ business coach who has helped the CEO of a $200 million company take their first ever cell phone-free vacation, showcasing their ability to bring balance and success to high-level executives. Zac is known for their vibrant personality and problem-solving skills, which they combine with a passion for the EOS to help businesses thrive.

Running a business can feel chaotic, with constant challenges pulling you in every direction. How can you create a structure that not only brings clarity but also drives results? And how can you implement a system that ensures both productivity and employee satisfaction?

According to Zac Cramer, a dynamic business coach and Certified EOS Implementer, the solution lies in the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Zac highlights that EOS is a simple yet powerful framework designed to help business owners gain “vision, traction, and healthy organizational culture,” empowering organizations to achieve clarity in their goals and align teams toward the same vision. EOS’s structured approach includes essential tools like accountability charts, scorecards, and core values, which create a foundation for accountability and effective communication at every level of the company. As a leader, this means gaining control over your business, reducing stress, and fostering a workplace where team members feel motivated and valued.

In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, host Hannah Smolinski sits down with Zac Cramer, a Certified EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide, to discuss what EOS is and how it can transform businesses. Zac shares insights on creating a structure that empowers teams, the importance of accountability through core values, and the benefits of defining clear roles. They also talk about how EOS allows business owners to step back confidently, knowing their teams are equipped to maintain the business’s success.

Heather Lowrey, MS, LPC, LMHC, is the Owner and Consultant at Wise Mind Financial, a coaching business enhancing financial literacy, accountability, and empowerment for young adults and couples. She is also the Owner and Psychotherapist at HSL Consulting PLLC, a psychotherapy practice focusing on the relationship between food, sex, and money. As a licensed therapist, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), Heather addresses disordered eating, problematic sexual behavior, and financial anxiety.

Entrepreneurs who find their businesses losing money often don’t recognize that their lack of financial acumen stems from deep-seated beliefs about money. These beliefs are limiting and dictate money management behaviors. How can you reconcile your relationship with money to make informed decisions about your business?

Financial coach and therapist Heather Lowrey understands that money is a sensitive topic for many people, with varying beliefs based on cultural implications like upbringing and social status. She has identified various mindsets around money, including avoidance, hypervigilance, scarcity, and abundance. To identify entrepreneurs’ mindsets, Heather determines their daily and weekly financial habits, including how often they view their statements and accounts. Once you’ve established your relationship with money, you can acquire an accountant or bookkeeper to help you manage your finances and maintain flexibility and adaptability in your journey to financial literacy.

In the latest episode of Financial Clarity, Hannah Smolinski hosts Heather Lowrey, the Owner of Wise Mind Financial and HSL Counseling PLLC, to talk about recognizing and repairing your relationship with money. Heather shares the common reasons people seek financial coaching services, how to find balance in your relationship with money, and her recommended personal budgeting tools and resources.

Jamie Van Cuyk is the Owner of Growing Your Team, a consulting firm that helps small business owners navigate the hiring process to find the right employees for their teams. With over 15 years of leadership experience, Jamie specializes in guiding business owners through creating tailored hiring strategies, improving interview techniques, and providing full-service recruiting support. Her expertise lies in helping companies avoid costly hiring mistakes and build confident, self-sustaining teams.

Hiring can feel overwhelming when you're balancing day-to-day operations with finding a perfect fit for your team. What if there was a way to streamline the process and avoid costly hiring mistakes?

According to Jamie Van Cuyk, a hiring expert with over 15 years of leadership experience, outsourcing parts of the recruiting process can save time, but business owners should never fully remove themselves from key decisions. She highlights that no one else can determine the best cultural and functional fit for your business like you can. By focusing on clear hiring strategies and understanding how to identify the right candidate from the start, Jamie explains that small business owners can significantly reduce the risk of a bad hire and build stronger teams.

In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, host Hannah Smolinski sits down with Jamie Van Cuyk, Owner of Growing Your Team, to discuss mastering the art of hiring for small businesses. Jamie shares strategies for identifying the right candidates, when and how to outsource parts of the process, and the importance of transparent pricing models for small businesses. Jamie also shares strategies for overcoming early pricing challenges and building self-leaders within your team.