AI is already part of business life—but most small and midsize companies are not using it intentionally inside their sales process.

In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Cal Wilder talks with Jim Norton, MBA, Certified Sales Leader from Sales Acceleration, about how businesses can apply AI in practical ways to improve productivity, forecasting, lead generation, and coaching.

They break down how to start small, measure results, and build confidence before investing in complex systems.

In this episode:

• Practical productivity uses of AI in sales
• Smarter CRM systems with pattern recognition
• AI-driven lead generation
• Coaching with real call analysis
• Creating an internal AI policy
• Evaluating ROI before scaling

If you’re curious about AI but unsure where to begin, this episode gives you a practical roadmap.

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Thanks for listening!

Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

Most business owners think tax season is about filing returns.
In reality, the biggest tax opportunities happen the other nine months of the year.

In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Cal Wilder talks with Greg Reed about what your CPA should be telling you—especially if you want fewer surprises and better decisions year-round.

They discuss the difference between tax prep and tax planning, why not all tax savings are equal, how multi-year strategy works, and when paying more tax can actually support growth.

In this episode:

• Why filing early doesn’t mean you’re planning well
• The difference between deductions, credits, and deferrals
• Why income smoothing matters
• When higher taxable income helps with funding
• Why entity structure and owner pay need regular review
• The truth about extensions and safe harbor estimates
• Why tax planning must be proactive

If you’re only meeting your CPA once a year, this episode may change how you think about taxes.

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Sponsored by SmartBooks. To schedule a free consultation, visit smartbooks.com.

Thanks for listening!

Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

Tax season doesn’t cause stress because of paperwork; it causes stress because business owners don’t know what’s coming.

In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Cal Wilder talks with Greg Reed, Head of Tax at SmartBooks, about how business owners can prepare for tax season in January to avoid surprises and reduce anxiety.

They break down the difference between tax filing, projections, planning, and coaching, and explain what steps actually make tax season smoother.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why uncertainty creates tax anxiety
• What to organize in January to stay ahead
• How clean bookkeeping impacts tax prep
• How to prepare for 1099s and estimated payments
• When itemized deductions may apply again
• Why proactive tax support matters

If tax season feels stressful every year, this episode will help you approach it with more clarity and control.

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Thanks for listening!

Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

Choosing the right retirement plan is one of the most important—and confusing, decisions a business owner makes.

In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Calvin Wilder talks with Charles Reichelt about how small business owners can design retirement plans that work for both the owner and the team.

They cover the pros and cons of different plan types, how to manage costs and compliance, and how employee education plays a critical role in plan success.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How different retirement plans work for small businesses
• When to use a 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, or solo 401(k)
• How to increase owner contributions while staying compliant
• How to keep plan fees transparent and competitive
• When it’s time to benchmark or redesign your plan

If you’re starting a retirement plan, or wondering whether your current plan still fits, this episode provides clear guidance to help you make confident decisions.
Charles Reichelt - FTG Squared
Direct phone: 301-466-9945

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Sponsored by SmartBooks. To schedule a free consultation, visit smartbooks.com.

Thanks for listening!

Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

Many small and mid-size B2B companies extend payment terms—but struggle to know which customers are truly creditworthy.

In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, host Calvin Wilder sits down with Brian Suthoff, CEO of Truverto, to explain how businesses can finally get value from credit bureaus and make better credit decisions without heavy IT or manual uploads.

Brian breaks down how new accounting system integrations now allow small businesses to automatically share A/R data, receive validated company profiles, and get usable credit scores—all in real time.

💡 In This Episode:

• Why business credit bureaus matter for small businesses
• How to automate trade reporting with QuickBooks or Dynamics 365
• How to use bureau data to improve cash flow and reduce fraud
• Setting terms by risk tier (low, medium, high)
• The 5-step rollout plan to get results in 60 days

If your business extends credit, this episode will show you how to turn bureau data into a tool for faster payments, safer approvals, and better working capital.

Send us a text

Sponsored by SmartBooks. To schedule a free consultation, visit smartbooks.com.

Thanks for listening!

Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

As 2025 wraps up, smart business owners are already preparing for tax season.

In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Calvin Wilder speaks with Greg Reed, Head of Tax at SmartBooks and Certified Tax Coach, about the latest developments affecting 2025 year-end tax planning.

Greg explains how to use new rules and deductions to reduce your tax burden and plan confidently before December 31.

💡 In This Episode:

• 100% bonus depreciation vs. Section 179 — which to use
• SALT cap increase and PTET strategies for high-income owners
• What’s changing with QBI and 1099 thresholds
• How to reclaim R&D expenses from prior years
• The 100% write-off window for manufacturing and production facilities
• A practical year-end tax checklist for every business owner

Whether your business had a record year or a down year, this episode helps you identify the levers that actually lower your tax bill.

Send us a text

Sponsored by SmartBooks. To schedule a free consultation, visit smartbooks.com.

Thanks for listening!

Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

Crypto can be exciting — but it’s also one of today’s biggest financial risks.

In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, Calvin Wilder talks with Jason Costain, a banking fraud expert with over 25 years of experience, about what business owners need to know to protect their money, data, and trust in the digital world.

Jason explains where crypto risk really lives, how scams operate, and what simple steps can help you avoid becoming the next victim.

In This Episode:

• What makes crypto investments high-risk for small businesses
• How modern scams exploit human behavior, not just technology
• Real tactics banks use to detect and stop fraud
• Practical steps to protect your business accounts and payments
• How to prepare for AI-powered scams and deepfakes
• When blockchain technology actually makes sense

Whether you’re curious about crypto or just want to keep your finances safe, this episode delivers clear, actionable advice to help you stay ahead of fraud.

Send us a text

Sponsored by SmartBooks. To schedule a free consultation, visit smartbooks.com.

Thanks for listening!

Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/

You can be the best plumber, electrician, or home-service provider in town — but if your marketing isn’t connected, your phone won’t keep ringing.

In this episode of the Empowering Healthy Business Podcast, host Calvin Wilder talks with Sean Garner, marketing strategist and founder of a full-service agency that helps small and local businesses grow through modern systems.

Sean explains why local marketing is different, how to use his Marketing Domination Framework (Build → Fill → Optimize), and which automations can help you turn missed calls into booked jobs.

In This Episode:

• Why mindset matters more than ad spend
• How to build, fill, and optimize your marketing funnel
• Why Google Local Service Ads outperform traditional campaigns
• Simple automations to capture every lead
• How to build trust and a recognizable local brand

Whether you run a home-service business or manage a local professional firm, this episode is your playbook for sustainable, scalable growth.

Listen now on all major podcast platforms.

Check out free resources from Sean Garner at https://www.seangarner.co/ehb

Send us a text

Sponsored by SmartBooks. To schedule a free consultation, visit smartbooks.com.

Thanks for listening!

Host Cal Wilder can be reached at:
cal@empoweringhealthybusiness.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinwilder/