July 2025 Newsletter

FEATURED ARTICLE

Best-selling author Will Guidara shared the following story recently in his newsletter “Pre-Meal”.



"Pixie Dusting"

A friend spent spring break at Disneyland with his kids. The most fun thing that happened while they were there, the event his kids couldn't stop talking about? Not their visit to Pixie Hollow, or the new Tiana ride which reportedly cost $124m to build, or hugs from princesses Anna and Elsa.

No, the best thing that happened was a random round of applause.

My friend and his girls were walking through the park when out of nowhere, a group of five Disney employees started clapping and cheering wildly for them. Confused, they stopped in their tracks; one kid was standing in a small box, roughed out in masking tape on the ground. Curious, she stepped out of the box. The clapping stopped. catching on and grinning big, she stepped back in. Again, the team members went nuts.

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BOOK OF THE MONTH

Never Lead Alone by Keith Ferrazzi

In Never Lead Alone, bestselling author and leadership futurist Keith Ferrazzi challenges the myth of the solo visionary leader and makes the compelling case for "co-elevation"—a style of leadership rooted in collaboration, trust, and shared accountability.

Key Takeaways:

Leadership is a Team Sport

Ferrazzi argues that the most successful leaders today don’t climb the ladder alone—they bring others with them. He encourages leaders to co-create solutions, foster deep trust, and invite others to lead alongside them.

Why it matters: In small businesses, where teams are lean and roles often overlap, a co-elevating culture can unlock hidden potential and boost engagement.



READ MORE >

You can purchase your copy of Never Lead Alone through this paid link.



SBM PODCAST

What does it take to grow a successful business from scratch—and keep it thriving through every twist and turn?

In the latest episode of the Small Business Matters Podcast, host Tim Fulton sits down with longtime SBM friend Ryan Tabb, Founder and CEO of Peachtree Junk Removal, for an insightful conversation 25 years in the making. In "Preparing for Success and Setbacks," Ryan shares:

• His entrepreneurial journey spanning 25 years in junk removal and recycling
• Insights on maintaining a standard of professionalism
• The importance of building strong internal and external relationships
• Using digital marketing to grow your customer base
• Learning how to leverage Google in your marketing efforts
• Why CEOs need to prepare for both success and setbacks
• How Ryan outcoached Kirby Smart

Whether you're just starting out or steering a seasoned business, this episode is full of real-world wisdom and practical takeaways.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST >>

MASTERMIND GROUP

Hosted by former Vistage Chair and SBM President Tim Fulton, the SBM MasterMind Group enables small business executives to work virtually with growth-minded peers to hone their leadership skills and prioritize their most important weekly action items. The MasterMind Group offers each member the following:

• A weekly one-hour virtual group meeting
• Quarterly one-to-one individual coaching sessions
• An annual group retreat
• Ready access to a growth-minded peer group

All for the small investment of $295/month!

Mastermind group member Mary Ritz shares her experience...

To learn more or to join the SBM Mastermind Group,

contact tim@smallbusinessmattersonline.com

SBM @LUNCH

Once a month, I have the pleasure of hosting a group of growth-minded entrepreneurs for lunch and a lively discussion around small business. From mergers and acquisitions to attracting top talent, AI, and strategic planning, a wealth of knowledge and new ideas are shared and explored.

If you're interested in joining us for lunch, please contact me by email at tim@smallbusinessmattersonline.com.



TIM'S BOOKS

Order The Meeting

Order Small Business Matters

Order Small Business Matters & All That Jazz

WORDS OF WISDOM

DID YOU KNOW?

Marketing guru Neil Patel wrote an interesting blog post recently with several marketing statistics that got my attention:

• Businesses dedicate the largest percentage of their marketing budget to paid channels.
• Email marketing has the highest ROI of all organic marketing channels. Every $1 that marketers spend on email marketing generates $36 in return.
• Video marketing is a key area of investment for many businesses, but its ROI remains relatively low.
• Top-of-funnel marketing efforts are a key priority for almost all B2B and B2C brands. 92% of marketers intend to maintain their current investments or spend more on brand awareness.

Blog / 65 Marketing Statistics to Guide Your Strategy & Budget

A LITTLE HUMOR

SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS SPONSORS

Thank you!