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PODCAST

The Turtlesmith Podcast

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

business how to

All Episodes

32:51

Business Identity Theft

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2026/04/08

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 about it. John shares firsthand experience running JB Cases, a custom pool cue case company that has been repeatedly targeted by fraudsters on Facebook and Instagram. The crew breaks down the payment methods

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31:59

American Heartland Collapse | Text Messages from God

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2026/04/01

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 out to be an elaborate scheme involving fake messages from God, a 91-year-old Pizza Hut franchise mogul, and developers with a history of failed theme park projects.Join us as we explore how sophisticated

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36:14

Open Topics

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2026/03/25

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 travel stories from Vegas to Barcelona, and debates the real impact of the Jones Act waiver on gas prices.The conversation shifts to Oklahoma City hosting NCAA March Madness games and the estimated $10

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43:41

Starting a Business in 2026

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2026/03/18

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 their origin stories—from John's basement workshop in Germany to Scott's leap from corporate accounting—revealing how boom-and-bust upbringings shaped their risk tolerance as entrepreneurs.Key topics

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33:30

Michael Jordan's Wild Ride

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2026/03/11

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, featuring insights about hiring, delegation, and building organizations that outlast their founders.Key Topics:Why being the best in your field doesn't guarantee business successJordan's NASCAR team's

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43:11

The Cost of Isolation in Business

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2026/03/04

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 doing it all yourself - why isolation is hurting small businesses [3:43] Defining small business: What revenue range are we really talking about? [6:06] Why most businesses lack professional advisors

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37:45

Oklahoma Governor Wants to Ditch Cannabis Program

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2026/02/25

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, while examining what reform might look like instead of outright repeal.0:00 Property tax payment frustrations1:44 Kitchen licensing challenges3:41 Stitt's marijuana repeal proposal5:24 Federal rescheduling and

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41:24

Succession Planning

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2026/02/11

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 their exit strategy, discover the five common transition methods, and get practical steps to prepare your business for sale or transfer. Key Topics: The "two-week test" to assess business readiness Common

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40:08

Snowmageddon

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2026/02/04

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 interruption insurance, liability concerns, and risk management strategies. The hosts share personal experiences with weather-related business disruptions and provide practical guidance on commercial property

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37:56

The Drone Ban

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2026/01/28

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 driving the policy, and what it means for entrepreneurs who rely on affordable drone technology.Key Takeaways:DJI holds 70-80% of the US drone market and is now bannedReplacement costs jump from $1,000 to

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42:40

The Impact of I.C.E. on Small Businesses

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2026/01/22

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 episode3:27 - History of Immigration Laws From open borders to the Chinese Exclusion Act—how we got here4:43 - Modern Immigration System Why today's quota system is completely disconnected from labor reality7:00 - ICE and

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39:44

CES and AI in Business

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2026/01/14

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 1967Started with radios, stereos, and televisions in New York CityHas evolved into a massive tech innovation showcasePersonal CES Experience:John shares his experience attending CES in Las VegasDiscusses the challenge of obtaining tickets (must be in the electronics

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42:36

The War for Warner Bros

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2025/12/17

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 antitrust and national security concerns, the future of cable and streaming, and what these mega-deals mean for small business owners. With insights from industry experts and real-world lessons on

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26:27

End of Year Operations

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2025/12/10

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 preparing for tax season. The conversation covers common pitfalls, bad advice circulating on social media, and the value of building a strong support network. Scott and John also share practical tips for handling

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28:34

Managing Employee Burnout

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2025/12/04

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 the unique challenges small businesses face, especially in high-stress environments like retail. The conversation covers the signs of burnout, the importance of open communication, strategies for flexible

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23:57

Managing Seasonal Help

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2025/11/26

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 staff—whether you run a retail shop, a service business, or anything with peak periods.Scott and John share personal stories, practical tips, and a four-phase method to help small business owners forecast

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47:27

Holiday Retail Inventory Management

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2025/11/19

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, vendor-managed inventory, and bulk buying. The hosts discuss the importance of early planning, omnichannel readiness, and post-holiday strategies, all while sharing real-world examples and actionable tips

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46:53

Holiday Retail Operations (How To Survive!)

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2025/11/12

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 impact of “buy now, pay later” services. The hosts discuss how small businesses can stand out during the holidays—focusing on customer experience, expertise, community, and smarter advertising—while navigating

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22:35

Put It All Together: End of Phase 2

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2025/10/30

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 of building a solid foundation for your business. The hosts walk through the final steps of preparation, including updating your business plan, securing funding, setting up legal and financial structures,

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30:19

What Business Structure Should I Choose?

The Turtlesmith Podcast ·

2025/10/23

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 each. With real-world examples and practical advice, John and Scott discuss why timing matters when forming your business, the pitfalls of rushing into an LLC, and the importance of separating personal and

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33 results

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