Discover how a seasoned consultant uses sales strategy, business systems and financial insight to drive growth, profit and lasting revenue. In this episode of the Business 101 Podcast, we dive deep with Christopher Filipiak, a business coach who teaches founders and solo consultants how to design more profitable, scalable businesses through intentional systems, honest pricing and real ownership.Christopher breaks down how bad sales habits ruin businesses; how mindset is only one part of the fix; and why building a business without being glued to every client call is the real goal. You'll learn why intellectual courage, clean sales processes and ruthless calendar discipline are critical for long-term business success.We also explore how finance, data and ratios influence the bottom line; the AI tools solo consultants should be using; and how corporate refugees can turn experience into income. If you're building a business or trying to escape the chaos of inconsistent cash flow, this is your episode.Christopher’s insights cut through fluff. This is not motivational talk; it’s tactical. Bring your notes; you’ll leave with actions.📌 Chapters0:00 - Intro; who is Christopher Filipiak1:45 - Sales vs. systems; why most founders stall4:20 - Business profit: the real math behind growth6:55 - Solo consultant frameworks that scale9:40 - Why “more leads” isn't your first fix13:20 - AI in business: smart solo tools16:30 - Time, calendar, leverage; the real assets20:10 - Pricing right: consultant revenue drivers24:00 - Losses, ratios and profit signals27:50 - Career shifts: from corporate to consultant30:40 - How to grow without burning out33:00 - Wrap-up: business, money, systems that work---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Find Chris here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherfilipiak/Connect with Ayo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioyegbadeStream the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2slCYeTCsSW1usBQeXdUJp?si=7152f76cce464b5#business #money #finance #entrepreneurship #sales #consulting #growth #profit #Business101Podcast

Ayo Oye, MBA, ACA, B.Sc., (Business Consultant with experience at McKinsey, Deloitte & PwC across 3 continents), sits down with Katherine Lacefield (Founder, Just Be Cause Consulting) to discuss the art of fundraising and its critical role in business.Before starting her firm - which specializes in advising non-profits raising funds for philanthropic causes, Katherine spent 20 years planning and executing fundraising strategies for various non-profit organizations in Canada and around the world. As the former Coordinator and Communications Manager of PhiLab, Canada's largest philanthropic grantmaking research lab, Katherine has been at the forefront of grantmaking research, particularly in the realms of social and environmental justice since 2017. Through her role, she has fostered invaluable relationships with grantmaking foundations, nonprofits, and philanthropy researchers worldwide. Her work has covered diverse aspects of philanthropy, including the arts, invisible causes, marginalised communities, environment and climate change, social inequalities, and indigenous relations.

Ayo Oye, MBA, ACA, B.Sc., (Management Consultant with experience at McKinsey, Deloitte & PwC across 3 continents), sits down with Brandon Woodward (Managing Partner at Woodward, Kelley, Fulton & Kaplan Law Office) to explore the legal considerations involved in building a sustainable business.Brandon took his law firm from a card table in his spare bedroom to a six-figure business advising startups and closely held companies across the Treasure Coast. Now, with over 25 years of guiding founders through everything from growth to exits, Brandon shares hard-won lessons that could save your business time, money, and future headaches. We dive into the biggest legal blind spots entrepreneurs overlook, the costly mistakes hidden in the fine print, and why your contracts are often your strongest competitive edge. We also explore how Brandon’s firm built a resilient culture, what running a business while raising a family really looks like, and how to set yourself up for a clean exit years before you sell.Whether you’re just launching your startup or scaling toward your next big milestone, this conversation will arm you with the practical, story-driven insights you need to protect and grow your business sustainably.