Jaime Staley is joined by partner and CFO, Katina Peters, to break down what's actually changing, who may benefit, and how to start planning before year-end instead of being surprised next April.

In this episode, we cover:

• How the 2025 tax brackets and standard deduction look under the new bill

• "No tax on tips" and "no tax on overtime" - who qualifies and what the limits are

• Updates to the child tax credit, senior deduction, SALT cap, and estate & gift tax exemption

• Key small business changes, including QBI, bonus depreciation, Section 179, and more

• What Trump child accounts are, how they work, and why starting early can matter

• Why proactive mid-year and year-end tax planning is still essential

If you're wondering how the Big Beautiful Bill might affect your 2025 tax return or your business, this conversation will give you a clear starting point and the right questions to take to your tax advisor.

This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Please consult your tax professional about your specific situation.

Is your tech stack helping your business grow, or holding it back?

In this episode of the Cultivating Business Growth Podcast, host Katina Peters, CPA & CGMA, talks with Brian Zielinski, President and Managing Director of ShapeConnect, about how a technology audit can uncover inefficiencies, streamline data flow, and set your business up for scalable success.

Brian shares real stories of companies that transformed operations and doubled revenue through the right software systems, and why even small and mid-sized businesses should regularly assess their technology.

• Practical examples of businesses that grew by upgrading or optimizing their systems

Connect with Brian Zielinski:
ShapeConnect.com
ShapeConnect on LinkedIn

Learn more about Willow Virtual CFO:
willowcfo.com

Choosing the right entity taxation is not just a startup decision, it's a lever that can create or erase six figures as your business grows. In this episode, Jaime and Katina discuss the difference between an S Corp and a C Corp, how LLCs fit into the picture, and why entity choice should be reviewed over time, not just once when you file paperwork.

Katina explains the tax implications of each structure, including when C Corp double taxation is actually worth it, how reasonable compensation works for S Corp owners, and the five-year lock-in rule when switching. We also talk about the types of businesses that should consider each approach and why service-based businesses often start with S Corp but shouldn't assume they'll stay there forever.

If your business has grown and you've never re-evaluated your entity structure, this episode will help you know what to revisit with your CPA or CFO.

This episode is for educational purposes only and not legal or tax advice.

Willow Virtual CFO's Jaime Staley sits down with Lindy Hoyt, founder of People Ambassadors, to unpack people-first leadership and how to build high-performing teams. Learn the building blocks, trust and psychological safety, goal alignment, real accountability, and intentional onboarding, plus low-cost plays small businesses can use now. Stick around for two simple actions you can take this week, and grab the free resource in the show notes.

In today's fast-changing business world, profitability isn't just about working harder—it's about working smarter. In this updated episode of Cultivating Business Growth, we revisit one of our most popular topics from Episode 18 with a fresh look at four modern strategies to increase profitability in 2025 and beyond.

Join Megan Spicer and Katina Peters, Partner at Willow Virtual CFO, as they discuss:

• Why doubling down on high-margin offers and clients is key to sustainable growth

• How to reevaluate and modernize your pricing strategies, including value-based and tiered models

• Practical ways to boost customer retention and long-term loyalty

• How AI and automation are reshaping efficiency for service-based businesses

Whether you're a business owner or leader, this episode offers actionable insights to help you grow profitably in the modern era.

Are your daily tasks keeping you from growing your business? In this episode, business coach and systems strategist Holly Jean Jackson joins us to share why documenting key processes, like sales, client onboarding, and team workflows, is the secret to sustainable growth. Tune in to learn how the right systems (and tools like ClickUp, Pipedrive, and ActiveCampaign) can help you delegate with confidence, create "delight moments" for your clients, and free up your time to focus on what matters most.

When was the last time you gave your business a real checkup? In this episode of the Cultivating Business Growth podcast, we're talking about the importance of a business health check, a structured way to review profitability, cash flow, expenses, pricing, and strategy so you can catch problems early and keep your company on track.

Megan Spicer is joined by Willow Virtual CFO co-founder Katina Peters to walk through a simple DIY framework for evaluating your business's financial health. You'll learn how to do a business health check on your own, what red flags to watch out for, and when it may be time to bring in an expert for deeper insight.

We also introduce the Willow Business Cultivator a powerful assessment tool designed to give business owners clarity, confidence, and actionable recommendations to move forward.

If you've been wondering how healthy your business really is, or you just want to realign with your growth goals, this episode offers practical steps and resources to help you strengthen your foundation.

Learn more about the Willow Cultivator at willowcfo.com/cultivator

Are you building a law firm that will truly support your retirement goals? In this episode of Cultivating Business Growth, Katina Peters welcomes Darren Wurz—financial planner, CEPA®, CFP®, MSFP, author of The Lawyer Millionaire, and host of The Lawyer Millionaire podcast—to talk about how to align law firm growth with personal financial independence.

Darren specializes in helping attorneys and small law firm owners increase profitability, create businesses that can run without them, and design a retirement plan that goes beyond simply saving for the future. Together, Katina and Darren cover:

• Why retirement planning is also business planning

• The connection between law firm profitability and financial security

• Three smart growth strategies for small law firms: niche positioning, recurring revenue, and owner independence

• Key steps in law firm succession planning and preparing for an exit

• How to calculate your "freedom number" so you know exactly when you can be work optional

Whether you're years away from stepping back or preparing for transition now, you'll walk away with actionable strategies to protect your profits, grow intentionally, and secure your future.