The path of an entrepreneur is exhilarating, filled with passion, innovation, and the promise of building something truly your own. For small business owners and visionaries here in Burleson and across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, that journey is also paved with questions, challenges, and a relentless search for reliable guidance. In a world saturated with information, how do you find the right advice? How do you separate the fleeting trends from the foundational truths of building a successful enterprise? Many turn to business podcasts, hoping to find mentors in their earbuds during a commute or a late night of work.
At Havins Business Services, we’ve been the trusted partner for countless Texas entrepreneurs, guiding them through the intricacies of business formation, bookkeeping, tax preparation, and strategic growth. We’ve seen firsthand the drive and dedication it takes. We’ve also seen the common hurdles and the critical need for clear, actionable, and trustworthy information. We believe that every entrepreneur deserves access to expert advice without the prohibitive cost or complexity.
That’s why we are thrilled to announce our next step in supporting you. We’ve channeled our expertise, our experience, and our passion for helping businesses thrive into a new, accessible format. We are officially entering the audio and video space with The HBS Podcast—a resource designed to be your go-to guide, your weekly strategy session, and your motivational boost, all in one. This isn’t just another show to add to your list; we aim to create one of the best business podcasts available, specifically tailored for the ambitious entrepreneur.
HBS Enters The Airwaves | Our Decision to Start a Business Podcast
For years, our consulting work has been about direct, personalized guidance. So, why did we decide that starting a business podcast was our next logical move? The answer is simple: scalability and accessibility. We wanted to take the powerful insights from our one-on-one sessions and broadcast them to every entrepreneur with a dream, from Fort Worth to Dallas and beyond. We recognized a gap in the existing roster of business podcasts. While many offer high-level inspiration, few provide the granular, step-by-step instructions needed to navigate the crucial early stages of a business.
The HBS Podcast is our solution. It’s designed to be a masterclass in entrepreneurship, delivered in digestible episodes. Each one tackles a specific, critical aspect of building a business, transforming complex topics into understandable action plans. We’re not just talking theory; we’re providing the practical checklists, legal know-how, and financial frameworks you need to build with confidence. Consider it your unfair advantage.
To give you a taste of the value we’re packing into every episode, let’s walk through the foundational topics we cover in our first five episodes. This initial series is a comprehensive launchpad, meticulously crafted for those seeking podcasts on starting a business.
Episode 1 | Before the Launch: A Foundational Business Checklist
Every great structure begins with a solid blueprint. Before you can even think about registering a name or opening a bank account, you must do the foundational work of planning. Our first episode dives deep into the pre-launch checklist, a critical phase that can determine the trajectory of your entire venture. We move beyond the simple “write a business plan” advice and get into the nitty-gritty.
We guide you through the process of rigorous market research. Who are your ideal customers? What are their pain points? How does your product or service solve their specific problems? We share a story about a local DFW artisan who initially wanted to sell high-end custom furniture but, after proper research, discovered a much larger and more profitable market for stylish, affordable home office setups—a direct response to the growing remote work trend. This pivot, born from research, was the key to their early success.
Furthermore, we discuss competitive analysis. It’s not about copying your competitors; it’s about understanding their strengths, weaknesses, and the gaps they’ve left in the market. This is where your opportunity lies. The episode provides a framework for identifying these gaps and positioning your business to fill them. We also touch upon initial financial projections. You don’t need to be a CPA to create a basic forecast. We explain how to realistically estimate your startup costs, project your initial revenue, and determine your break-even point. This isn’t just about seeking funding; it’s about proving to yourself that the business is viable. This episode lays the groundwork, making it a crucial starting point for anyone serious about building a lasting business.
Episode 2 | Discovering The Business You Were Meant to Start
“Follow your passion” is common advice, but it’s incomplete. True entrepreneurial success lies at the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what people will pay for. In our second episode, we explore this very concept, helping you move from a vague passion to a validated business idea. We believe this is a cornerstone topic for any of the best business podcasts focused on entrepreneurship.
We tell the story of a client, a former corporate accountant in Dallas, who was passionate about wellness but unsure how to turn it into a business. He was good with numbers and systems, and he saw a growing need for accessible corporate wellness programs in the post-pandemic world. By combining his skills (systems and finance) with his passion (wellness) to meet a market need (employee well-being), he created a thriving B2B wellness consulting firm. His business wasn’t just “wellness”; it was a specific, profitable application of it.
This episode provides listeners with a set of self-assessment questions and practical exercises to achieve similar clarity. We guide you on how to:
- Identify Your Core Competencies: What skills have you developed professionally and personally?
- Analyze Market Trends: Where is consumer demand heading? What problems are emerging?
- Test Your Idea Simply: We discuss methods for idea validation that don’t require a huge investment, such as creating a simple landing page, running a small social media poll, or conducting informal interviews with potential customers.
This episode is about building a business that not only has the potential to be profitable but also one that will keep you motivated and fulfilled for the long haul.
Episode 3 | How to Legally Launch Your Business
Once you have a validated idea, the next step can feel intimidating. The legal requirements of starting a business can seem like a labyrinth of forms, fees, and regulations. In our third episode, we demystify this process entirely. We provide a clear, step-by-step guide to getting your business legally compliant from day one, preventing costly mistakes down the road.
We start with the basics, like choosing and registering your business name. We explain the difference between your legal entity name and a “Doing Business As” (DBA) or assumed name, and we walk you through how to search for name availability in Texas to avoid trademark conflicts. This is a critical first step that many new entrepreneurs overlook.
From there, we break down the three layers of compliance:
- Federal Requirements: This primarily involves getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. We explain what an EIN is, why you need one (even if you don’t have employees yet), and how to apply for it for free.
- State Requirements: We focus on the specific steps for Texas, including registering your business entity with the Texas Secretary of State and understanding state-level tax obligations with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
- Local Requirements: This is where it gets hyper-specific. We explain that requirements can vary by city (Burleson, Fort Worth, Arlington) and county. We discuss common permits like sales tax permits, health department permits for food businesses, and specific occupational licenses.
This episode acts as your personal legal roadmap, transforming a daunting task into a manageable checklist. It’s one of the most practical episodes you’ll find among podcasts on starting a business.
Episode 4 | The Critical Business Structure Breakdown
Choosing your business structure is one of the most consequential decisions you will make as a business owner. It impacts everything from your personal liability and how you’re taxed to the administrative workload and your ability to raise capital. In episode four, we dedicate the entire session to breaking down the most common business structures in a way that anyone can understand.
We use the analogy of building a house: your business structure is the foundation. A weak or inappropriate foundation can cause the entire structure to collapse under pressure. We carefully detail the pros and cons of each option:
- Sole Proprietorship: The simplest to set up, but it offers no liability protection, meaning your personal assets are at risk. We explain who this structure is good for (freelancers, side hustlers) and when it’s time to upgrade.
- Partnership: Similar to a sole proprietorship but with two or more owners. We stress the absolute necessity of a comprehensive partnership agreement, telling a cautionary tale of a business friendship that soured due to a lack of a written agreement.
- Limited Liability Company (LLC): A popular choice for a reason. We explain how an LLC provides the liability protection of a corporation with the tax flexibility and simplicity of a partnership. We discuss the concept of the “corporate veil” and how to maintain it.
- S Corporation (S-Corp) & C Corporation (C-Corp): We differentiate these more complex structures, explaining the key differences in taxation (pass-through vs. double taxation) and ownership. We clarify when it makes sense to consider an S-Corp for potential tax savings or a C-Corp if you plan to seek venture capital investment.
This episode empowers you to have an intelligent conversation with your legal and financial advisors and make an informed choice for your specific situation.
Episode 5 | Setting Up Your Financial Infrastructure
Our fifth episode tackles the final piece of the launch puzzle: setting up your financial systems. Great ideas and legal structures mean little if you can’t manage your money effectively. Messy finances are a leading cause of business failure, and we are determined to help you avoid that fate.
The number one rule we emphasize is the strict separation of business and personal finances. We explain why commingling funds is not only a bookkeeping nightmare but can also pierce the corporate veil of your LLC or corporation, putting your personal assets at risk. The first practical step is opening a dedicated business bank account. We provide tips on what to look for in a business bank and what documents you’ll need to open an account.
Next, we introduce the world of bookkeeping and accounting systems. We explain the difference between simple spreadsheets and robust software like QuickBooks. We advocate for starting with a proper system from day one, even if your transaction volume is low. Doing so builds good habits and makes tax time infinitely less stressful. We break down fundamental concepts like:
- Tracking income and expenses.
- Understanding the chart of accounts.
- The basics of a profit and loss statement (P&L).
This episode provides a financial toolkit to get you started on the right foot, cementing our podcast’s place as a practical, indispensable tool for entrepreneurs.
Plug In! | Subscribe To The HBS Channel for More Business Podcasts
The entrepreneurial journey is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires resilience, continuous learning, and a network of support. While the path is yours to walk, you don’t have to walk it alone. We created The HBS Podcast to be your companion on that journey, offering the clarity and confidence you need at every stage. We’ve taken the core pillars of business success—planning, validation, legal structure, and financial management—and distilled them into a clear, accessible, and actionable audio and video series. We genuinely believe it is one of the best business podcasts you can invest your time in, especially if you’re at the beginning of your adventure. Stop searching and start building.
This initial five-episode series is just the beginning. The HBS Podcast is an ongoing commitment to your growth. We have a full content calendar planned, with future episodes covering everything from creating your first marketing plan and hiring your first employee to scaling your operations and mastering your cash flow. We’ll bring in guest experts, feature success stories from the DFW community, and answer your most pressing questions.
By subscribing to our channel on YouTube, you get more than just an audio stream. You get to see the hosts, view helpful on-screen graphics and checklists, and engage with a growing community of fellow entrepreneurs in the comments section. It’s a dynamic learning experience designed for the modern business owner.
We are pouring decades of combined experience into this project. Our goal is not just to be another voice in the crowded field of business podcasts, but to be your most trusted one. We want to be the resource you turn to when you’re facing a challenge, celebrating a win, or planning your next big move.
Ready to stop dreaming and start doing? Get the expert guidance you need to launch and grow your business with confidence. Subscribe to The HBS Podcast on YouTube today and join our community of ambitious Texas entrepreneurs.
Click here to subscribe to The HBS Podcast on YouTube!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why should I listen to business podcasts?
Business podcasts are an incredibly efficient way to learn. They allow you to absorb expert knowledge, industry insights, and motivational stories while commuting, working out, or managing other tasks. They provide access to mentorship and strategies that might otherwise be out of reach, helping you make smarter decisions and avoid common pitfalls in your entrepreneurial journey.
Q. What makes The HBS Podcast one of the best business podcasts for new entrepreneurs?
The HBS Podcast stands out because it focuses on practical, step-by-step guidance rather than just high-level theory.1 We break down complex topics like legal formation, financial setup, and strategic planning into manageable action items specifically for new business owners. Our deep experience in consulting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation for Texas businesses means our advice is tested, proven, and relevant to your needs.
Q. I’m thinking about starting a business podcast myself. What is the first step?
The first step in starting a business podcast is to clearly define your niche and your target audience. Ask yourself: Who am I trying to reach? What unique value or perspective can I offer them? A well-defined niche, like our focus on foundational steps for new entrepreneurs, allows you to create highly relevant content that builds a loyal audience.
Q. What topics do your podcasts on starting a business cover?
Our initial series of podcasts on starting a business covers the essential, foundational pillars of a successful launch. This includes creating a pre-launch checklist, validating your business idea, legally forming your company, choosing the right business structure, and setting up your financial infrastructure. Future episodes will expand into marketing, sales, operations, hiring, and scaling.