Aug 26, 2025
In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy
Trewin interviews Renita Wolf,
founder of Poe Wolf
Partners, who transitioned from a Fortune 50 CFO
career to helping small and mid-sized business owners prepare for
successful exits. Renita shares her insights on why nearly 90% of
businesses listed for sale never sell, and how she guides owners to
align their business with personal goals while increasing value and
reducing owner dependency. She discusses the emotional challenges
of letting go, the importance of being organized and consistent,
and her holistic approach to exit planning. Renita also reveals how
she bootstrapped her firm, leveraged mentors, and embraced learning
as part of her entrepreneurial journey. This inspiring conversation
highlights the critical steps entrepreneurs must take to protect
their legacy and maximize success when planning their exit.
Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you
signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and
business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most
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Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their
perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal
stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of
small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies
for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable
advice.
And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business
Questions:
What do you think is the
hardest thing in growing a small business?
Renita Wolf said the hardest thing in growing a small business is
staying confident when you don’t know everything and are running
everything yourself, often with just a small team. She explained
that uncertainty can shake confidence, but she overcomes it by
being comfortable learning new things and accepting that she might
be bad at them at first, knowing she will improve over time
What's your favorite
business book that has helped you the most?
Renita Wolf shared that her favorite business books are “Key Person
of Influence” and “Oversubscribed” by Daniel Priestley, which she
always goes back to. She also values the work of Blair Enns,
especially his books on Winning Without Pitching, since sales was
not her forte and these resources helped her approach clients more
effectively.
Are there any great
podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow
a small business?
Renita Wolf recommended Donald Miller’s Business Made Simple and
the StoryBrand podcast as excellent resources for small business
owners. She explained that they cut through the noise in the
marketplace and provide a clear, actionable framework that makes it
easier for entrepreneurs to stay focused and grow their
businesses.
What tool or resource
would you recommend to grow a small business?
Renita Wolf recommended that every small business owner should have
a simple KPI dashboard with around five key metrics. She explained
that tracking these helps owners think strategically, measure
consistency, and monitor progress—whether it’s content strategy,
social engagement, or other business drivers—making it a powerful
tool for sustainable growth
What advice would you give
yourself on day one of starting out in business?
Renita Wolf’s advice to herself on day one of starting her business
would be: “Don’t wait for perfect — just start.” She emphasized
that taking action early is more important than waiting until
everything feels ready.
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Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:
Being organized and consistent is the foundation of small
business success – Renita Wolf
Your business is more than financials — it’s your legacy for
family, community, and employees – Renita Wolf
Focus on who you serve, how you help, and what makes you
different from the competition – Renita Wolf