Can banks become trusted partners in their customers' growth?
Glen Senior thinks so.
Glen has spent decades developing educational content for financial institutions to provide free resources to small business owners worldwide. His mission is clear: help businesses succeed by offering practical, accessible tools.
In a recent episode of The Unsure Entrepreneur Podcast, host Roger Pierce talked with the personable CEO of The Small Business Company to discuss the challenges and opportunities that small business owners face today — and how banks can help them.
Glen started his career with a unique combination of entrepreneurship and education. His entrepreneurial spark was ignited early when, after leaving university, he launched a business selling Dungeons and Dragons figurines in New Zealand and Australia. “I actually spun these metal figures through a contract manufacturer and sold them all throughout Australasia,” Glen recalls. This early success demonstrated his passion for entrepreneurship and laid the groundwork for a career dedicated to supporting small businesses.
Better financial understanding and planning.
Fast forward to today. His business, The Small Business Company, partners with banks and credit unions to provide essential business tools — such as cash flow templates, marketing plans, and webinars — all for free to small business owners. “What we do is simple,” says Glen, “more businesses approach and contact the banks, and we help these businesses thrive through better financial understanding and planning.”
The podcast episode touched on three main takeaways for entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their businesses:
Building financial literacy is essential for success. One of the key points Glen emphasized was the need for financial literacy among small business owners. Understanding cash flow, profit and loss statements, and business metrics is vital for long-term success.
Business owners should remain flexible and adaptable. The pace of change is incredible. Whether it's embracing new technologies like AI, or adjusting to market conditions, being flexible allows businesses to evolve and grow.
Help is readily available for business owners — if you just look. Entrepreneurs don’t need to reinvent the wheel. There are countless free resources, many provided by financial institutions, non profits, and government agencies, that offer the tools necessary to plan, execute, and grow a business.
"Empower owners to make smarter financial decisions."
Glen also spoke about the future of small businesses. With the rise of AI, automation, and e-commerce, small business owners must remain agile. While these changes may seem daunting, Glen believes they also present incredible opportunities. “You’ve got to be first to be second,” he advises, suggesting that business owners should adopt new technologies once they are proven but not necessarily take on the risks of being pioneers.
The need for education and advice creates an opening for financial institutions to be more of a partner to small business owners. "Banks have an incredible opportunity to support small businesses not just by offering loans, but by providing practical, educational resources that empower owners to make smarter financial decisions."
Check out some of the educational resources and small business tools offered by his company.
Financial institutions in six countries have come to rely on Glen Senior’s expertise when it comes to engaging small business owners. His approach ensures that banks can deliver meaningful, actionable advice that empowers small businesses, driving long-term relationships and fostering success for both the business owner and the institution.
Listen to the podcast episode here.
[Photo caption: Glen Senior]
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