022: Keep the Monsters Out of Your Margins. Payroll Creep is the silent profit killer that sneaks in through untracked hours and unnoticed tasks. Tracking payroll by cost centers shines a light on where money is going, helping you make smarter decisions, protect margins, and keep your business running strong.

021: Why “10% Off” Is Costing You More Than You Think. There’s a big difference between a discount and an offer, and knowing it can make or break your brand. Discounts come from desperation, while offers come from confidence, and confident brands grow stronger without cutting their worth.

020: When Growth Slows, Here’s Where to Focus. Enrollment dips aren’t failure; they’re feedback. When growth slows, the smartest move is doubling down on marketing consistency and parent connection, turning short-term slowdowns into long-term stability and growth.

019: Gets It. Wants It. Capacity to Do It. Hiring isn’t just about résumés or experience. It’s about finding people who Get It, Want It, and Have the Capacity to Do It. When all three align, your team flows; when even one is missing, you’re stuck in frustration and burnout.

018: The Sweet Spot Between Chaos and Order: Chaos can feel energizing and even productive, but without balance it quickly leads to burnout. Real growth comes from learning when to lean into structure and when to tap into creativity. The key is using chaos as a tool, not a lifestyle, and pairing it with order to keep both momentum and stability.

017: Doors Don’t Open Themselves: Great leadership and career growth often come down to simple choices; each one either opens a door or closes it. Small acts of initiative, like helping before being asked, build trust and credibility that lead to bigger opportunities over time. The question to ask: is this choice opening a door or shutting one?

016: Everything is Figureoutable: Losing a star coach is tough, but it’s part of the job. With values-based hiring, flexible roles, and a “figureoutable” mindset, there’s always a path forward. From short-term fixes to creative recruiting, the key is breaking it down, writing it out, and tackling the plan step by step.

015: Why Leaving Work Makes Us Better at Work: Stepping away for an offsite gives us the chance to breathe, reconnect, and get on the same page. It’s where we swap the daily grind for big-picture thinking, stronger relationships, and a fresh burst of energy before the busy season hits.

This piece was generously contributed by Diane Trifiro of Ohio Sports Academy. My name is Diane Trifiro and my husband and I own Ohio...