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In a world of fractured systems, economic uncertainty, and cascading disruptions, your family's safety shouldn't depend on money, government help, or expensive gear.

In this powerful episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. Jeff Donaldson (PhD in Disaster & Emergency Management) reveals how to prepare your family for 2026: completely free, using evidence-based strategies proven in real disasters from hurricanes to mega-earthquakes.

Forget the myth that preparedness requires a budget. The data shows zero economic barrier to real resilience. Discover the Trifecta of Preparedness Plans every family needs: Shelter-in-place for up to 14 days (backed by hard stats: 94% of critical infrastructure restores in 14 days)

Smart, no-cost evacuation with predetermined destinations and grab lists
Your "when I get fired" career pivot plan for the precarious job market ahead

Learn battle-tested secrets to:
Reunite your family without phones or internet
Build unbreakable social capital in your community (the #1 predictor of post-disaster success)
Master essential skills like first aid using only free resources

Whether you're an entrepreneur, small business owner, or just a concerned parent, this episode proves one thing: if your home base is strong, everything else follows.

Preparedness isn't a stockpile — it's a lifestyle.

Download the FREE 4-page Family Preparedness Primer: https://preparednesslabs.ca/products/4-step-guide-to-beginning-your-preparedness-journey

Watch the full Roadmap to Resilience video series on our YouTube channel, no email required: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7b7or5anKA&t=114s

The only barrier to preparedness is you, it's your choice, choose wisely

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As we kick off 2026, the world feels more unpredictable than ever, political shifts, economic pressures, tariffs, cyber threats, and global chaos are hitting small businesses hard.

If you're a solo entrepreneur, side hustler, or thinking about scaling (or even launching) your independent business, ignoring these forces could be costly.

In this episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. D breaks down the four critical risks every lean business owner must address right now, risks you can actually control in a world where almost everything else is out of your hands. You'll discover:
-Why cybersecurity is no longer optional. Simple, affordable steps (password managers, patches, 2FA, off-site backups) that prevent disaster (plus why managed service providers are a game-changer for small ops)

-How inflation, tariffs, and regulatory changes (like the new EU AI rules starting June 2026) are silently squeezing margins, and the KISS principle to stay compliant without overwhelm

-The hidden danger of overload, burnout, and scaling limits — how to automate ethically with AI (saving 12–16 hours/week), keep systems dead simple, and always leave white space in your calendar

-The surprising #4: You win in collectives, why solo grinding is a myth, and how building real human relationships, joining entrepreneur networks, and leveraging social capital will exponentially boost your success

This isn't theory, it's battle-tested advice from recent expert immersions, real-world experience, and years of studying risk as a professor and entrepreneur.

Whether you're questioning "Is now the time to launch?" or ready to take your business to the next level, watch this episode to gain clarity and confidence in turbulent times.

https://preparednesslabs.ca

DISCLOSURE
Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.
Copyright © 2026.

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Tired of watching economic uncertainty chip away at your financial security while you sit on the sidelines? 2026 is shaping up to be even more unpredictable, but here’s the truth: you don’t have to be a victim of it.

In this episode of Mastering Risk, I break down exactly why NOW is the best time to launch a profitable side hustle, and the proven 6-step roadmap I personally used to build Preparedness Labs into a healthy five-figure business, starting with just a few hundred dollars and zero prior experience.

You’ll discover:
• How to spot a real, burning pain people are already begging to solve (skip this and you’ll waste years)
• The “pill vs. gym” secret that makes customers choose YOUR solution over everyone else’s
• How to pick a bulletproof name and secure it everywhere – without legal headaches
• My near-free logistics setup: federal incorporation, separate bank account, BuyMeACoffee + Stripe storefront – all done in days for under $300
• Where your ideal customers actually hang out online
• The “aggressive patience” advertising system that finally gets eyes on your offer (including the Rule of 100)This isn’t theory.

This is the exact playbook that took me from zero to consistent revenue, and it works whether you’re in Canada or anywhere else (just adapt the incorporation step to your country).

If you’ve ever thought “I should start something on the side” but felt overwhelmed, this episode removes every excuse. Watch now, take notes, and start building the income stream that protects your family no matter what 2026 throws at us.

Drop a comment: What pain are YOU thinking of solving with a side hustle?
Like + subscribe for weekly no-nonsense strategies on risk, preparedness, and wealth-building.

https://preparednesslabs.ca

Links:
Corporations Canada: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/corporations-canada/en
BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com
Alex Hormozi – https://www.acquisition.com

Just do it. Your future self will thank you.

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What happens to your small business when the power goes out… and stays out for days or even weeks?

Most small business owners assume it’ll only be a minor inconvenience. But prolonged grid-down events cost the U.S. alone $90–150 billion every year, and small businesses get hit the hardest. With thin financial runways and total reliance on electricity, internet, and cell networks, many simply can’t survive extended outages.

In this episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. D breaks down the realistic, no-nonsense preparedness strategy he uses for his own fully digital small-to-medium business. You’ll discover the exact 5 things you can implement right now, most at zero cost, that will keep your revenue flowing even when the grid fails.

You’ll learn:
How to identify your true minimum viable operations (hint: for most digital businesses, it’s just your phone + power)
Simple, proven backup power solutions that don’t require storing barrels of fuel
Why community agreements and pre-planned mobility beat expensive generators every time
The critical training step 99% of owners skip (and why it’s the difference between surviving and collapsing)
Real-world case studies from Hurricane Sandy, Maria, and more that show what actually works

No apocalyptic fear-mongering, no “two years of food in the basement” nonsense, just practical, actionable steps tailored for urban entrepreneurs running real small businesses in 2026.

Whether you’re a solopreneur, Etsy seller, consultant, or home-based service provider, this episode gives you the roadmap to stay operational when everyone else is shut down.

Watch now and build the resilience your business deserves. Timestamps:
0:00 – Why small businesses are most vulnerable
3:15 – The critical infrastructure cascade
7:40 – Minimum viable power profile
12:20 – Backup power solutions that actually work
18:30 – Mobility & community redundancy
23:45 – The training step you can’t skip If you found this valuable, buy me a coffee (link below) to support ad-free, no-BS risk education for entrepreneurs.

https://preparednesslabs.ca

Support the Show:
https://buymeacoffee.com/masteringrisk

DISCLOSURE
Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.
Copyright © 2026

Support the show

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Tired of setting ambitious goals every January… only to feel stressed, overwhelmed, or like a failure by March?

In this episode, I explain why traditional goal-setting often backfires for entrepreneurs and side-hustlers and why a repeatable system is the real secret to sustainable growth.

You’ll discover:
The critical difference between goals (stressful finish lines) and systems (daily actions that compound)
Why “aggressive patience” beats instant gratification every time
My exact 3-hour daily system (Monday–Friday) that generates 400+ pieces of social content per week—with almost zero decision fatigue.

How I create 2 long-form YouTube videos weekly, turn them into 280+ shorts automatically, plus daily handheld videos, AI-generated ads, LinkedIn posts, and targeted outreach.

Tools I actually use (Opus Pro, Holo.ai, Grok + ChatGPT + Perplexity) and budget-friendly alternatives.

How this system drives consistent growth without arbitrary subscriber targets or burnout.

Whether you’re building a side hustle, selling digital courses, coaching, or running a small business, this system is designed for real people with limited time; not multi-million-dollar influencers.Stop chasing unreachable targets in 2026. Start building a calm, repeatable process that grows your reach, impact, and income over time.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Why goals create unnecessary stress
02:15 – What a “system” really means for entrepreneurs
05:40 – My mission & why growth has no finish line
09:20 – The Rule of 100 + my 400-piece weekly target
13:45 – Step-by-step YouTube & shorts strategy
20:10 – LinkedIn system for B2B reach
25:30 – Aggressive patience explained
29:00 – How to build your own systemDrop a comment: Are you team Goals or team Systems in 2026? Let’s talk!Subscribe for proven, no-BS systems to thrive in chaos.

https://preparednesslabs.ca

DISCLOSURE
Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.
Copyright © 2025 / 2026.

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Why do 92% of New Year’s resolutions fail? Because most people never pause long enough to ask the real question: “Am I even on the right track?”

In this raw, no-BS 2025 year-in-review video, I walk you through the exact three-step process I’ve used to rebuild my health, turn my company profitable, and protect my sanity while the world went completely insane around me.

I’ll show you:
* Why I threw out resolutions years ago and replaced them with one big, unbreakable annual goal
* The “pause and ponder” method that forces brutal honesty about your actions, integrity, and reactions to chaos
* How to build a crystal-clear life strategy across the only five areas that actually matter (personal, professional, leisure, family, community)
* The visualization technique I use on a whiteboard to erase excuses and face the truth
* Why I now set goals in complete silence (and why telling people actually hurts your progress)
* My realistic, no-nonsense 2026 plan that splits the year in two for maximum focus and results

This isn’t fluffy motivation. It’s a self-confessional from a 55-year-old entrepreneur, former smoker, heavy drinker, who finally got serious about getting healthy.

If you’re tired of spinning your wheels, beating yourself up, or letting external chaos derail your life, this video will give you a simple, repeatable framework to reflect, reset, and actually move forward.

Watch it all the way through, grab a notebook, and try the process yourself. I promise it will hit differently when you’re brutally honest with yourself.

Free strategy guides & more resources: https://www.preparednesslabs.ca

Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1046719

Let’s make 2026 the year you stop wishing and start winning.

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In this eye-opening episode of Mastering Risk, Dr. D(Jeff) reveals the brutal truth most new entrepreneurs never hear: trust isn’t assumed, it’s earned, and without it, no one buys from you.

After losing $28,000 and failing twice, Jeff rebuilt his business into a profitable 5-figure company using just four powerful trust-building principles. These are the same steps that turn skeptical strangers into loyal customers online, even if you’re brand new on the internet.

You’ll learn:

• Why being “predictably reliable” beats flashy marketing every time
• How to show your work (and your failures) to instantly build credibility
• The simple way to borrow trust while you earn it through beta testing
• Why speaking directly to your ideal customer in their language is non-negotiable

Jeff breaks down real-world examples from his own journey, from wasting tens of thousands to finally hitting consistent revenue, and shares the evidence-based strategies that actually work in 2025’s noisy online world.

Whether you’re launching a side hustle, an Etsy store, a digital product, or just trying to get noticed on YouTube/TikTok/X, these four steps are the difference between being ignored and being trusted.

Ready to stop struggling and start building real trust that converts?

Watch the full episode now. Then head to www.preparednesslabs.ca for free tools, resources, and the exact digital products Jeff uses to run his business.

Drop a comment: What’s the biggest trust hurdle you’re facing online right now? I read every single one.

Website → www.preparednesslabs.ca

Thanks for watching — let’s build businesses people actually trust.

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Are you unknowingly setting your business up for failure?

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. D reveals the Top 6 Preparedness Mistakes that most entrepreneurs make—and exactly how to fix them before disaster strikes.You’ll discover why 91% of small and medium businesses face major disruptions every single quarter (U.S. Small Business Administration stat), yet most owners are still “winging it” when crisis hits.

Here are the 6 critical mistakes covered:

No formal business continuity plan
Inadequate cybersecurity measures and training
Poor cash flow management with zero runway
Over-reliance on a single supplier or logistics source
Zero data backups or redundancy
Buying the wrong (or no) insurance

The best part? The first five fixes are completely free—they just require a little education and effort. Dr. D shares the exact strategies he uses at Preparedness Labs Incorporated (a proud five-figure business) to stay protected, including simple password rules, update habits, supplier backup systems, air-gapped data storage, and more.

Stop treating insurance as an expense, learn why it’s your ultimate investment and how to get the coverage you actually need. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, startup founder, or running a growing small business, this episode could save you from financial ruin.

Free Resource Mentioned: Download the 7-8 page Risk Management Strategy Guide at https://preparednesslabs.ca (completely free under “Free Strategy Guides”).

Don’t wait for the bad day to hit—watch now and start protecting what you’ve built. Subscribe for weekly insights on risk management, business resilience, and real-world preparedness for entrepreneurs.

Hit the bell so you never miss an episode.

Comment below: Which of these 6 mistakes are you guilty of?

Visit us: https://www.preparednesslabs.ca

DISCLOSURE
Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.
Copyright © 2025.

Support the show

https://preparednesslabs.ca/