Explore every episode of the podcast Small Business Pivots
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Are You the Bottleneck in Your Business? How to Get Unstuck | Mark Skalla | 16 sept. 2026 | 00:50:38 | |
Are you the reason your business can't grow without working more hours? Many small business owners don't realize they're stuck. Revenue may be coming in, customers may be happy, and the company may even be growing—but the owner is still doing too much, making too many decisions, and filling every gap in the business. Mark Skalla has lived it. After building a successful digital agency, Mark discovered that many of the problems holding his clients back were the same problems he had experienced himself: knowing when to hire, covering payroll, building systems, delegating effectively, creating predictable revenue, and getting the founder out of the middle of everything. Today, as founder of Fulcrum Fractional, fractional COO and CMO, certified EOS Integrator, and author of The Leverage Point, Mark helps founders identify and eliminate the bottlenecks preventing their businesses from growing. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison and Mark break down practical ways business owners can determine where they're stuck and begin building a company that doesn't depend on them for everything. Mark explains why a simple time accountability exercise can expose hidden bottlenecks, why owners often make the wrong first hire, and why hiring to eliminate something you hate doing isn't necessarily the same as hiring to grow the company. They also explore the systems every small business should have, how to create predictable customer acquisition, when to document processes, why employees should own outcomes instead of simply following processes, and how KPIs and simple scorecards give owners the clarity they need to make better decisions. You'll also hear why growth and scaling aren't the same thing, how systems inevitably break as companies become larger, and why great leadership begins with clarity. In This Episode You'll Learn: • How to recognize when you've become the bottleneck If you're working 50 or 60 hours a week, constantly filling gaps, or wondering why your business isn't growing despite all the work you're putting into it, this episode will help you identify where your time—and your business—may be getting stuck. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Do You Have the Right People in the Wrong Roles? | Michelle Kozin | 09 sept. 2026 | 00:42:18 | |
What if your employee problem isn't actually an employee problem? Small business owners often say they can't find good people. But what if you already have talented people—and they're simply in the wrong roles? In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison talks with organizational strategist Michelle Kozin, Founder of Predictive Advisors, about using behavioral intelligence to make better people decisions, define roles more clearly, improve hiring, reduce turnover, and build teams around how people are actually wired to work. Michelle explains why an "A player" isn't universally an A player. The right person must be in the right role at the right time for your organization. You'll hear why moving a detail-oriented employee into networking or sales can lead to burnout and turnover, why trying to hire a "unicorn" can create unrealistic expectations, and how understanding an employee's motivation zone can change the way you lead. Michelle also explains how behavioral assessments such as Predictive Index can help owners define roles before hiring, evaluate candidates beyond experience and qualifications, identify gaps on existing teams, and better understand the dynamics between founders and business partners. The conversation goes beyond hiring into leadership, change management, employee motivation, business partnerships, and the identity shift owners must make as their companies grow. If you're struggling with hiring, employee performance, retention, team dynamics, or constantly wondering why people won't "just do what they're supposed to do," this episode may change how you think about your team. In This Episode You'll Learn: • Why an A player in one role can struggle in another 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| How to Build a Business That Runs Without You | Jennifer Ann Johnson | 02 sept. 2026 | 00:42:33 | |
Could your business run tomorrow if you didn't show up? For many small business owners, the answer is no. They're answering questions, solving problems, managing employees, making decisions, and holding together processes that exist mostly in their heads. Jennifer Ann Johnson learned firsthand why that has to change. Jennifer is a 25-year entrepreneur, professional speaker, author, and founder of True Fashionistas, the largest lifestyle resale store in Florida. Today she leads a business with nearly 50 employees—but building a company that could operate without her required learning some difficult lessons about delegation, systems, communication, leadership, and letting go. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison and Jennifer discuss how owners can stop buying themselves a job and start building a company. Jennifer shares why business owners must become comfortable with someone else doing a task at 80%, how to create SOPs without making the process complicated, why employees can't meet standards you've never communicated, and how the right systems can make a business more scalable—and potentially more valuable when it's time to sell. They also discuss difficult employee conversations, hiring around core values, using AI to improve interview questions, developing confident communication, and why leaders need to help employees without constantly rescuing them. If you feel trapped working in your business and want to build a company capable of operating without your constant involvement, this conversation is for you. In This Episode You'll Learn: • How to delegate without micromanaging 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| How to Scale a Service Business: One System at a Time | Jeff Gabelsberg | 26 août 2026 | 00:43:45 | |
What does it actually take to go from being an owner doing everything yourself to building a scalable business with multiple locations, employees, systems, and a leadership team? Jeff Gabelsberg, founder of Jolly Goat Garage Doors, knows because he's lived it. Jeff returns to Small Business Pivots to share what has happened since his previous appearances—including growing Jolly Goat Garage Doors to six locations across Oklahoma, building a team of more than 20 people, adding a commercial division, and entering a strategic partnership designed to fuel continued expansion. But Jeff didn't start there. For years, he was essentially a one-man operation—answering calls, selling jobs, installing garage doors, handling warranties, and struggling to create consistent income. At one point, he drove to a big-box store prepared to give up entrepreneurship and take a job. He never walked through the door. Instead, Jeff began asking successful business owners for help and implementing what he learned one system at a time. In this episode, Michael D. Morrison and Jeff break down the practical changes that helped transform the business: documenting processes, creating a hiring roadmap, delegating work, investing in professional branding, building a training program, implementing performance-based pay, tracking KPIs, and developing people who could help the company grow beyond its founder. If you're a contractor, home-service business owner, or entrepreneur who feels trapped working in the business, this episode offers a practical look at what it takes to build a company that can grow beyond you. In This Episode You'll Learn: • How to start building systems when you're doing everything yourself 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Why Businesses Get Stuck (And How Great Leaders Fix It) | Josh Post | 19 août 2026 | 00:42:56 | |
Why do so many businesses reach a point where growth slows down—even when the owner is working harder than ever? According to business consultant and entrepreneur Josh Post, the problem usually isn't effort. It's clarity. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with Josh to discuss why businesses become stuck, how leaders create meaningful change, and the four-step framework he uses to help organizations break through barriers and reach their full potential. Drawing from decades of experience leading a family construction business and helping companies transform their culture, Josh shares practical strategies for improving financial clarity, strengthening leadership, building healthy company culture, hiring passionate employees, developing management teams, and creating businesses that continue growing instead of plateauing. If your business feels stuck, your leadership team isn't aligned, or growth has become harder than it should be, this episode provides practical insights you can apply immediately. In this episode: • Why businesses get stuck after reaching early success • The four-step framework for organizational change • Financial clarity every business owner needs • Building a healthy company culture • Leadership habits that create lasting growth • Hiring people for passion instead of skills • Better onboarding and employee retention • Delegation and getting your time back • Family business lessons • The difference between coaching, consulting, and fractional COO support 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| How Systems Help Small Businesses Scale | Brittany Bradley | 12 août 2026 | 00:41:30 | |
What separates businesses that stay small from businesses that continue to grow? For Brittany Bradley, owner of The Brow Slayer Studio in Oklahoma City, it wasn't working harder—it was building better systems. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with Brittany to discuss how she transformed a growing service business by creating documented systems, improving leadership, understanding her numbers, developing a consistent client experience, and building a company that doesn't rely on her for everything. Brittany shares how she opened her business with only $6,000, learned from costly mistakes, used social media to build a loyal client base, created custom playbooks instead of relying on generic templates, and nearly doubled her monthly revenue through intentional leadership and continuous improvement. Whether you own a salon, a service business, or any small business, this conversation offers practical strategies for creating scalable systems, hiring better employees, improving profitability, and building a business that can continue growing without burning you out. In this episode you'll learn: • Why systems are the foundation of business growth • The biggest mistakes new business owners make • How to create a consistent customer experience • Why custom playbooks outperform generic templates • How to improve hiring and leadership • Understanding pricing and profitability • Working ON your business instead of IN it • Using social media to attract loyal customers • Why coaching and accountability accelerate growth 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| How to Scale Your Small Business Without Breaking Payroll | Eric Tabone | 05 août 2026 | 00:34:47 | |
Growing your business sounds exciting—until it's time to hire. For many small business owners, payroll becomes the biggest obstacle to growth. Do you hire now and risk cash flow, or wait too long and become the bottleneck in your own business? In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael D. Morrison sits down with entrepreneur Eric Tabone to discuss how growing businesses can build stronger teams, make smarter hiring decisions, and scale without letting payroll become the reason growth stalls. Drawing from his experience building multiple companies across the United States and Latin America, Eric shares practical lessons about hiring, leadership, AI, role design, compensation, company culture, and why successful business owners hire to solve problems—not simply to fill positions. You'll discover why defining the purpose of every role matters, how to avoid costly hiring mistakes, when it's time to add employees, how AI should support—not replace—your team, and why leaders should build around their weaknesses instead of trying to do everything themselves. Whether you're preparing to hire your first employee or trying to build a team that can help your business scale, this episode offers practical advice every business owner can apply immediately. In This Episode ✔ Why payroll is often the biggest obstacle to business growth ✔ How to know when it's time to hire ✔ The biggest hiring mistakes business owners make ✔ Why every position should be built around solving a specific problem ✔ How AI improves teams without replacing people ✔ Why leadership is earned—not assigned ✔ Lessons learned from building three companies ✔ How remote and nearshore employees can reduce payroll costs while expanding your team 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Why Great Leaders Develop People, Not Just Businesses | Greg Harrod | 29 juil. 2026 | 00:43:08 | |
In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with leadership coach and manufacturing executive Greg Harrod to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing business owners today: building leaders instead of creating dependence. After more than 30 years in manufacturing leadership, Greg now helps business owners and executives develop stronger teams, improve communication, increase accountability, and create businesses where success no longer depends entirely on the owner. Greg explains why leadership always begins with self-awareness before it extends to the team. He shares practical insights on recognizing early signs of employee disengagement, improving communication, delegating effectively, and creating clarity around expectations so employees can thrive. The conversation also explores Working Genius, humility in leadership, trust, accountability, employee retention, role clarity, and why leaders should spend more time developing people instead of constantly solving problems themselves. Whether you lead a manufacturing company, construction business, service company, family business, or growing small business, this episode offers practical leadership principles that apply across every industry. In this episode you'll learn: • Why leadership starts with self-awareness • The six areas Greg evaluates when diagnosing leadership problems • Early warning signs before employees quit • Why communication is one of the biggest leadership challenges • How to stop becoming the bottleneck • Building trust through humility and vulnerability • Why role clarity improves accountability • The Six Types of Working Genius framework • How to delegate without creating fear • Practical ways to improve employee engagement and retention About Greg Harrod Greg Harrod is a leadership coach with more than three decades of manufacturing leadership experience. He helps business owners build healthier teams through leadership development, communication, accountability, and his Leadership Clarity Scorecard. About Small Business Pivots Hosted by Michael D. Morrison, Small Business Pivots features entrepreneurs, business owners, authors, and industry experts sharing practical strategies that help business owners get unstuck and grow. 🏆 Ranked among the Top 10% of podcasts globally by Listen Notes. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Stop Solving the Wrong Business Problem | Kevin Dias | 22 juil. 2026 | 00:39:18 | |
Kevin Dias, founder of Ambiki and author of The Problem First Method, joins Small Business Pivots to explain why many businesses waste time, money, and energy solving the wrong problem. Kevin built Ambiki as a software platform for speech-language pathology private practices, helping teams with scheduling, billing, clinical documentation, and practice management. Through that journey, he discovered one of the biggest mistakes companies make: jumping straight to solutions before deeply understanding the actual customer problem. In this episode, Michael D. Morrison and Kevin discuss how business owners can slow down, ask better questions, define their ideal customer profile, and build solutions that actually solve meaningful problems. Kevin shares how Ambiki narrowed its focus from trying to serve every type of customer to focusing on pediatric speech therapy private practices with stronger growth potential. They also explore Kevin’s Problem First Method, including feature alignment documents, the “problem atlas,” customer feedback, niche focus, business pivots, and why competitor pressure can lead companies in the wrong direction. If you are a business owner, startup founder, SaaS founder, consultant, or entrepreneur trying to grow your business, improve your offer, better understand your customer, or stop wasting time on the wrong priorities, this episode will help you think more clearly. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why businesses jump to solutions too quickly About Kevin Dias: Kevin Dias is the founder of Ambiki, a software company serving speech-language pathology private practices across the United States. He is also the author of The Problem First Method, a book about helping businesses understand customer problems before jumping to solutions. About Small Business Pivots: Hosted by Michael D. Morrison, Small Business Pivots features entrepreneurs, authors, business owners, and thought leaders sharing real-world strategies to help business owners get unstuck and grow. Ranked among the Top 10% of podcasts globally by Listen Notes. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| How to Build a Business That Doesn't Depend on You | Dean Mathews | 15 juil. 2026 | 00:43:28 | |
Most entrepreneurs start their business doing everything themselves. Sales. Customer service. Accounting. Marketing. Operations. But eventually that becomes the very thing holding the business back. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with entrepreneur, software founder, and CEO Dean Mathews, creator of OnTheClock, to discuss the leadership shifts required to grow beyond yourself and build a business that can thrive without depending on the owner every day. Dean shares lessons learned from building a software company serving over 16,000 businesses while growing a team of nearly 30 employees. He explains why hiring too late is one of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make, how to build a positive company culture, why leaders must stop micromanaging, and how empowering employees creates stronger businesses. They also discuss leadership development, delegation, company culture, payroll, employee management, hiring strategies, autonomy, business systems, and why humility may be one of the greatest leadership traits an entrepreneur can develop. In this episode you'll discover: • Why doing everything yourself limits business growth • When it's time to hire your first employee • How to stop becoming the bottleneck • The importance of clear roles and job descriptions • Why autonomy creates stronger employees • The "Hire Slow, Fire Fast" philosophy • Building company culture intentionally • Leadership lessons from growing a software company • How payroll, scheduling, and HR systems improve operations • Why humility makes stronger leaders If you're a business owner trying to scale your company, develop better leaders, build stronger systems, or simply get your life back, this episode is packed with practical advice you can implement immediately. About Dean Mathews Dean Mathews is the founder and CEO of OnTheClock, a workforce management platform helping thousands of businesses simplify employee time tracking, scheduling, payroll, and HR management. A lifelong entrepreneur and software developer, Dean is passionate about leadership, business systems, and helping small businesses build companies that scale. About Small Business Pivots Hosted by Michael D. Morrison, Small Business Pivots features entrepreneurs, business leaders, authors, and experts sharing the pivots, systems, and strategies that help business owners get unstuck and grow. 🏆 Ranked among the Top 10% of podcasts globally by Listen Notes. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| How to Build Wealth Through Business Ownership & Real Estate | Steve Lawson | 08 juil. 2026 | 00:27:34 | |
In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and wealth strategist Steve Lawson to discuss one of the biggest misconceptions about building wealth—and why owning a business and investing in real estate continue to outperform traditional investing for long-term financial independence. Steve shares his journey from financial advisor to real estate investor, business owner, and founder of Unbroken Investing. Along the way, he explains why passive cash flow matters, how entrepreneurs can create true wealth instead of simply growing savings, and why leveraging other people's money, knowledge, and time accelerates financial freedom. Whether you're just starting a business, looking to diversify your investments, or wondering how to escape trading time for money, this conversation provides practical strategies that every entrepreneur should understand. In this episode you'll discover: ✔ Why businesses and real estate create wealth while traditional investing primarily grows existing wealth ✔ How passive cash flow leads to financial independence ✔ The Wealth Formula and how capital, knowledge, and time work together ✔ Why entrepreneurs should leverage other people's money (OPM), knowledge, and time ✔ How Amazon product businesses can create scalable income ✔ Why business ownership often produces faster cash flow than real estate ✔ The importance of defining your own version of financial freedom ✔ Budgeting strategies that actually work ✔ Why systems, delegation, and outsourcing accelerate growth ✔ How entrepreneurs can stop reinventing the wheel and build faster using proven models If you're serious about building wealth, increasing cash flow, creating financial freedom, and growing a scalable business, this episode is packed with practical insights you can begin implementing immediately. About Steve Lawson Steve Lawson is an entrepreneur, investor, author, and founder of Unbroken Investing. After spending years as a financial advisor and real estate investor, Steve now helps entrepreneurs build wealth through business ownership, alternative investments, passive cash flow strategies, and diversified income streams. About Small Business Pivots Hosted by Michael D. Morrison, Small Business Pivots features entrepreneurs, authors, investors, and business leaders from around the world sharing the pivots, systems, and lessons that help business owners grow. 🏆 Ranked among the Top 10% of podcasts globally by Listen Notes. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Why Most Small Businesses Stay Stuck (And How to Fix It) | Rob Young | 01 juil. 2026 | 00:36:19 | |
Most business owners are experts at their craft—but they've never been taught how to run a business. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with business coach and author Rob Young to discuss the foundations every small business needs to grow, scale, and avoid becoming stuck. After spending years in executive leadership roles before leaving corporate America, Rob transitioned into real estate renovation and construction. Along the way, he noticed a common pattern: highly skilled tradespeople and business owners were losing their businesses—not because they lacked talent, but because they lacked systems, processes, financial understanding, and business structure. Rob shares practical insights from his book and coaching work, covering business plans, financial statements, KPIs, hiring, networking, systems, playbooks, and how owners can stop being the bottleneck in their own companies. Whether you're a startup founder, contractor, consultant, service provider, or established business owner, this conversation provides actionable frameworks for building a healthier, more scalable business. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why every business needs guardrails and a working business plan About Rob Young: Rob Young is a business coach, author, and founder of Stage 3 Group. After a successful executive career, he shifted into entrepreneurship and business coaching, helping small business owners develop systems, leadership skills, financial awareness, and operational structure to create sustainable growth. About Small Business Pivots: Hosted by Michael D. Morrison, Small Business Pivots features entrepreneurs, experts, and business leaders sharing the pivots, lessons, and strategies that help business owners get unstuck and grow. Ranked among the Top 10% of podcasts globally by Listen Notes. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| How Entrepreneurs Can Reclaim Their Health, Energy and Purpose | Justin Roethlingshoefer | 24 juin 2026 | 00:38:26 | |
Most entrepreneurs spend years building their businesses while unknowingly destroying their health. In this powerful episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael Morrison sits down with Justin Roethlingshoefer, founder of Own It Coaching and author of Holy Health, to discuss the hidden health crisis facing business owners, executives, and high-performing leaders. After battling obesity, anorexia, liver and kidney failure, depression, anxiety, addiction, precancerous polyps, and a bleeding ulcer, Justin discovered that success without health eventually becomes unsustainable. Together they explore why so many entrepreneurs struggle with burnout, fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, anxiety, poor sleep, and declining energy despite building successful businesses. You'll learn why balance is a myth, how to create rhythms that support long-term success, and the five common habits that quietly destroy the health of high achievers. If you're a business owner who feels exhausted, overwhelmed, or stuck in survival mode, this conversation offers practical strategies to help you regain energy, increase capacity, and build a healthier life without sacrificing your business goals. In This Episode
About Justin Roethlingshoefer Justin is the founder of Own It Coaching, speaker, health strategist, and author of Holy Health. He helps entrepreneurs, executives, and high-capacity leaders improve their mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health through personalized coaching and sustainable lifestyle systems. Questions & Answers Why do entrepreneurs burn out? Entrepreneurs often prioritize business growth while neglecting recovery, sleep, nutrition, and stress management, leading to physical and mental exhaustion. How can business owners improve their health? By creating sustainable daily rhythms, prioritizing recovery, improving nutrition, managing stress, and building accountability systems. Is work-life balance realistic? Justin challenges that balance is a myth. Instead, entrepreneurs should focus on creating healthy rhythms that adapt to different seasons of life. What is the biggest health mistake entrepreneurs make? Sacrificing their health in pursuit of success and assuming they will focus on wellness later. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Why Most Business Problems Aren't Problems | Tracy Christopherson & Michelle Troseth | 17 juin 2026 | 00:46:32 | |
Many business owners spend years trying to solve the same problems over and over again. But what if those challenges aren't actually problems? In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with leadership experts Tracy Christopherson and Michelle Troseth, co-founders of Missing Logic and authors of Polarity Intelligence: The Missing Logic in Leadership. Together they explore why many leadership challenges, communication breakdowns, team conflicts, partnership struggles, and work-life balance issues are not problems to solve but polarities to manage. They share practical insights on building stronger business partnerships, improving communication, creating healthier workplace cultures, navigating conflict, and balancing the growing relationship between artificial intelligence and human intelligence. If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, manager, or leader looking to build stronger teams and scale your organization without burnout, this episode is packed with actionable leadership wisdom. In This Episode: ✔ Why most business challenges are not actually problems ✔ The concept of Polarity Intelligence ✔ How successful business partnerships survive difficult seasons ✔ Leadership lessons for entrepreneurs ✔ Building trust through communication ✔ Creating psychological safety within teams ✔ How work-life balance is really a leadership polarity ✔ Why AI and Human Intelligence must work together ✔ Common mistakes leaders make during growth ✔ How to reduce conflict and improve collaboration About Tracy Christopherson & Michelle Troseth Tracy Christopherson and Michelle Troseth are co-founders of Missing Logic and creators of the Polarity Intelligence framework. They help leaders navigate complexity, improve communication, reduce burnout, and create healthier organizations through practical leadership development strategies. Connect With Tracy & Michelle: Website: MissingLogic.com Questions and Answers: Q: What is Polarity Intelligence? A: Polarity Intelligence is the ability to recognize challenges that require balancing competing priorities rather than solving a single problem. Q: Why do business partnerships fail? A: Most partnerships fail because of poor communication, unclear expectations, and unresolved tensions. Q: How do leaders improve communication? A: Leaders improve communication by creating psychological safety, encouraging dialogue, and clarifying expectations. Q: How should businesses use AI? A: Businesses should balance artificial intelligence with human intelligence, leadership, relationships, and culture. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| How to Build a Business That Runs Without You | Jay Adewole | 10 juin 2026 | 00:42:09 | |
Most business owners believe hustle is the answer. Work harder. Stay later. Handle everything yourself. But what happens when your business depends entirely on you? In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with Jay Adewole, executive coach, business consultant, founder of Point of View Consulting, and host of the Winner Circle Podcast, to unpack one of the biggest reasons businesses stay stuck: Lack of structure. Jay shares the painful story of launching his first business, losing everything within a year, and realizing that passion alone does not create sustainable success. His lesson? Passion without structure eventually becomes pressure. This conversation dives deep into founder dependency, leadership growth, CRM systems, SOPs, business automation, client retention, and how business owners can shift from being overwhelmed operators into true CEOs. If your business cannot survive when you step away, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll learn:
Key takeaway: If your business dies when you stop working, you do not own a business. You own a job. The path forward is clarity, systems, and scalable leadership. Listen now. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Why Your Business Is Stuck: The Leadership Bottleneck Every Owner Must Fix | Croft Edwards | 03 juin 2026 | 00:38:03 | |
Most business owners think their team is the problem. But what if the real bottleneck is the leader? In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with Croft Edwards, leadership coach, ontological coach, author, and founder of Croft + Company, to talk about what leadership really is and why business owners must grow before their business can grow. Croft has coached leaders since 2001, working with frontline supervisors, CEOs, Navy admirals, founders, and business owners across industries. In this conversation, he explains why leadership is not just a title, position, or personality trait. Leadership is a practice. You’ll hear why management gives you authority, but leadership earns commitment. Croft breaks down why business owners often struggle to create real team buy-in, why employees do not automatically give more just because you are the boss, and why the owner’s growth sets the ceiling for the company’s growth. If you feel like your team is not motivated, your culture is stuck, or your business depends too much on you, this conversation will challenge you. In this episode, you’ll learn:
Croft also shares lessons from his military background, coaching underground mine supervisors, writing leadership books, and helping leaders shift how they show up physically, emotionally, and mentally. Key takeaway: Your business’s ability to grow is directly connected to your ability to grow as a leader. If you want a stronger team, stronger culture, and stronger business, start practicing leadership. Listen now to learn how to stop being the bottleneck and start becoming the leader your business needs. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Why Customers Buy on Emotion (Not Logic) | Paul Larche on Branding, Sales Psychology & Business Growth | 27 mai 2026 | 00:44:48 | |
Most business owners believe customers make rational buying decisions. They don’t. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with Paul Larche, branding strategist, former business owner, and author of The Divided Brain, to break down why customers actually buy based on emotion first… and justify with logic later. If your marketing isn’t converting, your sales feel inconsistent, or your brand message isn’t sticking, this conversation explains why. Paul shares his “Divided Brain” framework — a practical business model built around how human decision-making actually works. You’ll learn why your customer’s subconscious “old brain” is constantly scanning for trust, safety, familiarity, and emotional payoff… and why facts, features, and logic often fail to close sales. This episode covers branding, customer psychology, decision-making, leadership, hiring, systems, and what every small business owner needs to understand about AI’s growing ability to influence buying behavior. If you’ve ever wondered:
…this episode is for you. In this episode: ✔ Why people buy on emotion and justify with facts Q&A you'll learn: Q: Why do customers buy emotionally? Customers make subconscious emotional decisions first because the brain prioritizes safety, trust, familiarity, and emotional outcomes before rational logic. Q: Why doesn’t fact-based marketing always work? Because features and facts appeal to logic, but buying decisions are often triggered emotionally before logic gets involved. Q: Why is branding consistency important? Consistency creates familiarity, and familiarity builds trust — making customers more likely to choose your business. Q: Why do business owners struggle with decision-making? Because emotional subconscious reactions often influence decisions before conscious reasoning catches up. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| From Prison to CEO: How Fleet Maull Built a Scalable Business Through Radical Responsibility | 20 mai 2026 | 00:44:53 | |
What if the biggest breakthrough in your business had nothing to do with strategy… and everything to do with YOU? In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael sits down with Fleet Maull — founder of HeartMind Institute, Inc. 5000 entrepreneur, and former federal inmate turned business leader — to unpack one of the most powerful transformations you’ll hear. From spending 14.5 years in prison to building a high-growth company, Fleet shares how radical ownership, nervous system regulation, and CEO thinking changed everything. We dive deep into:
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure what the next move is… this episode will challenge how you think about business and leadership. Key Takeaways:
1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| If You Want a Better Business, Become a Better Owner | John Nieuwenburg | 13 mai 2026 | 00:44:24 | |
If your business feels stuck… It’s the owner. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael sits down with John Nieuwenburg of W5 Coaching to unpack a truth most business owners avoid: Business problems are personal problems in disguise From leadership mindset to delegation, cash flow to hiring, John shares what actually holds business owners back—and how to break through it. This conversation dives deep into:
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or like your business is running you… This episode will challenge how you think—and how you lead. Key Takeaways:
This Episode Is For:
1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Hire Better People Faster: The Systems Every Small Business Needs | Ryan Englin | 06 mai 2026 | 00:47:59 | |
If your business feels stuck… It’s a people problem. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael sits down with Ryan Englin, CEO of Core Matters and author of Hire Better People Faster, to break down why most small business owners struggle with hiring, retention, and team performance. Ryan shares the truth most entrepreneurs learn the hard way: - More revenue doesn’t fix broken teams If you’ve ever felt like:
This episode will shift how you think about building a business that actually runs. Key Takeaways:
A Must-Listen For:
Small Business Pivots is a globally ranked Top 10% podcast (ListenNotes) helping business owners get unstuck and grow through real conversations with entrepreneurs. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| How to Scale a Business Faster with Systems (Stop Relying on People) | John Ravaris | 29 avr. 2026 | 00:39:08 | |
If your business feels stuck, inconsistent, or overly dependent on you… this episode will change how you think about growth. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael sits down with John Ravaris, founder of UVP Solutions, to break down what it actually takes to build a scalable business using systems, not people. They dive deep into business growth strategy, why most companies struggle to scale, and how aligning sales and marketing can unlock consistent revenue. If you’ve ever wondered why your business isn’t growing the way it should… or why your sales team isn’t performing… this episode gives you the clarity you’ve been missing. What You’ll Learn:
Key Takeaway: Growth doesn’t come from doing more. About the Guest: John Ravaris is the founder of UVP Solutions, where he helps businesses define their unique value proposition, align their teams, and scale with clarity and structure. Frequently Asked Questions Why do businesses struggle to scale? What is a unique value proposition? How do you align sales and marketing? Should I hire a salesperson early? 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| How to Start a Business the RIGHT Way (Validate, Fund, Pitch & Grow) | Mary Scott | 22 avr. 2026 | 00:39:25 | |
If you’re thinking about starting a business—or struggling to grow one—this episode will challenge everything you think you know about getting started. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with Mary Scott, founder of Pitch STL and longtime startup advisor, to break down what actually works in the early stages of business. From validating your idea before spending money… to building a clear pitch… to finding funding and customers… this conversation is packed with real-world advice most business owners never hear. Mary shares why most startups fail before they even begin, how to avoid turning your business into a hobby, and the simple framework you can use to clearly explain what you do in seconds. If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start—this episode will help you reset and move forward with clarity. 🔑 What You’ll Learn:
💡 Key Takeaway: 💡 If you’re not generating income, you don’t have a business—you have a hobby. 🎯 Who This Episode Is For:
1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| $140 Billion Problem: How Ad Fraud Is Stealing Your Marketing Budget | Rich Kahn | 15 avr. 2026 | 00:43:45 | |
What if 25% of your digital marketing budget is being wasted… right now? In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael sits down with Richard Kahn — entrepreneur, Inc. 5000 leader, and co-founder of Anora.io — to expose one of the biggest hidden problems in business today: Ad fraud With over $700 billion spent on digital marketing annually, Rich reveals how $140 billion is lost to fraud — and why most business owners don’t even realize it’s happening. 💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
🚨 Key Takeaway There’s no longer a question of if you have ad fraud… 👉 It’s how much. 🎯 Who This Episode Is For:
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
Ad fraud is when fake users (bots or manipulated traffic) interact with digital ads, costing businesses money without generating real customers. On average, businesses lose up to 25% of their ad spend to fraud. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Earned Media vs Paid Hype: Ronica Cleary on PR That Builds Real Trust | 08 avr. 2026 | 00:35:08 | |
If you have ever wondered whether public relations is still worth it in a world full of ads, social media, and AI-generated content, this episode will help clear that up. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison talks with Ronica Cleary, founder and CEO of Cleary Strategies, about what PR actually is, why earned media still carries so much weight, and how business owners can think more strategically about visibility. Cleary Strategies describes itself as a full-service PR agency that helps clients secure media opportunities, preserve their image, and build the skills needed to thrive in today’s media climate. Ronica explains the critical difference between earned media and paid placements. Paid media has value, but earned coverage — television, radio, digital, print, and podcasts secured because a story is genuinely newsworthy — tends to carry more credibility because audiences know it was not bought. Cleary Strategies’ own materials emphasize earned media, publicity planning, and strategic media exposure as a core part of its work. Michael and Ronica dig into:
Ronica also shares how her background in communications, systems engineering, and television journalism shaped the way she built Cleary Strategies. Her firm highlights media placements, crisis communications, and media training, and Ronica’s own founder page highlights agency press, contributed pieces, and award recognition including PRNEWS’ Top Women Awards “Rising Star” mention and Inc. Power Partner recognition. If you are a small business owner trying to build trust, authority, and long-term visibility — not just get attention for a week — this conversation will help you think differently about PR. What you’ll learn
1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Why Business Owners Stay Stuck: Cori Fonville Foster on Systems, Marketing & Implementation | 01 avr. 2026 | 00:41:31 | |
Cori Fonville Foster joins Small Business Pivots to break down why so many business owners stay stuck even when they have great ideas, strong offers, and real talent. This episode covers implementation, systems, marketing, mindset, and how to pivot when life or business throws you something unexpected. If you have ever thought, “I know what I need to do in my business — so why am I still not doing it?” this episode is for you. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison talks with Cori Fonville Foster, CEO and founder of IROC Marketable Business Solutions, about one of the biggest challenges small business owners face: implementation. Cori works with coaches, consultants, speakers, and authors to help them market their businesses, build stronger systems, and actually get things done. Her LinkedIn profile identifies her with IROC Marketable Business Solutions in Hampton, Virginia. Cori shares her own path from the medical field into entrepreneurship after a rare eye condition forced her to leave her nine-to-five job. She talks openly about building a business with a disability, starting with very little money, navigating setbacks, and learning how to create systems that work. Michael and Cori dig into:
One of the strongest themes in this conversation is the idea of the pivot. Cori explains that business owners do not fail because every strategy is wrong — many times, they fail because they stop adjusting. Her message is simple: if you are willing to pivot, learn, and keep going, you give yourself a real chance to build something sustainable. If you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or like your business has potential but no momentum, this episode will help you think differently about systems, implementation, and what it really takes to keep moving forward. What you’ll learn
1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Overwhelmed at Home and in Business? Lisa Woodruff on Escaping Quicksand | 25 mars 2026 | 00:35:49 | |
Lisa Woodruff, founder of Organize 365, joins Small Business Pivots to talk about the hidden mental load that overwhelms so many business owners at home and at work. If you feel like household chaos is draining your focus, time, and energy, this episode will help you think differently about systems, organization, and getting out of reactive mode. Overwhelmed at Home and in Business? Lisa Woodruff on Escaping Quicksand If you are a business owner who feels like your company is hard enough — and then you go home to more decisions, more clutter, more logistics, and more invisible work — this episode will hit home. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison talks with Lisa Woodruff, founder and CEO of Organize 365, about the real mental and emotional weight of running a household while also trying to build a business or career. Lisa shares how chaos in the home can spill into work, why so many women hit a point of overload in their late 30s and 40s, and how systems at home can create the same kind of clarity and momentum that systems create in business. Lisa started Organize 365 as a blog, grew it into an in-home professional organization company, then pivoted into podcasting, courses, books, and a broader productivity brand. Today, Organize 365 offers planning tools, courses, and practical systems designed to help people reduce overwhelm and run their homes more intentionally. Michael and Lisa dig into:
Lisa also talks about her new book, Escaping Quicksand, which Simon & Schuster describes as a psychology-driven guide for women who feel buried by the mental load of modern home life. If your business growth keeps colliding with home-life chaos, this episode will help you see that getting organized is not shallow or optional — it can be strategic. What you’ll learn
1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| The Founder Bottleneck: How to Scale with Systems, SEO & AI | Austin Willman | 11 mars 2026 | 00:40:30 | |
If you feel like your business can’t grow without you personally touching everything, this episode of Small Business Pivots is for you. Michael D. Morrison sits down with Austin Willman — Partnerships Manager at Digital Web Solutions, founder of Willman Ventures, and host of E-Coffee with Experts — to talk about one of the biggest problems in small business: the founder becoming the bottleneck. Austin works in SEO, digital PR, visibility strategy, and now AEO, helping brands earn authority through placements and content that can be discovered in both traditional search and AI-driven search experiences. In this conversation, Austin shares what he learned working around high-level founder-led brands and why small business owners need to stop separating themselves from their company. His message is clear: your company is your brand, and the systems, language, and expectations inside your business all flow from you first. Michael and Austin dig into:
Austin also shares his own story — from small-town Ohio to Ohio State, then through coaching, consulting, Mindvalley, door-to-door solar, Cardone Ventures, Neil Patel’s orbit, and Digital Web Solutions — and explains how curiosity, proximity, and learning from world-class founders shaped the way he thinks about business today. If you are a business owner who knows you need better systems, clearer messaging, and stronger visibility online, this episode will help you think bigger and execute smarter. What you’ll learn:
1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Stuck Living Paycheck-to-Paycheck? This Simple Shift Changes Everything | Daman Grewal | 04 mars 2026 | 00:52:19 | |
Financial Freedom Is a Choice: Breaking Your Money Limits with Daman Grewal Most people are raised to believe the same story: Daman Grewal grew up in a single-parent home, faced judgment, bias, and money stress—and still discovered something different: financial freedom is a choice, not a lottery ticket. Today, Daman runs LogisticSales.com, a free education platform that shows everyday people how to build financial freedom through logistics sales—without a fancy degree, a huge bank account, or moving to a big city. In this conversation with host Michael D. Morrison, you’ll hear a real, grounded breakdown of:
Daman shares stories from his own journey—leaving traditional employment, starting multiple businesses, and realizing that who you partner with (in life and business) can either keep you stuck or push you to grow. You’ll also hear:
If you’ve ever thought: In This Episode, You’ll Learn
1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| From NFL to CEO: How Rick Elmore Built Simply Noted with Systems, CRM, and Handwritten Notes | 25 févr. 2026 | 00:42:08 | |
In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael D. Morrison sits down with former NFL linebacker and now founder & CEO of Simply Noted, Rick Elmore. Rick went from growing up in a lower-middle-class family, to leading the Pac-10 in sacks, to a short NFL career, to top-1% medical sales rep…and then pivoted again into building a software, automation, and robotics company that sends genuine handwritten notes at scale. Rick shares how a throwaway comment in an MBA marketing class about handwritten notes getting sky-high open rates sparked the idea for Simply Noted, and how he validated the concept by sending 500 letters that produced nearly six figures in additional sales in just a few weeks. Industry data backs him up: personalized handwritten mail is reported to reach open rates as high as 90–99%, dramatically outperforming typical email campaigns. From there, Rick walks through the unglamorous middle: eight years of grinding, building custom handwriting robots, securing patents, hiring and training a lean team, and learning to run a data-driven business using CRMs, automations, and—more recently—AI agents that now work 24/7 on his laptop. If you’ve ever compared yourself to other founders, battled imposter syndrome, or wondered why your business still hasn’t passed that elusive million-dollar mark (less than ~10% of small businesses ever do), this conversation will feel like oxygen. You’ll hear:
Whether you’re in Oklahoma City or halfway across the world, if you’re a small business owner stuck working in your business instead of on it, this episode will help you rethink systems, leverage technology, and rediscover your “why” so you can keep climbing your own mountain. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Are You the Bottleneck in Your Own Business? (with Business Coach Marshall Stern) | 18 févr. 2026 | 00:48:56 | |
In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael sits down with fellow small business coach and long-time business owner Marshall Stern — host of THE STERN TRUTH: Business Unfiltered — to talk about the real reasons owners stay stuck, even after buying all the courses and programs. With 35+ years of owning businesses (including a 29-year sign & graphics company) and 14 years coaching, Marshall has seen the same pattern over and over: the owner is the bottleneck. Not because they’re lazy — but because of mindset, isolation, and trying to do everything alone. Together, you and Marshall unpack:
You’ll also hear:
If you’ve ever thought, “I’ve spent so much on programs and I’m still stuck,”or “I don’t have time for one more ‘thing’ on my plate,” this conversation will help you see where the true bottleneck is — and why nothing around you changes until you do. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| DISC Personality Styles, Vulnerability & Getting Unstuck in Business | Mendy Turk | 11 févr. 2026 | 00:39:48 | |
Many business owners feel stuck—but rarely talk about why. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael D. Morrison sits down with Mendy Turk, owner of Three Arrows Coaching & Consulting Group, for an honest conversation about leadership vulnerability, imposter syndrome, and how understanding DISC personality styles can radically improve communication, decision-making, and team performance. Mendy works with established business owners and leaders—often 7+ years into business—who’ve survived the highs and lows but still feel unsure about their next move. Together, Michael and Mendy unpack why asking for help feels so hard, why most leaders feel like they’re “supposed to have it all figured out,” and how DISC reveals the hidden motivators, fears, and stress responses driving behavior at work. This episode goes beyond theory. You’ll hear real examples of: If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure how to lead people with different personalities—this conversation will hit home. What is DISC in business? Why is DISC important for leadership? How does DISC help business owners? What are the four DISC personality types? 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| How to Get Business Traction with EOS — Leadership, Accountability & Execution with Chris Hallberg | 04 févr. 2026 | 00:41:00 | |
In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael D. Morrison sits down with Chris Hallberg, known as The Business Sergeant, to break down what actually creates traction inside a business. Chris brings nearly a decade of military and paramilitary leadership experience into the business world, helping owners replace chaos with clarity using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). As an expert EOS Implementer and creator of the GoExpand platform, Chris works with organizations ranging from growing small businesses to companies doing $10M–$1B+ in revenue. This conversation dives deep into:
If you’re a business owner struggling with lack of clarity, people problems, or stalled growth, this episode delivers a practical framework you can apply immediately—without fluff or hype. Chris Hallberg is an expert EOS Implementer, leadership coach, and founder of The Business Sergeant. With a background in military and paramilitary leadership, Chris helps business owners replace chaos with clarity through disciplined execution, accountability, and alignment. He is the author of The Business Sergeant’s Field Manual and creator of the GoExpand business operating system platform. Connect with Chris Hallberg
1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Storytelling for Business Growth — The 5-Part Framework That Makes Sales Grow | Bill Blankschaen | 28 janv. 2026 | 00:43:35 | |
Business owners don’t need a “perfect” story—just a structured one. Bill Blankschaen (StoryBuilders) shares a 5-part storytelling framework to make any message matter, build credibility, and turn your story into impact, influence, and income. If you’ve ever thought “my story isn’t that interesting”—this episode will change how you see your experiences (and how you use them to grow your business). Michael D. Morrison sits down with Bill Blankschaen, founder and Chief StoryArchitect of StoryBuilders, a team that helps entrepreneurs and thought leaders turn their ideas into brand stories, books, and learning experiences that increase impact, influence, and income. Bill breaks down a simple, proven storytelling model you can use immediately—whether you’re:
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
Bill also shares the concept of a “story ecosystem”—how your message can evolve from a brand story into a book and then into IP (courses, workshops, coaching, and more). 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Sales Uprising: How to Sell Without Feeling Pushy or Gross With Katie Nelson | 21 janv. 2026 | 00:45:13 | |
Welcome back to Small Business Pivots, the podcast created for small business owners who want real conversations, real lessons, and real growth. In this episode, host Michael Morrison sits down with Katie Nelson, CEO of Sales Uprising and a serial entrepreneur on her third business journey. Katie is on a mission to help business owners stop hating sales — and start seeing it for what it really is: a human conversation that fuels business growth. Together, Michael and Katie dive deep into:
Katie also shares powerful insights from her early days in sales, lessons learned from growing businesses to multi-million-dollar run rates, and practical advice for business owners who want to work on their business — not just in it. If you’re a small business owner who struggles with sales, avoids it altogether, or wants a simpler, more authentic approach — this episode will change how you think about selling. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who needs to hear it. Timestamps (Short)00:00 — Meet Katie Nelson & Sales Uprising 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Fortune 100 Secrets: Why Small Business Owners Fail (and how not to) With Stacey Bullman | 14 janv. 2026 | 00:44:28 | |
Are you running your business on gut instinct instead of data? In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael D. Morrison sits down with Stacey Bullman, Founder & CEO of I’m Not Mad At You Consulting, to break down how small business owners can apply Fortune 100 systems, financial discipline, and decision-making frameworks without becoming corporate or losing agility. With over 25 years inside Fortune 100 companies, Stacey brings real-world insight into why most small businesses struggle with forecasting, cash flow clarity, delegation, and scalable systems — and how CEOs can fix it fast. You’ll hear why: Stacey also draws powerful parallels between marathon training and business leadership, showing how discipline, consistency, and coaching apply to both. If you’re a small business owner who feels overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to scale — this conversation will change how you think about your business. About the Guest: Stacey Bullman is the Founder & CEO of I’m Not Mad At You Consulting, a leadership and business consulting firm helping CEOs and leadership teams improve decision-making, financial clarity, and operational discipline. Timestamps (Short) 00:00 — Meet Stacey Bullman & her consulting background 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Client Retention Strategies That Drive Growth — Customer Experience with Francis Flair | 07 janv. 2026 | 00:45:54 | |
In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael Morrison sits down with Francis Flair (Flair Consulting Group) to break down client retention systems and why customer experience is the #1 revenue multiplier for scaling businesses. Francis shares his journey from Ghana, West Africa to building a consulting firm that helps service-based and scaling companies improve customer experience, employee experience, and retention—because “for every client you keep, it’s a competitor you beat.” You’ll learn:
The 5 Mistakes Most Service Businesses Make (Francis Flair):
Timestamps 00:00 Francis Flair + what Flair Consulting Group does 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| From Near Bankruptcy to Sum Good – How April Glavine Built a Better Electrolyte Brand | 31 déc. 2025 | 00:49:39 | |
Founder April Glavine shares how she turned a near-bankruptcy CPG lesson into Sum Good, a fruit-first electrolyte brand built on health and smart scaling. Are you building a product brand and hoping the margins will magically work themselves out later? In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with April Glavine, founder of Sum Good, a Canadian company pioneering fruit-first electrolyte shots and freezies made with pressed fruit and a potassium-forward formula. Named one of the Top 100 Women with Natural Products Canada, Rising Star of the Year 2022, and a 2024 EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, April also took Sum Good onto CBC’s Dragons’ Den where she secured a deal to help scale the brand nationally. April shares the hard lessons from almost going bankrupt with her first CPG company and how she used those scars to build a stronger, data-backed brand with Sum Good. From market validation and packaging strategy to clinical research and investor pitches, this conversation is packed with real-world insights for any founder trying to grow without burning out. In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
Whether you’re in food and beverage, consumer packaged goods, or any kind of product-based business, you’ll walk away with practical ideas to slow down, think smarter, and build something that can stand the test of time. Ranked globally in the top 10% by ListenNotes, Small Business Pivots brings you real, honest conversations with entrepreneurs who’ve built something from nothing. My goal is simple: help you grow your business faster and avoid the mistakes that keep small business owners stuck. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| From Layoff to 7 Figures: How Elina Panteleyeva Built a Niche E-Commerce Brand | 24 déc. 2025 | 00:32:31 | |
In this episode of Small Business Pivots, I sit down with Elina Panteleyeva, founder of Dood Woof, a rapidly growing Austin-based e-commerce brand serving a highly specific niche inside the pet industry: doodle dog owners. After being laid off in 2023, Elina built a 7-figure brand in under two years with only two products—proving what can happen when you stop trying to serve everyone and start serving the right someone. Elina shares exactly how niching down unlocked her growth, how she validated her first product by interviewing doodle owners inside Facebook groups, and how she used organic content and storytelling to build a community before she ever launched. She breaks down the process of triggering Amazon’s algorithm without paid ads, why you must build your brand off Amazon before selling on it, and the systems she created that now help every new product hit #1 New Release. Inside this conversation, we cover: If you’re an e-commerce entrepreneur, a product-based business owner, or someone with an idea who hasn’t yet taken the leap, this episode gives you a blueprint for launching, growing, and scaling a niche brand—even in crowded markets. Ranked globally in the top 10% by ListenNotes, Small Business Pivots brings you real, honest conversations with entrepreneurs who’ve built something from nothing. My goal is simple: help you grow your business faster and avoid the mistakes that keep small business owners stuck. Timestamps00:00 Intro 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| How to Scale a Service Business the Right Way — with Serial Entrepreneur Azgari Lipshy | 17 déc. 2025 | 00:38:01 | |
Serial entrepreneur Azgari Lipshy reveals how to scale a service business by fixing systems, training employees, and building operations that actually work. Are you stuck at $200K–$300K and wondering how anyone ever scales a service business to seven figures? Together, we unpack: ✔ Why most service-based businesses get stuck at the same revenue ceiling If you’re a service-based business owner stuck in the weeds — overwhelmed, overworked, and unsure how to grow — this conversation will simplify the path forward and show you what’s actually holding you back. 🎧 Listen now to learn how to build a business that runs on systems, not stress. Connect with Azgari Lipshy: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Azgari.LLC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azgari.lipshy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azgari-lipshy/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@azgarilipshy?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc SHOW NOTES: 00:00 Welcome + intro 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| How Addiction Impacts Entrepreneurs — Recovery Insights with Amber Hollingsworth | 10 déc. 2025 | 00:36:31 | |
In this episode of Small Business Pivots, I sit down with Amber Hollingsworth — Master Addiction Counselor, licensed mental health counselor, and founder of Hope for Families Recovery Center. With more than 730,000 YouTube subscribers on her channel Put the Shovel Down, Amber has become a leading voice helping entrepreneurs, parents, and families understand addiction long before it destroys a business, marriage, or life. Together, we unpack how addiction quietly shows up in the entrepreneurial journey, including: ✅ Why business owners are uniquely vulnerable to addiction Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, hiding stress from your team, stuck in an unhealthy habit, or supporting someone you care about — this conversation will meet you exactly where you are. Connect with Amber Hollingsworth: Website: https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/addictionrecoveryhope Tune in for an honest, practical, and deeply relatable look at addiction, mental health, and the hidden emotional battles business owners carry. About Amber Hollingsworth What You’ll Learn:
Episode Highlights:
1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Unstuck & Scaling with Athena Captain: 3 Knobs Every Business Owner Can Control for Massive Growth | 03 déc. 2025 | 00:47:39 | |
Are you feeling stuck in your business—even though you’re already successful?
Athena shares her powerful story of resilience—from growing up in extreme adversity to leading multi-million-dollar companies—and reveals the three controllable “knobs” that drive every thriving business: ✅ Your Database — why your contact list is your most valuable business asset and how to finally use it. You’ll also hear how Athena built multiple businesses while raising a child with special needs, what she learned from her mentor Darren Hardy, and how every entrepreneur can rebuild their mindset, routine, and revenue from the ground up. This conversation will help you refocus on what really drives growth—relationships, systems, and revenue. You’ll also hear insights from her mentor Darren Hardy, practical tips on choosing a CRM, and her philosophy on staying grounded through faith, systems, and discipline. 🎧 Listen now to learn how to simplify, scale, and strengthen your business. Connect with Athena Captain:
Show Notes / Time Stamps
1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| How to Launch and Grow a Podcast: Intentional Content & Marketing with Josh Troche | 26 nov. 2025 | 00:46:45 | |
Are you a small business owner thinking about launching a podcast — or wanting to make your existing show work harder for your brand? In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael Morrison sits down with Josh Troche, founder of Pedal Stomper Productions, to unpack how video and audio content with intention can amplify your marketing. Josh shares his journey from mowing lawns as a teen to creating million-view YouTube videos, launching a full-service video and podcast production business, and coaching entrepreneurs on content strategy. They dive into:
If you want actionable insights to use podcasting and video as a marketing engine for your business, this episode is for you. Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with a business owner who’s ready for growth! Connect with Josh Troche
Show Notes Summary (Bullet + Timesamps) 00:00 – Intro: Meet Josh Troche, founder of Pedal Stomper Productions Small business owners: Discover how to use podcasting and video content to build trust, scale your brand and get found. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael Morrison welcomes photo-video expert Josh Troche of Pedal Stomper Productions as they break down the mindset, strategy and actionable steps behind launching and growing a podcast for your business. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| How to Build a Business that Works Without You: Allison Bridges on Systems, Scaling & Freedom | 19 nov. 2025 | 00:49:26 | |
Are you trapped doing the work in your business instead of on it? In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael Morrison welcomes business systems expert Allison Bridges, founder of Experts Only, to unpack how service-based business owners can finally build a business that grows without you. With over 20 years and 46,000 hours in the trenches, Allison shares why trading time for money doesn’t scale, how to create your secret-sauce system, and the exact tools and frameworks you can implement this week to avoid burnout and turn your business into a freedom machine. We dive into:
Whether you're a doctor-turned-entrepreneur, running a field-service business, or simply ready to scale, you’ll walk away with actionable steps to stop being the business and start owning the business. Connect with Allison Bridges
Show Notes Summary (Bullet + Timestamps): 00:00 – 02:30 – Introduction: Allison Bridges sets the stage — 20 years, 46,000 hours, fascinated by systems. Allison Bridges is the founder of Experts Only Consulting and owner of a children’s athletics franchise. With 20+ years in entrepreneurship and 46,000+ hours logged, she has built, scaled, sold and consulted in numerous service-based industries, including med-spa, construction and franchise rollout. 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Video Content Strategy for Small Businesses — Danny DelVecchio on Monetizing Content | 12 nov. 2025 | 00:41:22 | |
Struggling to keep up with content creation? Learn how to make video content easy — and profitable — without becoming a full-time influencer. In this episode, Michael Morrison and Danny DelVecchio dive into video content strategy for small businesses and how to monetize authentic video content to grow online without burning out. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael Morrison, Founder & CEO of BOSS | Business Ownership Simplified for Success, sits down with Danny DelVecchio, founder of Video on Easy Mode and creator of the Free Business School podcast. After twenty years in sales, Danny quit his corporate job, moved states, and built a multi-six-figure business helping founders turn video content into clients. He shares how small business owners can grow their online presence through authentic storytelling — without wasting hours editing or trying to “go viral.” Together, they unpack:
Whether you’re camera-shy, overwhelmed by editing, or tired of getting zero traction, this episode gives you a repeatable system for creating real business growth through content. 💡 What You’ll Learn
🔗 Connect with Danny DelVecchio
🕒 Episode Timestamps 00:00 — Intro & Danny’s story 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Podcast Growth, SEO & Monetization Tips for Small Business Owners | Molly Ruland of Heartcast Media | 05 nov. 2025 | 00:44:27 | |
In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael D. Morrison talks with Molly Ruland, Founder & CEO of Heartcast Media, a Washington D.C.–based full-service podcast production agency now operating from Costa Rica. Molly shares how small business owners can start, grow, and monetize a podcast the right way — focusing on SEO (Search Engine Optimization), AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), and genuine relationship-driven content instead of chasing downloads. 💡 You’ll learn: 🌍 Molly’s Story: From Washington D.C. to Costa Rica, she built a global agency helping brands and creators launch powerful podcasts without burnout or vanity metrics. Molly Ruland: Founder & CEO of Heartcast Media Website: https://www.heartcastmedia.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heartcastmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeartcastMedia/videos #SmallBusinessPivots #MichaelDMorrison #BOSS #BusinessOwnershipSimplified #OurBusinessIsHelpingYoursGrow #PodcastGrowth #PodcastSEO #AEOStrategy #HeartcastMedia #MollyRuland #PodcastProduction #PodcastStrategy #PodcastMonetization #PodcastTips #SmallBusinessMarketing #BusinessPodcast #EntrepreneurPodcast #BusinessGrowth #ContentMarketing #DigitalMarketing #RelationshipMarketing #AuthenticContent #SmallBusinessOwner #OklahomaCity #WashingtonDC #CostaRica #Entrepreneurship #BusinessCoaching #OnlineBusinessGrowth #MarketingStrategy #BuildYourEmpire 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Cold Calling Isn’t Dead: How To Master Outbound Sales In The AI Era | Patrick Joyce | 29 oct. 2025 | 00:39:49 | |
Tired of hearing that cold calling is dead? Patrick William Joyce, CEO of Outboundless, joins Small Business Pivots to debunk the biggest myths in outbound sales and explain why human-to-human calling is still one of the most effective ways to grow a business in 2025. From his early career as a math teacher in Boston to running a high-performance outbound SDR agency, Patrick shares how he built resilience through rejection, what most businesses get wrong about outbound sales, and why personalization in AI emails doesn’t equal connection. We dig into:
If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or sales leader who needs qualified conversations that actually convert, this episode is packed with insights to help you break through the noise and generate results. Patrick Joyce: CEO of Outboundless Website: https://www.outboundless.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pwilliamjoyce/ Purchase Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH7JC5QQ #SmallBusinessPivots #MichaelDMorrison #BOSS #OklahomaCity #BusinessPodcast #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #ColdCalling #OutboundSales #B2BSales #LeadGeneration #BusinessGrowth #Outboundless #PatrickJoyce #SalesStrategy 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| From Stuck to Scaling: Building a Business That Fits Your Life | Kristi Chaves | 22 oct. 2025 | 00:40:25 | |
In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael D. Morrison, Founder & CEO of BOSS, sits down with Kristi Chaves, a seasoned business coach with over 11 years of experience helping service-based entrepreneurs grow and scale online the non-conventional way. Kristi shares her journey of building her business organically without the “corporate safety net,” focusing on client retention, transformational coaching, and marketing that plays to your strengths. From overcoming mindset blocks to designing a business that aligns with your lifestyle, Kristi breaks down what it really takes to scale sustainably—without burnout, rigid rules, or chasing unrealistic revenue promises. You’ll discover:
Whether you’re just starting out or feeling stuck after years in business, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective on creating a business that not only makes money but also supports the lifestyle you truly want. 📌 Small Business Pivots is ranked in the Top 10% of podcasts globally. Subscribe now for authentic conversations with entrepreneurs and experts who know the struggles and share the solutions. Kristi Chaves: Business Coach Website: https://kristichaves.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristichaves/ #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #BusinessCoaching #KristiChaves #SmallBusinessPivots #MichaelDMorrison #BOSS #BusinessOwnershipSimplified #ServiceBasedBusiness #ScalingBusiness #MindsetMatters #EntrepreneurMindset #OnlineBusinessCoach #BusinessStrategy #BusinessLoansWithSupport #GrowYourBusiness #CoachingForEntrepreneurs #WestCoastBusinessCoach 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| How to Quit Your 9 to 5 Without Going Broke: Job Exit Strategies | Tania P. Brown | 15 oct. 2025 | 00:43:46 | |
Small Business Pivots with Michael D. Morrison welcomes Tania P. Brown, a Job Exit Strategist from Lawrenceville, Georgia, who helps women over 40 build a confident path from corporate life to self-employment freedom. In this inspiring episode, Tania shares her journey from growing up in Brooklyn, to military service, to financial services, and ultimately into entrepreneurship. She breaks down: If you’ve ever wondered how to quit your job, build a financial exit plan, and create a business that lights you up—this episode is for you. Ranked in the top 10% of podcasts globally, Small Business Pivots brings you the raw stories and strategies from entrepreneurs who’ve been in your shoes. Tania P. Brown: Founder & CEO of Tania P. Brown Services, Job Exit Strategist Website: https://www.taniapbrown.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniapellewbrown/ Blog: https://www.taniapbrown.com/blog #SmallBusinessPivots #MichaelDMorrison #BOSS #BusinessLoans #BusinessCoaching #AtlantaBusiness #GeorgiaEntrepreneurs #WomenInBusiness #JobExitStrategist #SelfEmploymentFreedom #CorporateEscape #EntrepreneurJourney #BusinessGrowth #SmallBusinessPodcast #WomenOver40 #QuitYour9to5 #AtlantaPodcast #BusinessOwnershipSimplified #OklahomaCityPodcast 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| How to Get Unstuck in Marketing and Actually Get Found | Dave Burnett | 08 oct. 2025 | 00:46:18 | |
What does it really take to adapt in business when the rules keep changing? From handing out free samples for Bacardi in college to building one of Canada’s most recognized SEO and digital marketing firms, Dave reveals:
Whether you’re a small business owner just starting out or running a multi-million-dollar company, this conversation will show you how to create awareness, stay relevant, and actually get found in today’s noisy, AI-driven world. Ranked in the top 10% of podcasts globally, Small Business Pivots brings you the raw stories and strategies from entrepreneurs who’ve been in your shoes. Dave Burnett: Founder & CEO of AOK Marketing Website: https://aokmarketing.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davebburnett/ Blog: https://aokmarketing.com/blog Podcast: https://aokmarketing.com/learningcenter/podcast/ #SmallBusinessPivots #MichaelDMorrison #BOSS #OklahomaCity #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #SEO #MarketingStrategy #DaveBurnett #AOKMarketing #SmallBusinessMarketing #DigitalMarketing #SEOforAI #BusinessAdaptability #MarketingTips #BusinessCoaching #CustomerAwareness #SalesGrowth #EntrepreneurPodcast #MarketingPivot #AIinMarketing #SearchOptimization #ContentMarketing #SocialMediaMarketing #BusinessSuccess 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||
| Mindset, Systems, and Sales: SPRUCTIS Playbook for Small Businesses | Leigh Angman | 01 oct. 2025 | 00:46:34 | |
What if your business decisions weren’t based on gut feelings or bank balances—but on clear daily insight? In this episode of Small Business Pivots, entrepreneur Leigh Angman introduces the SPRUCTIS Framework—eight pillars (systems, processes, redundancy, urgency, communication, technology, integrity, and sales) designed to help small and medium-sized businesses turn insight into action. Leigh shares:
Whether you’re running a $250K shop or a $15M company, Leigh’s lessons prove that clarity, systems, and mindset—not luck—drive sustainable success. Resources: Leigh Angman: Founder of Mondofi Media, Managing Director of BC Frontier Housing Society, Director of Gentle Earth Products, President of Peak Hospitality, Director of HumanBeam Technologies Website: https://spructis.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-angman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leighangman/ #SmallBusinessPivots #MichaelDMorrison #BOSS #BusinessLoans #BusinessCoaching #OurBusinessIsHelpingYoursGrow #OklahomaCity #LeighAngman #SPRUCTIS #FromInsightToAction #SmallBusinessGrowth #KnowYourNumbers #GoogleSheets #SystemsAndProcesses #EntrepreneurMindset #Sales #Redundancy #Urgency #Communication #Technology #Integrity 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com | |||