Want to know how your culture can give your business an edge? Just ask Mayra Luz Colon, the founder of Healthy Rican, who fused her Puerto Rican roots with her passion for healthy living to create a successful line of mom-approved seasonings. Mayra shares how she overcame imposter-syndrome, connected with her community, and pivoted from coaching to creating a product that resonated with so many people. You’ll also hear from Ramiro Cavazos, CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), who’ll dive into how Hispanic-owned businesses are shaping the future of entrepreneurship despite the challenges they face and how the USHCC is helping entrepreneurs get access to more capital, contracts and connections, and the tools and resources they need to grow their businesses.

In this special Hispanic Heritage Month episode, you’ll discover the importance of staying connected to your roots, how to build a strong community around your brand, and why empowering Hispanic-owned businesses benefits everyone.

In this episode you’ll hear:

(02:06) How a health issue inspired Mayra to start her business

(04:27) Why Mayra pivoted to a product based business

(06:06) How to get customer feedback and build a supportive community

(8:52) The growth and impact of Hispanic businesses and what makes them stand out

(10:15) How the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) is helping Latino entrepreneurs overcome the challenges they face by focusing on the 3 C’s: access to capital, building connections, and capacity building

(14:50) Why supporting Hispanic-owned businesses benefits everyone

(16:13) How resilience and being open to pivoting can help you build a successful business

Ever wondered how to make influencer marketing a game-changer for your small business? Just ask Brittany Hennessy, the bestselling author of "INFLUENCER: Building Your Personal Brand In The Age of Social Media." Brittany reveals how small businesses can leverage the power of influencers to enhance their brand, reach new audiences, and drive sales. Whether you're new to the influencer marketing scene or looking to refine your approach, Brittany's insights can help you navigate the ever-evolving world of influencer marketing.

Discover strategies for working with influencers, from understanding the different types of influencer marketing to finding a good match for your brand and maximizing conversions.

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

(2:07) How starting a blog launched Brittany into the world of influencer marketing and led to her first brand trip.

(4:05) Three powerful ways to boost your brand through influencer marketing: content creation, community engagement, and driving conversions.

(6:25) How you can make influencer marketing work for your small business if you’re on a tight budget.

(7:49) Why picking the right influencer that aligns with your brand and goals is crucial for a successful campaign.

(9:10) Practical tips on how to find the perfect influencer that could take your business to the next level.

(10:53) How to reach out to influencers in a way that’ll make them excited to collaborate with you and build valuable partnerships.

How do you nail the perfect price for your product? Just ask Mark Stiving, Chief Pricing Educator of Impact Pricing, who will share insights on pricing strategies. He’ll explain how understanding your business strategy and customer decision-making process can help you value your products and how to find out how much your customer is willing to pay. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

(02:05) How figuring out your business strategy will influence your pricing.

(03:00) How to find out how much your customer is willing to pay. 

(04:52) Should you start selling your products or services at a higher price point? 

(06:05) The benefits of a subscription model and how to build one.

(07:50) How understanding the customer decision process can help you set prices.

Identifying your target market, without a plan, can be a struggle. Just ask Amber Murray, the founder of Fidget Stickers, who’s going to break down the customer journey into 5 simple steps and show you how you can improve it so your customers keep coming back for more. Amber also gives advice on how to find customers for your products in places you wouldn’t expect. After you’ve identified your ideal customer, Darian Kovacs, founder of Jelly Digital Marketing, spills the secrets on how to reach them. Darian tells us what social media platform might work best for you (spoiler: it’s all about trial and error) and breaks down how you can use SEO to get the right people to notice your business. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

(02:50) Why Amber started Fidget Stickers.

(06:05) Amber uses her business as a case study to explain the five phases of the customer journey: awareness, consideration, decision purchase, retention, and advocacy.

(10:12) Questions you should ask yourself when you evaluate your customer journey. 

(12:54) How to identify your ideal customer BEFORE launching your product.

(18:31) Tools that small business owners can use to learn more about their customers..

(20:36) How to figure out what social platform you should be using to reach your ideal customer.

(23:48) How to use SEO to be more discoverable.

(25:59) Andrea's key takeaways for understanding your customer journey.

Wondering how to navigate common entrepreneurial pitfalls and ensure the success of your business? Just ask Christina Wallace, senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, who’s going to tell us the top three mistakes (or lessons learned as Christina calls them) early stage entrepreneurs make and how you can avoid them.

In this episode you’ll hear:

(01:18) Why you shouldn't do everything yourself. Christina recommends ways to overcome the entrepreneurial urge to do it all.

(04:32) Why cash flow is important and the consequences of ignoring it.

(06:11) How to manage your cash flow by putting liquidity in place before you need it, keeping an eye on any lumpy cash flow throughout the year, and being creative.

(07:41) How to avoid scaling prematurely. 

Trying to figure out how and when you should start scaling your side hustle? Just ask Max Ash, the young creator and founder of MAX’IS CREATIONS, who managed to start his business at just 8 years old (with the help of his mom, Jen) and grew it into a successful business. Max and Jen will share their own experiences with protecting their intellectual property, licensing, manufacturing, and evaluating the future of their business. You’ll also hear from Verne Harnish, Founder and CEO of Scaling Up and the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, who shares actionable steps you can take to scale your business.

In this episode you’ll hear:

(02:15) How Max'is Creations started.

(05:19) When Jen and Max realized that Max'is Creations could be more than a side hustle.

(08:18) Jen talks about their experience with licensing – a way for you to partner with other companies without needing to do all the work yourself. 

(17:33) Verne emphasizes the importance of marketing and finding influencers to talk about your product or idea if you want to scale your business. 

(22:28) Having a routine can save you time.

(23:48) Surround yourself with other like-minded entrepreneurs or mentors.

(27:09) Verne tells us how being bold can land you opportunities.

Are you trying to figure out if a rebrand is worth the high price tag? Just ask actors turned entrepreneurs David McGranaghan & Julian Miller, co-founders of McMiller, a company that creates games designed to make you laugh, who went over-budget to rebrand their business. “Strong design [...] turns a four-star review into a five-star review, and I think that's definitely what we've learned, and it's money well spent [...] I would encourage people to put money into design," says David. 

In the season finale of This is Small Business, you’ll hear how Julian and David’s love story sparked the idea to start their business, the challenges and benefits of being married to your business partner, and how design can elevate your products. They’ll also talk about the importance of taking it slow when you’re first stepping into entrepreneurship.

In this episode you’ll hear:

(01:23) How David and Julian met and started Mcmiller 

(06:11) Why David and Julian wanted to get into entrepreneurship despite being professional actors

(09:55) The challenges and benefits of starting a business with your romantic partner

(12:28) How you could use reviews to improve your products

(15:12) How design can elevate your products

(22:36) How success can hurt your business if you’re not prepared for it

(23:54) How to add sustainability into your business – Andrea mentions two This is Small Business episodes about sustainability. If you want to learn more, check out this season's bonus episode “How your business can have an impact” or an episode from season 4 called “How to Grow a Sustainable Business.”

(25:58) Julian and David give us a look into their future goals and their upcoming game

(26:55) Julian and David emphasize the importance of taking things slow when you’re starting your business – it’ll help you avoid mistakes and give you time to work on the best version of your product

Are you planning on selling your business but don’t know where to start? Just ask Emmet Apolinario, President of the International Resource Group. Having transitioned into becoming a business broker after navigating the pitfalls of selling his own business, Emmet offers insights on how to evaluate your business to spare you from the same mistakes he made. 

“Selling a business is not like selling real estate. It's not going to sell tomorrow.” says Emmet, “[...] preparing and planning is very important.” 

Learn how you can increase your business value, who you may need on your team, and when you could be selling your business.

In this episode you’ll hear:

(01:41) Why and when you could be selling your business

(02:40) Challenges that might make your business difficult to sell

(03:26) Who you might need on your team to sell your business

(04:36) How to figure out what your business is worth

(06:27) How to increase your business’ value

Considering buying a business? Whether it's your first venture or you’re trying to expand your business, it can be a game-changer. Just ask Brian Shields, an Acquisition Entrepreneur who knows what it takes to successfully buy a business. “Try to look at at least a hundred deals to help dial yourself in so you know what kind of risk you're willing to take, what kind of business plan you really feel comfortable with, what kind of industries you feel like make sense,” Brian says, “because once you get those under your belt, then you'll feel a little bit more sophisticated when the time really comes.”

We’ll dive into the essentials: from why you should consider buying a business to breaking down all the thorough due diligence and financing options so you can find the right business that works for you! 

In this episode you’ll hear:

(00:35) How Brian bought his first business

(2:42) Why buying a business could be right for you

(5:06) Research and analysis (aka due diligence) that needs to get done before you buy a business

(6:39) Where you can find businesses to buy

(8:01) Brian breaks down what the due diligence process looks like by using a coffee shop as an example

(11:00) Three ways you can pay for the business you want to buy

(13:50) Andrea and Brian go over three points you should focus on when you’re trying to find a business to buy

Expanding your business and drawing in more customers may seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Just ask Amy Porterfield, New York Times bestselling author of Two Weeks Notice and Host of The Online Marketing Made Easy Podcast, who managed to increase her sales in only a year. 

“The people who need you will find you, even if you put a stake in the ground.” Amy says. “If your message resonates with them, but doesn't fit perfectly, that's okay. If they like what you're saying and they find value, they will find you.”

Learn how you can replicate Amy’s growth by managing your mindset, creating a customer avatar, and growing your email list. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

(00:45) How Amy started her business

(03:02) How negative thoughts can impede growth

(05:57) How to build your customer avatar

(08:11) How content creation helped Amy grow

(09:27) How to grow your email list

(12:16) Common mistakes that might affect your growth

Want to build a loyal following of people who are excited to buy what you're selling? Stop spending your valuable time on the wrong marketing channels, and prioritize an email list. So says Jenna Kutcher, a digital marketing expert and host of The Goal Digger Podcast. After attracting thousands of followers on social, but seeing so few convert to customers, Jenna learned about the power of owning an email list - and she hasn't looked back! It's the number one ways she drives sales in her business.

You'll learn how to start a list, where to find your first subscribers, and how to grow and maintain a list. Plus, the surprising benefits of an email list - beyond the high ROI.

(06:40) Where to find your first subscribers

(07:25) How to use your email list to test out new business ideas

(09:40) The TWO things you need to focus on as an entrepreneur

(11:00) Tacticts Jenna uses to drive followers from social and the podcast to her list

(14:30) How to make time for your email list

(15:50) Don't make these two mistakes with your email list!

(18:00) Convinced? Here's how to start your list

Learn how to go from zero subscribers to an engaged list that lasts. Sign up for Jenna's FREE Email Building Master Class at jennkutcher.com/list. It only happens once a year - don't miss out!

Ready to make a difference with your business but don’t know where to start? Just ask Thomas Ling, founder of Kin+Kind, who combined his passion for the environment and love of animals to create eco-friendly pet products. Thomas breaks down what makes a business sustainable, the importance of transparency and authenticity, and how you can start a business that does good in the world. 

“It's important that we are running the kind of company that we want to see out in the world.” Thomas says.

Learn what it takes to be a clean business, and the benefits that come with it.

In this episode you’ll hear:

(01:09) Kin+Kind’s story.

(02:56) How Kin + Kind brings transparency and authenticity into their products.

(04:11) What are clean ingredients?

(06:34) Being a clean company is about more than using good ingredients, it’s also about how you treat your employees.

(07:25) What is greenwashing?

(09:15) How to start a sustainable business.

(10:50) The benefits of having a clean business.

Want to make sure everyone knows about your product before it launches? Just ask Jay Clouse, the founder of Creator Science, who was able to generate six figure sales within the first few days of launching his product, Creatore HQ, all thanks to a carefully thought out pre-launch strategy. Jay shares his approach to building anticipation through consistent communication and engagement with his audience and why you should be planning your launch months before your product hits the market. 

Learn how to leverage your audience, what incentives to offer, and how to build an engaged audience that wants to buy your upcoming product.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

(1:44) Why you should be talking about your product months before it launches.

(3:24) How you could see who might be interested in your upcoming product and reach them

(4:58) Jay breaks platforms down into two categories: Discovery platforms and relationship platforms. Learn the difference between both types and how to use them to build an engaged audience that will buy your product when it launches!

(6:49) How consistently posting can build trust

(8:29) Should you have a discount or a special incentive when you first launch? 

(9:24) How to keep the momentum after you launch

The more people see your products, the more sales you’ll probably get – and a marketing strategy can help you do that. 

Just ask Elena Fahrländer, the Chief Commercial Officer of Danish Endurance, a company that sells their products worldwide. She’ll be sharing what they do to find their target audience and how their approach to marketing changed as they grew. You’ll also hear from Elizabeth (Liz) Downing, Founder of Hapworth Consulting and Director of Partnerships at The Ecom Cooperative. She’ll give more actionable advice on how to build your marketing strategy using realistic goal setting and data analysis. 

“It's really important to look inward, really examine who you are as a business, and then set your goals and your expectations based on what you think you can achieve,” says Liz, “and it all comes down to the data.”

In this episode you’ll hear:

(02:18) Danish Endurance’s story

(04:02) How to find your target audience

(07:02) The importance of clear and realistic goals and budgeting when building your marketing strategy

(11:02) Starting out with a structured marketing strategy

(11:50) How and why Danish Endurance constantly updates their marketing strategy 

Your small business (or idea if you haven’t started yet) is a lot more important than you think. Just ask Karen Kerrigan, the president and CEO of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. She’ll be sharing a ton of fun facts about how small businesses drive innovation, help the economy, and create jobs. You’ll also hear from Kylie Jiwon Hwang, an Assistant Professor at the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. She’ll give us more insights on how entrepreneurship can help marginalized individuals and how starting your own business can benefit your community.

Get a quick refresher on why the work you’re doing (or planning to do!) is important and learn all the benefits and challenges you might encounter on your entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode you’ll hear:

(01:42) Why Small Businesses are important.

(04:27) Why Marginalized individuals are gravitating towards entrepreneurship and the benefits that come with it.

(07:33) Challenges that you might face when starting a business.

(10:48) How technology has been helping small business owners overcome some of the challenges they face.

(14:41) The importance of being prepared before starting a business.

Aside from a regular paycheck, what more can you do for your employees? And can going the extra mile for them really help your business' bottom line? Listen in to hear from brothers and founders of Mr. Tortilla, Ron and Anthony Alcazar. Their approach to business was formed at an early age, while watching their parents work hard with no buy-in. And then we’ll speak with Ludmila Praslova, PhD. Professor of Industrial Organizational Psychology, and author of The Canary Code: A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work. 

"Imagine having to walk in shoes that are extremely big or way too small, way too wide, way too narrow" said Ludmila. "That's painful, that's not comfortable, …flexibility just makes sense."

In this episode you’ll hear:

(00:43) Why Mr. Tortilla wanted to take care of their employees

(03:26) How it’s good for business to prioritize a healthy workplace

(04:58) The bare minimum an employer could do for its employee

(06:40) The importance of flexibility and how to implement it into your company



(12:18) How to start a conversation with your employee about their needs

Dealing with audits doesn’t have to be scary as long as you’re prepared for it. Just ask Erick O. Bell, an accounting professor at the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, who used to work at KPMG LLP in the Audit Risk Advisory Services. Erick simplifies everything you need to know about audits – even the IRS audit – so it doesn’t feel as daunting. “Most audits that are happening. They're not audits that are at odds with each other,” Erick says. “A typical audit generally is just, you've made an assertion. Can we verify that that assertion is accurate?”

Learn about typical audits, how to navigate them, and when you might need them.

In this episode you’ll hear:

(01:00) When should you get an audit

(03:45) About IRS audits

(07:36) How to navigate a typical audit

Getting a Patent can be a complicated and expensive process, but it can protect your idea as you work on bringing it to market. Just ask Becca Davison, the CEO of UnbuckleMe, who got a patent early on in her small business journey. Becca explains how she came up with UnbuckleMe, why she decided to patent her idea early on, and what that process looked like for someone who was new to entrepreneurship. You’ll also hear from Colleen Chien, a professor at Berkeley Law School and the founder of the Paper Prisons and Diversity Pilots Initiatives. Colleen digs deeper into how a patent can protect your idea and breaks down everything you need to know before and during your patent application. 

Learn whether you should even get a patent, how you can protect your idea from copycats, and what the patenting process looks like.

In this episode you’ll hear:

(00:38) What is a patent?

(02:29) How Becca came up with UnbuckleMe

(05:28) The different types of Patents

(06:45) The process of filing a patent

(11:46) Why copycats can still show up even after you get a patent

(13:28) How to protect your idea from copycats

(14:41) The difference between copycats and competitors

Accidents happen, we make missteps, sometimes our brands are tarnished. So how do we prepare for the inevitable and mitigate impact? Indya ‘Icy’ Wright, the Founder and CEO of Artiste House, a PR firm that prioritizes diversity, inclusivity, and representation, has some answers.

According to Wright, “all we can do is try to minimize the results of what happened, rectify it, and if things go well, move forward.”

In this episode you’ll hear:

(02:35) How do you figure out what your story is?

(05:22) How do you determine which issues to take a stance on publicly?

(07:52) You never know when a crisis will strike, how do you prepare?

(08:27) After a crisis, how do you deal with the potential loss of business?

If there's one thing we’ve learned over the many episodes of this show, it’s that owning and operating your own business is hard. You have to overcome challenges you didn’t even know existed.

Thinking of becoming an entrepreneur or you’re wondering if you should stick it out? We have Dr. Laura Morgan Roberts, scholar, speaker and consultant, who studies the science of maximizing human potential, to guide us through. “I do think for every market need, for every human desire, there is an entrepreneur who is inspired and equipped to meet that need and to help for people to connect with that desire”

And Pamela Wirth, of Hello Health, will share what she’s learned on her path to entrepreneurship. Learn from an expert and those who have been there!

In this episode you’ll hear:

(03:49) Why connecting with others is one of the most important traits of an entrepreneur

(05:23) What qualities you need to be an entrepreneur 

(08:17) If you can't go all in on your business because you need the financial security of a 9 to 5, how else can you start your business journey?

(10:24) How do you start a business if you have too much on your plate?

(12:56) An entrepreneur is also a leader, so what qualities do you need to be a great leader?

(15:38) What are some hurdles that entrepreneurs might have to overcome when they're thinking about starting a business?

(18:45) What are some of the qualities you need to help you get through the tough times?

Money is such an integral part of your business. So when the time comes and you need to secure more, where do you start? Who do you turn to? We’ve got Iman Cotton, a loans officer with CDC Small Business Finance to guide us through it. Iman says that a good place to start is by thinking, “something that sounds too good to be true, probably is.”

Learn how to best prepare you and your business for a loan.

In this episode you’ll hear:

(01:39) How do you find a good lender?

(03:29) What documents do you need to apply to a small business loan?

(04:31) Mistakes small business owners make when they want to apply for a loan.

(07:34) Now that you have the loan, what happens if you’re struggling to pay it back?

Being a woman in business can come with its challenges but with the right tools – it can become a journey of empowerment and growth. Just ask Katy Luxem, the CEO and founder of Big Dill Pickleball, who stands out in the sporting goods industry with her products. She’ll share the story behind why she started Big Dill Pickleball, some insights on how to succeed in ecommerce, and how she dealt with being a female founder in a male-dominated industry. You’ll also hear from Deepa Purushothaman, the Founder of re.write, Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School and the author of The First, The Few, The Only. Deepa has spent most of her time helping women in the corporate world, so she accumulated a ton of advice that she’ll be sharing with us – like the importance of community.

Unlearn some ideas about what it means to be a woman in business and learn the benefits that can come from being a female founder.

In this episode you’ll hear:

(01:31) How Katy started Big Dill Pickleball

(03:20) How using branding and differentiation is essential if you want to succeed in ecommerce.

(05:20) The importance of building community and having a supportive network as a female founder.

(07:42) What you need to unlearn about what it means to be a woman in business.

(10:48) How to navigate issues that are out of your control.

(12:33) The benefits of being a woman in business

Having a solid network can help you meet the right people that will help you grow your business. Just ask Robbie Samuels, Author, Business Coach, Biz Book Publishing Hub Founder and networking expert who got his first few clients by tapping into his network. Robbie shares all his networking secrets so you can know how to get the most out of any networking event and break away from the transactional feeling that comes with it. “I believe that our network is an untapped resource,” he says. “And if we're trying to find people for our programs and to pilot new things – 80 percent of the people that we need to sell to or connect with, we already know. It's a matter of reaching out to that network.”

Learn what a successful networking event looks like and what you should be doing before and after to ensure that you’re taking advantage of everything that networking has to offer. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

(02:00) Why networking can be uncomfortable and how to overcome that by reframing your mindset.

(04:28) Bagel vs Croissant: How body language can make networking easier.

(06:41) How to prepare for a networking event.

(07:55) How committing can help you stand out.

(08:52) How to use your network to grow your business.

Wondering if your small business is ready to scale and how to smoothly transition into e-commerce? Just ask Val Fishbain, co-founder of Spread the Love Foods, who successfully took her business from the local farmer’s market to the online world, all while staying true to her community roots. Val shares her experience selling at farmer’s markets, what it took to make the leap to e-commerce, and the importance of giving back as her business grew. You’ll also hear from Viridiana Ponce, a business consultant and food industry expert, who dives into how to leverage farmer’s markets to enhance your business and the crucial steps for expanding beyond your local market while staying connected to your community.

Learn the essential steps for scaling up like maintaining product quality, engaging with your community, and conducting market research to confidently take your business online.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

(2:28) How Val’s thoughtful wedding favor quickly turned into a full-blown business.

(4:22) Thinking of starting a food business from home? Learn the preparation and licenses to make sure you do it right!

(5:41) Val’s first experience selling her products at a farmer’s market.

(9:34) The benefits that come with starting at a farmer’s market.

(10:44) How tracking sales at a farmer’s market can help you get funding.

(11:40) When should you consider expanding? Viridiana lists what you should be looking for to make sure you’re ready for that next step. 

(15:02) Three essential strategies for a successful transition to e-commerce.

(18:58) How giving back through your business can help your business grow and succeed.

Social media can help you connect with your audience authentically and foster meaningful growth. Just ask Sahra Nguyen, the founder and CEO of Nguyen Coffee Supply, who uses storytelling to keep her audience engaged. Sahra explains how she figured out what content her audience wants and what performs best on each platform. You’ll also hear from Kat Norton, the CEO of Miss Excel, who went viral on social media and used her online presence to successfully start her business. Kat digs deeper into how to keep up with trends and how to plan your content efficiently. 

Learn how Kat and Sahra used social media to their advantage and discover actionable strategies – like how to follow trends and create content – to elevate your online presence and reach your audience.

In this episode you’ll hear:

(02:16) How Kat used social media to start Miss Excel

(07:06) How Sahra connects with her audience through social media by sharing her story and being authentic

(09:24) Sahra talks about the challenges to centering the founder’s story in your brand’s social media

(10:19) How Sahra uses data to figure out what type of content works for each platform

(12:41) How experimenting with your social media content can make you go viral and how to take advantage of that virality – even if the content doesn’t align with your brand

(15:50) How to keep up with trends

(18:33) How to create social media content efficiently

Building a brand around your culture and history can help you stand out and create a loyal customer base. Just ask Teri Johnson, the CEO of Harlem Candle Co, whose scented candles are inspired by influential figures in the Harlem Renaissance. Teri opens up about how, in sharing stories from this moment in Black history, she was able to build a brand that people wanted to talk about, share and celebrate. "Storytelling is everything about the candle," she says. "People connect to it and they can feel it."

Learn how Teri started her business, the stories behind some of her favorite scents, and how she integrates Black history into her branding.

In this episode you'll hear:

(01:18) Where Teri's story begins

(04:23) How to find support (and cross promotion) in community

(05:15) Andrea mentions one of our previous episodes, in which former NFL player Justin Forsett talks about finding your "huddle". You can listen to the full episode here: https://www.smallbusiness.amazon/podcast-episodes/ep-13-justin-tackles-the-top-3-steps-to-start-a-business

(07:40) How to work storytelling into product packaging

(08:30) How brand storytelling wins Teri media coverage and high-profile customers

(09:55) How transparency builds customer loyalty

Ever wondered how to keep a seasonal business profitable year-round? Charlie Weiss, owner of Jummy, an organic hot cocoa company has it figured out. Find out how you can leverage slow periods for business growth and why customer loyalty is essential to your success during the high and low seasons. And because this is our last episode this season, you’ll also get to hear from experts from previous episodes who’ll be expanding on some of the tips Charlie points out, like making sure you stay up to date with your customer journey and figuring out your cash flow.

—

(6:23) Charlie reveals the seasonal customer journey of his business

(15:33) The importance of forecasting when figuring out cash flow in a seasonal business

(17:10) How to prepare for and take advantage of the slower season 

—

Click HERE to leave us a message!

By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

Can your business meet eco-friendly regulations while thriving in a competitive market? Greg and Will Owens, the Co-Founders of Liberty Tabletop (who claim to be one of the most environmentally friendly flatware manufacturers on earth) will show you how. From using reusable materials to reducing carbon footprint, learn what it takes to grow your business as you implement environmentally responsible practices.

—

(02:42) Greg and Will discuss their flatware company's eco-friendly features and reduced carbon footprint with a 'factory-to-table' approach.

(07:27) Greg explains the reasons behind their product's higher cost and why customers value it.

(09:42) Will delves into their aim to acquire climate-friendly badges and their impact on consumer choices.

—

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By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

Are you wondering if you could use AI or technology to ease your workload? The answer is yes and we’ll show you how. Kevin Meyer, Co-Founder & CEO of Crunch Tech Inc., explains how he uses automation and AI to run his business more efficiently. And Michelle Weise, the CEO of Rise & Design, digs deeper into how you can future-proof your business and the importance of communication in an increasingly tech-oriented community.

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(5:42) Can everything be automated? Kevin discusses the limitations of AI, particularly in terms of generating specific content and designing products.

(14:47) Michelle emphasizes the importance of internal communications in the workplace, particularly the need to articulate the "why" and the vision behind organizational changes and technological advancements.

(19:44) Andrea goes over the benefits of automation for small teams and how leveraging technology and project management tools can streamline operations.

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Entering a new market can be challenging, especially if it’s an international one. But Max Gurevich, President of Warm Home Designs, has learned all the do’s and don’ts after successfully entering the Canadian and Mexican markets via Amazon. From making sure you switch up your marketing strategy to better suit the new market and trusting your customer feedback, to taking on the fear of a new language, Max has a wealth of helpful tips to share.

This episode is brought to you by Amazon Ads. Amazon Ads helps you reach customers wherever they spend their time and is here for every type of small business. Amazon Ads has a range of products and information to help you achieve your advertising goals, for registered sellers, vendors, book vendors, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) authors, app developers, and/or agencies.

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(03:25) How to tailor your products to non-US markets.

(05:34) How to use research to gain a competitive advantage.

(10:16) Andrea goes over the key takeaways for expanding to new markets which include thorough research, adapting marketing based on customer feedback, and starting with small-scale experiments for return on ad spend evaluation.

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Trying to figure out how to make money while giving back through your business? Learn what it takes to grow your business when the foundation of your business model is social responsibility. Andrew Glantz, the Founder & CEO of GiftAMeal, explains how he managed to make a profit out of a business centered on giving back to the community. And Heather Cameron, a social entrepreneur and Michael B Kauffman Professor of Practice at the Washington University in St. Louis, tells us how to successfully build a business model that makes that possible.

This episode is brought to you by Amazon Business. Amazon Business provides a wide product selection, business-only pricing, and account features that can make running your small business easier. Amazon Business supports small business through various programs such as the Small Business Grants where Amazon Business gives over $250,000 to 15 small businesses who are Amazon Business customers. Amazon Business is committed to the growth of small businesses and invests in grants to help small businesses overcome challenges they face, freeing up their resources to focus on their mission and customers. Small Businesses are the backbone of our economy and when they succeed we all succeed. Create your free account today at amazonbusiness.com.

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(07:09) Andrew's insight on how to create a scalable, socially impactful business

(10:47) Andrew talks about how he got the Amazon Business grant and the importance of putting yourself out there.

(13:38) Quantifying the value and impact of your business quickly is essential for success because you'll have a compelling value proposition and make sales efforts more effective.

(17:61) Heather underscores the importance of alignment in an entrepreneur's journey and how it connects your brand with what matters to both customers and your team.

(20:56) Heather emphasizes that small business owners should think about their social impact in tandem with their business strategy.

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Are you sure you’re reaching the right customer? If you're not sure, you might not be leveraging customer research. Roshni Wijayasinha, Founder & CEO of Prosh Marketing, explains how to use customer research as a marketing strategy and the importance of timing when targeting the right customer.

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(02:19) Roshni talks about the three ways you can reach your customer: brand awareness, conducting customer research, and utilizing digital tools.

(03:50) Why timing is crucial in finding the right customer

(06:00) Why you should continuously adapt your strategies and the importance of direct communication with customers.

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By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

Are you interested in starting a crowdfunding campaign? Or maybe you’re wondering if you should pull money out of your savings to start your business? Learn the pros and cons of bootstrapping & crowdfunding and what it takes to launch a successful crowdfunding campaign with Josh Lipinski, the founder of Breakwater Supply, and Tess Estandarte, Director of Product Marketing at Rainfactory.

This episode is brought to you by Amazon Business. Amazon Business provides a wide product selection, business-only pricing, and account features that can make running your small business easier. Amazon Business supports small businesses through various programs such as the Small Business Grants where Amazon Business gives over $250,000 to 15 small businesses who are Amazon Business customers. Amazon Business is committed to the growth of small businesses and invests in grants to help small businesses overcome challenges they face, freeing up their resources to focus on their mission and customers. Small Businesses are the backbone of our economy and when they succeed, we all succeed. Create your free account today at amazonbusiness.com.

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(04:14) Josh points out the benefits of bootstrapping like having the freedom to call the shots and not having to meet investor demands which allows you to concentrate on improving your product and service.

(05:40) Josh talks about why he decided to use bootstrapping to launch some of their products and emphasizes the importance of building trust by delivering on promises because it's a serious business that requires a solid plan.

(12:23) Tess highlights the often overlooked legal aspects of crowdfunding, such as the importance of patents, trademarks, copyrights, intellectual property, reading the terms and conditions, and taxation.

(14:06) Tess talks about the benefits of crowdfunding for entrepreneurs, highlighting the engagement with a supportive user community, brand and product awareness, and the ability to assess market readiness before seeking additional funding or investors.

(19:33) To make your crowdfunding campaign stand out, Tess advises against cutting corners on the quality of assets, particularly images and videos, which can either make or break your campaign.

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Have you been struggling with securing funding? The issue might be your cash flow. Ambro Blackwell, a best-selling author and VP and senior business banking relationship manager at JP Morgan Chase, explains what cash flow is and how to strategically plan it in a way that sets you up for success.

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(04:14) How to use your cash flow to figure out and mitigate what problems you might run into.

(08:18) Andrea goes over why cash flow is vital for securing funding, the key sections that are typically included in a cash flow statement, and what they represent.

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Ever wondered how podcasting can help you grow your business? Just ask Hala Taha, the host of the Young and Profiting (YAP) podcast and the founder of YAP Media Network and YAP Media, who knows all the podcasting secrets that’ll help you get big. Hala aka the Podcast Princess shares her own entrepreneurial journey and reveals the secrets behind her rapid growth, including how she harnessed LinkedIn for visibility and used creative strategies to break through the podcasting noise. 

Learn how to start your podcast, different monetization options, and why you should be advertising your business on podcasts. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

(01:38) How Hala went from a corporate marketing role to founding a leading podcast network in just two years.

(03:20) Hala’s game-changing LinkedIn tactics that increased her podcast’s visibility and engagement.

(05:04) How Hala used her LinkedIn presence to grow on other platforms.

(06:40) How Hala leveraged her podcast as a lead generation tool and built a successful social media agency from it.

(08:48) Why podcasting can help you grow your business.

(10:20) The three key components for a successful podcast: being searchable, designing an eye-catching cover, and utilizing platforms like TikTok and YouTube.

(11:28) How to advertise your business on other podcasts.

Are you looking forward to exiting your company? Take a glimpse into what happens during and after exiting a business. Jewel Burks Solomon, managing partner at Collab Capital and the ex-CEO and founder of PartPic, tells us how PartPic got acquired by Amazon and what she would’ve done differently. And Danyel Surrency Jones, the head of Amazon's Black Business Accelerator program and co-founder and ex-CEO of POWERHANDZ, explains why she made the move to Amazon and offers some helpful entrepreneurial tips to keep you going.

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How do you keep customers coming back for more? By being attentive to their needs and priorities. Learn customer-centred ideas to integrate into your business from the best. Mitzi Rivas, CEO and Founder of Livie & Luca, is all about customer service and she’s got the customer retention rate to prove it. And John DiJulius, the founder, Chief Revolution Officer, and President of the DiJulius group, gives us some great tips on how to provide great customer service no matter where you are in your small business journey.

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(04:13) How Mitzi personalizes her customer’s experience

(09:46) How you can enhance the customer experience using delivery

(15:04) What do entrepreneurs get wrong about customer service?

(18:04) How do you maintain good customer service as you scale?

(19:24) How can a smaller business compete with a larger business when it comes to customer service?

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Should I work with a manufacturer or do the manufacturing myself? That’s a question every small business owner starts thinking about as they grow. Sean Brownlee, the CEO of Ravenox, has made the choice to acquire a manufacturer for his business and is gonna let us know all the benefits that come with it.

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(03:42) The benefits of becoming a manufacturer

(04:56) How to manage inventory

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How do you show customers that your product is different - and better - than competitors'? Aaron and Whitney Cordovez, Cofounders of Zulay Kitchen, talk about how they differentiated their brand in the crowded "kitchen gadget" category.

And Rita Gunther McGrath, a best-selling author and professor at Columbia University Business School, shares her five-step discovery-driven planning process to help you succeed.

Learn how to find out what really matters to your customer, and what to think about when you're just starting out to ensure you stand out from the crowd.

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(05:10) Considerations Zulay Kitchen made to ensure their products are different

(12:44) What is discovery-driven planning

(16:02) How to find out what really matters to your customer

(18:15) Considerations to make when starting out that will help you stand out

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How much is my product worth - and what is my customer willing to pay? Every entrepreneur asks these questions at some point in their small business journey. Mark Stiving, Chief Pricing Educator of Impact Pricing, joins Andrea with insights on:

(2:00) How to think about pricing your product or service.

(02:58) How to figure out how much your customer is willing to pay.

(04:46) Should you start pricing your products at a higher price?

(06:04) How to grow a subscription model and why it's beneficial.

(07:51) How to remain competitive while still growing.

(09:21) What are valuables and how can they help your business grow?

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Every step you need to take to get your book in front of an audience - learn the process of publishing with Naibe Reynoso, a journalist and the founder of Con Todo Press. And Jane Friedman, a publishing industry expert, shares her secrets to ensuring your book is as discoverable as possible.

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(05:32) What are the steps to publishing a book?

(13:21) What's the ISBN and how do I get one for my book?

(18:12) Considerations an aspiring author should make if they want to make a profitable business out of writing books.

(19:50) What Business model works best for someone who just wrote their first children's book?

(21:04) Technical elements that you need to know before trying to sell a book.

(24:15) Andrea lists the key takeaways from the episode.

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Are you ready to make your first hire? Learn how to find the right fit, and why retention is so critical. Keirsten A. Greggs, the Founder & Principal Talent Acquisition Consultant of TRAP Recruiter, tells Andrea what small business owners should consider at this important stage of growth.

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(02:22) Considerations small business owners should make when they hire.

(05:24) How to find the right fit when evaluating applicants.

(07:08) Andrea lists the key takeaways from the episode.

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What happens if you don't protect your IP, and is it worth all the paperwork? Jeannell Darden, CEO of Moisture Love, shares her story of battling trademark and copyright issues, and how she overcame it. Learn when and how to start the process, what to consider when rebranding, how to avoid trademark disputes, whether you should register your logo, and where to find legal support for small businesses. Cynthia Dahl, Practice Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, offers her insights. Stay tuned to the end of the episode where host Andrea Marquez lists her key takeaways!

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(07:04) Considerations to make when rebranding.

(14:54) Considerations for founders regarding trademark and protection.

(16:47) When should small business owners start considering intellectual property (IP) protection.

(18:08) Mistakes to avoid when protecting your brand.

(20:16) How to avoid confusion among consumers and trademark disputes.

(22:09) Should you register your logo?

(24:18) Andrea mentions the cost of legal help for small businesses and points out free resources recommended by Cynthia. She also lists the key takeaways from the episode.

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By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

Are you preparing to launch your first product? Andrea learns how to prepare your MVP (minimum viable product), and how to know when you're ready to go, with Trinity Mouzon Wofford, co-founder and CEO of Golde. Trinity also gives us a look into all the behind-the-scenes work she put into their brand as she prepared to launch.

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(05:56) How distinctive packaging and vibrant colors helped Trinity's brand stand out in a crowded marketplace 

(07:58) Copying big businesses' marketing tactics doesn't work! Trinity explains how she found success by staying true to her vision

(09:10) How to leverage friends and family to gather early feedback on your product - before you launch 

(09:42) Trinity explains how she knew she was ready to launch her business 

(11:06) Andrea's key takeaways for launching your MVP

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Are you struggling to identify your target market? Or maybe you’re wondering where you can find your ideal customer? Andrea breaks down the customer journey into five simple steps with Amber Murray, founder of Fidget Stickers. Once we've figured out who our ideal customer is, Darian Kovacs, founder of Jelly Digital Marketing, tells us how to reach them. Stick around to hear Andrea's key takeaways at the end of the episode.

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(05:51) Amber breaks down the five phases of the customer journey: awareness, consideration, decision purchase, retention, and advocacy

(12:54) How to identify your ideal customer BEFORE launching your product

(18:31) Tools that small business owners can use to learn more about their customer's journey

(25:59) Andrea's key takeaways for understanding your customer journey 

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Starting a business on a tight budget might sound tough, but it can be more beneficial than you might think. Just ask Alice Kim, founder of Elizabeth Mott, who turned a small budget into a flourishing business. Alice explains how she reduced costs by building a strong network, coming up with creative solutions, and the importance of buying enough time to build the momentum you need to get your business noticed. You’ll also hear from Caroline Castrillon, founder of the Corporate Escape Artist, who’ll share budget-friendly ways to understand your target audience and do market research.

Learn how you can make your business thrive with limited funds and turn your small budget into a big success!

In this episode you’ll hear: 

(1:08) How Alice Kim launched Elizabeth Mott on a shoestring budget.

(3:57) How Alice tapped into her network to cut costs and find creative solutions.

(5:05) How to tackle research and development without breaking the bank.

(6:47) Five budget-friendly tips for effective market research.

(8:48) Why having a co-founder or a solid support system can make all the difference.

(9:25) The benefits of being resourceful and scrappy.

(12:10) Why focusing on the journey is just as important as reaching your end goal.

(14:19) Why prioritizing your tasks can help you navigate the startup hustle.

(15:38) How being scrappy can give you the time and space to get your business off the ground.

Are you an aspiring or early-stage entrepreneur with a product to sell? Learn how to grow your small business from a diverse group of entrepreneurs and experts. By the end of this season, you'll understand how to:

→ define your target market

→ secure funding

→ set prices

→ protect your intellectual property

→ position your product

→ expand to new markets

→ hire for success

→ secure a supply chain

→ differentiate with stellar customer service

This is Small Business is an original podcast from Amazon. It's hosted by Andrea Marquez, an aspiring entrepreneur who is on a journey to learn all she can about how to start and grow a small business. Every week she dives into a new topic with a successful business owner or expert to help her on her entrepreneurial journey. 

We know you have a busy schedule. That's why we started releasing "minisodes" - with valuable insights for growing your small business in just ten minutes. Or for a deeper dive into the stories of our diverse slate of entrepreneurial guests, tune into our regular episodes.

Join us as we dive deep into the aftermath of the competition and catch up with our teams to hear about their experiences and discover what lies ahead. Did any of the participants secure investors or unearth new opportunities? Are they venturing into other competitions for greater financial rewards, or have they decided to take a break from the high-pressure world of pitching? We’ll also reconnect with some familiar faces: Brad Burke, one of the organizers, and Mitra Miller, one of the esteemed judges, to gain exclusive insights into their reflections on this year's competition results. Get ready for a captivating episode filled with exciting updates and valuable perspectives!

In Episode 7 of "This is Small Business: Next Generation," hosts Andrea Marquez and Mitch Gilbert bring you to the thrilling final day of the Rice Business Plan Competition. As anticipation reaches its peak, they reveal the teams that have advanced beyond the semi-finals and emerged as winners. Andrea and Mitch also highlight all the improvements made by each team within this short timeframe and engage in conversations with the teams that won and lost to uncover the invaluable lessons learned and what they plan on doing differently in future pitch competitions. Were they disheartened by the outcome? Relieved that the competition is over? Most importantly, did any of our teams win the grand prize? And remember the 60 second elevator pitches at the start of the competition? – did any of our teams win that? Join Andrea and Mitch as they answer all these questions and offer key takeaways from each team's unique journey and some advice on navigating the challenges of dealing with loss.

In Episode 6 of "This is Small Business: Next Generation," hosts Andrea Marquez and Mitch Gilbert guide you through the first round of eliminations at the Rice Business Plan Competition where the teams compete for a spot in the semi-finals. As the pressure intensifies, each team strives to make significant improvements in order to stand a better chance of winning. They work tirelessly, tweaking their strategies, and refining and honing their pitches to perfection. It's a race against time as they push themselves to the limits. Andrea and Mitch also talk to Dean Peter Rodriguez to uncover some important insights when it comes to pitching at the Rice Business Plan Competition like the importance of navigating stress in an entrepreneur's life, and articulating risks and opportunities in your pitch. By the end of this episode you’ll find out who’ll make it to semi-finals and what’ll happen to the teams that get left behind. Join Andrea and Mitch as they point out all the key takeaways and learnings from our teams that’ll give you a leg up at any pitch competition you try to compete in.