Koyoti Small Business Podcast

Brief Summary Sometimes the best marketing opportunity is already happening right outside your door. In this off-the-cuff Yips, Pips, and Yaps episode, Thomas reflects on a local Halloween event that brought families into neighbourhood businesses and the missed opportunity for shops that chose not to participate. From nail salons and dry cleaners to pastry shops, restaurants, and retailers, the le...

Summary What started as a simple task to buy replacement plastic bags for a family business became an unexpected lesson in expertise, communication, and customer education. Thomas shares how his lack of industry knowledge made it difficult to compare suppliers and make an informed decision, and how that experience shaped his philosophy on marketing, consulting, and client relationships. The episod...

Summary Many small business owners are experts in their craft but struggle with the financial side of running a business. In this episode, Thomas Wu speaks with CPA, author, financial literacy educator, speaker, and podcast host Marci Grossman about the importance of financial literacy for entrepreneurs. They discuss common money mistakes, the value of seeking expert advice, the relationship betwe...

Summary When business disputes arise, many small business owners instinctively ask, "Can we sue?" In this episode, Thomas shares two real-world experiences involving contract disputes, one with an international joint venture partner and another with a problematic client. Both situations appeared to offer a strong legal case, yet both resulted in the same conclusion: pursuing legal action...

Summary In this Small Business Spotlight episode, Thomas Wu sits down with Marian Bernard, a resume writer and entrepreneur with more than four decades of business experience. Marian shares her journey from growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, launching a secretarial business in 1985, and evolving into one of Canada's most experienced resume writers. Along the way, she discusses resilienc...

Summary LEGO is far more than a toy company. Its success comes from staying true to a simple product while continuously finding new ways to engage its community. Thomas and Jonathan explore how LEGO built a multi-generational brand, recovered from near-bankruptcy by refocusing on its core purpose, and created powerful customer engagement initiatives like LEGO Ideas. The discussion also highlights...

Summary In this thoughtful conversation, Louie Larimer shares lessons from a lifetime spent as a lawyer, CEO, consultant, educator, and author. He reflects on the difficult decision to leave a successful legal career in pursuit of more meaningful work aligned with his values and spirit. Louie explores leadership, wisdom, entrepreneurship, adaptability, and the Hawaiian concept of Aloha as a framew...

Summary In this Small Business Spotlight episode, Thomas Wu sits down with Cody Johnston, better known as The Weird Canadian. Cody shares his journey from feeling like an outsider growing up in Ontario to building a life centred around entrepreneurship, technology, creativity, and community. The conversation explores finding your tribe, leaving a secure career to pursue a more meaningful path, the...

Summary Thomas sits down with attorney and financial advisor Matt Meredith to explore the legal blind spots small business owners face. Matt shares his unconventional path—from pre‑med to advertising to Wall Street trading to wealth management and finally law—and explains how those experiences shaped his holistic, “consigliere‑style” approach to advising entrepreneurs. The conversation covers LLC...

Summary Amy Lenius of Next Level University shares her journey from registered massage therapist to coach, speaker, and personal development mentor. Drawing from her experience overcoming chronic illness and building a career centred on growth and service, Amy explores the difference between self-belief and self-worth, the role of consistency in achieving goals, and how small, intentional actions...

Summary What can a rugged pickup truck teach small business owners about branding? In this episode of Conquering Brand Beasts , Thomas and Jonathan explore the legendary reputation of the Toyota Hilux and its North American cousin, the Tacoma. Rather than focusing on advertising campaigns, they look at how an exceptional product created its own marketing through real-world stories. From surviving...

Summary In this insightful interview, Ron Reich shares his journey from HR to leadership coaching, emphasizing the importance of culture, emotional intelligence, and effective communication in leadership development. Discover practical strategies for fostering organizational culture, managing change, and enhancing leadership skills at all levels. Takeaways Leadership can be learned. Ask more, tell...

Summary Thomas shares a personal story from his early days in a family business that highlights the importance of understanding influence, culture, and communication in small business settings. This episode offers valuable lessons on how small moments can impact relationships and workplace culture. Key Topics Influence and perception in small business The importance of workplace culture and signal...

Summary In this episode, Joel Miller from the Sky Floor shares insights on marketing, branding, and the importance of understanding client needs. Topics include the value of authentic branding, effective website strategies, and leveraging AI tools for business growth. Takeaways ·  Don't hire a marketing agency before clearly defining what success looks like.  ·  Own your domains, hosting acco...

Summary In this episode of Conquering Brand Beasts, we break down how Skittles built one of the most enduring brand campaigns in modern marketing. From the shift to “Taste the Rainbow” to decades of surreal, unexpected advertising, Skittles carved out a distinct identity by leaning into weird, playful, and culturally relevant creative. We explore how consistency, bold differentiation, and a strong...

Summary In this episode, Monica Roca-Quesada shares her journey from criminal justice to accounting, emphasizing the importance of understanding small business finances, leveraging technology, and planning for legacy. Discover how small business owners can decode their financial stories, automate processes, and prepare for future growth. Takeaways Your numbers tell a story. Learn how to read them....

Summary Thomas shares a close call during the 2011 Bangkok floods, where a tightly scheduled business trip nearly left him stranded. Ignoring early warnings, he only recognised the severity after arriving, seeing flood defences and hearing firsthand accounts from locals. He managed to catch the last outbound flight just before conditions worsened, reinforcing lessons about building flexibility, tr...

Summary In this episode, the hosts break down Coca-Cola’s iconic 1971 “Hilltop” campaign and how it transformed the brand from a simple soft drink into a symbol of connection and unity. They explore how the idea came from a real moment of shared experience, how the campaign resonated with a world going through social tension, and how Coca-Cola consistently reinforced this positioning through later...

Summary In this episode of the Koyoti Small Business Podcast, host Thomas interviews business growth strategist Steve Walsh. They discuss the importance of mindset in scaling small businesses, the significance of financial literacy, and the role of marketing in growth. Steve shares his journey from a farm boy to a private equity expert, emphasizing the need for entrepreneurs to overcome fears and...

Summary What happens when a podcast hits 150 episodes and decides to level up? In this Season Five teaser of Conquering Brand Beasts , Thomas and JCC reflect on how far they’ve come and tee up a new direction. Instead of comparing brands, they’ll dive into individual campaigns that reshaped perception, from Jaguar’s bold moves to Skittles’ evolving identity, plus classics like Coca-Cola and even t...

Summary In this episode, Andrew Legrand from Sparrow Law discusses the critical importance of legal counsel for small business owners. He emphasizes that avoiding legal advice can lead to costly mistakes and highlights the benefits of having a fractional general counsel. The conversation covers various aspects of business law, including the necessity of contracts, budgeting for legal services, and...

Synopsis Season Five of the Koyoti Small Business Podcast is officially here. In this short opening episode, host Thomas Wu reflects on the journey so far—over 130 episodes in, a milestone reached by only a small fraction of podcasts—and shares what’s changing in the new season. Thomas walks listeners through a few format tweaks, what’s staying the same, and one meaningful shift in particular: a m...

Summary In this episode of the Koyoti Small Business Podcast, Thomas and Alan Lazaros discuss the critical role of coaching in personal and professional development. Alan shares his journey from a tech background to founding Next Level University, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and the impact of life-changing experiences. They explore the significance of setting clear goals,...

Summary This conversation explores the rise and fall of Blockbuster, examining how it failed to adapt to the changing landscape of movie rentals with the advent of the internet and the innovative model introduced by Netflix. Takeaways Blockbuster was a significant player in the movie rental industry. The internet changed the dynamics of movie rentals. Blockbuster's late fees were a major poin...

Summary In this episode, Vince Quinn discusses the evolution of podcasting, his journey from radio to podcasting, and the importance of strategy and data for small business owners looking to leverage podcasts for growth. He emphasizes the need for a clear business plan, audience engagement, and the role of AI in streamlining processes. Vince also shares insights on when to seek help from productio...