Main Street Makers

Dondre Smith is founder and CEO of Almighty Clothing and a business credit coach at Nav. In this episode, he shares how he scaled his fashion streetwear brand by improving structure and hiring the right support. He breaks down how to outsource, build strong processes, use financing strategically, and create a business that can run without depending on the founder for every task. Disclosure:  Nav T...

In this Mother’s Day Special, we highlight stories from past guests Emma Muntunga, Tanya Patterson, Christine Hodge, Terri Courser, Marty McDonald, and Bethany Bayless, who are building businesses while raising families. They share why they started and what continues to drive them forward. From choosing entrepreneurship to gain more time with their kids to building wealth, flexibility, and purpose...

In this episode, Emma Mutunga shares how she built a residential care home business from scratch with no prior experience, turning her own home into a safe and trusted space for elderly care. She breaks down the realities of starting in a highly regulated industry — from licensing and startup costs to hiring, finances, and getting her first client after six months. This conversation highlights the...

In this episode, Tanya Patterson, owner of Patterson Investments, shares how she transitioned from high tech into real estate and built a thriving business through referrals and word of mouth. She also breaks down different paths in real estate — from sales to property management — and explains how identifying your strengths can help you build a sustainable, profitable business. Disclosure: Nav Te...

Does building a brand ever feel elusive? Learn how to develop one that both reflects your passion and attracts and retains your target audience. In this episode, Bethany Bayless of Wildwind Lane shares her journey of transforming her business through strategic branding and diversification.  Nav Technologies, Inc. (“Nav”) makes no assurances or representations regarding the accuracy or sufficiency...

In this episode, Nav’s CEO and co-founder Levi King shares his extensive small business experience, detailing how he built his first business from scratch and the critical role that business credit played in his success. He discusses the challenges he faced, including navigating business credit issues after acquiring a company with a poor credit history. Learn the importance of adapting to technol...

In this episode, entrepreneur and business coach Terri Couser shares her journey from foster care to successful business owner. She emphasizes the importance of “doing it ugly,” not waiting for perfection, and showing up authentically. Terri's candid insights on the power of testimonials and the significance of choosing the right platform for your business are invaluable for aspiring entrepre...

This episode explores how to build business credit with Damian Younger, a business coach and owner of Coach Damian LLC. Learn about the challenges of building business credit, scaling a business, and the importance of authentic self-presentation in entrepreneurship. Damian shares his journey from struggling with personal credit to mastering business tradelines, offering insights into effective sal...

In this episode, Nate Noorlander, co-founder of The Nomadic Professor, shares his journey from teaching in Beijing to building an innovative edtech platform. Discover how he navigated the challenges of marketing an online business, the importance of delegating tasks, and the value of having a co-founder. Nate's story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance in building a busine...

Join us as we sit down with Edan McPherson, owner of La Paloma Fine Arts , which is known for its behind-the-scenes creation of works like The Chocolate Room at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Edan shares the fascinating journey of transforming a family-run silk screen printing business into a renowned fabrication studio. Discover how the business navigated the challenges of scaling up,...

Learn about the power of net-30 terms with Norman Rosson and Bianca Monroe from Branded Apparel Club . Norman and Bianca share how offering net-30 terms has helped their members grow, and offer practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to leverage net-30 accounts to enhance their operations. Plus, they’re offering an exclusive Branded Apparel Club discount code for our listeners: Use code nav10 a...

Learn how to build wealth and use financing strategically as a small business owner with Nimaj Driscoll, a Nav business credit coach and owner of Driscoll Family Insurance and Wealth Solutions . Nimaj delves into the intricacies of business credit, offering strategic advice on how entrepreneurs can leverage credit to build wealth and manage risk. Discover the essential steps to establishing busine...

Learn from Katelynn Chase the challenges of launching and managing a chiropractic business, including financing issues, navigating small business loans, and the importance of financial planning. Katelynn shares the difficulties of securing loans without active income and the necessity of having a solid business plan — as well as her inspirational experience transitioning from Florida to Alaska to...

Listen to the inspiring journey of Yolanda McCray, owner of Skyler M Style & Wellness , as she details starting a fashion and lifestyle boutique as a side business. She highlights how she prioritizes business credit today to be ready for future growth. Also, she discusses creating a business model focused on a passion for crafting, her sales strategies and challenges, as well as the importance...

In this eye-opening episode, credit expert Gerri Detweiler offers lessons from when her personal and business identities were stolen simultaneously. Discover the financial (and emotional) impacts of having one's identity stolen — as well as practical identity theft protection tips. Plus, learn how personal credit can affect your business, why business credit matters, and steps you can start t...

In this episode, Dale and Kat of Kitty Badhands discuss their journey as small business owners in the e-commerce retail space, focusing on their holiday planning and cash flow strategies. They share insights on avoiding overproduction, navigating inventory management, and the importance of planning ahead — for Small Business Saturday all the way through the holiday season. Nav Technologies, Inc. (...

In this episode, Emily Millheim of Emily Marie Glass explains how she works full time and runs a thriving glass-blowing business. Discover practical tips for managing time, making your health a top priority, and leveraging skills from one career to enhance the other. Whether you're considering starting a side hustle or already juggling multiple roles, this episode offers inspiration and guida...

Listen as Vincent Latteri, founder of Hito Pak and Pak Hope , shares how a life-changing experience abroad sparked his mission to serve the unhoused community. He talks about lessons learned from running multiple businesses, staying proactive when challenges come fast, and why he believes people — not profits — are a small business’s greatest asset. Nav Technologies, Inc. (“Nav”) makes no assuranc...

In this episode, the owner of BCK Ranch, Ryan Lockwood, shares how a family health crisis sparked the launch of their thriving family-owned-and-operated microgreens business. Ryan opens up about bootstrapping startup costs, building business credit with Nav, and expanding — despite big bank rejections. He shares real insights into juggling personal savings and reinvesting profits to fuel aggressiv...

In this episode, seasoned entrepreneur Cassandra Outlaw shares her journey through various business ventures, including farming, real estate, and a restaurant. Cassandra discusses the importance of overcoming fear, building a supportive network, and understanding business credit. Learn valuable insights on using net-30 accounts to build credit and help establish legitimacy. — Nav Technologies, Inc...

Listen as Tammy Valentine, owner of LuckyTamm Marketing Group , shares her journey to build a successful marketing agency from what was originally a side hustle. Tammy emphasizes the need to delegate as a business grows, and how important it is for her to be the opposite of a micromanager. Additionally, she touches on the common traits of successful small businesses she interacts with — ending wit...

In this conversation, we talk with successful entrepreneur, Yizreel Tate, who owns several businesses, including a transportation company. Yizreel shares insights on how he scaled his business from one party bus to over 100 vehicles in just a few years, emphasizing the role of community support and the need for proper organization and resources for aspiring entrepreneurs. He also provides valuable...

In this conversation, we talk with Chad Huber, former entrepreneur and current product manager at Nav who led the development of the Nav Prime Card. Chad emphasizes how his small business days taught him the importance of understanding customer needs and building relationships as core components of business success. He also discusses how providing value and differentiation can lead to a thriving b...

In this episode, we talk with Kathleen Lauer, the owner of Inspire Salon, about the challenges and successes in running a small business in the beauty industry. Kathleen shares her initial fears about stepping away from directly cutting hair and into a pure leadership role — but that it became the catalyst pushing her business into growth mode. Nav Technologies, Inc. (“Nav”) makes no assurances or...

In this engaging conversation, Marty McDonald shares her bold entrepreneurial journey. Learn how one cold email to Target got her placed in over 400 stores. She discusses business challenges faced by entrepreneurs, particularly women of color, while also emphasizing the importance of community building, mindset, and self-advocacy. Nav Technologies, Inc. (“Nav”) makes no assurances or representatio...