Small Business Survival Conversations

Send us Fan Mail She had no money. No power. No influence with the farmer. Just a web — and she used it to save a life. In this week's Monday Morning Motivation, we're going back to a barn most of us know from childhood — Charlotte's Web — but looking at it through a business owner's eyes. What starts as a story about a spider and a pig turns into a masterclass on branding, men...

Send us Fan Mail What do a poor woodcutter from an ancient folktale and the founder of one of the world's most powerful companies have in common? More than you think. This Monday, Anna Steinfest takes you on a journey from the caves of Ali Baba to the global headquarters of Alibaba — and reveals the one truth that connects them both: the door only opens for those who keep searching. In this e...

Send us Fan Mail He wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. And for a moment, it felt like the greatest blessing any king could ask for — until he sat down for a meal and realized his gift had become a prison. This week on Small Business Survival Conversations, Anna Steinfest revisits the 2,500-year-old story of King Midas — but not the version you've heard before. This isn&apos...

Send us Fan Mail YouTube description Burn the boats: the Sun Tzu strategy every entrepreneur needs to hear In 1519, Hernán Cortés ordered his own ships destroyed on the shores of Mexico — removing any possibility of retreat for his men. Centuries earlier, Sun Tzu described a similar moment: a leader who climbs to a height, then kicks away the ladder behind him. In this episode, Anna Steinfest unpa...

Send us Fan Mail Why do so many small business owners quit—not because they lack talent, passion, or vision, but because the mountain in front of them feels too big to climb? In this inspiring Monday Morning Motivation episode of Small Business Survival Conversations , Anna Steinfest explores a powerful 2,000-year-old lesson from Confucius: “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away sma...

Send us Fan Mail What separates businesses that survive from those that truly grow? In this powerful episode of Small Business Survival Conversations, Anna Steinfest sits down with executive coach and leadership expert Ken Dombrowski to discuss the three core principles behind every successful business. Together, they break down: Why mentorship can accelerate business growth The importance of foll...

Send us Fan Mail Most businesses don’t fail because of competition. They fail because business owners lose confidence in themselves before they ever reach their full potential. In this powerful episode of Small Business Survival Conversations, Anna Steinfest sits down with leadership coach and business strategist Ken Dombrowski from Your Executive Life Coaching to discuss one of the biggest hidden...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or burned out trying to grow your business? In this powerful Monday Morning Motivation episode, Anna Steinfest shares an important reminder for entrepreneurs and small business owners: resting is not quitting. We live in a world that glorifies nonstop hustle, constant grinding, and pushing harder every day — but what happens when exhaustion starts s...

Send us Fan Mail Most small business owners feel like they are fighting impossible battles. Outnumbered. Outspent. Overwhelmed. But what if the answer is not competing everywhere? What if the answer is protecting the one place where your business is strongest? In this Monday Morning Motivation episode of Small Business Survival Conversations , Anna Steinfest shares the powerful story of King Leoni...

Send us Fan Mail Are you feeling behind in your business? In this powerful Monday Morning Motivation episode of Small Business Survival Conversations , we break down a historic moment from the Kentucky Derby—where Cherie DeVaux led Golden Tempo from last place to victory—and what it teaches every small business owner about timing, persistence, and winning when it matters most. This episode is for...

Send us Fan Mail  You are not behind. You are not broken. You are playing a different hand. This episode is a straight-talking, honest conversation about comparison, fairness, and what it actually takes to build something real when the odds aren't in your favor. One action step at the end that you can do before Friday. 

Send us Fan Mail  Start your week with clarity and intention in this Monday Morning Motivation episode of Small Business Survival Conversations . Host Anna Steinfest breaks down the powerful “5 Whys Method,” originally developed by Toyota founder Sakichi Toyoda, and shows small business owners how to uncover the real root causes behind stalled growth, inconsistent marketing, and feeling stuck. If...

Send us Fan Mail Nothing Is Working? Think Again. | Monday Morning Motivation In this Monday Morning Motivation episode of Small Business Survival Conversations , we explore the powerful story of the bamboo tree —a simple but life-changing reminder that real growth often happens beneath the surface. If your business feels stuck, slow, or like nothing is working… this episode is for you. Because wh...

Send us Fan Mail In this Monday Morning Motivation episode of Small Business Survival Conversations , we dive into the classic story of The Golden Goose —and what it teaches us about business growth, consistency, and smart decision-making. Too often, small business owners chase new ideas, push too hard, or try to scale too fast… and end up hurting the very thing that was working. In this episode,...

Send us Fan Mail  Feeling like a deal falling through is the end of the world? Discover the "Maybe So, Maybe Not" philosophy and learn why the strongest founders stay steady when things don't make sense. 

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to pivot as a small business owner when everything feels uncertain? In this powerful episode of Small Business Survival Conversations , we sit down with Ken Dobrowski , founder of Your Executive Life Coaching , to unpack the mindset shifts required to not just survive—but grow—through challenges. Ken shares his personal journey of pivoting in business and...

Send us Fan Mail  When challenges hit your business, how do you keep going? In this episode of the Small Business Survival Conversation Podcast, we share Monday morning motivation for small business owners through a powerful story about staying steady in difficult seasons. You’ll also hear practical action steps for the week and learn about our free workshops designed to help small businesses use...

Send us Fan Mail What if the story of Jack and the Beanstalk was actually a blueprint for building and scaling a small business? In this Monday Morning Motivation episode of the Small Business Survival Conversations Podcast , we break down the classic fairytale and uncover powerful lessons about entrepreneurship, risk, growth, and outsmarting bigger competitors . Most people remember Jack as a kid...

Send us Fan Mail Monday morning is for architects, not just dreamers. If you’ve been feeling like you're working harder but your business still feels "flimsy," this episode is for you. We’re converting a childhood story into a masterclass on Small Business Resilience. Inside this episode: The Reality of the "Big Bad Wolf" in 2026. Why "Brick Season" feels exhaust...

Send us Fan Mail In this Monday Morning Motivation episode, Anna shares a powerful fable about a young boy, three wishes, and the hidden test that most leaders never realize they are taking. At first, the wishes seem simple: health, financial security, stability. But the third wish reveals something deeper — a shift from self-interest to service. And that shift changes everything. If you’re a smal...

Send us Fan Mail In this Monday Morning Motivation episode of Small Business Survival Conversations , we explore The Tao of Success — the true path to building a sustainable and resilient small business. But what does “Tao” mean? Simply put, it means “the way.” And the real way to success isn’t flashy marketing, overnight growth, or natural talent. It’s patience, persistence, and steady improvemen...

Send us Fan Mail What if your next big business breakthrough is hiding inside a small frustration? In this Monday Morning Motivation episode of Small Business Survival Conversations , we dive into the inspiring story of Sara Blakely , founder of Spanx, who started her billion-dollar company with just $5,000 and a simple idea — cutting the feet off her pantyhose to solve a common wardrobe problem....

Send us Fan Mail In this Monday Morning Motivation episode of the Small Business Survival Conversations Podcast , host Anna Steinfest shares a powerful business lesson inspired by the Grimm fairy tale The Straw, the Coal, and the Bean . This story may sound simple, but it delivers a critical message for small business owners: surviving a crisis is not the same as being safe from the next one . Man...

Send us Fan Mail In this Monday Morning Motivation episode of the Small Business Survival Conversations Podcast , host Anna Steinfest shares a powerful lesson inspired by the folktale The Bamboo Turtle — a story that reminds small business owners why strength, patience, and sustainability matter more than speed. In a world that celebrates rapid growth and overnight success, many entrepreneurs feel...

Send us Fan Mail In this Monday Morning Motivation episode of the Small Business Survival Conversations Podcast , host Anna Steinfest shares a powerful business lesson from the classic Grimm fairy tale The Hedgehog and the Hare —a story that proves speed alone doesn’t guarantee success. For small business owners, the pressure to move faster, grow quicker, and keep up with competitors can lead to b...