The Small Business School Podcast

Welcome back to another episode of Business Builders. If you’re the one holding up progress in your business because everything runs through you —this episode is for you. We’re diving into why leadership isn’t just a CEO thing (surprise: it’s a team sport!) and how to build leadership at every level of your business—without needing fancy titles or expensive hires. Key topics covered: Why true free...

Hi friend, welcome back to Small Business School ! This week, we're getting real about relationships and how they shape your success in business. Today, I’m joined by relationship and behavioral science expert Katarina Polonska, and together we are going to explore why your most personal dynamics—romantic or business—impact everything from how you lead to how you grow. Key topics covered: Wha...

In this episode of Business Builders, we’re taking the fear out of forecasting. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not good at math, I can’t do this” —this one’s for you. Staci breaks down how to create a realistic three-month revenue forecast using what you already know about your business, without spreadsheets that make your head spin. Key topics covered: Why forecasting isn’t about being perfect—it’s...

In this super tactical episode of Small Business School , I’m joined by the brilliant Madi Beumee, an expert in all things ManyChat and organic growth strategy. If you’ve ever wondered how to get more out of your social media content without burning out or spending hours in your DMs—this one’s for you. We’re breaking down how to use automation with heart, boost engagement, and turn followers into...

Hey friend, welcome back to Business Builders ! In today’s episode, I’m diving into a growth strategy that’s often overlooked—but absolutely essential: capacity planning. We all crave business growth, but here's the truth… chasing sales without checking if we can actually handle the growth can lead to burnout, bottlenecks, and breakdowns. So let’s talk about how to grow well , not just fast ....

In this episode, I’m joined by author and financial educator Donny Mangos, and we go deep into the money conversation—one we know a lot of people are avoiding. We talk about what wealth really means, why the system feels so broken (hint: it kind of is), and what you can actually do about it. If you’ve ever felt like you're working hard and still falling behind, this conversation is a game-cha...

Hey friend, welcome back to Business Builders ! Change is inevitable in business—but how you lead your team through it? That’s what makes or breaks trust, momentum, and long-term growth. In this episode, I’m sharing how to navigate those smaller (but often tricky) changes in your business—like new systems, structure shifts, or new offers—without catching your team off guard or creating resistance....

If you’ve ever thought, “Why is my body not responding the way it used to?” —this episode is for you. I’m joined by the amazing Kerri Hallman, a fitness specialist helping women over 40 decode what’s going on with their hormones, energy, and weight. We’re talking about what really changes as we age, why performance feels harder (even when you’re doing “all the right things”), and how functional te...

Hey friend, welcome back to Business Builders ! Let’s be real—performance reviews have a bit of a bad reputation. But they don’t have to be cold, corporate, or anxiety-inducing. In this episode, I’m sharing how to make performance reviews feel human, helpful, and actually effective (even if your team is small or remote). Whether you’ve been avoiding reviews or just want a better way to connect wit...

In this episode, I’m joined by the amazing Kristan Strate from Synergy HR—and trust me, she’s about to change how you see HR forever. We’re talking all about how HR should work for small and medium-sized businesses, how to build a strong team without breaking the bank, and what it means to “right-size” your business. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by hiring, unsure about onboarding, or stuck in a...

Hey friend, welcome back to Business Builders ! Today, I’m diving into one of the most overlooked (but crazy important ) pieces of running a small business: culture . I’m sharing what I’ve learned from years of building and rebuilding teams—because here’s the thing— every business has a culture. The real question is: are you shaping it with purpose, or letting it form on its own? I’ll walk you thr...

What if joy wasn’t just a feeling you stumbled on—but a strategy you practiced daily? In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Jillian Schecher: Joy Mentor, educator, podcast host, and creator of The Joy Method. We talk about redefining success, what it really means to lead with joy (especially as a small business owner), and how to cultivate abundance and alignment—without the burnout. If yo...

Hey friend, welcome back to Business Builders ! Let’s talk about something that every business owner hits at some point—becoming the bottleneck in your own business. Today, I’m walking you through exactly why that happens, how to know it’s not a flaw (just a sign that roles need clarity), and how to fix it with simple steps.  Key topics covered: Why lack of role clarity—not just systems—is what’s...

In this episode of Small Business School , I chat with the hilarious and insightful Jill Pavlov — a comedian, copywriter, and queen of clear, connection-driven messaging. Jill shares how her background in theater and radio led her to the world of copywriting, and how she now helps brands use their words to truly resonate with their audience. From storytelling that sticks to copy strategies that co...

In this week’s episode of Small Business School , we’re switching gears and leaning into the mindset and spiritual side of entrepreneurship. I’m joined by the beautiful soul Renee Walker, founder of Renee Walker Wellness and host of the Spiritually Wired podcast. Together, we chat about the inner work that truly supports business growth—from mindset blocks to money beliefs and how reconnecting to...

Welcome back to Small Business School ! In this week’s episode of the Business Builder series, we’re tackling something most entrepreneurs know they should be doing… but often avoid: building systems and procedures in your business (aka SOPs). But don’t worry—this isn’t about creating a stuffy, never-used operations manual. I’m walking you through how to build simple, repeatable systems that actua...

Today I’m chatting with the incredible Jana Boyko, co-creator of The Bedside Business Plan —a guided journal that’s helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs rethink how they approach starting and growing a business. We talk about the power of combining strategy with mindfulness, how entrepreneurship is as much a personal growth journey as a professional one, and why you should always begin your business j...

Ever feel like your business would fall apart if you stepped away for even a day? Whether you dream of selling your business someday or just want the freedom to take a real vacation, this episode is for you. I'm diving into the mindset shifts and practical systems that will help you build a business that doesn’t rely solely on you to keep it afloat. This concept was a total game changer for m...

Welcome back to Small Business School! This episode is packed with wisdom, warmth, and real talk. I sat down with Marissa Teeter—executive coach, wealth advisor, podcaster, and community champion—to explore what it really means to lead yourself, your business, and your team in today’s uncertain world. From money mindset to walk-and-talk leadership to the magic of giving back, Marissa brings insigh...

Hiring can feel like a total minefield, right? In this episode of the Business Builder series, I’m diving into one of the biggest decisions a small business owner can make: who to hire next and how to make sure it’s a smart move—not just an emotional one. If you’re feeling stretched too thin, overwhelmed, or unsure how to grow your team, I’ve got you. I’ll walk you through how to decide if it’s ti...

Ever wonder what it really takes to build a successful product-based business? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Christine Manning—Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) founder, consultant, and mindset coach—who built a thriving food brand from scratch, scaled it into major retailers, and eventually sold the business. She shares the messy middle, mindset shifts, and what most makers get wrong when gro...

Hey friends, welcome back to another episode of the Business Builder series on Small Business School ! This week, I’m talking all about what happens when your business starts growing fast—and things start feeling a little... stretched. If you've ever worried about how to keep up with client demand without letting quality slip, this episode is for you. Whether you're selling products or s...

If Instagram has you overwhelmed, exhausted, or wondering why your content isn’t converting, this episode is your breath of fresh air. I’m joined by Nadalie Bardo, aka Your Pin Coach , who’s here to show us why Pinterest is the most overlooked but high-potential platform for small business owners. We talk organic growth, content strategy, what works (and what to avoid), and how Pinterest can final...

Hey friend, welcome back to Business Builders ! If talking about pricing gives you that “ugh, not again” feeling—this one’s for you. In today’s episode, I’m tackling the tricky topic of pricing, why so many of us avoid it, and how to finally do something about it. I’m not here to tell you to raise your rates just for the sake of it—but I am here to help you check in with yourself and your business...

We made it to 300 episodes! In this milestone solo episode, I’m reflecting on the unexpected journey of starting a podcast (shoutout to Kristina Bartold from The Social Snippet!), and all the little lessons that have shaped me along the way. From CEO mindset shifts to the value of real human connection, I’m sharing a mash-up of the thoughts I’ve been posting on social lately—because the response t...