The SmallBizChat Podcast

In this episode, Melinda Emerson introduces a special series spotlighting historical entrepreneurs, focusing on James Forten. The discussion highlights Forten’s early life and challenges, his significant role in the American Revolution, and his innovative contributions to sail making. Melinda delves into Forten’s acquisition of the sail loft and his approach to building a skilled workf...

In this episode, Melinda Emerson delves into a special series spotlighting notable entrepreneurs, with a focus on Ben Franklin as America’s first mega entrepreneur. The discussion covers Franklin’s early life, self-learning, and his move to Philadelphia, highlighting his printing career and the acquisition of the Pennsylvania Gazette. Melinda explores the creation and impact of Poor Ri...

In this episode, Melinda Emerson is joined by Terry James, who shares his entrepreneurial journey and insights on the impact of social media on loneliness and consumer behavior. Terry provides an overview of his ventures, OffLeashed and Nibble and Wag, emphasizing the importance of listening to customers. The discussion explores the distinction between building an audience and fostering a communit...

In this episode, Melinda Emerson kicks off the rapid-fire session where guests share their favorite podcast, app, marketing tip, and business book. Michelle Snow , CEO of Grow With Snow, The Coach Making Connections, is a business coach who helps entrepreneurs and organizations with tailored strategies and visionary insights. She specializes in professional development and outreach, helping client...

In this episode, Melinda Emerson is joined by Malcolm Reed Sr. to explore his journey into business coaching and the common challenges faced by coaches. They discuss the critical role of building robust business systems and the importance of establishing a solid business infrastructure. Malcolm shares insights on the risks of positioning oneself as a guru and offers strategies for building trust a...

In this episode, Melinda Emerson is joined by Michelle Snow to explore the transition from business owner to CEO, highlighting key differences and necessary mindset shifts. They discuss the importance of delegation, training, and effective business operations, along with systems and tools for scalability. The conversation delves into the role of integrity and accountability in leadership, the sign...

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Andrea Palacio to share her journey of purchasing and transforming a business. Andrea discusses the challenges and red flags she encountered post-acquisition and the lessons learned from early struggles. She details her efforts in rebuilding the team and revising the business strategy, including the implementation of AI automation. Andrea updates on the bu...

In this episode, Melinda Emerson introduces the format and encourages listeners to subscribe. The discussion features a panel where Melinda, along with Sharif Small, Milton Hunt, and Lorraine Marchand, share their favorite business podcasts, apps, and marketing tips. They also highlight some of the best business books that have influenced their entrepreneurial journeys. Milton Hunt is an HR expert...

In this episode, Melinda Emerson is joined by Lorraine Marchand to discuss overcoming fear in business, inspired by Lorraine’s book. They address the fear of failure in innovation and Lorraine shares her personal experiences with fear in business. The conversation explores the concept and benefits of fearlessness in decision-making and how fear can impact business strategies. Lorraine introd...

In this episode, Melinda Emerson explores the intricacies of selling a business, starting with the impact of positive reviews and word of mouth. She discusses the importance of mergers and acquisitions in building a lasting enterprise and outlines crucial questions to ask before selling. Melinda emphasizes the need for a well-planned exit timeline and setting financial goals. She delves into sale...