Powerful Business Moves That Generated Millions with CFO Michael Barbarita
Release Date: 08/22/2025
How Small Businesses Can Use Ethical AI to Finally Make Marketing Work With Steven Sakach
Small Business Stories
S5:E33 In this episode of Small Biz Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Stephen Sakach, founder of aiCMO.io, to unpack how small businesses can use AI without losing the human, emotional core of their brand. Stephen has spent years sitting between technology, marketing and leadership — and he’s using that experience to build an “AI CMO” that doesn’t just spit out content, but helps founders think more clearly, act more ethically, and market more effectively. In this conversation, you’ll learn: 00:06:16 – Why more tools isn’t the answer, and how to put boundaries around tech so it...
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Small Business Owners - Why Your Packaging Strategy is Failing You and How to FIX it by Jeremy Bower
Small Business Stories
In this episode S5:E32 of Small Biz Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Jeremy Bower, founder of Givr Packaging, chemical-engineer-turned-eco-entrepreneur, and one of the most refreshingly honest voices in sustainability. Jeremy doesn’t just sell boxes — he rethinks packaging from the ground up. You’ll hear how his background in paper science (yes, they actually award degrees for this specialty science and Jeremy has one) and sustainability led him to start Givr Packaging, why he fights to protect small businesses from predatory packaging minimums, and the surprising truth: most small...
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Leading With Love: How Dr. Roz Builds Stronger Relationships, Better Businesses, and a More Connected World
Small Business Stories
S5:E31 In this radiant and deeply human episode of Small Biz Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Dr. Roz, founder of the Love Revolution and creator of the Debt-Free Degree movement. Together, they unpack how love, intention, and emotional presence can transform not only your relationships — but also your leadership, your business, and your day-to-day life. Dr. Roz shares her philosophy of letting others voluntarily evolve (the real meaning behind Let Them), how to lead with compassion even when life is chaotic, and how entrepreneurs can infuse love into their brand, team, and daily choices. This...
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UNFILTERED - Brandon Willington on DIY Marketing Ads & the LIES That Marketing Agencies Sell You
Small Business Stories
S5:E30 Tired of agencies that overpromise, underdeliver, and burn your cash? Meet Brandon Willington, the straight-talking founder of WHERE U? [https://whereu.com.au/], who teaches small business owners how to generate their own leads—fast. And profitably. All without losing their minds. From humble beginnings as a broke DJ in Perth to spending $4,000+ a day on ads, Brandon has cracked the code on simple, scalable marketing. He calls it “Chadvertising” no fancy funnels, no endless A/B tests, just basic things done well. If you’ve ever been burned by a marketing agency (or a couple of...
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The Truth About Digital Ads: What Google & Meta Aren’t Telling You by Jeff Greenfield
Small Business Stories
S5:E29 In this eye-opening episode of Small Biz Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Jeff Greenfield, serial entrepreneur and CEO of Provalytics, to unpack why most small business owners are tracking the wrong marketing metrics - and what to do instead. With decades of experience in attribution modeling, Jeff reveals why clicks lie, cookies are crumbling, and why you’re probably misjudging your Meta ads. If you've ever wondered why your Google Ads "work" but your Meta ones "don’t," this episode will blow your mind. And flip your funnel. Whether you're spending $500 or $5M a month, Jeff explains...
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Agentic AI for Small Businesses: Jim Weldon on Smart Agents, Meta-Models & Building Real Flywheels
Small Business Stories
S5:E28 If “AI” still feels like magic tricks and missed ROI, this episode will flip the switch. Dr. LL sat down with Jim Weldon (Founder/CEO, Prospect.ai) (one of the sharpest systems thinkers she has ever interviewed) to map a practical path to cash with agentic AI. Here’s what you’ll walk away with: ✴️A meta-model you can explain to your team in 60 seconds so everyone finally understands where AI value lives. ✴️A 2-week innovation cadence you can copy-paste into your org and no enterprise budget required. ✴️The lane strategy for seasoned operators vs. young ideators so...
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Stop Chasing Shiny Objects: Lessons in Focus from Laurie Genevish
Small Business Stories
S5:E27 In this episode of Small Biz Stories, host Dr. Loralyn Mears chats with Laurie Genevish, founder of My Ideal College, who helps teens and entrepreneurs cut through the noise, plan their next chapter, and make confident decisions about their future. From college prep to career pivots, Laurie shares candid lessons on goal-setting, entrepreneurship, and the art of saying no to distractions. Timestamps & Key Takeaways: [5:00] – “No one has the same path.” Laurie explains why comparison is toxic for both teens and entrepreneurs. [8:00] – The planning mindset: How quarterly...
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Google Ads That Actually Work: John Horn Shares Advertising Strategies for Small Businesses to Grow
Small Business Stories
S5:E26 In this punchy, practical episode of Small Biz Stories with Dr. LL, John Horn, CEO of StubGroup (a Google Premier Partner - note that very, very few companies have this distinction and honor!!), breaks down how small businesses can turn Google Ads into reliable profit instead of a money pit. From the Search Terms Report to negative keywords, smart budget math, and review mechanics, John gives you a field guide you can use today. KEY TIMESTAMPS [06:03–07:34] Cut wasted spend fast: Use the Search Terms Report and add negative keywords (e.g., “Dollar Tree” for a tree service) to...
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From CPA to Partner: Emil Abedian on Scaling Law Firms, Niching Down, and Finding Work-Life Balance
Small Business Stories
S5:325 In this episode of Small Business Stories, host Dr. LL sits down with Emil Abedian, CEO of Council CPAs and newly minted author of Council to Council. Emil shares candid lessons from 15+ years in entrepreneurship, scaling from a solo CPA to a trusted partner for law firms nationwide. 🚨 Most entrepreneurs make this $100,000 mistake. They treat their business like a job instead of an investment. My guest on Small Business Stories, Emil Abedian, learned this lesson the hard way — grinding through 80-hour weeks, doing everything for everyone, and nearly burning out. Then he made the...
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Mastering the Mindset Game: Sofia Rozhko on Leading with Purpose & Power
Small Business Stories
S5:E24 In this soul-shifting episode of Small Biz Stories, host Dr. LL sits down with Sofia Rozhko, a powerhouse mindset and visibility coach who helps high-achieving women and visionary entrepreneurs show up as their most authentic selves. With roots in Ukraine and a global impact, Sofia reveals the inner transformation needed to unlock business success from rewriting your self-worth to crafting an aligned personal brand. She shares how she turned years of survival into a thriving practice, and why your energy and mindset (not your tactics) determine your outcomes. If you’ve ever felt...
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In this Small Biz Stories episode, Dr. LL sits down with Michael Barbarita, Jr., a fractional CFO, award-winning speaker, author of Powerful Business Strategies, and serial entrepreneur who's helped generate millions across industries from retail to manufacturing. With over 40 years of financial leadership and firsthand entrepreneurial grit, Michael shares how small business owners can make smarter financial decisions, structure irresistible offers, and unlock hidden value in their companies.
You’ll walk away with tactical advice on:
💰Making compelling offers rooted in financial logic
💰Avoiding rookie money mistakes
💰Scaling sustainably using simply money-making moves to sell more product
💰Building a business that sells itself—with numbers to back it If you’ve ever thought, “I need someone to make sense of my business finances,” this episode is for you.
⏱️ Highlights (Tips & Insights):
“It’s not just about revenue. It’s about value.” Michael explains why adding real business value requires more than top-line growth; it’s about strategic financial infrastructure.
“A compelling offer starts with understanding your costs.” Learn why most business offers fail and how anchoring your offer in margin and value unlocks results.
“Hire a fractional CFO before you think you need one.” The right time to bring in financial help isn’t when you're drowning; it's before the flood. Michael explains when and why.
“Small business owners should stop guessing and start forecasting.” Discover a simple forecasting framework any founder can use to predict cash flow and growth opportunities.
“Financial clarity builds confidence for you and your investors.”
Michael reveals how financial reporting done right can turn uncertainty into investor-ready trust.
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