Small Business Stories

Welcome to Small Business Stories, the podcast that serves up a feast of real-life stories from small business owners who are bravely navigating the entrepreneurial landscape! I’m your host, Loralyn Mears, PhD (better known as "Dr. LL") a seasoned pro with a colorful career that includes three stints as a Fortune 100 executive and several startup adventures, including a couple of my own. In each episode, we dive into the inspiring journeys of small business owners, sharing their triumphs, challenges, and the hard-won lessons they've learned along the way. Expect relatable anecdotes and actionable tips that will ignite your entrepreneurial spirit, whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your business. Join us for candid conversations where we keep it real. No filters here! Being an entrepreneur isn't a walk in the park, but it's a wild ride worth taking. Tune in and get ready to be inspired by the heart and hustle of fellow entrepreneurs just like you. Let’s dig in together and celebrate the journey of small business ownership!

How to Increase Amazon Sales Without Spending More on Ads With Carolyn Lowe 05/08/2026

How to Increase Amazon Sales Without Spending More on Ads With Carolyn Lowe S6:E46 More entrepreneurs are investing in ads, automation, and AI-generated content, yet many are still struggling to convert customers. In this episode of Small Business Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Carolyn Lowe, founder of ROI Swift, to explore what actually drives profitable growth on Amazon and why relevance now matters more than visibility alone. If people don’t trust you, they hesitate. If they don’t understand your value quickly, they move on. And if your messaging is generic, AI-driven systems may quietly deprioritize your brand altogether. Carolyn shares practical insights from managing more than 200 Amazon brands, including how businesses misuse advertising, where AI genuinely helps, and why human connection still matters in a highly automated environment. 👤 Guest Carolyn Lowe Founder of ROI Swift Expert in Amazon sales optimization, e-commerce strategy, and AI-assisted retail growth ⚠️ Core Problems Brands overspending on traffic instead of improving conversion AI-generated outreach damaging trust and engagement Businesses failing to configure Amazon systems correctly for growth 🥡 Practical Takeaways How to identify whether you have a traffic problem or a conversion problem Why imagery and positioning influence buying behavior more than keywords alone How Amazon’s AI tools can level the playing field for smaller businesses ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 The evolution of e-commerce and Amazon 08:00 Personalized search and behavioral targeting 13:00 Human connection in an AI-heavy world 18:00 Why product pages matter more than ad spend 29:00 The hidden power of Amazon B2B 🔖 Who This Episode Is For Entrepreneurs, Amazon sellers, marketers, and small business owners navigating AI-enabled commerce. Invisible brands don’t make money. Misinterpreted brands lose trust even faster. STEERus helps organizations reduce misinterpretation risk so customers, partners, and AI systems understand them correctly. Subscribe, share, and follow Small Business Stories for grounded conversations about entrepreneurship, visibility, and growth in 2026. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #podcast #amazon #amazonseller #amazonFBA #ecommerce /episode/index/show/gritdaily/id/41218605

When YOU the Entrepreneur Become THE BOTTLENECK with James Brown 05/06/2026

When YOU the Entrepreneur Become THE BOTTLENECK with James Brown S6:E45 What happens when a business grows faster than its structure, messaging, or leadership capacity? In this episode of Small Business Stories, Dr. LL sits down with James Brown, founder of Business Accelerator Institute and Perseverance Squared, to discuss why so many entrepreneurs become trapped inside businesses they worked hard to build. If people don’t trust what they’re seeing, they hesitate. If the market cannot clearly categorize your value, visibility declines. And in the AI-search era, operational confusion increasingly becomes a credibility problem. James Brown brings decades of experience in business growth, strategic management, marketing systems, and leadership development. After building and scaling multiple companies himself, he has helped hundreds of business owners create more sustainable operations and clearer growth strategies. Together, Dr. LL and James explore the operational and visibility consequences of founder overload, inconsistent marketing, unclear positioning, and businesses built entirely around personal sacrifice. We're open and honest about it because we've both been there - and got the t-shirt. ⚠️ Core Problems Discussed • Why many entrepreneurs become operational bottlenecks • The hidden costs of inconsistent marketing strategy • How unclear business identity weakens market trust 🥡 Practical Takeaways • Build systems that reduce dependency on founder availability • Tie marketing activity to measurable business intent • Create operational clarity before scaling visibility ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 The hidden cost of founder dependency 07:12 Why most marketing feels disconnected 14:25 Building repeatable business systems 22:41 Visibility breakdowns in growing companies 31:08 Redefining sustainable entrepreneurship 🔖 Who This Episode Is For Founders, operators, consultants, professional service firms, and growth-stage entrepreneurs navigating scale, visibility, and leadership pressure. At STEERus, conversations like these continue revealing how signal clarity, operational trust, and decision integrity increasingly shape business visibility. Subscribe, share, and follow Small Business Stories for grounded conversations with leaders navigating modern entrepreneurship. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #podcast #burnout /episode/index/show/gritdaily/id/41171990

Why Your Marketing Isn’t Converting Leads into Customers with Amber Gaige Farrell 05/03/2026

Structure, Scale & the Hidden Cost of Growth with Brian Mattocks 05/02/2026

Structure, Scale & the Hidden Cost of Growth with Brian Mattocks S6:E43 Growth is often treated as proof that everything is working. But internally, it can signal the opposite. And growth can BREAK you and your business. Many businesses expand faster than their systems can support. What once felt agile becomes chaotic. Decisions stall. Teams drift. And over time, the business becomes harder to run, even as it looks more successful from the outside. If people don’t understand how your business works, they can’t support it. If your systems don’t scale, your growth becomes fragile. If your signal is unclear, both the market and AI will miscategorize you. Brian Mattocks joins Dr. LL to unpack what actually breaks inside growing organizations—and how leaders can restore clarity, alignment, and execution discipline. 👤 Guest Brian Mattocks Expert in operational systems, scaling businesses, and organizational alignment ⚠️ Core Problems Operational breakdown during growth Lack of clarity in roles and accountability Reactive leadership cycles Misalignment between strategy and execution 🥡 Practical Takeaways Design systems intentionally, not reactively Clarify ownership across teams Align structure with growth stage Build operational discipline early ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 Growth vs. stability tension 6:45 Why systems fail 15:20 Role clarity gaps 24:10 Designing scalable operations 35:30 Founder priorities 🔖 Who This Episode Is For Scaling founders, operators, leadership teams, consultants Clarity in structure creates clarity in signal. That’s where sustainable growth begins—inside and out. Presented by STEERus. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: #business #businessstips #entrepreneur #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #businessgrowth /episode/index/show/gritdaily/id/41127605

How to Get Podcast Leads Without Paid Ads With Tom Schwab of Interview Valet 04/24/2026

Small Business Growth Without Guardrails: Hiring, Risk & Profitability with Michelle Griffin 04/22/2026

How to Run a Small Business Better With Less Chaos Featuring Dan Norcross 04/18/2026

How to Build Trust as an Entrepreneur When No One Knows You With Kira Shishkin 04/12/2026

How to Get a Business Loan (When Banks Say No) with Kumal Bhasin 04/10/2026

Ownership, Fit & The Discipline of Franchising with Giuseppe Grammatico 04/09/2026

Ownership, Fit & The Discipline of Franchising with Giuseppe Grammatico S6:E37 Franchising is often misunderstood. Many assume it’s "passive income" that prints cash in the backyard. NOTHING is really passive! Especially not at first. Others think franchising is low-risk, or limited to fast food. In reality, it requires discipline, self-awareness, and the ability to follow systems. This is something many entrepreneurs resist. Giuseppe Grammatico breaks down what actually determines success, and why most people are evaluating the wrong things from the start. In this episode, Dr. LL sits down with Giuseppe Grammatico to unpack what franchising actually requires—and why so many people approach it with the wrong expectations. If people don’t trust your consistency, they hesitate. If your decisions aren’t grounded in reality, they stall. If your role isn’t clear, execution breaks down. Giuseppe brings a practical lens to business ownership; one that challenges the idea of passive income and reinforces the importance of fit, structure, and long-term thinking. Guest Giuseppe Grammatico Franchise consultant and founder of The Franchise Guide Core Problems Treating franchising as passive income Choosing based on trends, not alignment Lack of clarity around role and expectations Ignoring process and system discipline Practical Takeaways Ownership requires alignment between skill set and business model Systems only work if they are followed Franchising reduces risk—but doesn’t remove effort Clear expectations prevent early failure Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 03:00 The myth of franchising 08:00 Fit vs opportunity 14:00 Red flags in franchise selection 21:00 The reality of ownership 27:00 When things don’t work Who This Episode Is For Individuals considering franchising or business ownership and seeking a more grounded understanding of what it actually takes. This episode reinforces a core principle behind the STEERus™ Decision Integrity System: Better decisions come from alignment—not urgency. Subscribe and share if this resonates. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: #franchise #entrepreneur #smallbusiness /episode/index/show/gritdaily/id/40784385

How to Grow Your Small Business Without Burning Out: The Cost of Overextending Yourself with Jessica Volker 04/07/2026

How to Grow Your Small Business Without Burning Out: The Cost of Overextending Yourself with Jessica Volker S6:E36 Many founders don't talk about this - but we do. Burnout doesn’t happen all at once. It builds through small, misaligned decisions over time. In this episode, Dr. LL sits down with Jessica Volker to explore what sustainable growth actually requires and why so many entrepreneurs unintentionally build businesses that drain them. If people don’t trust your consistency, they hesitate. If your priorities aren’t clear, your execution suffers. If you’re doing everything, nothing compounds because you and your signal are spread too thin. Jessica brings a grounded perspective on prioritization, energy, and the discipline required to build something that lasts. Guest Jessica Volker Entrepreneur and business strategist Core Problems Overextension disguised as ambition Lack of prioritization in growth decisions Building systems that are unsustainable long-term Confusing activity with meaningful progress Practical Takeaways Focus is a strategic advantage, not a limitation Sustainable growth requires intentional boundaries Decision clarity reduces unnecessary effort Long-term success is built through consistency, not intensity Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to Small Business Stories 03:00 Burnout and entrepreneurship 08:00 Why more isn’t better 12:00 The role of prioritization 18:00 Sustainable growth mindset 24:00 Long-term success Who This Episode Is For Founders and leaders who want to grow their business without sacrificing clarity, health, or long-term viability. This episode reinforces a core principle behind the STEERus™ Decision Integrity System: When decisions lack clarity, effort increases but results don’t. And we want to change that for you, just like we changed it for ourselves! Subscribe and share if this resonates. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #Burnout #wellness /episode/index/show/gritdaily/id/40756085

Building a Business Without a Blueprint: Niche Entrepreneurship and Resilience with Nicholas Breedlove 04/06/2026

Building a Business Without a Blueprint: Niche Entrepreneurship and Resilience with Nicholas Breedlove S6:E35 Some of the strongest businesses are built without a clear path. In this episode, Dr. LL sits down with Nicholas Breedlove, CEO of NVB Playgrounds, to explore what it really takes to build and scale a business in a niche industry without prior experience, without a playbook, and without external validation. If people don’t trust your capability, they hesitate. If your positioning isn’t clear, they overlook you. If you wait for credentials, you delay momentum. Nicholas shares his journey into the playground industry and how he built a widly successful company focused on safe, inclusive, and community-driven spaces. His experience reflects a broader entrepreneurial truth: many founders start without a roadmap, but succeed by staying focused, resilient, and aligned with real market needs. Guest Nicholas Breedlove CEO, NVB Playgrounds Core Problems Waiting for experience or validation before starting Misunderstanding the realities of niche industries Struggling to scale without overextending resources Building without a clear framework or guidance Practical Takeaways Action builds credibility faster than credentials Specialization creates opportunity in overlooked markets Resilience is a requirement, not a trait Community impact can be a competitive advantage Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to Small Business Stories 02:00 Entering a new industry without experience 06:00 Niche business realities 11:00 Scaling challenges 17:00 Leadership and culture 23:00 The power of purpose Who This Episode Is For Entrepreneurs building in unfamiliar spaces and leaders navigating uncertainty without a clear roadmap. Invisible businesses don’t make money -- but neither do businesses waiting to feel “ready.” ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #Startups /episode/index/show/gritdaily/id/40744630

Visibility, Authenticity & The Reality of Building a Brand Through Photography with Olga Mischenko 04/04/2026

Meaning, Leadership & The Cost of Silence with Renowned Executive Coach Ash Seddeek 04/01/2026

Discipline, Specialization, and the Long Road to Wealth via Real Estate with Jose Berlanga 03/31/2026

Discipline, Specialization, and the Long Road to Wealth via Real Estate with Jose Berlanga Some businesses attract more fantasy than fundamentals. Real estate is one of them. In this episode, Dr. LL talks with Jose Berlanga, CEO of Onyx Land Partners and author of Dirt Rich, about what actually separates durable success from aspirational noise in land development, home building, and entrepreneurship. If people don’t trust your judgment, they won’t invest with you. If you don’t understand the market, you will mistake motion for traction. If you build from ego instead of demand, the market eventually corrects you. Jose brings a sobering, practical perspective shaped by decades in Houston real estate. He explains why steadier end-user markets can outperform flashier speculative ones, why specialization matters more than people think, and why so many newcomers fail when they assume all real estate is the same. One of the strongest threads in this conversation is his insistence that real estate is not a shortcut business. It is cyclical, risky, technical, and unforgiving when approached casually. He also connects development directly to product-market fit, arguing that builders fail when they create for themselves rather than for the actual buyer. Houston’s steady expansion, Onyx’s focus on transitional inner-city neighborhoods, and his warnings about “passive income” all reinforce the same deeper truth: sustainable growth comes from patience, repetition, restraint, and staying in the lane you truly understand. Guest Jose Berlanga CEO, Onyx Land Partners Author, Dirt Rich and The Business of Home Building Buy his book here 👉 https://www.amazon.com/Dirt-Rich-Jose-M-Berlanga/dp/B0FRXTN2FL Core Problems Entrepreneurs being sold unrealistic timelines and low-effort wealth narratives Investors entering markets or asset classes they do not understand Builders confusing personal taste with buyer demand People raising outside money before they have earned the right to manage it Practical Takeaways Specialize before you diversify Study the local market instead of assuming one city behaves like another Start with smaller, lower-risk decisions and build judgment over time Track record and references matter more than polished social proof The longer road is often the safer road Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to Small Business Stories 01:06 Why Houston remains attractive 05:35 Cycles, bad actors, and market cleanup 10:34 What buyers and investors should watch for 15:06 Transitional neighborhoods and Onyx’s specialty 18:26 Why product-market fit matters in real estate 21:19 Fractional ownership, research, and risk 24:44 What Dirt Rich really argues 29:20 Passive income myths and entrepreneurial patience 34:48 Where to find Jose and his books Who This Episode Is For Founders, investors, and growth-minded entrepreneurs who are trying to build something durable instead of chasing speed. Invisible brands don’t make money, but neither do businesses built on borrowed certainty and thin expertise. Subscribe, share, and send this episode to someone who needs a more grounded conversation about entrepreneurship and risk. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: #RealEstateInvesting #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #entrepreneur /episode/index/show/gritdaily/id/40676080

Constant Contact - the Pioneer of eMail Marketing - Talks About the Cost of Being Scattered With Dave Charest 03/20/2026

Constant Contact - the Pioneer of eMail Marketing - Talks About the Cost of Being Scattered With Dave Charest S6:E31 There is no shortage of marketing tools right now. There is a shortage of clarity. In this episode, Dr. LL sits down with Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact (you know - the pioneer of eMail marketing with revenues still over $250 million per year), to unpack what is actually happening beneath the surface for small business owners trying to stay visible in 2026. If people don’t trust you, they won’t respond. If they don’t understand you, they won’t refer you. If your message keeps shifting, they won’t remember you. Dave shares insights from Constant Contact’s small business research, including a sharp drop in marketing confidence, rising overwhelm, and the growing tension between activity and actual results. The conversation brings us back to fundamentals: connection, consistency, and clarity. Guest Dave Charest Director of Small Business Success, Constant Contact Core Problems Founders trying to be everywhere instead of being effective somewhere Marketing activity replacing intentional strategy Message inconsistency weakening trust and referrals Overreliance on tools without understanding audience needs Practical Takeaways Focus on one primary channel and build from there Use email as a relationship channel, not just a sales tool Match frequency to relevance, not arbitrary rules Use AI to support thinking, not replace it Build real-world relationships and use digital to sustain them Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to Small Business Stories 03:00 What has changed and what hasn’t in marketing 05:45 Overwhelm and channel fatigue 09:38 The real role of email in 2026 18:30 Why consistency builds trust 22:00 Message clarity and referrals 27:00 Confidence drop in small business marketing 31:00 AI, confusion, and content quality 39:00 What small businesses should do now Who This Episode Is For Entrepreneurs and small business owners who feel like they are doing everything but still not getting traction. Invisible brands don’t make money, but neither do businesses that are active everywhere and clear nowhere. Subscribe, share, and send this to someone trying to simplify their marketing without losing momentum. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: #EmailMarketing #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #smallbusiness /episode/index/show/gritdaily/id/40563280

Humble Influence, Followership, and the Culture Behind Leadership with Jim Matuga 03/18/2026

Humble Influence, Followership, and the Culture Behind Leadership with Jim Matuga S6:E30 What happens when leadership is treated like status instead of stewardship? In this episode, Dr. LL sits down with Jim Matuga, founder of Interaction Media, longtime entrepreneur, podcast host, spirit "ambassador" for West Virginia, and author of Humble Influence. We had a grounded conversation about culture, followership, faith, community, and what it really takes to lead people well in a turbulent era. If people don’t trust you, they won’t follow you. If they don’t feel seen, they won’t stay. If leadership is performative instead of relational, culture eventually breaks under pressure. Jim brings a perspective shaped by entrepreneurship in West Virginia, decades in media and marketing, and the lessons behind his book Humble Influence. The book is especially compelling because it pushes against a familiar leadership distortion: the idea that everyone must be the leader, or that followership is somehow lesser. Instead, Jim makes a thoughtful case that healthy followership is a choice, humility is strength, and better leadership often begins with understanding how to support, empower, and elevate others. Faith is part of that foundation too, not in a heavy-handed way, but as a steady moral center around service, love, and responsibility. I thoroughly enjoyed his book and read it cover to cover. Guest Jim Matuga Founder, Interaction Media Host, Positively West Virginia Author, Humble Influence BUY HIS BOOK HERE 👇 https://www.amazon.com/Humble-Influence-Strength-True-Followership/dp/B0F9WJFTSJ Core Problems Founders assuming titles create followership Culture being treated as branding instead of operating discipline Teams underperforming when leadership becomes too centralized Small businesses trying to navigate AI disruption without losing their humanity Practical Takeaways Culture pays dividends when it is practiced daily, not admired conceptually Strong businesses are built with people, not around one personality Followership is not weakness; it is a conscious form of contribution AI may disrupt execution, but trust, judgment, and human alignment still matter Community can become a strategic asset when people genuinely want each other to win Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to Small Business Stories 01:29 What keeps Jim going after 500 episodes 05:35 What West Virginia teaches about business and belonging 11:15 Winning with people and building around excellence 15:16 Why culture became a turning point 17:14 The story behind Humble Influence 21:09 Leadership as a choice, not a title 24:24 AI, StoryMaker, and agency disruption 34:30 Faith, love, and the deeper why behind business Who This Episode Is For Entrepreneurs, founders, managers, and leadership-minded professionals trying to build trust, strengthen culture, and lead with more humility and clarity. Invisible brands don’t make money, and neither do businesses whose leadership signal is distorted from the inside out. Subscribe, share, and send this episode to someone building a business with people at the center. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: #Leadership #CompanyCulture #Entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #smallbusiness /episode/index/show/gritdaily/id/40528220

Accessible Leadership, Empathy and Credibility with Holly G aka Holly Golebiowski 03/15/2026

Accessible Leadership, Empathy and Credibility with Holly G aka Holly Golebiowski S6:E29 Some leaders are trying to be more human and still losing traction. Others hold the line so hard that people stop trusting them. In this episode, Dr. LL and Holly Golebiowski explore the tension between empathy, authority, accessibility, and real leadership growth. If people don’t trust you, they won’t follow you. If they don’t remember you, they won’t look for you. If your leadership creates distance, even unintentionally, people may comply for a while, but they will not stay deeply engaged. Guest Holly Golebiowski, known as Holly G Leader Skills Executive coach, facilitator, leadership development expert Core Problems Leaders confusing empathy with over-accommodation Teams disengaging when leaders feel inaccessible or performative Coaching and leadership development becoming harder to evaluate in a crowded market Practical Takeaways Empathy works best when it is paired with standards, clarity, and accountability Leaders need to ask what they may be doing to create the friction they see on their teams Strong leadership development is not about polish alone. It is about usefulness, credibility, and change people can actually apply Timestamps 00:00 Accessibility, names, and first impressions in leadership 03:58 Reading a room and knowing whether learning is landing 08:27 Empathy without losing authority 12:12 Credible coaching versus performative branding 19:37 Internal coaching, AI coaching, and where the field may be heading Who This Episode Is For Entrepreneurs, managers, facilitators, and founders trying to lead people well in a crowded, overstimulated, high-pressure environment. Invisible brands don’t make money, and inaccessible leaders don’t keep trust for long. Subscribe, share, and keep building with clarity. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: https://x.com/steerus_io /episode/index/show/gritdaily/id/40488475

Discipline, Trust and the Long Game of Sales with Glenn Poulos 03/13/2026

Discipline, Trust and the Long Game of Sales with Glenn Poulos S6:E28 Trust is rarely lost in one dramatic moment. More often, it slips through small signals of distraction, misalignment, or weak preparation. In this episode of Small Business Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Glenn Poulos, President of Prague USA and author of Never Sit in the Lobby, to talk about the discipline behind long-term sales relationships, the difference between activity and progress, and what it really takes to stay credible over decades. If people don’t trust you, they won’t buy from you. If they don’t remember you, they won’t call you. Guest Glenn Poulos President, Prague USA Author of Never Sit in the Lobby 👉 BUY HIS BOOK HERE --> https://www.amazon.com/Never-Sit-Lobby-Winning-Business/dp/1777939135 Expertise: sales discipline, customer relationships, professional presence, and long-term trust building Core Problems • Sales teams mistaking busyness for effectiveness • Relationship erosion caused by distracted, low-readiness interactions • Overinvesting in digital visibility while underinvesting in real-world credibility Practical Takeaways • Why readiness before the meeting shapes the meeting • How genuine rapport is built without becoming performative or pushy • Why the best long-term sales relationships come from discipline, memory, timing, and trust Timestamps 00:00 Power, infrastructure, and why Glenn’s industry matters 05:35 The meaning behind Never Sit in the Lobby 13:53 Pre-call preparation and remembering faces 17:16 Motion vs. progress in sales 24:26 Personal brand, company brand, and staying credible 35:13 Longevity, resilience, and the next right thing Who This Episode Is For Founders, sales leaders, consultants, and professionals who want to build durable trust instead of relying on performative visibility. Invisible brands don’t make money, and neither do businesses that send mixed signals when trust is on the line. Subscribe, share, and follow Small Business Stories for more grounded conversations on visibility, credibility, and growth. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: #sales #success #relationships #entrepreneur #smallbusiness /episode/index/show/gritdaily/id/40445895

Profit, Perspective & the Founder Trap with Emil Abedian 03/13/2026

Profit, Perspective & the Founder Trap with Emil Abedian S6:E27 A lot of founders are generating revenue and staying busy, yet still feeling unclear about their finances and unsure about what to do next. Queue up episode In this episode of Small Business Stories, Loralyn Mears, PhD, aka Dr. LL talks with Emil Abedian, founder and CEO of Counsel CPAs, about what happens when entrepreneurs stay trapped in compliance mode and never fully step into strategic financial leadership. If people don’t trust you… If people don’t trust you, they hesitate. If they don’t remember you, they move on. Guest block Emil Abedian is the founder and CEO of Counsel CPAs and the author of Counsel to Counsel. He works closely with solo and small law firms to help them move beyond tax prep and bookkeeping into stronger cash flow, profitability, and strategic decision-making. Core Problems Founders treating the business like a job instead of an asset Revenue growth without enough profit clarity Missed financial signals that create avoidable stress and burnout Practical Takeaways Use your numbers to guide decisions, not just satisfy compliance Watch for early warning signs before the business drifts off track Build financial support that helps you think, not just file Timestamps 00:00 Intro and Emil’s founder story 03:10 Why time with family changed his perspective 06:20 The writing of Counsel to Counsel 10:15 From compliance to strategic partnership 17:40 Why solo businesses need financial guidance early Who This Episode Is For Solo founders, small business owners, law firm leaders, and service-based entrepreneurs trying to grow with more clarity and less chaos Invisible brands don’t make money. And invisible financial patternsdrain momentum, confidence, and growth. Subscribe/Share CTA Subscribe, share, and send this episode to a founder who is working hard but still feeling financially foggy. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: #cashflow #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness /episode/index/show/gritdaily/id/40421725

Transparency, Leadership, Sugar & Food Industry Reinvention with Kash Rocheleau 03/12/2026

Transparency, Leadership, Sugar & Food Industry Reinvention with Kash Rocheleau S6:E26 Consumers want healthier food. But building those products is far more complex than most people realize. Queue Up Episode In this episode of Small Business Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Kash Rocheleau, CEO of Icon Foods, to explore the intersection of food innovation, consumer behavior, and leadership. If people don’t trust you, they won’t buy from you. If consumers don’t understand what’s inside a product, they question everything about it. Kash shares insights from inside the ingredient supply chain and explains how consumer trends, health movements, and industry innovation are reshaping the future of food. 👤 Guest Kash Rocheleau CEO, Icon Foods Food industry executive specializing in sugar reduction ingredients Core Problems • The technical challenge of reducing sugar in food products • Confusion surrounding “clean label” and health claims • Leading teams and companies through industry disruption Practical Takeaways • Transparency builds stronger consumer trust • Leadership requires both strategy and compassion • Market trends often reveal deeper shifts in consumer priorities Timestamps 02:30 What Icon Foods does in the ingredient supply chain 05:20 The rise of sugar reduction in consumer products 14:00 Why “clean label” terminology creates confusion 21:00 Building a growth mindset inside teams 27:00 Women in leadership and speaking with conviction Who This Episode Is For • Entrepreneurs building product-based businesses • Leaders navigating fast-changing industries • Consumers interested in food innovation Invisible brands don’t make money. Invisible complexity creates misunderstanding. Season 6 of Small Business Stories continues decoding the patterns that shape how businesses are seen, trusted, and understood. Subscribe and share if this episode resonates. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: #food #healthyfood #sugar #entrepreneur #smallbusiness /episode/index/show/gritdaily/id/40407385

Capital, Conviction & The Human Side of Startup Angel Investing with Marcia Dawood 03/10/2026

Capital, Conviction & The Human Side of Startup Angel Investing with Marcia Dawood S6:E25 Raising capital is rarely just about money. It is about trust, credibility, and whether investors believe in the people behind the idea. Queue Up Episode In this episode of Small Business Stories, Dr. LL sits down with angel investor and author Marcia Dawood to explore the realities of early-stage investing. If people don’t trust you, they won’t invest. If investors don’t believe the founder understands the problem, the funding rarely follows. Marcia shares insights from more than a decade inside the angel investing ecosystem and discusses why capital decisions are often far more human than founders expect. 👤 Guest Marcia Dawood Angel Investor Author of Do Good While Doing Well Host of The Angel Next Door Core Problems • Why founders misinterpret how angel investors make decisions • Persistent funding disparities for women-led companies • The emotional strain facing founders navigating uncertain funding markets Practical Takeaways • Investors respond to founders who demonstrate deep customer understanding • Bootstrapped progress signals resilience and credibility • Capital often follows relationships built over time Timestamps 00:01 Discovering angel investing 05:00 The funding gap facing women founders 11:30 When founders approach investors the wrong way 16:00 AI investing and real problem solving 26:00 Signals investors watch for before writing checks Who This Episode Is For • Entrepreneurs considering venture funding • Startup founders navigating early-stage capital • Leaders interested in ethical and values-aligned investing Invisible brands don’t make money. Invisible credibility gaps quietly stall funding. Season 6 of Small Business Stories continues decoding the structural patterns that keep capable founders unseen. Subscribe and share if this episode resonates. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: #fundraising #startup #entrepreneur #smallbusiness #angelinvesting /episode/index/show/gritdaily/id/40376425

Founder Burnout, Systems Thinking & Agency Scale with Jesse P. Gilmore 03/09/2026

Founder Burnout, Systems Thinking & Agency Scale with Jesse P. Gilmore S6:E24 Many founders start businesses seeking freedom. Then accidentally build companies that consume their lives. Queue Up Episode This week on Small Business Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Jesse P. Gilmore, founder of Niche In Control, to explore what happens when marketing agencies grow faster than their systems. If people don’t trust you, they won’t follow you. If your business depends entirely on you, it can’t scale. Jesse shares the painful lessons from dissolving three successful businesses due to founder burnout, what he learned working inside a $4B corporation, and how systems thinking transformed the way he approaches agency growth. 👤 Guest Jesse P. Gilmore Founder, Niche In Control Agency Growth Strategist - Scalable Agency Accelerator Trial - https://www.nicheincontrol.com/triangle - Book - https://www.nicheincontrol.com/book - Website - https://www.nicheincontrol.com - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessepgilmore/ Core Problems • Founder dependency limiting business scalability • Confusing marketing deliverables with strategic outcomes • Burnout created by trading time directly for revenue Practical Takeaways • Specialization cuts through competitive noise • Systems remove single points of failure in organizations • Time leverage allows founders to survive the entrepreneurial marathon Timestamps 02:30 The hidden growth ceiling inside agencies 09:30 Why Jesse dissolved three businesses 14:10 Viral success myths in entrepreneurship 20:00 Pricing for value vs pricing for hours 27:00 Where agency owners should focus first Who This Episode Is For • Agency founders • Service-based entrepreneurs • Small business owners scaling their operations Invisible brands don’t make money. Invisible bottlenecks quietly stall growth. Season 6 continues decoding the structural patterns that keep capable founders stuck. Subscribe and share if this episode resonates. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: #digitalmarketing #digitalmarketingagency #entrepreneurlife #wellness #smallbusiness /episode/index/show/gritdaily/id/40362185

Mindset, Metrics & Modern Growth - Scaling a Company with Borja Cuan 03/03/2026

Mindset, Metrics & Modern Growth - Scaling a Company with Borja Cuan S6:E23 Scaling a business doesn’t reduce pressure. It refines it. Queue Up Episode This week on Small Business Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Borja Cuan, co-founder of 415 Digital, to explore what truly changes when companies move from startup to scale. If people don’t trust you, they won’t follow you. If your expectations drift faster than your clarity, growth fractures. Borja shares what eight years of agency growth has taught him about client pushback, AI disruption, mindset discipline, and the emotional endurance required to scale. 👤 Guest Borja Cuan Co-Founder, 415 Digital Growth Marketing Strategist Core Problems • Scaling expectations without aligned mindset • Confusing AI adoption with strategic clarity • Underestimating emotional resilience in entrepreneurship Practical Takeaways • Mindset determines reaction to volatility • Growth marketing requires ICP precision and metric discipline • Endurance is a long-term competitive advantage Timestamps 03:00 Why resilience is a founder’s superpower 08:30 Managing client pushback 15:40 AI as a tool, not a replacement 19:30 Growth marketing at early-stage vs scaling companies 27:00 Remembering why you started Who This Episode Is For • Founder-led service businesses • Agencies navigating AI disruption • Entrepreneurs scaling under pressure Invisible brands don’t make money. Invisible expectation drift erodes trust internally and externally. Season 6 continues decoding the patterns that quietly destabilize capable businesses. Please subscribe and share if this conversation resonates with you. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: #marketing #marketingdigital #agency #entrepreneur #smallbusiness /episode/index/show/gritdaily/id/40292210

Ego, Ecosystems & Sustainable Marketing Growth with Jensen Savage 03/01/2026

Scarcity, Confidence & the Psychology of Wealth with Leisa Peterson 02/28/2026

Scarcity, Confidence & the Psychology of Wealth with Leisa Peterson S6:E21 Most money problems are not mathematical. They are emotional. Queue Up Episode This week on Small Business Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Leisa Peterson, founder of WealthClinic.com and author of The Mindful Millionaire, to explore how scarcity thinking quietly shapes financial decisions. On a personal note, I was so compelled by what she had to say, I got her book and read it cover to cover. What it showed me is that I was spending out of fear, spending because I was missing something (someone), and was indulging in "retail therapy" to avoid the reality of patterns ingrained in childhood and what is happening to me today. If people don’t trust you, they won’t follow you. If you don’t trust yourself, you won’t build wealth. From inflation and fiat currency to inherited shopping patterns and entrepreneurial overconfidence, this episode examines how money stress alters our cognition and identity. 👤 Guest Leisa Peterson Founder, WealthClinic.com Author, The Mindful Millionaire Core Problems Discussed • How macroeconomic instability impacts personal psychology • Emotional spending and inherited money behaviors • The cost of overconfidence and delayed pivots Practical Takeaways • Scarcity narrows mental bandwidth and lowers decision quality • Long-term confidence is built through iterative learning • Conservative strategies can still build significant wealth Timestamps 02:10 Fiat currency and inflation explained 16:57 How scarcity lowers IQ under stress 22:10 The retail therapy pattern 26:35 Surviving trauma and choosing purpose 40:10 Costly entrepreneurial lessons Who This Episode Is For • Entrepreneurs under financial pressure • Founders carrying debt from past pivots • Leaders rebuilding confidence after losses Invisible brands don’t make money. Invisible money patterns quietly distort decision-making. Season 6 continues decoding the forces that shape how capable entrepreneurs show up. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: Instagram: LinkedIn: Twitter: #finance #investing #wealth #entrepreneur #smallbusiness /episode/index/show/gritdaily/id/40266120

Mindset, Reinvention & Creative Real Estate with Chris Prefontaine 02/27/2026

Authority, Ego & Followership in the Modern CEO With Joseph Incrocci 02/25/2026

Enterprise Value, Only-ness & the Myth of More Leads with Mark Osborne 02/24/2026

Authority, AI & the Illusion of Growth Hacks with Matthew Mamet 02/22/2026

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