Welcome to the “Best of SmallBizChat Podcast 2023”! As the year comes to a close, we’re excited to present the cream of the crop – our top 10 interviews that left a lasting impact. These insightful conversations feature industry leaders, experts, and entrepreneurs sharing invaluable wisdom on navigating the challenges of small business. Join us on this curated journey through the most impactful discussions of the year, offering actionable advice, innovative strategies, and inspiring stories. Get ready to glean wisdom, spark new ideas, and elevate your small business game with the best of the SmallBizChat Podcast in 2023!
Confessions of a Small Business Owner: 3 Times I Almost Failed
This was our most downloaded podcast of the year. When I shared the reality of running my business – including times when I didn’t think I would make it through. People see my pictures online, on TV, and in webinars, and they think everything’s rainbows with the phone ringing off the hook. That’s true now, but that was not always true. I shared three times over the last 24 years that I thought I would go out of business and how I turned it all around. Learn more at www.smallbizladyuniversity.com
Growing Your Business in Uncertain Times with Brian Johnson
Brian Johnson is the CEO of Main & Johnson, a business consulting and coaching company based in Charlotte, NC, aimed at seeing small and medium-sized businesses thrive, not just survive. Main & Johnson partners with business owners to bridge the gap between what success they had and the success they seek. Brian and his team specialize in project-based consulting, providing assessment and strategic processes, and delivering on the execution phase. The organization has subject matter experts adept at looking at a wide range of desirables and deliverables within any organization, whether it’s people, process, or performance. For more information, head over to mainandjohnson.com.
Strategy to Reach Your True North with Jimmy Newson
As a business and growth strategy consultant, Jimmy Newson has worked with organizations of all sizes, but his specialty is working with small businesses and entrepreneurs. He founded Moving Forward Small Business, a membership-based organization that helps companies grow and achieve their goals through practical and actionable advice. Additionally, Jimmy has strategic partnerships with private, government, and nonprofit organizations, leveraging his extensive network and experience to provide businesses with comprehensive solutions for their needs. Find out more at movingforwardsmallbusiness.com.
Hiring Your First Sales Team with Kristie Jones
Kristie Jones is the go-to expert for companies wanting to build, grow, or scale their sales or customer success teams. She started Sales Acceleration Group in 2016 to help owners and founders increase revenue, reduce churn, and be able to scale more quickly. Her 20+ years as a sales leader in the SAS space fuels her passion for helping bootstrapped and venture-backed founders. For more information, head over to SalesAccelerationGroup.com.
How AI is Changing Branding & Marketing with Chris Carr
Since early 2020, Chris Carr has become a thought leader in artificial intelligence (AI). Through years of analysis, workshops, and hands-on experience, he’s observed the rise of modern AI and its potential to reshape the business landscape. Recognizing that most businesses are not ready for this massive disruption from AI, Chris offers workshops and lunch-and-learns to equip businesses for the future that’s already here. Find out more at farotech.com. Today, we’re going to talk about AI and branding.
Leveling Up Your Communication with Meredith Bell
Meredith Bell has conducted hundreds of programs for leaders and the members of their teams to help them communicate and work together more effectively. She has also personally worked with thousands of entrepreneurs, leaders, consultants, and coaches. She loves building strong relationships with clients, resellers, affiliates, and vendors. She understands what’s required to build the loyalty and commitment that lead to repeat business and referrals. She discussed how we can all communicate better in our businesses. No matter the industry you are in. Learn more at growstrongleaders.com.
Do It! Selling with David Newman
David Newman is the best-selling author of Do It! Marketing and his latest book, Do It! Selling. He’s also the founder of the Do It! MBA mentoring program and host of The Selling Show, a top-rated business podcast with over 300 episodes. David helps professional service sellers land better clients, bigger deals, and higher fees. For more information, head over to DoItMarketing.com/Selling.
Collaborative Selling with Carole Mahoney
Carole is the author of Buyer First: Grow Your Business with Collaborative Selling. Carole is changing how the entire sales industry sees itself and how buyers see it too. She’s been called the sales therapist by Harvard Business School, where she coaches sales for their entrepreneurial MBA program. She’s also the president of AA-ISP Boston, has been named a top sales influencer by LinkedIn and Sales Hacker, and has been voted a top sales coach by Ambition. With the heart of a teacher in the spirit of a coach, she is ready to share how you can unlock sales success that you never thought possible. For more information, go to CaroleMahoney.com.
Collecting the Cash with Dee Bowden
Dee Bowden is the founder of BCS Solutions, and author of the book Collect the Cash. She works with small businesses who want to solve their cashflow problem. Her mission is to keep businesses in business. After collecting $6 million in 60 days while working for a small IT company, she realized small businesses had fallen prey to revenue loss because they don’t collect outstanding debt. She’s been featured in Forbes, Enterprise, and Thriving Global Magazine. One of the strategies she uses is reciting affirmations. For more information, find her at CollectTheCash.biz.
What to Do When You Feel Defeated with Melinda Emerson
Solo Podcast: Every single entrepreneur has struggles, whether they’ve been in business for ten days or ten years doesn’t matter. In this podcast, I talk about how we experience those defeats and how we will overcome them. Learn more at www.smallbizladyuniversity.com