Small businesses face both challenges and opportunities as we prepare for 2026. With limited resources, the ongoing tariffs, and inflation, it’s crucial to focus on strategies that can maximize growth, enhance efficiency, and improve customer satisfaction. Here are ten essential actions every small business should take before then. Conduct a Comprehensive Business Audit Before implementing […]
Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition: How to Decide Whether to Buy an Existing Business or Invest in a Franchise
If you have ever dreamed of owning a business but did not want to start from scratch, it may be time to explore Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition. This strategy lets you buy a business that is already generating revenue or invest in a franchise with a proven model. For professionals in their 40s, 50s, and beyond […]
How to Champion a “Better Together” Culture in a Small Business
Every small business owner dreams of having a team that works like a family, where people trust one another, collaborate seamlessly, and go above and beyond because they care about the mission. But creating that kind of environment does not happen by accident. It happens through intentional leadership and a daily commitment to culture. A […]
How to Keep Your Employees When You Buy an Existing Business
Buying an existing business can feel like stepping onto a moving train. It’s already in motion, with its own rhythms, culture, personalities, and quirks, and you’re expected to take the conductor’s seat without derailing the ride. You’ve just signed the deal of a lifetime. Congratulations! You’re now the proud owner of a business that’s already […]
Scarcity: The Silent Business Killer Holding Women Back
If you’ve been in business for more than five minutes, you’ve heard this phrase: “There’s not enough.” Not enough money. Not enough time. Not enough opportunity. Not enough good employees out here. That mindset, my friends, is called scarcity, and it’s the silent business killer that keeps too many women entrepreneurs stuck, spinning their wheels […]
The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Jared Kallen and Trae Bodge
In this episode, Melinda Emerson engages in an insightful conversation with guests, Jared Kallen and Trae Bodge, sharing their favorite podcasts and indispensable business apps, providing listeners with fresh resources for their entrepreneurial journey. The episode continues with a look at favorite old school marketing tips and impactful business books, offering a blend of classic […]
The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Toni Harris Taylor and Michelle Songy
In this episode, Melinda Emerson presents the “Hit It and Quit It” segment, engaging in lively discussions on key business topics with Toni Harris Taylor and Michelle Songy. Each guest shares their favorite podcast, a business app they find indispensable, a marketing tip, and a business book that has impacted them. Toni Harris Taylor, an […]
The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Michelle Songy and Ryan Hogan
In this episode, Melinda Emerson hosts a panel discussion with Michelle Songy and Ryan Hogan. Each guest shares their favorite podcast, a business app they find indispensable, a marketing tip, and a business book that has impacted them. Michelle Songy is the Founder and CEO of Press Hook, a media platform that helps small businesses […]
My Greatest Pivot: How I Became SmallBizLady
Every entrepreneur has a defining moment. A moment when life forces you to stop, reflect, and decide whether to give up or level up. For me, that moment came when I least expected it—flat on my back, on bed rest, pregnant with my only child, facing the very real possibility of losing everything I had […]
The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Toni Johnson, Sherill Mosee, and Natalia Caylor
In this episode, Melinda Emerson hosts a panel discussion with Natalia Caylor, Sherill Mosee, and Toni Johnson. Each guest shares their favorite podcast, a business app they find indispensable, a marketing tip, and a business book that has impacted them. Toni Johnson is the Head Chef and CEO of The Jamaican Pattie Shop. A plant-based […]
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