In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson talks with Scott Romesser about why customer care is central to business growth. They discuss how to create a strong first impression, common service mistakes small businesses make, and why existing customers can become a business’s best marketing channel. Scott shares ways to stand out, support customers […]
How Do I Grow a Business Someone Else Built?
Buying an existing service business can be one of the fastest paths to entrepreneurship. Instead of starting from scratch, you inherit customers, revenue, employees, systems, and a proven market position. Whether you purchased an accounting firm, marketing agency, consulting practice, insurance agency, HVAC company, cleaning service, home health business, or an existing franchise, you have […]
The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Stop Being the Bottleneck in Your Business with Tonya Thomas
In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson is joined by Tonya Thomas to explore the pitfalls of becoming a bottleneck in business and how it can impede growth. They discuss the critical responsibilities of a CEO and the challenges associated with delegation, highlighting common mistakes when hiring operations or virtual assistants. The conversation includes […]
The SmallBizChat Podcast: How Global Artisans Are Building Scalable Brands with Susan Hull Walker
In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson welcomes Susan Hall Walker to discuss the inspiring journey behind the Ibu Movement and its impact on artisan networks. Susan shares the origins of Ibu and how it operates to expand and support artisan communities globally. The conversation highlights shifts in consumer preferences toward handmade goods and […]
The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Jane Veron and LaChelle Adkins
In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson kicks things off with a brief introduction and sponsor mention, followed by the engaging “Hit it and quit it” segment. The conversation shifts to a lively discussion about favorite business tools and marketing tips, offering listeners practical insights to enhance their business strategies. The episode also explores […]
America at 250: Why Entrepreneurs Will Determine Our Next Chapter
As America celebrated its 250th anniversary on July 4th, there are a few things that I was thinking about. First, I can’t believe it’s only been 250 years since the Revolutionary War. The first settlers arrived in America in 1619, but it wasn’t until 1776 that a formal independent government was formed as America defeated […]
Why Great Sales Calls Still Don’t Close
One of the most frustrating experiences for any entrepreneur, consultant, coach, or sales professional is walking away from a sales conversation feeling confident that everything went perfectly, only to discover that the prospect never moves forward. The conversation flowed naturally. The prospect seemed engaged, asked thoughtful questions, expressed enthusiasm about your offer, and thanked you […]
Why Trust Is the Ultimate Growth Strategy in Business
Trust is not a “soft skill.” It is not a vibe. And it is definitely not optional. Trust is one of the most powerful and overlooked drivers of business success. Strong small businesses don’t just sell products or services; they build confidence with everyone they touch. Employees trust leadership. Vendors trust commitments. Customers trust promises. […]
For Better or Worse: The Vows Every Business Owner Eventually Learns
We rarely describe small business ownership as a love story. We dress it up as ambition, independence, or strategy. We talk about growth plans, revenue targets, and market positioning. But if you’ve owned a business long enough, you know the truth most owners eventually discover, often the hard way. Business ownership is one of the […]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 5
- Next Page »









