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February 2026 #SmallBizChat: How to Get Paid for Making Connections

February 13, 2026 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

The SmallBizChat Podcast is a weekly interview show dedicated to helping small business owners. Each episode features practical insights, expert guests, and actionable strategies designed to help entrepreneurs build profitable, sustainable businesses. Hosted by Melinda Emerson, “SmallBizLady,” the mission of SmallBizChat is to end small business failure. From sales and marketing to finance, leadership, and […]

Filed Under: SmallBizChat, SmallBizChat Live+ Tagged With: AI in business, business funding, business grants, business management tips, business networking, business tips, entrepreneurship, financial readiness, first-time funding mistakes, government contracts, maintaining business relationships, minority entrepreneurs, monetizing relationships, Nolodex platform, referral strategies, revenue channels, small business advice, small business resources, women entrepreneurs

The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Monetize Connections with Joe Mindak

February 12, 2026 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Joe Mindak to discuss the art of monetizing relationships. Joe shares insights into his background and emphasizes the importance of treating referrals as a viable revenue channel. They explore strategies for converting referrals into revenue and the practice of paying for introductions while maintaining strong relationships. The conversation highlights […]

Filed Under: SmallBizChat, The SmallBizChat Podcast Tagged With: business networking, business tips, entrepreneurship, maintaining business relationships, monetizing relationships, Nolodex platform, referral strategies, revenue channels, small business advice, small business resources

The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Toni Harris Taylor and Michelle Songy

September 25, 2025 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

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 […]

Filed Under: Business Inspiration, Fix Your Business, Grow Your Business, Leadership, Sales, SmallBizChat, Teams, The SmallBizChat Podcast Tagged With: business apps, business books, business tips, entrepreneurship, expert panel discussion, favorite podcasts, marketing strategies, Small Biz Lady Academy, small business, small business advice

The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Michelle Songy and Ryan Hogan

August 28, 2025 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

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 […]

Filed Under: Business Inspiration, Fix Your Business, Grow Your Business, Leadership, Sales, SmallBizChat, Teams, The SmallBizChat Podcast Tagged With: business apps, business books, business tips, entrepreneurship, expert panel discussion, favorite podcasts, marketing strategies, Small Biz Lady Academy, small business, small business advice

The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Toni Johnson, Sherill Mosee, and Natalia Caylor

July 31, 2025 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

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 […]

Filed Under: Business Inspiration, Fix Your Business, Grow Your Business, Leadership, Sales, SmallBizChat, Teams, The SmallBizChat Podcast Tagged With: business apps, business books, business tips, entrepreneurship, expert panel discussion, favorite podcasts, marketing strategies, Small Biz Lady Academy, small business, small business advice

The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It & Quit It with Lisha Bell, Alyson Caffrey, and Mickie Kennedy

June 6, 2024 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

In this episode, Melinda Emerson listeners and introduces guests Lisha Bell, Alyson Caffrey, and Mickie Kennedy. They share their favorite business apps and top business books. The “hit it and quit it” segment provides rapid-fire insights. Sponsored by SmallBizLady Academy, the episode concludes with final advice. Lisha Bell is Co-Founder of BLXVC, an angel syndicate […]

Filed Under: SmallBizChat, The SmallBizChat Podcast Tagged With: business apps, business books, Business Strategies, business tips, entrepreneurship, expert insights, podcast subscription, small business advice, Small Business Management, small business tips, SmallBizLady Academy

15 Heartfelt Ways to Show Customers Love

February 12, 2024 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

February is more than just a month for romantic expressions; it’s an opportunity for businesses to extend love and appreciation to your most valuable asset – your customers. While the romantic spirit may be associated with couples, small businesses should embrace the chance to strengthen their bond with customers. Let’s explore 15 creative ways to […]

Filed Under: 15 Things Series Tagged With: business tips, charitable causes, customer appreciation, customer feedback, customer retention, Customer satisfaction, early access, economic downturns, February, festive packaging, flash sales, gifts with purchase, hand-written notes, live events, loyalty programs, marketing costs, Meaningful connections, repeat business, resilience, social media engagement, Valentine’s Sale, virtual events, virtual gift guide, word of mouth

Top 10 Small Business Experts to Follow Online

May 13, 2019 By Melinda Emerson 1 Comment

Small Business Experts

If you are looking for advice and information to grow your small business, there are people who have made this their life’s work. I am proud to say that most of them are people whose books and blogs I read often. Like me, they are on a mission to end small business failure. Here are […]

Filed Under: 10 Things Lists, Your Small Business Tagged With: business tips, small business, small business experts, small business success

5 Tips for Amazon Sellers to Increase Sales

March 5, 2019 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

Amazon sellers

Sales on Amazon come down to two main factors: bringing more traffic to your site and converting that traffic into sales. There are several tactics Amazon sellers can implement to improve both of these factors and increase sales volume. Apply them effectively, and you will see your sales go through the roof. Here are our […]

Filed Under: Grow Your Business, Guest Articles Tagged With: Amazon, amazon seller, business tips, e-commerce, small business, small business tips

New Year, New Resolve

January 4, 2019 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

small business resolutions

The New Year is a great opportunity to have a new start in your business. If you were thrilled to see 2018 come to a close, now is the time to build a plan to execute your best year ever in 2019. Instead of focusing on personal resolutions like losing weight or learning a foreign […]

Filed Under: 10 Things Lists, Business Inspiration, Featured Post, Grow Your Business, How to Start, Your Small Business Tagged With: biz tips, building your business, business tips, fix your business, New Year, new year resolution, small business growth, small business tips

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Small businesses don’t succeed because their owners are luckier, louder, or more passionate than everyone else. They succeed because they are led with clarity, discipline, and intention. While hype culture glorifies hustle and constant motion, long-lasting businesses follow far more grounded principles. Over time, clear patterns emerge that explain why some businesses grow steadily while […]

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  • Why Small Businesses Succeed: What the Best Owners Get Right
  • February 2026 #SmallBizChat: How to Get Paid for Making Connections
  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Monetize Connections with Joe Mindak
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  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: Business Development in 2026 with Michelle Walker-Davis

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