Behind the Review

A Mediterranean oasis in the middle of the Arizona desert, CALA offers its patrons seasonally-inspired dishes with a carefully curated selection of wines and cocktails to accompany them. This business recently opened but has already made an impact with its quality cuisine, customer communication and exceptional service. Hear from general manager, Robert Meir, and learn about how he is building the team he credits with being ambassadors for the restaurant’s values.

CALA Ali Schwartz Meserole Sound

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For many entrepreneurs and business owners, it might seem impossible to balance the demands of the business with your own mental health needs and personal wellbeing. In fact, it’s often positioned as admirable and selfless to put your own needs aside in exchange for starting or running a business. It’s time to move away from that narrative. Tune in for advice on prioritizing your wellness and directly impacting your bottom line and online reputation.

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Becoming a go-to spot isn’t luck—it takes consistency and a memorable experience. From the owners’ daily incense-burning to custom orders and spot on delivery service, Juicy Leaf does just that. In this episode, hear Felix and Felipe’s divide and conquer strategy that has made their boutique plant company a leader in the LA scene, and the challenges they’ve faced along the way. Reviewer Emily shares what sets The Juicy Leaf apart and why she’ll never shop anywhere else for client gifts.

The Juicy Leaf Ali Schwartz Meserole Sound

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Getting your customers or clients to write reviews is no easy task. And on Yelp specifically, it’s against terms of service and content guidelines to solicit or ask for a review. So how can you naturally encourage them to share their experiences? Marketing expert Elizabeth Sexton shares how Aligned Modern Health, the multi-location holistic wellness business, manages their online presence while subtly showing their customers the power of online reviews.

Ali Schwartz Meserole Sound

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Auto House goes beyond lukewarm customer service, prioritizing one-on-one bonds between buyers and sales partners to integrate themselves into the lives of the community they serve. Auto House has changed the car industry's narrative by implementing thoughtful, personalized help, whether it's loaning out a minivan to let a mom try out at practice or making connections with clients long after the sale. Reviewer Amber P. shares how Auto House became her family’s first choice for their auto needs.

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How a business shows up online is a reflection of who they are in person. Oftentimes business owners worry more about coming across polished than being themselves. In this episode hear from Shawn Walchef on the importance of being authentic and professionally raw online. Shawn hosts a podcast in partnership with Yelp and Entrepreneur Media called Restaurant Influencers. Tune in to episode 1 at the end of this conversation.

Cali BBQ Ali Schwartz Meserole Sound

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Rudy’s Bakery in Queens has been open since the 1930s. 40 years ago, Toni and her uncle bought it and kept many of the recipes alive. Now, they pride themselves on remaining non-commercial with seasonal items and an extensive list of gluten free and vegan pastries and deserts. Toni admits it hasn’t always been easy, and change has been inevitable. But she’s a staple in the community. Hear what reviewer Samantha loves most in this unique episode where we chat with reviewer and owner together.

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Whether it’s a Yelp listing or another online review site, your reputation matters and is a reflection of the work you do in person with your customers. Having a strategy in place for responding to reviews can help you maximize that online presence, and spread the word about who you are and what you do like word of mouth, but amplified. In this episode hear advice from business owners and consumers about how to engage with your online presence and build a strategy that reflects your business.

Ali Schwartz Meserole Sound

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At the mouth of Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf lies Paluca Trattoria, a “coastal chic” restaurant focused on keeping the history and authenticity of its location alive. Customers can watch aquatic life swim in the bay while eating delicious meals, and also observe the sense of community and camaraderie in the restaurant. Reviewer Valerie A. shares her experience utilizing Yelp to find this classic Italian meal amidst a relatively touristy location, and what made it stand out.

Paluca Trattoria  Ali Schwartz Meserole Sound

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Online reviews can be an important source of feedback to help improve your business. They’re a signal to what’s going well and what areas could be worked on. In this conversation with Jeff Toister, author of The Service Culture Handbook, you’ll learn how evaluating your reviews can save you time, and improve your business. Digging into what people are saying about you online can help improve customer service, increase sales and pinpoint problems that are costing you money.

Jeff Toister Ali Schwartz Meserole Sound

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