Jim Blasingame covers a wide range of subjects, including advice about hiring and where you should find capital to invest in your business. We also talk about what big companies do better than small businesses (and how you can change this), the most important characteristics of successful small business owners, and why tapping into the age of the customer is the key to your business's longevity. Tune in to take advantage of Jim's expertise and take your small business to the next level!

Today's special edition of the Local Business Stories by Alignable podcast highlights another industry luminary. Bill Brunelle, co-founder of Independent We Stand, is doing amazing work supporting small businesses around the country. IWS is inspiring small businesses to celebrate their locally owned status and helping them compete with big box retailers.

In this episode, Jared Hecht talks about the experience that inspired his business Fundera, which provides alternative funding to small business owners. We talk about the common ways that small businesses raise money, and how alternative funding can be a wiser and more cost-effective lending option. If you're a small business owner struggling to get a loan from the bank despite a proven business plan, Jared's advice may be exactly what you're looking for!

In this episode, CJ shares how he leveraged  the power of the internet, combined wit his 20 years of business savvy, to help other businesses expand. He also talks about how a holistic approach to marketing can impact business growth, why his strategies drive instant results, and provides excellent resources that small business can use now to acquire new customers.  Listen in to find out just how CJ turned a traumatic experience into a viable business.

In this episode, we spoke with Gene Marks, a writer and small business aficionado in his own right. We talked about which presidential candidate could be best for small businesses, which business sectors are flourishing vs. floundering, and happy small business stories that deserve more attention.

Raj Lakkaraju describes the failures he encountered in pursuit of his most successful venture to date. If you're looking for a simple yet effective new way to market, listen in!

Ben Domena shares his strategies for generating repeat business and pivoting to be resourceful during cycles of slow times. Business owners who regularly face customers will find Ben's local business story helpful and insightful.

Today, we're talking with Steve Dreiling from EaglesNest Wood and Pottery Shop.

Steve talks about his experience buying an existing business on the verge of failure. By adding his custom approach to woodworking and pottery, Steve has been able to turn the business around. In addition to the custom development service, he added a component to the business model that encouraged customers to create and sell their own products. Attracting pottery and woodworking enthusiasts with the space and equipment made available to the public has created a sense of community within his local business.

We are excited to have Stacey on to show us how she leverages sites like Groupon and Living Social to help small businesses increase their reach, advertising, and exposure. We also discuss integration strategies for building customer retention with customers that come in for daily deals.

Tune in to learn about learn about alternative funding sources and why small businesses have a treasure trove of resources available to them beyond banks and the SBA. We also dig into the differences between marketing and advertising and just why small business owners need to focus on a content marketing strategy.