What's the difference between marketing and advertising — and why does it matter for your small business? In this episode, John and Calvin are joined by Dylan, host of the Sense of Direction podcast and Turtle Smith's own marketing expert, to break down two of the most misunderstood concepts in business. They explore how small business owners can identify their ideal customers, why market research reports cost a fortune (and what to do instead), and how to stretch a modest budget — like that $3,500 tax refund — to both launch and promote a business. Plus, the conversation takes some fun detours into pool cue demographics, Japanese quit-for-hire services, DoorDash foot pics, and the very real business potential of cleaning up dog poop. Whether you're side-gigging or building an empire, this episode is packed with real talk on getting eyes on your business without breaking the bank.

0:00 — Intro & Welcome

0:57 — Season 3, Episode 22 begins

2:13 — Today's topic: businesses you can start for $3,500

3:04 — Marketing vs. Advertising: What's the difference?

5:40 — Meet Dylan: Turtle Smith's marketing expert

6:24 — How Dylan builds market reports for small businesses

12:02 — Trusting the data: balancing reports vs. real-world knowledge

13:55 — Cheap & effective advertising strategies for new businesses

14:09 — Social media as a free advertising tool

21:41 — Using government vendor lists to build your business resume

26:54 — Final advice: Don't quit your day job on a $3,500 stake

27:02 — Dylan's tip: Free work builds your portfolio

27:44 — Outro & where to find Turtle Smith