Small Biz Catalyst

Every entrepreneur knows the feeling: the great idea that sits untouched because fear won't let you move. In this episode of The Small Biz Catalyst, Ayisat Abilogun reframes fear as data, not a dead end, and gives you five moves to turn it into forward momentum.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• Why fear is neurologically normal — and why entrepreneurs feel it more intensely than most
• The three types of fear that stall small businesses, and how to identify yours
• Why a growth mindset is not a feeling — it's a practice with a schedule
• Five moves to use fear as data instead of a stop sign
• This week's Catalyst Grant Minute: up to $20,000 available

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success — Carol S. Dweck (available at most public libraries)
• SCORE — free mentoring for small business owners: score.org
• North Texas SBDC — DFW entrepreneur guidance: ntxsbdc.org
• Small Biz Catalyst Resources Page: smallbizcatalyst.org/resources

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Chris Gronkowski went from NFL fullback to DFW entrepreneur after one sweaty gym session gave him an idea nobody had solved. In this episode of The Small Biz Catalyst, he breaks down how he built Ice Shaker from a spare bedroom side hustle to a Shark Tank deal with Mark Cuban and Alex Rodriguez; and $3M+ in annual revenue.

Enjoy From Side Hustle to Seven Figures: How Chris Gronkowski Turned a Gym Frustration into a Dallas Product Empire; a Small Biz Catalyst Startup to Success Series.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• How a product idea is born and why your frustration might be your business plan
• The real reason Ice Shaker stayed a side hustle for over a year before going full-time
• What happened the week the Shark Tank episode aired (the numbers will shock you)
• The quality control nightmare that almost derailed the first shipment
• Five lessons from Chris that apply to any product-based small business

Resources:  THIS WEEK'S GRANT SPOTLIGHT

Intuit QuickBooks + Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program

Maximum Grant:  $20,000 per winner

Deadline:  May 15, 2026 

Who Can Apply:  U.S. small business owners aged 18+ who demonstrate courage, perseverance, and integrity. 3 winners chosen per quarter.

Find it at: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/offers/small-business-hero-program/

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Tariffs are no longer just an economic headline. They're showing up in your invoices, your vendor conversations, and your cash flow right now. In this solo deep-dive, host Ayisat Abilogun breaks down exactly what the current tariff landscape means for small businesses, shares the real numbers behind the impact, and delivers 5 strategic moves you can take this week whether you run a product-based or service-based business. 

Plus, this week's Catalyst Grant Minute spotlights a $20,000 grant opportunity with a fast-approaching deadline.

Resources:  THIS WEEK'S GRANT SPOTLIGHT

Intuit QuickBooks + Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program

Maximum Grant:  $20,000 per winner

Deadline:  May 15, 2026 

Who Can Apply:  U.S. small business owners aged 18+ who demonstrate courage, perseverance, and integrity. 3 winners chosen per quarter.

Find it at: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/offers/small-business-hero-program/

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Mayor Tom Daly of Selma, Texas, shares the city's growth as a business hub. The conversation highlights Selma's welcoming environment for entrepreneurs, the cultural initiatives that enhance economic growth, and success stories of local businesses with Ayisat. Mayor Daly also shares insights on the city's development strategies, living standards, and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Takeaways

• Selma has grown from 2,000 to 14,000 residents since 2010.
• The city prioritizes a smooth transition for new businesses.
• Selma treats all businesses equally, regardless of size.
• Cultural events enhance the quality of life in Selma.
• Local businesses like Mia Marcos exemplify success in Selma.
• The city has invested significantly in infrastructure and parks.
• Selma is recognized as a music-friendly community.
• Housing remains affordable and diverse in Selma.
• Mayor Daley emphasizes the importance of community engagement.
• Entrepreneurs are encouraged to take risks and pursue their ideas.

Resources:

Visit Selma, TX at Selma, TX - Official Website | Official Website

https://Smallbizcatalyst.org/resources

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

In this conversation, Ayisat and Katie discuss how Small Business owners and economic development professionals can leverage AI for growth and efficiency, starting with people and processes. They explore the psychological aspects of adopting AI, the importance of AI literacy, and how rural communities can leverage AI to compete with urban areas. The discussion emphasizes the need for organizations to invest in people and processes before technology and highlights practical AI tools that can enhance productivity and streamline operations for small businesses.

Resources:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemiltonjordan

AI Performance School - Https://www.simpleedo.ai

10% Discount Code on AI training with Katie - 10TxEE

About the AI Performance School

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

In this special Black History Month episode of Small Biz Catalyst, host Ayisat Abilogun takes a thoughtful look at the origins of Black History Month and its evolving role in shaping economic opportunity for Black communities.

As a first-generation American who spent her formative years in Nigeria, Ayisat shares a personal reflection on reconnecting with Black History Month as an adult and why this celebration goes far beyond remembrance. The episode explores how Black History Month has become a catalyst for supporting Black-owned businesses, amplifying movements like Buy Black, spotlighting systemic wealth inequalities, and encouraging corporate and government action.

You will learn about the economic contributions of Black entrepreneurs, key data on Black-owned businesses in the U.S., and how initiatives from corporations, nonprofits, and policymakers are working to close persistent wealth gaps. The episode closes with eye opening fun facts, actionable ways to support Black businesses, and a grant spotlight from the Kennedy Wilson Charitable Foundation.

Whether you’re a business owner, policymaker, or conscious consumer, this episode offers insight into how history, culture, and economics intersect and how each of us can play a role in building a more equitable future.

Resources: Check out our resource page below:

Smallbizcatalyst.org/resouces

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

What if entrepreneurship wasn’t an elective—but the foundation of education?

In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, host Ayisat Abilogun sits down with Jeff Meade, Executive Director of the Every Quinnite Is an Entrepreneur program at Paul Quinn College, to explore how entrepreneurship education is being reimagined—and why it matters for business owners, parents, and community builders alike.

Paul Quinn College, an HBCU in Dallas, Texas, has made a bold commitment: every student is expected to think and act like an entrepreneur. Jeff shares how this mission-driven approach is reshaping higher education through venture-based learning, real-world problem solving, and early exposure to building, funding, and scaling businesses.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• What “Every Quinnite Is an Entrepreneur” really means—and why mindset matters more than majors
• How Paul Quinn College introduces entrepreneurship from day one through an intensive freshman bootcamp
• Why under-resourced students often struggle to dream big—and how educators can help rebuild that muscle
• How a $100,000 student seed fund is helping turn student ideas into real, investable businesses
• Why entrepreneurship education isn’t just about startups, but about creating entrepreneurial thinkers for the workforce
• What venture-based learning looks like in practice—and how it closes the gap between education and real-world business

Jeff also shares his long-term vision for the program, including alumni-owned businesses, acquisition entrepreneurship, and building sustainable wealth within local communities.

Whether you’re a small business owner, a parent, an educator, or someone passionate about economic mobility, this episode will challenge how you think about education, entrepreneurship, and the role both play in shaping the future of work.

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just thinking about launching your show, this episode will show you how to make podcasting work for your business growth, not against your schedule.

Listen now to learn how to:

✅ Turn your podcast into a networking tool

✅ Build trust through authentic conversations

✅ Repurpose your episodes into social gold

✅ Create a media engine around your business

RESOURCES
🌐 RSS.com Podcast hosting & analytics

📘 Book: Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo master storytelling in podcasting

🤖 VA Support: FLCA Virtual Assistant Agency professional editing & production help

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Want to start a small business in Irving, TX? Here's what you need to know.

In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, host Ayisat Abilogun sits down with the Mayor of Irving, TX; the City Manager, Asst. City Manager, Economic Development Corp Manager, and the President of Irving/Las Colina Chamber to discuss the city's small business initiatives. 

🔗 Resources & Links

Connect with the city's EDC at Economic Development | Irving, TX Official Website

Connect with Irving Las Colinas Chamber at Irving Chamber of Commerce

Access more resources at https://smallbizcatalystorg/resources

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Happy New Year! We are keeping our promise to you and we invite you to join us this year as we serve you more. In this episode, Ayisat shares some upcoming changes to the podcast and why those changes have been adopted. We look forward to serving you more this year!

🔗 Resources & Links

Access more resources at https://smallbizcatalystorg/resources

Grant Information:
1. Tee It Up for the Troops Grant
Deadline: No deadline
Maximum Grant Amount: Not specified
Website: teetupforthetroops.org/apply-for-grants
Contact: Ashley ([email protected]) or Becca
([email protected])
Supports: Family & caregiver support, PTSD & TBI treatment, suicide prevention, golf & sports rehabilitation, employment, housing & homelessness.

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst