Small Business Big AI

Small Business Big AI

By Kim Lewis HowardBusinessEntrepreneurship
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Small Business Big AI episodes

  • Burned Out, But Still Bootstrapping: Why Grit Isn’t Enough Anymore

    Feeling overwhelmed by your business—but too busy tofix it? This episode is your wake-up call.

    In today’s can't-miss conversation, Kim and Hal take on one of the most glorified lies in entrepreneurship: that hustle alone is the secret to success. Spoiler alert—it’s not. In the age of AI, grit without leverage leads to one destination: burnout.


    You’ll hear:

    • Why “working harder” is no longer enough—and what smart business owners are doing instead
    • The hidden dangers of hustle culture (and how it turns entrepreneurs into bottlenecks)
    • The true cost of being “too busy” to implement AI
    • A raw, relatable story of one small business owner stuck in survival mode
    • How to spot the moment your grind starts working against you
    • The first two steps of the IMPACT Framework for transforming burnout into breakthrough
    • Why your identity as a hustler may be the #1 thing holding your business back
    • Simple, practical ways to start using AI today—without getting overwhelmed

     

    Whether you’re a solopreneur juggling a dozen roles or asmall business owner scaling fast, this episode will challenge how you work—and inspire a smarter, more scalable future.


    Who This Episode Is For:

    • Entrepreneurs feeling exhausted, stuck, or overwhelmed
    • Founders and consultants still doing everything manually
    • Small business owners curious about AI but unsure where to start
    • Anyone clinging to the grind—and secretly wondering if there’s another way

     

    Ready to Take Action?

    • Join the AI Insiders Community for Exclusive Tips & Resources → Request to Join our Private Community
    • Have a question or an AI success story? DM us on LinkedIn or Facebook!
    • Ask us about the Small Business Transformation Model (SBTM)—a simple, step-by-step framework designed for business owners → Email Howard & Howard Holdings, Inc.

     

    Listen Now If You’re Ready To:

    ✅ Stop confusing 'busyness' with business✅ Reclaim your time, energy, and strategic focus✅ Turn burnout into breakthrough✅ Finally use AI to scale—without losing control

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    Music Credit: “I Am with You” by Dream Cave; EpidemicSound via iStock.com

    Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/


    Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow founder who’s stuck in hustle mode.

    34 min
  • Why Most Small Businesses Won’t Survive the AI Era (And How to Be the Exception)

    Are you future-proofing your business—or just hopingfor the best?

    In the final chapter of our 3-part Human-AI Harmony Revenue Playbook, Kim and Hal expose the hard truth most entrepreneurs are avoiding: AI isn’t coming—it’s already here. And it’s about to decide who grows... and who gets left behind.


    In this episode, we go beyond AI tools and into strategy—showing you how to build an “always-on” innovation engine that keeps your business ahead of market shifts, customer trends, and the competition. You’ll learn why small businesses that wait for the “perfect moment” are quietly becoming obsolete—and how to become the technology-enabled superpower your industry didn’t see coming.


    In this episode, you’ll discover:

    • What it really takes to future-proof your business in the AI era
    • The 3-phase AI Innovation Loop: Insights → Experimentation → Optimization
    • How to identify and eliminate “innovation bottlenecks” in your business
    • Real-world trends showing how AI is reshaping small business across industries
    • Why inertia—not competition—is your biggest threat right now
    • How to leverage AI for franchise growth, solopreneur agility, or service-based scaling
    • A mic-drop reality check from our AI Assistant: “Stop asking if AI is for you. Start asking how you’ll use it to win.”


    Perfect for:
    Small business owners, solopreneurs, franchise founders, consultants, and creators who want to:
    ✅ Stay relevant in an AI-driven economy
    ✅ Turn overwhelm into strategy
    ✅ Build a resilient business that adapts and scales with confidence

     

    Listen if you’re wondering:

    • “Is my business falling behind with AI?”
    • “Where do I even start if I’m not a tech person?”
    • “What are others in my industry already doing with AI tools?”
    • “How can I get an edge without hiring a whole data team?”


    Action Step from Kim & Hal:This week, identify one recurring bottleneck in your business—and spend 30 minutes exploring how AI could automate or simplify it. Small moves. Big momentum.


    Ready to Take Action?

    • Join the AI Insiders Community for Exclusive Tips & Resources → Request to Join our Private Community
    • Have a question or an AI success story? DM us onLinkedIn or Facebook!
    • Ask us about the Small Business Transformation Model (SBTM)—a simple, step-by-step framework designed for business owners → Email Howard & Howard Holdings, Inc.

     

    🎵 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major platforms.

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    Music Credit: “I Am with You” by Dream Cave; EpidemicSound via iStock.com

    Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

    31 min
  • Retention Isn’t Sexy—But It’ll Make You Rich

    Are you spending all your energy chasing new customerswhile quietly losing the ones who already said yes? This week on Small Business Big AI, we’re exposing the hidden profit lever too many entrepreneurs ignore: retention.


    Spoiler: It’s not about sending another “we miss you” email. It’s about building unforgettable customer experiences—and AI is the secret weapon.


    Whether you’re a solopreneur trying to keep up or a growing team juggling a million tasks, this episode gives you the exact playbook to:

    ✅ Predict customer churn before it happens

    ✅ Deliver “Surprise & Delight” moments that feel personal, not automated

    ✅ Use Segment-of-One marketing to make every customer feel like your VIP

    ✅ Create a retention flywheel that compounds loyalty into long-term revenue


    In this episode, you’ll hear:

    • How AI can trigger perfectly-timed outreach that builds trust—not just clicks
    • The spicy truth from our AI Assistant on why you’re “leaking value”
    • Simple steps even a one-person business can take to start using AI right now


    Who should listen:

    • Small business owners and founders feeling stretched thin
    • Entrepreneurs ready to scale without losing their soul
    • Coaches, consultants, retailers, and service providers looking to create real customer loyalty
    • Anyone tired of the “growth at all costs” mindset


    Key takeaway:

    “Retention isn’t sexy—but it’ll make you rich. And AI isn’t replacing your human touch—it’s amplifying it.”


    Challenge of the Week:

    Review your last 10 customer interactions. What’s one moment you could’ve handled better with AI in your corner? Then choose one tool—CRM, automation, or even a smart prompt—and start building that unforgettable experience.

     

    Resources and Mentions in This Episode:

    • AI-powered CRMs (like HubSpot)
    • Custom prompts in ChatGPT to personalize outreach
    • CRM automation features for “Surprise & Delight” campaigns
    • “AI Just Beat Google at Its Own Game: The State Of AI& Tech In 2025” | GaryVee South Park Commons Q&A; https://youtu.be/pKuOAv1UiPA?si=FZlAeovXwxOlDfmX
    • Segment-of-One email triggers based on behavior; “Segment-of-One Marketing” | Boston Consulting Group; https://web-assets.bcg.com/img-src/Segment_of_One_Marketing_Jan1989_tcm9-139613.pdf

    Ready to Take Action?

    • Join the AI Insiders Community for Exclusive Tips & Resources → Request to Join our Private Community
    • Have a question or an AI success story? DM us on LinkedIn or Facebook!
    • Ask us about the Small Business Transformation Model (SBTM)—a simple, step-by-step framework designed for business owners → Email Howard & Howard Holdings, Inc.

     

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    Music Credit: “I Am with You” by Dream Cave; EpidemicSound via iStock.com

    Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

    24 min
  • Beyond the Algorithm: Decoding Human Sales Psychology with AI Superpowers

    What if you could walk into a sales conversation already knowing your customer’s fears, desires, and unspoken objections?


    In today’s fast-paced, AI-driven world, most small business owners are still guessing. But the ones who are winning? They're selling with insight—not instinct.


    In Part 1 of our 3-part “Human-AI Harmony” series, Kim and Hal pull back the curtain on how AI can supercharge your human connection—without sacrificing authenticity. This isn’t automation for automation’s sake. This is about building trust, driving revenue, and transforming your business into what we call a technology-enabled superpower.


    Whether you're a solo entrepreneur, franchise operator, or seasoned business owner, this episode will change the way you think about sales, psychology, and the future of customer connection.

     

    In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

    • How to decode human sales psychology with AI-powered insight
    • The 3-phase AI-Driven Empathy Map that transforms guesswork into guided connection
    • Why using AI isn’t “cheating”—it’s competitive leverage
    • How to personalize sales at scale without sounding robotic
    • The #1 mindset shift that separates struggling sellers from top closers

     

    Memorable Moments & Quotes:

    “You’re not being replaced by AI. You’re being outperformed by the business owner who’s using it better.” – Hal

    “This isn’t just an upgrade. It’s a total system reboot.” – Kim

    “AI handles the data. You bring the empathy. That’s the future of sales.” – AI Assistant (via ChatGPT 😏)

     

    Ready to Take Action?

    • Join the AI Insiders Community for Exclusive Tips & Resources → Request to Join our Private Community
    • Have a question or an AI success story? DM us on LinkedIn or Facebook!
    • Ask us about the Small Business Transformation Model (SBTM)—a simple, step-by-step framework designed for business owners → Email Howard & Howard Holdings, Inc.

     

    Subscribe & Share:

    If this episode made you rethink your sales strategy (or sparked a few “aha!” moments), don’t keep it to yourself. 👉Subscribe, share with a fellow entrepreneur, and leave a review—it helps more small business owners discover the AI edge they didn’t know they needed.

    ---

    Tune in next week as we discuss "The 'Unforgettable' Customer Journey: Building Loyalty & LTV with AI's Human Touch"

    We’ll focus on actionable business models & customer retention.

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    Music Credit: “I Am with You” by Dream Cave; EpidemicSound via iStock.com

    Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

    29 min
  • The AI ‘Cheers’ Effect: How to Scale Intimacy and Turn Your Business into a Connection Magnet

    Is your business growing… but your customer loyalty shrinking? Are you worried AI will make your brand feel robotic, transactional, or cold? In this episode of Small Business Big AI, Kim and Hal reveal how to turn artificial intelligence into your secret weapon for human connection at scale.

    Discover how small businesses are using AI tools like Google Alerts—not for automation alone, but to listen better, remember smarter, and create moments that make customers feel deeply seen. Inspired by the legacy of Cheers, this episode offers a refreshing take on scaling without losing your soul.


    Whether you’re a founder, solopreneur, or scaling teamleader, this conversation will show you how to transform tech overwhelm into connection superpowers.

     

    What You’ll Learn:

    • What the “AI Cheers Effect” is—and how it changes the loyalty game
    • How to use AI to proactively sense disconnection before it costs you
    • The “listening system” you can build in under 20 minutes
    • How small AI tweaks (like Google Alerts + smartfilters) drive big relationship ROI
    • Why scaling intimacy is your unfair advantage in the age of automation
    • What Moonshots and All-In Podcast say about AI’s future—and what it means for YOU

     

    Episode Highlights:

    “AI doesn’t replace relationships—it reveals the onesyou’re about to lose.”

    “You don’t need more tools. You need more touch.”

    “The most powerful AI tool in your business… is still you.”

     

    Perfect For:

    • Small business owners scaling customer relationships
    • Entrepreneurs overwhelmed by AI hype but hungryfor real strategies
    • Service-based businesses looking to personalize at scale
    • Brand builders, marketers, and founders aiming to grow without losing trust

     

    Resources Mentioned:

    Google Alerts Set-up Tips → https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/4815696?hl=en

    Exponential Mindset by Peter Diamandis; https://youtu.be/zpw64xIlgJ0?list=TLGGjZSH0_qosLMwMTA2MjAyNQ

    All-In Podcast – AI Doom vs Boom episode; https://youtu.be/O_AfZ6J0ToE?list=TLGGB_JgYcJODAgwMTA2MjAyNQ

    Join Our Insider List for AI tools, prompt packs & behind-the-scenes → Request to Join our Private Community

     

    Subscribe + Review

    If this episode helped shift your mindset or sparked newideas, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it withanother entrepreneur who’s navigating AI. Every listen helps us reach more small businesses ready to become technology-enabled superpowers.

     

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    Music Credit: “I Am with You” by Dream Cave; EpidemicSound via iStock.com

     

    Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

    Jazz Music (Whiskey Bar Restaurant Casino BackgroundIntro Theme) Music by MaksymMalko from Pixabay

     

    Chicago Shuffle Blues Music by JuliusH. from Pixabay

    22 min
  • Fire Your Second Shift: The $1M Business AI Playbook to Win Clients While You Sleep

    Tired of working late nights and still feeling behind?What if your most reliable employee didn’t sleep, didn’t complain, and didn’t need payroll?
    In this episode of Small Business Big AI, Kim and Hal reveal how 117,000 solo entrepreneurs hit $1M+ in revenue last year—without hiring full-time staff. Their secret? A team of AI employees that clock in when they clock out.


    Whether you’re a solopreneur, consultant, service-basedbusiness owner, or launching a new venture (like a hypothetical insurance agency in Florida 😏), this episode hands you the tactical AI playbook for working less and earning more—without getting buried in tech overwhelm.


    In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

    ✅The truth about the "Second Shift"—and how it's quietly sabotaging your business growth
    ✅Why most social posts flop (and the AI-powered tactic that triples engagement)
    ✅How to stop being invisible online with a 15-minute hyper-local content hack
    ✅The secret to writing outreach messages that actually get replies—without sounding spammy
    ✅How to hire your first 5 AI employees using no-code tools, feedback loops, and smart delegation
    ✅Real stats, real examples, and a blueprint for building a $1M solo enterprise 

     

     Tools + Prompts Mentioned:

    🧪 Quick-Win ROI Lab #1:

    “What five questions do people in [your city] ask when hiring a [your service]?”
    Follow-up: “Write a 150-word answer to question #1, optimized for local search.”

    🧪 Quick-Win ROI Lab #2:

    “Summarize this week’s Reddit and LinkedIn posts about[pain point].”
    Follow-up: “Give me one myth-buster, one 60-sec tip, and one question post idea.”

    🧪 Quick-Win ROI Lab #3:

    “Based on this LinkedIn About section and recent post, what 3 talking points could start a personal outreach message?”

     

     Perfect For:

    • Small business owners overwhelmed by AI and digital noise
    • Solopreneurs who want to scale without hiring
    • Creators, coaches, and consultants seeking smarter client acquisition
    • Entrepreneurs building asynchronous, freedom-first businesses
    • Founders exploring tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Zapier, and Make

     


    Resources & Links:

    • OpenAI + Jony Ive Acquisition Explained (video)
    • Microsoft Build 2025 Keynote (video)
    • Google I/O Conference Announcements
    • IMPACT Framework Course – Get AI fluent, fast
    • Join the Small Business Big AI Community on LinkedIn

    🎧 Hit Play If You’re Asking:

    • “How do I use AI to save time, not waste it?”
    • “What’s the fastest way to improve visibility and engagement?”
    • “Can I really run a lean, scalable business with no full-time staff?”
    • “How do I hire AI employees without writing a line of code?”

     

    Follow + Subscribe

    Love what you heard? Don’t miss an episode. 👉Tap Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite player.
    Leave a review, share with a friend, and help more small business owners build a smarter future—one AI-powered step at a time.


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    Music Credit: “I Am with You” by Dream Cave; EpidemicSound via iStock.com

    Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

    36 min
  • Buy, Don’t Build: How to Buy a Business and Skip the Startup Struggle

    Buy a business. Skip the struggle.
    In this episode, we reveal why more entrepreneurs are choosing to acquire established businesses instead of building from scratch—and how AI gives you a massive edge every step of the way.


    Host Kim Lewis Howard and business strategist Hal Howardunpack one of the biggest opportunities of 2025: buying a small business instead of building one from scratch. With millions of Baby Boomer-owned businesses hitting the market and AI leveling the playing field, the smartest move you can make might not be launching—it might be acquiring.

     

    Whether you’re a solopreneur, a time-strapped founder, ora corporate escapee ready to own something real—this is your playbook.


    In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

    • Why over 12 million small businesses are projected to change hands—and how to spot the right one for you
    • The emotional dynamics most buyers completelyoverlook (and how to win the trust of retiring founders)
    • A 5-step roadmap to buying your first business—without getting burned
    • How AI tools can help you with due diligence, SOPs, negotiation, and integration
    • Real-world insights from Hal’s current deals + acandid story from Kim’s own family business succession

     

     

    🤖 AI Tools + Tactics Mentioned:

    • Using AI to analyze P&Ls, detect red flags, and speed up financial due diligence
    • How ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude can help draft SOPs, Letters of Intent, and even prep for negotiations
    • Prompts that save hours—and thousands—in consulting and legal fees

     

    Who This Episode Is For:

    • Small business owners looking for their next growth move
    • Solopreneurs and consultants exploring acquisition
    • Aspiring entrepreneurs ready to skip the “startup struggle”
    • Tech-curious founders eager to turn AI into a strategic edge
    • Anyone who’s ever thought: “There has to be a smarter way to build wealth.”


     

    Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:

    What kind of business would you buy if you had the right tools and roadmap?

    • DM Kim or Hal on LinkedIn. Or comment here onthe platform.
    • Join the AI Insiders Community for informationregarding the IMPACT masterclass → Request to Join our Private Community
    • Have a question or an AI success story? DM us on LinkedIn or Facebook!
    • Ask us about the Small Business Transformation Model (SBTM)—a simple, step-by-step framework designed for business owners → Email Howard & Howard Holdings, Inc.

     

     

    🎧 Subscribe + Review:

    If you enjoyed this episode, tap “Follow” on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss a drop of strategic wisdom. And if today’s show shifted your thinking, leave us a review—it helps us reach more entrepreneurs like you.

     

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    Music Credit: “I Am with You” by Dream Cave; EpidemicSound via iStock.com

    Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

    31 min
  • Chatbots, Claims & Cash Flow: The Unexpected AI Hack Insurance Taught Me

    Tired of the daily grind stealing your time and sanity? 😩

    What if you could tap into a hidden superpower that's quietly transforming even the MOST old-school industries... like insurance?!


    On this episode of Small Business Big AI, host Kim and strategist Hal reveal the surprisingly simple AI strategies adopted by insurance giants that YOU can use RIGHT NOW to slash chaos, boost cash flow, and seriously upgrade your customer experience.


    Stop drowning in tedious tasks! We're spilling the secrets on how AI can automate the boring stuff (yes, even for solopreneurs!), make your customers happier, and give you a competitive edge without needing a tech degree or a massive budget.


    If you're a small business owner, solopreneur, or entrepreneur feeling overwhelmed by tech or just curious how AI actually works in the real world, this episode is your wake-up call! Learn the 4-step AI blueprint built for busy people and the crucial "watch-outs" to avoid costly mistakes.


    In this episode, you'll discover:

    • Why the INSURANCE industry is your unlikely AI role model. (Seriously, they're crushing it!)
    • How to identify the RIGHT tasks to automate with AI to instantly free up your time (Hint: Start with the stuff you HATE).
    • User-friendly AI tools that are shockingly simple to use – no coding required!
    • How AI can actually make your customer interactions MORE human and personalized.
    • The critical risks of using AI without oversight and how to protect your business (PLUS, a wild insurance liability clause you NEED to know!).
    • Your simple 4-step blueprint to start using AI strategically, even if you think ChatGPT is a rapper.
    • Real-world examples of small businesses getting HUGE wins with basic AI tools.

     

    Ready to go from overwhelmed to empowered? Tune in now!


    Please remember to:

    • Subscribe to Small Business Big AI on your favorite podcast platform! ✅
    • Leave a review – it helps us reach more entrepreneurs like you!
    • Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear this!


    Let's turn that chaos into cash flow!

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    Music Credit: “I Am with You” by Dream Cave; EpidemicSound via iStock.com

    Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

    34 min
  • Forget Google Ads! Use AI to Steal Your Competitor’s Customers (Legally!)

    Are you still throwing money at Google Ads and hoping forleads? It’s time to stop guessing and start outsmarting. In this episode of Small Business Big AI, host Kim (with co-host Hal) exposes how AI gives small businesses a powerful, legal edge to attract their competitor’s customers—without blowing the budget.


    Whether you’re a coach, consultant, agency owner, or local business trying to stand out, this episode hands you a proven framework for getting seen, remembered, and chosen—even in crowded markets.


    Inside this episode:

    • Why “more ad spend” is not your growth strategy(and what is)
    • How to reverse-engineer your competitor’s blindspots with AI
    • The Visibility Triangle: A 3-part framework to get customers before your competition does
    • The truth about AI-powered cold calling bots—andwhy they might wreck your business


    This is more than an episode—it’s a blueprint for turning AI into your small business advantage.


    Who This Episode Is For:

    • Entrepreneurs & solopreneurs looking to compete with bigger brands
    • Small business owners tired of wasting money onunderperforming ads
    • Coaches, consultants, and creators building their personal brand with smart strategy
    • Local businesses wanting to stand out and actuallyget seen online
    • Anyone curious about using AI for competitiveresearch, marketing, or customer acquisition


    🎧 Subscribe to Small Business Big AI so you don’t miss next week’s episode on how to turn AI-powered insights into revenue-generating content—without hiring a content team.
    Leave a review and tell us: What’s your biggest marketing frustration right now?

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    Music Credit: “I Am with You” by Dream Cave; EpidemicSound via iStock.com

    Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

    30 min
  • Feeling Invisible? How Big AI Helps Small Businesses Get Seen and Win Locally

    Are you tired of feeling invisible online — no matter how hard you work?


    You’re not alone. In today's overcrowded digital world, even the best small businesses are getting overlooked, ignored, and buried by the algorithms.


    In this powerful episode, Kim and Hal reveal how Big AI gives small businesses the real advantage — visibility.


    If you’re a small business owner struggling to:

    • Get your posts seen
    • Attract more local customers
    • Compete against bigger brands with bigger budgets


    ...then this episode is your survival guide.


    In this episode, you’ll discover:

    • Why working harder isn’t the answer — and what smart businesses are doing instead
    • The "Digital Mountain" every entrepreneur faces (and how to survive it)
    • The 5-Step Big AI Local Visibility Workflow that helps you get seen without burning out
    • How to use AI for content creation, customer engagement, and local market domination
    • Tactical, real-world steps to boost your visibility and win — even if you have no big team and no big budget


    "You don't need to be everywhere. You need to be visible where it matters most."


    Ready to stop white-knuckling your business's future and start climbing with confidence?
    Tune in now and learn how to turn Big AI into your competitive superpower.


    Mentioned in this Episode:

    • Google Trends
    • Perplexity AI
    • Google Business Profile Setup Guide

     

    Loved this episode?
    Please share it with another small business owner who's climbing their own mountain.
    And don't forget to subscribe to Small Business Big AI — where we turn technology into your greatest advantage.


    Interested in the IMPACT Framework? DM us on LinkedIn or Facebook!

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    Music Credit: “I Am with You” by Dream Cave; Epidemic Sound via iStock.com

    Sound Effects: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/


    42 min

About Small Business Big AI

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Small Business Big AI explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the entrepreneurial landscape. Hosted by Kim Lewis Howard, we provide actionable insights and practical strategies for small…