Small Business, Big Engine

What started as a backyard obsession with Japanese maples turned into a thriving, high-end landscaping business serving the Nashville area. In this episode of Small Business, Big Engine, host Grant Fisher sits down with Colby Jenkins, founder of Maple Hills Nursery and Maple Hills Design, to unpack how he went from pruning trees on his lunch break to building a design-build firm that handles 6-figure outdoor living projects.

Colby shares his journey from commercial banker to business owner, how he made his first $1,600 on Facebook Marketplace, and the moment he realized he was sitting on a real business. We talk about the power of focusing on one product, why good marketing matters more than just relying on word-of-mouth, and how he strategically positioned his business to attract premium clients.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• How to turn a niche passion into a profitable business

• The difference between doing the work and designing the vision

• When it’s time to stop being the labor and start being the leader

• Why high-end clients require a different mindset — and different marketing

• The value of borrowed branding and strategic partnerships

• How to fire bad clients without losing your peace

• What to consider before scaling your service-based business

Whether you’re in landscaping, design, or just trying to grow your side hustle into a full-time gig, this episode is full of honest insights on entrepreneurship, client management, and marketing that actually works.

🎧 Follow the show for new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Jeremy Mitchell didn’t plan to start a baseball bat company, he just had an idea, some design skills, and a passion for baseball. In this episode of Small Business, Big Engine, we dive into how Mitchell Bat Co started, a custom-painted bat brand that went viral within days, got featured by ESPN, and landed licensing deals with NCAA programs and major brands like Jack Daniels.

You’ll hear how Jeremy kickstarted the business while working a full-time job, how he navigated college and pro sports licensing, and what it’s really like to turn a side hustle into a sustainable product business.

What we talked about:

• ​The moment Mitchell Bat Co. launched during Game 6 of the 2013 World Series
• ​How early exposure on Instagram and ESPN led to unexpected growth
• ​The behind-the-scenes of sports licensing with NCAA, MLBPA, and more
• ​Why keeping a day job isn’t a failure—it’s a smart strategy

Learn more at: https://mitchellbatco.com

If you read this far, you are my favorite 👋

In this episode of Small Business, Big Engine, Grant Fisher sits down with Hailey Johnston, founder of Project Free 2 Fly, a mission-driven small business based in Cleveland, Tennessee. What started as a handmade sewing business has grown into a nonprofit-social enterprise that empowers women in crisis through employment, life skills, and community support.

Hailey shares how she turned a simple idea into a sustainable organization—balancing retail operations, fundraising, and mentorship. You'll hear how she navigated early challenges, built a supportive team, and created a program that helps women gain independence, confidence, and long-term career success.

Whether you're building a purpose-driven brand, starting a nonprofit, or just looking for inspiration on how business can change lives, this episode is packed with practical insights.

Topics Covered:

• How to launch a mission-driven business from scratch

• Hiring with purpose and building the right team

• Managing the dual roles of nonprofit and retail operations

• Creating impact through community-focused entrepreneurship

• Tips for growing without losing your vision

In this conversation, Andrea Boddeker shares her experiences as a franchise owner, discussing the importance of marketing, creativity, and customer relationships in running a successful business. She highlights the support provided by the franchise, the challenges of navigating social media, and the significance of understanding seasonal trends in business growth. Andrea reflects on her journey, the lessons learned, and the balance between structure and creativity in the franchise model.

02:58 Transitioning from Printing to Franchising

05:47 Marketing Challenges and Solutions

08:37 Franchise Support and Community

11:41 Creative Limitations in a Franchise

14:38 Evaluating Franchise vs. Independent Business

17:27 Understanding the Competitive Landscape

20:27 Growth Strategies and Revenue Predictions

21:41 Understanding Seasonal Business Trends

25:05 The Importance of Recurring Customers

27:29 Challenges in Business Operations

27:33 Navigating Franchise Ownership

34:34 Connecting with Customers

35:53 Transitioning from Print to Franchise

36:16 Navigating the Franchise Landscape

36:28 The Importance of Knowing Your Strengths

What if the biggest obstacle in your business... is you?

In this episode of Small Business, Big Engine, I’m joined by Aaron Bellar—military chaplain, executive coach, and university instructor—who shares how 30 years of experience in high-stakes leadership shaped his no-nonsense approach to coaching high performers.

We dive into:

• ​Why most business problems are personal problems in disguise
• ​How empowering questions can fuel breakthrough growth
• ​The difference between transformation and advice
• ​Why clarity is more powerful than hustle
• ​How to lead yourself before you lead others

Whether you're scaling a company, leading a team, or building something from scratch, Aaron's perspective will challenge you to look inward, build emotional intelligence, and grow across every dimension of your life—not just in business.

👉 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode helped you reframe your next step.

🎧 Learn more about how we're helping entrepreneurs grow at SingleStack.io

If you read this far, you’re awesome 👋

#LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #Entrepreneurship #SelfLeadership #PersonalGrowth #SmallBusinessPodcast #BusinessMindset

🎙️ In this episode of Small Business Big Engine, host Grant Fisher sits down with Brittany Katz, owner of Terra Running Company in Cleveland, Tennessee. Brittany shares her how she made the leap from middle school teacher to becoming a small business owner in a new city, and how she built a thriving running store that’s now the heartbeat of Cleveland’s active community.

From launching race events and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, to making the emotional decision to close her coffee shop, Brittany talks candidly about what it really takes to run (literally) a successful local business. Whether you're a runner, a small biz dreamer, or just love a great story — this one's got miles of insight.

📍 Visit Terra Running Company in person: Click for directions
🌐 Online: www.terrarunning.com

👟 Topics: small business growth, Cleveland TN, running store success, event marketing, community building, entrepreneurship lessons

Can you grow a successful business and stay true to your purpose? In this episode, we chat with Shannon Greer—pastor, entrepreneur, and founder of Cadence Coffee Company and the Oasis Center in Chattanooga. Shannon shares how he built a multi-location coffee business that does more than sell great coffee—it builds community, supports nonprofits, and lives out a mission every single day. We dive into leadership, family, scaling with heart, and what it really means to blend profit with purpose.

In the first episode of Small Business, Big Engine, Grant Fisher chats with Bryan Meeker about his journey as the owner of Nextdoor Photos, a real estate photography business. Bryan shares insights on the challenges of hiring, scaling his business, and the importance of having a business coach. Bryan emphasizes the significance of building a strong team, managing client relationships, and the strategies he employs for predictable revenue. He also reflects on the lessons learned from difficult client experiences and the resilience required to navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.