The Business Behind Small Business

Government contracting has long been one of the most reliable paths to growth for small businesses in the DMV — but the rules just changed, and most small business owners haven't caught up. Whether you're already in GovCon or considering it, the moves you make in the next few months matter more than they have in decades.

This episode opens with how small businesses got a seat at the federal contracting table in the first place. After World War II, federal contracts were dominated almost entirely by large corporations. Congress passed the Small Business Act in 1953 to guarantee small businesses a share of that spending, and the set-aside system was born. The lesson for today's small business owner: that system was created by political will — which means it can be reshaped by political will, and that's exactly what's happening now.

Sevana Stone is joined by GovCon attorney Cherylyn Harley LeBon to break down what's actually changed for small business government contractors in 2025 and 2026: shifting federal spending priorities, agency restructuring, an overhauled Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and a new push toward performance-based, fixed-price contracts. We cover which certifications — 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB — still open doors right now, the prime-versus-sub decision in a restructuring market, how to find opportunities before they go public, and why over-relying on federal revenue has become a real risk for small business owners.

This episode is for small business owners already doing government contracting who need a survival playbook for the next two years, and for small business owners weighing whether to get into GovCon at all.

HISTORICAL FIGURE: The Small Business Act of 1953 / Cherylyn Harley LeBon

KEYWORDS: government contracting 2026, GovCon changes small business, FAR overhaul small business, government contracting attorney, small business set-aside program

• SAM.gov (System for Award Management) — https://www.sam.gov — mandatory registration; nothing else matters if this isn't current
• SBA Federal Contracting — https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting — plain-English overview of the certification programs (8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB)
• APTAC / Find Your PTAC — https://www.aptac-us.org — free technical assistance centers, searchable by location
• USASpending.gov — https://www.usaspending.gov — research where federal money is going and what competitors are winning

GovWin by Deltek — https://iq.govwin.com — paid pipeline-intelligence tool for tracking upcoming opportunities

Recommended Books 

• Government Contracts in Plain English — NOLO Press
• The Small Business Guide to Government Contracts — Steven Koprince

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 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION:

For small business owners, staying comfortable feels like stability. It rarely is. The clients you keep at discounted rates, the systems you don't fix, the service you don't expand, the hire you keep putting off — comfort has a cost, and it compounds quietly until it doesn't.

This episode opens with Blockbuster vs. Netflix — the most instructive cautionary tale about what happens when a dominant business mistakes its current position for safety. Blockbuster had the brand, the locations, and the customer base. Netflix had the willingness to be uncomfortable. We know how it ended.

Then we bring it to the scale of the small business owner: how to identify where you're playing it too safe, what it's actually costing you, and how to make calculated moves without betting the company. This episode is for the small business owner who knows something needs to change but has been waiting for the right time. The right time is the episode.

CTA:

New episodes publish every 1st and 15th. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.

HISTORICAL FIGURE:

Blockbuster vs. Netflix

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 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.

Most small business owners don't undercharge because they don't know their numbers. They undercharge because pricing is emotional — tangled up in fear, comparison to competitors, and the belief that "affordable" is a strategy. It isn't.

This episode breaks down why small business owners hesitate to charge what their work is worth, how pricing psychology works in your favor when you understand it, and the three frameworks (cost-plus, value-based, and capacity-based) that strip emotion out of the decision. We also cover how to raise prices on existing clients without losing them.

Apple's pricing revolution is the anchor story — how Steve Jobs returned to a struggling company and made products more expensive, not cheaper, and built a brand that made premium pricing feel obvious. If every client says yes immediately, you're underpriced. This episode helps small business owners fix that.

Key Topics:

• Pricing communicates value; low prices may imply low value.
• Restructured pricing changes perception, not just numbers.
• Align pricing with customer behavior, not tradition.
• Consistency in pricing builds trust and credibility.
• Emotional benefits can justify premium pricing.
• Market value should guide pricing, but not dictate it.
• Confidence in pricing is crucial for business owners.
• Tiered pricing can make changes more consumable.
• Testing pricing in the market provides valuable feedback.
• Pricing should reflect both costs and perceived value.

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Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too.

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Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana to cover? Email at [email protected] and see your question answers or topic of interest discussed on a future episode!

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New episodes publish every 1st and 15th. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association. 

Website - Check out our website! 

https://www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com Notice - As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. These earnings contribute towards the costs of creating this podcast and we greatly appreciate your support! Disclaimer - Details of today’s story was inspired by true events but are not based on proven facts. Also, we are NOT licensed financial experts, nor do we give financial advice. Anything we share with you here on our podcast, whether it be a personal experience or submission, or advice/tips that have worked for us, or that we believe would work for you should not be viewed as either financial, business, or tax advice. We ask for you to do your research, have open and honest conversations with your company’s own support providers and make decisions based upon that. Throughout this broadcast we will share our knowledge and give suggestions and hope you will receive them as part of your overall research to better your own company.

#SmallBusiness #PricingStrategy #SmallBusinessTips #ValueBasedPricing #Entrepreneur #BusinessGrowth #PricingPsychology #SmallBusinessOwner #HowToRaisePrices #BusinessTips

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 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.

88. Rebranding is one of the most misunderstood moves a small business can make. Done right, it opens new markets, resets a damaged reputation, or realigns a business with where it's actually going. Done wrong — or done for the wrong reasons — it confuses existing clients and wastes money you don't have.

This episode covers the real reasons small businesses should consider rebranding (and the wrong ones that trap owners into expensive pivots), the timing signals that tell you the moment is right, and how to execute a rebrand without alienating your current audience in the process.

The anchor story is Pepsi-Cola — how Caleb Bradham turned "Brad's Drink" into one of the most recognized beverages in the world through a name change and intentional repositioning. Same product. Different story. Completely different trajectory. If you've been wondering whether your brand still fits where your small business is going, this episode gives you the framework to decide.

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Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too.

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Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana to cover? Email us at [email protected] and see your question answers or topic of interest discussed on a future episode!

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 | New episodes publish every 1st and 15th. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.

Sponsorship Opportunities - Email us here: [email protected]

Website - Check out our website! https://www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com 

Notice - As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. These earnings contribute towards the costs of creating this podcast and we greatly appreciate your support! 

Disclaimer - Details of today’s story was inspired by true events but are not based on proven facts. Also, we are NOT licensed financial experts, nor do we give financial advice. Anything we share with you here on our podcast, whether it be a personal experience or submission, or advice/tips that have worked for us, or that we believe would work for you should not be viewed as either financial, business, or tax advice. We ask for you to do your research, have open and honest conversations with your company’s own support providers and make decisions based upon that. Throughout this broadcast we will share our knowledge and give suggestions and hope you will receive them as part of your overall research to better your own company.

#SmallBusiness #Rebranding #SmallBusinessMarketing #BrandIdentity #SmallBusinessOwner #BusinessStrategy #BrandRefresh #Entrepreneur #SmallBiz #MarketingTips

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.

87. Most service-based small businesses quote work one project at a time — and that model quietly limits both income and client retention. Packaging your services changes the dynamic: it makes your pricing predictable, your value clearer, and your client decisions easier.

This episode walks through the complete process of building service packages for a small business: how to identify your core services, group them into tiers that make sense for different client budgets, price them in a way that protects your margins, and name and describe them so clients can actually understand what they're buying.

If you've been stuck in the hourly billing trap or losing proposals because your pricing feels inconsistent, this episode gives small business owners a step-by-step framework for packaging services in a way that works 

************************Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too.

************************Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana to cover? Email us at [email protected] and see your question answers or topic of interest discussed on a future episode!

**************************** New episodes publish every 1st and 15th. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association. 

 Notice - As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. These earnings contribute towards the costs of creating this podcast and we greatly appreciate your support! Disclaimer - Details of today’s story was inspired by true events but are not based on proven facts. Also, we are NOT licensed financial experts, nor do we give financial advice. Anything we share with you here on our podcast, whether it be a personal experience or submission, or advice/tips that have worked for us, or that we believe would work for you should not be viewed as either financial, business, or tax advice. We ask for you to do your research, have open and honest conversations with your company’s own support providers and make decisions based upon that. Throughout this broadcast we will share our knowledge and give suggestions and hope you will receive them as part of your overall research to better your own company.

#SmallBusiness #ServicePackages #ServiceBusiness #SmallBusinessOwner #Entrepreneur #PackageYourServices #HowToPrice #SmallBiz #BusinessTips #ValueBasedPricing

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.

86. How does the demise of DEI affect small business? What to do if you are a government contractor in 2025? How to know what profit margins should you have? How much does your payroll really cost you? Today, Sevana and Tiffany talk a little bit of everything in business.

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Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too.

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Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana to cover? Email us at [email protected] and see your question answers or topic of interest discussed on a future episode!

**************************** 

New episodes publish every 1st and 15th. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association. 

Sponsorship Opportunities - Email us here: [email protected]

Website - Check out our website! https://www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com 

Notice - As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. These earnings contribute towards the costs of creating this podcast and we greatly appreciate your support! 

Disclaimer - Details of today’s story was inspired by true events but are not based on proven facts. Also, we are NOT licensed financial experts, nor do we give financial advice. Anything we share with you here on our podcast, whether it be a personal experience or submission, or advice/tips that have worked for us, or that we believe would work for you should not be viewed as either financial, business, or tax advice. We ask for you to do your research, have open and honest conversations with your company’s own support providers and make decisions based upon that. Throughout this broadcast we will share our knowledge and give suggestions and hope you will receive them as part of your overall research to better your own company.

#smallbusinessadvice #entrepreneurship #referralpartners #businesspodcast #businessreferrals #howtogrowabusiness 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.

85.Tariffs aren't just a policy debate — for small business owners who import materials, source from overseas suppliers, or compete with imported goods, they're a direct hit to your cost structure and your margins.

This episode covers what the current tariff landscape actually means for small business owners in practical terms: how upstream cost increases travel downstream to your prices, how to evaluate your exposure, and the steps small businesses can take to protect their margins when trade policy shifts. We recorded this episode just before inauguration and the tariff landscape moved faster than anyone expected — which is exactly why small business owners need a framework for navigating policy uncertainty, not just the current rules.

If you run a small business that sources anything from outside the U.S. — or competes with businesses that do — this episode gives you the map.

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Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too.

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Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana to cover? Email us at [email protected] and see your question answers or topic of interest discussed on a future episode!

**************************** 

New episodes publish every 1st and 15th. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association. 

Sponsorship Opportunities - Email us here: [email protected]

Website - Check out our website! https://www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com 

Notice - As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. These earnings contribute towards the costs of creating this podcast and we greatly appreciate your support! 

Disclaimer - Details of today’s story was inspired by true events but are not based on proven facts. Also, we are NOT licensed financial experts, nor do we give financial advice. Anything we share with you here on our podcast, whether it be a personal experience or submission, or advice/tips that have worked for us, or that we believe would work for you should not be viewed as either financial, business, or tax advice. We ask for you to do your research, have open and honest conversations with your company’s own support providers and make decisions based upon that. Throughout this broadcast we will share our knowledge and give suggestions and hope you will receive them as part of your overall research to better your own company.

#SmallBusiness #Tariffs #TradePolicy #SmallBusinessOwner #SupplyChain #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneur #SmallBiz #ImportExport #EconomicPolicy

Reference/Resources Used In this Episode:

⁠Brookings

POLITICO

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Support the show

 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.

84. Power and status are two very different things in business — and confusing them is one of the most common ways small business owners undermine their own authority.

This episode explores how men and women approach power and status differently in professional settings, why likability and competence are not mutually exclusive even when the world treats them that way, and how small business owners can develop the self-awareness to navigate both dynamics intentionally.

The conversation covers cultural influences on how authority is perceived, communication styles that build versus erode influence, and what it looks like to hire for a business that doesn't collapse under personality conflicts. If you've ever wondered whether you're being taken seriously — or whether you're taking others seriously enough — this episode is worth your time.

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Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too.

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00:00 Understanding Power and Status

01:49 The Gender Dynamics of Power

06:16 Defining Power and Status

10:24 Historical Perspectives on Gender and Power

12:34 Men's Approach to Power and Status

15:21 Women's Unique Communication Styles21:36Building Influence Through Collaboration

23:16 Understanding Communication Styles Between Genders

25:40 Risk-Taking and Business Strategies: A Gender Perspective

29:15 The Role of Warmth and Competence in Business

31:06 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Professional Settings

34:52 The Evolution of Communication: Passive Aggressiveness and Mansplaining

40:29 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Conversations

43:12 Cultural Influences on Power and Status

45:55 Self-Awareness and Business Leadership

48:51 Hiring for Success: Balancing Personalities

52:30 The Importance of Accountability in Business

53:03 Resources for Business Growth and Learning

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Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana to cover? Email us at [email protected] and see your question answers or topic of interest discussed on a future episode!

**************************** 

New episodes publish every 1st and 15th. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association. 

Sponsorship Opportunities - Email us here: [email protected]

Website - Check out our website! https://www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com 

Notice - As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. These earnings contribute towards the costs of creating this podcast and we greatly appreciate your support! 

Disclaimer - Details of today’s story was inspired by true events but are not based on proven facts. Also, we are NOT licensed financial experts, nor do we give financial advice. Anything we share with you here on our podcast, whether it be a personal experience or submission, or advice/tips that have worked for us, or that we believe would work for you should not be viewed as either financial, business, or tax advice. We ask for you to do your research, have open and honest conversations with your company’s own support providers and make decisions based upon that. Throughout this broadcast we will share our knowledge and give suggestions and hope you will receive them as part of your overall research to better your own company.

#SmallBusiness #WomenInBusiness #Leadership #SmallBusinessOwner #BusinessMindset #Entrepreneur #PowerInBusiness #SmallBiz #BusinessLeadership #GenderInBusiness

Reference/Resources Used In this Episode:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-new-paradigm/202406/on-the-power-and-roles-of-men-and-women

https://www.axios.com/2022/04/05/elon-musks-power-grab

https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2024/11/dual-tracks-top-men-often-linked-power-women-status

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Support the show

 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.

#83. Trump. Harris. Harris. Trump. How does their plans impact you as a small business owner? That's the center of today's episode - breaking down the main parts of each candidate's plans for taxes and the economy so you can make the vote that is right for you!

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Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too.

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Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana and Tiffany to cover? Email us at [email protected] and see your question answers or topic of interest discussed on a future episode!

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About BBSB - We are two business owners with two very different perspectives on building business, and the business behind that in order to achieve your goals. One of us built to sell, and will continue on the serial entrepreneur path, which means your focus and drive should include very particular tools and tips in order to achieve your goal. The other, is building a generational business, one that can go on long after she’s let go of the wheel. This type of business also requires very specific tools and platforms to achieve this goal. Both women have been successful in their own right, but in honesty - haven’t scratched the surface! 

Sponsorship Opportunities - Email us here: [email protected]

Website - Check out our website! https://www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com 

Notice - As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. These earnings contribute towards the costs of creating this podcast and we greatly appreciate your support! 

Disclaimer - Details of today’s story was inspired by true events but are not based on proven facts. Also, we are NOT licensed financial experts, nor do we give financial advice. Anything we share with you here on our podcast, whether it be a personal experience or submission, or advice/tips that have worked for us, or that we believe would work for you should not be viewed as either financial, business, or tax advice. We ask for you to do your research, have open and honest conversations with your company’s own support providers and make decisions based upon that. Throughout this broadcast we will share our knowledge and give suggestions and hope you will receive them as part of your overall research to better your own company.

#smallbusinessadvice #entrepreneurship #referralpartners #businesspodcast #businessreferrals #howtogrowabusiness #2024elections #trumpvsharris #trump #harris

Reference/Resources Used In this Episode:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wharton_School 

https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2024/8/26/harris-campaign-policy-proposals-2024

https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2024/8/26/trump-campaign-policy-proposals-2024

Nonpartisan Political Websites:

Alternative Titles:

Trump vs. Harris

Budget Talk For Trump and Harris

Let's talk budget for 2024 Elections

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Support the show

 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.

#82. The difference between a small business clients return to and one they forget often has nothing to do with the product or service. It has to do with how the experience felt — from first contact through final delivery.

This episode covers five specific ways small business owners can define and elevate the customer experience even without a big budget or a dedicated team. The anchor story is Alfred Peet of Peet's Coffee — the man who changed how Americans experienced coffee and, in the process, taught three founders in Seattle how to do the same. Those three founders went on to build Starbucks.

If your small business depends on referrals and repeat clients, this episode is about building the kind of experience that makes both feel inevitable.

Topics in today's episode includes:

- How Peets and Starbucks crossed paths

- 5 ways to define your customer experience, even on a shoestring budget

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Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too.

************************

Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana and Tiffany to cover? Email us at [email protected] and see your question answers or topic of interest discussed on a future episode!

**************************** 

New episodes publish every 1st and 15th. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association. 

Sponsorship Opportunities - Email us here: [email protected]

Website - Check out our website! https://www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com 

Notice - As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. These earnings contribute towards the costs of creating this podcast and we greatly appreciate your support! 

Disclaimer - Details of today’s story was inspired by true events but are not based on proven facts. Also, we are NOT licensed financial experts, nor do we give financial advice. Anything we share with you here on our podcast, whether it be a personal experience or submission, or advice/tips that have worked for us, or that we believe would work for you should not be viewed as either financial, business, or tax advice. We ask for you to do your research, have open and honest conversations with your company’s own support providers and make decisions based upon that. Throughout this broadcast we will share our knowledge and give suggestions and hope you will receive them as part of your overall research to better your own company.

#SmallBusiness #CustomerExperience #ClientRetention #SmallBusinessOwner #CustomerService #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneur #SmallBiz #CustomerJourney #BusinessTips

References / Resources Used For This Episode:

1. Caffeinated | official trailer (2015)
2. BEST PRACTICES for Developing a Customer Experience Strategy | PeopleMetrics LIVE!

Alternative Titles:

Mapping your Customer Journey

Branding and Marketing for Your Business

Why Customer Experience Matters

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.