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From Italy to Atlanta: Miranda Esposito Builds a Business on Relationships

Starting over in a new country takes courage. Building a business there takes relationships.

Miranda Esposito of Miranda’s Cabinets joins Chris and Alan to share how she moved from Torino, Italy, to Atlanta and turned her construction experience into a cabinetry business. From navigating language barriers to earning credibility in the trades, Miranda explains what it takes to bring fresh ideas into an industry built on familiar routines.

We explore the business behind beautiful kitchens, including European frameless cabinets, installer buy-in, and why clear expectations and project management matter just as much as design. Miranda shares how launching during COVID tested her adaptability—and how strong vendor relationships helped her navigate shortages, long lead times, and pricing pressure.

She also explains her approach to supporting builders, designers, and remodelers through a trade-focused showroom, selection assistance, and logistics. Her story offers practical lessons for any entrepreneur looking to find a niche, build trust, and grow through networking.

💡 GOLD NUGGETS

• Find your niche by solving problems for your trade partners.
• Get installers on board before introducing unfamiliar products.
• Set clear expectations to protect quality and prevent callbacks.
• Build vendor relationships before you need their help.
• Turn networking into lasting partnerships, not just quick leads.

🔗 Guest Links — Miranda Esposito

• Website: MirandaCabinets.com
• Instagram & Facebook: Search Miranda Cabinets
• Email: [email protected]
• Call or text: 770-727-6515

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• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/
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Missing payroll while your P&L says “profit” is a special kind of stress, and it hits food and beverage brands hard. We bring on Scotty Palmer from Palmer Strategic Advisors to get brutally practical about why breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and CPG brands run out of cash even with real revenue, loyal customers, and a product that sells. If you’ve ever thought, “Where did the money go?” this conversation is for you.

Profitable but Broke? Fix Your Cash Flow with Scotty Palmer

Your P&L says “profit,” but your bank account says you can’t make payroll. Where did the money go?

On this episode of The Small Business Safari, Chris and Alan sit down with Scotty Palmer of Palmer’s Strategic Advisors to uncover why breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and consumer packaged goods brands run short on cash—even when customers love their products.

Scotty explains how the timing between paying expenses and collecting revenue can put a growing business under pressure. He shares how a fractional CFO helps owners understand working capital, identify which products and sales channels actually make money, and turn financial reports into practical action plans.

One founder thought production was running at 50–60% capacity. The numbers revealed just 18%. That discovery opened the door to filling unused capacity, adding commission-based sales, and rebuilding cash flow.

We also explore adjusting staffing after the COVID boom, aligning compensation with company goals, and why weekly accountability matters when putting a growth plan into motion.

💡 GOLD NUGGETS

• Profit on paper doesn’t guarantee cash for payroll.
• Measure production capacity before investing in expansion.
• Build pay plans that reward the results your business needs.
• Know your profitability by product and sales channel.
• Before scaling, watch four guardrails: strong gross margin, a healthy current ratio, consistent profitability, and at least four to six months of cash runway.

Connect with Scotty: In this episode, Scotty offers to work in qualifying businesses for two weeks at no charge to demonstrate how he can help. Visit https://palmersadvisors.com to book a call and discuss whether your business is a fit.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube:
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🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari
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• LinkedIn: Chris Lalomia
• Website: https://chrislalomia.com

Subscribe, share this episode with a business owner who needs cash flow clarity, and leave a review with the one metric you’re going to tackle first.

🔗 GUEST INFORMATION

Scotty Palmer — Founder & Fractional CFO
Company: Palmer’s Strategic Advisors
Scotty helps food and beverage brands improve cash flow, understand profitability, and build a financial foundation for growth.

• Website: https://palmersadvisors.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 941-356-4204
• Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/palmers-advisors

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotty-palmer/

Special offer mentioned in this episode: Scotty offers two weeks of work in your business at no charge to show how he can help. Book a call through his website to discuss whether you’re a fit.

Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

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If your social media sounds like everyone else’s, your customers are probably scrolling right past it.

Summary:

Madison from MDZN Studio joins us to cut through the social media noise and explain what actually works for small businesses today. We challenge the idea that social media should instantly “pay back” like an ad and look at why authenticity, community, brand awareness, and trust often matter more than chasing immediate leads.

Madison shares a practical posting strategy that small business owners can actually maintain, including a cadence of about three posts a week and a mix of educational, inspirational, and promotional content. We break down where Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok fit, plus why Reels can drive reach while carousels create repeat exposure.

We also dig into why authentic, on-site video is outperforming overly polished content, how quarterly content shoots make posting easier, and why AI-generated “slop” is already turning audiences off. If you're tired of posting just to post, this episode will help you create content that feels human, builds trust, and keeps your business top of mind.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari

💡 GOLD NUGGETS

• Why authenticity beats AI-generated content
• What social media ROI really looks like
• A simple three-post-a-week strategy
• Reels for reach, carousels for repeat exposure
• Why real, on-site videos outperform polished graphics
• How batching content prevents social media burnout
• Turning followers into customers through trust

🔗 Guest Links

Website: https://mdznstudio.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madison-whitcher-a3221b116/

🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari

Instagram: @smallbusinesssafaripodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/
Website: https://chrislalomia.com

Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

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What if your small business could advertise on TV with the same kind of targeting you use for digital ads?

Summary:
Colin Williams of Advu Media joins Chris and Alan to pull back the curtain on how TV advertising has changed — and why streaming TV may be more accessible to small businesses than most owners realize.

Colin breaks down programmatic connected TV advertising in plain English, explaining how streaming ad inventory is bought through real-time auctions and how a DSP (demand-side platform) allows businesses to target audiences based on geography, demographics, and other factors. Instead of choosing your favorite TV show, Colin explains why successful campaigns start by identifying the right audience.

We also dig into what needs to be in place before spending money on TV. A strong creative message matters, but so does having a fast, mobile-friendly website with clear navigation and an easy way for potential customers to take action.

Then we get into CPM pricing, marketing attribution, and omnichannel marketing — including how TV can create demand while search, display, audio, and other channels help capture it. Colin explains how businesses can connect ad exposure with website traffic and leads so they're measuring results instead of relying on gut feelings.

To put it all into practice, we walk through a real-world example using zip-code heat maps and a $5,000 advertising budget to show how a local service business could decide where to focus its spending.

And before Colin joins us, Chris and Alan get candid about something technology can't replace: human connection and face-to-face networking — and the unexpected opportunities that can come from simply getting out there and meeting people.

💡 GOLD NUGGETS
• Why face-to-face networking can still create unexpected business opportunities
• How programmatic TV turns streaming advertising into an auction-based buy
• What a DSP is and how audience targeting actually works
• Why your website and creative need to be ready before launching TV ads
• How CPM pricing varies across streaming platforms
• Why blended media buys can make sense for small businesses
• How attribution connects advertising exposure to website visits and leads
• Why TV works best as part of an omnichannel marketing strategy
• How zip-code heat maps can help determine where to spend your advertising dollars
• Why consistency matters more than running a short test and expecting immediate results

🥃 And don't forget to check out General Thomas Bourbon!
https://generalthomasbourbon.com

🔗 Guest Links — Colin Williams / Advu Media
• Website: https://adviumedia.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinwilliamsadviumedia/

🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari
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• LinkedIn | Chris Lalomia
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What do protecting a customer's home, building a successful business, and serving your community have in common? It all starts with trust, accountability, and doing the right thing.

Adam Cleveland joins Chris and Alan on the Small Business Safari to share his journey from handyman to attorney and candidate for the Georgia State House. From working in home maintenance to navigating the legal profession, Adam explains how his experiences shaped his approach to business, leadership, and public service.

The conversation kicks off with a powerful lesson for every home service business owner: treat your customer's home like their crown jewels! Chris and Alan discuss how storytelling, clear expectations, and consistent training help employees understand the importance of respecting a customer's most valuable asset.

Adam shares how his experience in the trades inspired him to attend law school, where he hoped to write better contracts for a growing business. He also discusses his time as a closing attorney during the lending boom before the 2008 financial crisis and how rebuilding his career taught him the importance of improving broken processes.

The conversation then turns to Adam's decision to run for the Georgia State House. He discusses his experiences with the legislative process, why local government matters, and his interest in election reforms, including ranked-choice voting, term limits, redistricting rules, and ballot access.

Whether you're running a home service company, leading a team, or looking for ways to get involved in your community, this episode explores the connections between business ownership, personal responsibility, and public service.

💡 GOLD NUGGETS (Key Moments)

• Treat every customer's home like their crown jewels and make respect a nonnegotiable standard for your team.
• Use memorable stories to reinforce employee training and improve customer service.
• Learn how Adam's handyman experience led him to law school and a career in real estate law.
• Discover how rebuilding after the 2008 financial crisis shaped Adam's approach to solving problems and improving processes.
• Explore how local government works and Adam's perspectives on ranked-choice voting, term limits, redistricting, and ballot access.

🔗 Guest Links

Adam Cleveland

Website: https://adamcleveland.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-cleveland-27b5576a/

🎥 Watch the Full Episode on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari

🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari

Instagram: @smallbusinesssafaripodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/

Website: https://chrislalomia.com 

Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

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 What if the biggest thing holding back your business isn’t your strategy—it’s your energy?

Dr. Pat joins the Small Business Safari to explain why business performance and personal performance can’t be separated. A chiropractor turned executive and business coach, Dr. Pat shares her approach to “performance intelligence”—combining wellness, mindset, and smart business strategy to help leaders think clearer, make better decisions, and build businesses that don’t leave them running on fumes.

We dig into the basics that can make a surprisingly big difference: nutrition, hydration, sleep, blood sugar, and intermittent fasting. Dr. Pat also shares her “nine before nine” routine for creating momentum by taking care of yourself, your family, and your business before the day gets away from you.

Then we head into the business jungle. Dr. Pat talks about networking by solving problems instead of simply collecting contacts, finding that one powerful referral relationship, spotting missed opportunities for revenue, and creating systems that make growth more repeatable.

And don’t miss her fascinating communication tip: when people get upset, they often respond from a much younger emotional age—and recognizing that can completely change how you communicate with employees, customers, and even family.

💡 GOLD NUGGETS

• Why your physical energy directly affects business performance
• Turning networking conversations into real opportunities
• The value of one great referral relationship
• Finding monetization gaps hiding inside your business
• Nutrition and blood sugar strategies for clearer thinking
• Using intermittent fasting to simplify your routine
• Hydration habits for better energy and focus
• Dr. Pat’s “nine before nine” approach
• Practical strategies for reducing jet lag
• Why simple, plain-language communication works
• How to communicate more effectively when emotions take over

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari

🔗 Guest Links
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drpatboulogne/
• Website: healthteamnetwork.com (Company)

🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari
Instagram | @smallbusinesssafaripodcast
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/
Website | https://chrislalomia.com

Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

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🎧 The Small Business Safari

One angry email, one bad review, one nitpicky complaint—and suddenly your whole day is off track. But what happens when you stop making your business your identity?

Summary: Guffy Wright of The Mahoney Group joins Chris and Alan to share how he broke through stagnation and helped scale his real estate insurance practice from roughly $80 million to $350 million in premium.

Guffy explains why stagnation can be more dangerous than failure, how to attach yourself to contribution instead of comparison, and why sometimes the fastest way to grow is through “addition by subtraction.” We dig into niching, raising your standards, saying no to the wrong clients, and surrounding yourself with masterminds, coaches, and mentors who challenge you to think bigger.

We also unpack ideas from Guffy’s book, Attach High: How Elite Advisors Remove Friction from High Stakes Decisions, including his V3 framework: Value + Vulnerability + Validation = Decision Velocity.

And because it’s Small Business Safari, we finish with customer service pet peeves, a painfully relatable DIY paint disaster, and a special offer for listeners who make it all the way through the episode.

💡 GOLD NUGGETS
• Don’t let negative customer feedback become personal
• Stagnation can be more costly than failure
• Attach to contribution and detach from comparison
• Raise your floor by saying no to the wrong work
• Get crystal clear about your ideal client
• “Change rooms” through better mentors, coaches, and masterminds
• Use Value + Vulnerability + Validation to create decision velocity
• Build a culture that helps customers make better decisions

🎁 LISTENER BONUS: Listen through the end of the episode for details on how to get a free copy of Guffy Wright’s book plus a $25 Amazon gift card!

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari

https://www.linkedin.com/in/guffy-wright-752679b/

www.guffywright.com

Guffy's book:  Attach High

🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari
Instagram | @smallbusinesssafaripodcast
LinkedIn |https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/
Website | https://chrislalomia.com

Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

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What do diamonds, apartment buildings, and a bottle of bourbon that literally talks back have in common? Dan Gorman.

Dan joins the Safari to share his unconventional entrepreneurial journey—from getting fired while carrying debt, to building a diamond brokerage, moving into commercial real estate, and eventually helping create General Thomas Bourbon. Along the way, he proves that some of the biggest opportunities in business come from preparation, purposeful risk, and simply getting in the room with the right people.

We dig into how thoughts become actions, actions become habits, and habits ultimately shape your results. Dan shares how preparation and consistency can make “manifesting” look a lot more like hard work, why face-to-face networking still beats digital connections, and how one relationship helped him land a 168-unit apartment deal with no money down.

Then we pour a glass and explore General Thomas Bourbon—a brand combining tradition with AI technology. Through a unique QR code, a personalized message can be permanently tied to an individual bottle, turning bourbon into an experience and a memorable gift.

💡 GOLD NUGGETS

• How negative thoughts can ultimately influence your actions, habits, character, and destiny
• Why preparation and consistency create opportunities that can look like luck
• Going from being fired and in debt to building a diamond brokerage
• Using commercial real estate to create recurring income
• How one relationship led to a 168-unit apartment deal with no money down
• Why taking purposeful risks can open unexpected doors
• The lasting power of face-to-face relationships in a digital world
• How General Thomas Bourbon is using AI to make each bottle personal and memorable
• Building a brand that stands out without relying on gimmicks

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari

A bourbon bottle shows up on our table, we scan a QR code, and suddenly “General Thomas” starts talking. That’s when we realize we’re not just tasting a great pour, we’re looking at a masterclass in modern small business marketing: build something worth buying, then wrap it in an experience people cannot help but share.

We sit down with Dan Gorman, an entrepreneur who went from a diamond broker to commercial real estate investor, and he doesn’t sugarcoat the hard parts. He talks about getting fired with a one-year-old, $25,000 in credit card debt, and real pressure at home, then choosing to bet on himself anyway. From there, we dig into the deal that changed everything: a 168-unit apartment community bought with creative financing and a relationship-driven “yes” from an investment banker. It becomes Dan’s “$7 million lunch,” a reminder that face-to-face networking, credibility, and follow-through still beat a thousand DMs.

We also get practical about mindset for entrepreneurs and small business owners. We talk negative thought loops, how thoughts turn into actions and habits, and why leaders have to rewrite the script if they want their teams and their businesses to grow. Then we return to the bourbon and the tech: Dan explains how General Thomas Kentucky Bourbon uses AI and unique QR codes so every bottle has its own web experience and can permanently “lock” a custom message to that specific bottle, turning it into a personalized gift with real emotional punch.

If you like business stories with real lessons, real laughs, and a little bourbon culture, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a founder friend, and leave us a review with the best advice you ever got over coffee or lunch.

🔗 Guest Link
• General Thomas Bourbon: https://generalthomasbourbon.com

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

🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari
• Instagram | @smallbusinesssafaripodcast
• LinkedIn |https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/
• Website | https://chrislalomia.com

Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

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Your customers are already searching for you—but when they land on your website, can they actually figure out what to do next?

Tom Malesic of EZMarketing joins Chris and Alan to break down the simple marketing mistakes that cost small businesses leads and sales. From hiding your phone number to cluttering your website with too many calls to action, Tom explains why getting the basics right can make a bigger difference than chasing the latest marketing trend.

We talk about the right order of operations for digital marketing: start with a website that converts, build organic traffic through SEO, add Google Ads when you’re ready to scale, and then expand into social media, email, and other outbound strategies. As Tom puts it, “they’re looking for you”—the goal is to make sure they can find you and quickly take the next step.

We also dive into practical ways small businesses can use AI without getting caught up in the hype. Tom explains the difference between using AI for content creation and using it for workflows and automation. We explore how businesses can bring together data from QuickBooks, CRM systems, and Google Analytics to create dashboards that provide faster, smarter insights—while keeping sensitive business and customer information secure.

💡 GOLD NUGGETS
• Make your phone number and contact information impossible to miss
• Give visitors one clear, primary call to action
• Write website copy around the customer’s problem—not how great your company is
• Build your marketing foundation before spending money on shiny new tactics
• Use SEO to capture customers who are already searching for your services
• Use AI for content, automation, data analysis, and faster decision-making
• Protect sensitive information when connecting AI to business data
• Improve speed-to-lead with instant booking and automated follow-up
• Set realistic marketing budgets and reinvest as your business grows
• Sometimes the best business lessons come from DIY and contractor nightmares

🔗 Connect with Tom Olesik & Easy Marketing
Website: https://ezmarketing.com
YouTube: Search EZ Marketing

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommalesic/

Book:  They're Looking for you

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari

🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari
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LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/Website | https://chrislalomia.com

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What does a bad call behind home plate, a falling stock market, and a tough day in business have in common? You have to reset, trust your process, and be ready for the next pitch.

Summary:
Jack Oujo went from calling balls and strikes as a minor league baseball umpire to becoming a CPA, CFP, and founder of a wealth management firm that grew largely through referrals to roughly $900 million under management.

Jack shares how the lessons he learned on the baseball field shaped the way he approaches money, leadership, and business. An umpire can’t dwell on a bad call—the next pitch is coming. The same principle applies when markets fall, clients panic, or business owners face difficult decisions.

We dig into why a 20% market decline shouldn’t come as a surprise, how planning for worst-case scenarios can create confidence, and why disciplined habits like living below your means, maximizing a 401(k), and paying attention to taxes can build long-term financial independence.

Jack also gets practical about growing a business: hiring before you feel completely ready, creating repeatable processes, building a culture where employees work with you rather than for you, and understanding that taking care of your people ultimately means better care for your clients.

Most importantly, Jack explains why down markets and difficult moments can actually be opportunities to earn trust. When everyone else is reacting emotionally, strong leaders reset, follow the plan, and focus on what they can control.

We also hear the story behind Jack’s book, Too Smart To Be An Umpire, and why he believes success is less about trophies and more about the process—and the legacy you leave behind.

💡 GOLD NUGGETS

• Why a 20% down market is normal—and why your plan should already account for it
• How Jack went from minor league baseball umpire to CPA, CFP, and wealth management entrepreneur
• Why saving early and living below your means can create real financial freedom
• Why federal income taxes may be one of your biggest lifetime expenses
• How a repeatable “reset” process helps leaders recover from mistakes
• Why candor and authenticity build lasting client trust
• When it’s time to hire and start working on the business instead of only in it
• Why taking care of employees leads to an overwhelmingly positive client experience
• The importance of financial planning around worst-case scenarios rather than optimistic forecasts
• Why process, not trophies, is at the heart of Jack’s approach to business and life

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari

🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari
toosmarttobeanumpire.com (Blog)
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/jack-oujo-cpa-cfp-ms-tax-97906810
Website |oujowealthstrategies.com (Company) 

Instagram | @smallbusinesssafaripodcast
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/
Website | https://chrislalomia.com

Tell your friends, tell your family—if you liked it, let them know! And ask yourself: What part of your financial or business plan needs a better reset button?

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