In this episode of Small Business School, Staci sits down with personal branding expert Monique Bryan to unpack what it really takes to stand out in today’s AI-driven world. From building a powerful brand foundation to understanding how AI is reshaping visibility, Monique shares why clarity (not noise) is the true competitive advantage for small business owners right now. Together, they explore the intersection of personal branding, AI tools, and human connection, and why the businesses that win will be the ones that are deeply intentional about both.

Key topics covered:

• Why most business owners are skipping the foundational work that drives real results
• The power of having a clear, repeatable framework in your business
• How to use AI as a tool, not a replacement for your expertise
• The biggest mistake entrepreneurs are making with AI-generated content
• How to audit your online presence so AI can find and recommend you
• The shift from traditional SEO to AI-driven discoverability (AEO/GEO)
• Why consistency across platforms matters more than ever
• The importance of documenting your systems (and what could happen if you don’t)
• How to balance speed and efficiency with authenticity and trust
• Why community, connection, and in-person experiences are becoming your biggest advantage

Use AI to support your growth but never lose the human element that makes your business truly unforgettable.

Connect with Monique:

Instagram: @moniquebryan_co

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School, Staci opens up in one of her most vulnerable and honest conversations yet. While we often celebrate growth and success in business, this episode explores the moments that don’t go as planned. The ones that bring up feelings of shame, disappointment, and self-doubt behind the scenes.

Staci shares a deeply personal reflection on a recent season in her business that stretched her in unexpected ways, navigating the pressure of leadership, capacity challenges, and the emotional weight of not meeting her own high standards.

Key topics covered:

• Why even experienced business owners can still face unexpected setbacks
• The emotional weight of disappointment and people-pleasing in leadership
• How capacity planning can still fall short (and what to do instead)
• The hidden cost of the “I’ll just do it myself” mindset
• Why relationship capital is one of your greatest business assets
• The importance of communication during difficult seasons
• How to rebuild and improve systems after things go wrong
• The role of nervous system regulation in navigating high-pressure seasons

This is a powerful reminder that the hard seasons are part of the journey and that how we respond, rebuild, and move forward is what truly defines us as business owners. 

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School, Staci Millard is in Ottawa with Kristina Bartold and we’re diving into the real dynamics behind referrals—what works, what doesn’t, and why relationships (not transactions) are at the core of it all.

From navigating affiliate commissions to handling misaligned clients, we’re unpacking the nuance of referrals in today’s business landscape. If you’ve ever struggled with asking for referrals, questioned whether to pay for them, or wanted to build a business that grows through trust, this is for you!

Key topics covered:

• The difference between referral partners vs. affiliates - and which Kristina and Staci prefer
• Why trust and credibility are the foundation of consistent referrals
• The pros and cons of paying for referrals or commissions
• How to stay top of mind without feeling pushy or inauthentic
• What to do when a referral doesn’t turn into a great client fit
• Why gratitude and follow-up are often the most overlooked strategies
• How to think about long-term relationship ROI vs. short-term gain

The strongest referral strategies aren’t built on transactions, they’re built on trust, consistency, and the kind of relationships that make people want to champion your business without being asked. 

Connect with Kristina:

Instagram: @kristina.bartold

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School, Staci Millard is live from High Vibe Women to sit down with entrepreneur Lexi Miles Corrin (founder of Wax On, a national beauty brand with 25+ locations) to unpack the real journey behind building, scaling, and exiting a business. From spotting a gap in the market to navigating rapid growth, near-bankruptcy moments, and ultimately selling her company, Lexi shares the unfiltered lessons most entrepreneurs never hear. This conversation dives deep into leadership, mindset, culture, and why every business owner should be thinking about their exit—starting now.

Key topics covered:

• How identifying a simple gap in the market can turn into a national brand
• Why customer experience is the #1 driver of business growth
• The real reason most businesses struggle to scale (and how to fix it)
• How to build a strong, values-driven company culture that actually sticks
• The importance of iteration and why your first model won’t be your final one
• A simple but powerful 15-minute daily habit that can transform your business
• The truth about scaling too fast and the costly mistakes to avoid
• Why every entrepreneur should plan their exit strategy early
• How to know when you’re ready to raise capital (and when you’re not)
• The mindset shifts required to grow as a leader at every stage

Set aside 15 minutes today and take one action you’ve been putting off whether it’s reaching out to a connection, refining your offer, or mapping your next move. Small, consistent steps create big results.

Connect with Lexi:

Instagram: @leximilescorrin

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School, host Staci Millard sits down with PR expert and podcast pitching strategist Christina Lenkowski to break down what publicity actually is, why most entrepreneurs misunderstand it, and how podcast guesting can become one of your highest ROI growth strategies in 2026.

They dive into the difference between being visible and being strategically visible, why smaller podcasts often outperform big-name shows, and how to leverage guest appearances into long-term content and credibility.

Key topics covered:

• The 3 pillars of marketing: owned, paid, and earned media
• What publicity really means (and what it’s not)
• Why podcast guesting builds trust faster than ads or social media
• The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when pitching themselves
• Why “spray and pray” pitching is hurting your brand
• How to identify the right podcasts for your business
• Why small to mid-size podcasts often convert better than large shows
• How to repurpose podcast interviews into high-impact content
• The importance of relationship-building in modern marketing

If you’ve been chasing visibility but not seeing results, this episode is your reminder that where and how you show up matters more than how often. Podcast guesting isn’t just about exposure, it’s about connection, credibility, and conversion.

Connect with Christina:

Instagram: @publicityxchristina

Website: https://www.publicityxchristina.com/quiz-landing-page

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School, Staci breaks down key lessons from Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell and shares what most entrepreneurs are missing when they try to apply it. If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin, stuck doing low-value tasks, or unsure when to hire, this conversation will shift how you think about time, money, and scaling your business.

Staci dives into the three most powerful concepts from the book then challenges them with a financial lens that most business owners overlook. Because buying back your time isn’t just a mindset shift…it’s a numbers game!

Key topics covered:

• Why your time is your most expensive asset and how to use it wisely
• The mistake most entrepreneurs make when hiring too late
• Why you need to build capacity before you scale
• The truth about delegation (and why doing everything yourself is costing you growth)
• Why cash flow and not revenue should guide your hiring decisions
• How to actually calculate your “buyback rate” and ROI on your time
• The hidden stress trade-offs of outsourcing too quickly
• Why speed in business can cost you more than it earns
• How to delegate properly so your business doesn’t break as you grow

Buying back your time isn’t just about freedom, it’s about building a business that can actually afford the life you want.

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School, host Staci Millard sits down with nutrition consultant Michelle Lentz to talk about the one thing most entrepreneurs overlook: their nutrition.

Michelle shares how ditching fad diets and focusing on simple, sustainable habits can completely transform your energy, productivity, and overall well-being. From meal prep shortcuts to understanding cravings and building a supportive community, this conversation is packed with practical tips for busy business owners who want to feel better without adding more to their plate. If you’ve ever said “I don’t have time to eat healthy,” this episode is for you.

Key topics covered:

• Why nutrition is the foundation of your energy, focus, and business success
• The problem with fad diets (and why they’re not sustainable)
• How to simplify healthy eating even with a packed schedule
• The importance of protein, balanced meals, and whole foods
• How community and accountability can transform your habits
• Easy meal prep strategies that take 30 minutes or less
• The truth about sugar cravings and how to manage them
• Why fueling your body properly leads to better leadership and productivity

Your business cannot thrive if you’re running on empty. When you prioritize your nutrition, you’re not just improving your health, you’re showing up as a better leader, making clearer decisions, and building a more sustainable life and business.

Connect with Michelle:

Instagram: @nutritionbymichelle

Website: nutritionbymichelle.ca

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School, Staci sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and CEO School founder Suneera Madhani to unpack what it really takes to grow a business beyond the early stages. From building a fintech company to $160M in revenue to creating a multi-seven-figure education platform, Suneera shares the exact mindset, systems, and decisions that helped her scale without burning out.

If you’ve ever felt stuck doing everything in your business, overwhelmed by growth, or unsure how to move from hustle to strategy, this conversation will show you what’s possible and how to get there.

Key topics covered:

• The critical shift from founder mode to CEO mode (and why it unlocks freedom)
• Why scale actually creates more time—not less
• The real reason most women-owned businesses struggle to grow past 7 figures
• How to identify where you are the bottleneck in your business
• The truth about profit, impact, and why they are not in conflict
• What investors actually look for when deciding where to put their money
• How to stop “doing everything” and start building a business that runs like a machine

Scaling isn’t about doing more, it’s about thinking differently. When you step into the role of CEO, you stop being the one holding everything together… and start building something that can grow beyond you. And that’s where the real freedom begins.

Connect with Suneera:

Instagram: @suneeramadhani

Website: https://www.theceoschool.com

https://www.joinworth.com

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

Welcome back to Small Business School! In today’s episode, Staci sits down with manifestation and mindset expert Danielle Amos to unpack the deeper truth behind wealth, self-image, and why so many entrepreneurs are quietly settling. This episode challenges everything you’ve been taught about hard work, money, and success. From breaking generational programming to understanding how your beliefs shape your results, Danielle shares a powerful perspective on abundance as your birthright and how to actually step into it.

Key topics covered:

• Why people are moving away from the “millionaire” goal and what’s really behind it
• The truth about manifestation and why it’s not just a trend
• How subconscious beliefs and early programming shape your financial reality
• Why hard work alone won’t create success (and what actually does)
• The role of mindset, energy, and identity in building wealth
• How your self-image sets the ceiling for your results
• The power of controlling your inputs to change your outcomes
• Why fear-based thinking is keeping so many entrepreneurs stuck
• How to rewrite your beliefs around money, opportunity, and success
• A simple but powerful journaling practice to start shifting your reality today

Download Danielle’s free guide: The Millionaire Tool Kit https://successsociety.danielleamos.co/the-millionaire-tool-kit.html

A step-by-step resource to help you reprogram your beliefs and step into a wealth-building self-image

Connect with Danielle:

Instagram: @thedanielleamos

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School, Staci sits down with Andrea Krones of Inkling Design to unpack what truly makes a website effective in today’s digital landscape. With over 20 years of experience, Andrea shares how websites have evolved from simple “online placeholders” to strategic, user-focused experiences that guide visitors toward action. From user experience (UX) to messaging, SEO to AI, this conversation dives deep into what service-based business owners need to know to create a website that not only attracts visitors, but converts them. 

Key topics covered:

• Why your website needs to do more than look good, it must guide visitors to take action
• How user experience (UX) directly impacts whether people stay on your site or leave
• The importance of clearly communicating what you do within the first few seconds
• Why trying to speak to everyone weakens your message, and what to do instead
• How to create a simple, strategic customer journey that leads to conversions
• The truth about SEO and why your website only works as hard as you do
• What AI can (and can’t) do when it comes to building a high-converting website

Your website isn’t just a digital business card, it’s one of your most powerful tools. When done right, it builds trust, communicates your value, and guides your audience to take action. But it requires intention, clarity, and strategy.

Connect with Andrea:

Instagram: @inkling.design

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.