The SmallBizChat with Melinda Emerson

Garrick C. Francis is the founder of Francis Legacy Bridge Partners and host of the Inheritance to Income podcast. He helps founders, business owners, families, and second-chapter leaders move from legacy by default to legacy by design by clarifying what still depends on them, who needs to be prepared, and what comes next. His work centers on preparing people, not just assets, for the next chapter of leadership, ownership, and stewardship. For more information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrickfrancis/

Scott Romesser is Chief Customer Officer at GoTo, where he leads the company’s customer experience strategy. He oversees implementation services and training, customer success, and customer support, with a focus on keeping the voice of the customer at the center of the organization. Businesses of all sizes trust GoTo to power business growth and support customers. With over 500,000 customers, Scott is an expert in customer service and support. For more information, visit https://www.goto.com.

Saul Cohen is a Partner at The Expert Eye, where he helps seven-figure business owners transition from operator to investor. Drawing on his experience at PwC and advising entrepreneurs through more than 100 mergers and acquisitions, Saul specializes in business valuation, tax-smart exits, and wealth-building strategies. He empowers founders to maximize company value, diversify their assets, and build lasting financial freedom through an investor mindset. For more information: https://theexperteye.co.uk

Tonya Thomas is the founder of Team Delegate, a premier virtual executive assistant firm supporting founders and CEOs with experienced, U.S.-based executive assistants. Team Delegate partners with leaders who want to operate at a higher level by reducing administrative friction, strengthening execution, and protecting their time and focus. Her work centers on delegation as a leadership strategy, helping leaders create clarity, capacity, and sustainable momentum. For more information: https://teamdelegate.com

Clarence Wooten is a serial entrepreneur, technology innovator, and CEO of Cofounder.AI, where he helps entrepreneurs transform ideas into investor-ready startups using artificial intelligence. A pioneer in digital media and venture creation, he has founded and scaled multiple successful technology companies throughout his career. Passionate about innovation, Clarence empowers founders to accelerate product development, validate business models, and build high-growth companies that create lasting economic impact. For more details, visit https://www.cofounder.ai.

Website:  https://www.cofounder.ai

Susan Hull Walker is the Founder of IBU Atelier, a global initiative that helps women-led artisan enterprises scale through product development, branding, operational mentorship, and international retail strategy. A longtime advocate for women entrepreneurs and heritage craftsmanship, Susan has dedicated her career to creating economic opportunities for artisan communities around the world. Through IBU Atelier, she is connecting traditional makers with global markets, proving that handcrafted, culturally rooted products can become thriving, sustainable businesses without sacrificing authenticity. For more information: https://ibumovement.org

Website:  https://ibumovement.org

Susan Hull Walker is the Founder of IBU Atelier, a global initiative that helps women-led artisan enterprises scale through product development, branding, operational mentorship, and international retail strategy. A longtime advocate for women entrepreneurs and heritage craftsmanship, Susan has dedicated her career to creating economic opportunities for artisan communities around the world. Through IBU Atelier, she is connecting traditional makers with global markets, proving that handcrafted, culturally rooted products can become thriving, sustainable businesses without sacrificing authenticity. For more information: https://ibumovement.org/

Clarence Wooten is a serial entrepreneur, technology innovator, and CEO of Cofounder.AI, where he helps entrepreneurs transform ideas into investor-ready startups using artificial intelligence. A pioneer in digital media and venture creation, he has founded and scaled multiple successful technology companies throughout his career. Passionate about innovation, Clarence empowers founders to accelerate product development, validate business models, and build high-growth companies that create lasting economic impact. For more details, visit https://www.cofounder.ai.

Jane Veron is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Acceleration Project (TAP), a nonprofit that helps small business owners grow and thrive through expert advisory services. A former strategy and marketing executive at Bain & Company and American Express, she is a nationally recognized advocate for entrepreneurship and economic mobility. Jane has served in public office, advised the U.S. Small Business Administration, and currently chairs the New York Congressional Task Force on Jobs & the Economy.

Website: https://www.theaccelerationproject.org

LaChelle Adkins, known as America’s Supermom, is an entrepreneur, speaker, and mental wellness advocate. A wife and mother of 15 children, she overcame a 13-year battle with depression, launching her FRESH Start coaching program in 2016. Passionate about media and advocacy, she promotes her #smile4wellness movement to combat mental health struggles. An international bestselling author and TV producer, LaChelle inspires others to embrace their unique skills to live fulfilling lives.

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

LaChelle Adkins, known as America’s Supermom, is an entrepreneur, speaker, and mental wellness advocate. A wife and mother of 15 children, she overcame a 13-year battle with depression, launching her FRESH Start coaching program in 2016. Passionate about media and advocacy, she promotes her #smile4wellness movement to combat mental health struggles. An international bestselling author and TV producer, LaChelle inspires others to embrace their unique skills to live fulfilling lives. Catch her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/americassupermom

​Jane Veron is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Acceleration Project (TAP), a nonprofit that helps small business owners grow and thrive through expert advisory services. A former strategy and marketing executive at Bain & Company and American Express, she is a nationally recognized advocate for entrepreneurship and economic mobility. Jane has served in public office, advised the U.S. Small Business Administration, and currently chairs the New York Congressional Task Force on Jobs & the Economy. For more information, visit https://www.theaccelerationproject.org