The SmallBizChat with Melinda Emerson

Yvonne E.L. Silver is CEO of Women & Wisdom Media – for Women Entrepreneurs Seeking to Flourish! She is a Speaker, Author, Entrepreneur, Executive Coach, CPHR, and Emotional Intelligence Consultant - with over 30 years of experience in 8 start-ups. As a radio-show host she is an expert in communications and in sales. She also held Senior Leadership roles in global consulting and the IT/telecommunications sectors. Her passion is helping women re-energize their voice, leverage their presence, and clearly showcase their value – for expansive business growth. For more information: https://YvonneSilver.com

Joanne Eriaku, Founder and Chief AI Officer at SOAR- The School of AI Readiness where she clarifies AI for and the new realities of business. With a wealth of experience consulting for Global 2000 companies from Nairobi to New York. Joanne is known for her ability to break down complexity into practical, actionable steps, Joanne moves business leaders from a state of vulnerability to preparedness. Her work spans reshaping business functions, unlocking new opportunities, and reimagining entire business models. Through SOAR, Joanne equips you to work with, not against the future so you may indeed SOAR. For more information: https://schoolofaireadiness.com

Leticia Crippen is an award-winning creative strategist and video producer. As CEO at Touch Management, LLC, she had more than 20 years of experience producing and directing programming for television, streaming platforms, and corporate conferences. Letitia also works with business owners to craft relevant content creation strategies for sales and marketing efforts. She is committed to developing the next generation of storytellers and media leaders. Letitia leads digital ministry volunteers, teaches community access media courses, and mentors marketing and film students. For more information: https://www.touchmgmt.com

After 30 years as an ad agency creative executive – straddling the heyday of traditional and digital marketing – Reid Holmes had an epiphany, we’re being interrupted more often in more places than ever – companies are wasting billions chasing transactions – leaving consumers saturated with messaging while creating brand indifference and higher price sensitivity to the very products being promoted. Branding in the digital era is about proving you care. Whether you’re a B2C or B2B marketer, everything today must be B2H. We’re all human. Reid has a plan to help you live your values so you can attract, engage and keep like-minded consumers via what Reid calls “Reverse Targeting.” He’s the author of the new book, “Appreciated Branding. For more information https://www.appreciatedbranding.com

After 30 years as an ad agency creative executive – straddling the heyday of traditional and digital marketing – Reid Holmes had an epiphany: we're being interrupted more often in more places than ever – companies are wasting billions chasing transactions – leaving consumers saturated with messaging while creating brand indifference and higher price sensitivity to the very products being promoted. Branding in the digital era is about proving you care. Whether you're a B2C or B2B marketer, everything today must be B2H. We're all human. Reid has a plan to help you live your values so you can attract, engage, and keep like-minded consumers via what Reid calls “Reverse Targeting.” He’s the author of the new book, Appreciated Branding. For more information: https://www.appreciatedbranding.com

Letitia Crippen is an award-winning creative strategist and video producer. As CEO at Touch Management, LLC, she had more than 20 years of experience producing and directing programming for television, streaming platforms, and corporate conferences. Letitia also works with business owners to craft relevant content-creation strategies for sales and marketing efforts. She is committed to developing the next generation of storytellers and media leaders. Letitia leads digital ministry volunteers, teaches community access media courses, and mentors marketing and film students. For more information: https://www.touchmgmt.com

Elaine Pofeldt is an independent journalist who specializes in small business, entrepreneurship and careers. She is the author of The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business, a look at how entrepreneurs are hitting seven-figure revenue in businesses where they are the only employees, tapping automation and other technology to scale their efforts Her work has appeared in FORTUNE, Money, CNBC, Inc., Forbes, Crain’s New York Business and many other business publications She is also a former editor at FORTUNE Small Business. For more information: https://elainepofeldt.com/

Maggie Lord was an early pioneer in the online digital wedding media space, as the founder + CEO of Rustic Wedding Chic, Maggie led the company for 12 years before it was acquired by David’s Bridal in 2020. Maggie is also the author of 6 books. Today, Maggie has become a sought-after strategic advisor to female founded brands allowing her to focus on sharing her knowledge and expertise with other like-minded entrepreneurs. Maggie and her businesses have been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, Success Magazine and much more. For more information: https://www.maggielord.com

Valdez Lasartemay is a lifelong sales professional with over three decades selling everything from shoes to securities. He began selling at 10 years of age going door to door selling subscriptions to the San Francisco Chronicle. These days as a business consultant, he focuses on business development and helping small business owners learn effective sales strategies and techniques, emphasizing servant leadership. His new book is Marketing 4 Salespeople How Servant Leadership Attracts Clients and Increases Sales. For more information: https://www.Marketing4Salespeople.com

Valdez Lasartemay is a lifelong sales professional with over three decades selling everything from shoes to securities. He began selling at 10 years of age, going door to door selling subscriptions to the San Francisco Chronicle. These days a business consultant focused on business development and helping small business owners learn effective sales strategies and techniques, emphasizing servant leadership. His new book, Marketing 4 Salespeople: How Servant Leadership Attracts Clients and Increases Sales. For more information: https://www.Marketing4Salespeople.com

Maggie Lord was an early pioneer in the online digital wedding media space. As the founder + CEO of Rustic Wedding Chic, Maggie led the company for 12 years before it was acquired by David’s Bridal in 2020. Maggie is also the author of 6 books. Today, Maggie has become a sought-after strategic advisor to female-founded brands, allowing her to focus on sharing her knowledge and expertise with other like-minded entrepreneurs. Maggie and her businesses have been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, Success Magazine, and much more. For more information: https://www.maggielord.com

Elaine Pofeldt is an independent journalist who specializes in small business, entrepreneurship and careers. She is the author of The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business, a look at how entrepreneurs are hitting seven-figure revenue in businesses where they are the only employees, tapping automation and other technology to scale their efforts Her work has appeared in FORTUNE, Money, CNBC, Inc., Forbes, Crain’s New York Business and many other business publications She is also a former editor at FORTUNE Small Business. For more information: