In this episode, Melinda Emerson and Sarah Durham delve into the topic of exit planning for small businesses. They discuss Sarah's entrepreneurial journey, the various types of employee ownership, and the decision-making process. They also explore the challenges of making a business saleable and the financial and emotional impacts of exiting a business. The episode concludes with wisdom sharing on exit strategies.

(0:00) Introduction and discussion about exit planning

(3:08) Sarah Durham's entrepreneurial journey and business transitions

(7:47) Different types of employee ownership and the decision process

(11:06) Making a business saleable and challenges during transition

(14:21) Financial implications and timing of business exit planning

(17:09) Emotional impact and finding meaning in career transition

(18:59) Role of authenticity and self-confidence in business leadership

(20:10) Wisdom sharing on business exit strategies

(21:24) Sponsor: Small Business University's November discount

(21:38) Closing remarks from Melinda Emerson

In this episode, Melinda Emerson introduces her 'Hit it or Quit it' panel, including Melanie Greenough, Scott J. Miller, and Brooke Daniels. The group shares their favorite podcasts, business apps, and books. They explore the "Profit First" book with author Mike Mccalliewicz and discuss Melinda's favorite business book, "Disrupt You".

(0:00) Introduction to the Small BizChat Podcast

(0:33) Introduction of the Hit it or Quit it panel

(1:14) Discussion on Favorite Podcasts

(2:36) Discussion on Favorite Business Apps

(4:22) Discussion on Favorite Business Books

(5:42) Profit First Book Discussion with Author, Mike Mccalliewicz

(6:48) Melinda Emerson's Favorite Business Book, Disrupt You

(7:06) Acknowledgements and Thanks to the Panelists

(7:46) Closing Remarks from Melinda Emerson

(8:52) End of Podcast Episode

In this episode, Melinda Emerson chats with Scott J. Miller about his career journey, including why he left Franklin Covey. They delve into the importance of strategic planning and mentorship in business, emphasizing on the role of humility and a conducive environment in leadership. They also discuss Scott's new book, "Master Mentors" and the concept of making individuals feel valued as a leader.

(0:00) Introduction and career of guest Scott J. Miller

(4:06) Why Scott J. Miller left Franklin Covey

(5:33) Importance of strategic planning in business

(8:06) Role of mentorship in business success

(12:16) Necessity of humility and conducive environment in leadership

(14:23) The two-way street of mentorship in business

(16:25) Uncovering the 'genius' in mentees and adapting leadership styles

(18:06) Discussion about Scott J. Miller's new book, Master Mentors

(21:30) Making individuals feel seen and valued as a leader

(22:38) Promotion for Scott J. Miller's book and bossquiz.com

(23:12) Closing remarks by Melinda Emerson

In this episode, Melinda Emerson chats with Melanie Greenough about generating multiple revenue streams for small businesses. They delve into Melanie's journey from homelessness to success, her strategy for location-neutral income, and the role of spirituality in business. They wrap up with Melanie's key takeaways from her entrepreneurial journey.

(0:00) Introduction to the Small BizChat podcast with Melinda Emerson and guest Melanie Greenough

(1:12) Discussion on generating multiple revenue streams in your business

(3:06) Melanie Greenough's journey from homelessness to success

(7:21) Melanie's advice on adding additional streams of income for small businesses

(14:37) Melanie's strategy for generating location-neutral income

(16:01) Melanie's belief in spiritual beings and the importance of connection to the creator

(18:38) Melanie's advice on focusing and growing your business

(20:11) Melanie's biggest takeaway from her entrepreneurial journey

(22:56) Wrapping up the interview with Melanie Greenough

(23:20) Melinda's closing words and reminders

In this episode, Melinda Emerson chats with Brooke Daniels about various funding options for small businesses. They discuss the importance of understanding business credit, timing and sources of first funding, the differences between Angel investing and Venture capital, and strategies for diverse groups to gain access to funding. They also delve into crowdfunding and its potential risks.

(0:00) Introduction and background of Brooke Daniels

(1:17) Overview of funding options for small businesses

(4:23) Importance of access to funding and understanding business credit

(8:51) Timing and sources of first funding for your business

(11:43) Distinguishing between Angel investing and Venture capital

(13:43) Improving access to funding for diverse groups

(15:00) Strategies for approaching investors for funding

(17:25) Crowdfunding as a fundraising strategy and its potential risks

(19:26) Best business advice and closing thoughts

In this episode, Melinda Emerson converses with guests Paul Getter, Catherine Brown, and Dawnna St. Louis about their favorite podcasts and business apps. They share old-school marketing tips and discuss their best business books, including Melinda's favorite. The episode concludes with a promotion of the guests' websites, a word from the sponsor, boss quiz.com, and closing remarks.

(0:00) Introduction by Melinda Emerson

(0:55) "Hit it and Quit it" segment: Guests' Favorite Podcasts

(2:41) Discussion on Guests' Favorite Business Apps

(3:16) Old School Marketing Tips from the Guests

(4:32) Discussion on Best Business Books with Guests

(5:51) Melinda's Favorite Business Book

(6:12) Promotion of Guests' Websites

(6:29) Sponsor: boss quiz.com

(6:55) Closing Remarks by Melinda Emerson

(7:01) Outro by MC

In this episode, Melinda Emerson chats with Dawnna St. Louis, a renowned coach. They discuss the challenges and strategies in online marketing for coaches, attracting leads, and launching new programs. Dawnna shares her email marketing strategy, insights on identifying an ideal client, and the power of niche focus. She also shares some contrary business advice she's received.

(0:00) Introduction to the episode and host, Melinda Emerson

(2:10) Guest introduction: Dawnna St. Louis, the coach's coach

(4:59) Challenges and effective strategies in online marketing for coaches

(6:16) Strategies to attract leads and launch new programs

(9:04) Inside Dawnna St. Louis's email marketing strategy and sales process tools

(10:12) Identifying your ideal client and scaling challenges

(12:03) Contrary business advice and best business advice received by Dawnna St. Louis

(14:07) The power of niche and specific focus in business

(14:59) Endorsement of Dawnna St. Louis's coaching programs and introduction to bossquiz.com

(15:42) Closing remarks, podcast mission, and call to action for listeners

In this episode, Melinda Emerson chats with Catherine Brown about the transformation in sales, stressing the importance of sales for small business owners. They discuss self-awareness, the sales funnel stages, and effective sales conversation tools. They also explore when and how to hire a salesperson, and Catherine shares her top business advice.

(0:00) Introduction and conversation with Catherine Brown about transformation in sales

(1:42) Importance of sales for small business owners

(6:13) Importance of self-awareness and observation in improving sales skills

(9:42) Understanding the stages of sales funnel

(12:19) Tools needed for effective sales conversations

(16:25) The right time to bring in a salesperson for your small business

(20:00) What to have in place before hiring a salesperson for your business

(22:12) Catherine Brown's best business advice

(23:37) Melinda's final thoughts and promotion of bossquiz.com

(24:04) Closing remarks and podcast outro

In this episode, Melinda Emerson chats with internet marketing expert, Paul Getter, about his journey, the comparison between traditional and social media, and the essentials of internet marketing. They delve into building a brand on Instagram, transitioning to paid ads, testing ads, choosing the right platform, and strategies to stand out on Amazon. The conversation concludes with Paul's favorite online marketing hack and his future trend predictions.

(0:00) Introduction and overview of the episode

(0:50) Introduction of guest expert, Paul Getter, and his journey in internet marketing

(5:40) Discussion on traditional media vs. social media and essentials of internet marketing

(9:25) Building a brand on Instagram and transitioning to paid ads

(14:21) Testing ads and choosing the right platform

(16:13) Strategies to stand out on Amazon and the importance of video marketing

(20:20) Paul Getter's favorite online marketing hack and predictions for future trends

(24:35) Reflection on best business advice and wrapping up the episode

(26:06) Resources for small business owners and closing comments

In this episode, Melinda Emerson discusses the impact of inflation on small businesses, including shipping, delivery, and supply chain issues. She shares strategies for dealing with inflation, refining business operations, re-evaluating financial management, and handling debt. She also talks about cash flow strategy, supply chain management, and employee management during a labor market crisis, before concluding with financial planning advice.

(0:00) Introduction: Inflation and its impact on small businesses

(1:15) Effects of inflation: Shipping, delivery, and supply chain issues

(2:00) Strategies for dealing with inflation: Price adjustments and team management

(5:02) Business operations refinement: Focusing on best sellers

(6:50) Financial management: Re-evaluating subscriptions and automating processes

(8:12) Debt management: Getting real about business debt

(9:29) Cash flow strategy: Setting up an emergency savings account

(11:02) Supply chain management: Lowering risks with multiple vendors

(12:05) Employee management: Planning for staff turnover during labor market crisis

(13:04) Financial planning: Revisiting finances, budgeting, and tax planning

(14:21) Conclusion: Encouragement for small business owners to weather inflation and possible recession