On this episode of Think Small, Karen Bertrand shares her journey of growing ClearCloud Bookkeeping from a one-woman operation to a team of five and reflects on the challenges of moving from employee to business owner. She emphasizes accountability, transparency, and the role of her firm as “the nurses of the business world”—educating, supporting, and cheering on clients while keeping their books reliable and tax-ready.

Beyond bookkeeping, Karen reveals how her team provides guidance, education, and advisory services like budgeting and cash flow forecasting, while also exploring the promises and pitfalls of AI in accounting.

Email: [email protected]

What does it really take for businesses to stay compliant and sustainable in today’s fast-changing world?

In this episode of The Think Small Podcast, host Alex Reyes sits down with John Beath, CEO of JBE LLC, to explore how companies can navigate environmental regulations and global sustainability standards with confidence. John shares how his team helps organizations of all sizes — from Fortune 200s to regional councils — stay ahead of evolving requirements while making responsible, lasting changes.

From challenging an EPA rule in the Exxon Valdez case that would have increased emissions, to guiding companies through international ESG frameworks, John shows why compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties — it’s about building a resilient, trusted business for the future.

What if you could find everything you love about fitness, sports, and wellness—all under one roof?

From world-class facilities and professional training to family-friendly programs and even an innovative performance academy for student-athletes, The St. James has redefined what it means to be a destination for health, play, and community.

In this episode of Think Small, Douglas Homer, Director of Sports Business Development at The St. James, shares how the facility grew from a bold idea into a 450,000-square-foot hub serving everyone from toddlers to pro athletes—and making life easier for working parents by bringing sports, training, recovery, and family time together in one place. We talk expansion plans, culture by design, post-pandemic shifts in fitness, and why building real human connections is at the core of their mission.

From 25 years in IT to running a trucking company, Ben Smith’s journey is anything but ordinary.

In this episode of The Think Small Podcast, Ben shares how he acquired Cupboard Wagon, a 20-year-old logistics business, and turned it into a specialized leader in luxury cabinetry delivery. He opens up about the learning curve of DOT compliance, the cultural shift of managing a blue-collar team, and why Cupboard Wagon’s success is rooted in its core values: Relationships, Integrity, Community, and Excellence (RICE).

Launching a business is exciting—but staying the course is where the real challenge begins! In today’s episode, we sit down with Jeremy Griffin from Startup Street to uncover what it really takes to build something that lasts.

From honest planning and surviving the boredom trap to finding optimism when the grind gets tough, this is a conversation every entrepreneur needs to hear. If you’re a founder, dreamer, or anyone in between, this conversation will give you both perspective and practical advice to keep moving forward.

About Jeremy Griffin:

Jeremy Griffin is the owner of Startup Street, providing consulting, marketing and branding services to both new ventures and existing companies. Jeremy also owns Startup District, a platform/marketplace that connects startups and investors in an informal manner, helping to drive entrepreneurship forward at the community level.

From delivering flyers in the snow as a teenager, to working with hundreds of companies and startups, Jeremy has dedicated his life to the craft of entrepreneurship, for himself through various companies and projects, while working with clients across a wide variety of industries, stages and situations. Through these numerous and differing experiences, he has developed a unique outlook that blends both creativity and practicality into a personalized and insightful approach, understanding that every industry, company and founder is unique in their starting points, goals and values.

Resources:

For more information on Jeremy and/or his various companies, along with complete media kit, please visit https://thestartupstre... or send email directly to [email protected]

Startup Street LLC

3024 West Swann Ave Tampa FL 33609

c: 813-323-7481 o: 813-605-5572

http://thestartupstreet.com