In this episode of the Think Small Podcast, Shauna Frost, CEO of Meals on Wheels New Mexico, shares how she transformed a volunteer role into a two-decade mission of leadership, growth, and impact. From delivering meals herself to leading a statewide organization, she offers a candid look at what it takes to run a nonprofit like a business—balancing compassion with strategy. Frost breaks down the realities of serving a vulnerable population while navigating unpredictable funding, explaining how diversifying revenue streams and investing in marketing became critical to sustaining and expanding services.

The conversation dives into how Meals on Wheels New Mexico scaled from a local program to a statewide lifeline, especially during the pressures of COVID-19, and how innovation—from healthcare partnerships to technology upgrades—helped meet rising demand. Frost also unpacks the importance of staying focused on mission while leveraging partnerships to extend impact without overextending resources. Packed with insights on leadership, resilience, and growth, this episode offers valuable lessons for anyone building an organization where purpose and performance must go hand in hand.

Connect:

Website: https://mow-nm.org/

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

In this episode of the Think Small Podcast, Chinyere Hubbard, President and CEO of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce, offers a front-line perspective on what it takes to lead a business community through uncertainty. From federal workforce reductions to shifting economic pressures, she shares how Washington, D.C.’s small businesses are navigating rapid change—and how strategic partnerships, workforce innovation, and access to resources are helping them adapt in real time. Drawing on her deep roots in the city and experience across business, government, and community development, Hubbard breaks down how the Chamber connects entrepreneurs to capital, talent, and opportunity.

This conversation goes beyond policy to deliver practical insights for small business owners everywhere. Hubbard highlights the importance of staying nimble, listening closely to customers and partners, and remaining grounded in purpose during disruption. She also explores how emerging tools like AI, stronger public-private collaboration, and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem are shaping the future of small business growth. Whether you’re building, scaling, or recalibrating, this episode offers a clear look at what helps businesses not just survive—but move forward with intention.

Connect:

Website: https://dcchamber.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chinyere-hubbard-b0205a7/

In this episode of The Think Small podcast, Karl Kleinert, President and Chief Operating Officer of LeapFrog IT, shares insights into how a managed IT and cybersecurity firm has evolved over more than two decades. The discussion traces the company’s journey from a traditional infrastructure-focused provider to a more comprehensive partner that integrates cybersecurity, governance, and risk management into its core offerings. Along the way, the conversation highlights the importance of long-term thinking, including difficult decisions like walking away from high-revenue clients to protect company culture and employee well-being—demonstrating how sustainable growth is built on values as much as performance.

The episode also explores LeapFrog’s recent growth through the integration of cybersecurity services and a more holistic, outcome-driven approach for clients. Kleinert discusses how this transformation has strengthened trust, accelerated service expansion, and positioned the company to better support businesses navigating modern digital risks. A significant focus is placed on AI adoption, where organizations are balancing innovation with caution—seeking competitive advantages while ensuring proper governance and data protection. Rather than chasing large, disruptive wins, the conversation emphasizes practical, incremental improvements that drive efficiency and productivity, all while building a flexible foundation for long-term success in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Connect:

Website: https://leapfrogservices.com/

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

In this episode of the Think Small Podcast, PAC Group is highlighted through the perspective of Chief Financial Officer Ali Firoozi, offering a look into how a 500-person global organization has evolved from its automotive roots into a diversified engineering and operations services firm. Over four decades, PAC Group has grown alongside its long-standing clients—particularly major automotive OEMs—expanding its capabilities from project and program management into manufacturing engineering, supplier quality, construction management, and product development. That expansion ultimately led the company into new industries, including large-scale e-commerce and technology-driven logistics environments, where it applies decades of industrial expertise to modern distribution challenges.

The discussion also explores how PAC Group helps optimize complex systems such as distribution centers, last-mile delivery networks, and manufacturing layouts by improving flow efficiency, introducing robotics and design improvements, and applying cross-industry lessons from automotive production. As the company continues to grow at a strong double-digit rate, it faces the operational reality of scaling—upgrading finance, HR, analytics, and reporting systems to keep pace with demand. The conversation further touches on the role of AI as a productivity tool rather than a replacement for human decision-making, and emphasizes a leadership philosophy centered on long-term thinking, steady execution, and prioritizing value over short-term reaction or cost-cutting decisions.

Connect:

Website: https://www.pacgroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-firoozi/

In this episode of the Think Small podcast, NetFriends CEO John Snyder shares a grounded perspective on how small and mid-sized businesses can thoughtfully adopt artificial intelligence without getting swept up in the hype. Drawing from his experience leading a managed IT and cybersecurity services firm, Snyder outlines a practical approach to AI that starts with leadership-driven policy, clear data guidelines, and intentional tool selection before any implementation begins.

Throughout the conversation, Snyder explores how AI is already reshaping day-to-day business operations, from productivity tools to emerging agentic systems that can act on behalf of users. He emphasizes the importance of transparency, trust, and human oversight—especially as AI becomes more embedded in customer interactions and internal workflows. Rather than focusing on disruption or job loss, Snyder highlights AI as a catalyst for efficiency, better decision-making, and ultimately more meaningful human work within organizations.

Connect:

Website: https://www.netfriends.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsnyder-netfriends/

In this episode of The Think Small podcast, Grace Redman, founder and CEO of Stansbury Staffing, Inc. & Dare to Achieve, shares how she helps entrepreneurs and high performers break through the unconscious beliefs that hold them back from reaching their next level of success. Blending business consulting with personal development, she explains why “the inner work is the business work” and how shifting mindset, identity, and narrative can unlock growth. Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience leading Stansbury Staffing, Grace offers a unique perspective on building a business that aligns with both professional ambition and personal fulfillment.

Grace also dives into the realities of entrepreneurship—from navigating the 2008 financial crisis, where her company nearly lost all business overnight, to managing rapid growth without burning out. She emphasizes the importance of preparation, systems, and staying consistent with outreach, even during periods of success. With candid insights on rejection, resilience, and long-term sustainability, Grace highlights how focusing on service, leveraging community, and remaining adaptable can help leaders thrive in both expansion and contraction—and why some of the greatest opportunities emerge during the toughest economic times.

Connect:

Website: https://stansburystaffing.com/ | https://graceredman.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-redman-701a30/

In this episode of The Think Small podcast, Todd Petty, Chief Investment Officer of Mainstay Financial Services, shares how the company is tackling one of the biggest challenges in senior living: affordability for the middle market. With a focus on serving seniors who fall between luxury care options and government-supported programs, Mainstay Senior Living acquires and transforms underperforming or distressed properties into high-quality, cost-effective communities. By leveraging a vertically integrated model—handling everything from construction to design in-house—the company is able to significantly lower costs and offer residents a more accessible alternative without sacrificing comfort, care, or experience.

Petty also highlights the deeper impact of senior living communities, emphasizing their role in fostering connection, dignity, and meaningful end-of-life experiences for residents and their families. He discusses how Mainstay blends operational discipline with innovation, including the strategic use of AI to improve efficiency, enhance care, and address workforce challenges. As demand continues to rise and new development slows, Mainstay is leaning into value-add opportunities and regional clustering to scale thoughtfully while staying mission-driven in its approach to serving an aging population.

Connect:

Website: https://mainstayfinancial.com/ | https://mainstayseniorliving.com/

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

In this episode of The Think Small podcast, Mark Miller, Chief Operating Officer of Merit Clubs, shares how the Baltimore-based health and wellness company has evolved from a traditional fitness model into a community-driven lifestyle brand. With eight clubs and multiple managed locations, Merit Clubs focuses on delivering more than just workouts—prioritizing human connection, member engagement, and a holistic approach to well-being. Mark explains how their philosophy of “being the best part of someone’s day” shapes everything from team culture to community outreach, and how initiatives like local partnerships, events, and personalized member experiences set them apart in a crowded industry.

He also dives into the operational strategies behind their long-term success, including a strong emphasis on leadership development, transparent KPIs, and proactive innovation. From navigating industry shifts like COVID-19 to building internal career pathways through their Leadership Academy, Mark highlights how investing in people—both employees and members—drives sustainable growth. With a focus on leading indicators like member usage and lifetime value, Merit Clubs continues to refine its model while exploring expansion opportunities, all rooted in a commitment to service, trust, and continuous improvement.

Connect:

Website: https://merrittclubs.com/

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

In this episode of the Think Small Podcast, Stacey Edgar, CEO of the International Folk Art Market (IFAM), discusses how the organization brings together hundreds of traditional and contemporary folk artists from around the world to Santa Fe, New Mexico each year. Since its founding in 2004, IFAM has grown into a globally recognized nonprofit social enterprise that provides artists with direct access to international buyers while fostering cultural exchange. Each annual market features around 150 selected artists from more than 50 countries, offering a wide range of handmade works rooted in cultural traditions, from textiles and ceramics to painting and weaving.

Edgar also explores IFAM’s evolution through challenges and growth, including navigating the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and returning to record-breaking sales in recent years. Beyond the flagship event, the organization is expanding through smaller regional programs, educational workshops, and a new digital platform focused on community and learning rather than direct sales. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes that IFAM’s success is driven by its mission to create meaningful connections between artists and buyers while staying grounded in cultural authenticity and community impact rather than scale alone.

Connect:

Website: https://folkartmarket.org/

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

In this episode of the Think Small Podcast, Dr. Orit Hickman, founder of Pain Science Physical Therapy in Seattle, Washington, shares the evolution of her practice from a traditional, hands-on physical therapy clinic into a pioneering model centered on the biopsychosocial understanding of pain. After more than a decade in clinical practice, she began noticing that patients with persistent pain were not responding to conventional biomechanics-based treatment. A pivotal pain science course reshaped her perspective, leading her to incorporate neuroscience education and a more holistic approach to care that addresses the role of stress, fear, and perception in chronic pain. This shift challenged long-standing norms in physical therapy and initially created tension with both patients and providers, some of whom were not ready for a fundamentally different approach.

The conversation also explores the business transformation required to support this clinical philosophy, including multiple rebrands, shifts in reimbursement strategy, and a gradual move away from insurance-based care. Dr. Hickman discusses how declining reimbursement rates, workforce shortages, and rising operational costs forced a rethinking of traditional physical therapy business models, ultimately leading to a more direct-pay structure and improved financial sustainability. A major focus of the discussion is the expansion into telemedicine, which opens the door to a geographically distributed network of providers and significantly broadens patient access to specialized care. Looking ahead, she outlines a bold vision of building a nationwide network of clinicians trained in pain science, supported by shared systems, training, and collaboration, while also emphasizing the importance of fair compensation, provider well-being, and sustainable career paths in healthcare.

Connect:

Website: https://painsciencept.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-orit-hickman-pt-dpt-tps-1a096117/