Before you pour time, money, and energy into a new idea, how do you know if people actually want what you’re offering? The answer: market research.

In this Small Business Byte on This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez breaks down how to test your ideas before going all in. From spotting market trends and scoping out competitors, to collecting honest feedback from real people, Andrea shares practical ways to validate your assumptions and make smarter business decisions.

You’ll also hear from Denise Woodard, founder of Partake Foods, on how early product testing helped her refine her recipes, and Katie Diasti, founder of Viv, on how listening to her customers online helped shape her product line.

Market research doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, it just has to be intentional. Because when you know who you’re aiming for, it’s easier to hit the mark.

So, what’s one assumption about your business you’re ready to test? Tell us in a Spotify comment, Apple Podcasts review, or email us at [email protected]

Doing that will not only hold you accountable but could also inspire another entrepreneur to take their next big step.

Sources:

If you want to know more about Partake Foods, listen to Denise Woodard’s story here: Turning Rejection into Momentum: How One Mom Started a Multimillion CPG Brand - TISB

If you want to know more about Viv, listen to Katie Diasti’s story here: How a College Student Turned a Class Project into a Scalable Business - TISB

When one stream of income slows down, how do you keep your business moving forward? For a lot of entrepreneurs, the answer is diversification.

In this Small Business Byte on This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez unpacks how building multiple revenue streams can help you reduce risk and keep growing without spreading yourself too thin. You’ll hear how Blake Shook of Desert Creek Honey diversified within beekeeping to weather unpredictable harvests, how Angus Willows of Kangaroo Hanger started a side hustle to fund his invention, and how Zoya Biglary of Fysh Foods leaned into content creation to keep her mission alive. Plus, professor Dr. Matt Rutherford shares why diversification can be a smart way to ride out the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

And quick update: we’re going biweekly for a little while as we put together the next season of This is Small Business — there’s a lot of exciting stuff coming your way!

In the meantime, what’s one new revenue stream you’ll try? Share it with us in a Spotify comment, Apple Podcasts review, or email it to us at [email protected]. Doing that will not only hold you accountable but could also inspire another entrepreneur to take their next big step.

Sources:

If you want to hear Dr. Matt Rutherford discuss risk and diversification, listen to his episode here: Redefining Risk: A New Way to Make Bold Moves

If you want to know more about Desert Creek Honey, listen to Blake Shook’s story here: From

Bee Stings to Big Wins: How One Teen Turned a Backyard Hive into a Thriving Business - This is Small Business

If you want to know more about Kangaroo Hanger, listen to Angus Willows’s story here: How a Serial Entrepreneur Launched a Business from His Dorm Room - This is Small Business

If you want to know more about Fysh Foods, listen to Zoya Biglary’s story here: How Zoya Biglary Became the Internet’s Fruit Peeler to Fund her Business - This is Small Business

This is Small Business host Andrea Marquez joins Helium 10’s VP of Education and Strategy, Bradley Sutton, for a dynamic recap of Amazon Accelerate 2025. Together, they dive into the latest releases and initiatives reshaping the seller landscape, and reflect on how the event has evolved to deliver even greater value for sellers.

In this episode Bradley and Andrea cover:

00:00 - Amazon Accelerate 2025 Recap of New Releases 

02:35 - Impact of Seller Cafe at Accelerate

09:06 - Amazon Labeling Changes Impact Sellers

10:28 - Improved Customer Experience and Returns Flexibility

13:13 - Celebrating 25 Years and AI Advancements

17:09 - AI's Impact on Entrepreneurship and Creativity

20:23 - Product Launch Testing and A+ Content

26:09 - Enhancing Customer Experience and Targeted Marketing

► Watch This Episode on YouTube: youtube.com/@Helium10SeriousSellersPodcast

This episode is presented in both Spanish and English, with the original voices of the guests.

What if the biggest risk isn’t falling, but staying invisible? After a near-accident on his motorcycle, Gonzalo Zamora, the co-founder of Riderbag, realized his black backpack was blocking out his reflective gear and decided to invent the solution himself. With his longtime friend and co-founder Carlos Colarte, Gonzalo turned a pencil sketch into a global product, navigating missteps, cash-flow challenges, and the risk of standing out in a crowded market.

In this special bilingual episode of This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez blends Spanish and English in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month as she dives into Gonzalo and Carlos’s journey. From the crash that started it all, to the friendship that became a business, to the lessons learned about visibility both on the road and in entrepreneurship, their story is a reminder that staying hidden can be riskier than stepping into the spotlight.

If you’d prefer to listen fully in English, you’ll also find an English-only version of this episode in your feed!

Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at [email protected] – you might hear it in a future episode.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

(1:00) How can a single accident inspire a business idea? Gonzalo shares the moment on his motorcycle that pushed him to invent Riderbag.

(4:48) Can friendship really be the foundation of a company? Gonzalo and Carlos explain how a chance reunion turned into a lasting partnership.

(08:47) How do you create a prototype when you have no design background? Gonzalo reveals the scrappy first steps that turned sketches into samples.

(10:36) What details make a product stand out in a crowded market? From glove-friendly zippers to hidden safety features, Riderbag shows why small touches matter.

(14:14) What’s the costliest marketing mistake small businesses make? Carlos and Gonzalo recount the costly lesson that reshaped how they invest.

(17:01) How do you know when it’s time to expand internationally? Carlos shares the turning point that convinced them to take Riderbag global.

(18:28) What’s the best proof that your business is on the right track? For Gonzalo, the numbers told one story but customer reviews told another.

(21:50) What does the future of Riderbag look like? Gonzalo and Carlos talk about dreaming beyond backpacks while staying true to their purpose.

(23:15) Are entrepreneurs natural risk-takers or risk managers? Carlos embraces risk, while Gonzalo takes a more cautious approach and together they balance both.

What if the biggest risk isn’t falling, but staying invisible? After a near-accident on his motorcycle, Gonzalo Zamora, the co-founder of Riderbag, realized his black backpack was blocking out his reflective gear and decided to invent the solution himself. With his longtime friend and co-founder Carlos Colarte, Gonzalo turned a pencil sketch into a global product, navigating missteps, cash-flow challenges, and the risk of standing out in a crowded market. 

In this special bilingual episode of This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez blends Spanish and English in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month as she dives into Gonzalo and Carlos’s journey. From the crash that started it all, to the friendship that became a business, to the lessons learned about visibility both on the road and in entrepreneurship, their story is a reminder that staying hidden can be riskier than stepping into the spotlight.

If you’d prefer to listen fully in English, you’ll also find an English-only version of this episode in your feed!

Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at [email protected] – you might hear it in a future episode.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

(1:00) How can a single accident inspire a business idea? Gonzalo shares the moment on his motorcycle that pushed him to invent Riderbag.

(4:48) Can friendship really be the foundation of a company? Gonzalo and Carlos explain how a chance reunion turned into a lasting partnership.

(08:47) How do you create a prototype when you have no design background? Gonzalo reveals the scrappy first steps that turned sketches into samples.

(10:36) What details make a product stand out in a crowded market? From glove-friendly zippers to hidden safety features, Riderbag shows why small touches matter.

(14:14) What’s the costliest marketing mistake small businesses make? Carlos and Gonzalo recount the costly lesson that reshaped how they invest.

(17:01) How do you know when it’s time to expand internationally? Carlos shares the turning point that convinced them to take Riderbag global.

(18:28) What’s the best proof that your business is on the right track? For Gonzalo, the numbers told one story but customer reviews told another.

(21:50) What does the future of Riderbag look like? Gonzalo and Carlos talk about dreaming beyond backpacks while staying true to their purpose.

(23:15) Are entrepreneurs natural risk-takers or risk managers? Carlos embraces risk, while Gonzalo takes a more cautious approach and together they balance both.

What if failure wasn’t the end but the beginning? Dr. Amy Edmondson, Harvard Business School professor and author of The Fearless Organization and The Right Kind of Wrong, says that failure is not proof you’re falling behind – it’s proof you’ve taken a risk. And if you set it up right, it can actually be the key to progress.

In this season finale of This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez sits down with Amy to explore why our relationship with failure shapes how far we can go as entrepreneurs. From the science of “psychological safety” to the three types of failure – basic, complex, and intelligent – Amy offers a crash course on how to fail the right way, what to learn from it, and why the best entrepreneurs are the ones who stumble, recover, and keep moving forward.

If you’ve ever worried about making mistakes or held yourself back from starting and taking risks because of the fear of failing, this conversation will help you reframe failure as momentum, not defeat. 

Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at [email protected] – you might hear it in a future episode.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

(1:45) Why do conversations and team dynamics matter so much for success? Amy explains how the quality of everyday interactions shapes an organization’s performance.

(3:43) What is psychological safety in the workplace and why should entrepreneurs care about it? Amy explains why people need to feel safe to speak up, ask questions, and admit mistakes in order for teams to learn and innovate.

(5:40) How do you actually create psychological safety on your team? Amy shares a simple three-step framework: set the stage, proactively invite voices in, and respond with appreciation.

(9:03) What’s the real difference between a mistake and a failure? Amy breaks down her three types of failure – basic, complex, and intelligent – and shows how intelligent failures are actually discoveries that fuel growth and innovation.

(12:57) Can failure actually lead to breakthrough ideas? Amy tells the story of her first big research failure and how it unexpectedly led to her pioneering work on psychological safety.

(15:49) How do you make failure safe without encouraging the wrong kind of failure? Amy explains why innovation requires failure – but only in the right contexts – and shares three dimensions every entrepreneur should check first: human safety, economic cost, and reputational risk.

(18:34) How do you know if a failure is one you can come back from? Amy shares her four criteria for an “intelligent failure” that could help you improve without causing lasting damage.

(20:19) Do successful people fail more often than the rest of us? Amy explains why the best in any field – from science to sports – tend to have more failures, not fewer.

(22:41) How can entrepreneurs stop being afraid of failure? Amy explains why nobody’s in the “perfection business” and how reframing setbacks as “catch and correct” moments can build resilience.

What would you do if family duty came calling – along with a big ol’ guilt trip? For Adia Howard, the COO of her family business RA Cosmetics, it meant leaving behind her steady career as an occupational therapist to dive into the unknown world of entrepreneurship. Andrea Marquez sits down with Adia to talk about how she’s not only redefining leadership but also carrying her family’s legacy forward.

Find out how Adia navigates the challenges of a family business, brings a fresh vision to R.A. Cosmetics, and discovers a whole new side of herself. Plus, you definitely don’t want to miss Andrea’s attempt at making custom shea butter with Adia – spoiler: it doesn’t go as planned.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to reinvent yourself inside a family business or how risk can open doors you didn’t even know were there – this episode is for you.

Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at [email protected] – you might hear it in a future episode.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

(1:51) Ever wonder what it’s really like growing up around a small business owner? Adia shares how watching her dad hustle seven days a week was both intimidating and inspiring.

(4:42) What would you do if you had to choose between a stable career and keeping your family’s business alive? Adia opens up about her crossroads moment and the guilt trip from her mom that pushed her to decide.

(6:04) Think you have to take a big leap all at once? Adia shows how easing in part-time gave her the confidence to eventually commit full-time.

(8:30) Worried you don’t have enough experience to switch paths? Adia proves you can learn on the job even when faced with permits, marketing and safety data sheets.

(10:13) Can bringing your personality into your business make a difference? Adia explains how her softer, community-focused leadership changed the culture at R.A. Cosmetics.

(13:50) Was the risk of leaving a secure job worth it? Adia reflects on the growth of R.A. Cosmetics and the impact of adding her own touch to the brand.

(16:40) Could your kids one day follow in your footsteps? Adia shares her hopes for her son and how she’s showing him that entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be scary.

(17:58) Can taking one big risk completely change how you see yourself? Adia reveals how stepping into the business reshaped her confidence and offers advice for anyone afraid to leap.

Entrepreneurship will always involve risk so how do you learn to control it instead of fear it? Dr. Lois Shelton, Professor of Management at the Nazarian College of Business and Economics at California State University Northridge, joins host Andrea Marquez to break down why the most successful founders aren’t thrill-seekers. They’re calculated decision-makers who know how to test ideas, filter feedback and adapt without letting fear or overconfidence take control.

You’ll learn practical risk management strategies for making smarter moves — like lean startup experiments and the “affordable loss” approach — plus how to know when to trust your gut and when to listen to your customers.

If you’ve ever talked yourself out of an idea because you didn’t feel ready, this conversation will change how you see risk and give you enough information to start or grow your business with confidence.

Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at [email protected] – you might hear it in a future episode.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

(01:54) What makes a “rebel with a cause” in business? Professor Lois explains how purpose-driven entrepreneurs think differently and turn ideas into action.

(04:06) Do successful entrepreneurs really love risk? Learn why they prefer calculated, manageable risks over extreme leaps.

(07:26) How can you test your idea without spending a fortune? Here’s two frameworks that help you reduce risk and gather feedback early.

(9:21) How do you know which feedback to listen to? Lois breaks down how to spot patterns in customer responses and block out advice that will send you off track.

(13:39) What are the biggest mistakes founders make with risk? From skipping market research to ignoring warning signs, here’s what to avoid early on.

(15:50) How can reframing failure boost your chances of success? Professor Lois shares why seeing every setback as a learning opportunity can actually make you more credible to investors and customers.

(19:32) What’s the first step you could take if you’re frozen by uncertainty? Discover how to use mentors, free resources, and small actions to move forward even when you don’t feel ready.

What if the thing that keeps your business alive isn’t a perfect plan but your ability to pivot, stay curious, and take risks along the way? Zoya Biglary, the founder of Fysh Foods, didn’t set out to become the internet’s fruit peeler but when her savings started to run out and her product needed a lifeline, she turned to the one thing she always relied on: the drive to figure it out.

Host Andrea Marquez dives into how Zoya created a sustainable raw fish alternative from her home kitchen, used content creation to keep the business alive, and navigated major shipping and product setbacks. If you’ve ever felt like you had to “know more” before starting, this episode will help you rethink what qualifies you to begin.

Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at [email protected] – you might hear it in a future episode.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

(01:54) What drives a founder to start a business from scratch? Zoya shares how her early exposure to social entrepreneurship shaped her path and led her to start Fysh Foods.

(07:58) How do you develop a food product with no background? Zoya breaks down how she co-developed her early formulas and landed in Erewhon.

(12:58) How do you fund a business when money runs out? Discover how Zoya went viral on TikTok and turned content into capital.

(19:00) Dreamed of getting on Shark Tank to grow your business? Zoya got there but still made $0 profit. She explains what went wrong and what she learned.

(22:25) What do you do when your product doesn’t scale? Zoya walks through her shift from DTC to wholesale, how she re-engineered her product to cut costs and expand, and the costly lessons along the way.

(29:12) Feeling stuck as a founder? Zoya shares how staying curious, even when things felt impossible, kept her moving through fear and uncertainty.

What if the key to growth isn’t playing it safe – but learning how to manage risk when things start going sideways? That’s been the story for John Trimble, founder and CEO of Hot Crispy Oil. He didn’t set out to start a condiment company. But when the pandemic forced his family’s 44-year-old restaurant to close, John took a homemade chili oil recipe from his kitchen and turned it into a fast growing brand — all without a roadmap, formal training, or ideal timing.

Host Andrea Marquez unpacks what it really takes to scale a business when uncertainty never goes away. You’ll hear how John navigated supply chain chaos, outgrew two facilities, and made the bold decision to buy a building – all while staying scrappy, adaptable, and laser-focused on the bigger picture.

If you’re trying to grow your business but keep getting hit with the unexpected, this episode will show you how to take calculated risks, stay grounded, and keep moving forward even when things don’t go to plan.

Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at [email protected] — you might hear it in a future episode.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

(01:32) What happens when your family’s 44-year-old restaurant suddenly closes? John shares how the pandemic forced a hard pivot and sparked a new idea.

(04:10) Can a side project from your stovetop really become a national brand? Hear how Hot Crispy Oil started with mason jars on John’s front porch.

(07:11) Why keep manufacturing in-house when outsourcing seems easier? John explains the importance of quality control and adaptability.

(09:38) What makes someone decide to buy a building instead of leasing? Find out how risk, necessity, and a collapsing warehouse shaped this bold move.

(11:41) How do you take a leap when the data doesn’t fully support it? John talks about betting on himself.

(13:13) What does risk look like in the day-to-day of a growing business? From falling pallets to surprise delays, John shares how he stays grounded.

(16:02) How do you handle supply chain chaos and make sure you never run out? John’s strategy for managing vendor relationships and hedging against disruption.

(18:50) What’s your advice for entrepreneurs afraid of scaling? John explains why growth is worth the risk and how to make it manageable.