Podcast
Small Business Stories
Hosted by Loralyn Mears, PhD · EN
Welcome to Small Business Stories, the podcast where we celebrate the real-life journeys of small business owners. We dig into inspiring tales of triumphs, challenges, and the tough lessons we learned along the way. Each episode is packed with relatable anecdotes and practical tips that you can use to fuel your own entrepreneurial dreams. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your business, you’ll find motivation and insight in every story. Tune in and get ready to be inspired by the heart and hustle of small business owners just like you! We say it like it is - no filters. Being an SMB owner isn't easy, but we're compelled to do it.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Powerful Business Moves That Generated Millions with CFO Michael Barbarita
Aug 2200:30:44Tap to summarizeS5:E21 In this Small Biz Stories episode, Dr. LL sits down with Michael Barbarita, Jr., a fractional CFO, award-winning speaker, author of Powerful Business Strategies, and serial entrepreneur who's helped generate millions across industries from retail to manufacturing. With over 40 years of financial leadership and firsthand entrepreneurial grit, Michael shares how small business owners can make smarter financial decisions, structure irresistible offers, and unlock hidden value in their companies. You’ll walk away with tactical advice on: 💰Making compelling offers rooted in financial logic 💰Avoiding rookie money mistakes 💰Scaling sustainably using simply money-making moves to sell more product 💰Building a business that sells itself—with numbers to back it If you’ve ever thought, “I need someone to make sense of my business finances,” this episode is for you. ⏱️ Highlights (Tips & Insights): “It’s not just about revenue. It’s about value.” Michael explains why adding real business value requires more than top-line growth; it’s about strategic financial infrastructure. “A compelling offer starts with understanding your costs.” Learn why most business offers fail and how anchoring your offer in margin and value unlocks results. “Hire a fractional CFO before you think you need one.” The right time to bring in financial help isn’t when you're drowning; it's before the flood. Michael explains when and why. “Small business owners should stop guessing and start forecasting.” Discover a simple forecasting framework any founder can use to predict cash flow and growth opportunities. “Financial clarity builds confidence for you and your investors.” Michael reveals how financial reporting done right can turn uncertainty into investor-ready trust. Don't forget to subscribe to YouTube @Midlifesuccess #entrepreneur #business #money #smallbusiness #finance
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The Client Flow Blueprint: Filip Sardi Shares the Secret to Turn eLearning Content into Revenues
Aug 1300:48:33Tap to summarizeYou when you just "hit it off" with a total stranger? Watch the ideas fly! What a fabulous guest and learning experience! Filip is easy going and curious which is a terrific combination to understand how to get unstuck in the customer journey. In this episode, Filip Sardi, founder of Client Flow™, reveals to Dr. LL how online entrepreneurs can stop chasing new clients and start multiplying results with the ones they already have. Drawing from 11+ years in coaching and eLearning, Filip shares actionable strategies to make client success predictable, scalable, and profitable. From onboarding to upsells, he explains how to create lasting growth engines that build trust, retention, and referrals. Key Takeaways: ✴️ Why focusing on existing clients generates more profit than constantly hunting new ones. ✴️ How to design an onboarding experience that builds trust quickly and sets clients up for success. ✴️ Identifying drop-off points in client momentum—and what to do about them before they churn. ✴️ Using the ClientFlow Pulse™ AI tool to see which clients are thriving, stuck, or ready for more. ✴️ Designing upsells that feel like a natural next step, boosting revenue without feeling “salesy.” Whether you’re a course creator, high-end service provider, or membership owner, this episode will give you concrete systems to increase retention, referrals, and long-term profitability. To learn more about Filip's work 👇 https://filipsardi.com/ Follow Filip on Instagram 👇 https://www.instagram.com/filip.sardi/ 🔻And don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube @Midlifesuccess #business #entrepreneur #sales #growth #smallbusiness #learning
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Empowering Women Through the Lens: Photography Tips & Personal Branding with Janet Joyner
Aug 600:30:04Tap to summarizeS5:E19 In this inspiring episode of Small Biz Stories, we sit down with New Jersey photographer and former educator Janet Joyner, founder of Janet Joyner Photography📸, to explore how she empowers women (especially those over 40) to rediscover their beauty, embrace confidence, and show up strong in a digital world. Janet shares invaluable photography tips, branding insights, and her journey of starting a business at 50 after leaving education. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a woman reinventing herself, or just camera-shy, this episode is packed with wisdom on how to be seen, and remembered. 💡 Timestamps & Takeaways: 📸[2:45] Starting at 50: Reinventing Yourself Is Always Possible “You're never too old. I love photography—so I said, why not try it?” 📸[4:45] How to Make Anyone Feel Beautiful in Front of a Camera “I sell you the way the world sees you—not the way you see yourself.” 📸[7:54] Top 3 Photo Tips for Women Over 40 "Back straight, create space, and 'turtle' your neck for a slimmer profile." 📸[10:55] Why Great Headshots Matter More Than Ever “People make snap decisions based on your headshot—invest in it.” 📸[15:35] Genius Business Card Strategy That Gets Remembered “Each card features different client portraits—people remember the card and the photographer.” ✨ Bonus: Hear how Janet fosters authentic community through love-tapping and weekly support circles—boosting visibility, connection, and confidence for women entrepreneurs. 💡 Learn more about Janet's work: https://janetjoyner.com/index.html *️⃣Don't forget to follow us on YouTube @MidlifeSuccess! #smallbusiness #entrepreneur #photography #headshot #women
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The AI Santa: How Jonathan Mast Empowers Entrepreneurs with Smart Tools for Revenue Growth & Success
Jul 3000:29:55Tap to summarizeS5:E18 In this heartwarming and brilliant episode of Small Biz Stories, Dr. LL welcomes Jonathan Mast, affectionately known as “The Whitebeard of AI." He is a generous educator, strategist, and AI expert with a mission to make AI accessible for small business owners. Jonathan reveals the top 3 AI tools every entrepreneur should be using, how to overcome fear and overwhelm with technology, and how to create an AI-powered board of advisors (fictional and real!). He also shares touching and unexpected ways he’s used AI from health advocacy to writing a tear-jerking Mother’s Day letter. Whether you're AI-curious or already deep in prompt engineering, this episode will inspire you to embrace the future with practical tips, humor, and a Santa-sized dose of generosity. 🧠 Topics Covered: Must-have AI tools for beginners Prompting frameworks that work Overcoming AI fear with confidence Building your own AI board of advisors How AI can support emotional intelligence and relationships 🎯 Perfect for: Small business owners, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, consultants, and coaches. LEARN MORE ABOUT Jonathan Mast 👉https://jonathanmast.com/ JOIN his AI Entrepreneurs HUB 👉https://tac.whitebeardstrategies.com/communities/groups/ai-entrepreneurs/home ✴️And don't forget to follow us on YouTube @MidlifeSuccess ⏱️ Timestamp Highlights (SEO-Rich Tips): 1:12 – “You don’t need the perfect tool. You just need a tool—and start!” ➡️ Stop chasing perfection—Jonathan breaks down 3 simple tools to start your AI journey: ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Midjourney. 9:00 – “Use this 4-step framework for perfect prompts.” ➡️ Jonathan reveals his prompting method: declare the expert, give context, ask a question, then say: “Ask me any questions you have.” 15:13 – “I built a board of advisors using AI—real, fictional, and even dead people.” ➡️ A mind-blowing technique to simulate advice from Steve Jobs, Tony Stark, and others using generative AI. 23:00 – “The fear of AI is like asking someone out—you overthink it. Just try it.” ➡️ Jonathan likens AI hesitation to dating nerves—his advice? Jump in! It’s not scary, and it won’t bite. 26:22 – “Search ‘white beard AI guy’—you’ll find me.” ➡️ Jonathan’s signature branding: a heart-led leader whose goal is to help you save time, make money, and grow smarter with AI. 🔖#AI #JonathanMast #Entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #podcast
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From Bankruptcy to Millions: Neil Twa on Amazon Fulfilment eCommerce & Mindset Shifts
Jul 1600:38:05Tap to summarizeS5:E17 In this high-voltage episode, Dr. LL sits down with Neil Twa, substack writer of column, ⚡"High Voltage Business Builders" and author of Almost Automated Income with FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon). He shares hard-won lessons from going bankrupt to building a multimillion-dollar Amazon consulting business. Whether you're trying to break through a revenue plateau or reframe your leadership mindset, Neil's battle-tested advice is a game-changer for entrepreneurs ready to level up. For over 17 years, Neil has been constructing businesses both online and offline after departing his senior IBM role. Since 2012, he's launched 5+ personal brands, generated 10's of millions in revenues as 8 figures sellers, and assisted in the growth of 1000+ others through consulting, coaching, and mentoring alongside his partner, Reed, and their Voltage team. 🎯 Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs: Letting Go to Scale: Neil explains how fear and scarcity mindsets hold business owners back from reaching the $5M to $10M mark, and what it takes to shift. Failing Forward: Hear why "failing forward" is essential to success, and how reframing mistakes as momentum-builders transforms your journey. RGAs = Revenue: Neil introduces the concept of Revenue-Generating Activities and how focusing on RGAs keeps growth in motion. Hiring with Common Sense: Discover his practical approach to interviewing and why "firing fast" saves your culture and cash. Bankruptcy to Breakthrough: Neil opens up about hitting rock bottom—and how he rebuilt stronger by staying focused on the right high-leverage actions. ✉️neil@voltagedm.com 🌐voltagedm.com/ 👨👧facebook.com/neiltwa/ 📖to get a FREE copy of his book, enter the discount code SMALLBIZ on this website: https://www.voltagedm.com/freebook ❇️Don't forget to subscribe to ✅YouTube @MidlifeSuccess and to 👍like this episode! #EntrepreneurMindset #AmazonFBA #SmallBusiness #businessgrowth #startup #ecommerce
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Money Moves: Small Business Funding & Real Estate Strategies with George Otel
Jul 900:33:26Tap to summarizeJoin Dr. LL for a value-packed conversation with George Otel, founder of US Business Funding and a top commercial real estate influencer. George shares actionable insights for small business owners and entrepreneurs on funding, mindset, and building lasting success. Discover why adaptation, strategic learning, and the right financial moves can transform your business. Whether you're just starting or scaling up, this episode is your guide to smarter money decisions and entrepreneurial growth. Key Takeaways & Time Stamps: [1:13] Adapt to Thrive: George discusses the importance of adaptability in business, emphasizing that those who adapt faster and more efficiently gain the most benefits in today's fast-changing market. [3:11] Delegate and Plan: He shares how reading, journaling, and planning personal development in 6-12 month increments has helped him focus on strategic growth and effective delegation within his business. [10:51] Always Seek Options: George explains the biggest financing mistake business owners make: relying solely on their local bank. He urges entrepreneurs to seek multiple funding options and start looking for financing before it's urgently needed. [13:05] Own, Don’t Rent: He highlights how small business owners can use government-backed SBA loans to buy their business property, often for less than their current rent, building equity and long-term wealth. [21:15] Review and Refocus: George outlines his process of regularly reviewing what’s working in his business, doubling down on successes, and cutting out what drains resources—advice that can dramatically improve any small business in just a few months. Listen in for practical strategies, real-world examples, and the mindset shifts every entrepreneur needs to succeed in finance, real estate, and beyond! 👉 Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE and👍this episode! #realestate #investing #entrepreneur #money #rich
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Unlocking PR Success: Mickie Kennedy’s Proven Press Release Strategies for Small Business Growth
Jul 400:46:22Tap to summarizeS5:E15 Discover how small businesses can punch above their weight with actionable PR strategies from Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases and renowned PR expert. In this episode, Mickie shares his journey from creative writing to building a leading press release distribution service, and delivers practical insights for entrepreneurs aiming for real media coverage, credibility, and results without the big agency price tag. Growth hacking at its finest! Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs via Mickie's discussion with Dr. LL: [4:15] The Power of Storytelling in Press Releases: Mickie explains how shifting from dry data tables to compelling stories in press releases led to major media coverage, opening new markets and building credibility for his company. [7:24] Identifying Market Opportunities: He describes how listening to journalists' needs and early trends (like email distribution) inspired the creation of eReleases, showing the importance of adapting to industry shifts. [9:00] Affordable Access to National Media: Mickie reveals how eReleases partners with PR Newswire to offer national press release distribution at a fraction of the typical cost, making media access feasible for small businesses. [10:25] Knowing When to Make the Leap: For those balancing a day job and a side hustle, Mickie shares his conservative approach—saving six months of living expenses and waiting until his business generated double his living costs before going full-time. [11:31] Financial Caution in Growth: He discusses the importance of financial reserves before hiring employees, emphasizing responsible growth and risk management for entrepreneurs. Whether you’re a startup founder, author, or small business owner, this episode delivers actionable PR tips and inspiring stories to help you gain real media traction and grow your business. 🤝 Connect with Mickie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/publicity/ 📣 Learn how to get seen with Mickie's FREE resources regarding How to Win with Press Releases https://www.ereleases.com/ ✴️ follow @MidlifeSuccess on YouTube and don't forget to 👍LIKE this episode! #entrepreneur #marketing #pressconference
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Protect Your Business: What Every Entrepreneur Should Know About Insurance with Michael Silverman
Jun 2900:31:43Tap to summarizeS5:E14 Think insurance is boring? Think again. In this episode of Small Biz Stories, host Dr. LL sits down with Michael Silverman, founder of Silver Lining Insurance Agency, whose story will change the way you think about life insurance—and relationships. With 40+ years of industry wisdom, Michael shares the powerful moment he delivered a $5 million life insurance claim, and how that moment cemented his shift from high-volume selling to values-based service. His approach goes far beyond premiums and policies—this is about building trust, forging deep connections, and putting people first. If you're an entrepreneur or small business owner tired of the transactional hustle, Michael’s journey offers insight into how cultivating authentic client relationships can drive long-term success and leave a lasting impact. 🛠️ Learn how to: Turn obstacles into new business opportunities Move from selling to serving Build a network rooted in genuine connection 💬 “It’s not about the sale. It’s about what happens after the sale.” – Michael Silverman ✅ follow us on YouTube @MidlifeSuccess and help us spread the word about this #podcast #smallbusiness #riskmanagement #entrepreneur #entrepreneurlife
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eCommerce Growth Secrets: Sabir Semerkant Proven Tips for Small Business Success
Jun 900:59:56Tap to summarizeJoin Dr. LL on Small Biz Stories as she interviews Sabir Semerkant, founder of Growth by Sabir and a billion-dollar eCommerce strategist who has worked with industry legends like Gary Vee and Neil Patel. Sabir shares actionable insights and candid advice for entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to scale, adapt, and thrive in today’s digital marketplace. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, Sabir’s wisdom and proven methods will inspire you to test, learn, and grow, one percent at a time. He convinces us that we need to just ONE thing better (at a time). Nail it - then move on to the next thing to improve. Sabir is currently running a program called Rapid 2X, and in 2024 alone he helped 29 brands across 17 different product categories and the average brand experienced a 108% increase in growth in the first 21 days alone. 💥 Prior to 2024, Sabir implemented this exact system for over 150 brands with names such as Ashley Stewart who he took from 3M to 30M in two years when he was their head of growth, to household names like Canon, Young Nails, La Foi London, Sour Patch Kids, and Tommy Hilfiger, etc. [1:01] Sabir’s practical tip for content creators: cover brand logos on your microphone to keep the camera focused on you, not the brand—a simple hack for better video quality. [3:19] The power of gratitude and adaptability in entrepreneurship: Sabir explains why setbacks are blessings in disguise and how every challenge can lead to unexpected opportunities. [4:09] Park your ego at the door: Sabir stresses the importance of humility and continuous learning—even from the youngest team members—to drive innovation and growth. [8:21] Treat your business as a lab: Every working day should be an experiment aimed at improving key metrics. Sabir reveals how daily testing and focus can lead to exponential business growth. [11:03] The mathematics of 1% improvement: Sabir breaks down how making small, strategic changes every day can compound into massive results over time, using real-world examples from his career. If you are in eCommerce, you NEED Sabir. Full stop! 👇 https://growthbysabir.com/ ✅ Like this episode and follow us on YouTube @Midlifesuccess #smallbusiness #entrepreneur #businesssuccess #digitalmarketing #startupadvice #money #shopping
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Learning From the Past: Inspiration for Returning Citizens With Luis Angel Torres Rodriguez
May 27, 202500:32:23Tap to summarizeIn this inspiring episode (S5:E12) of Small Biz Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Luis Angel Torres Rodriguez, founder of Societal Bridge, Inc., to explore how positivity, the importance of life-long learning, and how second chances can transform the lives of returning citizens. Drawing from his own experience and award-winning advocacy with programs like NJ LEAD, Luis shares how he’s changing the narrative for individuals reentering society after incarceration, offering support, opportunity, and a judgment-free path to growth. Discover how Societal Bridge helps people reset their lives, build new skills, and find meaningful work, proving that everyone deserves a chance to thrive. Connect with Luis and learn more about his work: Societal Bridge, Inc. TikTok: @louie.t8 ✅If you’re moved by these stories of resilience and hope, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share Small Biz Stories for more real conversations that make a difference. #podcast #nonprofit #inspiration #learning #incarceration #prisoner
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