The Dangers of Poor Customer Service
E262 • Jul 24, 2024 • 11 minsMelinda Emerson discusses the importance of subscribing to services and shares personal experiences with service providers. She delves into communication, professionalism, and challenges in the service industry. The episode highlights the consequences and importance of customer retention, as well as legal risks and strategies for responding to reviews. Closing with a call to action, Melinda wraps up the episode.
Hit It Or Quit It - Steven Pope, Alicia Miller, and Thomas Young
E261 • Jul 17, 2024 • 11 minsMelinda Emerson hosts a panel discussion with Steven Pope, Alicia Miller, and Thomas Young. They share old school marketing tips and their favorite business tools. The episode concludes with closing remarks and guest acknowledgements.
Helping Philadelphia Area Businesses Export with Thomas Young
E260 • Jul 10, 2024 • 12 minsMelinda Emerson introduces Thomas Young and explores the World Trade Center Association and STEP Grants. They discuss exporting challenges, success strategies, and financing international deals. Thomas shares his best business advice, followed by closing remarks and a teaser for the next episode.
How to Franchise Your Business with Alicia Miller
E259 • Jul 3, 2024 • 19 minsMelinda Emerson chats with Alicia Miller about her journey in franchising and key factors to consider when franchising a business. They discuss the steps to start, initial investments, setting franchise fees, and building a community within a franchise network.
Strategies for Your Amazon Business Success with Steven Pope
E258 • Jun 26, 2024 • 20 minsSteven Pope shares his journey to becoming the Amazon Guy, offers tips on selecting products, conducting market research, and competitive analysis. He discusses pricing strategies, Amazon fulfillment vs. self-shipping, and ways to drive traffic and sales on Amazon.
What Can We Do Post-Fearless Fund Case?
E257 • Jun 19, 2024 • 17 minsMelinda Emerson discusses the Fearless Fund lawsuit, systemic inequities faced by black entrepreneurs, and alternative support methods for minority and women business owners. She also shares resources for grants, venture capital, angel investors, and corporate initiatives.
Hit It & Quit It with Lisha Bell, Alyson Caffrey, and Mickie Kennedy
E256 • Jun 5, 2024 • 9 minsMelinda Emerson welcomes listeners and introduces guests Lisha Bell, Alyson Caffrey, and Mickie Kennedy. They share their favorite business apps and top business books. The "hit it and quit it" segment provides rapid-fire insights. Sponsored by SmallBizLadyAcademy.com, the episode concludes with final advice.
How to Franchise Your Business with Alicia Miller
E259 • Jun 3, 2024 • 19 minsMelinda Emerson and guest Alicia Miller discuss the essentials of franchising a business. Topics include Alicia's background, key factors in franchising, initial steps, capital requirements, and setting franchise fees. Alicia also shares the best business advice she's received.
How to Get Regular Local Media Coverage with Mickie Kennedy
E255 • May 29, 2024 • 15 minsIn this episode, Melinda Emerson chats with Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases, about securing local press for small businesses. They discuss Mickie's journey, tips for effectively pitching to local media, common mistakes, and his best business advice. The episode concludes with a word from the sponsor, SmallBiz Lady Academy.
How Getting Rest Can Grow Your Business with Alyson Caffrey
E254 • May 22, 2024 • 20 minsIn this episode, Melinda Emerson chats with Alyson Caffrey about her journey as a solo entrepreneur and the importance of setting boundaries. They delve into the Sabbatical Method, overcoming guilt in business, and maintaining work-life balance through self-discipline. The discussion concludes with the best business advice Alyson has received.
How to Fund Your Business From Investors with Lisha Bell
E253 • May 15, 2024 • 20 minsIn this episode, Melinda Emerson chats with Lisha Bell about her journey into angel investing and venture capital. They delve into understanding different types of investors, common mistakes in seeking investment, and strategies for securing angel investors. They also discuss how to effectively pitch to potential investors and understand due diligence, closing with Lisha's best business advice.
How To Be In Business For Yourself, Not By Yourself with Melinda Emerson
E252 • May 8, 2024 • 21 minsIn this episode, Melinda discusses the role of teamwork and mastermind groups in business, shares tools for improving personal productivity, and offers tips on balancing business and child care. She talks about the importance of building a sales team, the value of mentors, and introduces the Small Biz Lady Academy.
Hit It & Quit It with Angelic Williams and Aprelle Duany
E251 • May 1, 2024 • 13 minsIn this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Angelique Williams and Aprelle Duany for a lively discussion. They delve into their "Hit it and commit it" philosophy, share favorite business apps, and offer some old school marketing tips. The discussion wraps up with their best business book recommendations, including a favorite from Melinda.
How to Leverage AI to Grow Your Business with Aprelle Duany
E250 • Apr 24, 2024 • 19 minsIn this episode, Melinda Emerson talks with Aprelle Duany about the role of AI in businesses. They discuss Duany's journey into AI, practical applications, and the challenges encountered in its adoption. Also, they explore how AI improves customer experience and the importance of diversity and accessibility in AI development.
How to Build Business Credit with Angelic Williams
E249 • Apr 17, 2024 • 34 minsIn this episode, Melinda Emerson chats with Angelique Williams about the nuances of business credit. They delve into its difference from personal credit, the significance of the Paydex score, and the steps to build a business credit profile. They also discuss common mistakes, the link between corporate credibility and business credit, and the role of a credit building agency. The importance of timely payroll and understanding underwriting criteria are also covered.
How to Love on Your Customers Better with Melinda Emerson
E248 • Apr 10, 2024 • 14 minsIn this episode, Melinda Emerson shares a personal story about a failed purchase attempt, highlighting the importance of well-managed inventory and transparent pricing. She discusses strategies for handling customer dissatisfaction and the art of engaging potential customers. Melinda emphasizes the role of professionalism in small businesses and shares holiday season recommendations. She concludes with final thoughts and advice for small business owners.
Hit It & Quit It with Gloria Chou, Dan Stalp and Dave Newell
E247 • Apr 3, 2024 • 8 minsIn this episode, Melinda engages in a panel discussion with Dave Newell, Gloria Chou, and Dan Stalp. They exchange views on their favorite podcasts and business apps, share old school marketing tips, and recommend best business books. The episode wraps up with a sponsor message and closing remarks.
How to Align Your Small Business with Dave Newell
E246 • Mar 27, 2024 • 20 minsIn this episode, Melinda and guest Dave Newell discuss achieving business alignment, exploring the 5 facets of business, and understanding the three stages of alignment. They address business issues, the role of values in business design, and the importance of perspective. The episode ends with strategies to prevent small business failure.
Understanding the Winning Mindset with Dan Stalp
E245 • Mar 20, 2024 • 16 minsIn this episode, Melinda Emerson and energetic entrepreneur Dan Staup delve into the importance of a winning mindset for small business owners. They discuss learning from failures, incorporating mindset into organizational culture, dealing with underperforming salespeople, and the significance of a transferable, repeatable sales process. Melinda shares insights on building a million-dollar brand.
How to Pitch Yourself for PR with Gloria Chou
E244 • Mar 13, 2024 • 20 minsIn this episode, Melinda Emerson and Gloria Chou dive into unconventional PR methods, teaching listeners how to land significant media opportunities and dispel common PR misconceptions. They delve into Gloria's unique 3-step CPR pitch method, and share tips for crafting newsworthy pitches. The relevancy of press releases in small business and advice for product businesses are also discussed.