How Do You Create a Product in the Culinary Industry with Toni Johnson

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Toni L. Johnson to share insights from her entrepreneurial journey. Toni discusses her inspiration and experiences with Target's Forward Founders Program, which helped shape her business approach. The conversation highlights her unique food flavors and vegan options, reflecting her innovative culinary style. Toni outlines her business model, which encompasses a restaurant, catering, and wholesale operations. She candidly addresses the challenges faced and strategies for scaling her product line.

How to Manufacture Products in the Trump Era with Sherrill Mosee

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Sherrill Mosee to discuss the journey of creating and scaling her brand, Minky Blue. Sherill provides an overview and demonstration of her innovative products, sharing insights from her experience participating in a Macy's contest. The conversation delves into the initial steps of creating a minimum viable product and the process of finding a reliable manufacturing partner. Sherrill candidly discusses the challenges faced in manufacturing in China and explores alternative solutions.

Mission Delivery With Sustainability with Melinda Emerson

In this solo episode, Melinda Emerson delves into the world of nonprofits and social enterprises, exploring the challenges nonprofits face and the benefits social enterprises offer. The discussion highlights how social enterprises can provide financial stability while making a community impact. Melinda addresses common misconceptions and shares operational strategies for nonprofits, supported by case studies of successful social enterprises. The episode provides guidance on starting a social enterprise and debunks prevalent myths surrounding them.

Hit It and Quit It with Leyanis Diaz and Tara Landes

In this episode, Melinda Emerson presents highlights from the Hit It and Quit It Panel, where experts share quick insights and strategies for small business success. The discussion includes top business book recommendations, providing valuable resources for entrepreneurs seeking knowledge and inspiration. Melinda offers acknowledgments and shares information about Small Biz Lady University, a resource for further learning and development. The episode concludes with final business advice aimed at empowering small business owners to achieve their goals.

How to Have Maximum Impact in Your Business with Tara Landes

In this episode, Melinda Emerson is joined by Tara Landes to explore the multifaceted role of a business president. Tara discusses the impact and priorities that come with the position, emphasizing the importance of balancing day-to-day operations with strategic planning. The conversation covers effective hiring and team-building strategies, highlighting the role of leadership and the benefits of advisory boards.

How to Position Your Brand with Multicultural Markets with Leyanis Diaz

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Leyanis Diaz to discuss key insights into multicultural marketing. Leyanis addresses common marketing mistakes and the critical distinction between inclusive marketing and tokenism. The conversation highlights the impact of the current climate on multicultural marketing strategies and the importance of leveraging influencers and community leaders. Leyanis emphasizes the need for multicultural marketing to become a mainstream strategy.

How to Turn Your Divine Gifts into a Business with Michelle Kopper

In this episode, Melinda Emerson engages with Michelle Kopper to explore her entrepreneurial journey and how she overcame fear to succeed. Michelle delves into the role of divine gifts and spirituality in business, offering insights into integrating personal beliefs with professional goals. The conversation addresses imposter syndrome, providing strategies for validation in the market.

Hit It and Quit It with Mitch Axelrod, Dr. Dan Young, and Rich Trotter

In this episode, Melinda Emerson introduces an engaging discussion with guests Rich Trotter, Mitch Axelrod, and Dr. Dan Young. The conversation kicks off with each guest sharing their favorite business podcast and app, revealing unique tools that aid their entrepreneurial journey. They then delve into timeless marketing strategies, discussing classic tips that still hold relevance today, and highlight their top business book recommendations.

How to Reinvent a Legacy Business with Rich Trotter

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Rich Trotter, a fourth-generation entrepreneur, to discuss his journey in the food industry. Rich shares insights into the challenges and innovations he faced, particularly the transition to natural ingredients. The conversation delves into how small businesses can overcome the impact of the pandemic and adapt to new market demands.

How Giving a TEDx Talk Can Benefit Your Business with Dr. Dan Young

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Dr. Dan Young to discuss the art of crafting and promoting a successful TED Talk. Dr. Dan shares insights into his own TED Talk journey, detailing its background and the impact it has had. He provides valuable strategies for aspiring speakers on how to effectively convey their message and gain visibility.

How to License and Sell Your Content with Mitch Axelrod

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Mitch Axelrod to discuss the intricacies of intellectual property (IP) licensing for small businesses. Mitch shares his personal journey in the licensing field, offering insights into identifying and protecting IP effectively. They explore common pitfalls in licensing negotiations and provide practical tips to navigate these challenges.

If I Had to Do It All Over Again with Melinda Emerson

In this episode, Melinda Emerson kicks off with a warm welcome to The SmallBizChat and highlights National Small Business Week. She shares recent news affecting small businesses, then delves into strategies for growth, drawing on her 26 years of entrepreneurial experience. Melinda contrasts the startup processes of the past with today's landscape and evaluates ownership options such as franchises and acquisitions. The discussion turns to thriving in challenging economies, focusing on recession-resilient sectors and the role of AI. Finally, Melinda outlines resources and support available for business owners, offering encouragement and insight.

Hit It & Quit It with LaTanya White, Dov Gordon, and Anisha Robinson Keeys

In this episode, Melinda Emerson introduces a panel format featuring Dov Gordon, Dr. LaTanya White, and Anisha Robinson Keeys, who share their insights and experiences. The conversation highlights each guest's favorite business books, offering listeners valuable recommendations to enhance their entrepreneurial knowledge.

How to Recruit Your Dream Team with Anisha Robinson Keeys

In this episode, Melinda Emerson and Anisha Robinson Keeys delve into the challenges of talent acquisition for small businesses, emphasizing the growing trend of fractional talent. They discuss the importance of a structured hiring process and highlight the best platforms and assessments to enhance hiring decisions. The conversation touches on the role of AI in crafting job descriptions and the critical nature of effective onboarding. Anisha shares her top business advice, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurs.

How to Win with Joint Ventures with Dov Gordon

In this episode, Melinda Emerson introduces Dov Gordon to explore the dynamics of joint ventures and partnership collaborations. They discuss the significance of establishing clear joint venture agreements and strategies for handling conflicts that may arise. Dov shares insights on overcoming hesitation when entering joint ventures and offers practical advice for small business owners considering such partnerships. The episode emphasizes the benefits of collaboration and provides actionable tips for successful joint ventures.

How to Build Generational Wealth with Dr. LaTanya White

In this episode, Melinda Emerson is joined by Dr. LaTanya White to explore the concept of generational wealth. The discussion delves into the historical context of financial trauma and its effects on wealth building, offering a fresh perspective on redefining wealth and debunking common myths surrounding wealth creation. Dr. White shares practical strategies for first-generation wealth creators, providing actionable insights for those starting their journey towards financial stability.

Hit It & Quit It with Oginga Carr, Debbie Allen, and Brynne Tillman

In this episode, Melinda Emerson kicks off with the engaging "Hit It and Quit It" segment, setting the stage for a lively discussion. The conversation shifts to a sharing of favorite business tools and tips, offering practical insights for small business owners looking to enhance their operations.

AI Prompts for Small Business with Brynne Tillman

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Brynne Tillman to discuss the transformative role of AI in sales. They explore the challenges entrepreneurs face when integrating AI and introduce the features of askSSL.ai. The conversation highlights how AI can be leveraged for LinkedIn success and the benefits of membership in this evolving landscape. Brynne shares her top business advice, emphasizing the importance of embracing AI in today's market.

How to Grow Your Business with Expert Market Positioning with Debbie Allen

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Debbie Allen to discuss her journey in business and the art of expert positioning. They explore how the pandemic has influenced the creation of experts and delve into the essentials of content creation and defining expertise. Debbie shares insights on building a strong business foundation and offers valuable advice for speakers and authors. The conversation also covers speaking business and marketing strategies, evaluating and investing in experts, and low-cost strategies for expert positioning.

How to Use AI to Grow Your Business with Oginga Carr

In this episode, Melinda Emerson is joined by Oginga Carr to explore the intersection of AI and small business branding. The discussion delves into the opportunities AI presents for creating signature content and achieving deep personalization in marketing. They evaluate the pros and cons of free versus paid AI tools and highlight common mistakes to avoid when implementing AI in business strategies. Oginga shares actionable steps and his best business advice for leveraging AI effectively.