Small Biz Flash

Hosted by Adam Hewitt

Business Entrepreneurship News

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Your flash briefing for small business news, trends, and insights.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 30, 202611 min

5-30-26 - The Real AI Opportunity in Your Business

FEATURE Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday business operations, but many companies are still struggling to create meaningful value from it. In this feature, we explore why the biggest AI opportunity isn't simply doing the same work faster, but changing how work gets done through better workflows, smarter systems, and improved decision-making. ---------- NEWS ROUNDUP Construction Leads, Retail Lags in Small Business Confidence https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/new-nfib-industry-specific-survey-shows-shift-in-small-business-optimism SBA Eases Concerns for Some Small Business Investors https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnschroyer/2026/05/29/sba-clarifies-and-narrows-its-crackdown-on-small-business-investors/ Small Businesses Pull Back on Hiring Plans https://www.uschamber.com/economy/small-businesses-cut-back-hiring-plans-as-inflation-concerns-grow ---------- Email me at adam@smallbizflash.com . Please give me feedback on the podcast. Show web site: www.smallbizflash.com

April 29, 202611 min

4-29-26 - Your Weekly OS: Running a Better Management Meeting

FEATURE Most small businesses hold weekly meetings, but many of them fail to drive real progress. In this feature, we explore how to build a simple “weekly operating system” that improves visibility, accountability, and execution. We break down a practical meeting structure, discuss how to identify and solve the right issues, and show how AI can support better preparation, follow-through, and performance tracking. ---------- NEWS ROUNDUP AI Excitement Is High, but Daily Use Still Lags https://www.inc.com/elizabeth-gore/81-of-small-businesses-are-excited-about-ai-so-why-is-adoption-stalling/91326561 IRS Staffing Drops, but Audit Risk Remains https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/15/irs-audit-red-flags.html Small Businesses Turn to Embedded Finance Tools https://www.pymnts.com/smbs/2026/inflation-hits-58-of-small-businesses-and-pushes-embedded-b2b-finance-forward/ ---------- Email me at adam@smallbizflash.com . Please give me feedback on the podcast. Show web site: www.smallbizflash.com

March 9, 202613 min

3-9-26 - You’ve Built a Playbook - Now Make Your Systems Actually Work

FEATURE Many businesses document their processes but still struggle with inconsistent execution. In this feature, we explain how to close the gap between playbook and performance through clear ownership, meaningful KPIs, and a consistent operating rhythm — and how AI can help monitor metrics, improve follow-through, and strengthen operational discipline. ---------- NEWS ROUNDUP Small Businesses Struggle to Claim Tariff Refunds https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/some-small-businesses-tariff-refund-isnt-worth-pain-pursuing-it-2026-03-04/ Lenders Ask Small Businesses About AI Plans https://www.forbes.com/sites/brandonkochkodin/2026/03/06/no-ai-plan-no-loan-small-business-lenders-force-main-street-to-face-the-future/ NLRB Ruling Could Expand Franchise Liability https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/nlrb-joint-employer-ruling-franchises-2026-03-06/ ---------- Email me at adam@smallbizflash.com . Please give me feedback on the podcast. Show web site: www.smallbizflash.com

November 24, 202514 min

11-24-25 - ROI of a Playbook for Your Small Business

FEATURE Most small businesses rely on individual know-how instead of a shared playbook — and it quietly limits their growth. In this episode, we break down the ROI of building a simple, practical playbook for your business. You’ll learn how standardizing your processes reduces mistakes, shortens training, and helps your team deliver consistent results every time. We’ll also cover the tools that make documenting workflows easier than ever, including how AI can help you capture and refine your systems. Discover how a playbook frees up your time, strengthens your team, and creates a smoother, more scalable operation. ---------- NEWS ROUNDUP AI Adoption Surges Among Small Businesses https://www.monitordaily.com/new-amex-data-small-businesses-accelerate-ai-adoption-and-see-strong-roi/ Owners Expect Stronger 2026 Growth https://newsroom.bankofamerica.com/content/newsroom/press-releases/2025/11/bofa-report--74--of-small-and-mid-sized-business-owners-expect-r.html Cyber Attacks Hit Nearly Half of SMBs https://www.totalassure.com/blog/cyber-attacks-on-small-businesses-statistics-2025 ---------- Email me at adam@smallbizflash.com . Please give me feedback on the podcast. Show web site: www.smallbizflash.com

October 29, 202511 min

10-29-25 - The Hidden Cost of Operating Without a System

FEATURE Most small businesses run on memory, not systems – and it’s costing them more than they realize. In this episode, we’ll discuss how the absence of structure quietly drains time, money, and morale. You’ll learn the early warning signs of disorganization, how to start building repeatable processes, and where AI can play a role in documenting and improving your workflows. Discover why getting organized gives you freedom and profitability. ---------- NEWS ROUNDUP Owners Tight on Cash https://www.bluevine.com/blog/cash-flow-management-survey Businesses Are Raising Prices https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/new-nfib-survey-small-business-optimism-declines-in-september/ https://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/10/14/small-businesses-raised-prices-or-plan-to-soon-survey-shows Gen X Owners Most Pessimistic Generation https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/20/gen-x-business-owners-main-streets-least-optimistic-age.html ---------- Email me at adam@smallbizflash.com . Please give me feedback on the podcast. Show web site: www.smallbizflash.com

September 27, 202511 min

9-27-25 - Make AI a Force Multiplier for Your Business

FEATURE AI is no longer experimental – it’s becoming a core tool for small businesses. But most owners are still just scratching the surface. In this episode, you’ll learn how to make AI a true force multiplier for your team. We’ll discuss how AI agents amplify employee productivity, why using the AI inside your existing software is key, and the shift from prompt engineering to context engineering. Resource mentioned on today’s show: https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/new-nfib-report-how-small-businesses-incorporate-tech-and-ai-advancements/?utm_source=chatgpt.com ---------- NEWS ROUNDUP FinCEN has announced it will destroy Beneficial Ownership Information rule data https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/nfib-major-win-for-main-street-as-fincen-promises-to-destroy-small-business-beneficial-owner-data-expedite-final-rule/ Health insurance premiums for small businesses are set to climb sharply in 2026 https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/how-much-and-why-premiums-are-going-up-for-small-businesses-in-2026/ Small business owners are sounding more upbeat, even though costs keep pinching https://www.uschamber.com/economy/small-businesses-remain-upbeat-despite-challenge-of-high-costs ---------- Email me at adam@smallbizflash.com . Please give me feedback on the podcast. Show web site: www.smallbizflash.com

August 14, 202515 min

8-14-25 – 3 Reasons You Should Consider Employee Ownership

FEATURE Retention. Morale. Profitability. Employee ownership has the power to move all three in the right direction. By giving employees a vested interest, you create a culture of commitment and shared success. Discover how this strategy could position your company for growth and stability. Today’s guest is Marie Davis, Executive Director of the Georgia Center for Employee Ownership (GA CEO): Marie’s email: marie@gaceo.org Marie’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariebdavisinatlanta/ GA CEO web page: https://www.gaceo.org/ ---------- NEWS ROUNDUP Small business sentiment is nudging higher, but owners are still concerned. https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/new-nfib-survey-small-business-optimism-rises/ https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/nfib-jobs-report-july-job-openings-hit-lowest-levels-since-2020/ https://www.uschamber.com/sbindex/ Judge hands small businesses major win over debit card swipe fees https://www.cspdailynews.com/technologyservices/judge-vacates-debit-card-swipe-fee-rule-pending-appeal Lemonade Stand Freedom Act becomes law in Missouri https://www.realclearmarkets.com/articles/2025/07/28/americas_youth_should_be_free_to_innovate_without_barriers_1125077.html ---------- Email me at adam@smallbizflash.com . Please give me feedback on the podcast. Show web site: www.smallbizflash.com

July 23, 202522 min

7-23-25 - 6 Big Ways to Save With the New Tax Law

FEATURE There are many ways the One Big Beautiful Bill Act impacts small business – most of them positive. In this episode, we discuss six major changes to the federal tax code. Resource: Download SBS’s “10 Ways the New Tax Law Could Reshape Your Business Bottom Line”: https://sbsaccountants.com/10-ways-the-new-tax-law-could-reshape-your-bottom-line/ Today’s guests: Jonathan Bill, Owner of SBS Accounting & Advisors Jonathan’s email: jbill@sbsaccountants.com Jonathan’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbsaccounting/ SBS Accounting & Advisors website: https://sbsaccountants.com/ ---------- Email me at adam@smallbizflash.com . Please give me feedback on the podcast. Show web site: www.smallbizflash.com

June 16, 202518 min

6-16-25 - How To Take Control of Your Taxes

FEATURE Small business owners, you don’t need to constantly guess how much you owe in taxes and where you’re going to get the money to pay them. There’s a better approach and we’ll discuss it today. Resource: Some of the material discussed today comes from Simple Numbers by Greg Crabtree. Today’s guest is Jonathan Bill, owner of SBS Accounting & Advisors: Jonathan’s email: jbill@sbsaccountants.com Jonathan’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbsaccounting/ SBS Accounting & Advisors website: https://sbsaccountants.com/ ---------- NEWS ROUNDUP Small business optimism made a modest recovery in May https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/new-nfib-survey-small-business-optimism-increases-in-may/ The tax bill could substantially affect small business owners https://waysandmeans.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-One-Big-Beautiful-Bill-Section-by-Section.pdf Consumer Financial Protection Bureau won’t enforce small business data collection rule https://www.bankingdive.com/news/cfpb-small-business-data-collection-rule-vought-ncrc-van-tol/746990/ ---------- Email me at adam@smallbizflash.com . Please give me feedback on the podcast. Show web site: www.smallbizflash.com

May 12, 202514 min

5-12-25 - How To Get Your Customers To Search for YOU

FEATURE Marketing is changing. Your company is being discovered in ways that were not the case just a few years ago. Research oftentimes no longer starts on a search engine, but they often end there. So, figure out where your prospects are and go be with them on those spaces. Resources mentioned: SparkToro https://sparktoro.com/ Today’s guest is Mickey Mellen, of GreenMellen: Mickey’s email: mickey@greenmellenmedia.com Mickey’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickmel/ GreenMellen web page: https://www.greenmellenmedia.com/ ---------- NEWS ROUNDUP A persistent labor shortage continues to hamper small business growth https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/nfib-jobs-report-labor-shortages-continue-to-constrain-small-business-job-growth/ Small business owners are growing increasingly pessimistic about the economy https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/09/small-businesses-expect-recession-with-trump-tariffs-poll.html Tariffs impacts owners’ decision-making to buy or sell businesses in 2025 https://www.bizbuysell.com/insight-report/ ---------- Email me at adam@smallbizflash.com . Please give me feedback on the podcast. Show web site: www.smallbizflash.com