Small Business Success Talk

Hosted by Christy Smallwood

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Episodes

148

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Small Business Success Talk is your go-to podcast for real conversations about entrepreneurship, marketing, leadership, and business growth. Hosted by Christy Smallwood, each episode delivers expert insights, inspiring stories, and actionable strategies to help you scale your business and thrive. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just getting started, we cut through the noise to bring you the tools and tactics you need for success. Tune in, level up, and let’s build something great together!

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60 recent

August 21, 202645 min

The Business of Marching Band: What Marching Arts Can Teach Entrepreneurs About Business

What does marching band have to do with entrepreneurship? A hell of a lot more than you might think. In this Christy's Corner episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy Smallwood takes us behind the performance to explore The Business of Marching Band—the enormous ecosystem of businesses, careers, logistics, creative professionals, manufacturers, educators, and service providers required to put a competitive marching arts production on the field. Inspired by watching the Drum Corps International (DCI) semifinals, Christy started asking a simple question: How much business just walked off that field? From instrument manufacturers, uniform designers and prop builders to charter buses, CDL drivers, athletic trainers, music publishers, sound engineers, software developers, photographers, food-service providers and dozens of other professions, marching arts is much more than musicians performing a 12-minute show. Christy also shares her own journey from teaching herself clarinet to becoming a color guard performer, drum major, marching band instructor and show designer—and the business and leadership lessons she still carries from those years. You'll hear about: The hidden network of businesses supporting DCI and the marching arts More than 80 potential career paths connected to marching band The millions of dollars flowing through Drum Corps International The extraordinary logistics behind taking a competitive corps on tour Why systems and consistency matter in business What the marching-band principle “Space creates weakness” can teach us about operational gaps Why mastery requires returning to the basics again and again How music, movement and storytelling create unforgettable audience experiences What businesses can learn from performers who know how to earn a standing ovation Because the finished performance is only what we see. Behind those 12 minutes are thousands of hours of work, hundreds of people, dozens of professions—and an entire economy working together to create the experience. And your business isn't really that different. If you've ever been a band kid, band parent, music educator, DCI fan—or you're simply fascinated by the business hiding behind the things we love—this episode is for you. SPONSOR: https://502hemp.com Visit: https://smallbusinesssuccesstalk.biz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 6, 202643 min

What Hotels Can Teach Every Business Owner About Customer Experience

What can a hotel teach you about running your business? Turns out... A LOT. After spending the past month living out of hotels while traveling, I started noticing something. The businesses that earn five-star reviews aren't necessarily the fanciest. They're the ones that make people feel seen. So I took the Top 10 complaints hotel guests have and the Top 10 things they absolutely love...and connected every one of them back to leadership, customer experience, branding, and business. Because whether you're running a hotel, a law firm, a marketing agency, a manufacturing company, or a coffee shop... People remember how you make them feel. 🎙️ In this Christy's Corner episode we'll talk about: ✔ Why customer experience starts long before the sale✔ The biggest mistakes businesses don't realize they're making✔ What creates loyal customers✔ How Identity Integrity shows up in every interaction✔ Small changes that produce big results If you own a business or lead people... This one's for you. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. #SmallBusinessSuccessTalk #CustomerExperience #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Hospitality #BrandExperience #Entrepreneurship #IdentityIntegrity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 1, 202630 min

The Truth About Entrepreneurship

The word entrepreneur has become one of the most overused titles in business. Owning a business doesn't automatically make someone entrepreneurial. Having ideas doesn't automatically create a company. And success rarely happens as fast as social media would have us believe. In this week's Christy's Corner episode, I explore: • What entrepreneurship actually means• Why resilience matters more than motivation• The difference between operating a business and building an enterprise• The advisors every entrepreneur should have in their corner• How to create a business that supports the life you actually want If you're building something meaningful—or considering taking that leap—I think you'll appreciate this conversation. I'd love to hear your perspective after you watch. #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

June 3, 202636 min

What If You Let Your Imagination Run Your Business Again?

When was the last time you gave yourself permission to imagine something bigger? In this Christy's Corner episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy shares an unexpected lesson sparked by a morning at Walt Disney World—and a little girl experiencing pure wonder on the Little Mermaid attraction. That moment led to a much bigger question: What happens when entrepreneurs stop using their imagination? Somewhere between deadlines, payroll, marketing plans, and putting out daily fires, many business owners lose the very thing that started their journey in the first place: the ability to dream, create, and imagine what could be. From Walt Disney's vision to Thomas Edison's inventions, every innovation that has shaped our world began as an idea in someone's imagination. The same is true for your business. In this episode, Christy explores:• Why imagination is essential for business growth• How creativity impacts confidence and belief• The connection between innovation and childlike wonder• Why entrepreneurs need time to play, think, and dream• How guided reflection can unlock new possibilities• The role imagination plays in leadership, invention, and success If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or trapped in the day-to-day demands of running a business, this episode is an invitation to step back, think differently, and reconnect with the ideas that once inspired you. Because every breakthrough starts as imagination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

April 30, 20261 hr 0 min

How Email Marketing Drives Business Growth Through Storytelling

Email isn’t dead. It’s just being used wrong. In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy sits down with Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Growth at Constant Contact, to break down how email marketing—when powered by storytelling—becomes one of the most effective drivers of business growth. With decades of experience helping small businesses succeed, Dave shares why: Email is still one of the highest ROI marketing channels Most businesses fail because they focus on “what” instead of “why” Storytelling is the missing link between attention and conversion From internal podcasts to preserving founder stories, Dave reveals how authentic storytelling builds trust, drives engagement, and ultimately increases revenue. You’ll learn: ✔ Why email marketing still outperforms social media for conversions ✔ How storytelling builds stronger customer relationships ✔ The difference between transactional emails and transformational emails ✔ How to turn your business story into consistent marketing content ✔ Simple ways to improve your email strategy immediately If you’re sending emails that aren’t getting opened, clicked, or converting—this episode will show you what’s missing. 📩 Get your copy of the Small Business Now Report from Constant Contact HERE. https://www.constantcontact.com/ https://smallbusinesssuccesstalk.biz/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

April 17, 202646 min

The Truth About Business Growth: Marketing & Sales Alignment

What does it really take to grow a business today? In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy sits down with Amy Torres, owner of Director of Marketing, Inc., and Collin Bonsey of Southwestern Consulting to break down the real relationship between marketing and sales—and why most businesses get it wrong. This conversation goes beyond theory and dives into what actually drives results. You’ll hear: Amy’s journey building a marketing firm focused on strategy that converts Collin’s work in sales coaching and behavior-driven growth Why marketing without sales (and vice versa) falls flat The biggest mistakes business owners make when trying to grow How to create real conversations that lead to revenue A major theme? 👉 Growth doesn’t come from more tactics—it comes from alignment. As highlighted throughout the conversation, success is less about doing more and more about doing the right things consistently—especially when it comes to communication, relationships, and follow-through. If you’re a business owner tired of spinning your wheels with marketing that doesn’t convert or sales that don’t stick—this episode will give you clarity on what to fix first. https://SmallBusinessSuccessTalk.biz https://directorofmarketinginc.com https://southwesternconsulting.com/coaches/collin-bonsey/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

April 9, 202651 min

E19: Burnout, Stress & Survival Mode: A Doctor’s Guide to Fixing Your Health Before It Breaks You

If you’re building a business while running on stress, caffeine, and “I’ll deal with it later”… this episode is your wake-up call. In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy sits down with Dr. Meredith Sweeney—a former bariatric surgeon turned longevity specialist—who walked away from traditional medicine to focus on proactive, data-driven health. Together, they unpack what most entrepreneurs ignore until it’s too late: The real impact of chronic stress and “survival mode” on your body Why traditional healthcare often misses early warning signs The 4 core pillars of longevity (and how they actually show up in real life) How burnout affects decision-making, weight, sleep, and performance What it looks like to build a business without sacrificing yourself Dr. Sweeney shares how she transitioned from surgery to prevention, why she believes most diseases are preventable, and how simple (but intentional) habits like breathwork, movement, sleep, and nutrition can dramatically change your trajectory. If you’ve ever felt like your body is working against you… or like success is costing you your health… this conversation will hit home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

March 30, 202633 min

I Lost Everything… Here’s How I Got Unstuck and Rebuilt My Business

What happens when your business, finances, and life all hit at once… and nothing is working anymore? In this raw and honest episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy pulls back the curtain on her personal journey through what she calls a “life storm”—from financial collapse and business setbacks to rebuilding with clarity, strategy, and a completely new mindset. This episode dives into: How to get unstuck when nothing seems to be working The hidden impact of your thoughts on business success Why entrepreneurs repeat the same patterns (and how to break them) The connection between mindset, decision-making, and momentum How to rebuild your business from the ground up—smarter this time If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re starting over… this episode will hit home. This isn’t theory. This is lived experience, real strategy, and a reminder that you’re not alone—and you’re not done. 🎧 Listen now and take your next step forward. 📌 Join the Success Builders Launchpad community (free + growth opportunities) 📌 Subscribe for more real conversations about business, mindset, and momentum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

January 7, 20261 hr 6 min

Stop Guessing: How Market Research, Curiosity & Better Questions Drive Better Business Decisions

In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, host Christy Smallwood sits down with Chris Bonbright, founder of Curiosity Consulting, to unpack why curiosity—not assumptions—is the most underrated business advantage today. Chris shares hard-earned insights from decades in market research, explaining why most businesses confuse symptoms with real problems, how to tell the difference between KPIs and true insight, and why “pressing the easy button” (including over-reliance on AI) can actually stall growth. You’ll learn: Why better information leads to better decisions—and better results The difference between reacting to data vs. understanding it Why demographics are losing power and values, attitudes, and beliefs matter more What the emerging “anti-algorithm” trend means for marketing and customer relationships (including insights from Mintel) How small, consistent research beats panic-driven decisions every time Why research should guide action—not replace leadership If your business feels reactive, unclear, or stuck chasing metrics without real traction, this conversation will reset how you think about data, strategy, and decision-making. 🎧 Listen now and rediscover the power of asking why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

November 18, 202542 min

Isolation: Reset or Self-Destruct?

Isolation is sneaky. Entrepreneurs often call it “focus time” or “cocooning,” but it can quietly turn into loneliness, stagnation, and burnout. In this Christy’s Corner episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy Smallwood breaks down the science, the soul, and the strategy behind solitude—why you need it sometimes, and when it starts working against you. 👉 Key insight: “Isolation becomes incubation when it’s chosen for restoration—but infection when it’s triggered by shame or pride.” 🎧 Listen now to learn how to re-enter your community stronger, clearer, and more whole. #Entrepreneurship #LeadershipDevelopment #EmotionalIntelligence #SmallBusinessSuccessTalk #ChristySmallwood #MentalHealthAtWork Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices