The SmallBizChat with Melinda Emerson

Hosted by Melinda Emerson

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Episodes

369

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

A series focused on small business advice and strategies, by Melinda Emerson, known as "SmallBizLady", discussing various aspects of entrepreneurship and small business management. Get insights from experts about topics relevant to small business owners.

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60 recent

October 28, 2026Episode 37322 min

How to Take Calculated Risks and Build Long-Term Wealth with Teri Ijeoma

Financial freedom is not just about earning more, it is about creating more choices. Terri Ijeoma shares how new investors can get educated, open a brokerage account, and learn with a watch list before trading real money. She also reflects on losing $26,000 overnight and explains how position sizing, reward to risk calculations, stop losses, discipline, and patience can help protect wealth.

October 21, 2026Episode 37227 min

Why Entrepreneur Health Is a Business Decision with Edward Jones

Your energy, focus, and stamina shape how you lead your business. Edward Jones shares why entrepreneurs should prioritize peak span, not just lifespan, through better sleep, nutrition and movement. He discusses eating more protein, reducing ultra-processed carbs and seed oils, building muscle, tracking sleep, and using AI to create a practical wellness plan.

October 14, 2026Episode 37110 min

Hit It and Quit It with Tonya Thomas, Saul Cohen, and Garrick C. Francis

In this episode of The SmallBizChat podcast, Melinda Emerson hosts a panel with Tonya Thomas, Saul Cohen, and Garrick C. Francis for a lively conversation about the tools and ideas that help small businesses keep moving. They share favorite podcasts, business apps, and old school marketing tactics, along with the books that have shaped their thinking.

October 7, 2026Episode 37018 min

How to Build a Legacy by Design with Garrick C. Francis

In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson talks with Garrick C. Francis about building a legacy by design before retirement. They discuss how small business and corporate experience shape a legacy mindset, the move from success to significance, and why legacy goes beyond assets. The conversation covers life events that prompt leaders to rethink purpose, separating founder identity, reducing founder gravity, and seeing legacy as relationships, mentorship, service, and stewardship. Garrick also shares the habits and internal work needed for intentional legacy planning, plus the value of taking a legacy deployment gap before the next chapter.

September 30, 2026Episode 36931 min

How We Can Truly Take Care of Our Customers with Scott Romesser, Chief Customer Officer, GoTo

In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson talks with Scott Romesser about why customer care is central to business growth. They discuss how to create a strong first impression, common service mistakes small businesses make, and why existing customers can become a business’s best marketing channel. Scott shares ways to stand out, support customers with limited staff, empower frontline employees, and use AI without losing the human touch. The conversation also covers feedback, differentiation, and caring for customers before they become customers.

September 23, 2026Episode 36824 min

How to Increase Your Business Valuation and Build Wealth with Saul Cohen

In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson is joined by Saul Cohen to explore strategies for increasing business valuation. They discuss the differences between an operator and an investor mindset, addressing common revenue misconceptions. The conversation covers key drivers of business valuation, the importance of knowing and tracking key performance indicators, and effective tax planning for selling a business. Saul also highlights the emotional aspects of selling and common mistakes that can reduce business value.

September 16, 2026Episode 36718 min

How to Stop Being the Bottleneck in Your Business with Tonya Thomas

In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson is joined by Tonya Thomas to explore the pitfalls of becoming a bottleneck in business and how it can impede growth. They discuss the critical responsibilities of a CEO and the challenges associated with delegation, highlighting common mistakes when hiring operations or virtual assistants. The conversation includes a comparison of US-based versus overseas virtual assistants and presents a real-life example of a CEO overcoming overwhelm.

September 9, 2026Episode 36610 min

Hit It and Quit It with Clarence Wooten and Susan Hull Walker

In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson starts with an introduction, providing an overview of the podcast and encouraging subscriptions. The episode is sponsored by Cofounder.ai. Melinda then introduces the "Hit It and Quit It" segment, where she engages in a rapid-fire discussion about business favorites, including podcasts, apps, marketing tricks, and books.

September 2, 2026Episode 36520 min

How Global Artisans Are Building Scalable Brands with Susan Hull Walker

In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson welcomes Susan Hall Walker to discuss the inspiring journey behind the Ibu Movement and its impact on artisan networks. Susan shares the origins of Ibu and how it operates to expand and support artisan communities globally. The conversation highlights shifts in consumer preferences toward handmade goods and the operational challenges faced by artisan groups. Susan delves into the process of transforming local crafts into global brands and envisions the future of the global artisan economy.

August 26, 2026Episode 36426 min

How to Leverage AI Strategically to Grow Your Business with Clarence Wooten

In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson welcomes Clarence Wooten to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and the innovative world of AI. Clarence shares his experiences with successful business exits and his transition from Google to founding CoFounder AI. The conversation highlights how CoFounder AI distinguishes itself from other AI tools and addresses common mistakes small businesses make when implementing AI. Clarence introduces the concept of software as a partner (SAP) and outlines the first steps small businesses should take to integrate AI effectively.