Small Business with Steve Strauss (Podcast)

On part one of a two-part episode, we cover how to create Small Business Facebook Ads. They can be so valuable, but what are the best tactics to go about? We'll let you know.

In our feature, Steve gives a little bit of history on how search engines really came about. 

In our interview, Steve speaks with Andrew Molz. Andrew has been featured by Facebook itself, as an exemplary example of a great manager and creator of ads. He is truly an expert in his field and you won't want to miss this invaluable advice for your Small Business.

Direct download: 176-HowToCreateSmallBusinessFacebookAds.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

On this episode, we cover the ups and downs of chasing the dream of being an entrepreneur. As we all know, the path isn't always easy, but the rewards are worth every step of the journey.

In our interview, Steve speaks with Mario Pechev. Mario is the author of 126 Steps to Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur: The Entrepreneurship Fad and the Dark Side of Going Solo. He's a wealth of information and you'll come away inspired.

Direct download: 175-TheUpsandDownsofEntrepreneurship.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 6:00am PDT

Blake Mitchell joins us on the show today. Blake is a Device Evangelist for Microsoft who is going to be discussing what he sees in regards to small business trends. Steve will also discuss e-cleaning and how to digitally detox your life.

Direct download: 174-BestDevicesForYourSmallBusiness.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 8:00am PDT

On this episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss, Steve will discuss how to make money online without having a physical product via drop shipping. Then he's joined the co-founder of Tidal New York, Tim Gibb. Tim provides fantastic advice that you can apply to your business as well.

Direct download: 173-UPSeFulfillment.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 6:00am PDT

Being an entrepreneur often means working long hours by yourself at a project you love. One great tool that we always have on us is our smartphones. We can use them for virtually any part of our business, from marketing, to replying to customers, to ordering supplies. On today's episode we'll talk about how to turn your cell phone into a six-figure small business money machine!

In our feature, Steve will recap his business predictions for 2018 to see what was right and what was wrong. After that, he'll look ahead to 2019 with his big three predictions for small businesses.

Then Steve is joined by a truly extraordinary entrepreneur. Chinwe Onyeagoro is CEO of PocketSuite and a gig economy expert. She will give you advice on how you can turn an average smartphone into a tool that help you generate a six-figure income!

Don’t forget, you can submit your question for an “Ask An Expert Live” segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: SBWSS-SAP-PocketSuite.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 11:00am PDT

In this episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss, Steve discusses the incredible opportunities that are available online. This is the time of the 'Gig' economy and freelancers are thriving, with the ability to connect with many different clients. It's a small digital world, after all!

First, Steve provides nine different ways and sites that you can go to now for some great opportunities. Whether you're a business looking for a quick project, or you are a freelancer looking for a quick gig, you'll find what you're looking for through Steve's suggest sites.

Then we are joined by Eric from Xinja. Xinja is an Australian-based company, that is looking to change the way you look at money and do banking. Eric is a great example of how you can take a passion and turn it into a great business.

 

Direct download: SBWSS-SAP-XINJA.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 1:00pm PDT

E-commerce is great for business, but it also has its challenges. In this episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss, Steve introduces you to Ware2Go from UPS. Ware2Go is an amazing company and product that matches empty warehouse space with business needs. Get warehouse space in a different part of the country and 2-day shipping just got a whole lot easier!
 
First, Steve explains what Ware2Go is and why he is so excited about it, and then he speaks with Leo Schafer of PR Diamond Products about Leo's experience using Ware2Go. Ware2Go is changing the e-commerce game for B2B commerce, and we bet it can do the same for you.
Direct download: SBWSS-SAP-LEOSCHRAFER.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 6:00am PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by SAP, is all about branding. We all know those iconic brands that seem to transcend business, into everyday culture; Nike, Tide, Kleenex, Levis, etc. It's easy to overlook how important that part is to your business, but how do we grasp the bigger picture when working on our brands? We bring in an expert to day, to help us learn about the incredible small business branding by UGG and Apple.

Direct download: SBWSS-SAP-BRIANSMITH-UGGBOOTS.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 9:30am PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by SAP, is all about turning that dream you have, into a reality. Steve is joined by two very inspiring entrepreneurs, Brandon Reese and Daniel Blum. These two visited South America and loved it so much, they decided to buy a bus, start a podcast, and tour the continent. They had conversations with successful outliers and early adopters, while figuring out how to pay for this incredible adventure. Check out their podcast On The Bus!

Direct download: 172-DreamItThenDoIt.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 6:00am PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by SAP, features what is needed to take your brand, global. A solid business plan is necessary to scale up your business from start-up, to international success. We have a fantastic interview to help you understand what it takes when you're creating a global brand.

The guests this week are an absolute success story. Mod Pizza has used SAP and technology in general, to help them grow from a small startup in Seattle to a pizza house near you. Tara Gambill and Ryan Muller have invaluable advice on what it took for them and how it can apply to you, when creating your own success story.

Direct download: 171-CreatingAGlobalBrandOneSliceAtATime.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 4:06pm PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, is all about getting your Startup off the ground. In addition to having a great idea, setting up distribution, creating a marketing plan and many other things, it also takes money. We'll help you figure out the secret to starting a Small Business for under $100! Special guest, Chris Guillebeau also joins to provide some incredible insight.

Direct download: 170-Startingasmallbusinessforunder100.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 2:30pm PDT

Having a strategy and goal of where you'd like to take your business, is as important at the day-to-day operations. Do you plan to franchise? How about expand to more locations? Or, would you like to cash in on your hard work and sell your business? In this episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, you will learn about how to take your business from small, to big!

Steve brings in some world class experts in this topic, with Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey, the co-Founders of Barefoot Wine. Michael and Bonnie took their company from a laundry room office, to selling to one of the largest wine distributors in the world. From marketing, to strategy, to cost analysis and so much more, they provide a wealth of information that can directly apply to your business. They also provide advice worldwide via The Barefoot Spirit.

Don’t forget, you can submit your question for an “Ask An Expert Live” segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: 169-TakeYourBusinessFromSmallToBig.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 8:00am PDT

Happy New Year! As we start it of with a brand new episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, we want to focus on something that almost every business can do better. SEO! It's important to have a strong presence online, but how do you do it? That's what our expert is here for.

Steve interviews Damon Burton, the President and founder of SEO National and UtahSites! How do you optimize articles? What resources are there for Small Businesses to turn to? Damon is the expert on all things SEO and provides information that is a must-listen for any entrepreneur. 

Don’t forget, you can submit your question for an “Ask An Expert Live” segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: SBWSS-010418-DamonBurton.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

As we wrap up the year with this episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, we take a look at the ultimate goal of all entrepreneurs; to Become Self Employed! Steve has some great tips on what you should be doing to prepare yourself for this challenging and rewarding, career change.

Then Steve interviews someone who truly changed his life. Barbara Winter is the author of Making A Living Without A Job. It’s all about finding what makes you happy and then being successful at that. She also has a wonderful website called Joyfully Jobless, which sees self-employment as “an opportunity to share our unique gifts, passions and eccentricities with others so every citizen proudly creates a one of a kind enterprise that is a perfect fit for them.” Let Barbara change your life, too!

Don’t forget, you can submit your question for an “Ask An Expert Live” segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: 167-BecomeSelfEmployed.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

In this episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, we revisit Steve's chat with Jeopardy champion, Ken Jennings! Ken won Jeopardy 74 times in a row and has now teamed up with Bridge by Instructure to provide a free course to help you learn and retain knowledge. In the interview, Ken relays some great insight from his run on Jeopardy and some wonderful tips on how you can better yourself as an entrepreneur. Along the way, you'll also receive some great lessons in how to incorporate lifelong learning, into your business.

Don't forget, you can submit your question for an "Ask An Expert Live" segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: 166-KenJennings2.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

In this week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft podcast, we discuss the art of creating content. Getting the right post, noticed by the right people, can seem like an enigma these days. Often times you can end up wondering why no one likes your content. Well today, we have one of the world's foremost experts Emerson Spartz, to share some of the secrets of his viral content success.

Direct download: 165-WhyNoOneLikesYourContent.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

In this episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft we bring you our Annual Summer Small Biz Quiz! We love putting this together every year and on this one we tackle...famous businesses. Steve has some fun and interesting trivia for you to enjoy, as you are hopefully relaxing on a break. Enjoy and we'll be back on our regular schedule after Labor Day!

Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes to get new episodes every week!

Don't forget, you can submit your question for an "Ask An Expert Live" segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: 164-AnnualSummerSmallBizQuiz.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

For today's interview, Steve is joined by one of the foremost experts in Small Business. Kedma Ough is the Director of the Mt. Hood Community College chapter of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The SBDC has chapters all over the country, where they provide experts to overcome any type of obstacle that you could possibly encounter as a business owner. The best part...the advice is free, just like this podcast!

Direct download: 163-KedmaOugh.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

The special guest on today's episode spoke is with Steve live from Virginia. Ken Yancey is the CEO of SCORE.org, a nonprofit association dedicated to helping out Small Businesses. From getting off the ground, to growing and achieving your goals through education and mentorship, there is something for all entrepreneurs. It's truly an honor to have him on this episode!

 

Direct download: 162_KenYancey.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft is about Public Relations. Steve holds regular chats on Twitter and that's how he met today's guest. Lyndon Johnson is the founder of a company called COMMS.BAR. The goal of COMMS.BAR is to provide Public Relations and Marketing for Entrepreneurs. He'll give you an education on the different forms of PR, the most common uses for Small Businesses and how you can evaluate what will work best for you.

Direct download: 161_LyndonJohnson.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

Steve is joined by the Linguistic Project Manager at Microsoft, Nicole Michel! Nicole is a wonderful source of valuable information on how to communicate effectively. There are lessons for everyone, on how communicating efficiently can increase the bottom line for your business.

Direct download: 160_MicrosoftGrammar.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, is all about marketing. More importantly, how to take advantage of every opportunity you have as a business, to maintain and grow your customer base. Steve turns to a company that knows exactly how to that. On this episode, you'll learn marketing secrets from MailChimp!

In our Ask An Expert (Almost) Live segment, Steve takes a question from Maggie. Maggie uses a marketing newsletter, which is a great way to stay engaged with your customers. The question is, how do you grow your email marketing list? Steve has four tips that he's used, that you can apply today.

Steve is then joined by the CEO and co-founder of MailChimp, Ben Chestnut! The story of MailChimp is a fascinating one. From their humble beginnings, to becoming the primary sponsor of the phenomenon of Serial. Once he was parodied on SNL, he knew they'd made it! Ben has some wonderful stories and incredible advice on how to grow your business.

Don't forget, you can submit your question for an "Ask An Expert Live" segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: 159_MailChimp.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

We are celebrating Small Business Week in this episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft! Every year since 1963, the SBA has celebrated small business, entrepreneurs and the incredible impact they have in communities everywhere. Today we'll revisit some success stories from the past, that continue to hold valuable lessons for us today. Then, Microsoft will help you figure out how to turn the devices you use every day, into invaluable tools to take your business to the next level.

In our feature, Steve will recount the humble beginnings of some of the most successful businesses of our time. An important thing to remember is that every venture is a "small business" at some point! The stories of these entrepreneurs are truly inspiring.

In our interview, we'll cover some exciting new devices that are designed specifically to help out Small Businesses! Peter Han is VP for Partner Devices and Solutions at Microsoft and a Small Business veteran. He will cover some of the exciting devices Microsoft has available to help businesses become more effective and more efficient.

Don't forget, you can submit your question for an "Ask An Expert Live" segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: 158_Microsoft_PeterHan.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 6:00am PDT

In this episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, we cover one of the most iconic brands in history. When a company's own name becomes eponymous with a product that others try to copy, you know it's a success. With a rich history and incredible progress, Xerox is now looking to change the way we do business, again. Today we'll give you some tips to use for your business and see if you can copy the innovation magic of Xerox!

In our feature today, Steve will go over the humble beginnings of Xerox. From a great idea from founder Chester Carlson in 1906, to being a Fortune 500 company, there were many lessons along the way. We all want to come up with the next big idea, or product and you may have it!

Steve is then joined by Steve Hoover and Dragana Pavlovic. Steve is the Chief Technology Officer of Xerox and Dragana is the Senior VP of Engineering. They will be sharing the exciting development of a new line of products called ConnectKey devices. Innovation has always been the key to success in the business world and Xerox wants to help take your success to the next level.

Don't forget, you can submit your question for an "Ask An Expert Live" segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: 157_Xerox.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

In this episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, we cover an issue that every one of us has dealt with at some point. Memory retention. How many times have you had trouble remembering something that you know you shouldn't have any problems with? It happens to all of us! Today we'll turn to one of the true experts in memory retention....Ken Jennings!

Before getting into some great tips on how to maintain knowledge, Steve has some advice on the best ways to learn. Starting off with an example from a legendary entrepreneur, Benjamin Franklin, you'll be walked a through a few ways to incorporate lifelong learning into your business.

Our star guest today, Ken Jennings, won Jeopardy 74 times in a row! Ken has teamed up with Bridge by Infrastructure to provide a free course to help you learn and retain knowledge. In the interview, Ken relays some great insight from his run on Jeopardy and some wonderful tips on how you can better yourself as an entrepreneur!

Don't forget, you can submit your question for an "Ask An Expert Live" segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: 156_KenJennings.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, is all about how to maintain productivity. As the line blurs between home and the office, it becomes hard to figure out when to take time off and when to put in those extra hours. There is a balance somewhere between procrastination and working yourself sick and today Steve will provide some guidance to help you manage it.

In Ask An Expert (almost) Live, Steve takes a question from (someone) who has a problem maintaining momentum once summer arrives. It's something we can all relate to; How do we fight procrastination? Steve has some great tips on how to win the battle!

The guest this week is Laura Stack! Laura is a Speaker Hall of Fame inductee and known world-wide as the Productivity Pro. She has great advice for any Entrepreneur, no matter what level you're at! From learning how to set boundaries like turning off email reminders, to maximizing the time you do spend working, to hiring someone to help you out, you will not want to miss her interview. Laura also has some great tips on behalf of a  Fellowes Brands survey. 

Don't forget, you can submit your question for an "Ask An Expert Live" segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: 154_ProductivityPro.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, is a recap of National Entrepreneurship Week. There was one question that was asked all week; What is the secret ingredient that makes someone a great entrepreneur? Steve tells you what he thinks it is and outlines a great path for you to achieve your goals.

Our guest for today is Melanie Gass, Senior Partner/Channel Marketing Manager at Microsoft. Steve caught up with Melanie at the Creative Live Studio in Seattle to discuss National Entrepreneurship Week origins and the goal of creating a community with a wide variety of companies. Celebrating and supporting entrepreneurs has become a focus at Microsoft and they've done a great job of it. From Office 365, to Skype for Business, you'll receive some extremely valuable information on how to improve your company!

Don't forget, you can submit your question for an "Ask An Expert Live" segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: 154_NationalEntrepreneurshipWeekRecap.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, is about Millennials and your small business. Millennials are now demographically the largest generation and great number of them are also small business owners. How can you attract them to your business, for both sales and as employees? Steve went to the source and came away with some amazing tips that you can use to energize your business.

Our guest interview this week is with Emerson Spartz! Emerson is an amazing millennial entrepreneur, whose websites receive more than 45 million monthly users.  He is the creator of OMG Facts and Dose.com and his unique story and advice is incredibly inspiring.

Direct download: 153_MillennialsAndYourSmallBusiness.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 5:00pm PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, is about how to create a great team for your small business. Fostering creativity and an environment of cooperation can be a challenge for businesses of any size. We have some great suggestions, using a new tool from Microsoft, called Teams. When you have a staff of employees who have fun together, it almost always tends to translate into more money for you.

Teams is a new remote virtual tool for Microsoft Office 365 that allows employees to interact and collaborate from anywhere. Barbie Stafford is Director of Product Marketing for Microsoft Teams and joins Steve to discuss all of the amazing ways you can use this product to foster an incredible work environment in your business.

Direct download: 152_HowToCreateAGreatTeam.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 7:52am PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, is about the future of your Small Business. Microsoft is known for their innovative solutions to many issues that face small business Owners. Steve recently visited the Microsoft campus and came away with some fantastic advice and tips on the changing nature of work and trends that you can incorporate into your business!

Steve's guest this week is David Smith, the Worldwide Vice President of Small Business for Microsoft. Technology has enabled all small business to appear "large" and David shares some of the fantastic tools they are working on to help entrepreneurs of any level. You don't want to miss this!

Direct download: 151_Microsoft.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 12:58pm PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, is about the concept of Intrapreneurship. It's using that entrepreneurial skill that all we have and turning it inward to your own organization. Discovering new ways to streamline your processes, developing new product lines and inventing original concepts are all possibilities, when you allow yourself and your employees to utilize their entrepreneurial spirit. Steve gives a great example in An Ask Expert (Almost Live), with 3M and the amazing things they have created from within!

In the interview, Steve caught up with Andy Taylor at the EY Strategic Growth Forum and EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Andy is the Executive Chairman of Enterprise Holdings. With Enterprise, Alamo and National car rental services under one umbrella, he has a lot of advice on how to foster the entrepreneur spirit, in your employees.

Direct download: 150_Intrapreneurship.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 6:00pm PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, is all about learning that we can't do it all by ourselves. As determined as we are, as Entrepreneurs, we have to remember to take advantage of the resources available to us. In the Ask An Expert (Almost) Live segment, Steve talks about those worries that we have and why it's not beneficial to take on too much. There is some wonderful advice and the best part is that you'll learn that getting the help you need doesn't cost, it pays!

In this week's interview, Steve is joined by Rob Biederman and Patrick Petitti! Rob and Patrick are the co-founders of Catalant (formerly known as Hourly Nerd). Their company builds technology that enables the world’s best companies to work with top experts for on-demand needs. They give a fantastic interview explaining how their company got started and how they can help you grow yours.

 
Direct download: Ep.150.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, is about learning the secrets of Social Media Marketing from the Masters! In the Ask An Expert (Almost) Live segment, Steve tackles a question about Facebook Live. This new tool can be extremely valuable to entrepreneurs, if used correctly. Steve relays some fantastic advice and tips he received from his friend Joel Comm, on how you can take advantage of it.

Then, Steve brings on an incredible guest, in Brian O'Grady. Brian is the former Search Engine Marketing Manager for President Obama's re-election campaign in 2012! He is now a Principal at Clarify Agency and his 14+ years of experience has lead to an amazing insight into how to adequately use SEM. In addition to a great "behind-the-scenes" look at Presidential Campaigns, his interview is also a must listen for any Small Business Owner.

Direct download: Ep.149.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

Steve interviews his friend and Professor of Entrepreneurship, Colin Jones. Colin is a faculty member at University of Tasmania and the two caught up at the World Entrepreneurship Forum. Colin has some great lessons about Branding and Entrepreneurship in general, that can definitely be applied to your small business!

Direct download: Ep.148.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

Steve starts off with a new edition of Ask An Expert (Almost) Live with some tips about how to go about marketing to millennials. We then are joined by the always exuberant Grant Cardone! Grant the world's top sales trainer, New York Times bestselling author, global speaker and all-around great guy. In the interview he shares tales from his vast experience and invigorates you with his incredible energy. You can pre-order Grant's new book Be Obsessed or Be Average right now, by clicking here. He is donating the proceeds to charity!

Direct download: Ep.147.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, is all about young entrepreneurs. We all catch the entrepreneurship-spirit at different times in life, but it's fascinating to learn how others got their start. The best thing about being in this field is that we all get to learn from each other!

Steve starts the show off with some amazing origin stories of a number of businesses you know very well. From Google to FedEx to WordPress, you'll learn all about the unique situations and circumstances that led to some of the most successful companies of all time.

The guests on today's show actually started their business out of their dorm room! Erika Welsh and Keeley Tillotson launched an extremely successful Kickstarter campaign for their product, Wild Squirrel Nut Butter. They even appeared on Shark Tank! We find out all about how they launched their business from the ground up.

Direct download: Ep.146.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 7:00pm PDT

Steve's interview this week is with Deb Calvert. Deb was named a Top 50 Sales Influencer in 2014 and 2015 and is the author of the bestselling book Discover Questions® Get You Connected. She also is the President and Founder of People First Productivity Solutions. Deb shares her intensive research and experience, to let you know how how to be come a Sales Superstar!

Direct download: Ep.145.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

Steve speaks with an entrepreneur of the truest form. Chirs Guillebeau is an inspiration, having visited "every country on Earth" in the last 10 years! He has spoken to people all over the world that have done remarkable things, in unconventional ways. He is also the author of many books, including The $100 Startup.

Direct download: Ep.144.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 6:00pm PDT

Steve gives us the secret to creating good content and interviews Alan Levy, the CEO and co-founder of BlogTalkRadio.

Direct download: Ep.143_TheSecrettoCreatingGoodContent.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 6:30pm PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss presented by Microsoft has a very special theme. The concept of infomercials started back in the early eighties and they have since been refined into selling machines. On today's show, Steve is joined by one of the most successful infomercial spokespersons of all time, Tony Little. He'll share some of his success stories and let you know how "You can do it"!

Direct download: Ep.141_SellingLikeTonyLittle.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 6:00pm PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, is all about how to turn your passion into profit! Steve is joined by Greg Wittstock. Greg is known as "The Pond Guy" and is the CEO and genius behind Aquascape. He formed his business at a young age and has been thriving ever since, even having his own show on Nat Geo Wild, called Pond Stars! He is an inspiration to entrepreneurs everywhere and shares his stories of success.

Direct download: Ep.140_TurnYourPassionIntoProfit.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, revolves around the ways to set your business up for great success. Steve is also joined by David S. Rose. David is an Ink 500 CEO, a serial entrepreneur and an Angel Investor that has founded or funded over a 100 companies! He is also the author of The Startup Checklist.

Direct download: Ep.139_DavidSRose.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Microsoft, is all about the important issue of employee retention. One of the most worrisome issues for many small businesses, is hiring and retaining good employees. Entrepreneurs are very busy people and sometimes it's difficult to understand what makes a company great to work for. Today, you'll find the help you need!

Every small business has a culture, be it good, bad, hard-working, lazy, etc. Most are company cultures created by default, but it doesn't need to be that way. Creating or designing a positive environment for your employees is imperative for maintaining a productive environment. Steve gives you several guidelines you can follow, to make your small business environment a great one!

Steve is then joined by Evan Singer of SmartBiz. Evan is an expert in Employee Retention and shares some fantastic tips on how to keep your employees happy. There are some specific things we can all do to not only help them accomplish their goals and accomplish your goals at the same time.

Direct download: Ep.138_EmployeeRetention.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

In this episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland, the topic centers on the two magic words in world of marketing; Sale and Free. We then bring on an expert in the subject of Free. Tom Caporaso is the CEO of Clarus Commerce, an e-commerce solutions provider which owns FreeShipping.com.

 

 

Direct download: Ep.136_MarketingOnAShoestring.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

Steve welcomes one of the greatest negotiating experts in the country, Professor Lawrence Susskind. Professor Susskind teaches at MIT, advises Fortune 100 companies, and has written 20 books on the subject, among many other accomplishments.

Direct download: Ep.135_NegotiateLikeAPro.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

Steve is joined by William Seagraves. William (Bill) is a "Mid-Life Entrepreneur Expert" and the author of Be Your Best Boss. His website, Your Best Boss is full of valuable information to get individuals through the most common obstacles of starting a business and he shares that advice on this episode.

Direct download: Ep.134_FromEmployeeToEntrepreneur.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

Welcome to the 2016! In this episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast we're going to be talking about something important to all entrepreneurs. It's not hard work we're afraid of, in fact we generally seek it out. The key is finding something we love to do!

Every year in Steve's Ask An Expert column at USA Today, he covers the top trends in business for the upcoming year. These are the things you can look forward to and plan for with your business. Whether it's in marketing, security, media, or otherwise, Steve will let you know what they are.

Then Steve interviews someone who truly changed his life. Barbara Winter is the author of Making A Living Without A Job. It's all about finding what makes you happy and then being successful at that. She also has a wonderful website called Joyfully Jobless, which sees self-employment as "an opportunity to share our unique gifts, passions and eccentricities with others so every citizen proudly creates a one of a kind enterprise that is a perfect fit for them." Let Barbara change your life, too!

Don't forget, you can submit your question for an "Ask An Expert Live" segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: Ep.133_MakeALivingWithoutAJob.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

Steve interviews Seth Godin. Seth is the author of  The Icarus Deception, a book that helps us challenge the ways we look at running a business. Taking risks is as important as making intelligent decisions when it comes to management. Being restless can be a great asset!

Direct download: Ep.132_SethGodin.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast, Steve recounts his recent visit too Microsoft Headquarters! He is also joined by Alex Bradley, who lets you know about everything new with Office 365.

Direct download: Ep.131_Microsoft.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

Starting from humble beginnings (at one point he only had $20 in his pocket!) Michael Slavin is a true success story. Michael's new book is called One Million In The Bank and who wouldn't want to be able to say that!

 
His book provides you practical advice on how to begin a successful business. In Steve's interview, Michael lets you know how to find resources, ideas and business plans that are already existing. How does it all work? You'll have to listen to find out!
Direct download: Ep.130_OneMillion.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:30am PDT

Steve interviews an expert in the field of publicity, Rebecca Hasulek. Rebecca is the author of DIY PR: Public Relations and Content Hacks for the Lean Start-up. Her expertise is particularly suited for small business owners, because of her background in entrepreneurship. In the interview she covers such things as the best way to start, how to make an impact and become a "thought leader", how to get your information to the right people, among a lot of other very valuable information.

Don't forget, you can submit your question for an "Ask An Expert Live" segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: Ep.129_FreePublicity.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

Norman Winarsky joins Steve Strauss to talk about the invention of Siri and his new book IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD: A Guide to Creating, Building, and Sustaining Breakthrough Ventures. Plus, Steve's tale from his recent visit to China!

Direct download: Ep.128_Siri.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

SEO

Keywords, backlinks, SEM, rankings...there are a lot of terms when it comes to Search Engine Optimization, or SEO. It can seem overwhelming, but in this episode of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland, we make it a lot simpler!  Plus a fantastic interview with Josh Sommer of TheSMT.com 

Direct download: Ep.127_SEO.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast is all about Women in Entrepreneurship.  There are many incredible contributions and examples of inspiring leadership.

We start off with a fantastic series of facts from Steve's analysis for Web.com.  He teamed up with the National Association of Women Business Owners and the results are fascinating.  

Finally, Steve interviews Dr. Stacia Pierce who is the Founder and CEO of LifeCoach2Women.com.  She is a bona fide Television star, having appeared on The Steve Harvey Show, UPN, ABC, FOX, CW and NBC among others.  Her articles can also be seen in such places as Entrepreneur Magazine, Ebony Magazine, The Huffington Post and Glamour Magazine.  Stacia has an abundance of information, that every business owner can learn from!
 
Don't forget, you can submit your question for an "Ask An Expert Live" segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes to get new episodes every week!

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: Ep.127_WomenInEntrepreneurship.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

In this week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast Steve tackles Small Biz Technology.  There are so many great ways to enhance and adapt your business to the modern digital world.  However, there are also so many options, apps, software, programs, social media platforms out there, it's hard to figure out what YOU should be doing for YOUR business!  This show will help you solve that and find success.

In Ask An Expert Live, Maria asks how you filter through all of the apps available for business.  That's a great question!  The advice given will help guide you through a simple way to figure this out.   There are a number of trusted aggregation sites out there, that can help you along the way.  It doesn't stop there and Steve will let you know what to do next.

Then we have our interview with a Ramon is a celebrated author and technology evangelist, Ramon Ray.   Among his many accomplishments, he is the publisher of SmallBizTechnology.com, a small business evangelist for Infusionsoft and the founder and publisher of Smart Hustle Magazine.  Ramon will tell you all about some of the technology you NEED to be using for your business and how to take yours to the next level!
 
Don't forget, you can submit your question for an "Ask An Expert Live" segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes to get new episodes every week!

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: Ep.126_SmallBizTechnology.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

How to fight that late summer proscrination bug!  Plus, we have the 2nd annual Small Biz Quiz, all on this episode, powered by Greatland!

Direct download: Ep.125_TheSmallBizQuiz.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

In this week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast Steve interviews Brian Clark, CEO and Founder of Copyblogger.com.  Brian is one of the small business world's foremost experts in content marketing and social media.  

By now we all know that we need to provide good content to attract potential customers to our websites.  But the problem is, how do we do that?  What is the right perspective to take?  What kind of content would work well with your product?  Brian goes through all of it with us this week!

Plus, Steve goes over some details on creating great content for your site!  This episode is a fantastic guide on how to maximize the potential of your site and in turn, your online sales.

Don't forget, you can submit your question for an "Ask An Expert Live" segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes to get new episodes every week!

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: Ep.124_ContentMarketingwithBrianClark.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

In this week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast Steve speaks with Laurel Delaney of Globetrade.com.  Laurel is one of the foremost experts on getting in to exporting.  She is a successful entrepreneur, speaker, educator, blogger, columnist and author of  Exporting: The Definitive Guide to Selling Abroad Profitably.  If you have dreams of sending your products overseas and capitalizing on the international market, this is the show for you!

Plus, we have a brand new Ask An Expert (almost) Live!  Steve takes a question from Maggie.  She wants to know how to get her small business into exporting.  It's important to define exactly what exporting is and how to get your business into it the right way.

Don't forget, you can submit your question for an "Ask An Expert Live" segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes to get new episodes every week!

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: Ep.123_Exporting.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

In this week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast speaks with Jim Beach, founder of School for Startups and Host of School for Startups Radio to discuss starting and growing a business.  Jim is an absolute expert in this and you won't believe the bet he won in college!

Plus, we have the story of the founder of one of the most successful health products ever invented, Burt's Bees.  Burt Shavitz unfortunately recently passed away recently, but the story of his life is incredible.  He was the quintessential entrepreneur, from working in the service, to producing amazing products from his bees wax.  Burt's eccentric life is an inspiration for us all!

Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes to get new episodes every week!

Don't forget, you can submit your question for an "Ask An Expert Live" segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: Ep.122___SchoolforStartups.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 6:30pm PDT

In this episode Steve interviews the KING of VIRAL CONTENT, Emerson Spartz!  Emerson's websites receive more than 45 million monthly users.  He is the creator of OMG Facts and Dose.com and his unique story is a must listen.  His advice and techniques will prove invaluable to your business.

Direct download: Ep122_HowToGoViral.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast the topic is how to become your own boss.  Isn't that the ultimate dream?  Steve is joined by Barbara Winter, author of Making A Living Without A Job.  This book not only influenced and helped guide Steve's career, but thousands of others!  She has some amazing tips that will help you reach your goal of becoming your own boss.

Direct download: Ep121_Howtobecomeyourownboss.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

In this week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast Steve discusses how to create a great brand for you business. Plus an interview with Lida Citroen, an international branding expert from Lida360.com

Direct download: Ep120_CreatingAGreatBrand.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

In this week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast Steve discusses using technology to grow your business. Plus an interview with Sabrina Parsons of Palo Alto Software.

Direct download: Ep119_UsingTechnologyInYourBusiness.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

In this week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast Steve discusses how to start a successful business.  Once you make that great decision to go forward with your dream or idea, there are some key factors to making sure you succeed.

Steve gives us the background of what inspired him to make the switch to being an Entrepreneur.  Let's just say the best thing that may have happened to him career-wise, was the day he was fired!

Then Stone Melet, startup guru and founder of Best Of, LLC, joins the show to discuss his business success.  Stone has started may companies and knows what it takes to also continue to adapt your business, to achieve the maximum success and profitability.  Truly inspiring!

Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes to get new episodes every week!

Don't forget, you can submit your question for an "Ask An Expert Live" segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: Ep118_Howtoturnanointoayes.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

Everyone would like to have a successful business, right from the start! Steve lets you know how by interviewing Stone Melet, startup guru and founder of Best Of, LLC.

Direct download: Ep117_Howtostartasuccessfulbusiness.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

Steve speaks with the CEO of SCOREKen Yancey.  SCORE is one of the best friends that small businesses have.  SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship.  The best part....it's free!  Ken reveals how SCORE can help you.

Direct download: Ep116_FreeResourcesForYourBusiness.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast is all about making Crowdfunding easy.  We've all heard stories of the amazing success that some people and businesses have found through crowdfunding.  Whether it's Kickstarter, GoFundMe or one of any number of sites that now exist, it can be incredible way to get your business off of the ground.   

In Ask An Expert Live, Steve answers an email from JJ regarding his Crowdfunding campaign.  Is it as simple as posting a video and then you are instantly inundated with vast funds?!?  Well, not exactly.  There are some specifics too it and Steve lets you know the best way to go about.

Finally, Steve gives you 7 amazing tips from Forbes Magazine about how to make your campaign successful.  Much like any business plan, your campaign should be well though out, to have the best chance.  With these tips, you'll know what to do, to make sure your product gets noticed!

Sidenote: Simon Poswolsky was on a previous episode of Small Business and was listed by The Fiscal Times as a Top 9 Crowdfunding Success Story!  Hear his interview here: http://theselfemployed.com/featured/podcast-millennial-desperation

Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes to get new episodes every week!

Don't forget, you can submit your question for an "Ask An Expert Live" segment by sending an email to theselfemployed@yahoo.com.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: Ep115-CrowdfundingMadeEasy.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast is all about selling your business.  Steve speaks with Tom Hopkins, the world reknowned "Builder of Sales Champions".  Tom knows how to teach you to sell your product.  Tom is also an author of many books, including How To Master The Art Of Selling.  

Direct download: Ep114-BeYourOwnSalesperson.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This episode of of Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland is all about creating great content.  Steve talks with Brian Clark, the CEO and Founder of Copyblogger and host of Rainmaker.fm about his successful internet campaigns, content marketing, social media, blogging and more. 

Direct download: Ep113-CreatingGreatContent.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

Steve interviews Seth Godin about his new book The Icarus Deception and how being restless and human will help small business and entrepreneurs make a difference.

Direct download: sbs_012113.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

On this week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast, we learn about digital marketing.  There are so many important ways to be marketing your business in the new year!  Also, Steve interviews Alex Rodriguez, author of Digital Bacon.

Direct download: Ep112-DigitalMarketing.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

On this week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast, we learn about bootstrapping your company on a budget.  Get your company started while still holding down a full time job!  Also, Steve interviews author Sramana Mitra about her book, Bootstratpping on a Paycheck!

Direct download: Ep111-BootstrappingOnABudget.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This is our Holiday Special!  On this week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast, we have a VERY special guest.  Learn about business from the world's all time greatest Entrepreneur. 

Direct download: Ep110-HolidaySpecial.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 10:00am PDT

Happy Holidays!  On this week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast, we learn about branding.  Also, Steve interviews author Owen Shapiro and how to make your brand work for you.

Direct download: Ep109-Branding.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

On this week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast Steve interviews a legend!  You may know him as Cliff from Cheers or from his appearances in every Pixar movie, but John Ratzenberger is also a tremendous advocate of Small Businesses.

Direct download: Ep108-JohnRatzenberger.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

In this week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast, Steve interviews two experts in Motivation; Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton.  Adrian and Chester are the incredibly inspiring founders of The Culture Works and authors of What Motivates Me: Put Your Passions To Work.  These two are full of energy and great ideas for yourself, your company and your team.

Direct download: Ep106-Motivation.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast, Steve interviews the inspirational Erin Baebler who is a successful Mompreneur.  Erin is the co-author of MOMS MEAN BUSINESS: A Guide to Creating a Successful Company and Happy Life as a Mom Entrepreneur.  She has tremendous advice on how to balance what we all want;  a successful business AND a happy home life!

Direct download: Ep105-Mompreneur.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This week's Small Business with Steve Strauss powered by Greatland podcast is about how you can take advantage of Social Media for your business.  Steve interviews the innovative social media expert, Mari Smith.  Forbes Top Social Media Power Influencers lists her as one of the bes out there.  She is also a Facebook Marketing Expert and author of The New Relationship Marketing.

 In our Startup Story you will hear about a genius and highly successful invention that is still peaking in popularity.  It is truly a pioneering product.

Direct download: Ep104-SocialMediaMarketingMadeEasy.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

John Sculley joins Steve to discuss his past successes with Pepsi and Apple and John's philosophies on how how to create a successful business.  Also, John speaks about his new book, Moonshot!: Game-Changing Strategies to Build Billion-Dollar Businesses.  Plus, we hear about John's new program, How To Build A Successful Business.

Direct download: Ep103-JohnSculley.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

Whether it's for a product, or a service, we all have had that "ah-ha" moment where we come up with one.  For many people, that's where the process stops.  But, with the right motivation you could be turning ideas into reality.

Direct download: Ep102-TurningIdeasIntoReality.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

We'd all like to know the secrets to overcoming debt.  In this episode of Small Business Success, Steve Strauss speaks Shannon McNay, Community and Customer Support Manager at ReadyForZero.  She explains their groundbreaking company, which helps you manage and eliminate your debt.  They emphasize taking care of your financial pain points and help you realize it's a lot easier than you thought to rid yourself of bad debt.

In our Startup Story, we hear about a guy who started his now global business when he was $65!  He was in debt and turned one Social Security check into a Fast Food Empire.  

Direct download: Ep101-OvercomingDebt.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

For entrepreneurs business travel is an all too familiar occurrence.  Whether it's going door to door when you're first starting out, or flying across the country or even the world, we've all been there.  It's important to stay organized amid the chaos though and that's what this show is about.

Steve sits down with Joy Stocke, founder and Editor in Chief of Wild River Review and founder of Wild River Consulting & Publishing, LLC.  She is an expert in staying organized in the world of business.

Also, we have a fascinating list of the most "hated" businesses!  You will definitely be surprised about some of the companies that made the list.

Direct download: Ep100-BusinessTravel.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

Whether it's writing a business proposal, or creating the perfect marketing message, it's always important to craft your message the right way.  In this week's Small Business Success Podcast brought to you by Staples, Steve helps to give you the guidelines you'll need.

Steve interviews the incredible Laura Brown, author of How to Write Anything: A Complete Guide.  This book has been instrumental for so many business and is something every Entrepreneur should read.

This is followed by a Startup Story profiling one of the most successful authors of all time.  We know you'll enjoy this tale!

Direct download: Ep99-WriteTheRightWay.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

As entrepreneurs we all have the "ah-ha" moment when we all have our moment we come up with our Big Idea.  In this week's Small Business Success Podcast brought to you by Staples, we explore what it takes to make that idea a reality.  

First, we have a wonderful Startup Story about a product that we all know and if you didn't use it when you were a kid, assuredly your children have.  

Then Steve interviews Jason Weisenthal, CEO at Wallmonkeys.com, a business that creates Print-On Demand Wall Graphics.  Jason discusses the process of coming up with an idea, creating a great product and taking that idea into the world of Small Business success.

Direct download: Ep98-YourBigIdea.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

Millennials are the topic in this week's Small Business Success Podcast brought to you by Staples, we talk to Adam "Smiley" Poswolsky, Author of The Quarter-Life Breakthrough.  He is a graduate of Wesleyan Universitypreviously worked for the U.S. Peace Corps on special projects including President Obama's Young African Leaders Initiative, and occasionally wrote remarks for the Peace Corps director. 

Plus the Shipping Startup Story, you need to hear!

Direct download: Ep98-Millennial-Desperation.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

This week's Small Business Success is all about Safety in the workplace.  What does that mean?  It means being prepared for any kind of emergency and having the wherewithal and plans in place to protect yourself, your employees and of course your business itself.  It's something a lot of us overlook!  

Today Steve shares some amazing statistics about keeping yourself ready and prepared  Then he interviews Bob Risk, the National Sales Manager of Safety for Staples.  He shares some great information on how you can be ready for anything and how to protect your small business. 

Direct download: Ep97-Safety.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:00am PDT

Franchising is the dream of many businesses.  In this episode Steve speaks with Florian Radke. You make recognize Florian's name from his appearance on ABC's Shark Tank, where he made a pitch for Cinnaholic.  Plus, we have the ultimate Franchising Startup Story.  This is a company that virtually the ENTIRE World has heard of, but few know of it's humble beginnings.  It's all here this week on Small Business Success!

Direct download: Ep96-Franchising.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 8:00am PDT

The work place and enivironment has changed rapidly over recent years and looks to continue to do so.  In this special Small Business Week episode, Steve discusses the changing nature of "work".  What does it mean for your Small Business?  Find out in this episode!

Plus, Steve interviews Daniel Debow of Work.com, a Salesforce tool that helps people give feedback and collaborate in real time.

Direct download: Ep96-SmallBusinessWeek.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 8:00am PDT

This Small Business Success Podcast is about Marketing your business.  You need to know who your customer is.  Steve speaks with Nancy Costopulus of the American Marketing Association.  Plus a "galactic" Startup Story.

Direct download: Ep95-Marketing.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 8:00am PDT

In this week's Greatland Small Business Success Podcast we learn the importance of Big Data.  There is so much information out there to be utilized by small businesses, but how?  Steve turns to Lutz Finger, Director at LinkedIn, Quantum Physicist and Author of Ask Measure Learn.  Find out how to apply the plethora of information available, to further your business.

Our startup story is also an all original!  You won't find a better source for this success story, because the success himself tell you all about it!  (hint: his name is associated with this site).  It's all here this week on Small Business Success!

Direct download: Ep94-BigDataforSmallBusiness.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 8:00am PDT

This week's Greatland Small Business Success Podcast we learn that you are never "too old" to start a business! Steve has an amazing interview with Carol Gardner, the Creator of Zelda Wisdom.  She started her highly successful business after the age of 50 and is truly an inspirational entrepreneur.

Our startup story details a product that every parent and young girl knows about.  She turned a dream product into a dream company that we have probably all purchased something from.  It's all here this week on Small Business Success.

Direct download: Ep93-StartingABusinessAfter50.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 8:00am PDT

The mobile revolution will not be televisied!  This week's Greatland Small Business Success Podcast is all about mobility. Cell phones are an important part of your everyday life and they should be an important part of your business as well.  In this episode Steve speaks with James Alexander, CEO of Vizibility.  Vizibility is a revolutionary company in that they are changing how we exchange information.  We have so many different ways to connect now, but wouldn't it be nice if we could share all of that information quickly?

Our startup story features the tale of how it all began and the tenacity and drive it took to make it happen.  It's all here this week on Small Business Success.

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: Ep92-Vizibility.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 8:00am PDT

This Greatland Small Business Success Podcast is all about websites.  Having a website is one of the most important things you can have for your business or product.  There are some new revolutions in domain names that will soon be available and they could very well help you gain exposure.  Steve speaks with Kathy Nielson of Sedo.com about these exciting developments.

Our Startup Story features a business that survived extreme competition and came out on top.  Plus, they even had a movie named after them.  It's all here this week on Small Business Success.

Direct download: Ep91-BuildingWebsites.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 8:00am PDT

This Greatland Small Business Success Podcast is all about successful female Entrepreneurs.  In our Startup Story you will learn how one of the most successful products of the last 20 years came about and perhaps take some lessons away for your own ideas.  

Also, Steve interviews Social Media Expert, Mari Smith.  She is Forbes Top Social Media Power Influencer, a Facebook Marketing Expert and author of The New Relationship Marketing.

Direct download: Ep90-SuccessfulFemaleEntrepreneurs.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 8:00am PDT

SEO

Search Engine Optimization or SEO is the subject for this week's Greatland Small Business Success Podcast.  Plus an interview with Eric Schiffer of www.digitalmarketing.com and an inspiring Start Up Story about an invention you're using...right now.

Direct download: Ep89-SEO.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 6:00am PDT

This week's Greatland Small Business Success Podcast is all about LinkedIn.  LinkedIn has quickly become one of the best tools available for small businesses.  Lana Khavinson,  Senior Product Marketing Manager of LinkedIn also gives you some great tips and tricks to get the most out of their service for your business.

Plus, this weeks Startup Story features a business you know and have used, with an incredibly successful tale.

Direct download: Ep88-GetLinkedIn.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 6:00am PDT

This episode of Greatland Small Business Success Podcast is all about how important it is to know your market.  In order to do so, it's essential to not only ask questions, but to ask the right questions.  We go to the expert, as Steve interview Deb Calvert, author of Discover Questions™ Get You Connected, and the founder of People First Productivity Solutions.

In this week's Startup Story we find out how one of the most successful businesses ever, inexplicably decided to change their product at the height of popularity!  The results...universal failure and yet they some how survived.  What was the product? You'll have to listen to find out.  (hint: it happened in the 80's)

Subscribe to the Small Business Success RSS Feed to get weekly podcasts automatically! Or, listen on iTunes!

Direct download: Ep._87__Knowing_Your_Market.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 6:00am PDT

In this episode of Greatland Small Business Success Podcast, Steve gives you a Crash Course In Shipping.   There are some amazing ways to help your business save money and even take advantage of FREE opportunities while getting your product into the hands of customers.  In the interview segment, you'll find out how to make mailing and shipping easier, faster and more efficient from Amine Khechfé, Co-Founder and General Manager of Endicia.  Endicia is the preferred shipper for Etsy and you'll also hear some great tales of success in this week's Startup Story.  Your business could be next!

Direct download: Ep._86__Crash_Course_In_Shipping.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 6:00am PDT

In this episode of Greatland's Small Business Success, we learn about...MONEY!  We all want it and we all need more of it.  Find out how to keep track of your money from Greg Jones, Founder and Chariman of Bookkeeping Express.  Plus a very special Start Up Story about one of America's favorite games.

Direct download: Ep85_Money.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 10:30am PDT

On this episode of Greatland's Small Business Success podcast, Steve discusses all things Microsfoft.  How did one of the world's largest businesses come to be?  We find out in an "reenaction" during Startup Stories.  (apologies for the acting abilities).  Plus Steve speaks with Cindy Bates, Vice President of US SMB and Distribution at Microsoft.  Find out the importance of Software in your business!

Direct download: Ep._84__Microsoft.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 8:00am PDT