The Small Business Matters Podcast

In this episode of Small Business Matters, we tackle one of the most crucial steps for any small business owner: preparing to approach a lender for financing. With over 19 million new businesses formed in the last two years, accessing capital has become a common challenge for many entrepreneurs. However, many small business owners are simply not prepared when they step into a lender's office. Whether it's underestimating their capital needs, being unsure about the necessary documents, or misunderstanding how the lending process works, these gaps can prevent them from securing the funding they need to succeed. We invited on a great expert who knows the ins and outs of small business lending like few others: Craig Calafati. He is the Vice President of Arkansas Capital Corporation (soon to be rebranded as ACC), and he brings over 30 years of experience in commercial lending—including 25 years as an SBA lender to the conversation. Craig has helped countless businesses navigate the financing process. In this episode, he offers invaluable advice on what every small business owner needs to know before they approach a lender.    

In today's hyperspeed, do it now, do it fast business climate, small business owners are facing a growing crisis. According to Ramsey's State of Small-Business Owners in America research study, a staggering 11.3 million business owners report struggling to find capable employees to do the work they need to be done. A challenge exacerbated by rising unemployment and a persistent labor shortage.   This scarcity threatens not just business performance but the very survival of many small enterprises. But an increasing number of entrepreneurs are shouldering heavy burdens alone, spiraling into overwhelm and burnout. Is there a light at the end of this tunnel? Indeed there is, and her name is Kris Ward.   Kris helps entrepreneurs overcome their obstacles by teaching them effective productivity strategies that enable them to scale successfully.   After a personal tragedy, Kris tested her own business resilience and strategies that not only allowed her to step away but return to a business that was fully thriving. With accolades from Shark Tank veterans and features on global media platforms, Kris now dedicates her expertise to helping entrepreneurs like you navigate these lean labor markets.   For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.    Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on.   FOLLOW US Threads | https://www.threads.net/@experianbis TikToks | https://www.tiktok.com/@experianb2b Twitter | https://twitter.com/experiansmb Instagram | https://instagram.com/experianbis Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/ExperianBusinessInfo Pinterest | https://www.pinterest.com/experianb2b LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/experian-business-information YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI5DU7EVNB_z5xst-Ncuk-g  

For this episode of The Small Business Matters podcast we delve into the transformative world of podcasting with the expert guidance of Molly Ruland, CEO of Heartcast Media. Molly, a seasoned veteran in podcast production. As you will hear from our discussion, she really understands this space, and knows what it takes to convert podcasts into lasting client relationships.   A few key takeaways:   Defining Success in Podcasting - Molly emphasizes the importance of clarity in a podcast's goals. Whether aiming for thought leadership, enhancing visibility, or generating sales, understanding these objectives dictates the podcast's direction and content strategy. Efficiency in Production - Advocating for efficiency, Molly advises against business owners producing their podcasts. She stresses the value of outsourcing production to professionals to ensure quality and allow business owners to concentrate on their core responsibilities. Strategic Guest Selection - Choosing the right guests is crucial. Molly points out that the real value lies not in mass audience appeal but in nurturing relationships with guests who align with the business's goals. These relationships are more likely to convert into business opportunities. Leveraging Podcasts for Business Development - Podcasts are not just marketing tools but also potent business development tools. Molly shares examples of how podcasts have facilitated valuable connections and partnerships, proving their efficacy in business strategy beyond mere content creation. Growth Through Quality and Networking - Growth in podcasting comes from quality content and strategic networking, not merely audience numbers. Molly advises focusing on producing high-quality content that guests and their networks would want to share, thereby enhancing reach and influence effectively.  

Are you looking to make AI work for your small business? You have come to the right place. This week, our Small Business Matters podcast dives into AI with expert and author Pam Didner. Pam is a powerhouse in the marketing world. She's not just a marketing expert; she's a problem solver, a digital enthusiast, and a lover of all things tech. With a rich background in B2B marketing, Pam is a much sought-after keynote speaker and trainer for B2B marketing teams. She's the host of a popular podcast, B2B Marketing and More, where she dives into marketing strategies and trends that shape modern business. Pam's also the acclaimed author of three insightful books: Effective Sales Enablement, The Modern AI Marketer, and Global Content Marketing. Each book is a treasure trove of knowledge, offering practical advice and cutting-edge strategies for marketers everywhere. For any resources mentioned on the show today, please visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.   FOLLOW US   Threads | https://www.threads.net/@experianbis TikToks | https://www.tiktok.com/@experianb2b Twitter | https://twitter.com/experiansmb  Instagram | https://instagram.com/experianbis  Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/ExperianBusinessInfo Pinterest | https://www.pinterest.com/experianb2b LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/experian-business-information YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI5DU7EVNB_z5xst-Ncuk-g  

Each year, there are roughly 4.7 million new small businesses created, but according to the U.S. Census that number shot up to 5.5 million in 2023, the highest year on record.   Many of these new ventures are Limited Liability Corporations or LLC's, and with so many small businesses being created we thought it would be a good time to talk about LLC's, how they differ from other business structures and what advantages you have as a business owner by forming one.   Our show research on TikTok led us to discover Imani Law, co-founded by Carmel and Camellia Imani. This forward-thinking law firm specializes in aiding entrepreneurs with business establishment and trademark security. The Imani sisters, both UC Davis School of Law graduates, have shifted from litigation to focus on transactional and preventative practices to safeguard clients. Notably, their firm is recognized for its flat rate fees, transparency, and approachable manner, effectively engaging with the online community through platforms like Instagram and TikTok.   For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.    Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on.   FOLLOW US Threads | https://www.threads.net/@experianbis TikToks | https://www.tiktok.com/@experianb2b Twitter | https://twitter.com/experiansmb Instagram | https://instagram.com/experianbis Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/ExperianBusinessInfo Pinterest | https://www.pinterest.com/experianb2b LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/experian-business-information YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI5DU7EVNB_z5xst-Ncuk-g

In this episode of Small Business Matters, we are in discussion with April Dunford on crafting compelling sales pitches and the importance of positioning in sales strategies.  

Millions of new businesses are launching around the country, and many of these businesses are being run by new entrepreneurs, people who may not be familiar with the accounting side of a business, so we thought it would be a great opportunity to talk about setting your accounting systems up for success with Cassie Saquing.   Cassie is a money mindset and business management coach. She helps business owners kill the hustle and make a profit.  As a soul-centered financial and money mindset coach, she's also a dedicated wife and mother to four children. In her early days, she applied her skills and education by launching a successful 7-figure daycare business.  Now, she teaches other women to scale their mindset and their income.   For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.    Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on.   FOLLOW US Threads | https://www.threads.net/@experianbis TikToks | https://www.tiktok.com/@experianb2b Twitter | https://twitter.com/experiansmb Instagram | https://instagram.com/experianbis Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/ExperianBusinessInfo Pinterest | https://www.pinterest.com/experianb2b LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/experian-business-information YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI5DU7EVNB_z5xst-Ncuk-g

In this episode, Gary Stockton interviews AJ Wilcox, the LinkedIn ads myth buster. AJ shares expert perspectives on advertising ROI and the significance of LinkedIn ads for small businesses and highlights the power of LinkedIn's data for targeting ideal customers in the business-to-business space. During the episode AJ dispels the myth that LinkedIn ads are expensive, emphasizing the higher ROI potential. We also spend some time talking about the use of video ads, showcasing their effectiveness in connecting with the audience.     Highlights:     00:05 Introduction and Guest Presentation   01:20 Starting the Conversation: LinkedIn Advertising   02:26 Understanding LinkedIn's Advertising Costs   03:09 Optimizing Budgets for Stronger ROI on LinkedIn   05:23 LinkedIn's User Engagement and Reach   07:04 Exploring LinkedIn's Ad Formats   08:10 The Power of Video Ads on LinkedIn   13:56 Mastering LinkedIn's Ad Management   16:24 Personal Lessons from a LinkedIn Ads Pro   18:53 Busting Myths about LinkedIn Ads   20:59 Conclusion and Contact Information     For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.    Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on.   FOLLOW US   Threads | https://www.threads.net/@experianbis   TikToks | https://www.tiktok.com/@experianb2b   Twitter | https://twitter.com/experiansmb   Instagram | https://instagram.com/experianbis   Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/ExperianBusinessInfo   Pinterest | https://www.pinterest.com/experianb2b   LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/experian-business-information   YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI5DU7EVNB_z5xst-Ncuk-g    

In this episode of Small Business Matters, Gary Stockton interviews Stephen Jordan of Sound Cybersecurity, a noted expert in the field, about the importance of email security for small businesses. They discuss the concept of DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) and its role in preventing cyber breaches and email fraud. Stephen emphasizes the need for small businesses to implement DMARC to protect their email addresses, improve the reputation of their legitimate email messages, and be a good neighbor on the internet. He also highlights the challenges faced by small businesses in setting up and maintaining DMARC and provides advice on overcoming these obstacles. Additionally, Stephen shares real-world examples of how implementing DMARC has significantly reduced email fraud and phishing attacks for small businesses. He discusses the evolving role of DMARC in email security and predicts that it may become a requirement in the future. Stephen also addresses the importance of training employees to recognize and respond to phishing attempts effectively. Finally, he advises small businesses that outsource their email infrastructure to thoroughly evaluate the security measures in place and not to assume that everything is done.   Key Takeaways: DMARC is a powerful tool that can prevent cybercriminals from using a business's email addresses and improve the reputation of legitimate email messages. Only about 2% of all domain names have fully implemented DMARC, indicating a significant need for small businesses to prioritize email security. Small businesses should invest in security awareness training and testing to educate employees about phishing attempts and improve their ability to recognize and respond to them. Outsourcing email infrastructure does not absolve small businesses from the responsibility of ensuring email security. They should actively monitor and evaluate the security measures implemented by their email service provider. For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.    Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on.   FOLLOW US Threads | TikTok | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest |  LinkedIn |  YouTube |  

We dive into two great topics in this episode — in our first segment, we speak with Jean Smart, CEO of Penelope, a fast-rising platform that makes 401Ks accessible for small business owners.  In our second segment, we speak with Shaun G. Bull, CEO of Enterprise Consultants Group in Los Angeles, California, about tax resolution and how he has come to the aid of small business owners dealing with tax debt.  SEGMENT #1 We discuss Penelope's mission to make 401Ks accessible to small businesses and entrepreneurs with Jean Smart from Penelope. Jean shares insights from her extensive financial services background and how her experiences during COVID-19 inspired Penelope's inception. We talk about Penelope's solutions to common challenges faced by small businesses, such as budget constraints and benefits administration complexity. Additionally, we get into Penelope's commitment to supporting women and minority business owners, offering multilingual resources and user-friendly, cost-effective retirement planning tools. SEGMENT #2 (Begins at 24:00) Small Business Tax Troubles, Meet Your Solution   In this enlightening interview, Shaun Bull, founder of Enterprise Consultants Group, discusses the crucial role of tax resolution specialists in aiding small business owners. Shaun emphasizes the importance of proactively managing taxes to avoid financial pitfalls, citing common mistakes such as divorce-related issues and the absence of a reliable accountant. For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.    Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on.   FOLLOW US Threads  Twitter Instagram Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube      

This week, we dive into a great book by renowned small business expert and author, John Jantsch. It's called "Building the Ultimate Marketing Engine," and if you are looking to rev up your holiday sales this season, you will want to pay close attention during this episode. John drops some serious nuggets in world-class customer service and taking your business to the next level. We also share our next Founder's Narrative story by Laura Lady, Founder and CEO of FryAway.  It's a cool story about a giant fat burg that clogged up the pipes in East London and inspired this SharkTank featured entrepreneur to take the leap as a small business owner.  For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.    Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on.   FOLLOW US Threads  Twitter Instagram Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube

If you are running an online store for your small business, you know how important organic traffic can be. So for this small business matter, we're going to talk about Pinterest, and why it has become such an important component for so many online resellers.  Jeff Sieh, Head Beard at Manly Pinterest Tips and Host of the Social Media News Live weekly podcast is here to help us unpack the many cool ways Pinterest can benefit your online business.  We will also hear from Braxton Fleming, Founder of Stealth Bro's & Co in a new segment where we hear small business origin stories. For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.    Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on.   FOLLOW US   Twitter Instagram Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube  

According to BizBuySell's Insight Report, a leading resource that tracks and analyzes businesses-for-sale, the number of business acquisitions grew in Q1, 2023 by 4.8% over the prior quarter. And while this bounce follows three consecutive declines, the market of buying and selling businesses has almost reached pre-pandemic levels. Whether you are buying a business or selling a business, value matters. So for this small business matter, we will be speaking with Rich Goeldner. He's an Accredited Senior Appraiser who has provided valuation advisory services since the early '90s, and he specializes in the valuation of privately-held companies and intangible assets. His writings on business valuation issues have been published in local business journals and the Business Valuation Review and cited in valuation textbooks and courses. For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.    Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on.   FOLLOW US   Twitter Instagram Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube  

Happy pride Month to all our listeners! Today we have two guests, each with a wealth of information to share specifically for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and business owners. All small business owners face challenges when they're starting out, and they'll probably experience bumps along the road as times goes by, too. Being an LGBTQ+ business owner or entrepreneur means you may face more challenges than others, in some cases. Only about 4% of businesses in the US are owned by LGBTQ+ people, even though 7% of the US population identifies as LGBTQ+. So, in honor of Pride month and LGBTQ+ small business owners everywhere, this episode is dedicated to exploring resources that exist specifically to help and serve LGBTQ+ business owners and entrepreneurs. Featured in this episode: Sabrina Kent  Brian Richardson For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.  Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on.   FOLLOW US   Twitter Instagram Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube  

Do you become overwhelmed when you think about reorganizing in your business? Or perhaps the idea of overhauling how you store and archive digital files is keeping you up at night. If this is you, we have a great conversation for you today with special guest, JoAnn Krall of The Sensible Organizer. She's been helping small business owners and entrepreneurs stay organized using a smart, personalized approach.   During our conversation, we touch on:   1) The series of life events that inspired The Sensible Organizer 2) Dealing with shame associated with disorganization  3) Choosing a project management system     For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.    Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on.   FOLLOW US   Twitter Instagram Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube

For years now, businesses have coveted that top search engine results ranking spot. But with AI search tools, that may now be an obsolete goal. So how can small businesses, in particular, utilize this evolving technology to continue to get in front of their customers and clients? How do we “do” search in the age of AI? Well, here to help us shed some light on all this is Wil Reynolds, founder, and CEO of Seer Interactive.   Wil comes to us from Philadelphia, where he started his agency in his living room in 2002. Now, seer has more than 200 team members all across North America helping clients stay visible to their customers as the digital landscape continues to change. He's a sought-after thought leader and speaker at conferences and events where people come together to discuss the future of the Internet.   For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.   Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on.   FOLLOW US   Twitter Instagram Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube

We're celebrating National Small Business Week with this episode.  SEGMENT 1:  In our first segment, I will be speaking with CT Mobley from ADP about how they are supporting emerging and underserved small businesses and their role as an official Small Business Week sponsor.   SEGMENT 2: Begins at 10:35 Emily Garman is in conversation with Finance and Mindset Coach Christina Edel about the implications of taking on business debt. For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.    Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on.   FOLLOW US   Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

We are diving into the small business matter of business sentiment in this special episode of Small Business Matters with a discussion with Emily Wavering Corcoran. Emily is the Program Manager in charge of the Small Business Credit Survey at the Federal Reserve Banks. If you are unfamiliar with the SBCS, the Small Business Credit Survey, is a collaboration of all 12 Federal Reserve Banks, which provides timely information about small business conditions to policymakers and service providers. In 2022, the survey reached nearly 8,000 employer small businesses, collecting information about the performance, challenges, and credit-seeking experiences of firms across the United States. The results of that survey have just been published in the 2023 report on employer firms.  For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.    Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on.   FOLLOW US   Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

If you're running a small business that caters to businesses and professionals, having an active presence on LinkedIn is a must. But posting the right content that resonates can be a bit of a science. You have to be a clever fox to figure out this small business matter. So to help us do LinkedIn better we have invited Judi Fox to join us.  Judi is listed as a Top 10 LinkedIn Coach for 2021 in Yahoo Finance and a featured speaker at Social Media Marketing World. With over 18 years of experience in business development and sales, Judi Fox developed the LinkedIn Business Accelerator Method to reach 1 million views in 90 days. Follow Judi Fox: LinkedIn - Judi Fox

We're focusing on people living and working with disabilities in today's episode in advance of International Day for People with Disabilities.  Since 1992 the United Nations has been marking December 3rd as International Day for People with a Disability.  We have two interviews focused on small businesses from diverse industries working with disabled employees and working with disabled customers.  SEGMENT 1: Begins at 1:24 Gary Stockton talks with Lynn Wehrman, CEO of WeCo, a Minneapolis company doing amazing work creating careers with purpose in accessibility testing. As you will hear in our interview, WeCo is changing lives for employees with its approach to career development.  SEGMENT 2:  Begins at 15.54     Emily Garman sits down with Zack and Cambry Nelson to talk about their startup “Not-A-Wheelchair”, a device designed to help disabled people to get out into nature.  For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.    Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on.   FOLLOW US   Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

This week on the Small Business Matters podcast we sit down with two exceptional leaders doing incredible work on behalf of the small business community. SEGMENT 1 - In our first segment, we speak with Shannan Herbert, Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer for City First Bank about underwriting for racial justice. In this thought-provoking discussion, we talk about the disparities black and brown businesses face in gaining access to credit, and key learnings from her work with Beneficial State Foundation and the special purpose credit program currently in development.  SEGMENT 2 starts at 17:44 - Each year the Federal Reserve surveys small business owners about applying for credit and their challenges. Emily Wavering Corcoran is the Program Manager in charge of this research. In our interview, Emily discusses the latest report on small businesses owned by people of color. It's really remarkable research that raises a lot of questions about small business credit disparity for underserved small businesses.   For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.    Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on and remember to tell your friends and colleagues about the show.   FOLLOW US   Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube    

We're talking about Women's Equality this week as we approach Women's Equality Day on Friday, August 26th. In our first segment, host Gary Stockton leads off with a discussion with Luann Abrams. Luann is the founder of CEOX, a company whose mission is to increase the number of women CEOs and board members.  SEGMENT 2 starts at 17:25 -  Emily Garman and Gary Stockton sit with Wil Lewis, Experian's Global Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, and Teresa Rogers, a leader of Experian's Women in Experian Employee Resource Group, to talk about Women's equality. In this discussion we share our approach, and how some of these ideas can work at small businesses.  For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.    Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on.   FOLLOW US   Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube      

If you are considering financing for your small business or feeling unsure which type of financial institution might be best to work with, this episode of Small Business Matters is just for you as we focus on small business finance.    We sat down with executives from four different financing companies ranging from Fintech, to CDFI, to Equity Crowd Funding and Traditional Brick and Mortar banks to talk about how they serve small businesses.    Fintech Standout Biz2Credit Streamlines Funding Process for Small Business   Segment #1 0:58   Rohit Arora is one of the country's leading experts in small business finance. His company, Biz2Credit, uses technology to streamline business funding. We talk about the origins of FinTech, their VirtualCFO platform, which enables small business owners to benchmark how they are doing to other businesses in their space, and what's driving growth for fast, convenient online funding, and why more small businesses are turning to FinTech lenders.    Rohit Arora on LinkedIn   CDFI's Provide Myriad Assistance to Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs   Segment 2  9:43   CDFI stands for Community Development Financial Institution, they are mission-driven community resources of financing for small businesses, and they play a crucial role in the financial ecosystem. We spoke with Mark Pinsky, Founding Partner of CDFI Friendly America, an organization determined to help existing CDFI's serve bigger markets.    In our discussion, we talked about what characteristics CDFI's look for in small businesses and entrepreneurs they work with, and what CDFI has planned for major city expansions in places like Fort Worth, Texas.    Mark Pinsky on LinkedIn   Seed at the Table Offers Innovative Crowdfunding for Small Businesses and Investors to Help Close the Racial Funding Gap   Segment 3 23:00   Seed at the Table is a mission-driven crowdfunding platform committed to connecting diverse entrepreneurs with investors. They raised $1.3 million in less than a year for businesses founded by women, and people of color. Co-Founder Suzen Baraka sat down with Experian's Emily Garman to talk about their mission, and some of the early successes they had in closing the racial funding gap.    Suzen Baraka on LinkedIn   First Citizens is Banking on Strong Relationships with Small Businesses   Segment 4  31:00   As America's largest family-controlled bank, First Citizens Bank has been supporting consumers and small businesses across the US for more than 120 years. They operate more than 600 locations in 22 states and recently merged with CIT Group, making them one of the top 20 US banks.    We spoke with the bank's Senior Director of Business Credit, Phil Hains,  about how they support small businesses, what a small business should have in place before seeking funding, and how the bank is embracing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in their branches through their bankers and the greater small business community.   Phil Hains on LinkedIn   For any resources mentioned on the show today, visit our show notes over at experian.com/smbmatters.    Want to help us grow? Drop us an honest review and rating on whichever platform you are listening on.   FOLLOW US   Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube    

During Pride month, Experian shines a light on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by sharing stories told by LGBTQ business owners, policymakers, or anyone who believes actions speak louder than words when it comes to creating jobs, equality, and inclusion in the workplace. This week we speak with three guests who share insights and expertise around LGBTQ+ inclusion in the business environment. Rex Wilde is the CEO and Founder of Rex Wilde Consulting, Braxton Fleming is CEO and Founder of Stealth Bros & Co. and Sabrina Kent is the Executive Vice President of Programs and External Affairs for the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce.    FOLLOW US   Twitter Instagram LinkedIn        

We have three segments in this week's episode: Small Business Change Masters with Barry Moltz Inclusion-Forward Story - Brandelyn Green  Highlights from the Fed's Small Business Credit Survey SEGMENT 1 In this talk we explore change, coming up with a plan and following through with Barry Moltz (@barrymoltz).  Barry gets business owners unstuck. He's a nationally recognized expert on small business, he's given hundreds of presentations to audiences ranging in size from 20 to 20,000, appearing on many TV and radio programs. Barry speaks from experience, founding and running many small businesses with a great deal of success and failure for more than 20 years. His first book, “You Need to Be A Little Crazy: The Truth about Starting and Growing Your Business” describes the ups and downs and emotional trials of running a business. In his seventh book “Change Masters” Barry explores follow-through, and why so many small business owners pay for expensive advice, agree to take action ... and then never follow through. SEGMENT 2 Brandelyn Green - Turning health adversity into triumph For our Inclusion-Forward segment this week we focus on the power of community to grow a successful small business. From the onset of her business, Brandelyn Green (@voiceofhair) understood the value a strong community could bring. Her company, Voice of Hair helps women of color find the best hairstylists, hair products and hair extensions through a portfolio of pictures, videos and reviews. But it was a personal health crisis that spawned the idea for her thriving line of hair care products which she sells on voiceofhaircare.com. She also cultivates a thriving community on her instagram channel.   SEGMENT 3   Emily Wavering Corcoran - Program Manager The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland We taped our  interview on Friday, March 4th, 2022, ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting. In November of last year, The Federal Reserve Banks conducted the Small Business Credit Survey. In all they surveyed nearly 11,000 small businesses to ask them about their financial condition, whether they had sought financing in the prior 12 months and what effect the pandemic had on their business. The results of that survey have just been published in the 2022 Report On Employer Firms. We spoke with the Fed's Program Manager, Emily Wavering Corcoran. She works in the Community Development Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.  She touched on some of the most interesting highlights in the latest survey results.  FOLLOW US: Twitter Instagram LinkedIn    

We're celebrating Black History Month, so in this special Inclusion-Forward episode of the Small Business Matters podcast, our first segment focuses on generational entrepreneurship — the idea of following in your family's footsteps by going into business for yourself. Keewa Nurullah owns kids' boutique Kido in Chicago, Illinois. She's a fourth-generation entrepreneur and a direct descendant of a Black Wall Street Business Owner from Greenwood district in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she's been featured by CNN and NBC. She was also recently named Black Entrepreneur of the Year for 2021, an award presented by Officially Black Wall street, Clover, and Snapchat. She shares what it's like extending a family legacy in Chicago as a successful business owner. In our second segment we sit down with Andrea Carlson from  Farmers and Merchants Bank in Long Beach, California to discuss the success of their successful small business grant program, and to hear from the businesses they are helping.   

There's so much going on in the economy these days, so much for small businesses to deal with. We're in the throws of another significant variant of the Coronavirus, the supply chain issues continue amid rising inflation, and it that were not enough, employers are having a hard time finding employees because many are either staying home or finding new roles in different industries. It's a lot for small businesses to deal with.   So to help put it all into perspective, our good friend Ryan Sweet from Moody's Analytics joins us today to talk about our economic outlook.   If you are not familiar, Ryan is a senior director at Moody's Analytics. He contributes regularly to Economic View and is a member of the U.S. macroeconomics team in West Chester Pennsylvania. His areas of specialization include the U.S. economy, monetary policy, capital markets and forecasting high-frequency economic indicators. Ryan provides a great perspective on what's really going on with the economy and possible impact to small businesses.    We celebrated Martin Luther King Day this week, so for our Inclusion-Forward segment, we hear from Experian team members about how Martin Luther King, Jr. inspires and motivates them, and how his message influences their work here at Experian.    If you have ever wondered why your business credit score might go down after a credit inquiry, we talk about it in this week's Business Credit Answer. Send us your business credit questions smbmatters@experian.com or hit us up on Instagram at @experianbis.       

On this episode, we focus on a problem that's looming just off the coast of California as we speak, the glut of inbound freighters waiting to be unloaded and reports of short supplies in many industries, and rising prices at many retailers. Gretchen Blough serves as Customs Brokerage Manager for Logistics Plus in Erie, Pennsylvania. She's an expert who has appeared several times on American Public Media's "Marketplace" and "Make Me Smart." So we reached out to Gretchen to ask her if she could make us smart on this small business matter, the rising cost of shipping, and what's going on at the ports.    We also hear from Tarsha Joyer, Owner and Head Treat Maker at Mrs Joys Fabulous Treats in Lynchburg, Virginia for our Inclusion-Forward segment.   Brodie Oldham stops by with another Business Credit Answer around the challenge of prioritizing payments on outstanding debt and whether paying one off and allowing another account to fall delinquent is a good idea.

In this episode, small business author and expert Chris Brogan shares tips for being a story-driven business and how to incorporate storytelling into your business strategy.  We also ask Brodie Oldham to help us understand how to grow strong business credit in this week's Business Credit Answer. Send us your business credit questions smbmatters@experian.com or hit us up on Instagram at @experianbis.