Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean, two long-time small-business owners, come to you each week to talk through the trials, success, pitfalls and tips it takes to successfully run a small business in today's world. Hear real-world folks talk about real-world problems, letting you know not only what it takes to get it done but that you're not alone in doing it!
Listeners of The Small Business Show that love the show mention: small business owners, thanks guys, success, actionable, discuss, resource, tips, incredible, insightful, guests, always, show, information, better, topics, informative, good, listening, love, shannon and dave.
The Small Business Show podcast is a treasure trove of insightful conversations and valuable advice for small business owners. Hosted by Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton, this show offers a wide range of topics that cover the ins and outs of building a successful organization. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this podcast has something for everyone.
One of the best aspects of The Small Business Show is the quality of questions asked by the hosts. They go beyond surface-level discussions and dig deep into business strategies, providing listeners with valuable insights that can be immediately applied to their own ventures. The hosts also bring on guests who have experienced success in their own businesses, allowing for a diverse range of perspectives and strategies to be explored.
Moreover, the podcast offers practical tips and advice that can help entrepreneurs navigate through the challenges of running a small business. Listeners will find themselves inspired by the stories shared on the show, as well as empowered to take action towards their own goals.
However, one potential downside of The Small Business Show is that some episodes may not resonate with every listener. The topics covered are broad, which means that not all episodes may be relevant or interesting to everyone. Additionally, while the hosts do an excellent job leading conversations, there may be instances where certain questions or discussions could benefit from more depth or exploration.
In conclusion, The Small Business Show is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to start or grow their own business. With its insightful questions, practical tips, and inspiring guests, this podcast provides listeners with a wealth of knowledge and guidance. Whether you're seeking advice on strategy, marketing, or leadership, this show has you covered. Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn from experienced entrepreneurs and take your business to new heights.
In Episode 653 of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton shares a candid story about a business deal that fell apart after 18 months of negotiations. Despite the initial disappointment, Dave felt unexpected relief—realizing that the deal would have meant giving up control of the business and taking on fixed employment terms. […] The post FridAI – Priorities and Calendars – Business Brain 653 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In Episode 652 of Business Brain, Shannon Jean shares reflections from a recent trip to St. Lucia, highlighting the stark contrast between poverty and wealth on the island. He emphasizes how entrepreneurship there is a means of survival, with locals creatively hustling to sell everything from handmade goods to rum […] The post Survival Entrepreneurship – Business Brain 652 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In Episode 651 of Business Brain, Dave and Shannon dive into the concept of a “credibility funnel”—a precursor or complement to the traditional sales funnel. Shannon emphasizes how today's AI tools can elevate a business's professional image, especially through visual storytelling. He shares how he uses Napkin.ai to visualize abstract […] The post The Credibility Funnel + FridAI – Business Brain 651 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In Episode 650 of Business Brain, Dave and Shannon welcome guest Michael Greenberg from 3rd Brain to explore the essential but often overlooked world of digital operations. Michael explains that before companies dive into AI and automation, they need to establish solid foundations—clear processes, documented operations, and organized data. His […] The post You Need a 3rd Brain with Michael Greenberg – Business Brain 650 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In Episode 649 of Business Brain, Dave and Shannon focus on the power of consistency and content creation in modern business. Kicking off with a listener email about the value of handwritten thank-you notes, they stress the importance of thoughtful outreach and relationship-building. From there, they segue into a deeper […] The post Every Business is in the Content Business + FridAI – Business Brain 649 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In Episode 648 of Business Brain, Dave and Shannon dive into the evolving landscape of education and its impact on entrepreneurship and the workforce. Shannon shares a conversation with a colleague who helps businesses start trade schools—not just for profit, but to solve hiring challenges. These businesses leverage trade schools […] The post The EDU Episode – Business Brain 648 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this FridAI episode of Business Brain, Dave and Shannon dive into the evolving future of pay-per-click advertising in a world increasingly dominated by AI tools like ChatGPT, noting how AI is replacing traditional search behavior and potentially reshaping monetization models. They discuss Shannon's creation of a custom GPT trained […] The post FridAI – ShannonGPT + Shopify – Business Brain 647 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave and Shannon dive into the value of creating a “working agreement” before starting any business partnership. They discuss how this simple, non-binding document can clarify roles, expectations, and accountability—helping partners avoid misunderstandings and preserving friendships if things don't work out. Framed as the […] The post The Agreement that Saves Partnerships – Business Brain 646 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave and Shannon dive into a mix of tech, strategy, and entrepreneurship insights. They discuss the mental exhaustion of constant video calls, particularly the unnatural experience of seeing oneself too often on Zoom. They explore the idea that strategy is about choosing what not […] The post Strategy is Choosing What Not to Do + FridAI – Business Brain 645 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave and Shannon discuss how traits associated with ADHD—like jumping between ideas, hyper-focus, and high risk tolerance—can actually serve as superpowers for entrepreneurs. They share personal experiences, acknowledge their unofficial ADHD diagnoses, and talk about learning to manage it through strategies like using ChatGPT, […] The post Leveraging your ADHD Superpower – Business Brain 644 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton shares a story about a $36,000 IRS refund check he mailed to his bank, which never arrived. After frustrating interactions with Citibank and the IRS, he turned to ChatGPT for help. ChatGPT guided him to use the IRS Practitioner Priority Line and […] The post FridAI + The 3rd Door – Business Brain 643 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Shannon introduces a new concept called the 20-80 Rule, a twist on the traditional 80/20 principle. His version suggests that investing two years of hard work upfront—building systems, making mistakes, and laying a solid foundation—can result in eight years of sustained revenue and business […] The post The 20/80 Opportunity – Business Brain 642 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
An AI update from the hosts of the Business Brain podcast. Two powerful prompts to keep you from being left behind and a prompt to analyze your blind spots. Join us! 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs' Podcast #641 for Casual Friday, April 18th, 2025 April 18th: Lineman Appreciation Day […] The post FridAI – Prompts and Blind Spots – Business Brain 641 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
Colin Rutherford joins the Business Brain podcast to share his entrepreneurial journey. Starting as a Division I hockey player at Dartmouth, he launched Greenbox Storage, a summer storage service for college students. Despite balancing 30 hours a week of hockey and Ivy League academics, he learned critical time management skills […] The post Collin Rutherford of Founder Brands – Business Brain 640 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
Dave and Shannon kick off the episode reflecting on the importance of mindset and self-talk. Dave shares a recent insight: instead of saying “I wish I had known that,” he shifted to “I'm glad I know that now,” which they agree is a powerful mental reframe. They talk about how […] The post The Positive Learning Framework + FridAI – Business Brain 639 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean kick things off with a humorous nod to International ASMR Day before diving into key business tips. Dave shares insights from the Podcast Movement Evolutions conference, emphasizing the importance of identifying where your industry engages online—like how the podcast […] The post The Billionaire Perspective – Business Brain 638 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
Dave and Shannon discuss the “consulting trap”—the cycle where coaches or consultants trade time for money and get hooked on the immediate gratification of helping people, like feeling like Superman. Dave shares his own experience getting stuck in it and warns that it's not scalable. Shannon agrees, saying he's early […] The post The Consultant Trap – Business Brain 637 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean open the episode with a light chat about peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Dave then shares insights from attending South by Southwest (SXSW), focusing on a documentary called Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror. Initially intending to cover it for his music podcast, Dave […] The post Own Your Content – Business Brain 636 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean celebrate National Hot Tub Day by discussing how hot tubs help them decompress and unplug. They transition into AI and automation, sharing practical Gmail tips—like using built-in templates for quick replies and the “+” email trick for tracking […] The post Automate Everything – Business Brain 635 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean open episode 634 of the Business Brain podcast by sharing personal updates and diving into a frustrating customer service story from Shannon. He explains his negative experience with Bluehost, a company he used for domain management. After being hacked and receiving poor support with constant […] The post Everyone is a Customer – Business Brain 634 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
Business Brain episode 633 celebrates Twitter Day and discusses Blue Sky, a decentralized social network originally started as a project within Twitter by Jack Dorsey and now run by Jay Graber. The show then moves to AI topics, emphasizing that people won't be replaced by AI but by people who […] The post FridAI – GPT vs. Perplexity, Zoom AI and Bluesky – Business Brain 633 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean reflect on the unpredictable yet inspiring nature of South by Southwest and dive into two key business lessons: first, that customers today often expect to be disappointed — creating a powerful opportunity for businesses to stand out by exceeding […] The post Your Customers are Expecting to be Disappointed – Business Brain 632 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
Business Brain Podcast Episode 631 explores AI applications in business and content creation. Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss a listener's idea to create a custom AI by uploading user manuals of all owned devices into ChatGPT, effectively turning it into a personal tech support assistant. They extend this concept […] The post FridAI – NotebookLM – Business Brain 631 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
The episode of Business Brain features Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discussing productivity, mindset, and business strategies. They open with lighthearted Hitchcock-related jokes and discuss the unpredictable nature of the South by Southwest conference. The main discussion revolves around productivity methods, particularly the concept of a “reverse to-do list” or […] The post Discounting Our Own Experiences – Business Brain 630 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
Business Brain Podcast Episode 629 discusses the role of AI in learning, business, and social media strategy. The hosts, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean, address an email from a listener who limits their child's AI use to encourage independent problem-solving. They compare this to past educational resistance to calculators and […] The post FridAI + Listerner Mail – Business Brain 629 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean dive into the challenges of balancing work and life, particularly in sales and leadership roles. They also discuss the risks of stepping away from a business while still retaining liability. Key Takeaways: The Dilemma of Instant Email Replies […] The post Sold But Not Paid – Business Brain 628 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean reflect on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, acknowledging the emotional rollercoaster that comes with running a business. They discuss the importance of resilience and how even seasoned entrepreneurs still experience moments of doubt, only to bounce back with […] The post FridAI and Over-Automating – Business Brain 627 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss Levi Strauss and the origins of blue jeans, highlighting how the company pivoted from selling dry goods to revolutionizing durable workwear. They then shift to listener engagement, sharing an updated review from a long-time fan and announcing a […] The post Quitting After the First Failure – Business Brain 626 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
This episode of Business Brain explores strategies for innovation, marketing, and leveraging AI to optimize your business. Hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss how businesses can stay top-of-mind with partners by regularly reaching out with valuable updates. They introduce a new system for vetting podcast sponsors, ensuring that hosts […] The post FridAI + New vs. Better – Business Brain 625 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
The episode celebrates the 10th anniversary of Business Brain and reflects on the challenges and lessons learned from a decade of podcasting. Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean emphasize the importance of consistency, particularly in the face of life's obstacles, and how having a co-host or accountability partner helps maintain momentum. […] The post 10 Years of Business Brain – Episode 624 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean explore the power of AI tools in transforming how entrepreneurs analyze data and streamline decision-making. Shannon shares a fascinating story about using AI to assess and value items from a liquidation auction quickly, saving hours of manual research and […] The post FridAI + Understanding Context – Business Brain 623 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss tips and strategies to stay motivated as entrepreneurs and manage tasks, including “grunt work.” They share personal tactics like breaking tasks into smaller chunks, using dopamine rewards (e.g., taking breaks, engaging in enjoyable activities), and leveraging the fear of failure to push through unappealing […] The post The Hunt for Dopamine – Business Brain 622 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave and Shannon talk about how the internet warps our sense of success. Shannon shares how getting 15 likes on a post feels like a failure online, but if 15 people came up to you after an in-person talk, you'd feel like a rockstar. […] The post The FridAI Update – AI for the Rest of Us – Business Brain 621 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave and Shannon kick things off with a fun nod to National Shower with a Friend Day. They chat about the show's upcoming 10th anniversary on February 19th and brainstorm some celebration ideas, like giveaways for listeners who submit questions or leave reviews. They're […] The post The Only Constant is Change – Business Brain 620 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
Here's a summary of the episode: In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss the importance of understanding what you're truly selling, beyond just the delivery mechanism. They explore how businesses often mistake their product or service for the actual value they provide, emphasizing that customers […] The post Don't Confuse the Delivery System with what You are Selling – Business Brain 619 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss the power of free thinking and the cost of leading an uncommon life. They reflect on Dave's experience at the NAMM conference, where a minor snub from an industry professional fueled his motivation to make a bigger impact. The conversation explores the concept of […] The post Living Through Economic Cycles – Business Brain 618 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
Business Brain episode 617, hosted by Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean, covers insights on business growth, persistence, and the value of consistency. Dave shares his experience attending the NAMM conference, a key event in the music industry, where he was invited as press due to his Gig Gab podcast. Reflecting […] The post The 10-Year Overnight Success – Business Brain 617 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
Business Brain episode 616 covers a variety of topics related to business strategies, financial efficiency, and personal development. Hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss leveraging business expenses for tax benefits, particularly when planning trips. Dave mentions his travel plans to NAMM and Mexico as business-related deductions. Shannon shares how […] The post Finding Waves to Ride – Business Brain 616 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean interview Scott Jordan, co-founder of the apparel company SCOTTeVEST. Scott shares his journey from being a lawyer dissatisfied with corporate life to founding a successful travel clothing brand. He explains how he came up with the idea for SCOTTeVEST […] The post Scott Jordan, Founder of SCOTTeVEST – Business Brain 615 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss Dave's recent experience at CES 2025, including standout products and the importance of planning for trade shows. Dave highlights a notable $800 5K Thunderbolt display from ViewSonic, offering significant value compared to similar products from Apple and LG. […] The post Using Emotion and Desire in Your Business – Business Brain 614 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss the concept of “Quitter's Day,” which falls on the second Friday of January and highlights the high rate of people abandoning their New Year's resolutions by mid-January. They share personal experiences with social media experiments, where Dave posts […] The post The Every Platform Experiment – Business Brain 613 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean kick off the new year with an insightful discussion on embracing chaos, managing schedules, and giving more compliments. Shannon shares two things he loves about the New Year: selling exercise equipment during peak season and setting resolutions, particularly focusing […] The post Getting Comfortable with Chaos – Business Brain 612 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean welcome guest Noelle Hilal, owner of Iris Tattoo and Piercing. The discussion dives into the innovative approach Noelle has taken to redefine the tattoo industry, emphasizing customer experience, premium service, and top-tier talent management. Noelle explains how Iris Tattoo […] The post Nuhuel Hilal – Iris Tattoo – Business Brain 611 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean share insights and stories, kicking off with holiday greetings and their sponsor, LegalZoom, which simplifies business setup. They discuss the value of LegalZoom for cost-effective business needs and transition to a casual “grab bag” discussion. Dave and Shannon explore […] The post EOY Expenses and Deals – Business Brain 610 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss a range of topics, emphasizing the importance of creativity, adaptability, and breaking conventional rules in business and life. They highlight tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly, showcasing how AI can enhance productivity, creativity, and problem-solving. The conversation touches […] The post Break the Rules – Business Brain 609 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
Dave and Shannon discuss the relevance of business cards in today's world, emphasizing creative and practical ways to make them valuable. Shannon suggests using unique designs and multi-purpose formats, such as including discount coupons or magnetic versions for placement in strategic locations like break rooms. Dave highlights the convenience of […] The post Action – NOW – Business Brain 608 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss the value of fostering community, gaining insights from team members, and continuously experimenting to improve business operations in episode 607 of Business Brain. They begin with lighthearted banter about National Ice Cream Day and share listener reviews and feedback, highlighting the power of community […] The post Best and Stupidest – Business Brain 607 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss strategies for elevating your business on episode 606 of Business Brain. They emphasize the importance of going beyond merely listing products on platforms like eBay, Poshmark, or Whatnot. Building relationships with platform executives and engaging in their communities can lead to invaluable benefits, such […] The post Selling is Not Enough + Year End Tasks – Business Brain 606 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
In this episode of Business Brain, hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean interview Adam Janney, co-founder of Tuska Outdoors, about his entrepreneurial journey and the innovative products his company creates. Adam shares how he and his partner, Josh, built a business manufacturing hunting blinds and lightweight insulated campers using a […] The post Tusca Outdoors Co-founder Adam Janney – Business Brain 605 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
Key Themes: Doubt in Entrepreneurship: – Doubt is a universal challenge for entrepreneurs, whether they're just starting or experienced in their journey. – The hosts discussed how connecting with other business owners helps normalize these feelings, reducing the isolation often felt by solo entrepreneurs. – Anecdotes were shared about overcoming […] The post Doubt and Downtime – Business Brain 604 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
The podcast episode of Business Brain focuses on key entrepreneurial strategies, including rapid idea evaluation, leveraging opportunities, and creative funding strategies. Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean discuss the importance of quickly vetting business ideas by evaluating potential risks, rewards, and long-term benefits. They share examples, such as avoiding a low-value […] The post Vetting Opportunities Quickly – Business Brain 603 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.
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