Episodes -

S3:E16 – Isolation: Reset or Self-Destruct?

Post author By smallbusinesssmalltalk
Post date November 18, 2025

November 18, 2025

S3E16: Isolation: Reset or Self-Destruct?

Featuring Christy Smallwood

In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, host Christy Smallwood opens up about the fine line between healthy solitude and harmful isolation—especially for entrepreneurs navigating chaos, debt, and change.

Drawing from her own “cocooning” season, Christy shares how isolation can either transform you or trap you, and why intention and reentry are everything. She dives deep into:

Why business owners hide their struggles (especially financial ones)
The difference between cocooning for growth vs. isolating from pain
How to use solitude to recharge, realign, and reconnect
The physical, emotional, and spiritual effects of chronic isolation
How to build your support system, find accountability, and rejoin community

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Christy Smallwood

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Tags business coach, business owner, entrepreneur, kentucky, mindset, small business, strategy, Success Stories

Branding Entertainment Episodes: Video Marketing Mindset

S3:E15 – Movements, Marketing & Midlife Mojo: The We Do Not Care Club Effect

Post author By smallbusinesssmalltalk
Post date October 15, 2025

October 15, 2025

S3E15: Movements, Marketing & Midlife Mojo: The We Do Not Care Club Effect

Featuring Christy Smallwood

In this episode of Christy’s Corner on Small Business Success Talk, host Christy Smallwood dives into the viral rise of The We Do Not Care Club, a movement that started with one woman’s raw message and spread across the internet like wildfire.

Christy explores what makes movements go viral — from clear, relatable messaging to emotional resonance — and applies those same principles to small business success. From quicksand marketing traps to MVP (Minimum Viable Product) mindset, she gets real about balance, burnout, and why “we do not care” might just be the rally cry small business owners need.

You’ll hear:

How the We Do Not Care Club went from frustration to cultural moment
Why seven steps to seven figures isn’t always what it seems
How to simplify, show up messy, and still make momentum
A sneak peek into Christy’s Being Super Method and how to tap your own superpower
How to start your own “movement” in business that actually matters

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Tags book club, business owner, cocktails, entrepreneur, kentucky, mixology, small business, strategy, Success Stories

Education Entertainment Episodes: Video Event Industry Hospitality Mindset Publishing

S3:E14 AI, Cybersecurity & Tech Made Simple for Small Business

Post author By smallbusinesssmalltalk
Post date September 19, 2025

September 19, 2025

S3E14: AI, Cybersecurity & Tech Made Simple for Small Business | Jeff Chandler of ZJAK Technologies

Featuring Jeff Chandler, Owner Z-JAK Technologies

Technology doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, host Christy Smallwood sits down with repeat guest Jeff Chandler, owner of Z-JAK Technologies, to unpack the world of AI, cybersecurity, and small business tech solutions.

Jeff shares insights on protecting your business from cybercriminals, avoiding shiny-object syndrome with new tools, and keeping technology practical and effective for everyday operations. From AI-powered platforms to the basics of staying safe online, this conversation is packed with real-world tips for entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to scale with confidence.

If you’ve ever wondered how to choose the right tools, when to outsource, and how to keep things simple in a noisy tech world—this episode is for you!

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Tags book club, business owner, cocktails, entrepreneur, kentucky, mixology, small business, strategy, Success Stories

Education Entertainment Episodes: Video Event Industry Hospitality Mindset Publishing

S3:E13 Cocktails, Creativity & Confidence: Jennifer Brian on Make & Muddle’s New Book and Bold Flavors

Post author By smallbusinesssmalltalk
Post date September 3, 2025

September 3, 2025

S3E13: Cocktails, Creativity & Confidence: Jennifer Brian on Make & Muddle’s New Book and Bold Flavors

Featuring Jennifer Brian, Owner Make & Muddle

In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy sits down with Jennifer Brian, owner of Make & Muddle, to talk about the evolution of her business, the launch of her long-awaited book The Classic Cocktail Revival, and the power of trusting yourself as an entrepreneur. Jennifer shares the origin story of Make & Muddle, new product launches like the smoked persimmon syrup and chamomile-inspired “Four Tea Tonic,” and a live demo of how to make the perfect Aperol Spritz. Beyond cocktails, this conversation dives deep into entrepreneurship, creativity, self-trust, and why aligning with your true people changes everything.

Whether you’re a cocktail enthusiast, small business owner, or creative entrepreneur, you’ll walk away with both inspiration and practical wisdom.

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Tags book club, business owner, cocktails, entrepreneur, kentucky, mixology, small business, strategy, Success Stories

Cannabis/CBD Education Episodes: Video Government Law Medical

S3:E12 – Fighting for Hemp: Dee Dee Taylor on Kentucky Laws, Integrity, and 502 Hemp’s Future

Post author By smallbusinesssmalltalk
Post date August 21, 2025

August 21, 2025

S3E12: Fighting for Hemp: Dee Dee Taylor on Kentucky Laws, Integrity, and 502 Hemp’s Future

Featuring Dee Dee Taylor, Owner, 502 Hemp & 812 Hemp

Dee Dee Taylor, owner of 502 Hemp and President of the Kentucky Hemp Association, returns to Small Business Success Talk for an update on the challenges and victories in the hemp industry. From Kentucky legislation to federal battles, Dee Dee shares the inside story of lobbying, integrity in business, and why hemp products matter for both customers and communities. This candid conversation dives into entrepreneurship, politics, and perseverance in a shifting industry.

If you’ve ever wondered how small business owners fight back against powerful lobbyists—or how passion and integrity keep a business moving forward—this is the episode you need to hear.

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Tags business owner, cannabis, entrepreneur, government regulations, hemp, kentucky, small business, strategy, Success Stories, telscreen

Episodes: Video Medical

S3:E11 – Finding Clarity in Chaos – How to Lead, Pivot, and Thrive in Business & Life

Post author By smallbusinesssmalltalk
Post date August 14, 2025

August 14, 2025

S3E11: Finding Clarity in Chaos – How to Lead, Pivot, and Thrive in Business & Life

Featuring Christy Smallwood

In this special “Christy’s Corner” episode of Small Business Success Talk, host Christy Smallwood opens up about navigating one of the most chaotic seasons of her business and personal life. From unexpected financial hits and rebranding on the fly, to rebuilding from scratch and letting go of her team, Christy shares real, unfiltered insights on finding calm, making bold decisions, and leading with clarity through change.

Packed with practical tools—like her simple yet powerful “Centering Protocol”—and seasoned with hard-earned wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone facing uncertainty. Learn how to reset, refocus, and take the next best step… even when the world feels upside down.

Check out the Centering Protocol Tool HERE.

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Tags business owner, digital imaging systems, entrepreneur, slit lamp imaging, small business, strategy, Success Stories, telscreen

Episodes: Video Medical

S3:E10 – From Eyepiece to Evidence: Telscreen’s Tech Transforming Eye Exams.

Post author By smallbusinesssmalltalk
Post date July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

S3E10: From Eyepiece to Evidence: Telscreen's Tech Transforming Eye Exams.

Featuring Wes Harris and Kent Harris of TelScreen

In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, host Christy Smallwood sits down with Kent and Wes Harris of TelScreen to explore how their decades-long journey in medical imaging has evolved into a trusted resource for eye care professionals. From their humble beginnings solving problems for retinal surgeons in the ‘90s to becoming an integral part of the modern eye exam, Kent and Wes share how TelScreen’s technology enhances doctor-patient communication and supports evidence-based eye care.

Learn how they serve eye care practices holistically—thinking beyond the hardware sale—and how their work fits into broader conversations around optometry’s future, scope modernization, and education. Plus, don’t miss the memorable stories, including one involving a tick and another that helped identify a brain tumor.

🔍 No hype. Just humble, smart innovation.
🎯 For optometrists, ophthalmologists, med school faculty, and tech-curious professionals.

TelScreen: https://telscreen.com

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Tags business owner, digital imaging systems, entrepreneur, slit lamp imaging, small business, strategy, Success Stories, telscreen

Episodes: Video Holistic Care

S3:E9 – From Allergies to Entrepreneurship: How Two Global Leaders Built Bodhi Salt Wellness Center

Post author By smallbusinesssmalltalk
Post date July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

S3E9: From Allergies to Entrepreneurship: How Two Global Leaders Built Bodhi Salt Wellness Center

Featuring Anna Shulgina and Dasha Grankina of Bodhi Salt

Two international professionals—one a former Nestlé and Ferrero executive, the other a certified yoga trainer and team leader—cross paths in Louisville while searching for solutions to their children’s severe allergy issues. What followed was the founding of Bodhi Salt, a wellness center that fuses Eastern traditions with Western science.

On this episode of Small Business Success Talk, Anna Shulgina and Dasha Grankina share their journey from strangers to business partners and friends. They discuss building a 2,400-sq.ft. wellness oasis from the ground up, complete with kids’ programs, red light therapy, cold plunges, and ancient Ayurvedic techniques—all rooted in their own stories of healing.

If you’re a purpose-driven entrepreneur or wellness-curious parent, this conversation is filled with real talk, real solutions, and a little dog named Ozzy.

Ozzy’s Instagram: @ozzy.prince.Of.darkness

Bodhi Salt Center of Louisville: https://bodhisaltcenter.com

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Tags business owner, entrepreneur, holistic wellness, salt therapy, self care, self maintenance, small business, strategy, Success Stories, Women-Owned Business

Entertainment Episodes: Video Media Mindset

S3:E8 – From Dance Studios to Casting Calls: Kim Swanson on Starting Small and Dreaming Big

Post author By smallbusinesssmalltalk
Post date June 18, 2025

June 18, 2025

From Dance Studios to Casting Calls: Kim Swanson on Starting Small and Dreaming Big

Featuring Kim Swanson of Hanson Entertainment Industries, Inc.

In this powerhouse episode of Small Business Success Talk, host Christy Smallwood sits down with the multi-talented Kim Swanson—a serial entrepreneur, casting director, dance educator, and inventor—whose story is packed with resilience, faith, and next-level resourcefulness.

Kim opens up about her humble beginnings in a church basement where she taught dance classes for eight kids—planting the seeds for what would become a thriving dance studio still in operation 35 years later. But that was just the beginning.

Through a mix of divine timing, fearless pivots, and a deep desire to help others, Kim unintentionally launched a second career as an Emmy Award-winning casting director. And if that wasn’t enough, a frustrating walk with her dog during the pandemic led to her inventing an eco-conscious poop bag—SHŪNŪ—that’s now patent-pending and making waves for how it gives back to veterans through a partnership with K9s For Warriors.

You’ll hear how Kim:

Turned her passion into a thriving, family-run dance studio
Built a casting business out of a casual favor—and landed local Emmys in the process
Bootstrapped her product invention from concept to real sales
Manifested $25,000 on The Price is Right to fund her dream (no, seriously!)
Keeps her mindset strong through seasons of uncertainty using prayer, planning, and positivity
Believes the biggest key to business is: solve a problem, help people, and keep showing up

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like your idea is “too small to matter,” this episode will reignite your fire. Kim reminds us that success isn’t about the size of the start—it’s about the faith to start at all.

🎧 Listen in for real talk, real laughs, and the kind of inspiration that gets you moving again.

🔗 Resources mentioned:

SHŪNŪ Dog Bags – https://shunubags.com (insert actual link)
K9s For Warriors – https://k9sforwarriors.org

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Tags business owner, dance studio, entertainment industry, entrepreneur, patent, small business, strategy, Success Stories, Women-Owned Business

Culture Episodes: Video Law Leadership Marketing Mindset

S3:E7 – From Bracelets to Boardrooms: Building A Law Firm With Heart

Post author By smallbusinesssmalltalk
Post date May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

From Bracelets to Boardrooms: Building a Law Firm with Heart

Featuring Libby Gray of Gray Ice Higdon Law Firm

What happens when a Deadhead entrepreneur becomes one of Louisville’s top attorneys and co-founds a powerhouse law firm in just one weekend?

Meet Libby Gray, co-founder and managing partner at Gray Ice Higdon. In this episode, host Christy Smallwood digs into Libby’s unconventional path from friendship bracelet slinger to federal court litigator, and how her firm is redefining law firm culture through inclusivity, intentional leadership, and business-savvy legal expertise.

Whether you’re navigating non-competes, scaling your business, or just trying to avoid costly legal pitfalls, Libby’s insights are pure gold. Discover how commercial law, intellectual property, and strategic contracts can make—or break—your business.

Learn how to protect your business, lead with integrity, and build something meaningful with your name on it.

Topics covered:
• Starting a law firm from scratch
• Legal essentials for entrepreneurs
• Managing business partnerships
• Preventing costly litigation
• Building inclusive, values-based culture
• Why every small biz needs an attorney (ASAP)