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Season 3: Ep 3 Jess Pettitt

Season 3: Episode 3 with Jess Pettitt

Jess Pettitt joins Christy Smallwood on Small Business Success Talk to dive into the realities of running a speaking business, balancing purpose with profit, and navigating tough conversations. With her signature humor and deep insights, Jess shares how small business owners can create lasting change, build authentic workplace cultures, and align their values with real actions. They discuss the power of asking better questions, taking control of urgency, and staying true to your mission. Jess also talks about her new book, Almost Doing Good, and the unexpected viral moment that put her in the spotlight. This episode is packed with practical strategies and thought-provoking discussions to help entrepreneurs lead with impact and authenticity.

Jess Pettitt

Speaker

Christy Smallwood

Host

Guest References

ALMOST DOING GOOD BY JESSICA PETTITT

What if almost was the key to lasting change? In Almost Doing Good, Jess Pettitt brings her signature humor and no-nonsense approach to tackling the toughest workplace challenges. This isn’t your typical crisis-management guide—it’s a call to action for leaders ready to embrace disruption, rethink good intentions, and create real impact. With practical strategies and eye-opening case studies, Jess lays out a clear framework to prepare, recognize, and respond to obstacles before they become disasters. Ready to make progress, even when the path isn’t clear? Start with almost.

PROJECT 2025 DECODED

Project 2025 is a bold roadmap created by the Heritage Foundation, aiming to reshape government policy and priorities. But what does it really mean for our democracy, businesses, and daily lives? Jess Pettitt unpacks the contradictions, hidden agendas, and the long-game strategy behind this initiative. With her signature wit and sharp analysis, she highlights both the alarming risks and unexpected insights found in its 900+ pages. Through thoughtful discussion and real-world implications, Jess helps us move beyond fear and reaction into informed action. Dive into the conversation and stay engaged—because understanding is the first step toward change.

Big Ideas, Bold Moves—

be the first to know!

Copyright © 2025 Small Business Success Talk with Christy Smallwood

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Branding Employees Episodes: Video Food Marketing Media Operations Project Management Web Sites

Season 3: Ep 2 – Amy Torres

Season 3: Episode 2 with Amy Torres

AI, Marketing, and Business Growth with Amy Torres

In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy sits down with marketing expert and entrepreneur Amy Torres for a deep dive into AI, branding, and the evolving landscape of business growth. Amy, the powerhouse behind Director of Marketing Inc., shares how AI tools are revolutionizing decision-making, streamlining cash flow management, and creating new opportunities for small business owners.

They also discuss:

  • The impact of AI on marketing and business strategy
  • How to integrate AI without losing the human touch
  • Personal branding and the power of consistency
    The importance of short-form video and digital storytelling
  • Building a business that gives you the freedom to do what you love

Plus, Amy and Christy share their experiences navigating business pivots, rebranding, and the power of showing up authentically. If you’re a small business owner looking for practical insights, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and actionable strategies.

Interview ep 2
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Amy Torres

Leads Director of Marketing inc.

Christy Smallwood

Host

Guest References

Director of Marketing Inc Website

Director of Marketing Inc helps businesses enhance their brand presence and reach their target audience with expert marketing strategies. From Google Ads and website optimization to social media management, they provide the tools and support needed to elevate your marketing efforts and drive success.

Big Ideas, Bold Moves—

be the first to know!

Copyright © 2025 Small Business Success Talk with Christy Smallwood

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Branding Business Coaching Employees Episodes: Video Financial Leadership

Season 3: Ep. 1

Season 3: Episode 1

Welcome Back to Small Business Success Talk!

After a short hiatus, Christy Smallwood returns with fresh insights for 2025! She shares the highs and lows of the past year—from major business shifts to personal challenges—and how she’s rebuilding with purpose.

In This Episode:
✔ Why the podcast took a break
✔ Lessons from unexpected setbacks
✔ Merging multiple businesses into one powerful brand
✔ Setting boundaries to create space for strategy
✔ How a phased approach fuels growth
✔ The content strategy keeping Christy top of mind

If you’re an entrepreneur navigating change, this episode is packed with real talk and practical strategies to help you move forward with confidence!

Christy Smallwood

Host

Small Business Success Talk

#smallbusinesssuccesstalk

References

Christy Smallwood's Website

As mentioned in the episode, Christy Smallwood consolidated multiple businesses into a single, powerful brand. Although unifying different identities can be a challenge this transformation enhances efficiency, messaging, and market impact. 

Big Ideas, Bold Moves—

be the first to know!

Copyright © 2025 Small Business Success Talk with Christy Smallwood

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Branding Business Coaching Employees Episodes: Audio Financial Human Resources Leadership

Season 3: Ep. 1 Audio Podcast

Season 3: Episode 1

Welcome Back to Small Business Success Talk!

After a short hiatus, Christy Smallwood returns with fresh insights for 2025! She shares the highs and lows of the past year—from major business shifts to personal challenges—and how she’s rebuilding with purpose.

In This Episode:
✔ Why the podcast took a break
✔ Lessons from unexpected setbacks
✔ Merging multiple businesses into one powerful brand
✔ Setting boundaries to create space for strategy
✔ How a phased approach fuels growth
✔ The content strategy keeping Christy top of mind

If you’re an entrepreneur navigating change, this episode is packed with real talk and practical strategies to help you move forward with confidence!

album-art
00:00

Christy Smallwood

Host

Small Business Success Talk

#smallbusinesssuccesstalk

References

Christy Smallwood's Website

As mentioned in the episode, Christy Smallwood consolidated multiple businesses into a single, powerful brand. Although unifying different identities can be a challenge this transformation enhances efficiency, messaging, and market impact. 

Big Ideas, Bold Moves—

be the first to know!

Copyright © 2025 Small Business Success Talk with Christy Smallwood

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Business Coaching Mindset

Transform Your Business By Changing Your Mind

Transform you business by changing your mind

Entrepreneurship has guided Perry Allison his entire life. Bringing value to the marketplace, being resourceful, and seeing opportunities to grow himself have made our guest the business owner he is today. Perry shares his story of  removing burnout and transforming his business by transforming the way he thinks and approaches leadership. 

 

PERRY’S BIO

As the CEO of several service-based companies, Perry Allison now supports entrepreneurs achieve greater freedom & results, by optimizing the quality of their company’s processes, people & performance. Having been homeless during most of his teenage years, pursuing financial stability was essential and caused him to start his first business in 2009, at just 19 years old. With no financial resources, Perry was able to grow his organization from being a one-person operation, into a multiple seven-figure entity which continues to independently thrive. The POWEROP Method was born in 2018 when Perry recognized, that in order for his company to grow, he would need to be more than just an OPERATOR of his business, but a business OWNER with an exceptional strategy of advanced leadership, operational, and systems capabilities. Today, Perry helps business owners implement The POWEROP Method, with three essential goals in mind; 1) to make the business a more valuable & sellable asset, 2) to position the company to scale beyond current fixed limitations and 3) to multiply the owner out of the day-to-day, providing greater freedom, joy and purpose.

Starting The New Year With A New Word

Starting The New Year With A New Word

Christy shares about the results of using a focus word for each year and setting yourself up for success in 2023. 

Christmas Wishes From Christy

Christmas Wishes From Christy

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and all the others…HAPPY HOLIDAYS!  Cherish each other, reconnect with your values, enJOY the season!

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Culture Event Industry Hospitality Retail

Connecting Over Cocktails – An Interview with Jennifer Brian, Make & Muddle

Connecting Over Cocktails - An Interview with Jennifer Brian, Make & Muddle

On this episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy interviews Jennifer Brian, Cocktail Evangelist, to find what it took to create Make & Muddle as a unique addition to the spirits industry. The two  discuss everything from Jennifer’s love of hosting to her favorite drink experiences and the really good things that can happen over a good pour.

 

Jennifer’s BIO

With over 25+ years in the hospitality business as a caterer and mixologist specializing in luxury events and intimate gatherings, Jennifer Brian is the Cocktail Evangelist here to spread the good news about booze! Her cocktail company, Make & Muddle, produces a line of all natural craft cocktail mixers in Louisville, KY designed to do the heavy lifting in a mixer so that folks can have a delicious, three-ingredient craft cocktail from their home. Additionally, Jennifer is the founder of Jennifer Brian Events and is an Executive Bourbon Steward.

Tourism and Small Business Making Communities Stronger

Small Business And Tourism Making Communities Stronger

On this episode Christy and her guest, Janette Marson discuss how small business impacts and is impacted by tourism. 

 

 

 

Janette’s Bio

Tourism industry executive Janette Marson is the President and CEO of ShelbyKY Tourism in Kentucky. Prior to her post with ShelbyKY Tourism, Marson was the Executive Director of the Lake Cumberland Tourist Commission in Russell County, Ky. With a vast career in marketing, advertising, broadcasting and public relations, Marson is also the President of the Kentucky Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus and holds a Travel Marketing Professional Degree from STS Marketing College at the Univ. of North Georgia and an Advanced Certificate in Tourism.

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Marketing

3 Key Activities to do for marketing in your business each year

3 Key Activities to do for marketing in your business each year

It’s a new Marketing Mavens episode for Small Business Success Talk! Grab your note-taking tools and get ready to focus on setting yourself up for success in the coming year(s). 

The Marketing Mavens: – Christy Smallwood, Host (Eagle Eye Strategic Marketing & Chrysaetos Strategic Leadership Development) – Amy Torres (Director of Marketing, Inc.) – Kristina Stubblefield (SoIn Media Group & The Ring, The Bling, and All The Things) – Brittany Murphy (One Thing Marketing)