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Business Coaching Education Episodes: Video Marketing Mindset Sales

E20: The Truth About Business Growth-Marketing and Sales Alignment

E20: The Truth About Business Growth: Marketing & Sales Alignment

Featuring Amy Torres, Director of Marketing Inc, and Collin Bonsey, Coach with Southwestern Consulting

What does it really take to grow a business today?

In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy sits down with Amy Torres, owner of Director of Marketing, Inc., and Collin Bonsey of Southwestern Consulting to break down the real relationship between marketing and sales—and why most businesses get it wrong.

This conversation goes beyond theory and dives into what actually drives results.

You’ll hear:

  • Amy’s journey building a marketing firm focused on strategy that converts
  • Collin’s work in sales coaching and behavior-driven growth
  • Why marketing without sales (and vice versa) falls flat
  • The biggest mistakes business owners make when trying to grow
  • How to create real conversations that lead to revenue

A major theme?
👉 Growth doesn’t come from more tactics—it comes from alignment.

As highlighted throughout the conversation, success is less about doing more and more about doing the right things consistently—especially when it comes to communication, relationships, and follow-through.

If you’re a business owner tired of spinning your wheels with marketing that doesn’t convert or sales that don’t stick—this episode will give you clarity on what to fix first.

🎧 Listen now and take your next step forward.

📌 Subscribe for more real conversations about business, mindset, and momentum

Continue the conversation by joining the Success Builders Launchpad Community HERE.

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Small Business Success Talk guest Amy Torres
Small Business Success Talk guest Collin Bonsey
Small Business Success Talk host Christy Smallwood

Amy Torres

Director of Marketing Inc

Collin Bonsey

Southwestern Consulting

Christy Smallwood

Host

Big Ideas, Bold Moves—

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Copyright © 2026 Small Business Success Talk with Christy Smallwood

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Education Episodes: Video Holistic Care Medical Mindset

E19: Burnout, Stress & Survival Mode: A Doctor’s Guide to Fixing Your Health Before It Breaks You

E19: Burnout, Stress & Survival Mode: A Doctor’s Guide to Fixing Your Health Before It Breaks You

Featuring Dr. Meredith Sweeney, SANO Longevity

If you’re building a business while running on stress, caffeine, and “I’ll deal with it later”… this episode is your wake-up call.

In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy sits down with Dr. Meredith Sweeney—a former bariatric surgeon turned longevity specialist—who walked away from traditional medicine to focus on proactive, data-driven health.

Together, they unpack what most entrepreneurs ignore until it’s too late:

  • The real impact of chronic stress and “survival mode” on your body
  • Why traditional healthcare often misses early warning signs
  • The 4 core pillars of longevity (and how they actually show up in real life)
  • How burnout affects decision-making, weight, sleep, and performance
  • What it looks like to build a business without sacrificing yourself

Dr. Sweeney shares how she transitioned from surgery to prevention, why she believes most diseases are preventable, and how simple (but intentional) habits like breathwork, movement, sleep, and nutrition can dramatically change your trajectory.

If you’ve ever felt like your body is working against you… or like success is costing you your health… this conversation will hit home.

🎧 Listen now and take your next step forward.

📌 Subscribe for more real conversations about business, mindset, and momentum

Continue the conversation by joining the Success Builders Launchpad Community HERE.

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Dr. Meredith Sweeney

SANO Longevity

Christy Smallwood

Host

Big Ideas, Bold Moves—

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Copyright © 2025 Small Business Success Talk with Christy Smallwood

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Business Coaching Episodes: Video Mindset

E18: I Lost Everything… Here’s How I Got Unstuck and Rebuilt My Business

E18: I Lost Everything… Here’s How I Got Unstuck and Rebuilt My Business

Featuring Christy Smallwood, Executive Strategist, Host

What happens when your business, finances, and life all hit at once… and nothing is working anymore?

In this raw and honest episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy pulls back the curtain on her personal journey through what she calls a “shit storm”—from financial collapse and business setbacks to rebuilding with clarity, strategy, and a completely new mindset.

This episode dives into:

  • How to get unstuck when nothing seems to be working
  • The hidden impact of your thoughts on business success
  • Why entrepreneurs repeat the same patterns (and how to break them)
  • The connection between mindset, decision-making, and momentum
  • How to rebuild your business from the ground up—smarter this time

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re starting over… this episode will hit home.

This isn’t theory. This is lived experience, real strategy, and a reminder that you’re not alone—and you’re not done.

🎧 Listen now and take your next step forward.

📌 Subscribe for more real conversations about business, mindset, and momentum

Continue the conversation by joining the Success Builders Launchpad Community HERE.

Thank you Sponsors!

Christy Smallwood

Host

Big Ideas, Bold Moves—

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Copyright © 2025 Small Business Success Talk with Christy Smallwood

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Business Coaching Episodes: Video Marketing Mindset

S4:E17 – Stop Guessing: How Market Research, Curiosity & Better Questions Drive Better Business Decisions

S4E17: Stop Guessing: How Market Research, Curiosity & Better Questions Drive Better Business Decisions

Featuring Chris Bonbright, Founder & President of Curiosity Consulting

In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, host Christy Smallwood sits down with Chris Bonbright, founder of Curiosity Consulting, to unpack why curiosity—not assumptions—is the most underrated business advantage today.

Chris shares hard-earned insights from decades in market research, explaining why most businesses confuse symptoms with real problems, how to tell the difference between KPIs and true insight, and why “pressing the easy button” (including over-reliance on AI) can actually stall growth.

You’ll learn:

  • Why better information leads to better decisions—and better results

  • The difference between reacting to data vs. understanding it

  • Why demographics are losing power and values, attitudes, and beliefs matter more

  • What the emerging “anti-algorithm” trend means for marketing and customer relationships (including insights from Mintel)

  • How small, consistent research beats panic-driven decisions every time

  • Why research should guide action—not replace leadership

If your business feels reactive, unclear, or stuck chasing metrics without real traction, this conversation will reset how you think about data, strategy, and decision-making.

🎧 Listen now and rediscover the power of asking why.

Continue the conversation by joining the Success Builders Launchpad Community HERE.

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Chris Bonbright

Founder / President

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Host

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Copyright © 2025 Small Business Success Talk with Christy Smallwood

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Business Coaching Episodes: Video Holistic Care Leadership Mindset

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

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

 

Continue the conversation by joining the Community HERE.

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Christy Smallwood

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Big Ideas, Bold Moves—

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Copyright © 2025 Small Business Success Talk with Christy Smallwood

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Branding Entertainment Episodes: Video Marketing Mindset

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

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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Christy Smallwood

Host

Big Ideas, Bold Moves—

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Education Entertainment Episodes: Video Event Industry Hospitality Mindset Publishing

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

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!

 Subscribe to the show so you never miss these powerful conversations with real small business owners doing extraordinary things.

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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

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.

 Subscribe to the show so you never miss these powerful conversations with real small business owners doing extraordinary things.

Make & Muddle

Partners

Christy Smallwood

Host

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Entertainment Episodes: Video Media Mindset

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

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:

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Gray Ice Higdon

Partner

Christy Smallwood

Host

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Culture Episodes: Video Law Leadership Marketing Mindset

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

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)

 

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Copyright © 2025 Small Business Success Talk with Christy Smallwood