Small Business Stories

Small Business Stories

Welcome to Small Business Stories, the podcast where we celebrate the real-life journeys of small business owners. We dig into inspiring tales of triumphs, challenges, and the tough lessons we learned along the way. Each episode is packed with relatable anecdotes and practical tips that you can use to fuel your own entrepreneurial dreams. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your business, you’ll find motivation and insight in every story. Tune in and get ready to be inspired by the heart and hustle of small business owners just like you! We say it like it is - no filters. Being an SMB owner isn't easy, but we're compelled to do it.

Episodes

October 11, 2025 34 mins

S5:E27

In this episode of Small Biz Stories, host Dr. Loralyn Mears chats with Laurie Genevish, founder of My Ideal College, who helps teens and entrepreneurs cut through the noise, plan their next chapter, and make confident decisions about their future. From college prep to career pivots, Laurie shares candid lessons on goal-setting, entrepreneurship, and the art of saying no to distractions.

Timestamps & Key Takeaways:

[5:00] – ...

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S5:E26

In this punchy, practical episode of Small Biz Stories with Dr. LL, John Horn, CEO of StubGroup (a Google Premier Partner - note that very, very few companies have this distinction and honor!!), breaks down how small businesses can turn Google Ads into reliable profit instead of a money pit. From the Search Terms Report to negative keywords, smart budget math, and review mechanics, John gives you a field guide you can use to...

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S5:325

In this episode of Small Business Stories, host Dr. LL sits down with Emil Abedian, CEO of Council CPAs and newly minted author of Council to Council. Emil shares candid lessons from 15+ years in entrepreneurship, scaling from a solo CPA to a trusted partner for law firms nationwide.

🚨 Most entrepreneurs make this $100,000 mistake.

They treat their business like a job instead of an investment.

My guest on Small Business Sto...

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S5:E24

In this soul-shifting episode of Small Biz Stories, host Dr. LL sits down with Sofia Rozhko, a powerhouse mindset and visibility coach who helps high-achieving women and visionary entrepreneurs show up as their most authentic selves. With roots in Ukraine and a global impact, Sofia reveals the inner transformation needed to unlock business success from rewriting your self-worth to crafting an aligned personal brand.

She shar...

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S5:E23

College financial planning meets entrepreneurial reality. Brad Baldridge, host of Taming the High Cost of College, breaks down complex rules into simple moves any small business owner can use to lower net price and avoid bad loans. He sat down with Dr. LL to share some INCREDIBLE cost-savings tips that you, as a small business owner, can do if you have a child in college.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

[06:04] FAFSA rule change for businesse...

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S5:E22

In this episode of Small Biz Stories, host Dr. LL is joined by Justin Abrams, a Business & Strategy Consultant who's helped over 250 companies achieve an average 350% sales growth and 10x audience expansion. Justin is the head of Aryo Consulting Group. Both the host and guest are among UpWork's Top 1% of more than 17,000,000 freelancers, so the conversation gets interesting!

We dive deep into:

✴️Why your Google and Meta ads ...

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S5:E21

In this Small Biz Stories episode, Dr. LL sits down with Michael Barbarita, Jr., a fractional CFO, award-winning speaker, author of Powerful Business Strategies, and serial entrepreneur who's helped generate millions across industries from retail to manufacturing. With over 40 years of financial leadership and firsthand entrepreneurial grit, Michael shares how small business owners can make smarter financial decisions, struc...

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You when you just "hit it off" with a total stranger? Watch the ideas fly! What a fabulous guest and learning experience! Filip is easy going and curious which is a terrific combination to understand how to get unstuck in the customer journey.

In this episode, Filip Sardi, founder of Client Flow™, reveals to Dr. LL how online entrepreneurs can stop chasing new clients and start multiplying results with the ones they already have. D...

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S5:E19

In this inspiring episode of Small Biz Stories, we sit down with New Jersey photographer and former educator Janet Joyner, founder of Janet Joyner Photography📸, to explore how she empowers women (especially those over 40) to rediscover their beauty, embrace confidence, and show up strong in a digital world. Janet shares invaluable photography tips, branding insights, and her journey of starting a business at 50 after leavin...

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S5:E18 In this heartwarming and brilliant episode of Small Biz Stories, Dr. LL welcomes Jonathan Mast, affectionately known as “The Whitebeard of AI." He is a generous educator, strategist, and AI expert with a mission to make AI accessible for small business owners. Jonathan reveals the top 3 AI tools every entrepreneur should be using, how to overcome fear and overwhelm with technology, and how to create an AI-powered board of ad...

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S5:E17

In this high-voltage episode, Dr. LL sits down with Neil Twa, substack writer of column, ⚡"High Voltage Business Builders" and author of Almost Automated Income with FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon). He shares hard-won lessons from going bankrupt to building a multimillion-dollar Amazon consulting business. Whether you're trying to break through a revenue plateau or reframe your leadership mindset, Neil's battle-tested advice is a...

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Join Dr. LL for a value-packed conversation with George Otel, founder of US Business Funding and a top commercial real estate influencer. George shares actionable insights for small business owners and entrepreneurs on funding, mindset, and building lasting success.

Discover why adaptation, strategic learning, and the right financial moves can transform your business. Whether you're just starting or scaling up, this episode is your...

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S5:E15

Discover how small businesses can punch above their weight with actionable PR strategies from Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases and renowned PR expert. In this episode, Mickie shares his journey from creative writing to building a leading press release distribution service, and delivers practical insights for entrepreneurs aiming for real media coverage, credibility, and results without the big agency price tag. Growth ha...

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S5:E14

Think insurance is boring? Think again. In this episode of Small Biz Stories, host Dr. LL sits down with Michael Silverman, founder of Silver Lining Insurance Agency, whose story will change the way you think about life insurance—and relationships. With 40+ years of industry ...

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Join Dr. LL on Small Biz Stories as she interviews Sabir Semerkant, founder of Growth by Sabir and a billion-dollar eCommerce strategist who has worked with industry legends like Gary Vee and Neil Patel. Sabir shares actionable insights and candid advice for entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to scale, adapt, and thrive in today’s digital marketpla...

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In this inspiring episode (S5:E12) of Small Biz Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Luis Angel Torres Rodriguez, founder of Societal Bridge, Inc., to explore how positivity, the importance of life-long learning, and how second chances can transform the lives of returning citizens. Drawing from his own experience and award-winning advocacy with programs like NJ LEAD, Luis shares how he’s changing the narrative for individuals reentering ...

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Discover how to thrive in the new era of eCommerce with revenue optimization strategies that go beyond traditional marketing. Host Dr. LL sits down with Matthew Stafford, renowned founder of BuildGrowScale.com and the “eCommerce Wizard” behind the success of brands like ESPN, Discovery Channel, and Women’s Health Magazine. His experience has also allowed him to...

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In this episode of Small Biz Stories, host Dr. LL welcomes Christine Bernat, a certified EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) practitioner and holistic healing and stress management coach, to share her innovative approach to finding calm, focus, and healing in the fast-paced world of small business. Christine specializes in helping entrepreneurs and professionals overcome anxiety, stress, and self-limiting beliefs using her unique bl...

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S5:E9

Are old habits and limiting beliefs holding you or your business back? In this episode of Small Biz Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Marc Mathys, CEO of Reset-it, to explore how the innovative "neuro quantum" approach-blending neuroscience and quantum physics-can help you Reset, Reown, and Restart the way you work. We discuss how our brain’s wiring and subconscious conditioning shapes our professional life, and practical strate...

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Join Dr. LL on Small Biz Stories as she sits down with Michael Pilla, founder of Pilla Creative Marketing, to uncover a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to web design that actually works. Michael shares his proven method for creating websites that not only look great but drive real business results-cutting through the fluff to help small business owners attract customers and grow their brand online. He shared two "wow" insight...

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