Nurture Small Business

Finding the right employee often feels like a gamble. A bad choice steals your time, disrupts your culture, and stalls your growth. In this episode of Nurture Small Business, Denise Cagan steps in as your guide to help you move from "gut-feeling" interviews to a predictable, five-piece recruitment system. 

Drawing from the principles of Geoff Smart’s Who: The A Method for Hiring, Denise adapts high-level strategies specif...

Hiring is often reactive. You have an influx of work or attrition, and bam, you need someone now. This creates a lot of stress on you as a manager and business owner. How are you going to get that role filled and manage the work that needs to be done? The cost of putting the wrong candidate is tremendous. How patient are you in waiting to ensure you have the right candidate in the right seat?  

Many interviewers resort to quest...

In this soul-stirring episode of the Nurture Small Business Podcast, host Denise Cagan welcomes spoken word artist, author, and visionary Dr. Yemaja Jubilee. From her early days writing poetry in secret to producing plays and publishing books rooted in personal and cultural history, Dr. Jubilee shares how she channels divine downloads to guide her creativity and purpose. 

 Listeners will hear about her latest book, Born an...

From fashion merchandising at Tommy Hilfiger and Gap to leading e-commerce at Lucky Brand, Tiana Ravden spent over two decades shaping how people experience style. But a personal challenge—ruined silk tops and sweat marks—sparked her entrepreneurial journey and led to the founding of Eroe. 

In this episode, Tiana shares how she transformed a DIY solution into a patented product while juggling corporate roles, restau...

What if the real reason high-achieving leaders plateau has nothing to do with drive, strategy, or mindset—but something deeper, hardwired into the brain’s survival instincts? In this episode, our host Denise Cagan is joined by a fascinating guest, and together they uncover the invisible ceiling that holds leaders back, even when they’re doing everything right. 

Mitch Weisburgh, creator of the Mind Shifting Met...

From her early aspirations as an educator to her experiences in technology, including her time at NASA, Helena's story is one of perseverance. In our latest episode, 
 
ultimately fueled her entrepreneurial spirit, leading her to create a business dedicated to empowering others through digital innovation. Helena delves into the art of building impactful online presences through website design, emphasizing the import...

Could you imagine starting your day tending to patients, then prepping to run your brick-and-mortar business, and on top of that, starting a nursing school? In this episode, our host Denise Cagan sits down with the incredibly driven Allison Lee, an entrepreneur who is living this reality every day. 

Allison shares her powerful journey as a first-generation immigrant from Laos, and how the challenges of her family starting over ...

Many small business owners have experienced pouring money into campaigns that simply don’t connect with their audience and just don't bring in results. In our latest episode, we're joined by Debbie Oster, a brand and marketing strategist who helps businesses transform those scattered efforts into a focused plan, tailored to their customers.    

If you are a small business owner who's overwhelmed by marketing opt...

Failed organizational changes can cost you more than just time and money. In our latest episode, we're joined by Shantera Chatman, a seasoned consultant renowned for her expertise in change management and organizational culture. She's collaborated with major organizations like NASA, Toyota, Lexus, and UNICEF, helping them navigate complex transitions and ensure new initiatives truly take root.    

If you're a leader, ...

Want to learn how to build a sustainable nonprofit that makes a real difference? In our latest episode we're joined by Dr. Shantell Chambliss, the founder of Nonprofitability, a business that elevates nonprofits through expert program design and strategic funding development. She is also the founder of Dress for Success Central Virginia, an affiliate of the international nonprofit organization that empowers women to achieve economi...

Scaling your small business doesn't have to mean sacrificing your sanity.  In our latest episode, we are joined by Annette Lee, Founder and President of Provider Insights, where she shares her secrets to building strong teams, nurturing client relationships, and making data-driven decisions by leveraging her time and talent.  

Listen now for practical advice and real-world examples to help you scale smarter. 

About You...

Want to learn how to stop trading hours for dollars? Join us as we chat with Kareen Walsh, a visionary business strategist, author, and podcaster who helps entrepreneurs turn their vision into 7 figure businesses.  Learn how she cloned herself with AI, leveraging cutting-edge technology to create an app that delivers her coaching expertise on-the-go—the innovative Hey Kareen App! 

 In our latest episode she join...

Tired of feeling drained by difficult clients?  Sometimes, letting go is the best way to grow! Listen now as our host Denise Cagan shares her candid insights on a topic many small business owners avoid: firing clients.  

It certainly may seem daunting and even counterintuitive; after all, we all want MORE clients, which means more business! But what if some clients are actually hurting your organization? 

In this episo...

You can have the most innovative ideas and strategies, but if you lack emotional intelligence, you might fall short of your leadership potential. 

Join us for an insightful conversation with Erica Emmett, founder of FYR Consulting (pronounced fire) and a certified Gallup Strengths coach, as she shares her expertise on the power of emotional intelligence in the workplace. With a diverse background spanning law, veterinary medici...

Think you landed your dream job? A few weeks ago, a very excited young woman contacted Denise Cagan regarding an email she received from Denise's company offering her a very attractive position. The problem was that her company was being impersonated! In this episode, Denise explores how today's increasing reliance on technology has made the job market a prime target for cybercriminals. These constantly evolving threats are having ...

Join us in this fascinating conversation with Dr. Sandy Fiaschetti, founder and managing partner of Lodestone People Consulting. She is an expert in organizational psychology, specializing in leadership development, assessment, and coaching. Her focus is on optimizing people-related systems, including organizational culture, employee engagement, talent management, and executive coaching. 

In this episode, Dr. Fiaschetti joins o...

Tired of hiring candidates who look great on paper but can't deliver? The cost of bad hires in time, money, and morale is staggering. But what if there's a better way? Robyn Grable, an award-winning advocate for veterans, disabled individuals, and those deserving of a second opportunities, joins us to reveal how business owners can beat the hiring crunch with skills-based hiring. As a Navy veteran and CEO of Talents Ascend, Robyn h...

Are you feeling the flames of burnout licking at your heels? You're not alone. In this episode, we're diving deep into the fiery depths of entrepreneurial exhaustion with a woman who's not just an expert, but a survivor.  

Meet Julie Bee, burnout strategist, and author of the groundbreaking book, "Burned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and FUEL Success."  With over 15 years in the trenches, Julie has been hailed ...

You can have great processes and technology, but if you don't have the right people-power you will fall short of your goals.

Join us for a fascinating chat with Jennifer White, an industrial engineer and process optimization pro from The MJW Group. She'll share how she helps businesses run smoother, using data and a deep understanding of how people interact with systems and technology. Learn how to make smarter decisions, i...