Talking Squarely | Running a Small Business

Talking Squarely | Running a Small Business

There isn't one playbook for running a business and the decisions business owners face are rarely straightforward. Every other week, we’ll bring together independent business owners to have frank discussions and share their perspectives on some of the most pressing issues impacting their lives—from the changing rules of commerce to work-life balance.

Episodes

February 4, 2022 34 mins
The past two years have been an emotional rollercoaster, and many business owners had to reinvent their companies in order to survive. Here, three business owners look back at the difficult decisions they had to make, what they learned in the process, and what is helping them continue to stay positive. Featuring Jesse Jacobs, owner of SamovarTea.com and Joyride Pizza in San Francisco, CA; Astrid Rivera, co-owner of Taming Turtle Co...
Mark as Played
The combined impact of the pandemic, challenging customer service issues, and staff and supply chain shortages has turned up the pressure across working environments. How are business owners keeping their sanity and supporting their employees through unpredictable and stressful moments? We talk to three business owners about how they've navigated the past two years when it comes to the mental health and wellbeing of their employees...
Mark as Played
This holiday season was supposed to be a full-on celebration. But with the pandemic still ravaging parts of the US, how are business owners coping? What are the new challenges? And what are the big opportunities as they look to 2022? We talk to three business owners about what they learned from 2020, how they’ve pivoted for this holiday season, what challenges they expect to face even beyond the pandemic–from ongoing supply chain d...
Mark as Played
March 3, 2021 23 mins
Throughout Season One of Talking Squarely, we’ve talked to business owners across America about the most pressing issues impacting their lives and livelihoods. In this episode, we’re taking a look back and talking about why Square decided to create the show, what we learned about business ownership, and some of the moments that stood out during the first season. Featuring host Nelson Murray in conversation with producers of Talking...
Mark as Played
January 20, 2021 18 mins
For many small business owners, there is a balancing act between running their shops, having a family, and, now, dealing with a global crisis. In this episode, we talk with three business owners about how they balance both the professional and personal, what that balance actually looks like, and how COVID-19 has changed their approach. Featuring Cheryl Tisland of Burst of Butterflies in Chandler, AZ; Samir Idnani of NaanStop in Atl...
Mark as Played
As the world changes around us, businesses of all sizes are reimagining what and how they sell to customers. From the “new normal” to the “next normal,” business owners are leaning into a startup mentality — rethinking their pre-existing models of success and seeking out new or unforeseen opportunities. In this episode, we speak with two business owners who have evolved their businesses to meet the emerging needs of the time, and h...
Mark as Played
December 23, 2020 23 mins
COVID-19 has upended global trade. As the global supply chain moved in fits and spurts and infrastructure was rethought to accommodate just-in-time delivery, so too was consumer demand changing as consumers everyday habits dramatically changed. Locally, everything from farms to food processing plants have been affected by shutdowns, impacting how small businesses can restock their shelves. And regulations across the country have ch...
Mark as Played
For many businesses, selling online is no longer a nice-to-have, it's a need-to-have. Instead of measuring success in foot traffic, businesses are thinking about clicks and online orders for the first time, which comes with its own challenges, many of them unanticipated, or even previously considered. We invited three business owners to discuss the reality of creating a successful online arm of their business when their previous fo...
Mark as Played
Seasonality plays an important role in many businesses’ annual plans, as it often helps predict the ebb and flow of sales. But with the current state of the world, certain guaranteed seasonal boosts are less likely to come to fruition. We sit down with three business owners to discuss how they're preparing for these unexpected changes. Featuring Suzanna Cameron, owner of Stems Brooklyn in Brooklyn, NY; Kim Moistner-Bartlett, Kona I...
Mark as Played
November 11, 2020 21 mins
As new health data and guidelines are released, reopening plans across the United States are ever-changing. And, for business owners looking to encourage customers to return to brick-and-mortar locations, prioritizing the health and safety of their employees and community is both a tactical and marketing challenge. We sit down with three business owners to discuss how they’re ensuring their community is not only informed about the ...
Mark as Played
In part two of this episode, we explore the day-to-day experiences of being a Black business owner in America. From getting started to fostering a community, we’ll discuss economic inclusion and entrepreneurship with Black business owners from across the United States. Featuring Shamar Cotton of Everett & Jones BBQ in Oakland, CA; Lauren Stovall, Director of Marketing at Hot Sam's Detroit in Detroit, MI; and Yolanda Owens, owner of...
Mark as Played
In this special-edition episode of Talking Squarely, we talk with rapper and entrepreneur Michael Render, more commonly known as Killer Mike, about how to encourage Black economic inclusion and entrepreneurship during a time of increased racial tension in the United States. And we discuss what it means to be a community leader, and his own journey of entrepreneurship.
Mark as Played
From downsizing staff to navigating relief programs, businesses are being forced to make difficult financial decisions — more than usual. We ask three businesses how they are dealing with financial uncertainty in a time when simply paying the rent and utility bills seems daunting. Featuring Lauren Stovall of Hot Sam’s in Detroit, MI; Evan Kidera, owner of Senor Sisig in San Francisco, CA; and Brittany Sarhage, owner of Rudy’s Flowe...
Mark as Played
July 27, 2020 18 mins
In times of crisis, sellers are often motivated to help in whatever way they can. But, how can businesses contribute in times of financial struggle? We sit down with three business owners to discuss the creative ways they are lending a helping hand to those in need and building up their communities. Featuring Samantha Shih, owner of 9Tailors in Boston, MA; Yassin Terou, owner of Yassin’s Falafel House in Knoxville, TN; and Lauren C...
Mark as Played
The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the global economy, and in many ways small businesses have been hardest hit. Four business owners from across the country discuss how their respective regions are approaching life after coronavirus, how they’re grappling with the potential return to a new normal, and their experiences navigating it all—from unclear local and federal guidelines to the ability to quickly adapt.
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    Therapy Gecko

    An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.