Parag Amin, business expert and attorney, explains how rising oil prices driven by Middle East tensions are creating new challenges for small businesses across the economy. Drawing on his analysis of global markets and consumer behavior, Amin breaks down how geopolitical instability can increase transportation, shipping, and energy costs, putting pressure on business margins. He notes that small and mid-sized businesses are often hit hardest because they lack the resources and hedging strategies available to larger companies. Amin also discusses how uncertainty affects consumer confidence, leading households to spend less and save more. For business owners, this creates a difficult environment where rising operational expenses coincide with weaker demand. "When anybody feels instability, it's an aspect of human nature to sort of close up and clam up. And unfortunately, that creates a ripple effect where people tend to spend less." Whether you're managing an established business or considering a new venture, Amin offers practical insights on navigating economic uncertainty, controlling costs, and protecting profitability in a volatile market. [Watch the full episode at the link in our bio] #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #OilPrices #BusinessStrategy #EconomicTrends #SupplyChain #ConsumerSpending #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #ParagAmin

Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia and author of The Seven Rules of Trust, explains why trust remains one of the most valuable assets any business can build. Drawing from his experience creating one of the world's most relied-upon sources of information, Wales shares how authenticity, empathy, and logic work together to create credibility and strengthen relationships with customers, employees, and stakeholders. He argues that trust isn't built through scale or reputation alone, but through consistent actions, transparent decision-making, and meaningful human interactions. Wales also discusses how Wikipedia's commitment to neutrality, independence, and community-driven oversight has helped maintain credibility for more than two decades. As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent, he emphasizes the growing importance of human judgment, fact-checking, and accountability. "People really value and should value human curation... AI is good at creativity, but it's not so good at facts." Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or leader, Wales offers practical insights on building trust, strengthening relationships, and creating a resilient organization in an increasingly complex world. [Watch the full episode at the link in our bio] #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Trust #BusinessGrowth #JimmyWales #Wikipedia #CompanyCulture #ArtificialIntelligence #BusinessStrategy

Jeff Burningham, entrepreneur, educator, and author of The Last Book Written by a Human, explains why business leaders should embrace AI without losing sight of what makes organizations thrive: human connection. Drawing from decades of experience building companies and mentoring entrepreneurs, Burningham argues that AI should be used to amplify human potential rather than replace it. He shares why empathy, creativity, trust, and strong relationships remain the most valuable assets in business, even as technology becomes more advanced. Burningham outlines practical ways leaders can use AI to automate repetitive tasks, strengthen decision-making, and create more time for strategy, innovation, and people development. He also discusses the importance of building culture around shared values and ensuring technology supports, rather than undermines, a company's mission. "Human transformation, human evolution comes from real human connection, contact and relationship." Whether you're exploring AI adoption or looking to build a stronger workplace culture, Burningham offers a thoughtful perspective on leading with humanity in a rapidly changing world. [Watch the full episode at the link in our bio] #SmallBusiness #ArtificialIntelligence #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Innovation #CompanyCulture #FutureOfWork #Technology #AI

Goldie Chan, founder of Warm Robots, LinkedIn branding expert, and author of Personal Branding for Introverts, explains why introverts don't need to act like extroverts to build successful personal brands. Known as the "Oprah of LinkedIn," Chan shares how introverts can leverage their natural strengths, including deep listening, authenticity, and thoughtful communication, to grow their influence and advance their careers. She breaks down practical strategies for building a personal brand, from defining your message with three key descriptors to starting small with content creation and collaborating strategically with others. Chan also challenges the common misconception that visibility requires being the loudest person in the room. "I think the biggest mistake an introvert can make is trying to become an extrovert." Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, or professional looking to expand your presence, Chan's advice offers a roadmap for building a brand that feels authentic to who you are. [Watch the full episode at the link in our bio] #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #PersonalBranding #Leadership #CareerGrowth #LinkedIn #ProfessionalDevelopment #ContentCreation #BusinessGrowth #Introverts

Erika Donalds, founder of OptimaEd and a leading advocate for school choice, is rethinking what education can look like in the modern era. After seeing firsthand that traditional schooling was not the right fit for her children, Donalds built a network of charter schools and launched the world's first virtual reality K-12 curriculum. Today, her programs serve thousands of students across 17 states and several international locations, combining classical education principles with cutting-edge technology. From virtual reality field trips through ancient Rome and the moon landing to mastery-based learning and hybrid school models, Donalds explains how innovation and entrepreneurship can create more personalized educational experiences for students. She also shares how her background as a CFO and CPA helped her secure funding, scale operations, and turn an idea into a national movement. "If you start something new and you're not disrupting the status quo, you probably haven't gone far enough." [Watch the full episode at the link in our bio] #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Education #EdTech #SchoolChoice #Innovation #Leadership #VirtualReality #BusinessGrowth #FutureOfEducation

Erika Donalds, founder of OptimaEd and a leading advocate for school choice, is rethinking what education can look like in the modern era. After seeing firsthand that traditional schooling was not the right fit for her children, Donalds built a network of charter schools and launched the world's first virtual reality K-12 curriculum. Today, her programs serve thousands of students across 17 states and several international locations, combining classical education principles with cutting-edge technology. From virtual reality field trips through ancient Rome and the moon landing to mastery-based learning and hybrid school models, Donalds explains how innovation and entrepreneurship can create more personalized educational experiences for students. She also shares how her background as a CFO and CPA helped her secure funding, scale operations, and turn an idea into a national movement. "If you start something new and you're not disrupting the status quo, you probably haven't gone far enough." [Watch the full episode at the link in our bio] #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Education #EdTech #SchoolChoice #Innovation #Leadership #VirtualReality #BusinessGrowth #FutureOfEducation

George Deeb, Managing Partner at Red Rocket Ventures, Forbes contributor, and author of 101 Startup Lessons: An Entrepreneur’s Handbook, breaks down the seven skill sets that separate successful founders — and which ones you can actually learn. When it comes to entrepreneurship, the nature vs. nurture debate is more nuanced than most people think. Deeb walks through seven core competencies — intellect, imagination, passion, communication, persistence, experience, and risk-taking — and challenges the idea that great founders are simply "wired differently." While some traits like imagination may come naturally, others can absolutely be developed over time. Understanding which side of that line each skill falls on could change how you invest in yourself as a leader. [Watch the full episode at the link in our bio] #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Business

Why your business location could be your biggest mistake Cory Mosley, growth strategist, entrepreneur, and best-selling author of Positioned for Growth, breaks down why so many entrepreneurs get site selection wrong — and what a disciplined process actually looks like. Most business owners choose their location based on convenience rather than strategy. According to Mosley, skipping a formal site selection process is one of the most overlooked risks in business — and one of the most costly. His organization invests in both internal expertise and location-based technology to ensure every site decision is backed by data, not gut feeling. Because opening in the wrong spot isn't just a setback — it can sink the entire venture before it ever gets started. [Watch the full episode at the link in our bio] #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Business

Why your business location could be your biggest mistake Cory Mosley, growth strategist, entrepreneur, and best-selling author of Positioned for Growth, breaks down why so many entrepreneurs get site selection wrong — and what a disciplined process actually looks like. Most business owners choose their location based on convenience rather than strategy. According to Mosley, skipping a formal site selection process is one of the most overlooked risks in business — and one of the most costly. His organization invests in both internal expertise and location-based technology to ensure every site decision is backed by data, not gut feeling. Because opening in the wrong spot isn't just a setback — it can sink the entire venture before it ever gets started. [Watch the full episode at the link in our bio] #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Business

The next 18 months will separate the leaders from the ones left behind. 👇 Carl Gould, founder of 7 Stage Advisors and author of The Seven Stages of Small Business Success, breaks down exactly what's coming for the workforce and the two things you need to do right now to stay invaluable. The shift isn't optional. But how you respond to it is. Whether you're a business owner or an employee, the leaders who thrive will be the ones who learn to lead AI-powered, outsourced teams — not compete with them. Start with your Project Management Certification. Then get comfortable with AI and external agencies because that's the team you'll be running. [Watch the full episode at the link in our bio] #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Business #AI #FutureOfWork #Leadership #WorkforceDevelopment #ProjectManagement #BusinessGrowth

The biggest hiring mistakes leaders continue to make Brenda Siri, President and CEO of Corporate Connections, explains why treating hiring as a quick fix instead of a strategic process can lead to costly turnover and operational challenges. For small business owners, hiring decisions carry lasting financial and cultural impact. Siri emphasizes that when companies prioritize speed over strategy, they often overlook alignment, leading to mismatches that affect team performance and long-term growth. [Watch the full episode at the link in our bio] #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Business

Why growth stalls when your business depends too much on you Brad Sugars, founder of ActionCOACH, explains how many business owners unknowingly create bottlenecks that prevent their companies from scaling and building long-term value. According to Sugars, this pattern signals a deeper structural issue—one that limits scalability, reduces efficiency, and ultimately holds back the business from reaching its full potential. By building systems and empowering teams, leaders can shift from working in the business to working on it. [Watch the full episode at the link in our bio] #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Business

Why saying “best” isn’t a marketing strategy Bill Harper, CEO and Chief Creative Officer of BrandBoss HQ, shares practical strategies to help small to mid-size businesses and startups stand out by focusing on clear messaging and real problem-solving. Effective marketing requires more than claiming superiority. Brands that rely on subjective terms like “better” or “best” often blend in with competitors instead of influencing customer behavior. Harper explains that businesses can differentiate themselves by communicating specific value, addressing customer pain points, and delivering messaging that clearly shows how their solutions make a measurable difference. [Watch the full episode at the link in our bio] #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Business

Turning personal struggles into a global mental health mission Founder and CEO Ania Wysocka shares how she transformed her lived experience with panic attacks into a mission-driven business that now supports users around the world. Rootd, a mobile app designed to help users manage panic attacks and anxiety, has been featured on the App Store more than 100 times and recognized as an Editor’s Choice. Wysocka’s work has earned her recognition as a Cartier Fellow for Social Impact Entrepreneurship, a feature in Apple’s Developer Spotlight, and honors as a 30 Under 30 winner—demonstrating how personal challenges can evolve into meaningful innovation that helps millions. [Watch the full episode at the link in our bio] #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Business

Turning everyday moments into powerful mentorship opportunities Amy Summers, entrepreneur and author of Lift: 10 Mentorship Touchpoints to Empower Your Team and Accelerate Your Career, shares how leaders can intentionally use daily interactions to mentor their teams—without overwhelming themselves. As companies grow, female founders and leaders often become the default mentors for their teams—answering questions, offering advice, and helping employees develop. Summers explains that mentorship should be a natural, habitual part of leadership rather than a rigid, scheduled program. While informal guidance already happens throughout the workday, recognizing and using those moments intentionally can strengthen teams, build confidence, and accelerate career growth without adding unnecessary strain on leaders. [Watch the full episode at the link in our bio] #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Business

Hidden cost of workplace burnout Amy Leneker, Fortune 100 leadership advisor and author of Cheers to Monday, discusses the growing disconnect between professional success and personal well-being, and how leaders can rethink stress, performance, and workplace culture. Burnout continues to challenge leaders and employees alike, with many professionals achieving measurable success while still feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. According to Leneker’s research, nearly two-thirds of American workers report feeling successful on paper but not in practice, largely due to elevated stress levels. As stress increases, the sense of accomplishment diminishes—creating a gap that impacts both individual well-being and overall organizational performance. [Watch the full episode at the link in our bio] #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Business

Building sustainable growth & avoiding burnout Adrienne Garland, CEO of She Leads Media and entrepreneurship educator at New York University and Rice University, shares how leaving corporate life for entrepreneurship can be both more demanding and more rewarding than expected. Many entrepreneurs leave stable corporate careers in pursuit of independence, only to find themselves working longer hours with less certainty. Garland reflects on her own journey climbing the corporate ladder before realizing it didn’t align with her long-term goals. Launching her own consulting business required more effort than she anticipated—but ultimately delivered the fulfillment and purpose she was seeking. [Watch the full episode at the link in our bio] #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Business

Matt Easton on getting yourself out a funk Watch the full episode on ASBN.com #entrepreneurtok #brandstrategy #smallbusiness

SMBs’ confidence holds steady as uncertainty and inflation persist Tom Sullivan, VP of Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, discusses the latest Q1 index report and how it reflects a mixed outlook, with many businesses maintaining stable operations but falling short of stronger expansion. Watch more here ⤵️ asbn.com/small-business-show… #smallbusiness #business #entrepreneur

Turning your restaurant into a lucrative asset.