This Is Small Business

Trying to figure out how to make money while giving back through your business? Learn what it takes to grow your business when the foundation of your business model is social responsibility. Andrew Glantz, the Founder & CEO of GiftAMeal, explains how he managed to make a profit out of a business centered on giving back to the community. And Heather Cameron, a social entrepreneur and Michael B Kauffman Professor of Practice at the Washington University in St. Louis, tells us how to successfully build a business model that makes that possible.This episode is brought to you by Amazon Business. Amazon Business provides a wide product selection, business-only pricing, and account features that can make running your small business easier. Amazon Business supports small business through various programs such as the Small Business Grants where Amazon Business gives over $250,000 to 15 small businesses who are Amazon Business customers. Amazon Business is committed to the growth of small businesses and invests in grants to help small businesses overcome challenges they face, freeing up their resources to focus on their mission and customers. Small Businesses are the backbone of our economy and when they succeed we all succeed. Create your free account today at amazonbusiness.com.—(07:09) Andrew's insight on how to create a scalable, socially impactful business(10:47) Andrew talks about how he got the Amazon Business grant and the importance of putting yourself out there.(13:38) Quantifying the value and impact of your business quickly is essential for success because you'll have a compelling value proposition and make sales efforts more effective.(17:61) Heather underscores the importance of alignment in an entrepreneur's journey and how it connects your brand with what matters to both customers and your team.(20:56) Heather emphasizes that small business owners should think about their social impact in tandem with their business strategy.—Click HERE to leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

Are you sure you’re reaching the right customer? If you're not sure, you might not be leveraging customer research. Roshni Wijayasinha, Founder & CEO of Prosh Marketing, explains how to use customer research as a marketing strategy and the importance of timing when targeting the right customer. —(02:19) Roshni talks about the three ways you can reach your customer: brand awareness, conducting customer research, and utilizing digital tools.(03:50) Why timing is crucial in finding the right customer (06:00) Why you should continuously adapt your strategies and the importance of direct communication with customers.—Click HERE to leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

Are you interested in starting a crowdfunding campaign? Or maybe you’re wondering if you should pull money out of your savings to start your business? Learn the pros and cons of bootstrapping & crowdfunding and what it takes to launch a successful crowdfunding campaign with Josh Lipinski, the founder of Breakwater Supply, and Tess Estandarte, Director of Product Marketing at Rainfactory.This episode is brought to you by Amazon Business. Amazon Business provides a wide product selection, business-only pricing, and account features that can make running your small business easier. Amazon Business supports small businesses through various programs such as the Small Business Grants where Amazon Business gives over $250,000 to 15 small businesses who are Amazon Business customers. Amazon Business is committed to the growth of small businesses and invests in grants to help small businesses overcome challenges they face, freeing up their resources to focus on their mission and customers. Small Businesses are the backbone of our economy and when they succeed, we all succeed. Create your free account today at amazonbusiness.com.—(04:14) Josh points out the benefits of bootstrapping like having the freedom to call the shots and not having to meet investor demands which allows you to concentrate on improving your product and service.(05:40) Josh talks about why he decided to use bootstrapping to launch some of their products and emphasizes the importance of building trust by delivering on promises because it's a serious business that requires a solid plan.(12:23) Tess highlights the often overlooked legal aspects of crowdfunding, such as the importance of patents, trademarks, copyrights, intellectual property, reading the terms and conditions, and taxation.(14:06) Tess talks about the benefits of crowdfunding for entrepreneurs, highlighting the engagement with a supportive user community, brand and product awareness, and the ability to assess market readiness before seeking additional funding or investors.(19:33) To make your crowdfunding campaign stand out, Tess advises against cutting corners on the quality of assets, particularly images and videos, which can either make or break your campaign.—Click HERE to leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

Have you been struggling with securing funding? The issue might be your cash flow. Ambro Blackwell, a best-selling author and VP and senior business banking relationship manager at JP Morgan Chase, explains what cash flow is and how to strategically plan it in a way that sets you up for success. —(04:14) How to use your cash flow to figure out and mitigate what problems you might run into.(08:18) Andrea goes over why cash flow is vital for securing funding, the key sections that are typically included in a cash flow statement, and what they represent.—Click HERE to leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

Are you looking forward to exiting your company? Take a glimpse into what happens during and after exiting a business. Jewel Burks Solomon, managing partner at Collab Capital and the ex-CEO and founder of PartPic, tells us how PartPic got acquired by Amazon and what she would’ve done differently. And Danyel Surrency Jones, the head of Amazon's Black Business Accelerator program and co-founder and ex-CEO of POWERHANDZ, explains why she made the move to Amazon and offers some helpful entrepreneurial tips to keep you going.—Click HERE to leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

How do you keep customers coming back for more? By being attentive to their needs and priorities. Learn customer-centred ideas to integrate into your business from the best. Mitzi Rivas, CEO and Founder of Livie & Luca, is all about customer service and she’s got the customer retention rate to prove it. And John DiJulius, the founder, Chief Revolution Officer, and President of the DiJulius group, gives us some great tips on how to provide great customer service no matter where you are in your small business journey.—(04:13) How Mitzi personalizes her customer’s experience(09:46) How you can enhance the customer experience using delivery(15:04) What do entrepreneurs get wrong about customer service?(18:04) How do you maintain good customer service as you scale?(19:24) How can a smaller business compete with a larger business when it comes to customer service?—Click HERE to leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

Should I work with a manufacturer or do the manufacturing myself? That’s a question every small business owner starts thinking about as they grow. Sean Brownlee, the CEO of Ravenox, has made the choice to acquire a manufacturer for his business and is gonna let us know all the benefits that come with it.—(03:42) The benefits of becoming a manufacturer(04:56) How to manage inventory—Click HERE to leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

How do you show customers that your product is different - and better - than competitors'? Aaron and Whitney Cordovez, Cofounders of Zulay Kitchen, talk about how they differentiated their brand in the crowded "kitchen gadget" category.And Rita Gunther McGrath, a best-selling author and professor at Columbia University Business School, shares her five-step discovery-driven planning process to help you succeed.Learn how to find out what really matters to your customer, and what to think about when you're just starting out to ensure you stand out from the crowd.—(05:10) Considerations Zulay Kitchen made to ensure their products are different(12:44) What is discovery-driven planning(16:02) How to find out what really matters to your customer(18:15) Considerations to make when starting out that will help you stand out—Click HERE to leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

How much is my product worth - and what is my customer willing to pay? Every entrepreneur asks these questions at some point in their small business journey. Mark Stiving, Chief Pricing Educator of Impact Pricing, joins Andrea with insights on:(2:00) How to think about pricing your product or service.(02:58) How to figure out how much your customer is willing to pay.(04:46) Should you start pricing your products at a higher price?(06:04) How to grow a subscription model and why it's beneficial.(07:51) How to remain competitive while still growing.(09:21) What are valuables and how can they help your business grow?—Click HERE to leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

Every step you need to take to get your book in front of an audience - learn the process of publishing with Naibe Reynoso, a journalist and the founder of Con Todo Press. And Jane Friedman, a publishing industry expert, shares her secrets to ensuring your book is as discoverable as possible.—(05:32) What are the steps to publishing a book?(13:21) What's the ISBN and how do I get one for my book?(18:12) Considerations an aspiring author should make if they want to make a profitable business out of writing books.(19:50) What Business model works best for someone who just wrote their first children's book?(21:04) Technical elements that you need to know before trying to sell a book.(24:15) Andrea lists the key takeaways from the episode.—Click HERE to leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

Are you ready to make your first hire? Learn how to find the right fit, and why retention is so critical. Keirsten A. Greggs, the Founder & Principal Talent Acquisition Consultant of TRAP Recruiter, tells Andrea what small business owners should consider at this important stage of growth.—(02:22) Considerations small business owners should make when they hire. (05:24) How to find the right fit when evaluating applicants.(07:08) Andrea lists the key takeaways from the episode.—Click HERE to leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

What happens if you don't protect your IP, and is it worth all the paperwork? Jeannell Darden, CEO of Moisture Love, shares her story of battling trademark and copyright issues, and how she overcame it. Learn when and how to start the process, what to consider when rebranding, how to avoid trademark disputes, whether you should register your logo, and where to find legal support for small businesses. Cynthia Dahl, Practice Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, offers her insights. Stay tuned to the end of the episode where host Andrea Marquez lists her key takeaways!—(07:04) Considerations to make when rebranding.(14:54) Considerations for founders regarding trademark and protection.(16:47) When should small business owners start considering intellectual property (IP) protection.(18:08) Mistakes to avoid when protecting your brand.(20:16) How to avoid confusion among consumers and trademark disputes.(22:09) Should you register your logo?(24:18) Andrea mentions the cost of legal help for small businesses and points out free resources recommended by Cynthia. She also lists the key takeaways from the episode.—Click HERE to leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

Are you preparing to launch your first product? Andrea learns how to prepare your MVP (minimum viable product), and how to know when you're ready to go, with Trinity Mouzon Wofford, co-founder and CEO of Golde. Trinity also gives us a look into all the behind-the-scenes work she put into their brand as she prepared to launch.—(05:56) How distinctive packaging and vibrant colors helped Trinity's brand stand out in a crowded marketplace (07:58) Copying big businesses' marketing tactics doesn't work! Trinity explains how she found success by staying true to her vision(09:10) How to leverage friends and family to gather early feedback on your product - before you launch (09:42) Trinity explains how she knew she was ready to launch her business (11:06) Andrea's key takeaways for launching your MVP—Click HERE to leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

Are you struggling to identify your target market? Or maybe you’re wondering where you can find your ideal customer? Andrea breaks down the customer journey into five simple steps with Amber Murray, founder of Fidget Stickers. Once we've figured out who our ideal customer is, Darian Kovacs, founder of Jelly Digital Marketing, tells us how to reach them. Stick around to hear Andrea's key takeaways at the end of the episode.—(05:51) Amber breaks down the five phases of the customer journey: awareness, consideration, decision purchase, retention, and advocacy (12:54) How to identify your ideal customer BEFORE launching your product(18:31) Tools that small business owners can use to learn more about their customer's journey(25:59) Andrea's key takeaways for understanding your customer journey —Click HERE to leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

Are you an aspiring or early-stage entrepreneur with a product to sell? Learn how to grow your small business from a diverse group of entrepreneurs and experts. By the end of this season, you'll understand how to:→ define your target market→ secure funding→ set prices→ protect your intellectual property→ position your product→ expand to new markets→ hire for success→ secure a supply chain→ differentiate with stellar customer serviceThis is Small Business is an original podcast from Amazon. It's hosted by Andrea Marquez, an aspiring entrepreneur who is on a journey to learn all she can about how to start and grow a small business. Every week she dives into a new topic with a successful business owner or expert to help her on her entrepreneurial journey. We know you have a busy schedule. That's why we started releasing "minisodes" - with valuable insights for growing your small business in just ten minutes. Or for a deeper dive into the stories of our diverse slate of entrepreneurial guests, tune into our regular episodes.

Join us as we dive deep into the aftermath of the competition and catch up with our teams to hear about their experiences and discover what lies ahead. Did any of the participants secure investors or unearth new opportunities? Are they venturing into other competitions for greater financial rewards, or have they decided to take a break from the high-pressure world of pitching? We’ll also reconnect with some familiar faces: Brad Burke, one of the organizers, and Mitra Miller, one of the esteemed judges, to gain exclusive insights into their reflections on this year's competition results. Get ready for a captivating episode filled with exciting updates and valuable perspectives!

In Episode 7 of "This is Small Business: Next Generation," hosts Andrea Marquez and Mitch Gilbert bring you to the thrilling final day of the Rice Business Plan Competition. As anticipation reaches its peak, they reveal the teams that have advanced beyond the semi-finals and emerged as winners. Andrea and Mitch also highlight all the improvements made by each team within this short timeframe and engage in conversations with the teams that won and lost to uncover the invaluable lessons learned and what they plan on doing differently in future pitch competitions. Were they disheartened by the outcome? Relieved that the competition is over? Most importantly, did any of our teams win the grand prize? And remember the 60 second elevator pitches at the start of the competition? – did any of our teams win that? Join Andrea and Mitch as they answer all these questions and offer key takeaways from each team's unique journey and some advice on navigating the challenges of dealing with loss.

In Episode 6 of "This is Small Business: Next Generation," hosts Andrea Marquez and Mitch Gilbert guide you through the first round of eliminations at the Rice Business Plan Competition where the teams compete for a spot in the semi-finals. As the pressure intensifies, each team strives to make significant improvements in order to stand a better chance of winning. They work tirelessly, tweaking their strategies, and refining and honing their pitches to perfection. It's a race against time as they push themselves to the limits. Andrea and Mitch also talk to Dean Peter Rodriguez to uncover some important insights when it comes to pitching at the Rice Business Plan Competition like the importance of navigating stress in an entrepreneur's life, and articulating risks and opportunities in your pitch. By the end of this episode you’ll find out who’ll make it to semi-finals and what’ll happen to the teams that get left behind. Join Andrea and Mitch as they point out all the key takeaways and learnings from our teams that’ll give you a leg up at any pitch competition you try to compete in. 

In Episode 5 of "This is Small Business: Next Generation," hosts Andrea Marquez and Mitch Gilbert take you through the first day of the Rice Business Plan Competition along with the four competitors. Andrea and Mitch take you behind the scenes and share the nerves, worries, and excitement that each team faces as they enter and leave the first practice round of pitching with a TON of feedback (that you get to hear) from the judges. The competitors also go through another competition where they get the chance to win more money if they ace their 60 second elevator pitch. With less than a day to incorporate all the feedback they’ve been given, the drama (and lack of sleep) intensifies. Join Andrea and Mitch as they point out all the key takeaways the competitors received from the judges and offer valuable insights that’ll help you navigate some of the challenges all business owners have. 

In Episode 4 of "This is Small Business Next Generation," hosts Andrea Marquez and Mitch Gilbert offer a glimpse into the days leading up to the Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC). With just a few days left before the big event, the pressure is mounting, and the teams are feeling the intensity, especially after receiving some anonymous feedback from the judges. These dedicated entrepreneurs face the challenge of balancing the demands of running their businesses while perfecting their pitches. Mitch and Andrea dig deeper into some of their challenges like the importance of injecting emotion into pitching, even when delivering seemingly dry and technical information, and what to do when you receive feedback that may not align with your expectations. As the countdown to the competition continues, the burning question remains: Will these dedicated teams be able to perfect their pitches in time? Join Andrea and Mitch as they follow the teams closely and provide essential takeaways that will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in your own pitch competition journey.Leave us a voicemail HERE!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

In Episode 3 of "This is Small Business Next Generation," hosts Andrea Marquez and Mitch Gilbert uncover the dos and, more importantly, the don'ts of pitch presentations by speaking directly with RBPC judges. They provide insights into the key differences between various pitch formats, offering advice on how to adapt and make a significant impact within the given time constraints, while also emphasizing the importance of demonstrating your business's investability. Andrea and Mitch also introduce you to two additional teams we'll be following throughout the RBPC: Sloane Tilley and Julio Fredin co-founders of Dia, and Shiv Bhakta and Richard Swartwout co-founders of Active Surfaces. Get a glimpse into the worries and aspirations of these teams as they prepare for the competition by meeting with mentors, and rewriting and practicing their pitches. Join Andrea and Mitch as they equip you with the essential knowledge and skills to succeed in your business plan competition journey, enabling you to confidently impress judges and investors and secure the support your business truly deserves.Leave us a voicemail HERE!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

In Episode 2 of "This is Small Business Next Generation," hosts Andrea Marquez and Mitch Gilbert break down the various stages of the Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC) and explain how the competition will unfold over three days. They talk about the mentorship and extensive feedback the RBPC offers their competitors (talk about a major advantage!) and give you a little insight into what the judges are looking for in a winning pitch. Mitch and Andrea also introduce you to two of the four teams we’ll be following throughout the competition: Kevin Long and Alex Duncan, co-founders of Outmore Living, and Bilal Issifou, the founder of Unchained Inc. You get to hear them talk about their plans and worries as they prepare for the RBPC. Join hosts Andrea Marquez and Mitch Gilbert as they discuss some of the issues entrepreneurs face like learning to prioritize and offer valuable takeaways on how to get your business plan ready for a pitch competition.Leave us a voicemail HERE!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

On Episode 1 of “This is Small Business Next Generation”, host Andrea Marquez gets you acquainted with her new co-host Mitch Gilbert, founder of OYA Femtech Apparel, a past winner of the Rice University Business Plan Competition and one of the first 200 Black women to raise over $1M in venture capital. Mitch and Andrea get you up to speed with the RBPC by talking to some of the organizers and judges and they also introduce the four diverse teams that we’ll be following throughout the competition. Mitch shares valuable lessons that they learned from competing in the RBPC like making sure your business is solving a problem, getting an advisor, and possibly the most important in any pitch competition: practice, practice, practice. Join hosts Andrea and Mitch as they guide you through the exciting world of pitching and share valuable takeaways and insights that could help you polish up your business plan.Leave us a voicemail HERE!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

Are you ready to witness the ultimate battle of wits and innovation as entrepreneurs compete for up to $3M in prizes in one of the largest and richest intercollegiate startup competitions? Look no further than "This is Small Business Next Generation" - a podcast miniseries brought to you by Amazon that follows the Rice University Business Plan Competition (RBPC). Join Andrea Marquez, a future small business owner, and her co-host Mitchella Gilbert (or Mitch), founder of OYA Femtech Apparel and an ex-RBPC winner, as they take you behind the scenes and follow four teams as they prepare to pitch their business ideas in front of some of the world's leading venture capitalists and investors. Can they handle the pressure? Will their business ideas stand out? Will they have what it takes to win? Join Andrea and Mitch as they follow the intense journey of the Rice University Business Plan Competition and offer valuable insights and learnings for entrepreneurs looking to succeed in the world of business pitch competitions. And make sure you’ve got your small business playbook ready because we’ll be pointing out key learnings from each episode so you feel ready to take on the challenge of pitching your business.Leave us a voicemail HERE!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

In this special bonus episode of This is Small Business, Andrea Marquez travels all the way to Las Vegas for Movement Evolutions where she hosts a panel of inspiring and diverse voices in podcasting. Andrea engages in insightful conversations with Mike Sargent, co-host of Brown & Black Podcast, Kulap Vilaysack, co-host of Add To Cart, Lee Adams, Audio Producer of The Midnight Miracle, and Lori Lizarraga, host of Code Switch. Together, they explore the importance of diverse storytelling and its impact on various communities and share their thoughts on how individuals in positions of power can foster and encourage diverse storytelling. Join Andrea as she points out all the key takeaways from these talented storytellers that’ll get you excited to share your own stories through your branding as an entrepreneur.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

In this special bonus episode of This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez goes to the Veteran Edge conference by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, an event dedicated to Veterans and military spouses who are small business owners, to sit down in a live interview with Matt Butler, the founder of Rollers and co-founder of Tally Tumbler. Matt shares his story as a veteran-turned-entrepreneur or as he likes to say Vetrepreneur, and talks about all the transferable skills he learned during his service that enabled him to succeed in building his businesses. He also delves into the importance of being passionate about your business, trying to solve a problem with your business, and making sure you go in with a plan. Join Andrea as she writes down all the important takeaways from this inspiring interview that’ll get you motivated to start, build, and grow your business.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

On Episode 28 and the season finale of the second season of This is Small Business, Andrea explores what it means to be a Latinx entrepreneur by talking to a Latino business owner that she admires: Miguel Leal, the Co-Founder and CEO of SOMOS Foods. Miguel shares all of the learnings he picked up along his entrepreneurial journey and talks about the importance of representation, sharing your brand’s story, and how to leverage your community. Join Andrea as she wraps up this season and fills her small business playbook with a bunch of advice and lessons that’ll help you no matter where you are in your small business journey.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.

On Episode 27 of This is Small Business, Andrea looks into what could be the future of your business, that is, if you eventually want to merge your small business with another business. Andrea talks to a familiar guest from season one, Danyel Surrency Jones, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of POWERHANDZ Inc., about her own journey merging POWERHANDZ inc. with another business as well as Danyel's newest role as Director of Amazon's Black Business Accelerator. Danyel talks about how to make your business more appealing to potential partners like making sure you have a solid financial model and a marketing strategy. Next, Andrea talks to Kison Patel, the CEO and Founder of DealRoom, FirmRoom and M&A Science, about how to set up your business in a way that’ll lead you to a successful merger. They talk about the many different reasons why you might consider a merger and the importance of a good M&A lawyer to help you through the process. Join Andrea as she fills up yet another chapter in her small business playbook with info that might help you pull off a successful merger.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 26 of This is Small Business and the seventh of our This is Small Business Minisodes series, Andrea continues her discussion on product iteration but this time we dig deep into how you can work on different versions of your products without breaking the bank. Founder of Princeton Popcorn Company, Robert Ralph aka Farmer Bob, talks about how you can iterate without needing to create an entirely new product and how to mitigate any financial losses that might pop up from failed experimentation. Join Andrea as she jots down key takeaways from this delightful conversation that will leave you feeling satisfied and ready to start experimenting.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 25 of This is Small Business, Andrea discusses product iteration – more specifically how do you find out when it’s time to offer additional products? First up, President of Hot Taco Inc. Leslie Pierson (who’s running this business for her son who created a card game called Taco vs Burrito when he was 7 years old) walks us through the process of creating a second product and why they decided to launch a second game. Next, CXO and Dean of Rocket Club Academy Aicha Sharif explains how pivoting could help you replicate what worked in your first product while also making sure you create something new for your customers. Join Andrea as she points out all the key takeaways that will help you decide if you’re ready to iterate your product.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 24 of This is Small Business and the sixth of our This is Small Business Minisodes series, Andrea talks about how you can ensure diversity within your business. Jennifer Kim, Founder and CEO of Workflow, talks about how you can create a workplace culture that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion and how to implement diversity into your hiring process in a way that’ll ensure you’re hiring the best employees possible. Join Andrea in this informative conversation that’s filling up another chapter in her small business playbook.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 23 of This is Small Business, Andrea talks to two inspiring entrepreneurs who have successfully integrated social impact into their business model to find out how you can make a positive impact in your community while growing your business. First up, Founder & CEO of Iya Foods Toyin Kolawole walks us through her journey of giving back through her business and how that helped her stay afloat and even supply her competitors during the pandemic. She also talks about how giving back to the community includes making sure your customers receive the best product possible because they’re the one’s funding your efforts to give back. Next, Nadia Martinez, Founder & CEO of Kallie & Co, talks about all the creative ways you can give back to the community without spending too much money – or any money at all – and how to deal with the guilt that you may feel when you’re benefiting from your donations. Join Andrea as she lists all the key takeaways that’ll help you grow your business through giving back.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 22 of This is Small Business and the fifth of our This is Small Business: Minisodes series, Andrea discusses all the pros and cons of a business partnership and whether you should consider getting one with sisters and co-founders of Easy Peasie Dorielle Price and Jamelah Tucker. And because business partnerships aren’t always so easy peasie, Andrea also talks about how to approach conflict resolution like finding a mediator or a third-party, and how to protect yourself legally – even if you’re family. Join Andrea in this informative but lighthearted conversation filled with key takeaways that are going into her small business playbook.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 21 of This is Small Business, Andrea takes on a topic that not a lot of people like to talk about – parting ways with a business partner. First up, Founder and CEO of SwiftPaws Meghan Wolfgram talks about her own experience parting ways with her business partner, the many conversations that took place, and how she kept the business running during that process. Next, Naveen Thomas, Director of the Business Transactions Clinic at the NYU School of Law and a previous guest that shows up in season 1, breaks down all the legal procedures that could come up in a separation agreement, how to protect yourself, and why you should prepare for a separation early on in your business journey. Join Andrea as she simplifies all the intimidating legal jargon and fills up another chapter in her small business playbook.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 20 of This is Small Business and the fourth of our This is Small Business: Minisodes series, we continue our conversation on shipping and fulfillment with a twist – what if you want to start manufacturing your own product? Epic Water Filter’s Co-founder Ash Heather gives us the inside information on when you should consider manufacturing your own product, how to protect your business when you start to do so, and all the pros and cons that come with that decision. Join Andrea as she points out all the key takeaways that’ll help you decide if manufacturing your own product is the right choice for your business.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 19 of This is Small Business, Andrea talks about sourcing your products with Chevalo & Monique Wilsondebriano, co-founders of Charleston Gourmet Burger. More specifically they dive into shipping and fulfillment considerations you should make when you aren’t manufacturing your own product. Chevalo & Monique discuss where to find suppliers when you’re first starting out, questions to ask while vetting them, and how to keep your customer’s trust through a solid relationship with your supplier – even if it means paying a little extra. Next, Serguei Netessine, Senior Vice Dean for Innovation and Global Initiatives and Dhirubhai Ambani Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Pennsylvania, fills us in on all the different types of suppliers and what you need to consider when choosing one – like thinking about the returns process, price, service, and shipping time. Join Andrea as she fills out another chapter of her small business playbook.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 18 of This is Small Business and the third of our This is Small Business: Minisodes series, Andrea dives into why it's so hard for us to take time off, even when we know we need it. She speaks with Professor of Psychology and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, Art Markman about why vacations are a crucial part of your business and how to set up your business in a way that allows you to take some much needed time off.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 17 of This is Small Business, Andrea talks about setting goals and mechanisms for your business in a way that lead to success with Renee Manzari, founder and CEO of Livity Yoga. With big goals like diverting a million yoga mats from landfills by 2026, Renee breaks down all the planning and mechanisms that go on behind-the-scenes in order to make big goals like that less daunting and achievable. Next, serial entrepreneur and senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, Christina Wallace joins Andrea once again to talk in depth about how to set goals in the first place, different types of mechanisms you could set, and steps that are often overlooked but can make a big impact. Join Andrea as she points out all the important takeaways that are going into her small business playbook.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 16 of This is Small Business and the second of our This is Small Business: Minisodes series, Andrea continues her conversation on money with Allen Lau, co-founder and former CEO of Wattpad, and Executive director of WEBTOON, to talk about raising venture capital and angel investments and when you should start considering them. Join Andrea for this short but informative deep dive that’s definitely going into her small business playbook.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 15 of This is Small Business, Andrea Marquez tries to demystify the fear around all things money by talking about some ways to approach funding your small business. First up, Detara Williams, co-founder of Darlyng & Co., talks about her personal relationship with money and some really helpful tips on bootstrapping, loans, and her personal favorite and current funding method: pitching for grants. Next, Kerry Hannon, senior columnist and on-air expert at Yahoo Finance who’s written more than a dozen books on entrepreneurship, joins Andrea for a chat about the different methods of funding and how to choose one that works best for your small business. Join Andrea as she gathers a bunch of useful tips that she’ll be storing in her small business playbook.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 14 of This is Small Business and the first of our This is Small Business: Minisodes series, Andrea talks to Christina Wallace, senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, about the top three mistakes Christina sees early-stage entrepreneurs make. Join Andrea for this Harvard-level crash course filled with helpful takeaways that are going into her small business playbook.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 13 of This is Small Business, Andrea talks to Justin Forsett, former NFL player and founder of the company Hustle Clean, about getting your small business off the ground (especially if it’s your first venture into the world of business). Justin talks about establishing your “why,” creating a “huddle” for your business, and the essential points that are often overlooked when starting a business. Next, business strategist Serwaa Adjei-Pellé shares why entrepreneurs struggle to get started and how to get out of the dreaming phase. She also discusses setting up your Minimum Viable Product (MVP), the importance of feedback and how to work on your business plan. “Huddle” up with Andrea as she tells you all the important takeaways that are filling up a chapter of her small business playbook.Did you know that we have a voicemail line? If you have questions – or maybe a small business story you’d like to share – all you have to do is click HERE and leave us a message!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazon’s This is Small Business is back for a second season with weekly episodes that dig deep into the pivotal moments that small business owners face and conquer on their journey to success. Andrea Marquez, a curious millennial and possibly a future small business owner, continues to investigate what makes a successful small business boom by talking to industry experts and small business owners from all over about how to start, build, and grow a business. We’re also introducing This is Small Business Minisodes – shorter, straight to the point episodes that deliver key insights about the small business owner’s journey. Season Two is packed with new information, and as always, each episode is bookended with tangible, actionable takeaways, so make sure you have your small business playbook nearby and get ready for the journey!Leave us a voicemail HERE!By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Season Finale of This is Small Business, Andrea sits down with Danyel Surrency Jones, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of POWERHANDZ Inc., as they listen to highlights from previous episodes. Danyel Surrency Jones shares her valuable insights as a CEO/entrepreneur on how to start, build, and grow a company and discusses how each of these moments resonates with her and relates to her own journey with her company. Join Andrea as she goes over some of her favorite lessons and reviews the notes she jotted down in her business playbook this season. Leave us a voicemail HERE! By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 11 of This is Small Business, Andrea tackles getting ready for the holidays with Fort Boards Founder, August Graube, and Edward Anderson, a Professor for Management of Innovative Technology. The holidays are coming – busy sidewalks and shoppers walking home with their “treasures” – are you ready for them? This is a question that all small businesses need to consider as they prep for a big consumer season such as the winter holidays. What is the checklist to prepare for and leverage a spike in demand? Find out with Andrea, grab a hot chocolate – and don’t miss this special pre-holiday episode. Leave us a voicemail HERE! By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 10 of This is Small Business, Andrea learns a few tricks for hiring a super team when she speaks with Kyle Goguen, Owner and Founder of Pawstruck, and hiring expert Dr. Brad Smart, Author of ‘Topgrading.’ Hiring is one of the trickiest – but most important – aspects of running a small business. Assembling the right team of people at the right time can mean the difference between growth and stagnation. But how do you find the right people to join your team, and avoid hiring the wrong ones? Essential listening if you’re getting ready to hire! Leave us a voicemail HERE! By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 9 of This is Small Business, Andrea dives deep into going from “brick and mortar” to the world of online sales with handmade small business owner Ruby Hong of Beets & Apples, and online sales specialist Nicole Leinbach of RetailMinded.com. Going online can feel intimidating at first, but it’s a must and increasingly important in order to stay competitive and scale up. As you make this switch, how do you plan for increased sales and keep up with distribution challenges? And where is it best to show up considering endless options? This episode is a “must listen” for anyone expanding into online sales! Leave us a voicemail HERE! By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 8 of This is Small Business, Andrea talks about the unboxing experience with Daniel Singer, Founder & CEO of Filthy Foods, and design specialist Kaila Piepkow, Creative Director and Owner of Dox Design. They say don’t judge a book by its cover… but let’s face it, a lot of people do. When it comes to the moment a customer unboxes your product, it matters. But how much? And how do you ensure that your packaging fits your product and suits your customers? Join Andrea as she learns about the ways that you can level up when it comes to the ultimate unboxing experience. Leave us a voicemail HERE! By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 7 of This Is Small Business, Andrea gets some legal lessons from Naveen Thomas, director of the Business Transactions Clinic at New York University's School of Law. And she talks to Rod Johnson from BLK & Bold Coffee about how he and his friend and business partner Pernell Cezar make the most of each other’s strengths as they conquer the coffee market. When it comes to working with friends, what’s the ultimate recipe for success? How do you divide responsibilities, and how do you protect yourselves – and your friendship – from the inevitable bumps in the road? Lots of fresh ground lessons for Andrea’s growing small business playbook – so don’t miss out! Leave us a voicemail HERE! By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 6 of This Is Small Business, join Andrea in conversation with self-proclaimed sustainable transformation expert Shannon Kenny, and Marina Tran-Vu, founder of EQUO, a business that sells alternatives to single use plastics. Going green isn't always easy. It can be hard to source the right materials. There can be extra costs involved and – let's face it – a ton of research. But it's something that matters more every day to customers. So, where do you start? How can small business owners go green and stay afloat? Tune in as Andrea collects some valuable lessons for her evolving small business playbook on what it takes to transform your business to an earth-friendly enterprise, step-by-step. Leave us a voicemail HERE! By submitting your voicemail, you’re granting us permission to use the recording in episodes of This is Small Business. Please note, voicemails will not receive direct responses. For help with other questions to Amazon unrelated to this show, you can reach out to Amazon’s customer service team at amazon.com/contact-us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.