Small Business Pivots

What does it really take to adapt in business when the rules keep changing? In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael D. Morrison sits down with Dave Burnett, founder of AOK Marketing and PromotionalProducts.com, to unpack 27 years of entrepreneurial lessons in sales, marketing, and digital pivots.From handing out free samples for Bacardi in college to building one of Canada’s most recognized SEO and digital marketing firms, Dave reveals:How to spot the exact moment you need to pivot in business.The five stages of customer awareness—and why most businesses fail at the first step.What SEO for AI really means and how search is fragmenting beyond Google.Why adapting faster than your competition is the only way to survive shifting markets.Whether you’re a small business owner just starting out or running a multi-million-dollar company, this conversation will show you how to create awareness, stay relevant, and actually get found in today’s noisy, AI-driven world.Ranked in the top 10% of podcasts globally, Small Business Pivots brings you the raw stories and strategies from entrepreneurs who’ve been in your shoes.Dave Burnett: Founder & CEO of AOK MarketingWebsite: https://aokmarketing.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davebburnett/Blog: https://aokmarketing.com/blogPodcast: https://aokmarketing.com/learningcenter/podcast/#SmallBusinessPivots #MichaelDMorrison #BOSS #OklahomaCity #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #SEO #MarketingStrategy #DaveBurnett #AOKMarketing #SmallBusinessMarketing #DigitalMarketing #SEOforAI #BusinessAdaptability #MarketingTips #BusinessCoaching #CustomerAwareness #SalesGrowth #EntrepreneurPodcast #MarketingPivot #AIinMarketing #SearchOptimization #ContentMarketing #SocialMediaMarketing #BusinessSuccess Support the show1. Want more resources to grow your business faster?https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/2. Want to connect with our Host, Founder & CEO on LinkedIn?https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/3. Want professional business coaching with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultationFOLLOW US ON:- WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/-WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/-LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/-YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified

What if your business decisions weren’t based on gut feelings or bank balances—but on clear daily insight?In this episode of Small Business Pivots, entrepreneur Leigh Angman introduces the SPRUCTIS Framework—eight pillars (systems, processes, redundancy, urgency, communication, technology, integrity, and sales) designed to help small and medium-sized businesses turn insight into action.Leigh shares:How he transformed a struggling restaurant into a $6M operation using simple Google Sheets systemsWhy tracking daily sales is the single most powerful habit for ownersThe mindset shift he calls “delusional optimism (done right)” and how it fuels resiliencePractical ways to build redundancy, urgency, and communication into your company cultureWhether you’re running a $250K shop or a $15M company, Leigh’s lessons prove that clarity, systems, and mindset—not luck—drive sustainable success.Resources:Leigh Angman: Founder of Mondofi Media, Managing Director of BC Frontier Housing Society, Director of Gentle Earth Products, President of  Peak Hospitality, Director of HumanBeam Technologies Website: https://spructis.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-angman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leighangman/#SmallBusinessPivots #MichaelDMorrison #BOSS #BusinessLoans #BusinessCoaching #OurBusinessIsHelpingYoursGrow #OklahomaCity #LeighAngman #SPRUCTIS #FromInsightToAction #SmallBusinessGrowth #KnowYourNumbers #GoogleSheets #SystemsAndProcesses #EntrepreneurMindset #Sales #Redundancy #Urgency #Communication #Technology #IntegritySupport the show1. Want more resources to grow your business faster?https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/2. Want to connect with our Host, Founder & CEO on LinkedIn?https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/3. Want professional business coaching with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultationFOLLOW US ON:- WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/-WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/-LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/-YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified

In this enlightening discussion, Jim Cathcart, a legendary speaker and author of 27 books, shares his journey from an ordinary guy to a top industry expert. He introduces the transformative 'Hour-a-Day' approach, advocating that focused study can establish you as a national authority. Jim debunks public speaking fears by reframing them as fear of judgment and discusses the power of niching down for credibility. His experiences with Earl Nightingale inspire his mindset shift, highlighting how calculated persistence can turn modest beginnings into significant success.

What does it really take to grow a small business from two people in a tiny Alaska office to a 30-person, multi-state digital marketing agency?In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael Morrison interviews Adrienne Wilkerson, co-founder and CEO of Beacon Media + Marketing, a nationwide digital agency specializing in mental health and addiction recovery marketing. Adrienne opens up about the struggles of entrepreneurship—burnout, hiring mistakes, and control issues—and how she learned to scale by defining roles, building systems, and hiring for culture.You’ll discover:How to scale your small business without losing your freedomWhy defining roles (instead of people) helps break growth bottlenecksThe importance of constructive conflict and tough conversations as a leaderHow systems and SOPs actually increase creativity instead of stifling itThe latest shifts in digital marketing: why AI is the new gatekeeper, how to adapt with Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and why social media ads now outperform Google AdsIf you’ve ever felt stuck in the grind, overwhelmed by employees, or unsure how to pivot when the market changes, this conversation is packed with practical strategies and encouragement to help you push through the “messy middle” of business ownership—and build a company that lasts.Adrienne Wilkerson: Co-Founder & CEO of Beacon Media + MarketingWebsite: https://www.beaconmm.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriennewilkerson/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beaconmmInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/beaconmm/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BeaconMediaMarketing#SmallBusinessPivots #AdrienneWilkerson #BeaconMediaMarketing #MichaelDMorrison #BOSS #BusinessOwnershipSimplified #OklahomaCity #SmallBusinessCoachOKC #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #BusinessCoaching #BusinessLoans #Leadership #ScalingABusiness #DigitalMarketing #AIandMarketing #MarketingStrategy #SystemsAndProcesses #GenerativeEngineOptimization #GEO #SocialMediaMarketing #SmallBusinessSupport #BuildYourEmpire #BusinessCoachSupport the show1. Want more resources to grow your business faster?https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/2. Want to connect with our Host, Founder & CEO on LinkedIn?https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/3. Want professional business coaching with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultationFOLLOW US ON:- WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/-WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/-LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/-YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified

What if the secret to better sales isn’t selling harder—but helping buyers feel safe enough to buy?In this episode of Small Business Pivots, I sit down with St John Craner, founder of Agrarian Rural Marketing, to explore a fresh, psychology-driven approach to sales that flips traditional methods upside down.Drawing on his unique background—farm life in rural England combined with decades of psychology and sales expertise—St John explains why most sales training fails: it activates the wrong part of the buyer’s brain. He breaks down the three parts of the buyer’s brain (fear, feel, and think) and shows how to keep prospects in the “feel” brain, where trust and connection are built.Instead of pushing products, St John teaches how to become a “buyer’s assistant”—a trusted guide who asks better questions, creates urgency naturally, and helps prospects close themselves when they’re ready.We also dig into his proven lead generation strategies, including:Building multiple “legs” for your lead generation stool so your business never wobblesHow a weekly sales email generated hundreds of thousands in revenue over timeWhy closing problems are really opening problems—and how to fix themHow consistency beats intensity in sales successWhy “out-teaching” your competitors is the ultimate sales advantageWhether you’re a small business owner, rural entrepreneur, or sales professional, this conversation will help you rethink everything you know about selling—and replace pressure tactics with trust, psychology, and proven systems that actually work.St John Craner: Founder & CEO of Agrarian Rural MarketingWebsite: https://www.agrarian.co.nz/Website: https://www.ruralsalessuccess.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stjohncraner/Podcast (Apple): Click HerePodcast (Spotify): Click Here#StJohnCraner #AgrarianRuralMarketing #RuralSalesSuccess #SmallBusinessPivots #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #SalesStrategy #SalesPsychology #BuyerPsychology #LeadGeneration #SalesCoaching #MarketingTips #BusinessMindset #OklahomaCity #BOSS #MichaelDMorrison Support the show1. Want more resources to grow your business faster?https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/2. Want to connect with our Host, Founder & CEO on LinkedIn?https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/3. Want professional business coaching with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultationFOLLOW US ON:- WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/-WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/-LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/-YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified

From Sleep Apnea Clinics to Better Health Coverage — Lessons from Building Four BusinessesIn this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael Morrison sits down with Ernest Diaz, founder of Better Coverage Consultants, to unpack the hard-earned lessons from a lifetime of entrepreneurship.Ernest has built four successful companies — from launching sleep apnea clinics across multiple states to now helping small businesses and self-employed individuals access private health insurance plans that are 40–50% less expensive than marketplace options and fully tax-deductible. Licensed in 34 states, Ernest reveals why most entrepreneurs don’t know these plans exist, and how they can offer national PPO coverage through UnitedHealthcare.But this conversation goes far beyond insurance. Ernest shares his personal journey — starting his first business at 23, enduring a hostile business partnership while taking a company public, weathering bankruptcy, and rebuilding stronger than before. Along the way, he delivers powerful insights on:Partnership pitfalls and how to protect yourself legally and financially.Why discipline — not motivation — is the real driver of success.How to avoid sacrificing your family for your business.The daily habits that keep him focused, grateful, and growth-oriented.If you’re a small business owner, self-employed professional, or entrepreneur navigating the highs and lows of business ownership, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, faith-centered perspective, and real-world strategies you can apply today.Listen now and discover how to protect your business, your health, and your future.Ernest Diaz: Founder & CEO of Better Coverage ConsultantsWebsite: https://bettercov.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bettercov/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettercovEmail: ernest@bettercov.com#ErnestDiaz #BetterCoverageConsultants #MichaelDMorrison #BOSS #SmallBusinessPivots #OklahomaCity #SmallBusinessSuccess #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #PrivateHealthInsurance #NationalPPO #UnitedHealthcare #BusinessPartnerships #DisciplineOverMotivation #FaithBasedBusiness #SelfEmployedSuccess #HealthInsuranceForSmallBusiness #BusinessResilience #FaithInBusiness #GodSupport the show1. Want more resources to grow your business faster?https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/2. Want to connect with our Host, Founder & CEO on LinkedIn?https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/3. Want professional business coaching with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultationFOLLOW US ON:- WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/-WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/-LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/-YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified

Jimmy Owens, Founder & CEO of Design Tunnel in Oklahoma City, has spent over 14 years helping businesses transform their brand through strategic, high-quality video production. In this episode, he explains why video isn’t just a tool—it’s a clarity accelerator that forces you to define your message, tighten your focus, and show up professionally.You’ll learn:Why most DIY videos fall flat—and what separates them from intentional contentThe production process every business owner should know (script to screen)What it really costs to build a studio setup ($1,500–$10,000—and why)How Jimmy’s team creates custom podcast sets with 13 studio designsWhy AI can’t replace the human touch in brand storytellingLater in the episode, Jimmy opens up about a major turning point in his life: getting sober. That decision didn’t just change his personal life—it reshaped his leadership, mindset, and capacity to grow a business with purpose. His take on “healthy pressure” and why he wishes he would’ve gotten serious sooner is a wake-up call for entrepreneurs running on fumes.If you're ready to elevate your content—and yourself—this conversation delivers both strategy and heart.Jimmy Owens: Founder & CEO of Design TunnelWebsite: https://www.designtunnel.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designtunnel/Video Production: https://www.designtunnel.com/our-work/Video Podcast: https://www.designtunnel.com/podcast/#SmallBusinessPivots #BusinessPodcast #BOSS #BusinessOwnershipSimplified #MichaelDMorrison #JimmyOwens #DesignTunnel #VideoMarketing #OklahomaCity #EntrepreneurMindset #ProfessionalBranding #PodcastProduction #SmallBusinessGrowth #StorytellingStrategy #ContentCreation #BusinessOwnerTips #FromDIYtoPro #SobrietySupport the show1. Want more resources to grow your business faster?https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/2. Want to connect with our Host, Founder & CEO on LinkedIn?https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/3. Want professional business coaching with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultationFOLLOW US ON:- WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/-WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/-LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/-YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified

Struggling to turn business goals into consistent action? Discover why 95% of entrepreneurs fail to achieve their intentions and how one small business owner cracked the code to 25x income growth in just 4 years.In this episode of Small Business Pivots, entrepreneur John Mitchell reveals the missing secret hidden in Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich" - the bestselling business success book read by over 150 million people. At age 50, despite running multiple ventures, John wasn't achieving his true potential until a life-changing discovery transformed everything.The Problem Every Small Business Owner Faces: Your conscious mind sets business goals through logic, but your subconscious mind controls 95% of your daily actions. This disconnect explains why most business development strategies fail - they target your intentions but ignore the autopilot driving your behaviors.The Solution - Life GPS Methodology: John's breakthrough 12-minute daily practice programs your subconscious mind for business success by:Creating extreme clarity about your business vision and goalsProgramming success behaviors through daily repetitionAutomatically triggering better business decisions after 21 daysAligning your actions with your entrepreneurial aspirationsReal Results for Business Owners: This methodology is now taught at the University of Texas and licensed to business coaches worldwide. Students and entrepreneurs report dramatic improvements in income, decision-making, and goal achievement.Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners: ✓ Why 95% of daily actions happen unconsciously ✓ The complete Think and Grow Rich secret Napoleon Hill discovered ✓ How to create a Life GPS template for business success ✓ The 21-day transformation process for automatic success behaviors ✓ Quarterly goal-setting system with measurable business outcomesStop "winging it" with your business success. Learn the science-backed method that turns entrepreneurial dreams into automatic daily actions.John Mitchell: Founder & CEO of Think It Be ItWebsite: https://thinkitbeit.com/The Book: Buy on Amazon here Podcast: https://thinkitbeit.com/net7-podcast/The Vault: https://thinkitbeit.com/the-vault/#JohnMitchell #SmallBusinessSuccess #EntrepreneurMindset #ThinkAndGrowRich #BusinessGrowth #Subconscious #EntrepreneurialSuccess #BusinessCoaching #IncomeGrowth #BusinessDevelopment #SuccessMindset #BusinessGoals #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessTransformation #PersonalDevelopment #BusinessStrategy #MichaelDMorrison #SmallBusinessPivots #BOSS #OklahomaCity Support the show1. Want more resources to grow your business faster?https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/2. Want to connect with our Host, Founder & CEO on LinkedIn?https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/3. Want professional business coaching with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultationFOLLOW US ON:- WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/-WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/-LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/-YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified

Andy Seeley, Founder & CEO of Creatively Disruptive, shares insights from over a decade of helping small businesses thrive. He discusses the common trap of skilled professionals who struggle to transition to true ownership. Andy emphasizes the need for systems and delegation, encouraging listeners to adopt a mindset of ‘captain, not crew.’ He addresses challenges like underpricing, staffing issues, and the importance of having a clear exit strategy, offering valuable tips to help business owners reclaim their freedom and grow sustainably.

In this engaging discussion, Josh Cochran, owner of Diverse CTI and a seasoned entrepreneur, reveals how modern cybercriminals have transitioned online, likening them to pirates of the past. He discusses the alarming tactics hackers employ, including AI to create fake invoices and siphon funds unnoticed. Josh also debunks myths about cloud storage safety and emphasizes vital cybersecurity steps for small businesses, such as multi-factor authentication. His unique perspective combines insights from managing IT services and a family automotive business, enhancing the dialogue.