How I Built My Small Business
Anne McGinty
2025 Communicator Award of Excellence in the Educational Series category2024 + 2025 People's Choice Podcast Awards Finalist Nominee x 2Named "One of the Best Business Podcasts" by RamseyIn 'How I Built My Small Business,' we explore real-life entrepreneurship and building a meaningful, balanced life. The show’s guests (diverse in industry, experience, and background) open up about the real stories behind building a business: the wins, the mistakes, and the values that shape their choices.This is not a business show focused on the numbers of the game. It’s about the founder’s journey and their way of thinking. If you are looking for a show that talks about top line, bottom line, profit margin, and mainly financial info… this is not the show for you. While you’ll find some episodes in Season One (and sporadically thereafter) that include financials, the host’s interest is more in the human(s) behind the business.Sometimes an episode is a masterclass, other times it’s an honest, heart-opening connection between two people. There’s always curiosity, growth, and learning through storytelling… with a sprinkle of life wisdom.Every guest has started a business at some point in their journey, and the line-up includes a 50/50 split of women and men.Whether you're a founder, dreamer, curious individual or lifelong learner, I hope each episode makes you think or leaves you with at least one spark that inspires your own path or broadens your perspective.Thank you for listening. Let’s learn together.My Website: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcginty/Behind-The-Scenes: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 30, 2024 • 18min
Jim Groverman - MINISODE: How to Make a Living in Just Six Weeks? Inside the Agritainment World of PETALUMA PUMPKIN PATCH
Jim is the founder, owner, and farmer-operator of the Petaluma Pumpkin Patch, a fall destination for many families in the Bay Area and a well -known agritourism enterprise in Sonoma County. Jim is a member of 4 -H, which promotes positive youth development, mentorship, and education, and FFA, the Future Farmers of America, an organization that encourages leadership in agriculture.Not only does he run an incredibly successful pumpkin patch, but he is also in charge of managing over 800 acres of other land. His pumpkin patch has been featured in countless media, including Sonoma Magazine, KQED, Time Out, and was named as one of the top three pumpkin patches in the United States by the New York Times. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost
Apr 23, 2024 • 40min
Amy Lai - How do you start a franchise? Boba Beginnings to 45+ Franchise TEASPOON Locations in five years
Amy is the co-founder and CEO of Teaspoon, a nationwide boba chain that opened its first store in Los Altos, california, in 2016 and started franchising two years later. Since then, the brand has expanded to 45 Teaspoon boba shops nationwide and counting. Her business has been featured in Style Magazine, Restaurant Magazine, Chef's Warehouse and more. Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost
Apr 16, 2024 • 30min
Brian Dutt - How do non-engineers build successful apps? Empowering 10,000+ Creators (Everyday People) at BEEROLL.IO
Brian Dutt, in the heart of New York City, talks with us about what it's like starting and growing a video creation platform and app. Brian is the founder CEO of BeeRoll, a tech platform that empowers leading brands to weave authentic stories through user -generated content. For nearly a decade, Brian worked in the corporate world as an analyst executing strategy and business development with companies including HBO, Comedy Central, Paramount, Comcast, and more. Then in 2017, he combined his interests in storyboarding, video editing, and screenwriting and launched Beeroll.Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost
Apr 9, 2024 • 31min
Rachel Berick - How to start a business with $600? Learn how MAPTOTE founders climbed to 800+ stores worldwide
Rachel is the co-founder of Maptote, a Brooklyn based small business that has been making fun and functional products with unique location-centric designs. With a tale that stitches together art, fashion, and sustainability, Rachel recounts the leap of faith that propelled a single Brooklyn map tote bag and an initial $600 investment into a diverse collection of over 600 products at 800+ store globally.Maptote has collaborated with Museums, L’Occitane, Pendleton, HBO, Martha Stewart and many more and has been featured in The Spruce, on Birdie’s “Top 50 Best Friend Gifts,” in Women’s Day, Bloomingdale’s “Greatest Gift Guide,” People Magazine, Women’s Health, and so much more.Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost
Apr 4, 2024 • 37min
Skip Abed - How a 26 year old spotted an opportunity! Becoming owner-operator of the SANTA BARBARA SAILING CENTER.
Skip Abed bought the Santa Barbara Sailing Center at twenty-seven years old back on April 1, 2000 after working there for eight years.Skip saw a vision for the myriad of ways he could improve the Santa Barbara Sailing Center and over the past twenty-three years, he's gradually put them in place growing the business from about ten boats to over forty.His business has been named the American Sailing Association School of the Year twice now, and he is passionate about making the sport of sailing accessible to everyone.Mentioned in the episode:Santa Barbara Chamber of CommerceSanta Barbara Cheese ShopThe Sea LeagueAlpha Resource CenterWhale Heritage SiteSubscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost
Apr 2, 2024 • 40min
Rochelle Webb - Unlocking the Secrets of Social Entrepreneurship: OPTIMIST MADE's Journey to Empower Global Fashion and Change the World
Rochelle Webb is a clinical assistant professor of entrepreneurship and marketing at Loyola Marymount University. She’s not only an academic powerhouse, but also the visionary founder and CEO of Optimist Made, connecting global designers to the American market.With over a decade in corporate America, Rochelle’s expertise in global brand marketing has earned her accolades, including media plan of the year and a Grand Effie.An alumna of Columbia Business School and UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, she brings an MBA-backed perspective to her ventures. Beyond her professional realm, Rochelle is a dedicated Board Member for 1% For The Planet and Movember, as well as an Advisory Board Member for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles. A true leader with a heart for positive impact, Rochelle strives to leave our world better than she found it. Let’s dive into her inspiring journey!Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost
Mar 26, 2024 • 41min
Ross Jacobson - Is Pivoting into Entertainment at 29 Madness? Uncover How 3311 PRODUCTIONS Turned a Tape-Librarian into a Producer in Just Four Years!
Ross Jacobson is the co -founder CEO of 3311 Productions, a company of film lovers who take movie making seriously, but not themselves. Ross went from the entry level job as tape librarian at Magical Elves, the producer of Top Chef and Project Runway, to leading the company in just four years. Ross is a film industry veteran who has brought films to Cannes, Sundance, Telluride, Berlin, Toronto, and Comic -Con, and has been a part of Emmy and Peabody winning TV shows. 3311 Productions has produced many films including In A World , The Assistant , Brigsby Bear , and many more.Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost
Mar 19, 2024 • 50min
Melissa Martinelli - Can Surplus Whey Save the Planet? How DRINK SUPERFRAU! Hit 400+ Stores and Fights Climate Change
Melissa Martinelli is the founder and CEO of Superfrau. Melissa was an immigration lawyer and pivoted to crafting delicious Super Sodas made from surplus fresh whey that is generated during the youghurt fermentation process. She has been featured on the Boston Globe, was a speaker at the Tufts University Food and Nutrition Innovation Institute, and her company @drinksuperfrau has been touted as a top key player in the growing upcycled foods industry. Listen to her journey, the highs and the lows, and how she went from spark of an idea to over a hundred stores in a couple years. Her company, Superfrau, is on track to be in over four hundred stores nationwide this year.Subscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost
Mar 12, 2024 • 50min
Mark and Anne McGinty - Netting seven figures in months hanging Christmas lights with SAN FRANCISCO HOLIDAY LIGHTING, INC.
In this special episode, join me, Anne, and my husband Mark as we co-host a journey down memory lane, reflecting on the origins and evolution of San Francisco Holiday Lighting, Inc, a full-service holiday lighting and decor installation company. Mark, with a background in carpentry, and myself, formerly a sales representative for a nationwide oral and body care company, share the story of how we built our business.Tune in for valuable insights as we reminisce on the lessons learned during our path to netting seven figures annually, all within the dynamic world of holiday lighting - a business that only operates for six months a year.Article mentioned in the podcast:San Francisco Chronicle MagazineSubscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost
Mar 5, 2024 • 50min
Kelsey Sheofsky - Can Glamping Make Millions? Discover How SHELTER CO. Achieved High Seven-Figure Success
Kelsey is the owner of Shelter-Co, a full scale event production company with luxury canvas tents and beautiful furnishings to boot, that has gained a reputation for well-designed, thoughtful, and environmentally conscious productions. Prior to starting Shelter Co, Kelsey cold-called Alison Hotchkiss of Alison Events to see if she had any job openings. After five years of working for Alison, Kelsey was ready to branch off on her own and created a tangential offering that allowed her to maintain a strong relationship with her former boss. Shelter Co has built pop-up hotels in remote locations, produced magazine-worthy events around the country, designed VIP spaces at music festivals including Outside Lands in San Francisco and Bottleneck in Napa, run corporate retreats, built a semi-permanent outdoor, open-aired meeting "rooms" on three of Google's campuses, and has been featured on the cover of Sunset Magazine, and on The New York Times, Vogue, among many, many more.You can check out her business' inspiring and beautiful designs on Instagram @sheltercoSubscribe on Apple Podcast , Spotify or YouTube.Let’s connect!Subscribe to my newsletter: Time To Live: Thriving in Business and BeyondWebsite: https://www.annemcginty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemcgintyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemcgintyhost
