
Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast
Two long-time small-business owners, Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean, come to you each week to talk through the trials, success, pitfalls and tips it takes to successfully run a small business in today’s world. Hear real-world folks talk about real-world problems, letting you know not only what it takes to get it done but that you’re not alone in doing it!
Latest episodes

May 18, 2022 • 39min
A Million Dollar Side Hustle and the All Powerful Email Newsletter
Join us for episode 380 of The Small Business Show to get an update on Shannon’s experiment to create a company just using his phone – he just hit a significant milestone. Then it’s on to a discussion about Email newsletters and why your Small Business needs one, how to create them, how to grow them, and how to turn them into a powerful customer connection and revenue machine.
00:00:00 Small Business Show #380 for Wednesday, May 18, 2022
00:01:17 Find what you love
00:04:59 Shannon’s Social Commerce business hits $1MM in Poshmark sales!
00:09:14 Beware becoming comfortable
Poshmark Unlocked
Dave Hamilton on LinkedIn (link with me!)
Shannon Jean on LinkedIn (link with me, too!)
FileMaker
Sponsors
00:15:18 SPONSOR: Tailor Brands is an AI-driven, all-in-one platform for anyone aspiring to start a business or side hustle. Get 40% off at taillorbrands.com/sbs.
00:16:41 SPONSOR: Hunter Douglas — Visit HunterDouglas.com/SBS to see their smart solutions for dressing your windows and take advantage of generous rebate savings.
00:18:01 Email Newsletters
feedback@businessshow.co
Use Exclusivity and Scarcity
Mailchimp
Klaviyo
Secret Double-Opt-In
Small Business Support Group
Huckberry Outdoor Gear
Be a Creator and a Curator
00:37:55 SBS 380 Outtro
Email us your business questions: feedback@businessshow.co
The post A Million Dollar Side Hustle and the All Powerful Email Newsletter – Small Business Show 380 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

May 11, 2022 • 40min
Buying out a Partner and Turning Your Employer into a Customer
What’s the best way to buy out your business partner when you don’t have the cash? How do you convert your side-hustle to a full-time business AND recruit your current employer as your first customer?
Join us for episode 379 of The Small Business Show as we tackle these questions from our audience and more!
00:00:00 Small Business Show #379 for Wednesday, May 11, 2022
00:01:38 The Value of a Nametag as an Icebreaker
No One Sees The Mac Observer Acquisition as a Negative
00:10:30 Email us your questions: feedback@businessshow.co
Sponsors
00:11:29 SPONSOR: RateTracker, your credit card processing rate watchdog presented by Skysail Solutions, your trusted payments partner
00:13:19 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, Shopify is giving you a fourteen-day trial and full access to Shopify’s entire suite of features. Visit Shopify.com/sbs to get yours!
00:15:18 Your questions…feedback@businessshow.co
00:15:49 Rob: My partner wants me to buy him out
00:28:45 Claire: Going full-time with my side-hustle
00:39:12 SBS 379 Outtro
Email us your business questions: feedback@businessshow.co
The post Buying out a Partner and Turning Your Employer into a Customer – Small Business Show 379 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

May 4, 2022 • 39min
Creating Career Paths for your Employees Part 2
Listen in for our second episode in a series and learn how developing career paths for your employees will help your business become stronger and more profitable.
00:00:00 Small Business Show #378 for Wednesday, May 4, 2022
00:01:31 Today’s Tip: “Candidly, not Honestly”
00:13:04 Recap of Small Business Show Episode 377
Sponsors
00:13:44 SPONSOR: iTrust Capital. Invest in Crypto using your IRA. No Monthly Fees and only 1% Transaction fees. Over 25+ Cryptocurrencies available, including Bitcoin, of course. Visit iTrust.Capital/SBS to get started today!
00:15:13 SPONSOR: Bambee – Let Bambee help with your dedicated HR Manager! Go to Bambee.com/SMALL right now to schedule your free trial!
00:16:40 Creating Career Paths for Your Employees…Part 2!
Job Descriptions and Ladders
Then Map it!
Salary Ranges
Mentorship
Shout about it from the rooftops!
00:37:54 SBS 378 Outtro
feedback@businesshow.co
The post Creating Career Paths for your Employees Part 2 – Small Business Show 378 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Apr 27, 2022 • 44min
Elon Musk, Julia Child and Part 1 of Career Paths
Want to keep your best employees from leaving your company? By giving them a clear path to advance within your Small Business not only will your employees be more fulfilled, but they will also be more valuable as they build their Talent Stack.
Join us today for episode 377 of The Small Business Show where we tackle the why and the how of creating career paths for your employees. You will also hear our take on Elon Musk’s Twitter buyout and a lesson in problem-solving from Julia Child. Let’s go!
00:00:00 Small Business Show #377 for Wednesday, April 27, 2022
00:01:11 Elon Musk
“More Phish Whales, Let’s Go!”
Sponsors
00:18:26 SPONSOR: Novo: Get Your Free business banking account in just 10 minutes at BankNovo.com/SBS.
00:19:59 SPONSOR: Hunter Douglas — Visit HunterDouglas.com/SBS today for your free “Style Gets Smarter” design guide to see their smart solutions for dressing your windows.
00:21:28 Julia Child
Julia on HBOMax
feedback@businessshow.co
00:27:59 Career Paths
The Danbury Mint
The E-Myth Org Chart
The Aspirational Org Chart
00:43:00 SBS 377 Outtro
The post Elon Musk, Julia Child and Part 1 of Career Paths – Small Business Show 377 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Apr 20, 2022 • 45min
The Superpower of Compartmentalizing Your Thoughts
Running your Small Business can seem overwhelming at times. There are a thousand things going on that require your attention and hundreds of decisions that need to be made in a timely manner.
How do you keep things straight? How can you keep focused on what is important at this moment?
Listen to The Small Business Show today as we discuss the power of compartmentalization and how to hack your brain to keep your sanity at work and at home while being more present for everyone around you.
00:00:00 Small Business Show #376 for Wednesday, April 20, 2022
00:02:38 House passes $55B Small Business Grant
00:06:34 Business Franchise Taxes in each State
Sponsors
00:12:26 SPONSOR: RateTracker, your credit card processing rate watchdog presented by Skysail Solutions, your trusted payments partner
00:14:32 SPONSOR: Hunter Douglas — Visit HunterDouglas.com/SBS today for your free “Style Gets Smarter” design guide to see their smart solutions for dressing your windows.
00:16:04 Compartmentalizing Compartmentalization
How To Take Over The World Podcast
Managing By Walking Around
The Superpower of Compartmentalizing Your Thoughts
Coming Home and Still Being at Work
You Left Your Head at Work
You Are Only as Happy as Your Unhappiest Child
Multitasking is a myth, compartmentalization works.
Pomodoro Method with Bob LeVitus on Small Business Show
To-Did List on Small Business Show
00:36:46 The Million Dollar Distraction (a bedtime story!)
00:42:24 SBS 376 Outtro
feedback@businessshow.co
The post The Superpower of Compartmentalizing Your Thoughts – Small Business Show 376 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Apr 13, 2022 • 42min
Transparency for Fun and Profit
Being Transparent in your Small Business can be a key tool to gaining customers, attracting the best talent, and building your personal brand.
Make transparency part of your company culture:
For your Employees
For your Customers
For your Suppliers
For your Partners and Advisors
Join us today on The Small Business Show as we discuss just how Transparency can help you on your path towards taking over the world.
00:00:00 Small Business Show #375 for Wednesday, April 13, 2022
00:00:47 What’s In a Name?
Techniques, Tips, and Tactics
00:05:20 I made a mistake…you should pay for it!
00:14:02 Finding our Show!
00:14:28 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, Shopify is giving you a fourteen-day trial and full access to Shopify’s entire suite of features. Visit Shopify.com/sbs to get yours!
00:16:27 Transparency vs. Authenticity
feedback@businessshow.co
“One Number!”
Two Tokens of Customer Service
Small Business Show Working Agreement
00:40:42 SBS 375 Outtro
feedback@businessshow.co
The post Transparency for Fun and Profit – Small Business Show 375 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Apr 6, 2022 • 50min
Defined Benefit Plans and Taking the Employees Perspective
Join us for a fresh-squeezed edition of the Small Business Show as we dive into a grab back of topics today including Defined Benefit Plans that can help both employees and employers lower tax liability, a look at how some employees feel about their relationship with your Small Business and news from SXSW 2022.
00:00:00 Small Business Show #374 for Wednesday, April 6, 2022
00:01:47 What is a Defined Benefit Plan?
00:09:29 The employEE perspective of being laid-off
Sponsors
00:21:06 SPONSOR: RateTracker, your credit card processing rate watchdog presented by Skysail Solutions, your trusted payments partner
00:22:52 SPONSOR: Bambee – Let Bambee help with your dedicated HR Manager! Go to Bambee.com/SMALL right now to schedule your free trial!
SXSW Small Business Movies
00:24:46 SXSW-2nd Chance
00:30:23 SXSW-Mickey: The Story of A Mouse
00:33:13 SXSW-The Pez Outlaw
The Problem Solving Mindset
The Doctrine of First Sale
00:43:51 The Bose Hubris Story
00:47:37 SXSW is back!
00:49:06 SBS 374 Outtro
feedback@businessshow.co
The post Defined Benefit Plans and Taking the Employees Perspective – Small Business Show 374 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Mar 30, 2022 • 39min
The Problem with Giving Employees What They Want
Small Business owners want happy and productive employees. Can you get those types of employees by giving them everything they say they want?
Do your employees really know what they want and if you plan on asking them, what’s the best way to phrase the question? Join us today on The Small Business Show where we discuss the problem with giving employees what they want along with more topics you don’t want to miss!
00:00:00 Small Business Show #373 for Wednesday, March 30, 2022
00:02:00 Back to Travel…and Back to Work!
00:03:45 Traveling Productively With a Portable Screen
Lenovo ThinkVision M14
ASUS ZenScreen 15.6”
00:08:46 SXSW-Interview with Reggie Fils-Aimé, President and COO of Nintendo (retired)
Sponsors
00:17:02 SPONSOR: Novo: Get Your Free business banking account in just 10 minutes at BankNovo.com/SBS.
00:18:37 SPONSOR: Hunter Douglas — Visit HunterDouglas.com/SBS today for your free “Style Gets Smarter” design guide to see their smart solutions for dressing your windows.
00:19:57 The Problem with Giving Employees What They Want
The arrival fallacy – “The false belief that reaching a valued destination can sustain happiness.” – Dr. Tal Ben-Sharar, Harvard psychologist.
What would you decide (if you were the manager)?
00:25:18 The Santa Story
00:28:16 Giving employees ownership
We base our salaries on results and impact to the company’s profitability
Separate performance reviews from salary reviews
Keep perks temporary and/or rotational
00:37:43 SBS 373 Outtro
feedback@businessshow.co
The post The Problem with Giving Employees What They Want – Small Business Show 373 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Mar 23, 2022 • 40min
Delegating for Success
You can’t do it all. As Small Business owners, we may have started out taking on every role and doing all the work but the only way we can build a successful business is to create teams and delegate tasks.
Join your hosts Dave Hamilton and Shannon Jean as they discuss the importance of delegating and how to use it as one of your Small Business Superpowers.
00:00:00 Small Business Show #372 for Wednesday, March 23, 2022
00:01:53 Beware Falling in Love with Titles
Sponsors
00:11:52 SPONSOR: RateTracker, your credit card processing rate watchdog presented by Skysail Solutions, your trusted payments partner
00:13:47 SPONSOR: Hunter Douglas — Visit HunterDouglas.com/SBS today for your free “Style Gets Smarter” design guide to see their smart solutions for dressing your windows.
00:15:20 Time to Delegate!
The E-Myth
Get Comfortable Giving Up Control
Think like a boss
Think like a pilot!
People want trust and autonomy
What job do you want next?
00:33:38 Autonomy creates opportunity
“It’s not important that you have the answer, it’s important that you know where to find the answer.” – Mark King, President of Taco Bell
There’s no growth without delegating
00:39:10 SBS 372 Outtro
The post Delegating for Success – Small Business Show 372 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

Mar 16, 2022 • 37min
What is Decoy Pricing and how can your Small Business use it?
We have done a few episodes recently about how to manage cost increases and how to raise your prices. Dave recently came across the concept of Decoy Pricing that is worth looking at.
What is Decoy Pricing?
Decoy pricing is a strategy that aims to guide a potential customer towards a specific product or service by presenting an inferior choice. Listen in to learn more!
00:00:00 Small Business Show #371 for Wednesday, March 16, 2022
00:01:00 Ben Thompson’s Stratechery Newsletter about Shopify
00:02:41 Traveler’s Tips!
00:06:53 Expensive stuff!
Sponsors
00:08:08 SPONSOR: Novo: Get Your Free business banking account in just 10 minutes at BankNovo.com/SBS.
00:09:49 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, Shopify is giving you a fourteen-day trial and full access to Shopify’s entire suite of features. Visit Shopify.com/sbs to get yours!
00:11:30 Decoy Pricing
The Popcorn Example. Large is the most profitable
Small – $3.50
Medium – $6.50
Large – $7.50
Service Providers: Use Bundling and Features
The Economist example
Digital Edition: $59
Print Edition: $125
Print + Digital Edition: $125
The Amazon Example
Search BusinessShow.co for “Story”
Tobi, the Snowboarder who started Shopify
00:30:35 Anchoring
“F*** the cup, pour it in my hand for a dime!”
00:35:45 SBS 371 Outtro
Next week: Delegating
The post What is Decoy Pricing and how can your Small Business use it? – Small Business Show 371 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.