Small Business Straight Talk
Business & Finance
About
If you're a successful, busy small business owner who wants the straight talk on self-leadership, personal productivity, financial clarity, operational efficiency, team leadership, and business strategy to maximize profits, reduce stress, and make time for what matters most, this top 1% podcast is for you! Tune in and subscribe to hear Amber deep-dive into business topics, provide actionable strategies, and interview guests about their expertise and business insights, so you can get results and succeed in business.
Episodes
- 423 | The Science Of Success: Why Confidence Comes After Action With Sara Connell
Sara Connell explains the neuroscience behind confidence, highlighting that action comes before confidence. The episode covers overcoming the fear of taking action and building confidence by doing the opposite of what one might think.
- 422 | Holding The Line: When Growth Is Not The Most Strategic Move
This episode explores when growth is not the most strategic move for a business. It discusses how to recognize signals to assess capacity and what "holding the line" entails, including six activities to keep a business intact during such p…
- 421 | The ADHD Brain In Business: Why You're Not Broken With Diann Wingert
Diann Wingert, an ADHD business coach, joins the podcast to discuss how individuals with ADHD can build businesses that align with their brain
- 420 | The Real Reason I Created The Decision-Making Series
This episode of the Small Business Straight Talk Podcast discusses the reasons behind creating the three-part decision-making series. The host shares how they used the decision-making framework while making a major business decision themse…
- 419 | Decision-Making Part 3: You Have The Answer
This episode covers the topic of trusting your intuition in business decisions. It explains how personal expertise informs gut feelings, and why some business owners override their intuition. The episode also discusses common decision-maki…
- 418 | Decision-Making Part 2: Stop Delaying, Start Deciding
This episode of Small Business Straight Talk focuses on practical tools and frameworks for improving decision-making. It addresses common obstacles such as fear-based delays, thinking traps, and avoidance patterns, providing strategies to…
- 417 | Decision-Making Part 1: The Hidden Cost Of Delaying
This episode of Small Business Straight Talk discusses the hidden costs of delaying decisions. It examines categories of decision delay, how fear affects choices, and the impact of treating all decisions the same.
- 416 | Exploring The Effect Of Emotional Intelligence On Your Success With Alex Resnick
This episode of Small Business Straight Talk features Alex Resnick, founder of Evolve Leadership. The discussion focuses on how emotional intelligence impacts a business owner's ability to set boundaries, communicate effectively, and lead…
- 415 | Strategic Thinking: What's Getting In Your Way And How To Fix It
This episode of Small Business Straight Talk discusses obstacles to strategic thinking in business. It explores mindset shifts, the science behind resistance to strategic thinking, and practical frameworks for effective thinking sessions.
- 414 | Encore: Building A Company Culture Of High Performers Who Never Want To Leave With Yuri Elkaim
This episode features Yuri Elkaim discussing building a company culture with high-performing teams. He covers leadership skills, cultivating team bonds remotely, and effective hiring approaches.
- 413 | The Love Letter Your Business Has Been Waiting To Send You
This episode of Small Business Straight Talk features an imagined letter from your business to you. It discusses rediscovering your business's perspective and finding renewed enthusiasm for your work.
- 412 | You Don't Need More Discipline, You Need More Trust
This episode of Small Business Straight Talk explores the idea that a lack of self-trust, rather than discipline, is the reason many entrepreneurs struggle to keep promises to themselves. It discusses the impact of broken promises and offe…
- 411 | Encore: The Magic Connection Method With Brandon Fong
In this episode, Brandon Fong discusses his "Magic Connection Method," a 5-step framework for building relationships and opening doors for businesses. He shares how to connect with individuals, make irresistible offers, and effectively net…
- 410 | The Tech Stack Audit That Saves Time, Money & Sanity
This episode focuses on auditing a business's tech stack. It covers identifying inefficient tools, tracking tool information, and preventing tech bloat to improve operational efficiency.
- 409 | What Business Owners Want Most
This episode of Small Business Straight Talk discusses what business owners want most. It explores why business owners may not achieve desired outcomes by chasing them and suggests focusing on other strategies, including four pillars for c…
- 408 | What Does Your Business Need?
This episode of Small Business Straight Talk helps listeners identify what their business needs. It provides strategies for decision-making by addressing common challenges that business owners face.
- 407 | What To Let Go Of Before 2026 & Why It's The Best Gift You Can Give Yourself
This episode of Small Business Straight Talk focuses on identifying and letting go of internal beliefs and external commitments that impact business and life. It aims to help listeners achieve clarity and momentum by releasing what holds t…
- 406 | Unpacking The Illusion Of Time Abundance & Money Scarcity With Sarah Walton
This episode features a discussion with business coach and sales expert Sarah Walton. The conversation focuses on the illusion of time abundance and money scarcity, and strategies for managing time and money mindset blocks.
- 405 | What To Actually Focus On In December Without The Guilt
This episode of Small Business Straight Talk discusses how to strategically focus on end-of-year priorities in December without guilt and avoid overwhelm. It covers identifying key actions to feel accomplished by month-end.
- 404 | Collaborating With Your Bookkeeper For Best Results With Misa Bacon
Misa Bacon, founder and CEO of Perfectly Kept Books, discusses how business owners can improve their collaboration with bookkeepers. The episode covers strategies for effective communication, understanding reports, and identifying red flag…
- 403 | Good Busy vs. Toxic Busy: The Foundation Of Your Success
This episode of Small Business Straight Talk differentiates between good busy and toxic busy. It provides insights into recognizing warning signs and making choices to achieve success without burnout, helping listeners understand what each…
- 402 | Cracking The Consistency Code: Behind The Business With Courtney Townley
Courtney Townley, a certified nutrition and life coach, discusses her new book, "The Consistency Code: A Midlife Woman's Guide to Deep Health and Happiness." She shares insights on women's wellness practices, midlife health as stress manag…
- 401 | When The Most Productive Thing You Can Do Is Step Away
The episode explores the host's experience of prioritizing rest for their business. It covers the challenges faced, the decision to step away, and the positive outcomes of that choice.
- 400 | SPECIAL The Real Struggles, Lessons, & Growth: Behind The Business Of Amber De La Garza
Amber De La Garza is interviewed about her 15 years in business and 400 episodes of the podcast Small Business Straight Talk. She discusses her struggles, lessons, and business growth.
- 399 | From Near-Death To $55 Million In Sales: Behind The Business With Kris Dehnert
Kris Dehnert, CEO of Dugout Mugs, shares his journey from a near-death experience to achieving $55 million in sales. He discusses the inner workings of his business, the mistakes he made, and his advice for other business owners.
- 398 | The One Question That Changes Everything In Your Business And Life
This episode discusses a foundational question that can impact business and life. It explores why this question is often overlooked, its potential costs, and how it can serve as a strategic compass for decision-making.
- 397 | Replacing Yourself In Your Business: A Client Case Study With Myrna Everett
Myrna Everett discusses her experience transitioning from a hands-on role to a CEO position at Home Vogue Interiors. She shares her insights on delegation, standard operating procedures, and strategic decision-making to achieve business sc…
- 396 | When Visionaries Face Operational Realities: Behind The Business With LuAnn Nigara
This episode features LuAnn Nigara discussing her business evolution and the challenges of operational realities. She shares lessons learned over four decades in business as a creative visionary.
- 395 | Hidden Revenue Leaks Part 2: Real Businesses, Real Leaks, Real Solutions
This episode of Small Business Straight Talk focuses on identifying and solving revenue leaks in businesses. It covers common operational pitfalls, billing issues, and discusses how efficiency can impact profitability.
- 394 | Hidden Revenue Leaks Part 1: Digging Deeper To Uncover Profits
This episode of Small Business Straight Talk focuses on revenue leaks. The host discusses five levels of revenue leaks and explores why typical solutions often fail to address them effectively these issues effectively.
- 393 | Tax Secrets: How To Keep More Of Your Money With Mark J. Kohler
Mark J. Kohler, CEO of Main Street Tax Professionals, joins the show to discuss tax secrets for small businesses. Topics include flow-through taxation, converting an LLC to an S-Corp, quarterly payroll actions, paying children through a bu…
- 392 | Regulating Your Nervous System With Michelle Grosser
Michelle Grosser discusses practical tools and strategies for regulating the nervous system to overcome stress and enhance performance in business and life. The episode covers recognizing a dysregulated nervous system, its business impact,…
- 391 | The Real Reason You're Always 'So Busy'
This episode of Small Business Straight Talk examines why people feel constantly busy, exploring societal programming that equates busyness with virtue. It discusses the detrimental effects of this "toxic busy-ness" on health, relationship…
- 390 | Behind The Biz From Burnout To Boundaries With Jude Charles
Jude Charles shares his entrepreneurial journey, including his transition from burnout to setting boundaries, and discusses his philosophy on authentic storytelling in business.
- 389 | When To Cut Your Losses (And Why You're Not Doing It)
This episode of Small Business Straight Talk addresses why business owners often continue investing in failing ventures. It offers insights into recognizing when to cut losses, the mindset shift required, and how this decision is not a fai…
- 388 | Lead Follow-Up: How To Convert Leads Into Client Relationships With Jacob Hicks
Success Coach Jacob Hicks joins Small Business Straight Talk to discuss converting leads into client relationships through an effective follow-up system. The episode covers what a good system looks like, optimal outreach frequency, getting…
- 387 | White Space Wins Utilizing Your Secret Scheduling Weapon
This episode of Small Business Straight Talk reveals "white space" as a powerful scheduling strategy. Discover what it is, why your business needs it, and how to implement it effectively to feel more accomplished and in control of your tim…
- 386 | Turning Your Data-Driven Metrics Into Revenue With Amy Traugh
Amy Traugh joins Small Business Straight Talk to discuss leveraging data-driven metrics for business growth. The episode covers the importance of tracking metrics, common pitfalls for business owners, strategies for breaking sales plateaus…
- 385 | Leveraging AI To Grow Your Business With Rick Mulready
This episode features Business Coach Rick Mulready discussing how the AI revolution is impacting small businesses. Discover why embracing AI is important, how to get started, strategies for communicating with AI, and what AI can help achie…
- 384 | The Mid-Year Goals Reset: How To Review, Refocus & Finish Strong
This episode explains how to conduct a mid-year goals audit using the Insights Feedback Loop. It covers resetting goals based on reality, creating a 6-month action plan, and strategies to finish the year strong.
- 383 | Avoiding Scams, Wire Fraud & Cyberattacks With Jeremiah Baker
Jeremiah Baker, a Cyber Resilience Specialist, discusses protecting small businesses from cybercrime on the Small Business Straight Talk podcast. The episode covers the impact of attacks, ethical hacking, social engineering, theft methods,…
- 382 | A Strong Case For Both Personal AND Business Bucket Lists This Summer
This episode explains how to create personal and business bucket lists that mutually support each other, enabling you to convert seasonal opportunities into tangible progress. It covers the definition, identification of contents, benefits,…
- 381 | ADHD Strategies For Neurodivergent Small Business Owners With Skye Waterson
Skye Waterson, an ADHD strategist, discusses managing ADHD as an adult and strategies for neurodivergent business owners. The episode covers executive functioning, dopamine addiction, task initiation challenges, motivation systems, and cre…
- 380 | From Doer To Leader: Breaking Free From The Identity Crisis Keeping You Stuck
This episode discusses the common small business owner identity crisis of being a leader who still performs their team's tasks. It covers the differences between leaders and doers, signs of being stuck, the costs of this identity, and prov…
- 379 | Lead With Love: Eradicating Workplace Toxicity With Dr. Sam Adeyemi
This episode features Dr. Sam Adeyemi discussing workplace toxicity and strategies for resolution through leading with love. It covers identifying toxic leadership, team behaviors, conflict resolution, and more.
- 378 | Work Review Extremes Part 3: The Solution Of Balanced Leadership
This episode explores balanced leadership, a leadership style that balances quality control with creativity. It offers a framework for determining appropriate oversight, strategies for building a healthy review culture, and benefits of bal…
- 377 | Work Review Extremes Part 2: The Costs Of Laissez-Faire Leadership
This episode discusses laissez-faire leadership, focusing on its application to work reviews. It covers the drivers behind this hands-off approach, its hidden costs, how to recognize personal triggers, and situations where it might be appr…
- 376 | Work Review Extremes Part 1: The Costs of Overbearing Leadership
This episode of Small Business Straight Talk, the first in a three-part series on Work Review Extremes, focuses on the negative impacts of overbearing leadership and micromanagement. It covers identifying micromanagement, its business cost…
- 375 | The 4 C's Of Goal Achievers With Kristin Burke
This episode features goal achievement coach Kristin Burke discussing the 4 C's of goal achievement, strategies for overcoming limiting beliefs, and mindset shifts to attain desired success.
- 374 | Brand Strategy: The Unsung Hero Of Success With Jacinta Gandy
This episode features Jacinta Gandy, founder of The Social Circle, discussing brand strategy as a key factor for business success. Topics include defining brand strategy, differentiating it from personal branding, analyzing competitors, an…