Small Business Pivots

Michael Morrison

Tired of fluff-filled business advice? Small Business Pivots delivers raw, honest conversations with entrepreneurs, content creators, and industry experts who’ve made bold pivots to grow—whether to six figures, seven, or simply the next stage of success. Hosted by nationally recognized small business coach and BOSS founder Michael Morrison, this show shares the unfiltered stories, mindset shifts, and behind-the-scenes strategies that help real business owners overcome burnout, build momentum, and grow a business that works—without working themselves into the ground. With over 100 episodes, Small Business Pivots is a trusted resource for small business owners who are serious about growth. From the early struggles to the key turning points, you’ll walk away with practical tools, honest encouragement, and actionable insight every week. 🎯 Sample episodes dive into: • Small business marketing and content creation • Building referral networks and strategic partnerships • Mindset, burnout, and decision-making as a founder • Time management, leadership, SOPs, hiring, and team culture  • Systemization, SOPs, and franchising • Social media, branding, automation, and scaling strategies Whether you're aiming for your first six figures or scaling beyond seven, this podcast gives you the real-world insight, inspiration, and community you need to take your next big step. Subscribe now—and start making the pivots that move your business forward. Want to visit with our host, Michael Morrison, about business coaching services for your small business? Go here: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/consultation

  1. HACE 3 DÍAS

    DISC Personality Styles, Vulnerability & Getting Unstuck in Business | Mendy Turk

    Many business owners feel stuck—but rarely talk about why. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael D. Morrison sits down with Mendy Turk, owner of Three Arrows Coaching & Consulting Group, for an honest conversation about leadership vulnerability, imposter syndrome, and how understanding DISC personality styles can radically improve communication, decision-making, and team performance. Mendy works with established business owners and leaders—often 7+ years into business—who’ve survived the highs and lows but still feel unsure about their next move. Together, Michael and Mendy unpack why asking for help feels so hard, why most leaders feel like they’re “supposed to have it all figured out,” and how DISC reveals the hidden motivators, fears, and stress responses driving behavior at work. This episode goes beyond theory. You’ll hear real examples of:  – How DISC shows up under stress  – Why indecision is still a decision  – How leadership communication breaks down (and how to fix it)  – Why self-care isn’t optional for business owners  – How vulnerability actually builds trust with teams If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure how to lead people with different personalities—this conversation will hit home. What is DISC in business? DISC is a behavioral assessment that helps leaders understand communication styles, motivation, stress responses, and decision-making tendencies. Why is DISC important for leadership? DISC helps leaders adapt communication, reduce conflict, improve trust, and lead teams more effectively—especially under stress. How does DISC help business owners? It increases self-awareness, improves hiring decisions, strengthens team communication, and reduces leadership burnout. What are the four DISC personality types? Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C). Support the show 1. 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.com 4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultation FOLLOW US ON: - WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/ -WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/ -LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/ -YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified

    40 min
  2. 4 FEB

    How to Get Business Traction with EOS — Leadership, Accountability & Execution with Chris Hallberg

    In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael D. Morrison sits down with Chris Hallberg, known as The Business Sergeant, to break down what actually creates traction inside a business. Chris brings nearly a decade of military and paramilitary leadership experience into the business world, helping owners replace chaos with clarity using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). As an expert EOS Implementer and creator of the GoExpand platform, Chris works with organizations ranging from growing small businesses to companies doing $10M–$1B+ in revenue. This conversation dives deep into: Why businesses get stuck—even when revenue is growingThe six key components every business must strengthen to scaleHow clarity eliminates the wrong people (without firing them)Why accountability fails when vision isn’t fully sharedHow EOS creates traction in 90-day cyclesThe leadership mindset required to build a healthy, aligned companyIf you’re a business owner struggling with lack of clarity, people problems, or stalled growth, this episode delivers a practical framework you can apply immediately—without fluff or hype. Chris Hallberg is an expert EOS Implementer, leadership coach, and founder of The Business Sergeant. With a background in military and paramilitary leadership, Chris helps business owners replace chaos with clarity through disciplined execution, accountability, and alignment. He is the author of The Business Sergeant’s Field Manual and creator of the GoExpand business operating system platform. Connect with Chris Hallberg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hallberg-01516315/Website: https://implementer.eosworldwide.com/chris-hallberg/Email: chris.hallberg@eosworldwide.com Support the show 1. 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.com 4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultation FOLLOW US ON: - WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/ -WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/ -LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/ -YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified

    41 min
  3. 28 ENE

    Storytelling for Business Growth — The 5-Part Framework That Makes Sales Grow | Bill Blankschaen

    Business owners don’t need a “perfect” story—just a structured one. Bill Blankschaen (StoryBuilders) shares a 5-part storytelling framework to make any message matter, build credibility, and turn your story into impact, influence, and income.  If you’ve ever thought “my story isn’t that interesting”—this episode will change how you see your experiences (and how you use them to grow your business). Michael D. Morrison sits down with Bill Blankschaen, founder and Chief StoryArchitect of StoryBuilders, a team that helps entrepreneurs and thought leaders turn their ideas into brand stories, books, and learning experiences that increase impact, influence, and income.  Bill breaks down a simple, proven storytelling model you can use immediately—whether you’re: selling a servicepitching an idealeading your teamspeaking on stageor just trying to explain what you do in a way people actually rememberIn this conversation, you’ll learn: Why most business owners undervalue their story (Bill calls it the “normalcy trap”)How to make your story impactful without exaggerating or getting “too dramatic”The 5-part framework that makes any message matter: Attention → Tension → Connection → Solution → ActionHow to identify your core audience so your message lands with the right peopleThe real value of a book as a credibility and business-building tool—and why a book should be as long as it needs to be (no magic number)What it typically takes to publish a book (and why “30-day AI books” can backfire long-term)Bill also shares the concept of a “story ecosystem”—how your message can evolve from a brand story into a book and then into IP (courses, workshops, coaching, and more). Support the show 1. 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.com 4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultation FOLLOW US ON: - WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/ -WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/ -LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/ -YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified

    44 min
  4. 21 ENE

    Sales Uprising: How to Sell Without Feeling Pushy or Gross With Katie Nelson

    Welcome back to Small Business Pivots, the podcast created for small business owners who want real conversations, real lessons, and real growth. In this episode, host Michael Morrison sits down with Katie Nelson, CEO of Sales Uprising and a serial entrepreneur on her third business journey. Katie is on a mission to help business owners stop hating sales — and start seeing it for what it really is: a human conversation that fuels business growth. Together, Michael and Katie dive deep into: Why sales feels “icky” for so many business owners — and how to change that mindsetThe real difference between sales vs. marketing (and why confusing the two hurts growth)Why sales is the most human function in any businessHow to simplify funnels, pipelines, and CRMs without overcomplicating themWhy your clients already have the answers to your best messagingHow to build a simple sales process that actually worksWhen to keep things simple — and when systems matterWhy pivots aren’t failures, but necessary iterations for long-term successKatie also shares powerful insights from her early days in sales, lessons learned from growing businesses to multi-million-dollar run rates, and practical advice for business owners who want to work on their business — not just in it. If you’re a small business owner who struggles with sales, avoids it altogether, or wants a simpler, more authentic approach — this episode will change how you think about selling. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who needs to hear it. Timestamps (Short)00:00 — Meet Katie Nelson & Sales Uprising 02:20 — Why sales feels “icky” for business owners 06:45 — Katie’s first sales job at 15 (and what it taught her) 12:10 — Why sales hasn’t really changed over time 16:40 — Sales vs. marketing: the real difference 23:05 — Why sales should come before branding 29:30 — Asking clients for messaging (the golden nugget) 35:20 — Simplifying funnels, pipelines & CRMs 43:10 — How many sales stages do you really need? 49:55 — Working on your business vs in it 56:30 — Pivots, iterations & long-term growth 01:02:15 — Sales playbooks, scripts & keeping it human 01:09:40 — Best beginner sales books 01:13:30 — Final mindset takeaway for entrepreneurs Support the show 1. 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.com 4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultation FOLLOW US ON: - WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/ -WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/ -LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/ -YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified

    45 min
  5. 14 ENE

    Fortune 100 Secrets: Why Small Business Owners Fail (and how not to) With Stacey Bullman

    Are you running your business on gut instinct instead of data? In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael D. Morrison sits down with Stacey Bullman, Founder & CEO of I’m Not Mad At You Consulting, to break down how small business owners can apply Fortune 100 systems, financial discipline, and decision-making frameworks without becoming corporate or losing agility. With over 25 years inside Fortune 100 companies, Stacey brings real-world insight into why most small businesses struggle with forecasting, cash flow clarity, delegation, and scalable systems — and how CEOs can fix it fast. You’ll hear why:  • Math and financial acuity drive every successful decision  • Systems beat hustle every time  • Small business owners avoid asking for help — and why that hurts growth  • CEOs must stop wearing every hat to scale  • Discipline, delegation, and belief separate growth companies from stalled ones Stacey also draws powerful parallels between marathon training and business leadership, showing how discipline, consistency, and coaching apply to both. If you’re a small business owner who feels overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to scale — this conversation will change how you think about your business. About the Guest: Stacey Bullman is the Founder & CEO of I’m Not Mad At You Consulting, a leadership and business consulting firm helping CEOs and leadership teams improve decision-making, financial clarity, and operational discipline.   Timestamps (Short)  00:00 — Meet Stacey Bullman & her consulting background 03:40 — From elite athlete to Fortune 100 executive 07:55 — Why marathon discipline mirrors business leadership 12:20 — The real difference between corporate & small business systems 18:10 — Why most small businesses don’t use math to make decisions 24:35 — Forecasting, inputs vs outputs, and financial discipline 31:50 — The 5 PL line items every CEO must understand 38:45 — Delegation, discipline, and why owners wear too many hats 45:30 — Why successful leaders always have coaches 52:10 — Why business owners avoid asking for help 59:00 — Belief, mindset, and the final takeaway for every CEO Support the show 1. 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.com 4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultation FOLLOW US ON: - WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/ -WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/ -LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/ -YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified

    44 min
  6. 7 ENE

    Client Retention Strategies That Drive Growth — Customer Experience with Francis Flair

    In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael Morrison sits down with Francis Flair (Flair Consulting Group) to break down client retention systems and why customer experience is the #1 revenue multiplier for scaling businesses. Francis shares his journey from Ghana, West Africa to building a consulting firm that helps service-based and scaling companies improve customer experience, employee experience, and retention—because “for every client you keep, it’s a competitor you beat.” You’ll learn: Why retention multiplies growth (and why profits hide in retention—not acquisition) How to “think from the market” instead of “thinking for the market”The simple (not easy) way to identify your audience: ask better questions and test offersWhy your people aren’t the problem—your systems (SOPs) are How brands like Chick-fil-A, Disney, Amazon, and Southwest set expectations that become your competitionThe 5 mistakes that sabotage customer experience (and how to fix them)The 5 Mistakes Most Service Businesses Make (Francis Flair): Not realizing customer experience is the #1 revenue multiplierThinking the staff is the problem (instead of the system)Believing great service is “common sense” (and not defining what “great” means)Wanting the team to care—but not showing the team you careTreating customer service like a department (instead of an identity)Timestamps 00:00 Francis Flair + what Flair Consulting Group does 02:10 From Ghana to the U.S.—the origin story 06:40 The pivot into consulting + “create your own economy” 10:35 Think from the market vs for the market 14:05 “Just ask”—how to discover what customers really want 18:30 Retention vs acquisition—where profits actually hide 24:10 Chick-fil-A vs Popeyes—what the numbers reveal 29:20 5 mistakes that break customer experience (overview) 31:10 Mistake #2: People aren’t the problem—systems are 36:30 Mistake #3: Define “great” or employees will decide 41:10 Mistake #4: Want them to care? Show them you care 47:40 Mistake #5: Customer service is an identity, not a department 53:10 Final takeaway + where to connect with Francis Support the show 1. 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.com 4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultation FOLLOW US ON: - WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/ -WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/ -LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/ -YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified

    46 min
  7. 31/12/2025

    From Near Bankruptcy to Sum Good – How April Glavine Built a Better Electrolyte Brand

    Founder April Glavine shares how she turned a near-bankruptcy CPG lesson into Sum Good, a fruit-first electrolyte brand built on health and smart scaling.  Are you building a product brand and hoping the margins will magically work themselves out later? In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with April Glavine, founder of Sum Good, a Canadian company pioneering fruit-first electrolyte shots and freezies made with pressed fruit and a potassium-forward formula.  Named one of the Top 100 Women with Natural Products Canada, Rising Star of the Year 2022, and a 2024 EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, April also took Sum Good onto CBC’s Dragons’ Den where she secured a deal to help scale the brand nationally.  April shares the hard lessons from almost going bankrupt with her first CPG company and how she used those scars to build a stronger, data-backed brand with Sum Good. From market validation and packaging strategy to clinical research and investor pitches, this conversation is packed with real-world insights for any founder trying to grow without burning out. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Turn a near-bankruptcy experience into a blueprint for your next successful businessUse market validation to test flavors, pricing, packaging, and messaging before you over-invest in inventory and designPrioritize cash flow and sales velocity instead of chasing perfect margins too earlyThink differently about electrolytes and hydration – including why Sum Good focuses on high potassium and low sodium for cognitive function and muscle repair Translate academic or clinical research into simple claims your customers actually understandPrepare for high-stakes pitches like Dragons’ Den, VC meetings, or bank presentations – and what investors are really looking for in the founderApply global business management thinking so you don’t assume what works in one market will automatically work in anotherBuild the right “informal” team around you as a solo founder – co-packers, brokers, creatives, and mentors who’ve both won and failed in your industryWhether you’re in food and beverage, consumer packaged goods, or any kind of product-based business, you’ll walk away with practical ideas to slow down, think smarter, and build something that can stand the test of time. Ranked globally in the top 10% by ListenNotes, Small Business Pivots brings you real, honest conversations with entrepreneurs who’ve built something from nothing. My goal is simple: help you grow your business faster and avoid the mistakes that keep small business owners stuck. Support the show 1. 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.com 4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultation FOLLOW US ON: - WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/ -WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/ -LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/ -YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified

    50 min
  8. 24/12/2025

    From Layoff to 7 Figures: How Elina Panteleyeva Built a Niche E-Commerce Brand

    In this episode of Small Business Pivots, I sit down with Elina Panteleyeva, founder of Dood Woof, a rapidly growing Austin-based e-commerce brand serving a highly specific niche inside the pet industry: doodle dog owners. After being laid off in 2023, Elina built a 7-figure brand in under two years with only two products—proving what can happen when you stop trying to serve everyone and start serving the right someone. Elina shares exactly how niching down unlocked her growth, how she validated her first product by interviewing doodle owners inside Facebook groups, and how she used organic content and storytelling to build a community before she ever launched. She breaks down the process of triggering Amazon’s algorithm without paid ads, why you must build your brand off Amazon before selling on it, and the systems she created that now help every new product hit #1 New Release. Inside this conversation, we cover:  • How choosing one specific customer can explode your growth • Why most entrepreneurs fail because they refuse to niche • How Elina built a 7-figure brand with no ad budget • The exact steps she used to validate her first product idea • Why customer conversations matter more than product ideas • How to build hype so your Amazon launch succeeds on day one • Why you must know your numbers to take calculated risks • How Elina uses AI to operate with a tiny team • How she handles product development and manufacturing • Why systems, email storytelling, and transparency build trust • What new founders misunderstand about e-commerce • How to grow without burning yourself out If you’re an e-commerce entrepreneur, a product-based business owner, or someone with an idea who hasn’t yet taken the leap, this episode gives you a blueprint for launching, growing, and scaling a niche brand—even in crowded markets. Ranked globally in the top 10% by ListenNotes, Small Business Pivots brings you real, honest conversations with entrepreneurs who’ve built something from nothing. My goal is simple: help you grow your business faster and avoid the mistakes that keep small business owners stuck. Timestamps00:00 Intro 01:07 Elina’s background + immigration story 03:04 How being laid off sparked the business 05:12 Niching down into doodle owners 07:40 Product idea discovery using Facebook groups 10:11 Launching without paid ads 12:25 Building community + storytelling emails 15:48 Triggering Amazon’s algorithm 18:05 Knowing your numbers in e-commerce 20:42 Product development + manufacturing 23:15 Scaling with systems 25:58 Using AI to run lean 28:17 Advice for new entrepreneurs Support the show 1. 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.com 4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO? https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultation FOLLOW US ON: - WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/ -WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/ -LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/ -YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified

    33 min

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Tired of fluff-filled business advice? Small Business Pivots delivers raw, honest conversations with entrepreneurs, content creators, and industry experts who’ve made bold pivots to grow—whether to six figures, seven, or simply the next stage of success. Hosted by nationally recognized small business coach and BOSS founder Michael Morrison, this show shares the unfiltered stories, mindset shifts, and behind-the-scenes strategies that help real business owners overcome burnout, build momentum, and grow a business that works—without working themselves into the ground. With over 100 episodes, Small Business Pivots is a trusted resource for small business owners who are serious about growth. From the early struggles to the key turning points, you’ll walk away with practical tools, honest encouragement, and actionable insight every week. 🎯 Sample episodes dive into: • Small business marketing and content creation • Building referral networks and strategic partnerships • Mindset, burnout, and decision-making as a founder • Time management, leadership, SOPs, hiring, and team culture  • Systemization, SOPs, and franchising • Social media, branding, automation, and scaling strategies Whether you're aiming for your first six figures or scaling beyond seven, this podcast gives you the real-world insight, inspiration, and community you need to take your next big step. Subscribe now—and start making the pivots that move your business forward. Want to visit with our host, Michael Morrison, about business coaching services for your small business? Go here: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/consultation