The Small Business Safari

Chris Lalomia
  • 5.0 (31)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Have you ever sat there and wondered "What am I doing here stuck in the concrete zoo of the corporate world?" Are you itching to get out? Chris Lalomia and his co-host Alan Wyatt traverse the jungle of entrepreneurship. Together they share their stories and help you explore the wild world of SCALING your business. With many years of owning their own small businesses, they love to give insight to the aspiring entrepreneur. So, are you ready to make the jump?

  1. 1D AGO

    What If Your Business Could See What Customers See, Instantly? | James Hatfield

    Send a text  What if your team could see exactly what your customer sees—without an app—and turn that video into a tight estimate, clean documentation, and a five-star review? Summary: James Hatfield, blue-collar founder and former KKR-backed CEO, joins us to unpack how LiveSwitch is transforming home services with a dead-simple, no-app live video platform powered by practical AI. What started with a knock from the D.C. Chief of Police to reinvent 911 video evolved into a powerful tool for contractors: a simple SMS link that opens live video on any device. For home service businesses, that means remote pre-estimates that filter tire-kickers from ready buyers, real-time on-screen guidance that eliminates guesswork, and recorded sessions that shut down “he said, she said” disputes. James walks through how a 30-second frozen-pipe clip can turn into a full scope of work—complete with CRM notes, timelines, materials lists, translations, and documentation—all powered by AI. Think of it as the Nextel of cameras with a built-in copilot. The result? Fewer wasted truck rolls, faster close rates, better prepared techs, and stronger margins. We also dive into marketing flywheels and operational upgrades:  • QR codes that drive repeat business straight to your team  • Video reviews that boost your Google Business Profile  • Open integrations with ServiceTitan, Jobber, and more  • Pricing designed to feel like “a tank of gas,” not a tech gamble Beyond tech, James shares lessons from building, exiting, and finding purpose again—plus the grit required to make payroll, protect culture, and keep people working. If you run a handyman, plumbing, electrical, restoration, or moving company, this episode is a blueprint for using simple tools to win faster and serve better in a Prime-speed world. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari 💡 GOLD NUGGETS  • The 911 innovation story that sparked LiveSwitch  • How remote pre-estimates increase close rates and eliminate tire-kickers  • Turning 30 seconds of video into scopes, CRM notes, and materials lists  • Stopping disputes with recorded documentation  • Using video reviews to dominate local SEO  • Why speed beats complexity in today’s customer experience 🔗 Guest Links • Website: LiveSwitch https://www.liveswitch.com/  • LinkedIn: James Hatfield https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-hatfield/ 🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari • Instagram | @smallbusinesssafaripodcast  • LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/  • Website | https://chrislalomia.com If this episode sparked an idea for your business, hit subscribe, leave a review, and tell us the one workflow you’d upgrade first. Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

    51 min

  2. FEB 17

    He Walked Away From Radio To Sell Insurance And Build A Life He Owns | Jerry Payne

    Send a text  What happens when a longtime radio producer steps out from behind the mic and into the sales arena? Jerry Payne is betting his next chapter on mentorship, licensing, and disciplined execution. Summary: We put longtime producer Jerry Payne in the hot seat as he leaves radio to build a career in insurance, starting with mentorship and aiming for ownership. Together we stress-test his transition plan—examining runway, early-stage income realities, and how his broadcast communication strengths translate into a powerful sales advantage. Jerry shares why a mid-career pivot can be the safer long-term bet, how mentorship and licensing function like an apprenticeship, and why building a strong sales engine now matters more than writing a perfect business plan later. We also break down networking strategies for insurance and financial services, handling rejection with an abundance mindset, and moving from P&C conversations into retirement income planning. If you’re considering a career shift, entering sales, or building toward business ownership, this episode offers a practical roadmap for turning experience into opportunity—and momentum into ownership. GOLD NUGGETS • Pivoting mid-career: risk vs long-term security • Mentorship and licensing as a structured apprenticeship • Building a sales plan before a full business plan • Creating a personal board of advisors for accountability • Scaling realities: costs, income dips, and long-term upside Closing Thought: “Get out there, get going, and make it happen. Next week, better week. Next month, better month. Next year, better year.” Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

    1h 4m

  3. FEB 10

    What If Your Product Isn’t The Problem—Your Offer Is | John (JD) Dwyer

    Send a text  What if your growth problem isn’t your marketing—or your product—but the offer itself? Summary: John “JD” Dwyer, founder of The Institute of Wow, joins us to reveal how challenger brands out perform bigger competitors by engineering irresistible offers that drive immediate action. We break down how incentive-based marketing, high perceived-value bonuses, and creative positioning can transform conversion rates without cutting prices. JD shares the story of a bank that replaced a standard promotional rate with a vacation incentive—then amplified results with a celebrity campaign that dramatically increased response. From coffee shops doubling revenue with simple behavioral nudges to dental practices generating thousands of targeted leads through creative contests, the lesson is clear: when the offer aligns with customer desire, price becomes far less important. We also explore practical tactics for small businesses, including designing incentives that cost little but feel premium, coaching sales teams using recorded calls and AI insights, and leveraging Facebook as a responsive lead-generation engine when the economics make sense. This episode delivers a playbook for business owners ready to move beyond price competition and create a “wow factor” that drives both immediate sales and long-term loyalty. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari 💡 GOLD NUGGETS • Why the offer—not the product—often determines conversion • Creating high perceived-value incentives that cost less than discounts • Behavioral nudges that dramatically increase repeat purchases • Using contests and promotions to generate targeted leads fast • Coaching sales teams with recorded calls and AI performance analysis 🔗 Guest Links • Website: https://theinstituteofwow.com • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/instituteofwow/ jdpodcastguest.com 🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari • Instagram | @smallbusinesssafaripodcast • LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/ • Website | https://chrislalomia.com Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

    56 min

  4. FEB 3

    From Door-Kicking To Strategy: Running A Profitable Handyman Business | Chris & Alan

    Send a text  What happens when you stop kicking doors and start building a business that actually moves upward? Summary: In this episode of The Small Business Safari, Chris and Alan push past a door-kicking moment to talk about what really drives sustainable growth: selling value, protecting margin, and executing a strategic plan that actually ships. We draw clear lines between handyman work and remodeling, break down why they are completely different operating models, and unpack the pricing mistakes that quietly kill profit. We dig into real-world lessons like the $250 microwave trap, why leading with discounts is dangerous, and how reviews become proof of promise—not just social noise. Against a backdrop of market uncertainty and changing homeowner math, we outline three focused initiatives for growth: smarter CRM and AI use, relentless gross profit focus, and deposits that protect cash flow. Most importantly, we rally the team around one word—Ascend—and show how alignment, execution, and close rate become the true levers for growth. 💡 GOLD NUGGETS  Channeling passion into systems, coaching, and executionThe small-ticket trap and the $250 microwave lessonWhy handyman work and remodeling require different business modelsPricing frameworks and good-better-best rangesValue over price—and the danger of leading with discountsReviews as proof of promise and processMarket uncertainty, homeowner math, and demand driversThree initiatives: CRM & AI, gross profit focus, depositsBuilding team buy-in with tactical execution and one-word alignmentWhy close rate is the real growth lever🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari 🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari • Instagram | @smallbusinesssafaripodcast • LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/ • Website | https://chrislalomia.com Final Thought: Don’t forget to go out there and tell your friends about this thing. Keep sharing the podcast—we’re just getting started. Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

    37 min

  5. JAN 27

    From Welding To Wireless: A Family’s Exit Strategy | Jim Tracy

    Send a text What does it take to go from the factory floor to the boardroom—and still keep your values intact? In this episode, we trade war stories with Jim Tracy, tracing his journey from welder to Wireless Hall of Fame leader. Jim shares how he built a blue-collar telecommunications business alongside his son, exited twice, and never lost sight of culture, safety, and people along the way. We dig into what caring leadership really looks like when payroll is tight, how authentic recognition and jobsite visits strengthen teams, and why designing your business to be sellable years in advance changes every decision you make. Jim also breaks down private equity fit, post-merge integration, and how calm, disciplined leaders win in uncertain markets. If you’re building a business in the trades—or any people-driven operation—this conversation is packed with hard-learned lessons you can actually use. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari 💡 GOLD NUGGETS  • Building a blue-collar telecommunications business with family  • Running on fear and discipline during lean payroll weeks  • Choosing people over money as a leadership operating system  • Authentic recognition and field visits that strengthen culture  • Making safety engaging, rewarding, and real on jobsites  • Designing a business to be sellable long before an exit  • What private equity really looks for beyond the numbers  • Navigating cultural fit and post-merge integration  • Embracing uncertainty with scenario planning and calm execution  • Lessons from Legacy Radio to Grampian podcast and radical transparency  • Customer service truths: under promise, overdeliver—every time 🔗 Guest Links • Website: www.thegrampion.com Email: jim@thejimtracy.com thegrampion.com (Blogthejimtracy.com (Personal)linktr.ee/grampion (Other) • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-tracy-istowerjim/  • Podcast: Legacy Radio to The Grampian 🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari • Instagram | @smallbusinesssafaripodcast • LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/ • Website | https://chrislalomia.com If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a founder who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review so more builders can find us. Your support helps more small business owners turn uncertainty into an advantage. 📩 Connect: Send me an email: chris@thetrustedtoolbox.com Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

    54 min

  6. JAN 20

    Pick The Right Marketing Agency, Not The Cheapest | Andy Seeley

    Send a text  What happens when a business stops guessing on marketing and starts treating growth like a system? One gymnastics gym went from stalled growth to multi-million-dollar revenue—and the playbook applies to any small business. Andy Seeley tells us how.  Summary: In this episode, Andy Seeley breaks down how to choose a marketing agency that won’t experiment on your budget, why niching creates faster and more predictable results, and how AI can turn raw inquiries into booked appointments automatically. Using a real gymnastics gym case study, we show how operations, pricing, enrollment strategy, and marketing must align to unlock sustainable growth. You’ll hear how smart micro-testing on Meta finds the right parents, why multi-channel intake matters more than ever, and how AI tools can qualify, converse, and schedule without adding staff. We also dive into retention strategy—specifically the powerful shift from opt-in to opt-out enrollment—and how raising prices actually works when demand and value are built intentionally. This is a tactical episode for owners who want real growth—not agency hype. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari 💡 GOLD NUGGETS  • How to interview agencies for real niche experience and cultural fit  • Red flags that signal an agency is learning on your dime • Why reading how reviews are written matters more than star ratings • Using micro-tests on Meta ads to dial in the right audience fast • Building multi-channel intake around how customers actually prefer to respond • How AI can qualify leads, hold conversations, and book appointments • Switching from opt-in to opt-out enrollment to boost retention • Raising prices by increasing perceived value and demand • Treating your agency like an extension of your internal team 🔗 Guest / Resource Links • Creatively Disruptive – https://creativelydisruptive.com • High Level Thinkers – https://highlevelthinkers.com • Ashworth Strategy – https://ashworthstrategy.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyseeley/ “Reach out—we’ll help you plan your growth.”🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari • Instagram | @smallbusinesssafaripodcast  • LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/  • Website | https://chrislalomia.com Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

    43 min

  7. JAN 13

    From Distributor To Barber To Manufacturer: Eric Malka Shares The Playbook | Eric Malka

    Send a text What does it really take to turn a scrappy New York storefront into a globally recognized luxury brand—and then exit it on your terms? Eric Malka breaks it all down. Summary Eric Malka shares the real story behind building a premium grooming brand from the ground up—starting with a $12,000 shop in New York and evolving through distributor, retailer, service provider, and manufacturer. We unpack the pivotal press moment that drove a 20x sales spike, how disciplined brand and margin decisions enabled luxury positioning, and what it takes to plan and negotiate a strategic exit—especially during crisis moments. Along the way, Eric explains how customer pain points shaped natural product formulas, why not every “great” location works, and how luxury distribution partnerships validated the brand while protecting margins. We also explore omnichannel growth in a privacy-first ad world and what purpose looks like after a successful exit—from fatherhood and health to mentoring the next generation of founders. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari 💡 GOLD NUGGETS  • Moving from distributor → retailer → services → manufacturer  • Using PR strategically to create demand and brand credibility  • Building products directly from customer pain points  • Designing a premium in-store experience that converts to retail sales  • Lessons learned from a failed Wall Street location  • Leveraging Neiman Marcus for luxury validation and distribution  • Defining luxury vs. mass—and protecting margins  • Adopting omnichannel while adapting to privacy-driven ad changes  • Planning for a revenue-based brand exit and negotiating under pressure  • Redefining purpose after the sale through health, family, and mentorship Author of the book: On The Razor's Edge 🔗 Guest Links • Website: https://strategicbrandinvestments.com • Personal Site: https://ericmalka.com • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-malka-9071529/ • Instagram: @ericmalka 🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari • Instagram | @smallbusinesssafaripodcast  • LinkedIn | Chris Lalomia  • Website | https://chrislalomia.com Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

    51 min

  8. JAN 6

    From Service to Skilled Trades: Creating Real Jobs for Veterans | Marty Strong

    Send a text 🎧 The Small Business Safari Title: From Service to Skilled Trades:  Creating Real Jobs for Veterans  Too many veterans leave the military with discipline and grit—but no clear civilian pathway. Marty Strong is fixing that with real skills, real employers, and paid apprenticeships. Summary: We sit down with Marty Strong, founder of Warriors Haven USA, to break down a practical, no-fluff pathway that helps veterans find both purpose and pay through the skilled trades. Marty explains why blue-collar work isn’t a fallback—it’s a solution to a massive talent gap—and why combat arms veterans are uniquely wired to succeed in this space. We unpack the “transition shock” many vets experience, the cultural myths that keep people away from trades, and how Warriors Haven USA’s three-level training model moves participants from exposure, to skill-building, to paid apprenticeships with employer partners who are ready to hire. Marty also shares the hard truths around funding, the vision behind a new 9,000-square-foot training center, and why real momentum comes from mentors, networking, and matching skills to actual market demand. This episode is a must-listen for veterans, employers, and business owners who believe meaningful work should lead to real opportunity. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari 💡 GOLD NUGGETS  • Why skilled trades solve a real and growing talent shortage  • Who Warriors Haven USA serves—and why this model fits veterans  • The three-level pipeline from exposure to paid apprenticeship  • Employer-ready skills in HVAC, metalwork, woodworking, and culinary  • The Business Academy: sales, hiring, and scaling beyond the tools  • Funding realities and building a 9,000 sq ft training facility  • How purpose returns when skills align with real demand  • Why networking and mentors beat cold calls every time 🔗 Guest Links • Website: https://warriorshavenusa.com • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marty-strong-9676bb13/ martystrong.com 🌍 Follow The Small Business Safari • Instagram | @smallbusinesssafaripodcast  • LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/  • Website | https://chrislalomia.com Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

    53 min
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5
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

Have you ever sat there and wondered "What am I doing here stuck in the concrete zoo of the corporate world?" Are you itching to get out? Chris Lalomia and his co-host Alan Wyatt traverse the jungle of entrepreneurship. Together they share their stories and help you explore the wild world of SCALING your business. With many years of owning their own small businesses, they love to give insight to the aspiring entrepreneur. So, are you ready to make the jump?

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Lalomia
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    269
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Small Business Safari
  • Show Website
    The Small Business Safari