The Business Behind Small Business

Sevana Stone
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Semimonthly

Most small businesses don't fail because of a bad idea. They fail because of what happens behind the scenes — the operations no one explained, the finances that quietly got out of hand, the marketing that never connected, and the moments where the wrong decision at the wrong time cost everything. The Business Behind Small Business exists for that gap. Each episode, host Sevana Stone breaks down one piece of what it actually takes to run a small business — from pricing and packaging to contracts, payroll, cash flow, government contracting, and knowing when to bring in outside help. Every episode opens with a story from business history: a real company, a real founder, a real lesson that maps directly to what small business owners face today. Then a local business owner or subject-matter expert joins the conversation as a co-host — not as an interview subject, but as an equal at the table. This is a small business education podcast for owners who are tired of surface-level advice. If you're running a company in the DMV — or anywhere — and you want to understand the real mechanics of staying in business, growing profitably, and not learning the expensive lessons twice, this show is for you. New episodes publish twice monthly. The BBSB Roundtable brings the conversation to a small, invite-only group of local owners every month. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.

  1. Jul 15

    The Cost of Staying Comfortable: Why Playing It Safe Is the Riskiest Move Your Small Business Can Make

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION: For small business owners, staying comfortable feels like stability. It rarely is. The clients you keep at discounted rates, the systems you don't fix, the service you don't expand, the hire you keep putting off — comfort has a cost, and it compounds quietly until it doesn't. This episode opens with Blockbuster vs. Netflix — the most instructive cautionary tale about what happens when a dominant business mistakes its current position for safety. Blockbuster had the brand, the locations, and the customer base. Netflix had the willingness to be uncomfortable. We know how it ended. Then we bring it to the scale of the small business owner: how to identify where you're playing it too safe, what it's actually costing you, and how to make calculated moves without betting the company. This episode is for the small business owner who knows something needs to change but has been waiting for the right time. The right time is the episode. CTA: New episodes publish every 1st and 15th. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association. HISTORICAL FIGURE: Blockbuster vs. Netflix Send us Fan Mail Support the show

  2. 11/18/2025

    Why Small Business Owners Undercharge-And How to Fix Your Pricing

    Most small business owners don't undercharge because they don't know their numbers. They undercharge because pricing is emotional — tangled up in fear, comparison to competitors, and the belief that "affordable" is a strategy. It isn't. This episode breaks down why small business owners hesitate to charge what their work is worth, how pricing psychology works in your favor when you understand it, and the three frameworks (cost-plus, value-based, and capacity-based) that strip emotion out of the decision. We also cover how to raise prices on existing clients without losing them. Apple's pricing revolution is the anchor story — how Steve Jobs returned to a struggling company and made products more expensive, not cheaper, and built a brand that made premium pricing feel obvious. If every client says yes immediately, you're underpriced. This episode helps small business owners fix that. Key Topics: Pricing communicates value; low prices may imply low value.Restructured pricing changes perception, not just numbers.Align pricing with customer behavior, not tradition.Consistency in pricing builds trust and credibility.Emotional benefits can justify premium pricing.Market value should guide pricing, but not dictate it.Confidence in pricing is crucial for business owners.Tiered pricing can make changes more consumable.Testing pricing in the market provides valuable feedback.Pricing should reflect both costs and perceived value. ************************ Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too. ************************ Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana to cover? Email at thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com and see your question answers or topic of interest discussed on a future episode! ****************************  New episodes publish every 1st and 15th. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.  Website - Check out our website!  https://www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com Notice - As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. These earnings contribute towards the costs of creating this podcast and we greatly appreciate your support! Disclaimer - Details of today’s story was inspired by true events but are not based on proven facts. Also, we are NOT licensed financial experts, nor do we give financial advice. Anything we share with you here on our podcast, whether it be a personal experience or submission, or advice/tips that have worked for us, or that we believe would work for you should not be viewed as either financial, business, or tax advice. We ask for you to do your research, have open and honest conversations with your company’s own support providers and make decisions based upon that. Throughout this broadcast we will share our knowledge and give suggestions and hope you will receive them as part of your overall research to better your own company. #SmallBusiness #PricingStrategy #SmallBusinessTips #ValueBasedPricing #Entrepreneur #BusinessGrowth #PricingPsychology #SmallBusinessOwner #HowToRaisePrices #BusinessTips qNcsLnN5m988yL8o6K7S Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    Why Small Business Owners Undercharge-And How to Fix Your Pricing

  3. 06/06/2025

    Rebranding Your Small Business: How to Know When It's Time and How to Do It Right

    88. Rebranding is one of the most misunderstood moves a small business can make. Done right, it opens new markets, resets a damaged reputation, or realigns a business with where it's actually going. Done wrong — or done for the wrong reasons — it confuses existing clients and wastes money you don't have. This episode covers the real reasons small businesses should consider rebranding (and the wrong ones that trap owners into expensive pivots), the timing signals that tell you the moment is right, and how to execute a rebrand without alienating your current audience in the process. The anchor story is Pepsi-Cola — how Caleb Bradham turned "Brad's Drink" into one of the most recognized beverages in the world through a name change and intentional repositioning. Same product. Different story. Completely different trajectory. If you've been wondering whether your brand still fits where your small business is going, this episode gives you the framework to decide. ************************ Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too. ************************ Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana to cover? Email us at thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com and see your question answers or topic of interest discussed on a future episode! ****************************   | New episodes publish every 1st and 15th. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.   Sponsorship Opportunities - Email us here: thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com Website - Check out our website! https://www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com  Notice - As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. These earnings contribute towards the costs of creating this podcast and we greatly appreciate your support!  Disclaimer - Details of today’s story was inspired by true events but are not based on proven facts. Also, we are NOT licensed financial experts, nor do we give financial advice. Anything we share with you here on our podcast, whether it be a personal experience or submission, or advice/tips that have worked for us, or that we believe would work for you should not be viewed as either financial, business, or tax advice. We ask for you to do your research, have open and honest conversations with your company’s own support providers and make decisions based upon that. Throughout this broadcast we will share our knowledge and give suggestions and hope you will receive them as part of your overall research to better your own company. #SmallBusiness #Rebranding #SmallBusinessMarketing #BrandIdentity #SmallBusinessOwner #BusinessStrategy #BrandRefresh #Entrepreneur #SmallBiz #MarketingTips Send us Fan Mail Support the show

  4. 04/21/2025

    How to Create Service Packages for Your Small Business (And Stop Quoting One-Offs)

    87. Most service-based small businesses quote work one project at a time — and that model quietly limits both income and client retention. Packaging your services changes the dynamic: it makes your pricing predictable, your value clearer, and your client decisions easier. This episode walks through the complete process of building service packages for a small business: how to identify your core services, group them into tiers that make sense for different client budgets, price them in a way that protects your margins, and name and describe them so clients can actually understand what they're buying. If you've been stuck in the hourly billing trap or losing proposals because your pricing feels inconsistent, this episode gives small business owners a step-by-step framework for packaging services in a way that works  ************************Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too. ************************Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana to cover? Email us at thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com and see your question answers or topic of interest discussed on a future episode! **************************** New episodes publish every 1st and 15th. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.   Notice - As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. These earnings contribute towards the costs of creating this podcast and we greatly appreciate your support! Disclaimer - Details of today’s story was inspired by true events but are not based on proven facts. Also, we are NOT licensed financial experts, nor do we give financial advice. Anything we share with you here on our podcast, whether it be a personal experience or submission, or advice/tips that have worked for us, or that we believe would work for you should not be viewed as either financial, business, or tax advice. We ask for you to do your research, have open and honest conversations with your company’s own support providers and make decisions based upon that. Throughout this broadcast we will share our knowledge and give suggestions and hope you will receive them as part of your overall research to better your own company. #SmallBusiness #ServicePackages #ServiceBusiness #SmallBusinessOwner #Entrepreneur #PackageYourServices #HowToPrice #SmallBiz #BusinessTips #ValueBasedPricing Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    How to Create Service Packages for Your Small Business (And Stop Quoting One-Offs)

  5. 03/01/2025

    Small Business Catch-all: GovCon, Profit Margins, Payroll Costs, and the Changing Landscape of DEI

    86. How does the demise of DEI affect small business? What to do if you are a government contractor in 2025? How to know what profit margins should you have? How much does your payroll really cost you? Today, Sevana and Tiffany talk a little bit of everything in business. ************************ Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too. ************************ Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana to cover? Email us at thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com and see your question answers or topic of interest discussed on a future episode! ****************************  New episodes publish every 1st and 15th. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.  Sponsorship Opportunities - Email us here: thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com Website - Check out our website! https://www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com  Notice - As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. These earnings contribute towards the costs of creating this podcast and we greatly appreciate your support!  Disclaimer - Details of today’s story was inspired by true events but are not based on proven facts. Also, we are NOT licensed financial experts, nor do we give financial advice. Anything we share with you here on our podcast, whether it be a personal experience or submission, or advice/tips that have worked for us, or that we believe would work for you should not be viewed as either financial, business, or tax advice. We ask for you to do your research, have open and honest conversations with your company’s own support providers and make decisions based upon that. Throughout this broadcast we will share our knowledge and give suggestions and hope you will receive them as part of your overall research to better your own company. #smallbusinessadvice #entrepreneurship #referralpartners #businesspodcast #businessreferrals #howtogrowabusiness  Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    Small Business Catch-all: GovCon, Profit Margins, Payroll Costs, and the Changing Landscape of DEI

  6. 02/03/2025

    Tariffs and Your Small Business: What the New Trade Policy Actually Means for You

    85.Tariffs aren't just a policy debate — for small business owners who import materials, source from overseas suppliers, or compete with imported goods, they're a direct hit to your cost structure and your margins. This episode covers what the current tariff landscape actually means for small business owners in practical terms: how upstream cost increases travel downstream to your prices, how to evaluate your exposure, and the steps small businesses can take to protect their margins when trade policy shifts. We recorded this episode just before inauguration and the tariff landscape moved faster than anyone expected — which is exactly why small business owners need a framework for navigating policy uncertainty, not just the current rules. If you run a small business that sources anything from outside the U.S. — or competes with businesses that do — this episode gives you the map. ************************ Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too. ************************ Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana to cover? Email us at thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com and see your question answers or topic of interest discussed on a future episode! ****************************  New episodes publish every 1st and 15th. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.  Sponsorship Opportunities - Email us here: thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com Website - Check out our website! https://www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com  Notice - As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. These earnings contribute towards the costs of creating this podcast and we greatly appreciate your support!  Disclaimer - Details of today’s story was inspired by true events but are not based on proven facts. Also, we are NOT licensed financial experts, nor do we give financial advice. Anything we share with you here on our podcast, whether it be a personal experience or submission, or advice/tips that have worked for us, or that we believe would work for you should not be viewed as either financial, business, or tax advice. We ask for you to do your research, have open and honest conversations with your company’s own support providers and make decisions based upon that. Throughout this broadcast we will share our knowledge and give suggestions and hope you will receive them as part of your overall research to better your own company. #SmallBusiness #Tariffs #TradePolicy #SmallBusinessOwner #SupplyChain #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneur #SmallBiz #ImportExport #EconomicPolicy Reference/Resources Used In this Episode: ⁠Brookings POLITICO Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    Tariffs and Your Small Business: What the New Trade Policy Actually Means for You

  7. 12/19/2024

    Power vs. Status in Business: What Small Business Owners Need to Understand About Both

    84. Power and status are two very different things in business — and confusing them is one of the most common ways small business owners undermine their own authority. This episode explores how men and women approach power and status differently in professional settings, why likability and competence are not mutually exclusive even when the world treats them that way, and how small business owners can develop the self-awareness to navigate both dynamics intentionally. The conversation covers cultural influences on how authority is perceived, communication styles that build versus erode influence, and what it looks like to hire for a business that doesn't collapse under personality conflicts. If you've ever wondered whether you're being taken seriously — or whether you're taking others seriously enough — this episode is worth your time. ************************ Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too. ************************ 00:00 Understanding Power and Status 01:49 The Gender Dynamics of Power 06:16 Defining Power and Status 10:24 Historical Perspectives on Gender and Power 12:34 Men's Approach to Power and Status 15:21 Women's Unique Communication Styles21:36Building Influence Through Collaboration 23:16 Understanding Communication Styles Between Genders 25:40 Risk-Taking and Business Strategies: A Gender Perspective 29:15 The Role of Warmth and Competence in Business 31:06 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Professional Settings 34:52 The Evolution of Communication: Passive Aggressiveness and Mansplaining 40:29 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Conversations 43:12 Cultural Influences on Power and Status 45:55 Self-Awareness and Business Leadership 48:51 Hiring for Success: Balancing Personalities 52:30 The Importance of Accountability in Business 53:03 Resources for Business Growth and Learning ************************ Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana to cover? Email us at thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com and see your question answers or topic of interest discussed on a future episode! ****************************  New episodes publish every 1st and 15th. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.  Sponsorship Opportunities - Email us here: thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com Website - Check out our website! https://www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com  Notice - As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. These earnings contribute towards the costs of creating this podcast and we greatly appreciate your support!  Disclaimer - Details of today’s story was inspired by true events but are not based on proven facts. Also, we are NOT licensed financial experts, nor do we give financial advice. Anything we share with you here on our podcast, whether it be a personal experience or submission, or advice/tips that have worked for us, or that we believe would work for you should not be viewed as either financial, business, or tax advice. We ask for you to do your research, have open and honest conversations with your company’s own support providers and make decisions based upon that. Throughout this broadcast we will share our knowledge and give suggestions and hope you will receive them as part of your overall research to better your own company. #SmallBusiness #WomenInBusiness #Leadership #SmallBusinessOwner #BusinessMindset #Entrepreneur #PowerInBusiness #SmallBiz #BusinessLeadership #GenderInBusiness Reference/Resources Used In this Episode: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-new-paradigm/202406/on-the-power-and-roles-of-men-and-women https://www.axios.com/2022/04/05/elon-musks-power-grab https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2024/11/dual-tracks-top-men-often-linked-power-women-status Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    Power vs. Status in Business: What Small Business Owners Need to Understand About Both

  8. 10/26/2024

    2024 Elections and the Potential Effects On Your Business

    #83. Trump. Harris. Harris. Trump. How does their plans impact you as a small business owner? That's the center of today's episode - breaking down the main parts of each candidate's plans for taxes and the economy so you can make the vote that is right for you! ************************ Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or Spotify too. ************************ Got questions or have a topic you want Sevana and Tiffany to cover? Email us at thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com and see your question answers or topic of interest discussed on a future episode! ****************************  About BBSB - We are two business owners with two very different perspectives on building business, and the business behind that in order to achieve your goals. One of us built to sell, and will continue on the serial entrepreneur path, which means your focus and drive should include very particular tools and tips in order to achieve your goal. The other, is building a generational business, one that can go on long after she’s let go of the wheel. This type of business also requires very specific tools and platforms to achieve this goal. Both women have been successful in their own right, but in honesty - haven’t scratched the surface!  Sponsorship Opportunities - Email us here: thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness@gmail.com Website - Check out our website! https://www.thebusinessbehindsmallbusiness.com  Notice - As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. These earnings contribute towards the costs of creating this podcast and we greatly appreciate your support!  Disclaimer - Details of today’s story was inspired by true events but are not based on proven facts. Also, we are NOT licensed financial experts, nor do we give financial advice. Anything we share with you here on our podcast, whether it be a personal experience or submission, or advice/tips that have worked for us, or that we believe would work for you should not be viewed as either financial, business, or tax advice. We ask for you to do your research, have open and honest conversations with your company’s own support providers and make decisions based upon that. Throughout this broadcast we will share our knowledge and give suggestions and hope you will receive them as part of your overall research to better your own company. #smallbusinessadvice #entrepreneurship #referralpartners #businesspodcast #businessreferrals #howtogrowabusiness #2024elections #trumpvsharris #trump #harris Reference/Resources Used In this Episode: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wharton_School  https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2024/8/26/harris-campaign-policy-proposals-2024 https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2024/8/26/trump-campaign-policy-proposals-2024 Nonpartisan Political Websites: Ballotpedia: Ballotpedia.orgProvides comprehensive profiles on all candidates, including their platforms, backgrounds, and voting records. Vote Smart: VoteSmart.orgNonpartisan resource offering information about candidates' positions on issues, voting records, speeches, and funding sources. On the Issues: OnTheIssues.orgFocuses on where candidates stand on a wide range of policy issues, making it easy to compare different stances. FactCheck.org: FactCheck.orgA nonpartisan fact-checking site that monitors the factual accuracy of candidates’ statements, interviews, and speeches. Alternative Titles: Trump vs. Harris Budget Talk For Trump and Harris Let's talk budget for 2024 Elections Send us Fan Mail Support the show

    2024 Elections and the Potential Effects On Your Business
See All (91)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Most small businesses don't fail because of a bad idea. They fail because of what happens behind the scenes — the operations no one explained, the finances that quietly got out of hand, the marketing that never connected, and the moments where the wrong decision at the wrong time cost everything. The Business Behind Small Business exists for that gap. Each episode, host Sevana Stone breaks down one piece of what it actually takes to run a small business — from pricing and packaging to contracts, payroll, cash flow, government contracting, and knowing when to bring in outside help. Every episode opens with a story from business history: a real company, a real founder, a real lesson that maps directly to what small business owners face today. Then a local business owner or subject-matter expert joins the conversation as a co-host — not as an interview subject, but as an equal at the table. This is a small business education podcast for owners who are tired of surface-level advice. If you're running a company in the DMV — or anywhere — and you want to understand the real mechanics of staying in business, growing profitably, and not learning the expensive lessons twice, this show is for you. New episodes publish twice monthly. The BBSB Roundtable brings the conversation to a small, invite-only group of local owners every month. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.

Information