Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast

Shannon Jean & Dave Hamilton
  • 5.0 (66)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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!

  1. Perfection is the enemy of Shipped

    1D AGO

    Perfection is the enemy of Shipped

    In this episode of Business Brain, Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton break down why perfection is the enemy of shipped—and why waiting for “ready” often means never launching at all. They explore the power of defining a clear Minimum Viable Product, getting comfortable with imperfection, and building momentum through action instead of endless refinement. With practical guidance and a real-time example, they show how progress consistently beats polish when building a business. The conversation also tackles the mental game of shipping, especially when criticism comes into play. Shannon and Dave unpack how to weigh useful feedback, ignore trolls, and stop giving emotional energy to noise that doesn’t matter. By reframing criticism and staying focused on forward motion, entrepreneurs can protect their mindset, ship more confidently, and continue building a Charmed Life. 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #722 for Wednesday, January 28th, 2026 January 28th: National Blueberry Pancake Day 00:02:41 Perfect is the enemy of SHIPPED It’s good to have backup plans It’s good to get used to not being great 100% of the time Define your Minimum Viable Product 00:09:16 A real-time example! Perfection is the unattainable goal 00:13:57 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/BusinessBrain and upgrade your selling today! 00:15:39 SPONSOR: Intuit QuickBooks Payroll – Leave the chaos behind and start the new year off right with QuickBooks Payroll. Learn more by visiting QuickBooks.com/payroll 00:16:48 Weighing the value of criticism It’s hard to ignore the trolls 00:19:08 Why would I let this criticism bother me? 00:25:30 Business Brain 722 Outtro Tell Your Friends! Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain The post Perfection is the enemy of Shipped – Business Brain 722 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    26 min
  2. FridAI Claude Cowork + AI in Medicine – Business Brain 721

    6D AGO

    FridAI Claude Cowork + AI in Medicine – Business Brain 721

    In this episode of Business Brain, Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton explore how AI is reshaping creativity, decision-making, and trust in modern business. The conversation examines whether AI-generated advertising risks damaging a brand, highlights a 2025 AI-assisted album, and looks at how authenticity and human judgment still matter when machines enter the creative process. The episode also digs into AI’s growing role in medicine, personal intelligence tools like Gemini, and the emergence of Claude Cowork and Claude Code as always-on collaborators for real work. With a practical lens on responsibility, delegation, and guardrails, the discussion focuses on using AI to create leverage without surrendering control—supporting smarter businesses and a more intentional, Charmed Life. 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #721 for Casual FridAI, January 23rd, 2026 January 23rd: Measure Your Feet Day SPONSOR: Intuit QuickBooks Payroll – Leave the chaos behind and start the new year off right with QuickBooks Payroll. Learn more by visiting QuickBooks.com/payroll 00:01:58 Robert-Is AI Advertising Damaging your brand? Jack Tempchin 2025 AI-assisted album 00:06:19 Doctors Using AI 00:10:31 Gemini Personal Intelligence 00:14:28 Claude Cowork Claude Code for the rest of your work 00:29:57 Business Brain 721 Outtro Tell Your Friends! Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain The post FridAI Claude Cowork + AI in Medicine – Business Brain 721 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    30 min
  3. Juliana Berger, QuickBooks Head of Payments

    JAN 21

    Juliana Berger, QuickBooks Head of Payments

    In this episode of Business Brain, Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton are joined by Juliana Berger, Head of Payments at QuickBooks, to unpack where founders most often misunderstand how cashflow systems actually connect. They explore the “mycelium” of a business—the meaningful connectivity layer where every dollar in and every dollar out matters—and why fragmented tools quietly create anxiety, inefficiency, and blind spots that erode confidence. The conversation dives into what truly defines business health: durable, predictable cashflow. From cashflow run rate and cash efficiency to DSO, DPO, and operational resiliency, the hosts break down how accuracy, automation, and smart guardrails create leverage instead of chaos. With insights on using AI the right way—through permissions, visibility, and trust-building controls—this episode shows how clarity fuels better decisions and a more intentional, Charmed Life. 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #720 for Wednesday Casual FridAI, January 21st, 2026 January 21st: Thank Your Mentor Day Guest Co-host: Juliana Berger, Director of Product Management, Head of Payments at Intuit QuickBooks  SPONSOR: Intuit QuickBooks Payroll – Leave the chaos behind and start the new year off right with QuickBooks Payroll. Learn more by visiting QuickBooks.com/payroll Where do founder misunderstand how all the cashflow systems interconnect What’s the mycelium of your business – what’s the connectivity layer? Where do things connect in a MEANINGFUL way? Every dollar in and every dollar out matters… and QuickBooks gets to see that Helping the anxious candlemaker who was using 16 different apps/tools to manage her business What determines the health of a business? Durable and predictable cashflow are the keys to this! Cashflow run rate: how much in and out? Is it consistent? Know your business. Know your cash efficiency. DSO vs. DPO DSO: Days sales outstanding DPO: Days payable outstanding Know Your Resiliency – What’s the riskiest part of your business and how are you managing that? Using AI and automation the RIGHT way Accuracy is power When things are accurate, that’s great. When they’re inaccurate, you just created WAY more work for yourself Important guardrails to look for when evaluating a tool Permissions and approvals Visibility and defensibility of information Controls… UNDO is important for trust Intuit also has trusted live experts in addition to all the other tools Business Brain 720 Outtro Tell Your Friends! Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain   The post Juliana Berger, QuickBooks Head of Payments – Business Brain 720 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    27 min
  4. FridAI - CES + AI Consulting

    JAN 16

    FridAI - CES + AI Consulting

    In this episode of Business Brain, you get a fast-moving take on CES 2026 and what it signals for real-world AI adoption. You hear how AI showed up everywhere—from automated email responders and agent-based calendars to personal AI assistants and wearable tech that quietly gathers insights. The focus isn’t hype; it’s how these tools can actually change the way you work, decide, and compete. The conversation then shifts to opportunity, putting you squarely in the frame as an AI consultant in the making. You’re encouraged to build credibility by creating simple tools, narrowing your niche, and becoming the go-to authority for a specific industry. By trading early work for testimonials and referrals, you can turn emerging tech into real leverage and design a business that supports your Charmed Life. 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #719 for Casual FridAI, January 16th, 2026 January 16th: Book Publishers’ Day 00:01:07 General CES Reactions 00:03:54 AI Found at CES 2026 Eloquens automated AI email responder ionCity– AI agent calendar Bee-Your personal AI Pebble AI Ring Sponsors 00:10:39 SPONSOR: Tempo – Tempo delivers perfectly-portion meals to your door, each is ready in just 2 minutes. For a limited time, Tempo is offering Business Brain listeners SIXTY PERCENT OFF your first box at TempoMeals.com/brain 00:12:03 SPONSOR: Intuit QuickBooks Payroll – Leave the chaos behind and start the new year off right with QuickBooks Payroll. Learn more by visiting QuickBooks.com/payroll 00:13:28 Pebble AI Ring: Single Use, 2-year battery, $75 pre-order 00:13:50 Opportunity: Be an AI Consultant Build credibility: Create tools to giveaway. Find a niche: are you the AI plumbing-business authority? Work for testimonials and referrals PlaymakersAI.com 00:21:20 Business Brain 719 Outtro Tell Your Friends! Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain The post FridAI – CES + AI Consulting – Business Brain 719 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    22 min
  5. Who Sets the Pace?

    JAN 14

    Who Sets the Pace?

    In this episode of Business Brain, Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton explore a deceptively simple question: who sets the pace in a business? The conversation digs into marketing that acts like camouflage—so effective it disappears—and why blending in can cost entrepreneurs attention and opportunity. Through unexpected examples, they highlight the importance of standing out intentionally instead of hiding in plain sight. The episode also zeroes in on the power of small numbers, reminding listeners that momentum often starts with chasing hundred-dollar wins, not waiting for big breakthroughs. By focusing on selling early, tracking what actually matters, and keeping cash flowing, the show reinforces practical habits that help entrepreneurs regain control and build a business that supports a Charmed Life. 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #718 for Wednesday, January 14th, 2026 January 14th: Organize Your Home Day 00:01:25 Marketing…camouflage…and hiding from fish! Trademarked camouflage patterns Raye Clan Tartan 00:03:34 The power of small numbers Chasing hundred dollar bills Start selling, get the cash flowing Track the small numbers feedback@businessbrain.show Sponsor 00:09:29 SPONSOR: Tempo – Tempo delivers perfectly-portion meals to your door, each is ready in just 2 minutes. For a limited time, Tempo is offering Business Brain listeners SIXTY PERCENT OFF your first box at TempoMeals.com/brain 00:10:54 SPONSOR: Intuit QuickBooks Payroll – Leave the chaos behind and start the new year off right with QuickBooks Payroll. Learn more by visiting QuickBooks.com/payroll BB Reviews 00:12:19 CC_Jeepher-BB Review-Great podcast! 00:13:01 JulezSeaz-BB Review-Practical & Accessible 00:13:37 Who sets the pace? Pacing vs. Complacency Hire for energy 00:19:08 Match impatience! 00:21:29 Business Brain 718 Outtro Tell Your Friends! Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain The post Who Sets the Pace? Business Brain 718 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    23 min
  6. FridAI - No AI Yes Men

    JAN 9

    FridAI - No AI Yes Men

    In this episode of Business Brain, you’re challenged to stop using AI as a polite yes-man and start treating it like a ruthless sparring partner. You learn how to pressure-test your thinking before you ever type a prompt by defining the real decision, the outcome that actually matters, and the constraints you refuse to break. Shannon Jean and Dave Hamilton walk you through using AI to surface opposing viewpoints, rank options by impact instead of effort, and expose second-order consequences that can make or break your strategy. This is how you sharpen judgment instead of outsourcing it. You’re also reminded that adaptation has no age limit, with a perfect real-world example that proves curiosity beats complacency every time. Whether you’re refining decisions or embracing new tools, the message is clear: stay flexible, stay critical, and keep building your Charmed Life by thinking better, not just faster. 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #717 for Casual FridAI, January 9th, 2026 January 9th: Static Electricity Day 00:01:21 Your Chat AI should be your sparring partner, not your yes-man Ruthless AI Test Before using AI, answer: What decision am I trying to improve? What outcome actually matters? What constraints must not be violated? What would ‘great’ vs ‘average’ look like? Then use AI to: Generate multiple opposing viewpoints Rank options by impact, not effort Simulate second-order consequences 00:08:22 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per month trial period at Shopify.com/BusinessBrain and upgrade your selling today! 00:09:49 SPONSOR: Intuit QuickBooks Payroll – Leave the chaos behind and start the new year off right with QuickBooks Payroll. Learn more by visiting QuickBooks.com/payroll 00:11:03 98-year-old mom using Meta Glasses Keep adapting, folks! 00:18:32 Business Brain 717 Outtro Tell Your Friends! Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain   The post FridAI – No AI Yes Men – Business Brain 717 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    19 min
  7. The Power of Your Personal Brand

    JAN 7

    The Power of Your Personal Brand

    In this episode of Business Brain, you’re challenged to think differently about how people experience you and your business. You explore why your personal brand is more powerful than any logo or company name, because people connect with you first. From lessons inspired by Crazy Eddie to the idea of the Alter Ego Effect, you’re reminded that sharing what you’ve learned—and giving yourself permission to evolve—builds trust faster than polished marketing ever could. You also learn how consistency compounds over time, why replying first with value puts you on the radar of bigger players, and how small daily actions can lead to a Charmed Life. Whether you’re heading to CES or simply rethinking your direction, the message is clear: show up, add value, and play the long game. If the lottery were free, you’d play every day—so why wouldn’t you do the same with your personal brand? 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #716 for Wednesday, January 7th, 2026 January 7th: I Am a Mentor Day 00:01:10 Heading to CES and making it valuable 00:02:19 Give yourself permission to change your mind 00:08:00 SPONSOR: Shopify – For anyone to sell anywhere, sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at Shopify.com/BusinessBrain and upgrade your selling today! 00:09:28 SPONSOR: Intuit QuickBooks Payroll – Leave the chaos behind and start the new year off right with QuickBooks Payroll. Learn more by visiting QuickBooks.com/payroll 00:10:45 Personal brand Remembering Crazy Eddie Your personal brand is far more powerful for people to connect with It’s easier for people to connect with YOU than it is to connect with a company The Alter Ego Effect Share things you’ve learned Reply first – Add valuable content to larger accounts Be Consistent If a lottery was free, would you play every day? 00:21:34 Business Brain 716 Outtro Tell Your Friends! Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain The post The Power of Your Personal Brand – Business Brain 716 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    22 min
  8. FridAI - Choosing the Right AI

    JAN 2

    FridAI - Choosing the Right AI

    In this episode of Business Brain, you step into the fast-moving world of AI and learn how to choose the right tool for the job. You compare Perplexity, ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, with real-world insight into why Perplexity may hallucinate less right now. You explore purpose-built tools like Gamma AI for presentations, NotebookLM for research, Manus AI for automation, and creative powerhouses like Sora AI and Google Veo. The focus is simple: stop chasing shiny objects and start picking AI that actually moves your business forward. You also hear how AI is showing up in everyday workflows with Loom AI and Zoom AI, making communication faster and smarter. The episode wraps with the 2025 Business Brain MacBook Giveaway winner announcement, reinforcing why listening with intention can pay off. It’s all about making better decisions, working smarter, and building your own Charmed Life with the right mix of strategy and technology. 00:00:00 Business Brain – The Entrepreneurs’ Podcast #715 for Casual FridAI, January 2nd, 2026 January 2nd: National Science Fiction Day 00:01:31 Choosing the right AI Perplexity vs. ChatGPT vs. Claude vs. Gemini Anecdotally, Perplexity hallucinates less than ChatGPT today Gamma AI for creating presentations NotebookLM Manus AI Google Veo Sora AI Loom AI Zoom AI 00:11:56 2025 Business Brain MacBook Giveaway Winner — Scott, aka “BB Review-WeRPID-A Must-Listen for Anyone with a Growth Mindset” from 663 on July 4th, 2025 Review Business Brain 00:16:15 Business Brain 715 Outtro Tell Your Friends! Review Business Brain Subscribe to the show feedback@businessbrain.show Call/Text: (567) 274-6977 X/Twitter: @ShannonJean & @DaveHamilton, & @BizBrainShow LinkedIn: Shannon Jean, Dave Hamilton, & Business Brain Facebook: Dave Hamilton, Shannon Jean, & Business Brain The post FridAI – Choosing the Right AI – Business Brain 715 appeared first on Business Brain - The Entrepreneurs' Podcast.

    17 min
See All (720)

Hosts & Guests

5
out of 5
66 Ratings

About

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!

Information

More From BackBeat Media

You Might Also Like