Small Business Pivots

Michael D. Morrison
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

Stuck in your business and not sure what's next? Small Business Pivots delivers honest, real-world conversations with entrepreneurs and business owners who've made bold moves to grow, adapt, and build something that lasts. Hosted by nationally recognized business coach and keynote speaker Michael D. Morrison, each episode goes beyond the highlight reel. Guests share the real turning points, hard lessons, and strategies that actually moved the needle, whether they were chasing six figures or scaling past seven. With 140+ episodes and ranked in the top 10% of podcasts globally, Small Business Pivots drops every Wednesday, giving small business owners a trusted weekly resource to help them grow. Each week you'll hear real conversations about  Business growth, sales, marketing, leadership, AI, hiring, business strategy, operations, systems, productivity, branding, cash flow, business financing, company culture, succession planning, exit planning, mindset, and personal development.  If you're a small business owner who's done guessing and ready to grow, this is your show. Subscribe and join thousands of business owners making pivots that actually matter. Ready to work with Michael D. Morrison?  Visit: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/consultation

  1. 2d ago

    How to Scale Your Small Business Without Breaking Payroll | Eric Tabone

    Growing your business sounds exciting—until it's time to hire. For many small business owners, payroll becomes the biggest obstacle to growth. Do you hire now and risk cash flow, or wait too long and become the bottleneck in your own business? In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael D. Morrison sits down with entrepreneur Eric Tabone to discuss how growing businesses can build stronger teams, make smarter hiring decisions, and scale without letting payroll become the reason growth stalls. Drawing from his experience building multiple companies across the United States and Latin America, Eric shares practical lessons about hiring, leadership, AI, role design, compensation, company culture, and why successful business owners hire to solve problems—not simply to fill positions. You'll discover why defining the purpose of every role matters, how to avoid costly hiring mistakes, when it's time to add employees, how AI should support—not replace—your team, and why leaders should build around their weaknesses instead of trying to do everything themselves. Whether you're preparing to hire your first employee or trying to build a team that can help your business scale, this episode offers practical advice every business owner can apply immediately. In This Episode ✔ Why payroll is often the biggest obstacle to business growth ✔ How to know when it's time to hire ✔ The biggest hiring mistakes business owners make ✔ Why every position should be built around solving a specific problem ✔ How AI improves teams without replacing people ✔ Why leadership is earned—not assigned ✔ Lessons learned from building three companies ✔ How remote and nearshore employees can reduce payroll costs while expanding your team Support the show 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/consultation Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com

  2. Jul 29

    Why Great Leaders Develop People, Not Just Businesses | Greg Harrod

    In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with leadership coach and manufacturing executive Greg Harrod to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing business owners today: building leaders instead of creating dependence. After more than 30 years in manufacturing leadership, Greg now helps business owners and executives develop stronger teams, improve communication, increase accountability, and create businesses where success no longer depends entirely on the owner. Greg explains why leadership always begins with self-awareness before it extends to the team. He shares practical insights on recognizing early signs of employee disengagement, improving communication, delegating effectively, and creating clarity around expectations so employees can thrive. The conversation also explores Working Genius, humility in leadership, trust, accountability, employee retention, role clarity, and why leaders should spend more time developing people instead of constantly solving problems themselves. Whether you lead a manufacturing company, construction business, service company, family business, or growing small business, this episode offers practical leadership principles that apply across every industry. In this episode you'll learn: • Why leadership starts with self-awareness • The six areas Greg evaluates when diagnosing leadership problems • Early warning signs before employees quit • Why communication is one of the biggest leadership challenges • How to stop becoming the bottleneck • Building trust through humility and vulnerability • Why role clarity improves accountability • The Six Types of Working Genius framework • How to delegate without creating fear • Practical ways to improve employee engagement and retention About Greg Harrod Greg Harrod is a leadership coach with more than three decades of manufacturing leadership experience. He helps business owners build healthier teams through leadership development, communication, accountability, and his Leadership Clarity Scorecard. About Small Business Pivots Hosted by Michael D. Morrison, Small Business Pivots features entrepreneurs, business owners, authors, and industry experts sharing practical strategies that help business owners get unstuck and grow. 🏆 Ranked among the Top 10% of podcasts globally by Listen Notes. Support the show 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/consultation Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com

  3. Jul 22

    Stop Solving the Wrong Business Problem | Kevin Dias

    Kevin Dias, founder of Ambiki and author of The Problem First Method, joins Small Business Pivots to explain why many businesses waste time, money, and energy solving the wrong problem. Kevin built Ambiki as a software platform for speech-language pathology private practices, helping teams with scheduling, billing, clinical documentation, and practice management. Through that journey, he discovered one of the biggest mistakes companies make: jumping straight to solutions before deeply understanding the actual customer problem. In this episode, Michael D. Morrison and Kevin discuss how business owners can slow down, ask better questions, define their ideal customer profile, and build solutions that actually solve meaningful problems. Kevin shares how Ambiki narrowed its focus from trying to serve every type of customer to focusing on pediatric speech therapy private practices with stronger growth potential. They also explore Kevin’s Problem First Method, including feature alignment documents, the “problem atlas,” customer feedback, niche focus, business pivots, and why competitor pressure can lead companies in the wrong direction. If you are a business owner, startup founder, SaaS founder, consultant, or entrepreneur trying to grow your business, improve your offer, better understand your customer, or stop wasting time on the wrong priorities, this episode will help you think more clearly. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why businesses jump to solutions too quickly  • How to identify the real customer problem  • Why customer requests are not always the real problem  • How to define your ideal customer profile  • Why niching down can accelerate growth  • How Ambiki grew by focusing on speech-language pathology practices  • What a feature alignment document is  • How to use a problem atlas for strategic planning  • Why AI should solve a real problem, not just be added as a trend  • How better questions lead to better business decisions About Kevin Dias: Kevin Dias is the founder of Ambiki, a software company serving speech-language pathology private practices across the United States. He is also the author of The Problem First Method, a book about helping businesses understand customer problems before jumping to solutions. About Small Business Pivots: Hosted by Michael D. Morrison, Small Business Pivots features entrepreneurs, authors, business owners, and thought leaders sharing real-world strategies to help business owners get unstuck and grow. Ranked among the Top 10% of podcasts globally by Listen Notes. Support the show 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/consultation Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com

  4. Jul 15

    How to Build a Business That Doesn't Depend on You | Dean Mathews

    Most entrepreneurs start their business doing everything themselves. Sales. Customer service. Accounting. Marketing. Operations. But eventually that becomes the very thing holding the business back. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with entrepreneur, software founder, and CEO Dean Mathews, creator of OnTheClock, to discuss the leadership shifts required to grow beyond yourself and build a business that can thrive without depending on the owner every day. Dean shares lessons learned from building a software company serving over 16,000 businesses while growing a team of nearly 30 employees. He explains why hiring too late is one of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make, how to build a positive company culture, why leaders must stop micromanaging, and how empowering employees creates stronger businesses. They also discuss leadership development, delegation, company culture, payroll, employee management, hiring strategies, autonomy, business systems, and why humility may be one of the greatest leadership traits an entrepreneur can develop. In this episode you'll discover: • Why doing everything yourself limits business growth • When it's time to hire your first employee • How to stop becoming the bottleneck • The importance of clear roles and job descriptions • Why autonomy creates stronger employees • The "Hire Slow, Fire Fast" philosophy • Building company culture intentionally • Leadership lessons from growing a software company • How payroll, scheduling, and HR systems improve operations • Why humility makes stronger leaders If you're a business owner trying to scale your company, develop better leaders, build stronger systems, or simply get your life back, this episode is packed with practical advice you can implement immediately. About Dean Mathews Dean Mathews is the founder and CEO of OnTheClock, a workforce management platform helping thousands of businesses simplify employee time tracking, scheduling, payroll, and HR management. A lifelong entrepreneur and software developer, Dean is passionate about leadership, business systems, and helping small businesses build companies that scale. About Small Business Pivots Hosted by Michael D. Morrison, Small Business Pivots features entrepreneurs, business leaders, authors, and experts sharing the pivots, systems, and strategies that help business owners get unstuck and grow. 🏆 Ranked among the Top 10% of podcasts globally by Listen Notes. Support the show 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/consultation Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com

  5. Jul 8

    How to Build Wealth Through Business Ownership & Real Estate | Steve Lawson

    In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and wealth strategist Steve Lawson to discuss one of the biggest misconceptions about building wealth—and why owning a business and investing in real estate continue to outperform traditional investing for long-term financial independence. Steve shares his journey from financial advisor to real estate investor, business owner, and founder of Unbroken Investing. Along the way, he explains why passive cash flow matters, how entrepreneurs can create true wealth instead of simply growing savings, and why leveraging other people's money, knowledge, and time accelerates financial freedom. Whether you're just starting a business, looking to diversify your investments, or wondering how to escape trading time for money, this conversation provides practical strategies that every entrepreneur should understand. In this episode you'll discover: ✔ Why businesses and real estate create wealth while traditional investing primarily grows existing wealth ✔ How passive cash flow leads to financial independence ✔ The Wealth Formula and how capital, knowledge, and time work together ✔ Why entrepreneurs should leverage other people's money (OPM), knowledge, and time ✔ How Amazon product businesses can create scalable income ✔ Why business ownership often produces faster cash flow than real estate ✔ The importance of defining your own version of financial freedom ✔ Budgeting strategies that actually work ✔ Why systems, delegation, and outsourcing accelerate growth ✔ How entrepreneurs can stop reinventing the wheel and build faster using proven models If you're serious about building wealth, increasing cash flow, creating financial freedom, and growing a scalable business, this episode is packed with practical insights you can begin implementing immediately. About Steve Lawson Steve Lawson is an entrepreneur, investor, author, and founder of Unbroken Investing. After spending years as a financial advisor and real estate investor, Steve now helps entrepreneurs build wealth through business ownership, alternative investments, passive cash flow strategies, and diversified income streams. About Small Business Pivots Hosted by Michael D. Morrison, Small Business Pivots features entrepreneurs, authors, investors, and business leaders from around the world sharing the pivots, systems, and lessons that help business owners grow. 🏆 Ranked among the Top 10% of podcasts globally by Listen Notes. Support the show 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/consultation Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com

  6. Jul 1

    Why Most Small Businesses Stay Stuck (And How to Fix It) | Rob Young

    Most business owners are experts at their craft—but they've never been taught how to run a business. In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with business coach and author Rob Young to discuss the foundations every small business needs to grow, scale, and avoid becoming stuck. After spending years in executive leadership roles before leaving corporate America, Rob transitioned into real estate renovation and construction. Along the way, he noticed a common pattern: highly skilled tradespeople and business owners were losing their businesses—not because they lacked talent, but because they lacked systems, processes, financial understanding, and business structure. Rob shares practical insights from his book and coaching work, covering business plans, financial statements, KPIs, hiring, networking, systems, playbooks, and how owners can stop being the bottleneck in their own companies. Whether you're a startup founder, contractor, consultant, service provider, or established business owner, this conversation provides actionable frameworks for building a healthier, more scalable business. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why every business needs guardrails and a working business plan • The biggest mistakes small business owners make when scaling • How to identify your best and highest use (BeHU) • Why business owners become bottlenecks • The importance of systems, playbooks, and documented processes • How to hire the right people and avoid costly mistakes • Why financial statements tell the real story of your business • How KPIs help business owners make better decisions • The difference between working in your business and working on your business • How to build a company that doesn't depend entirely on you About Rob Young: Rob Young is a business coach, author, and founder of Stage 3 Group. After a successful executive career, he shifted into entrepreneurship and business coaching, helping small business owners develop systems, leadership skills, financial awareness, and operational structure to create sustainable growth. About Small Business Pivots: Hosted by Michael D. Morrison, Small Business Pivots features entrepreneurs, experts, and business leaders sharing the pivots, lessons, and strategies that help business owners get unstuck and grow. Ranked among the Top 10% of podcasts globally by Listen Notes. Support the show 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/consultation Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com

  7. Jun 24

    How Entrepreneurs Can Reclaim Their Health, Energy and Purpose | Justin Roethlingshoefer

    Most entrepreneurs spend years building their businesses while unknowingly destroying their health. In this powerful episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael Morrison sits down with Justin Roethlingshoefer, founder of Own It Coaching and author of Holy Health, to discuss the hidden health crisis facing business owners, executives, and high-performing leaders. After battling obesity, anorexia, liver and kidney failure, depression, anxiety, addiction, precancerous polyps, and a bleeding ulcer, Justin discovered that success without health eventually becomes unsustainable. Together they explore why so many entrepreneurs struggle with burnout, fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, anxiety, poor sleep, and declining energy despite building successful businesses. You'll learn why balance is a myth, how to create rhythms that support long-term success, and the five common habits that quietly destroy the health of high achievers. If you're a business owner who feels exhausted, overwhelmed, or stuck in survival mode, this conversation offers practical strategies to help you regain energy, increase capacity, and build a healthier life without sacrificing your business goals. In This Episode  Why entrepreneurs often sacrifice health for growth  The difference between balance and rhythm  How burnout develops in high performers  The five habits stealing your health  Why accountability matters for long-term transformation  Building sustainable health systems for busy leaders  How faith, purpose, and health work together  Practical strategies for increasing energy and capacity  Why your body was designed to heal About Justin Roethlingshoefer Justin is the founder of Own It Coaching, speaker, health strategist, and author of Holy Health. He helps entrepreneurs, executives, and high-capacity leaders improve their mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health through personalized coaching and sustainable lifestyle systems. Questions & Answers Why do entrepreneurs burn out? Entrepreneurs often prioritize business growth while neglecting recovery, sleep, nutrition, and stress management, leading to physical and mental exhaustion. How can business owners improve their health? By creating sustainable daily rhythms, prioritizing recovery, improving nutrition, managing stress, and building accountability systems. Is work-life balance realistic? Justin challenges that balance is a myth. Instead, entrepreneurs should focus on creating healthy rhythms that adapt to different seasons of life. What is the biggest health mistake entrepreneurs make? Sacrificing their health in pursuit of success and assuming they will focus on wellness later. Support the show 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/consultation Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com

  8. Jun 17

    Why Most Business Problems Aren't Problems | Tracy Christopherson & Michelle Troseth

    Many business owners spend years trying to solve the same problems over and over again. But what if those challenges aren't actually problems? In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with leadership experts Tracy Christopherson and Michelle Troseth, co-founders of Missing Logic and authors of Polarity Intelligence: The Missing Logic in Leadership. Together they explore why many leadership challenges, communication breakdowns, team conflicts, partnership struggles, and work-life balance issues are not problems to solve but polarities to manage. They share practical insights on building stronger business partnerships, improving communication, creating healthier workplace cultures, navigating conflict, and balancing the growing relationship between artificial intelligence and human intelligence. If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, manager, or leader looking to build stronger teams and scale your organization without burnout, this episode is packed with actionable leadership wisdom. In This Episode: ✔ Why most business challenges are not actually problems ✔ The concept of Polarity Intelligence ✔ How successful business partnerships survive difficult seasons ✔ Leadership lessons for entrepreneurs ✔ Building trust through communication ✔ Creating psychological safety within teams ✔ How work-life balance is really a leadership polarity ✔ Why AI and Human Intelligence must work together ✔ Common mistakes leaders make during growth ✔ How to reduce conflict and improve collaboration About Tracy Christopherson & Michelle Troseth Tracy Christopherson and Michelle Troseth are co-founders of Missing Logic and creators of the Polarity Intelligence framework. They help leaders navigate complexity, improve communication, reduce burnout, and create healthier organizations through practical leadership development strategies. Connect With Tracy & Michelle: Website: MissingLogic.com Questions and Answers: Q: What is Polarity Intelligence? A: Polarity Intelligence is the ability to recognize challenges that require balancing competing priorities rather than solving a single problem. Q: Why do business partnerships fail? A: Most partnerships fail because of poor communication, unclear expectations, and unresolved tensions. Q: How do leaders improve communication? A: Leaders improve communication by creating psychological safety, encouraging dialogue, and clarifying expectations. Q: How should businesses use AI? A: Businesses should balance artificial intelligence with human intelligence, leadership, relationships, and culture. Support the show 1. Want professional business coaching with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com 2. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison? https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/consultation Connect and follow the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison to learn how to grow a successful business : - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDMorrisonOKC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldmorrisonokc/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michaeldmorrisonokc Email the podcast host, Michael D. Morrison: Michael@MichaelDMorrison.com

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5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Stuck in your business and not sure what's next? Small Business Pivots delivers honest, real-world conversations with entrepreneurs and business owners who've made bold moves to grow, adapt, and build something that lasts. Hosted by nationally recognized business coach and keynote speaker Michael D. Morrison, each episode goes beyond the highlight reel. Guests share the real turning points, hard lessons, and strategies that actually moved the needle, whether they were chasing six figures or scaling past seven. With 140+ episodes and ranked in the top 10% of podcasts globally, Small Business Pivots drops every Wednesday, giving small business owners a trusted weekly resource to help them grow. Each week you'll hear real conversations about  Business growth, sales, marketing, leadership, AI, hiring, business strategy, operations, systems, productivity, branding, cash flow, business financing, company culture, succession planning, exit planning, mindset, and personal development.  If you're a small business owner who's done guessing and ready to grow, this is your show. Subscribe and join thousands of business owners making pivots that actually matter. Ready to work with Michael D. Morrison?  Visit: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/consultation

Information

  • Creator
    Michael D. Morrison
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    155
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Small Business Pivots
  • Show Website
    Small Business Pivots