Small Business Survival Conversations

Anna Steinfest
  • 5.0 (8)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Small Business Survival Conversations is the weekly podcast designed to empower entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and small business owners who are fighting every day to build, grow, and sustain their businesses in a noisy and unpredictable world. Hosted by Anna Steinfest, business strategist, entrepreneur, and founder with decades of experience helping small businesses thrive, this show delivers practical wisdom, mindset fuel, and real-world strategies that small business owners can actually use.  What to Expect Every Week  Monday Morning Motivation Kickstart your week with a powerful story—drawn from timeless fables, real business lessons, or classic wisdom—paired with three actionable steps you can apply immediately. Each episode is crafted to help you regain focus, protect your momentum, and make better decisions as a small business owner. These episodes are short, energizing, and packed with practical insight. Think of it as your weekly dose of clarity, courage, and direction. Occasional Expert Interviews Throughout the season, Anna welcomes entrepreneurs, industry experts, and community leaders who share their experiences, failures, wins, and lessons learned. Whether you’re looking to scale, pivot, or simply survive another day of running a business, these conversations offer the guidance and encouragement you need. Who This Podcast Is For This show is built for: • Small business owners • Solopreneurs • Startup founders • Women-owned businesses • Community-based and service-based entrepreneurs • Anyone navigating growth with limited time, resources, and support If you’re building a business from the ground up—and learning as you go—you’re in the right place.  Why Listeners Love This Podcast • Practical, real-world strategies (no fluff) • Story-driven insights that stick • Weekly motivation designed specifically for small business owners • Action steps in every episode • Honest conversations about what it really takes to survive and grow • Encouragement without sugarcoating Running a small business is not easy — but you don’t have to do it alone. Subscribe now and start your week with inspiration, direction, and the tools to keep moving forward.  Small Business Survival Conversations Your journey. Your grit. Your growth.

  1. S3E76: The Tao of Success: Why Patience and Persistence Matter More Than Talent in Small Business

    1D AGO

    S3E76: The Tao of Success: Why Patience and Persistence Matter More Than Talent in Small Business

    Send a text In this Monday Morning Motivation episode of Small Business Survival Conversations, we explore The Tao of Success — the true path to building a sustainable and resilient small business. But what does “Tao” mean? Simply put, it means “the way.” And the real way to success isn’t flashy marketing, overnight growth, or natural talent. It’s patience, persistence, and steady improvement. Too many entrepreneurs believe they need to be the smartest, most connected, or most experienced person in the room. The truth? Talent will not replace persistence. Education alone will not guarantee success. What separates thriving small business owners from those who quit is their ability to keep going — calmly, consistently, and strategically — even when results feel slow. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✔ What “The Tao of Success” really means for entrepreneurs  ✔ Why patience is a competitive advantage in business  ✔ The difference between persistence and stubbornness  ✔ How consistency reshapes your business over time  ✔ Three practical action steps you can take this week If you’re a small business owner feeling stuck in the “messy middle,” this episode will remind you that steady growth beats fast burnout. 🎧 Tune in to Small Business Survival Conversations and discover why patience and persistence are the ultimate business strategy.  #SmallBusinessSurvival  #MondayMorningMotivation  #EntrepreneurMindset  #BusinessMotivation  #SmallBusinessPodcast  #EntrepreneurLife  #BusinessOwners  #StartupJourney

    11 min

  2. FEB 16

    S3E75: From $5,000 to Billionaire: Sara Blakely’s Spanx Story & the Power of Simple Ideas

    Send a text What if your next big business breakthrough is hiding inside a small frustration? In this Monday Morning Motivation episode of Small Business Survival Conversations, we dive into the inspiring story of Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, who started her billion-dollar company with just $5,000 and a simple idea — cutting the feet off her pantyhose to solve a common wardrobe problem. Without investors, business school training, or industry connections, Sara built one of the most successful apparel brands in the world by focusing on solving a real problem, keeping her idea simple, and taking bold action. In this episode, small business owners will learn: ✔ How everyday frustrations can become profitable business ideas  ✔ Why you don’t need permission, funding, or perfect timing to start  ✔ The power of simplicity in business growth  ✔ How resourcefulness beats resources  ✔ Three practical action steps you can apply this week If you’re an entrepreneur, startup founder, or small business owner looking for motivation, clarity, and practical strategy, this episode will challenge you to stop waiting — and start building. 🎙 Tune in and discover how small ideas, executed boldly, can create extraordinary success.  #MondayMorningMotivation  #SmallBusinessOwner  #EntrepreneurLife  #StartupJourney  #BusinessMindset  #WomenInBusiness  #SaraBlakely  #Spanx  #EntrepreneurMotivation  #SmallBusinessSurvival

    15 min
  3. S3E74: Survival Isn’t the Win: What Small Business Owners Must Do After the Crisis

    FEB 9

    S3E74: Survival Isn’t the Win: What Small Business Owners Must Do After the Crisis

    Send a text In this Monday Morning Motivation episode of the Small Business Survival Conversations Podcast, host Anna Steinfest shares a powerful business lesson inspired by the Grimm fairy tale The Straw, the Coal, and the Bean. This story may sound simple, but it delivers a critical message for small business owners: surviving a crisis is not the same as being safe from the next one. Many entrepreneurs narrowly escape tough seasons—cash flow scares, bad clients, burnout, or unexpected setbacks—only to rush forward without reflecting, adjusting, or building stronger systems. This episode breaks down the fairy tale in clear, simple terms and translates it into real-world lessons about resilience, decision-making, and sustainable business growth. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why survival alone is not success in businessThe danger of moving too fast after a crisisHow overextending yourself can burn out your businessWhat the “bean” teaches us about learning from near-failureThree practical action steps you can take this week to protect and strengthen your businessIf you’re a small business owner who has “barely made it through” a tough moment and wants to build something more stable and intentional moving forward, this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen now to Small Business Survival Conversations and turn survival into smarter growth. #SmallBusinessSurvival #MondayMorningMotivation #SmallBusinessOwner #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessResilience #SustainableGrowth #BusinessLessons

    14 min
  4. S3E73: Build to Last: The Power of Slow Growth for Entrepreneurs

    FEB 2

    S3E73: Build to Last: The Power of Slow Growth for Entrepreneurs

    Send a text In this Monday Morning Motivation episode of the Small Business Survival Conversations Podcast, host Anna Steinfest shares a powerful lesson inspired by the folktale The Bamboo Turtle — a story that reminds small business owners why strength, patience, and sustainability matter more than speed. In a world that celebrates rapid growth and overnight success, many entrepreneurs feel pressure to scale faster than their systems, cash flow, or energy can support. This episode challenges that mindset and shows why businesses built slowly and intentionally are often the ones that survive economic storms, market shifts, and burnout. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why fast growth can weaken your business foundationHow to build a business designed to last, not just look impressiveWhat the Bamboo Turtle teaches us about resilience and enduranceHow to stop comparing your pace to othersThree practical action steps you can take this week to strengthen your businessIf you’re a small business owner who wants to grow without burning out — and build something that can weather any storm — this episode is for you. 🎧 Tune in to Small Business Survival Conversations and start building a business that lasts. #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #BusinessStrategy #LongTermGrowth

    9 min
  5. S3E72: Slow and Smart Wins the Race: A Small Business Strategy Lesson

    JAN 26

    S3E72: Slow and Smart Wins the Race: A Small Business Strategy Lesson

    Send a text In this Monday Morning Motivation episode of the Small Business Survival Conversations Podcast, host Anna Steinfest shares a powerful business lesson from the classic Grimm fairy tale The Hedgehog and the Hare—a story that proves speed alone doesn’t guarantee success. For small business owners, the pressure to move faster, grow quicker, and keep up with competitors can lead to burnout, poor decisions, and wasted energy. This episode challenges the hustle-first mindset and shows why strategy, planning, and leverage matter more than raw speed. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why chasing speed can hurt your businessHow ego and comparison derail smart decision-makingWhat the hedgehog teaches us about strategy, systems, and leverageHow to stop competing on someone else’s termsThree practical action steps you can apply this week to work smarter, not harderIf you’re a small business owner who feels like others are racing ahead, this episode is your reminder that winning doesn’t require being the fastest—it requires being intentional. 🎧 Listen now and start building a business that lasts, not one that burns out. #SmallBusinessSurvival #MondayMorningMotivation #SmallBusinessOwner #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessStrategy #WorkSmarterNotHarder #BusinessGrowth

    10 min
  6. S3E71: Run Your Race — Why Comparison Is Holding Your Business Back

    JAN 18

    S3E71: Run Your Race — Why Comparison Is Holding Your Business Back

    Send a text In today’s Monday Morning Motivation episode of Small Business Survival Conversations, we’re talking about one of the biggest silent killers of momentum for small business owners: comparison. Somewhere right now, someone else’s business looks bigger, faster, and more successful. But chasing someone else’s path is a distraction that costs you focus, confidence, and progress. This episode is a mindset reset for entrepreneurs who feel behind, discouraged, or tempted to measure their success against others. You’ll learn why comparison is wasted energy, how to define success on your terms, and how to stay focused on the work that actually moves your business forward. 🎯 Plus, we end with three practical action steps and a downloadable worksheet to help you apply this lesson immediately. The goal isn’t to beat someone else’s life. The goal is to build yours. 🎧 Listen now and download the worksheet to start your week with clarity and confidence.

    10 min
  7. S3E70: Think Like an Octopus: How Small Business Owners Can Adapt, Survive, and Win

    JAN 12

    S3E70: Think Like an Octopus: How Small Business Owners Can Adapt, Survive, and Win

    Send a text In this Monday Morning Motivation episode of Small Business Survival Conversations, host Anna Steinfest uses one of nature’s most intelligent creatures—the octopus—to deliver powerful lessons for small business owners navigating uncertainty. The octopus survives without a shell, without bones, and without a safety net—by relying on intelligence, adaptability, and strategy. Just like small business owners. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why adaptability is a competitive advantage for small businessesHow to use your environment, challenges, and constraints as strategic toolsWhat the octopus teaches us about flexibility, resilience, and decision-makingThree clear, actionable steps you can apply this week to strengthen your businessIf you’re a business owner trying to survive, scale, and stay agile in a constantly changing market, this episode will challenge you to stop fighting the environment—and start using it. 🎯 Listen now and learn how to think, adapt, and win like an octopus.  #SmallBusinessOwner #BusinessSurvival #EntrepreneurMindset #Adaptability #MondayMotivation

    11 min
  8. S3E69: If You Don’t Know Where You’re Going, Any Road Will Do

    JAN 5

    S3E69: If You Don’t Know Where You’re Going, Any Road Will Do

    Send a text The first Monday of the new year is the most important planning moment for small business owners—and most skip it. In this episode of Monday Morning Motivation on the Small Business Survival Conversations Podcast, host Anna Steinfest uses a powerful lesson from Alice in Wonderland to explain why clarity matters more than hustle—and why you don’t need a traditional business plan to succeed. Instead, you’ll learn how to create a simple one-page business roadmap to define your goals, eliminate distractions, and make better decisions all year long. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why working hard without direction leads to burnoutHow to avoid chasing distractions disguised as opportunitiesWhat to include in a one-page business roadmapHow to set clear priorities for the year aheadThree actionable steps you can take this weekIf you’re a small business owner who wants focus, momentum, and clarity in the new year—this episode is for you.

    12 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Small Business Survival Conversations is the weekly podcast designed to empower entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and small business owners who are fighting every day to build, grow, and sustain their businesses in a noisy and unpredictable world. Hosted by Anna Steinfest, business strategist, entrepreneur, and founder with decades of experience helping small businesses thrive, this show delivers practical wisdom, mindset fuel, and real-world strategies that small business owners can actually use.  What to Expect Every Week  Monday Morning Motivation Kickstart your week with a powerful story—drawn from timeless fables, real business lessons, or classic wisdom—paired with three actionable steps you can apply immediately. Each episode is crafted to help you regain focus, protect your momentum, and make better decisions as a small business owner. These episodes are short, energizing, and packed with practical insight. Think of it as your weekly dose of clarity, courage, and direction. Occasional Expert Interviews Throughout the season, Anna welcomes entrepreneurs, industry experts, and community leaders who share their experiences, failures, wins, and lessons learned. Whether you’re looking to scale, pivot, or simply survive another day of running a business, these conversations offer the guidance and encouragement you need. Who This Podcast Is For This show is built for: • Small business owners • Solopreneurs • Startup founders • Women-owned businesses • Community-based and service-based entrepreneurs • Anyone navigating growth with limited time, resources, and support If you’re building a business from the ground up—and learning as you go—you’re in the right place.  Why Listeners Love This Podcast • Practical, real-world strategies (no fluff) • Story-driven insights that stick • Weekly motivation designed specifically for small business owners • Action steps in every episode • Honest conversations about what it really takes to survive and grow • Encouragement without sugarcoating Running a small business is not easy — but you don’t have to do it alone. Subscribe now and start your week with inspiration, direction, and the tools to keep moving forward.  Small Business Survival Conversations Your journey. Your grit. Your growth.

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