Small Biz Catalyst

Ayisat Abilogun | Small Biz Catalyst
  • 5.0 (6)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hello and welcome to Small Biz Catalysts. This show is for struggling small business owners who want to be able to earn a consistent 6 figure salary from their businesses and the economic development professionals who support them.  Explore with us as we delve into innovative strategies, success stories and actionable insights to empower small businesses as catalysts for economic resilience. Your host, Ayisat Abilogun is a Certified Entrepreneurship Development Professional and the CEO of Financial Leadership Club of America.Ayisat loves helping small business owners stay resilient so that their business can move past stagnation to growth phase.In the last 5 years, Ayisat has empowered over 20,000 students and business owner through financial leadership courses, workshops and curriculum.Let's help your business move from wistful to wellspring.Stay with us as we delve into today's topic.

  1. JAN 28

    What if entrepreneurship wasn’t an elective with Jeff Meade #61

    What if entrepreneurship wasn’t an elective—but the foundation of education? In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, host Ayisat Abilogun sits down with Jeff Meade, Executive Director of the Every Quinnite Is an Entrepreneur program at Paul Quinn College, to explore how entrepreneurship education is being reimagined—and why it matters for business owners, parents, and community builders alike. Paul Quinn College, an HBCU in Dallas, Texas, has made a bold commitment: every student is expected to think and act like an entrepreneur. Jeff shares how this mission-driven approach is reshaping higher education through venture-based learning, real-world problem solving, and early exposure to building, funding, and scaling businesses. In this conversation, you’ll learn: What “Every Quinnite Is an Entrepreneur” really means—and why mindset matters more than majorsHow Paul Quinn College introduces entrepreneurship from day one through an intensive freshman bootcampWhy under-resourced students often struggle to dream big—and how educators can help rebuild that muscleHow a $100,000 student seed fund is helping turn student ideas into real, investable businessesWhy entrepreneurship education isn’t just about startups, but about creating entrepreneurial thinkers for the workforceWhat venture-based learning looks like in practice—and how it closes the gap between education and real-world businessJeff also shares his long-term vision for the program, including alumni-owned businesses, acquisition entrepreneurship, and building sustainable wealth within local communities. Whether you’re a small business owner, a parent, an educator, or someone passionate about economic mobility, this episode will challenge how you think about education, entrepreneurship, and the role both play in shaping the future of work. Support the show Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

    28 min

  2. JAN 20

    How Podcasting Can Transform Your Business Growth Strategy with Greg Wasserman #60

    Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just thinking about launching your show, this episode will show you how to make podcasting work for your business growth, not against your schedule. Listen now to learn how to: ✅ Turn your podcast into a networking tool ✅ Build trust through authentic conversations ✅ Repurpose your episodes into social gold ✅ Create a media engine around your business RESOURCES 🌐 RSS.com Podcast hosting & analytics 📘 Book: Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo master storytelling in podcasting 🤖 VA Support: FLCA Virtual Assistant Agency professional editing & production help Support the show Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

    37 min

  3. JAN 13

    City of Irving Spotlight on Small Business support #59

    Want to start a small business in Irving, TX? Here's what you need to know. In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, host Ayisat Abilogun sits down with the Mayor of Irving, TX; the City Manager, Asst. City Manager, Economic Development Corp Manager, and the President of Irving/Las Colina Chamber to discuss the city's small business initiatives.  🔗 Resources & Links Connect with the city's EDC at Economic Development | Irving, TX Official Website Connect with Irving Las Colinas Chamber at Irving Chamber of Commerce Access more resources at https://smallbizcatalystorg/resources Support the show Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

    33 min

  4. JAN 6

    Welcome to 2026 - Changes to Small Biz Catalyst and why #58

    Happy New Year! We are keeping our promise to you and we invite you to join us this year as we serve you more. In this episode, Ayisat shares some upcoming changes to the podcast and why those changes have been adopted. We look forward to serving you more this year! 🔗 Resources & Links Access more resources at https://smallbizcatalystorg/resources Grant Information: 1. Tee It Up for the Troops Grant Deadline: No deadline Maximum Grant Amount: Not specified Website: teetupforthetroops.org/apply-for-grants Contact: Ashley (ashley@teeitupforthetroops.org) or Becca (becca@teeitupforthetroops.org) Supports: Family & caregiver support, PTSD & TBI treatment, suicide prevention, golf & sports rehabilitation, employment, housing & homelessness. Support the show Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

    4 min

  5. 10/29/2025

    How to future proof your business with Allister Frost E57

    Is your business truly future-ready?  In this episode of Small Biz Catalyst, host Ayisat Abilogun sits down with Allister Frost, former Microsoft leader, author of Ready Already, and expert in digital transformation to unpack how small business owners can build a Future Ready Mindset in an era defined by rapid change and emerging technologies like AI. Drawing from his years at Microsoft and his groundbreaking work helping entrepreneurs embrace change, Allister shares: Why “future-proofing” is a myth and what to do instead The FROST Model for sustainable growth (Follow, React, Open, Surprise, Tell) How to adopt small, consistent improvements that compound into big resultsThe 3 human superpowers you can’t delegate to AI curiosity, creativity, and collaborationWhy continuous learning and curiosity are your greatest assets in businessWhether you’re feeling overwhelmed by constant change or eager to stay ahead of the curve, this episode will help you think differently, act intentionally, and be ready already for whatever’s next. 🔗 Resources & Links 📘 Ready Already by Allister Frost → https://readyalready.me Access more resources at https://smallbizcatalystorg/resources Grants: Grant Information: 1. Tee It Up for the Troops Grant Deadline: No deadline Maximum Grant Amount: Not specified Website: teetupforthetroops.org/apply-for-grants Contact: Ashley (ashley@teeitupforthetroops.org) or Becca (becca@teeitupforthetroops.org) Supports: Family & caregiver support, PTSD & TBI treatment, suicide prevention, golf & sports rehabilitation, employment, housing & homelessness. 2. Bernard Family Foundation Grant Deadline: December 31, 2025 Maximum Grant Amount: $50,000 Contact: Cathy S. Bernard, 5532 Gretstone Manor, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Focus Areas: Community-focused projects (reach out directly for guidelines). Support the show Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

    22 min

  6. 10/07/2025

    Truth or Dare (Fear) - Overcoming Fear: A Journey of Self-Discovery #56

    Fear can shape our beliefs and actions. Through personal anecdotes, particularly about teaching her daughter to drive, Ayisat illustrates how fear can hold us back from achieving our goals. The conversation emphasizes the importance of taking small steps, staying in one's lane, and overcoming self-imposed limitations. Ayisat also engages the audience by encouraging them to reflect on their own fears and share their experiences.  Resources: Grant Information: 1. Tee It Up for the Troops Grant Deadline: No deadline Maximum Grant Amount: Not specified Website: teetupforthetroops.org/apply-for-grants Contact: Ashley (ashley@teeitupforthetroops.org) or Becca (becca@teeitupforthetroops.org) Supports: Family & caregiver support, PTSD & TBI treatment, suicide prevention, golf & sports rehabilitation, employment, housing & homelessness. 2. Bernard Family Foundation Grant Deadline: December 31, 2025 Maximum Grant Amount: $50,000 Contact: Cathy S. Bernard, 5532 Gretstone Manor, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Focus Areas: Community-focused projects (reach out directly for guidelines). Support the show Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

    9 min

  7. 09/03/2025

    How to apply for StartHer grant for women owned business with Tracy Irby #55

    Getting a grant for your small business could be daunting. Do you know that you can easily qualify and apply for the StartHer grant? Tracy Irby discusses grant opportunities for women entrepreneurs, focusing on the Start Her grant. Tracy shares insights on common pitfalls in grant applications, the importance of understanding guidelines, and how to effectively utilize grant funds. The conversation also highlights the significance of verifying grant credibility to avoid scams, and concludes with encouragement for women entrepreneurs to take advantage of available resources. Resources & Grants: StartHer Grant by TWU CWE Maximum Grant: $5,000 Deadline: 5:00:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26, 2025 Guidelines and Application: StartHER Grant | Texas Woman's University Grant application review email: CWEgrants@twu.edu 45 Small-Business Grants for Women: Free Funding in 2024 - NerdWallet SmallBizCatalyst.org/resources Nerd Wallet Support the show Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

    23 min

  8. 08/26/2025

    How to make the internship experience effective for your business and the intern #54

    These 5 strategic moves will help you learn how to create a positive internship and virtual assistant experience to drive revenue. Ayisat emphasizes the importance of clarifying roles, developing onboarding systems, tracking work, and providing feedback. The conversation also highlights how interns can drive revenue through operational efficiency and market expansion. Additionally, the episode concludes with announcements about available grants for organizations. Resouces & Grants: America In Bloom Maximum Grant: $25,000 Deadline: November 1, 2025 Guidelines and Application: https://americainbloom.org/programs/cn-grant/ Saxena Family Foundation Maximum Grant: $50,000 Deadline: December 1, 2025 Guidelines and Application: http://saxenafoundation.com/guidelines/ Support the show Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

    16 min
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5
out of 5
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About

Hello and welcome to Small Biz Catalysts. This show is for struggling small business owners who want to be able to earn a consistent 6 figure salary from their businesses and the economic development professionals who support them.  Explore with us as we delve into innovative strategies, success stories and actionable insights to empower small businesses as catalysts for economic resilience. Your host, Ayisat Abilogun is a Certified Entrepreneurship Development Professional and the CEO of Financial Leadership Club of America.Ayisat loves helping small business owners stay resilient so that their business can move past stagnation to growth phase.In the last 5 years, Ayisat has empowered over 20,000 students and business owner through financial leadership courses, workshops and curriculum.Let's help your business move from wistful to wellspring.Stay with us as we delve into today's topic.

Information

  • Creator
    Ayisat Abilogun | Small Biz Catalyst
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Small Biz Catalyst
  • Show Website
    Small Biz Catalyst