Small Business Stories

Loralyn Mears, PhD
  • 4.8 (20)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Daily

Welcome to Small Business Stories, the podcast where we celebrate the real-life journeys of small business owners. We dig into inspiring tales of triumphs, challenges, and the tough lessons we learned along the way. Each episode is packed with relatable anecdotes and practical tips that you can use to fuel your own entrepreneurial dreams. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your business, you'll find motivation and insight in every story. Tune in and get ready to be inspired by the heart and hustle of small business owners just like you! We say it like it is - no filters. Being an SMB owner isn't easy, but we're compelled to do it.

  1. 1d ago

    How to Use AI Agents Without Replacing Your Team with Kenneth Corrêa

    S6:E63 An optional title for this episode is, "Agentic AI, Human Judgment & Cognitive Organizations with Kenneth Corrêa." AI is moving faster than most organizations can absorb it. The temptation is to automate whatever already exists. But Kenneth Corrêa argues that this misses the deeper transformation: businesses must redesign their products, services, workflows, and organizational structures around humans and AI agents working together. Queue up this episode of Small Business Stories as Dr. LL and Kenneth explore agentic AI, cognitive organizations, privacy, adaptive leadership, critical thinking, and the capabilities people will need as execution becomes increasingly automated. If people do not trust how AI is being used, they will resist the systems built around it. If customers, employees, and AI systems cannot clearly understand where human responsibility ends and automated authority begins, the organization creates credibility risk instead of confidence. 👤 Guest Kenneth Corrêa Author of Cognitive Organizations AI strategist and entrepreneur specializing in agentic AI, emerging technology, organizational transformation, and human-AI collaboration ⚠️ Core Problems Discussed AI adoption driven by pressure rather than strategic purpose Organizations automating inefficient or outdated processes Privacy, intellectual-property, and accountability risks Weak investment in critical thinking and human judgment 🥡 Practical Takeaways Start with the purpose of the business, not the newest tool. Design for humans plus AI agents—not humans versus AI agents. Use AI to reduce administrative friction while preserving human judgment. Build teams that question assumptions rather than simply execute instructions. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:58 Surviving the flood of new AI tools 06:43 Personal data, privacy, and the value exchange 11:17 Why Dr. LL rejected an intellectual digital twin 23:21 Moving from automation to organizational redesign 28:21 Critical thinking and the future value of people 31:41 The central argument behind Cognitive Organizations 🔖 Who This Episode Is For Founders, executives, consultants, operations leaders, AI practitioners, and anyone responsible for introducing AI into a working organization. At STEERus, we continue to see that technology cannot correct an unclear business signal. When companies automate before clarifying their purpose, value, responsibilities, and decision boundaries, they scale the very misinterpretation they hoped AI would solve. Subscribe and share this episode with someone trying to introduce AI thoughtfully, not simply quickly. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrLLSmallBusiness Instagram: https://instagram.com/steerus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/steerus Twitter: https://x.com/steerus_io   #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #podcast #aiagents #AI

    How to Use AI Agents Without Replacing Your Team with Kenneth Corrêa

  2. 2d ago

    Why Working Harder Isn't Fixing Your Business with Leadership Coach Michelle Pollack

    S6:E62 Success becomes surprisingly heavy when you're carrying someone else's expectations. In this conversation, Dr. LL sits down with leadership coach Michelle Pollack to explore why entrepreneurs become exhausted by constantly chasing external definitions of success instead of intentionally building businesses aligned with their own values and strengths. If people don't trust themselves, they begin borrowing certainty from everyone else. And when businesses repeatedly shift direction based on outside opinions, customers (and increasingly AI systems) receive fragmented signals that make the business harder to understand. Together they discuss discernment, intentional leadership, decision-making, burnout, and building a business that reflects who you actually are. Core Problems Entrepreneur burnout despite constant effort Conflicting advice creating decision fatigue Misalignment between values and business strategy Practical Takeaways Develop a filter for evaluating business advice. Measure progress against your own definition of success. Consistency begins with internal clarity before external execution. Timestamps 00:00 Why burnout isn't always about workload 02:30 Too many experts, too many opinions 08:45 Creating a discernment filter 18:20 Defining success 34:10 Sustainable leadership Who This Episode Is For Entrepreneurs, founders, executives, coaches, and business owners seeking sustainable growth. At STEERus, we continue to observe that businesses communicate externally what leaders first establish internally. Clarity of leadership produces clarity of signal, reducing misinterpretation for both people and AI systems. Subscribe and share if thoughtful conversations like these help you build a stronger business. Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrLLSmallBusiness Instagram: https://instagram.com/steerus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/steerus Twitter: https://x.com/steerus_io   #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #podcast #leadership

    Why Working Harder Isn't Fixing Your Business with Leadership Coach Michelle Pollack

  3. 5d ago

    How to Create Multiple Income Streams Without Burning Out with Kelvin Abrams

    S6:E61 Building a business is difficult. Building several businesses at the same time requires a different way of thinking. In this conversation, Dr. LL sits down with entrepreneur Kelvin Abrams to discuss multiple revenue streams, planning for seasonality, learning through discomfort, and building businesses designed to weather uncertainty. If people don't trust your ability to adapt, they hesitate to invest, partner, or buy. Likewise, if AI systems cannot consistently interpret your business as resilient and relevant, visibility alone won't create long-term growth. Together they explore why diversification matters, how far ahead entrepreneurs should be planning, and why discomfort is often part of meaningful progress. Core Problems Revenue concentration risk Seasonal business volatility Reactive planning instead of strategic planning Practical Takeaways Diversify thoughtfully rather than impulsively. Build next year's strategy while running today's business. Seek mentors who have already solved the challenges you're facing. Timestamps 00:00 Multiple income streams 02:20 Planning ahead 08:15 Managing seasonality 20:40 Getting uncomfortable 35:10 Building resilient businesses Who This Episode Is For Entrepreneurs, founders, franchise owners, and business leaders navigating uncertain markets. At STEERus, we continue to see that resilience isn't communicated through words alone. It becomes visible through consistent planning, thoughtful execution, and signals that demonstrate a business is prepared for change—not surprised by it. Subscribe and share if thoughtful conversations like these help you build a stronger business.   ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrLLSmallBusiness Instagram: https://instagram.com/steerus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/steerus Twitter: https://x.com/steerus_io #entrepreneurship #mindset #smallbusiness #faith

    How to Create Multiple Income Streams Without Burning Out with Kelvin Abrams

  4. Jul 21

    How to Build Wealth in Your Community Through Co-ops with Vernon Oakes

    S6:E60 Not every successful business measures success the same way. In this conversation, Dr. LL sits down with Vernon Oakes, founder of Everything Cooperative, to explore how cooperative business models create stronger alignment between ownership, employees, customers, and communities. If people don't trust the systems behind a business, long-term resilience becomes difficult. And if AI systems (or prospective customers) cannot understand how your organization creates value, your impact often remains invisible. Together they discuss employee ownership, cooperative economics, local wealth creation, and why governance can become a competitive advantage rather than an administrative burden. Core Problems Traditional ownership models concentrating wealth Weak alignment between incentives and outcomes Limited awareness of cooperative business structures Practical Takeaways Different ownership models produce different organizational behaviors. Shared governance requires intentional communication and trust. Long-term resilience often begins with aligned incentives. Timestamps 00:00 Understanding cooperative businesses 02:20 Four cooperative models 11:15 Shared ownership 23:40 Building resilient communities 38:20 Advice for entrepreneurs Who This Episode Is For Business owners, economic development professionals, nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in alternative business models. At STEERus, we continue to observe that businesses become stronger when their purpose, ownership, and value creation are clearly understood by both people and increasingly by AI systems. Subscribe and share if thoughtful conversations like these help you build a stronger business. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrLLSmallBusiness Instagram: https://instagram.com/steerus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/steerus Twitter: https://x.com/steerus_io #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #leadership #coop

    How to Build Wealth in Your Community Through Co-ops with Vernon Oakes

  5. Jul 15

    How to Know If Your Product Idea Will Sell with Juliette Fasset

    S6:E59 Every invention begins with an idea. However, very few ideas become sustainable businesses. In this conversation, Dr. LL sits down with inventor and entrepreneur Juliette Fassett to explore what really happens between inspiration and commercialization. She talks about validating demand and protecting intellectual property (she's in litigation with Walmart!!!) to manufacturing, pricing, and scaling consumer products. If people don't understand why your product matters, they won't buy it. And if AI systems or prospective customers can't accurately interpret the problem your product solves, visibility alone won't create demand. Together they discuss why market validation matters more than enthusiasm, how founders should think about pricing and margins, and why speed has become a competitive advantage in today's marketplace. Core Problems Falling in love with ideas before validating demand Weak pricing and margin strategy Competing in markets where copycats move quickly Practical Takeaways Validate the problem before building the solution. Understand your economics before scaling. Move quickly once product-market fit is proven. Timestamps 00:00 Finding product-market fit 05:45 Learning from failure 17:00 Protecting innovation 24:30 Manufacturing realities 37:15 Advice for new inventors Who This Episode Is For Inventors, founders, consumer product entrepreneurs, and innovators preparing to launch new products. At STEERus, we continue to see that products succeed when customers—and increasingly AI systems—can immediately understand what problem they solve and why they matter. Subscribe and share if thoughtful conversations like these help you build a stronger business.   ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrLLSmallBusiness Instagram: https://instagram.com/steerus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/steerus Twitter: https://x.com/steerus_io #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #podcast #invention

    How to Know If Your Product Idea Will Sell with Juliette Fasset

  6. Jul 8

    Why Customers Don't Buy - and What to Do with Jason Fishman

    S6:E58 Every customer journey begins long before someone clicks "buy." In this conversation, Dr. LL sits down with Jason Fishman, founder of Digital Niche Agency, to explore how customer trust is built through repeated interactions, thoughtful messaging, and data-informed marketing, not isolated campaigns. If people don't trust what they see, they won't move forward. And if AI or prospective customers misinterpret your business, visibility alone won't produce growth. Together they discuss why conversion rates depend on more than traffic, how AI is reshaping buyer research, and why consistent communication across every customer touchpoint has become a competitive advantage. Core Problems Low conversion despite strong traffic Inconsistent customer journeys Misunderstanding how buyers make decisions Practical Takeaways Build trust before expecting conversions. Use analytics to understand real customer behavior. Design marketing around relationships instead of isolated campaigns. Timestamps 00:00 Why customers hesitate 03:00 Trust through multiple touchpoints 12:15 AI and modern buying behavior 24:10 Learning from customer data 37:40 Creating loyal customers Who This Episode Is For Founders, growth leaders, marketers, agencies, and entrepreneurs scaling customer acquisition. At STEERus, we continue to observe that visibility without understanding rarely creates lasting growth. Businesses become easier to choose when every touchpoint reinforces the same clear, credible signal. Subscribe and share if conversations like these help you build a stronger business.   ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrLLSmallBusiness Instagram: https://instagram.com/steerus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/steerus Twitter: https://x.com/steerus_io

    Why Customers Don't Buy - and What to Do with Jason Fishman

  7. Jul 8

    How to Be a Better Leader People Actually Want to Follow with William Davis

    S6:E57 Leadership has never been more complex. Organizations have more technology than ever, yet many leaders feel less connected to the people they lead. In this conversation, Dr. LL sits down with leadership expert William Davis to discuss why communication, empathy, accountability, and genuine relationships remain the foundation of effective leadership. If people don't trust your leadership, they won't fully engage with your vision. William explains why leadership is fundamentally different from management, why retention begins with relationships, and why technology should never replace authentic human connection. William's LinkedIn banner says, "Become the leader people brag about - not the one they have to survive." I think that says it all! Core Problems Employee disengagement Weak communication Confusing management with leadership Practical Takeaways Build relationships before expecting commitment. Practice empathy without sacrificing accountability. Invest in conversations—not just communication tools. Timestamps 00:00 Leadership today 01:30 Communication challenges 08:10 AI and relationships 11:20 Empathy and accountability 22:45 Leadership versus management Who This Episode Is For Leaders, founders, executives, and managers building high-performing teams. At STEERus, we increasingly see that trust is interpreted before it is experienced. When leaders consistently communicate with clarity, empathy, and integrity, they reduce misinterpretation and strengthen the signals others use to decide whether to follow. Subscribe and share if these conversations help you lead with greater intention. ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrLLSmallBusiness Instagram: https://instagram.com/steerus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/steerus Twitter: https://x.com/steerus_io   #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #podcast

    How to Be a Better Leader People Actually Want to Follow with William Davis

  8. Jul 1

    How to Reinvent Yourself Without Starting Over with Ryan Estes

    S6:E56 Feeling stuck in a career or business that no longer fits? Reinventing yourself doesn't always mean starting over. Sometimes it means trusting your curiosity and allowing yourself to grow into what's next. Loralyn Mears, PhD, aka "Dr. LL," brings you thoughtful conversations with entrepreneurs and small business leaders navigating visibility, leadership, and growth. Thank you for being here. Many entrepreneurs quietly struggle after success. They build the business, earn the recognition, and then discover they've outgrown the identity that created it. The difficult question becomes: Who am I now? 👤 Guest Ryan Estes Entrepreneur, investor, podcaster and former CEO Expertise: Entrepreneurship, leadership, reinvention and human performance ⚠️ Core Problems Discussed • Feeling trapped by your professional identity • Losing enthusiasm after reaching success • Finding purpose beyond career achievement 🧠 The Bigger Pattern Dr. LL Sees Identity Lock-In Across hundreds of founder conversations, one pattern keeps surfacing: people become so closely associated with one role that they struggle to evolve. As markets, technology, and careers change, others continue interpreting them through yesterday's identity instead of today's capabilities. 🥡 Practical Takeaways • Curiosity is often the first signal it's time to evolve. • Your identity can expand without abandoning your experience. • Long-term success comes from continual reinvention, not permanent specialization. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Curiosity and entrepreneurship 07:15 Why successful founders keep reinventing themselves 18:45 Podcasting as meaningful conversation 24:00 Purpose beyond business 30:00 Life after entrepreneurial success 🔖 Who This Episode Is For Entrepreneurs, executives, founders, creators, and professionals considering what's next.     ✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship 🔁 Share this episode with someone who needs to be heard Follow STEERus on social media: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrLLSmallBusiness Instagram: https://instagram.com/steerus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/steerus Twitter: https://x.com/steerus_io   #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #CareerGrowth

    How to Reinvent Yourself Without Starting Over with Ryan Estes
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4.8
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Welcome to Small Business Stories, the podcast where we celebrate the real-life journeys of small business owners. We dig into inspiring tales of triumphs, challenges, and the tough lessons we learned along the way. Each episode is packed with relatable anecdotes and practical tips that you can use to fuel your own entrepreneurial dreams. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your business, you'll find motivation and insight in every story. Tune in and get ready to be inspired by the heart and hustle of small business owners just like you! We say it like it is - no filters. Being an SMB owner isn't easy, but we're compelled to do it.

Information

  • Creator
    Loralyn Mears, PhD
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    199
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © (C) STEERus 2026
  • Show Website
    Small Business Stories