The KeyHire Small Business Podcast

KeyHire Solutions
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Welcome to the Award Winning KeyHire Solutions Small Business Podcast, where we cover small business issues, including leadership development, hiring strategies, management structure, business growth, workplace culture, entrepreneurship, and more. We’re here to help you stop grinding and start growing. Join us for weekly chats about small business management with Corey Harlock, our organization design, candidate experience, talent acquisition, and employer branding expert, and CEO of KeyHire Solutions. As an entrepreneur, Corey understands the challenges that business owners face when scaling their businesses. Follow Corey on LinkedIn @CoreyHarlockJoin our Mailing List @ keyHire.Solutions (http://keyHire.Solutions)

  1. How to Create Repeat Business with AI (with Bryan Clayton)

    5일 전

    How to Create Repeat Business with AI (with Bryan Clayton)

    Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows. Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock    Bryan, whose company has been called “the Uber for lawn care” by Entrepreneur Magazine, shares how AI helped him transform GreenPal’s operations from reactive problem-solving to proactive customer experience design. His insights reveal how even small businesses can use AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to listen to customer feedback, identify hidden operational problems, and continuously improve. What started as a simple lawn care platform evolved into a case study in how AI can build customer loyalty at scale. By analyzing call transcripts, customer reviews, and support tickets, Bryan discovered patterns that were driving dissatisfaction and churn—issues that traditional customer service models often miss. Using AI, he built automated workflows that not only fixed these issues but predicted them before they happened. The result? Happier customers, fewer complaints, and a dramatic increase in repeat business. Bryan’s process is refreshingly straightforward: use AI as your in-house R&D team. He breaks down how any entrepreneur can replicate this approach without coding or big budgets, and why he believes AI is the “rocket ship for entrepreneurs.” From ingesting customer data to generating actionable insights, Bryan shows how the same tools used by billion-dollar companies are now accessible to small business owners everywhere. Listeners will walk away with practical strategies they can implement immediately, including how to automate customer feedback analysis using AI, how to turn negative reviews into data-driven growth opportunities, and how to build “magical” customer experiences that keep people coming back. Corey and Bryan also dive into the human side of AI adoption, discussing why founders resist customer feedback, how to avoid “AI laziness,” and why prompting is becoming the most valuable skill in modern business. As Bryan puts it, “These tools are as bad as they’ll ever be. They’re only getting better—so now’s the time to learn them.” Whether you’re a business owner looking to boost repeat sales, a founder curious about AI’s real-world applications, or simply someone tired of guessing what your customers want, this conversation delivers clarity, inspiration, and an actionable roadmap for growth. Tune in to learn how to harness AI not just to make your business smarter, but to make it truly magical. Connect with the Experts     Learn More about Bryan: yourgreenpal.com Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess    Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram KeyHire Solutions helps small business owners scale smarter, not harder. From hiring the right talent to building systems that work, we give you the strategies and support to grow your business without burning out. Learn More at www.KeyHire.Solutions

    44분
  2. The Importance of Community for a Business Owner (with LaGina Harris)

    10월 6일

    The Importance of Community for a Business Owner (with LaGina Harris)

    Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows. Being a business owner can feel like you’re out there on your own, grinding away with no one to bounce ideas off of and no community to lean on. In this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock is joined by LaGina Harris, Founder and CXO of The Us Space, to explore why community is one of the most powerful resources an entrepreneur can build.  LaGina has firsthand experience creating spaces that help entrepreneurs combat the isolation of business ownership. Through The Us Space in Houston, she transforms underutilized work and meeting environments into ecosystems for growth, places where entrepreneurs not only find support but also discover opportunities to collaborate, learn, and thrive.  The conversation begins with the reality that entrepreneurship is often lonely. LaGina explains how intentional community-building can solve that problem, offering both social connection and professional validation. She highlights the difference between a personal community, friends and family who care about you, and a business community, which provides the unique understanding and feedback that only fellow entrepreneurs can give.  Together, Corey and LaGina dive into the practical and emotional benefits of surrounding yourself with the right people. From mentors who keep you grounded to peers who offer encouragement and perspective, community ensures that blind spots don’t stay blind. It is also an incredible source of free marketing, because when people know who you are, what you stand for, and what your business does, they become natural ambassadors for your brand.  LaGina also shares her philosophy on the importance of “showing up.” Whether that means stepping into a co-working space, attending a networking group, or simply putting yourself in environments where conversations can happen, showing up is the first step to building trust and finding your people. She reminds listeners that entrepreneurs don’t always need to hit home runs. Singles add up. Community provides the accountability and perspective to help small wins compound into lasting growth.  The discussion touches on common pitfalls too, like being defensive when receiving feedback or taking advice from people who don’t have skin in the game. Corey and LaGina stress the importance of discernment: knowing which voices to trust, building relationships before asking for guidance, and being open to perspectives that can make you better.  For solopreneurs especially, community is more than just a nice-to-have. It is a lifeline. It is the difference between being stuck in your head and finding clarity, between spinning your wheels and moving forward with confidence.  Key Takeaways:  Community reduces isolation and provides both emotional support and practical business insight. The right mentors and peers can help uncover blind spots and act as trusted advisors. Showing up consistently is the first step to building trust, accountability, and long-term growth. If you have ever felt alone in your business journey or wondered how to find the right people to support you, this episode will give you both the encouragement and the practical steps to start building your community today.  Connect with the Experts     Learn More about LaGina: https://theusspace.com   Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock    Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess    Follow us on YouTube @keyhir KeyHire Solutions helps small business owners scale smarter, not harder. From hiring the right talent to building systems that work, we give you the strategies and support to grow your business without burning out. Learn More at www.KeyHire.Solutions

    36분
  3. Smart Scaling with Nearshoring (with Brian Samson)

    9월 29일

    Smart Scaling with Nearshoring (with Brian Samson)

    Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows. In this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with Brian Samson, CEO & Chairman of Plugg Technologies, to explore the power of nearshoring as a strategy for growth-minded business owners.  For years, small business leaders have wrestled with the complexities of outsourcing and offshoring—drawn to the promise of cost savings but often burned by the hidden expenses of time zone challenges, communication barriers, and cultural misalignment. Brian, who has built three nearshoring firms from the ground up and served as a VP of Talent in San Francisco startups, brings clarity to the conversation by breaking down the differences between outsourcing, offshoring, onshoring, and nearshoring.  At its core, nearshoring is about more than geography—it’s about alignment. By connecting U.S. businesses with top talent in Latin America, companies gain the dual advantage of cost savings and real-time collaboration. Unlike the middle-of-the-night calls often required with offshore teams, nearshoring offers workday overlap that eliminates delays, reduces stress, and improves overall productivity.  Brian shares how Latin America is becoming the go-to region for small businesses seeking to expand their teams. With IT outsourcing spend largely flat worldwide, Latin America’s share of the market is rising fast, “eating India’s lunch” in areas like software development and customer support. He also discusses the geopolitical shifts—including proposed legislation like the HIRE Act—that could accelerate this trend and make nearshoring not only a smart choice, but in many cases, the best choice.  In this episode, you’ll learn:  The real differences between outsourcing, offshoring, onshoring, and nearshoring. Why time zone alignment and cultural understanding give nearshoring a major advantage. How proposed policies like the HIRE Act could reshape global outsourcing. The biggest mistakes companies make when outsourcing—and how to avoid them. First steps to exploring nearshoring, from choosing the right country to setting up your team. Listeners will also gain insight into the importance of treating nearshore partners as more than just “low-cost resources.” Brian emphasizes that when leaders onboard and manage nearshore teams with the same care as domestic employees, they unlock loyalty, dedication, and lasting results.  Whether you’re looking to hire one remote professional or set up an entire team abroad, this episode provides a roadmap to scaling smarter without sacrificing quality. If you’ve ever wondered whether nearshoring could help you reduce costs, improve operations, and better align with your customers and employees, this episode is a must-listen.  Corey and Brian cut through the noise and deliver practical advice that every small business leader can use to stop grinding and start growing.  Connect with the Experts     Learn More about Brian: https://plugg.tech/    Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock    Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess    Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram KeyHire Solutions helps small business owners scale smarter, not harder. From hiring the right talent to building systems that work, we give you the strategies and support to grow your business without burning out. Learn More at www.KeyHire.Solutions

    47분
  4. The Five Elements of a Successful Sales Process (with Melinda Emerson)

    9월 22일

    The Five Elements of a Successful Sales Process (with Melinda Emerson)

    Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows. Sales is the engine that drives every small business, but in uncertain economic times, the pressure to “just sell more” can leave owners spinning their wheels. On this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, host Corey Harlock sits down with Melinda Emerson, widely known as “The Small Biz Lady” and recognized as America’s #1 Small Business Expert, to uncover what truly makes a sales process work.  With more than 25 years of experience advising entrepreneurs and global brands, Melinda has seen firsthand why many small business owners struggle to close deals and sustain growth. She pulls no punches in this conversation, walking us through the five critical elements of a successful sales process:  Niche – Knowing exactly who you serve and narrowing your focus to become more attractive to the right clients. Offer – Creating a clear and compelling value proposition that eliminates confusion and makes buying a no-brainer. Authority Positioning – Establishing credibility and demonstrating why prospects can trust you to deliver results. Lead Generation – Building consistent, reliable traffic and qualified leads through smart strategies and strong content. Enrollment Process – Designing an intentional closing process that converts interest into commitment. Throughout the episode, Melinda shares candid stories from her own entrepreneurial journey, including the early mistakes she made in business and how writing her bestselling book, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, opened doors she never imagined. She also explains why transparency, professionalism, and consistency are the keys to building long-term client relationships.  Corey and Melinda dig into some of the biggest mistakes small businesses make when it comes to sales. From skipping the hard work of defining a process, to relying on expensive CRMs they never learn to use, to assuming that hiring a salesperson will magically fix everything—Melinda outlines why these shortcuts almost always fail. Instead, she emphasizes that owners themselves must first learn to sell, master their own systems, and only then consider bringing others into the process.  Listeners will also hear practical advice on structuring offers, right-sizing proposals to fit client budgets, and creating lead magnets that provide real value. Melinda highlights the importance of asking better discovery questions, understanding client payment cycles, and protecting margins to ensure profitability.  If you are a small business owner who has ever felt frustrated by inconsistent sales, struggled to close deals, or wondered if bringing in a salesperson was the right move, this conversation will give you the clarity and strategies you need.  Melinda’s energy, honesty, and proven track record make this episode one you do not want to miss. Whether you are looking to strengthen your sales foundation, refine your process, or simply avoid costly mistakes, you will walk away with actionable insights you can implement immediately.  Tune in, take notes, and get ready to rethink how your sales process should work.  Connect with the Experts    Learn More about Melinda: https://smallbizladyuniversity.com/academy/  Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months: https://a.co/d/4WrRnxB  Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram KeyHire Solutions helps small business owners scale smarter, not harder. From hiring the right talent to building systems that work, we give you the strategies and support to grow your business without burning out. Learn More at www.KeyHire.Solutions

    41분
  5. Key Owner Stages Series: The Growing Business Owner

    9월 15일

    Key Owner Stages Series: The Growing Business Owner

    Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows. Welcome to the fourth and final installment of our Key Owner Stages series on The KeyHire Podcast. So far, we’ve walked through the stages of the Overwhelmed, Unsure, and Curious business owner. In this episode, we turn our attention to the Growing Business Owner—an exciting but challenging stage where your business starts gaining momentum, but cracks begin to show.  As your sales increase and market presence expands, you may notice the pressure building across every part of your operation. Your team is stretched thin, quality begins to slip, and on-time delivery becomes harder to guarantee. Leaders who once thrived in calmer times may start to falter, while others rise to the challenge with new ideas and solutions. This stage is exhilarating—it’s proof that your hard work is paying off—but without the right strategies, it can just as quickly become a turning point where growth stalls or reputations suffer.  In this episode, I dig into what it really means to be a Growing Business Owner. I’ll share the telltale signs that you’ve reached this stage, including cash flow tension, strained resources, and the tendency to overwork instead of innovate. More importantly, I’ll walk you through the critical mistakes to avoid, such as pushing too hard on sales without shoring up operations, relying on “potential hires” instead of experienced leaders, or falling back into the do-it-yourself trap when it comes to hiring.  Instead of pressing the gas blindly, this is the time to be strategic. I’ll show you how to:  Upgrade your leadership team by identifying who can handle the pressure and who’s become a constraint. Invest in professional talent—hiring for experience, capacity, and culture rather than gambling on potential. Design for the future by creating an organizational roadmap that prepares you for scaling responsibly, from $10M to $30M and beyond. We’ll also talk about culture—why it’s critical to reinforce the values you want to grow with, how to avoid bringing in “high-performing disruptors,” and how to communicate honestly with new hires about the culture you have versus the one you’re working toward.  This stage of growth is one of the most rewarding for a business owner. You’ve got traction, reputation, and opportunity. But growth done wrong can cost you time, money, and people. Growth done right can set you up for long-term success with a team that has the skills, vision, and capacity to take you further than you imagined.  If you’re feeling the strain of growth, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn how to put the “high-performance tires” on your business so you can take the corners at speed—without losing control.  Listen now and share this episode with another business owner who’s ready to stop grinding and start growing.  Connect with the Experts      Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions.       Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock      Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess   KeyHire Solutions helps small business owners scale smarter, not harder. From hiring the right talent to building systems that work, we give you the strategies and support to grow your business without burning out. Learn More at www.KeyHire.Solutions

    40분
  6. The Three C's: with a Focus on Culture (with Janneh Wright)

    9월 8일

    The Three C's: with a Focus on Culture (with Janneh Wright)

    Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows. What does culture really mean for small businesses? And why does it matter so much for growth and sustainability?  In this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, I sit down with Janneh Wright, the founder and CEO of PRIMUS Business Management. For more than two decades, Janneh and his team have helped small businesses and non-profits “turn their brilliance into sustainable infrastructure.” His framework for success—the Three C’s of Compliance, Culture, and Consistency—offers leaders a way to build strong organizations that last.  When asked to define culture, Janneh explained: “When we talk about culture, we’re talking about the experience people have with interacting with your organization—whether it’s an employee or a customer or a shareholder. It’s like the soul of your organization.”  Culture doesn’t just happen. If business owners don’t design it, employees will—and that can create a culture the owner may not want. Culture is built on behavior, and it flows from leadership. “However the leader communicates, how they deal with pressure, what they say is always much more important than what’s written down.”  Janneh also emphasized that culture starts before the first day of work. It begins with the job description and continues into the hiring process. For example, when hiring, instead of focusing only on degrees or years of experience, you can ask questions like: “How do you respond to a rude customer?” Answers to those questions reveal whether a candidate will reinforce the culture or disrupt it.  We also discussed how culture connects to compliance and consistency:  - Compliance provides the structure of the business—the policies, legal requirements, and systems.  - Culture is the heart—the experience of employees, customers, and stakeholders.  - Consistency is the engine—doing things the same way week after week to build trust.  If those elements don’t line up, leaders risk losing credibility with both employees and customers.  I shared a story about a restaurant where inconsistent customer service changed my impression of the business. Janneh explained how that example showed all three C’s in action: compliance in clear rules, culture in how customers are treated, and consistency in applying standards the same way every time.  Accountability is another theme we covered. If leaders allow certain employees or clients to get around the rules, culture breaks down. As I said in our conversation, “Wait and see equals watching good people go.” High performers will leave if they see others escape accountability.  Janneh also highlighted the importance of supporting employees:  In small businesses, staff often do “job description times two.”  When they feel respected and valued, they keep giving more.  “A valued employee becomes an entrepreneur inside your organization.”  To close, Janneh offered three pieces of advice for business owners:  Take your time – don’t try to build culture overnight.  See culture as an investment – it saves time and money in the long run.  Focus on tomorrow – let your team handle today while you look ahead.  This episode makes clear that every business has a culture—whether it’s intentional or not. The Three C’s give leaders a framework to make sure their culture strengthens their business instead of holding it back.  Connect with the Experts   Learn More about Janneh: www.PrimusCO.com    Follow us on Yo KeyHire Solutions helps small business owners scale smarter, not harder. From hiring the right talent to building systems that work, we give you the strategies and support to grow your business without burning out. Learn More at www.KeyHire.Solutions

    38분
  7. Key Owner Stages: The Curious Business Owner

    9월 1일

    Key Owner Stages: The Curious Business Owner

    Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows. Welcome back to The KeyHire Small Business Podcast! This week we continue our Key Owner Stages series with Stage Three: The Curious Business Owner.  If you’ve been following this series, you know that we’ve already covered the Overwhelmed Owner (the car with no wheels) and the Unsure Owner (the car with wobbly wheels). In this episode, we move to the next stage: the Curious Owner—someone who’s running a good business, has capable people in place, but is starting to hear the “squeaky wheel” and asking the right question: Do I have the leadership team to get us where we need to go?  What It Means to Be a Curious Owner  Curious owners aren’t in crisis. The business is moving forward. Revenue is coming in. Customers are being served. But you’ve noticed a few cracks in leadership performance. Maybe a once-reliable manager has started missing details. Maybe a loyal employee is resisting new initiatives from a stronger leader you recently hired. Or maybe you’re simply wondering whether your team has the capacity and experience to scale as bigger contracts and opportunities come your way.  This stage is often marked by ambition and optimism—but also a sense of anxiety. You know things are “fine” now, but you’re also asking: What happens when the next big client signs on? Will my current team keep up—or will they hold us back?  The Mistakes Curious Owners Make  In this episode, we dive into the three biggest mistakes curious owners make:  Waiting too long to act. Good leaders leave when they’re held back by underperformers. Trying to solve the problem internally. Adding support staff or shifting responsibilities rarely fixes capacity issues. Overvaluing loyalty. Longtime employees may be great people, but that doesn’t always mean they’re the right leaders for your next stage of growth. Corey explains why these mistakes can stall momentum and frustrate your best people—and how to avoid them by facing tough decisions head-on.  How to Move Forward  Being a curious owner isn’t about “throwing people away.” It’s about redefining what good leadership looks like and making sure you’re putting the right people in the right roles. Corey shares practical strategies, including:  Conducting an honest audit of your leadership team. Defining roles for the business you’re building, not just the one you’re running today. Hiring leaders with the capacity to scale your company to its next revenue level. Structuring difficult but necessary conversations with loyal employees. Why This Stage Matters  The Curious stage is one of the most pivotal in the Key Owner Stages framework. Done well, it sets your business up for explosive growth. Done poorly—or delayed too long—it risks losing great talent and missing opportunities.  If you’ve ever thought, “We’re good now, but can we handle what’s next?”—this episode is for you.  Connect with the Experts    Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions.     Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock    Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess  KeyHire Solutions helps small business owners scale smarter, not harder. From hiring the right talent to building systems that work, we give you the strategies and support to grow your business without burning out. Learn More at www.KeyHire.Solutions

    39분
  8. Grow Your Business Through Acquisition (with Justin Abrams)

    8월 27일

    Grow Your Business Through Acquisition (with Justin Abrams)

    Text us your comments or topic ideas for future shows. On this episode of The KeyHire Small Business Podcast, we sit down with Justin Abrams, CEO of ARYO Consulting Group, to unpack a growth strategy that many business owners hear about—but few truly understand: growth through acquisition. With over 350 clients under his belt and a refreshingly straightforward approach to strategy, Justin helps demystify the world of M&A for small business owners. He breaks down what “acquisition” really means (hint: it’s not just for the big guys), when it makes sense to consider buying another business, and what red flags can turn an exciting opportunity into a financial trap. We cover everything from the intimidating lingo (EBITDA, multiples, platform vs. bolt-on companies) to the real questions owners should be asking: Can I afford it? Will the clients stay? Can I retain the team? You’ll hear why acquisition is often faster, safer, and more efficient than chasing new customers through marketing—and how it could be the key to scaling your business without exhausting your resources. Justin outlines the kinds of businesses that are great candidates for acquisition (think recurring revenue, complementary services, or capacity expansion) and highlights major pitfalls to avoid—like key man risk, inflated valuations, or seasonality traps that make revenue appear stronger than it is. We also dig into the emotional and operational realities of selling a business—and how that often leads to great buying opportunities for owners willing to be strategic and prepared. Whether you’re looking to grow your footprint, diversify services, or increase revenue, this episode gives you the foundational knowledge you need to move forward with confidence. Connect with the Experts Learn more about Justin: https://aryocg.com Follow us on YouTube @keyhiresolutions, Facebook @keyhiresolutions, and Instagram @keyhiresolutions.  Follow Corey on LinkedIn @Corey Harlock Be KeyHire's Next Success Story: https://bit.ly/KHSuccess KeyHire Solutions helps small business owners scale smarter, not harder. From hiring the right talent to building systems that work, we give you the strategies and support to grow your business without burning out. Learn More at www.KeyHire.Solutions

    37분
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Welcome to the Award Winning KeyHire Solutions Small Business Podcast, where we cover small business issues, including leadership development, hiring strategies, management structure, business growth, workplace culture, entrepreneurship, and more. We’re here to help you stop grinding and start growing. Join us for weekly chats about small business management with Corey Harlock, our organization design, candidate experience, talent acquisition, and employer branding expert, and CEO of KeyHire Solutions. As an entrepreneur, Corey understands the challenges that business owners face when scaling their businesses. Follow Corey on LinkedIn @CoreyHarlockJoin our Mailing List @ keyHire.Solutions (http://keyHire.Solutions)

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    KeyHire Solutions
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    2022년 - 2025년
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