Before you pour time, money, and energy into a new idea, how do you know if people actually want what you’re offering? The answer: market research.
In this Small Business Byte on This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez breaks down how to test your ideas before going all in. From spotting market trends and scoping out competitors, to collecting honest feedback from real people, Andrea shares practical ways to validate your assumptions and make smarter business decisions.
You’ll also hear from Denise Woodard, founder of Partake Foods, on how early product testing helped her refine her recipes, and Katie Diasti, founder of Viv, on how listening to her customers online helped shape her product line.
Market research doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, it just has to be intentional. Because when you know who you’re aiming for, it’s easier to hit the mark.
So, what’s one assumption about your business you’re ready to test? Tell us in a Spotify comment, Apple Podcasts review, or email us at ThisisSmallBusiness@amazon.com
Doing that will not only hold you accountable but could also inspire another entrepreneur to take their next big step.
Sources:
If you want to know more about Partake Foods, listen to Denise Woodard’s story here: Turning Rejection into Momentum: How One Mom Started a Multimillion CPG Brand - TISB
If you want to know more about Viv, listen to Katie Diasti’s story here: How a College Student Turned a Class Project into a Scalable Business - TISB
When one stream of income slows down, how do you keep your business moving forward? For a lot of entrepreneurs, the answer is diversification.
In this Small Business Byte on This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez unpacks how building multiple revenue streams can help you reduce risk and keep growing without spreading yourself too thin. You’ll hear how Blake Shook of Desert Creek Honey diversified within beekeeping to weather unpredictable harvests, how Angus Willows of Kangaroo Hanger started a side hustle to fund his invention, and how Zoya Biglary of Fysh Foods leaned into content creation to keep her mission alive. Plus, professor Dr. Matt Rutherford shares why diversification can be a smart way to ride out the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
And quick update: we’re going biweekly for a little while as we put together the next season of This is Small Business — there’s a lot of exciting stuff coming your way!
In the meantime, what’s one new revenue stream you’ll try? Share it with us in a Spotify comment, Apple Podcasts review, or email it to us at Thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com. Doing that will not only hold you accountable but could also inspire another entrepreneur to take their next big step.
Sources:
If you want to hear Dr. Matt Rutherford discuss risk and diversification, listen to his episode here: Redefining Risk: A New Way to Make Bold Moves
If you want to know more about Desert Creek Honey, listen to Blake Shook’s story here: From
Bee Stings to Big Wins: How One Teen Turned a Backyard Hive into a Thriving Business - This is Small Business
If you want to know more about Kangaroo Hanger, listen to Angus Willows’s story here: How a Serial Entrepreneur Launched a Business from His Dorm Room - This is Small Business
If you want to know more about Fysh Foods, listen to Zoya Biglary’s story here: How Zoya Biglary Became the Internet’s Fruit Peeler to Fund her Business - This is Small Business
This is Small Business host Andrea Marquez joins Helium 10’s VP of Education and Strategy, Bradley Sutton, for a dynamic recap of Amazon Accelerate 2025. Together, they dive into the latest releases and initiatives reshaping the seller landscape, and reflect on how the event has evolved to deliver even greater value for sellers.
In this episode Bradley and Andrea cover:
00:00 - Amazon Accelerate 2025 Recap of New Releases
02:35 - Impact of Seller Cafe at Accelerate
09:06 - Amazon Labeling Changes Impact Sellers
10:28 - Improved Customer Experience and Returns Flexibility
13:13 - Celebrating 25 Years and AI Advancements
17:09 - AI's Impact on Entrepreneurship and Creativity
20:23 - Product Launch Testing and A+ Content
26:09 - Enhancing Customer Experience and Targeted Marketing
► Watch This Episode on YouTube: youtube.com/@Helium10SeriousSellersPodcast
This episode is presented in both Spanish and English, with the original voices of the guests.
What if the biggest risk isn’t falling, but staying invisible? After a near-accident on his motorcycle, Gonzalo Zamora, the co-founder of Riderbag, realized his black backpack was blocking out his reflective gear and decided to invent the solution himself. With his longtime friend and co-founder Carlos Colarte, Gonzalo turned a pencil sketch into a global product, navigating missteps, cash-flow challenges, and the risk of standing out in a crowded market.
In this special bilingual episode of This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez blends Spanish and English in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month as she dives into Gonzalo and Carlos’s journey. From the crash that started it all, to the friendship that became a business, to the lessons learned about visibility both on the road and in entrepreneurship, their story is a reminder that staying hidden can be riskier than stepping into the spotlight.
If you’d prefer to listen fully in English, you’ll also find an English-only version of this episode in your feed!
Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
(1:00) How can a single accident inspire a business idea? Gonzalo shares the moment on his motorcycle that pushed him to invent Riderbag.
(4:48) Can friendship really be the foundation of a company? Gonzalo and Carlos explain how a chance reunion turned into a lasting partnership.
(08:47) How do you create a prototype when you have no design background? Gonzalo reveals the scrappy first steps that turned sketches into samples.
(10:36) What details make a product stand out in a crowded market? From glove-friendly zippers to hidden safety features, Riderbag shows why small touches matter.
(14:14) What’s the costliest marketing mistake small businesses make? Carlos and Gonzalo recount the costly lesson that reshaped how they invest.
(17:01) How do you know when it’s time to expand internationally? Carlos shares the turning point that convinced them to take Riderbag global.
(18:28) What’s the best proof that your business is on the right track? For Gonzalo, the numbers told one story but customer reviews told another.
(21:50) What does the future of Riderbag look like? Gonzalo and Carlos talk about dreaming beyond backpacks while staying true to their purpose.
(23:15) Are entrepreneurs natural risk-takers or risk managers? Carlos embraces risk, while Gonzalo takes a more cautious approach and together they balance both.
What if the biggest risk isn’t falling, but staying invisible? After a near-accident on his motorcycle, Gonzalo Zamora, the co-founder of Riderbag, realized his black backpack was blocking out his reflective gear and decided to invent the solution himself. With his longtime friend and co-founder Carlos Colarte, Gonzalo turned a pencil sketch into a global product, navigating missteps, cash-flow challenges, and the risk of standing out in a crowded market.
In this special bilingual episode of This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez blends Spanish and English in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month as she dives into Gonzalo and Carlos’s journey. From the crash that started it all, to the friendship that became a business, to the lessons learned about visibility both on the road and in entrepreneurship, their story is a reminder that staying hidden can be riskier than stepping into the spotlight.
If you’d prefer to listen fully in English, you’ll also find an English-only version of this episode in your feed!
Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
(1:00) How can a single accident inspire a business idea? Gonzalo shares the moment on his motorcycle that pushed him to invent Riderbag.
(4:48) Can friendship really be the foundation of a company? Gonzalo and Carlos explain how a chance reunion turned into a lasting partnership.
(08:47) How do you create a prototype when you have no design background? Gonzalo reveals the scrappy first steps that turned sketches into samples.
(10:36) What details make a product stand out in a crowded market? From glove-friendly zippers to hidden safety features, Riderbag shows why small touches matter.
(14:14) What’s the costliest marketing mistake small businesses make? Carlos and Gonzalo recount the costly lesson that reshaped how they invest.
(17:01) How do you know when it’s time to expand internationally? Carlos shares the turning point that convinced them to take Riderbag global.
(18:28) What’s the best proof that your business is on the right track? For Gonzalo, the numbers told one story but customer reviews told another.
(21:50) What does the future of Riderbag look like? Gonzalo and Carlos talk about dreaming beyond backpacks while staying true to their purpose.
(23:15) Are entrepreneurs natural risk-takers or risk managers? Carlos embraces risk, while Gonzalo takes a more cautious approach and together they balance both.
What if failure wasn’t the end but the beginning? Dr. Amy Edmondson, Harvard Business School professor and author of The Fearless Organization and The Right Kind of Wrong, says that failure is not proof you’re falling behind – it’s proof you’ve taken a risk. And if you set it up right, it can actually be the key to progress.
In this season finale of This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez sits down with Amy to explore why our relationship with failure shapes how far we can go as entrepreneurs. From the science of “psychological safety” to the three types of failure – basic, complex, and intelligent – Amy offers a crash course on how to fail the right way, what to learn from it, and why the best entrepreneurs are the ones who stumble, recover, and keep moving forward.
If you’ve ever worried about making mistakes or held yourself back from starting and taking risks because of the fear of failing, this conversation will help you reframe failure as momentum, not defeat.
Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
(1:45) Why do conversations and team dynamics matter so much for success? Amy explains how the quality of everyday interactions shapes an organization’s performance.
(3:43) What is psychological safety in the workplace and why should entrepreneurs care about it? Amy explains why people need to feel safe to speak up, ask questions, and admit mistakes in order for teams to learn and innovate.
(5:40) How do you actually create psychological safety on your team? Amy shares a simple three-step framework: set the stage, proactively invite voices in, and respond with appreciation.
(9:03) What’s the real difference between a mistake and a failure? Amy breaks down her three types of failure – basic, complex, and intelligent – and shows how intelligent failures are actually discoveries that fuel growth and innovation.
(12:57) Can failure actually lead to breakthrough ideas? Amy tells the story of her first big research failure and how it unexpectedly led to her pioneering work on psychological safety.
(15:49) How do you make failure safe without encouraging the wrong kind of failure? Amy explains why innovation requires failure – but only in the right contexts – and shares three dimensions every entrepreneur should check first: human safety, economic cost, and reputational risk.
(18:34) How do you know if a failure is one you can come back from? Amy shares her four criteria for an “intelligent failure” that could help you improve without causing lasting damage.
(20:19) Do successful people fail more often than the rest of us? Amy explains why the best in any field – from science to sports – tend to have more failures, not fewer.
(22:41) How can entrepreneurs stop being afraid of failure? Amy explains why nobody’s in the “perfection business” and how reframing setbacks as “catch and correct” moments can build resilience.
What would you do if family duty came calling – along with a big ol’ guilt trip? For Adia Howard, the COO of her family business RA Cosmetics, it meant leaving behind her steady career as an occupational therapist to dive into the unknown world of entrepreneurship. Andrea Marquez sits down with Adia to talk about how she’s not only redefining leadership but also carrying her family’s legacy forward.
Find out how Adia navigates the challenges of a family business, brings a fresh vision to R.A. Cosmetics, and discovers a whole new side of herself. Plus, you definitely don’t want to miss Andrea’s attempt at making custom shea butter with Adia – spoiler: it doesn’t go as planned.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to reinvent yourself inside a family business or how risk can open doors you didn’t even know were there – this episode is for you.
Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
(1:51) Ever wonder what it’s really like growing up around a small business owner? Adia shares how watching her dad hustle seven days a week was both intimidating and inspiring.
(4:42) What would you do if you had to choose between a stable career and keeping your family’s business alive? Adia opens up about her crossroads moment and the guilt trip from her mom that pushed her to decide.
(6:04) Think you have to take a big leap all at once? Adia shows how easing in part-time gave her the confidence to eventually commit full-time.
(8:30) Worried you don’t have enough experience to switch paths? Adia proves you can learn on the job even when faced with permits, marketing and safety data sheets.
(10:13) Can bringing your personality into your business make a difference? Adia explains how her softer, community-focused leadership changed the culture at R.A. Cosmetics.
(13:50) Was the risk of leaving a secure job worth it? Adia reflects on the growth of R.A. Cosmetics and the impact of adding her own touch to the brand.
(16:40) Could your kids one day follow in your footsteps? Adia shares her hopes for her son and how she’s showing him that entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be scary.
(17:58) Can taking one big risk completely change how you see yourself? Adia reveals how stepping into the business reshaped her confidence and offers advice for anyone afraid to leap.
Entrepreneurship will always involve risk so how do you learn to control it instead of fear it? Dr. Lois Shelton, Professor of Management at the Nazarian College of Business and Economics at California State University Northridge, joins host Andrea Marquez to break down why the most successful founders aren’t thrill-seekers. They’re calculated decision-makers who know how to test ideas, filter feedback and adapt without letting fear or overconfidence take control.
You’ll learn practical risk management strategies for making smarter moves — like lean startup experiments and the “affordable loss” approach — plus how to know when to trust your gut and when to listen to your customers.
If you’ve ever talked yourself out of an idea because you didn’t feel ready, this conversation will change how you see risk and give you enough information to start or grow your business with confidence.
Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
(01:54) What makes a “rebel with a cause” in business? Professor Lois explains how purpose-driven entrepreneurs think differently and turn ideas into action.
(04:06) Do successful entrepreneurs really love risk? Learn why they prefer calculated, manageable risks over extreme leaps.
(07:26) How can you test your idea without spending a fortune? Here’s two frameworks that help you reduce risk and gather feedback early.
(9:21) How do you know which feedback to listen to? Lois breaks down how to spot patterns in customer responses and block out advice that will send you off track.
(13:39) What are the biggest mistakes founders make with risk? From skipping market research to ignoring warning signs, here’s what to avoid early on.
(15:50) How can reframing failure boost your chances of success? Professor Lois shares why seeing every setback as a learning opportunity can actually make you more credible to investors and customers.
(19:32) What’s the first step you could take if you’re frozen by uncertainty? Discover how to use mentors, free resources, and small actions to move forward even when you don’t feel ready.
What if the thing that keeps your business alive isn’t a perfect plan but your ability to pivot, stay curious, and take risks along the way? Zoya Biglary, the founder of Fysh Foods, didn’t set out to become the internet’s fruit peeler but when her savings started to run out and her product needed a lifeline, she turned to the one thing she always relied on: the drive to figure it out.
Host Andrea Marquez dives into how Zoya created a sustainable raw fish alternative from her home kitchen, used content creation to keep the business alive, and navigated major shipping and product setbacks. If you’ve ever felt like you had to “know more” before starting, this episode will help you rethink what qualifies you to begin.
Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
(01:54) What drives a founder to start a business from scratch? Zoya shares how her early exposure to social entrepreneurship shaped her path and led her to start Fysh Foods.
(07:58) How do you develop a food product with no background? Zoya breaks down how she co-developed her early formulas and landed in Erewhon.
(12:58) How do you fund a business when money runs out? Discover how Zoya went viral on TikTok and turned content into capital.
(19:00) Dreamed of getting on Shark Tank to grow your business? Zoya got there but still made $0 profit. She explains what went wrong and what she learned.
(22:25) What do you do when your product doesn’t scale? Zoya walks through her shift from DTC to wholesale, how she re-engineered her product to cut costs and expand, and the costly lessons along the way.
(29:12) Feeling stuck as a founder? Zoya shares how staying curious, even when things felt impossible, kept her moving through fear and uncertainty.
What if the key to growth isn’t playing it safe – but learning how to manage risk when things start going sideways? That’s been the story for John Trimble, founder and CEO of Hot Crispy Oil. He didn’t set out to start a condiment company. But when the pandemic forced his family’s 44-year-old restaurant to close, John took a homemade chili oil recipe from his kitchen and turned it into a fast growing brand — all without a roadmap, formal training, or ideal timing.
Host Andrea Marquez unpacks what it really takes to scale a business when uncertainty never goes away. You’ll hear how John navigated supply chain chaos, outgrew two facilities, and made the bold decision to buy a building – all while staying scrappy, adaptable, and laser-focused on the bigger picture.
If you’re trying to grow your business but keep getting hit with the unexpected, this episode will show you how to take calculated risks, stay grounded, and keep moving forward even when things don’t go to plan.
Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com — you might hear it in a future episode.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
(01:32) What happens when your family’s 44-year-old restaurant suddenly closes? John shares how the pandemic forced a hard pivot and sparked a new idea.
(04:10) Can a side project from your stovetop really become a national brand? Hear how Hot Crispy Oil started with mason jars on John’s front porch.
(07:11) Why keep manufacturing in-house when outsourcing seems easier? John explains the importance of quality control and adaptability.
(09:38) What makes someone decide to buy a building instead of leasing? Find out how risk, necessity, and a collapsing warehouse shaped this bold move.
(11:41) How do you take a leap when the data doesn’t fully support it? John talks about betting on himself.
(13:13) What does risk look like in the day-to-day of a growing business? From falling pallets to surprise delays, John shares how he stays grounded.
(16:02) How do you handle supply chain chaos and make sure you never run out? John’s strategy for managing vendor relationships and hedging against disruption.
(18:50) What’s your advice for entrepreneurs afraid of scaling? John explains why growth is worth the risk and how to make it manageable.
What if risk isn’t about jumping off a cliff — but learning how to build the bridge as you go? That’s exactly what Lauren Goldstein, the Founder and CEO of Golden Key Partnership, had to figure out after walking away from a decade in medicine with no backup plan.
Host Andrea Marquez explores how to take smaller, intentional risks that actually move you forward, how Lauren built a thriving business with no business background, and why letting go of control is essential for growth. Lauren also unpacks how redefining success helped her build a business that fits the life she actually wanted — instead of trapping her in one that didn’t.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin or unsure what your next move is — this episode will show you how to get unstuck and grow into the business (and life) you actually want.
Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
(02:51) What makes someone walk away from their dream job after 10 years? Lauren shares the moment that changed everything.
(08:57) Can you build a business without knowing what you’re doing? Lauren opens up about learning on the fly, YouTubing her way through early client projects, and building confidence over time.
(11:00) What if the thing holding you back is actually your brain trying to “protect” you? Lauren explains how understanding the brain helps her reframe fear, spot self-sabotage, and take smarter risks.
(13:45) Can tiny habits really change the trajectory of your business? Lauren shares how “The Slight Edge” philosophy helped her build long-term momentum.
(18:31) How do you come back from failure and redefine success? Lauren helps founders reconnect to their deeper vision — and separate their worth from their business.
(24:06) Why do so many entrepreneurs stay stuck in businesses they’ve outgrown? Guilt, obligation, and fear of letting go — and how to move through them.
(25:27) What’s the smarter way to take risks without doing it alone? Lauren’s advice on finding flow, mentorship, and the right people to build with.
(28:10) What if you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop when things are going well? Lauren shares how she interrupts old patterns, rewires her mindset, and stays grounded in growth.
What if the riskiest move isn’t going all in but walking away when something no longer fits? Kim Kerton didn’t leave her media career with a clear plan. She left because she knew something wasn’t right. What followed was a search for a business idea that took her through yoga, ceramics, and creative experiments in remote Tasmania, all of which eventually led to her podcast and business, Unemployed and Afraid. Host Andrea Marquez unpacks how Kim redefined risk not as betting it all on one big idea, but as giving herself permission to experiment, try, pivot and start again. You’ll hear how she used creative detours to find clarity, why walking away can be the smartest move and how she turned vulnerability into her growth strategy. If you’re stuck waiting for the perfect idea, this episode will show you how experimentation can be a powerful and intentional part of building something meaningful.
Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
(02:06) How do you bounce back after a failed first venture? Kim shares her crash course in marketing, management and resilience.
(04:50) Burned out but unsure what’s next? Hear how Kim left a corporate career and gave herself time to experiment.
(08:12) What happens when your purpose doesn’t show up on time? Kim reflects on her early experiments and what they taught her about creativity and identity.
(12:30) What makes an idea stick? Kim breaks down how she came up with the idea of Unemployed and Afraid, knew podcasting was the right fit, and why she built it like a business from day one.
(18:15) Is working solo all it’s cracked up to be? Kim explains why she chose to diversify and go back to a company she once left.
(21:12) Struggling to tell the difference between a rough patch and a red flag? Kim shares how she makes the call to pivot.
(23:50) What does failure actually mean? Kim reframes it as momentum and explains how she got addicted to building, not just succeeding.
(26:48) Can a 10% hunch lead to your next big move? Kim’s advice for anyone waiting to feel “ready” to start.
What if the riskiest ingredient in your recipe for success was your own story? Jing Gao walked away from a secure tech career with no safety net to rediscover her Sichuan roots through food. She launched a fast-casual restaurant in Shanghai, apprenticed under a Michelin-caliber chef, and transformed a home-kitchen supper club into a crowdfunded CPG phenomenon—all to challenge stereotypes and rewrite the narrative around Chinese cuisine. Host Andrea Marquez unpacks how Jing had the courage to price her chili crisp at a high price when they first launched despite widespread belief that Chinese food “shouldn’t cost that much,” to reclaim her birth name, and to find a manufacturer that was willing to use the ingredients she preferred. If you’ve ever wondered whether sticking to your roots can pay off, Jing’s story proves that conviction is more than just a risk – it’s the secret ingredient.
Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
(01:44) Have you ever lost touch with your roots and wondered how to find them again? Jing shares how a diasporic childhood led her back to Sichuan cuisine.
(06:22) Would you quit a secure tech job with zero backup? Jing talks about walking away from stability to follow her culinary passion and launch her first venture, Boaism.
(09:52) What do you do when you realize your first venture isn’t your true calling? Jing closed Baoism to apprentice under a Sichuan master chef and deepened her knowledge of ingredients before launching her next chapter: a food pop up called Fly by Jing.
(13:48) How do you test demand before you even have a product? Jing bottled her sauces for her travel pop-up, spotted a market gap, and crowdfunded.
(18:58) Have you ever hesitated to charge what you’re really worth? Jing defied the stigma that “Chinese food should be cheap” by pricing her chili crisp at a premium and reframing it as the must-have “hot sauce.”
(22:12) What happens when authenticity becomes your brand? Jing reclaimed her birth name during the pandemic, built customer trust, and sold out six months of inventory overnight after a New York Times feature.
(24:18) How do you scale from crowdfunding success to retail distribution? Jing on launching on Amazon, landing in Whole Foods, and forging dream collaborations.
(27:47) When should you take the next leap? Jing talks about blending deep research, unwavering conviction, and a touch of “delusion” to keep pushing forward.
What happens when you risk a profitable side hustle for the chance to scale? Maurice Contreras, the founder of Volcanica coffee, spent 15 years building a side hustle and then bet a big portion of his retirement savings and personal funds (plus zero-interest credit cards) to build a 14,000 sq ft roastery after his son pushed him to think bigger. Host Andrea Marquez walks you through how Maurice sketched a full business plan on his flight home from a Costa Rican coffee farm, taught himself HTML, CSS, and SEO to turn a freezer-stocked garage into a booming e-commerce hub, and calculated every penny before deciding that real growth meant risking the comfort of what he’d already built. If you’ve ever wondered whether comfort is the enemy of growth, Maurice’s story proves that the greatest leaps often come when you risk what you’ve already earned.
Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
(02:19) Can a seventh-grader selling leather belts foreshadow a lifetime of entrepreneurship? Maurice made his first profit long before college.
(04:04) Is marketing billion-dollar brands enough? After two decades in wireless marketing, Maurice felt the pull to build something of his own.
(05:28) Can a single trip redefine your career? A Costa Rican coffee-farm visit led Maurice to draft a full business plan on his flight home.
(07:19) How do you transform a freezer-stocked garage into an online empire? Maurice taught himself HTML, CSS, and SEO to launch Volcanica’s e-commerce hub.
(12:14) What tells you it’s time to quit your day job? Hitting $100K in net profit – and an office relocation – gave Maurice the push to quit his day job.
(15:43) What justifies a nine-month payback on an investment? His son’s roasting-plant proposal and razor-sharp profit models made the risk unavoidable.
(21:56) How do you juggle rapid growth, family life, and massive overhead? Maurice leveraged retirement funds, credit offers, and bold vision to scale at lightning speed.
(25:03) Can calculated risk become your superpower? Maurice reflects on why deep research, resilience, and embracing discomfort are the keys to entrepreneurial growth.
What do you do when your only options are a job you don’t want or a business that doesn’t exist yet? Angus Willows, the founder of Kangaroo Hanger, chose the harder path — and made it work. As a college student with a 3D printer under his bed, he designed a better hanger, taught himself how to file a patent, launched a second business to fund it and bet everything on a TikTok challenge that changed his life.
But this isn’t just a story about going viral. It’s about building something real without a safety net and how you could trust yourself long before the world gives you permission. Host Andrea Marquez unpacks how Angus bootstrapped his way from a scrappy cardboard prototype to retail shelves and why he kept going, starting business after business, even when the stakes got higher. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re ready, Angus’ story might show you that readiness isn’t the goal — resilience is.
Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
(02:30) Can entrepreneurship start at six years old? Angus shares how selling bow ties as a kid sparked a lifelong obsession with inventing.
(04:46) Would you major in something you’re bad at — just for the challenge? Angus explains why struggling through engineering made him a better builder.
(06:26) What problem do you want to solve? Angus shares the frustrating dorm room moment that sparked the idea for Kangaroo Hanger.
(08:40) Could adding less make your product sell more? Angus talks about the power of simplicity.
(11:25) What if your side hustle exists just to fund your dream? Learn how Angus started a second business to avoid getting a full-time job after graduation and fund Kangaroo Hanger.
(14:46) Is it possible to write your own patent? Hear how Angus did it — with a book and no legal training.
(16:32) What happens when you give yourself 30 days to go viral? Angus’s TikTok experiment and how going viral helped him reach his pre-order goal.
(22:34) When does going retail make more sense than selling direct? Angus explains how shipping costs drove a big strategic shift and how to get into retail.
(24:57) How many businesses can one person build? Angus talks about his third company — and what he’s learned from jumping into new ventures and taking risks.
(27:07) How do you manage the stress of debt as a founder? Angus shares his mindset around pressure, calculated risk, and staying grounded.
(28:15) Not sure you can bet on yourself to take a big risk? Angus explains how self-trust is built — and why it starts with the smallest decisions.
What if the riskiest part of your business was just saying what it is out loud? Katie Diasti didn’t plan to start a company about periods – especially not one she’d pitch to rooms full of confused, uncomfortable investors. But when a college class project opened her eyes to just how outdated and wasteful the period care aisle was, she couldn’t unsee it. That spark turned into Viv, a sustainable, stigma-smashing brand that’s changing how people learn about and experience their periods. Host Andrea Marquez unpacks what it really takes to build something bold in a space full of silence. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how education can be a growth strategy, how community can be a business tool and why sometimes the boldest thing you can do is say the quiet part out loud and start a conversation. If you’ve ever felt like your idea was too taboo, too weird, or too risky – Katie’s story will show you that that might not be the red flag you think it is. It might be proof that you’re onto something big.
Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.
In this episode you’ll hear:
(01:55) What if the riskiest part of your business was just saying what it is out loud? Hear how Katie’s personal experience around avoiding period talk shaped Viv’s mission to rewrite the narrative around period care.
(05:00) Can a class project turn into a startup? Katie explains how she validated her idea with real feedback — and got obsessed with solving a problem.
(07:30) Struggling to figure out how to create and test your products? Katie shares how she hustled for product feedback, sourced sustainable materials, and tested prototypes on herself and her friends.
(09:20) Scared to ditch a stable job? Katie was too. She reveals the exact moment she backed out of her job offer – and why she did it.
(13:31) Ever pitched a room full of uncomfortable investors? Katie breaks the ice with “Let’s talk about periods” — and wins them over anyway.
(18:10) Can education be your best growth strategy? Katie shares how content helped her build trust, strengthen customer relationships, and expand her product line.
(26:30) Feeling unsure about your idea? Katie’s advice for building in a risky and stigmatized space might be the push you need to finally go for it.
What if the real barrier to your success isn’t risk but uncertainty? Dr. Matt Rutherford, John de Pope Chair in Entrepreneurship at Oklahoma State University, joins host Andrea Marquez to redefine risk for founders and show you how to make every risk you take more manageable. You’ll get to hear the six types of entrepreneurial risk, learn why distinguishing risk from uncertainty is crucial, and discover how pinpointing the risks you face can actually tilt the odds in your favor. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a simple framework to spot, measure, and hedge risk so that your next big leap feels less like a gamble and more like a calculated step forward.
Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
(01:29) Ever felt entrepreneurship wasn’t for you? Andrea and Matt share how family and early doubts made them think twice about starting a business – for now.
(06:18) What’s the real difference between risk and uncertainty? Learn why risk can be quantified and how that clarity fuels confident decisions.
(08:53) Which six risks should every founder know? Discover which risks apply to your business and how to spot them before they blindside you.
(12:16) How do you turn uncertainty into risk by diversifying? Practical tips on expanding products, channels, or personal investments.
(15:26) How can small tests tilt the odds? Discover the low-cost experiments that validate ideas without blowing your budget.
(16:30) How do you embrace the upside of risk? Discover why focusing on opportunity instead of fear can turn setbacks into springboards for growth.
(20:03) Can you start a business even if you’re risk-adverse? Matt shares how teaming up with his wife turned caution into confidence and helped them start a small business together.
(22:46) How do you overcome the fear of risk and just start? Matt lays out three ways you can take a calculated leap forward: suck out every risk, enlist trusted voices, and run small experiments.
What happens when your viral moment finally comes — and you’re not ready for it?
Aliett Buttleman, co-founder of Fazit, only had 300 TikTok followers when she said her goal was to get Taylor Swift to wear her product. And she made it happen. But that moment wasn’t luck. It was the result of two scrappy founders, a small but strategically allocated budget, and years of rejection, pivots, and TikTok experiments. Host Andrea Marquez unpacks the strategy behind how Aliett made a viral celebrity moment happen and why she keeps leaning into discomfort to keep growing. You’ll learn how to build buzz without a big budget, why your wildest ideas might be your best ones and how to stay ready so that when your big moment comes, you’re not just hoping it works. You’re ready to make it count.
Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.
In this episode you’ll hear:
(02:07) Ever felt lost in your career or like you don’t quite fit into a single box? Here’s why Aliett started her own company.
(04:50) Why start a business when you’ve seen how hard it is? Aliett’s early consulting work almost convinced her not to become a founder – here’s what changed her mind.
(07:25) How do you kickstart sales with a small budget and no team? The scrappy TikTok strategy Aliett used to grow an audience and why 30 million views didn’t lead to a single sale.
(09:11) What keeps you going when investors say no again and again? Aliett opens up about the emotional toll of 150 VC rejections and why she kept going.
(12:20) Curious how to raise money for your startup when VCs say no? Hear how Aliett and her co-founder Nina pushed through rejection, won a competition, and raised their first $200,000.
(15:50) What do you do when retailers and investors aren’t interested even when you’ve gone viral? For Aliett and Nina, it meant pivoting and moving on to the next product.
(19:01) Is it crazy to imagine Taylor Swift wearing your product one day? That’s exactly what happened to Aliett. And here’s how that surreal moment unfolded and how Aliett capitalized on it.
(25:17) How do you get Taylor Swift to wear your product? It’s not luck and Aliett reveals the behind-the-scenes scramble and marketing strategy that turned a viral moment into a lasting brand.
(29:45) What does it take to succeed without a Plan B? Aliett reflects on discomfort, delusion, and why chasing safety never built anything bold.
What were you doing when you were 12? Blake Shook, the founder of Desert Creek Honey, was wrangling swarms of bees and selling honey – all before middle school let out. What began as a childhood hobby sparked a decades-long entrepreneurial journey that led to the creation of a multi-million honey empire with over 120 employees. But before reaching that level of success, Blake lost his entire bee population – just as he was deciding whether to go to college – and had to choose whether to walk away or take the biggest risk of his life. Host Andrea Marquez explores how Blake scaled a business built around something delicate and unpredictable and what it takes to keep moving forward when your livelihood depends on something you can’t fully control. If you’ve ever wondered whether you really need a degree to build something big or how to bounce back when everything you’ve built disappears overnight, this is the story for you.
Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.
In this episode you’ll hear:
(01:04) What is it like to peer into a beehive for the first time? Blake describes the moment he lifted the lid and discovered a hidden world of 80,000 bees working in perfect harmony.
(6:54) When do you know a hobby can turn into a business? Blake shares the “aha” moment when he got his very first honey order.
(10:36) What if your business disappeared overnight? In beekeeping, that can mean the death of all your bees. Blake talks about the hardest lesson he ever had to learn.
(14:42) When everything seems to be going wrong, do you give up or go all in? Blake explains the choice he made.
(16:14) How do you rebuild after losing everything? Blake turned failure into fuel by learning from seasoned beekeepers—and earned his comeback one hive at a time.
(18:02) Looking for some advice on managing risk? Here’s why diversification is important.
(19:21) What happens when you're suddenly forced to scale up? For Blake, a reality TV show became an unexpected opportunity that ultimately led to six separate businesses.
(23:07) Is passion enough to sustain an entrepreneur? Hear why Blake believes his real job is to work himself out of a job.
What if your business took off before you were ready? No team. No investors. Just a homemade product and a sudden wave of demand. That’s exactly what happened to Adria Marshall, founder of Ecoslay. When her flaxseed hair gel went viral overnight, she had to decide: shut it down or take the risk and build something bigger. Host Andrea Marquez unpacks how Adria scaled her side hustle into a purpose-driven brand, why staying small was her boldest move, and how she learned to embrace risk despite being a planner obsessed Virgo. Adria’s journey will show you how to build something real with what you already have. No MBA, no perfect plan – just purpose, persistence, and a few exploding jars along the way. If you’re waiting for the “perfect” moment to start, this is your sign: the mess is the journey.
Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.
In this episode you’ll hear:
(01:47) Can solving your own problem turn into a business? Hear how Adria’s hair journey – and an obsession with DIY – sparked the beginnings of Ecoslay.
(05:00) Do you have to know what you’re doing before you start? Adria talks about launching her first product with no experience and no formal plan.
(06:53) What do you do when an expert says your idea won’t work? Adria hires a chemist who said her formula was impossible – so she proved him wrong.
(08:13) What would you do if your side hustle goes viral overnight? The moment a YouTuber changed everything for Ecoslay and how Adria juggled the chaos with a full-time job.
(14:40) What if your product starts exploding in the mail? The hard (and messy) lessons Adria learned and how she bounced back from her mistakes.
(16:38) How do you keep going when everything feels like too much? Adria shares how she grounds herself in difficult moments – and why making risky, values-driven decisions (like ditching plastic packaging) became her boldest moves.
(22:27) Still waiting for the “perfect” moment to start? Why Adria now sees risk as a teacher – and how she learned to bet on herself before she felt ready.