The SmallBizChat with Melinda Emerson

How to Evaluate an Existing Business to Buy with Andrea Palacio

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Andrea Palacio to share her journey of purchasing and transforming a business. Andrea discusses the challenges and red flags she encountered post-acquisition and the lessons learned from early struggles. She details her efforts in rebuilding the team and revising the business strategy, including the implementation of AI automation. Andrea updates on the business transition and the current status, and introduces her new venture, Run Crewless, identifying its target audience. Andrea Palacio bought a struggling landscaping company with a 500K SBA loan and 12 employees. When traditional solutions failed, she turned to AI and built custom systems that transformed the entire operation. Now she is the CEO of Run Crewless, helping other service businesses implement AI automation. She speaks from experience, not theory. For more information: https://andreapalacio.ai [https://andreapalacio.ai%E2%80%8B] (0:00) Introduction, subscribing encouragement, and guest introduction (2:12) Andrea's business purchase experience (3:14) Challenges and red flags after acquisition (5:22) Lessons learned from early struggles (7:49) Rebuilding the team and revising business strategy (10:17) Implementing AI automation in the business (13:08) Business transition and current status (15:52) Launching Run Crewless and identifying the target audience (18:49) Best business advice received

Hit It and Quit It with Milton Hunt, Sharif Small and Lorraine Marchand

In this episode, Melinda Emerson introduces the panel, Sharif Small, Milton Hunt, and Lorraine Marchand, who share their favorite business podcasts, apps, and marketing tips. They also highlight some of the best business books that have influenced their entrepreneurial journeys. Milton Hunt is an HR expert, motivational speaker, and employee training specialist who brings real-world experience to help workplaces function better. A proud Native American and member of the Lumbee Tribe, he blends cultural insight with proven strategies to inspire, develop, and transform teams. Known as an engaging “edu-tainer,” he delivers powerful, practical ideas to corporate, government, and private-sector organizations. For more info, https://www.MiltonHunt.net [https://www.MiltonHunt.net] CONNECT WITH MILTON HUNT: Website: https://www.MiltonHunt.net [https://www.MiltonHunt.net] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milton-hunt-3aa39816 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/milton-hunt-3aa39816] Twitter: https://twitter.com/miltonhunt [https://twitter.com/miltonhunt] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hunt-International-2066629953431865 [https://www.facebook.com/Hunt-International-2066629953431865] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milton.hunt [https://www.instagram.com/milton.hunt] Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/HuntInternational/videos [http://www.youtube.com/user/HuntInternational/videos] Sharif J. Small is a Tax Wealth Strategist, Fractional CFO, Real Estate Developer and Investor, and M&A Business Advisor with more than 20 years of experience leading a tax accounting, real estate development, and business mergers and acquisitions advisory practice. Sharif is passionate about helping small, minority, and veteran-owned businesses start, grow, and successfully acquire and scale companies. His mission is to empower entrepreneurs to build generational wealth, achieve financial freedom, and leave a legacy through sound financial strategy, ownership, and investment. For more information, go to https://www.sjsfinancialfirm.com [https://www.sjsfinancialfirm.com] CONNECT WITH SHARIF J. SMALL: Website: https://www.sjsfinancialfirm.com [https://www.sjsfinancialfirm.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjsfinancial [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjsfinancial] Lorraine Marchand is a seasoned executive, leadership expert, and author of No Fear, No Failure, Five Principles for Maintaining Growth Through Innovation. With decades of experience leading high-performing teams and driving innovation in complex organizations, she is known for helping leaders embrace change, overcome fear, and lead with confidence. Lorraine’s work blends practical leadership strategies with real-world experience, empowering professionals to make bold decisions, build resilient teams, and achieve meaningful results in today’s fast-changing business environment. For more information, visit https://www.lorrainemarchand.com [https://www.lorrainemarchand.com] CONNECT WITH LORRAINE MARCHAND: Website: https://www.lorrainemarchand.com [https://www.lorrainemarchand.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorrainemarchand [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorrainemarchand] (0:00) Introduction, podcast format, and subscription info (1:18) Panelists' favorite business podcasts, apps, and marketing tips (5:27) Best business books (7:03) Closing remarks, resources, and final thoughts (7:17) Promotion of Small Biz Lady University (7:49) Outro and thanks to listeners

How to Run a Business Without Fear with Lorraine Marchand

In this episode, Melinda Emerson is joined by Lorraine Marchand to discuss overcoming fear in business, inspired by Lorraine's book. They address the fear of failure in innovation and Lorraine shares her personal experiences with fear in business. The conversation explores the concept and benefits of fearlessness in decision-making and how fear can impact business strategies. Lorraine introduces the five Cs as a method to overcome fear, offering practical strategies for small business owners to conquer their fears and make confident business decisions. Lorraine Marchand is a seasoned executive, leadership expert, and author of No Fear, No Failure, Five Principles for Maintaining Growth Through Innovation. With decades of experience leading high-performing teams and driving innovation in complex organizations, she is known for helping leaders embrace change, overcome fear, and lead with confidence. Lorraine’s work blends practical leadership strategies with real-world experience, empowering professionals to make bold decisions, build resilient teams, and achieve meaningful results in today’s fast-changing business environment. For more information, visit https://www.lorrainemarchand.com [https://www.lorrainemarchand.com] (0:00) Introduction, host, and guest overview (2:11) Lorraine Marshawn's book and its inspiration (3:07) Addressing fear of failure in innovation (5:13) Lorraine's personal experience with fear in business (6:38) Concept and benefits of fearlessness in decision making (7:38) Impact of fear on business strategies (9:09) Overcoming fear with the five Cs (11:43) Practical strategies for small business owners to overcome fear

What You Need To Know If You Want To Sell Your Business with Melinda Emerson

In this episode, Melinda Emerson explores the intricacies of selling a business, starting with the impact of positive reviews and word of mouth. She discusses the importance of mergers and acquisitions in building a lasting enterprise and outlines crucial questions to ask before selling. Melinda emphasizes the need for a well-planned exit timeline and setting financial goals. She delves into sale price considerations, earnouts, and ensuring operational independence. The episode also covers maintaining accurate financials, creating diversified revenue streams, and evaluating company culture and leadership. Melinda concludes with legal housekeeping and preparing for due diligence. (0:00) Introduction, podcast overview, and episode topic (1:34) The power of positive reviews and word of mouth (2:10) Mergers, acquisitions, and building a lasting business (3:38) Key questions to ask before selling your business (4:06) Planning your exit timeline (5:35) Setting financial goals and understanding sale proceeds (6:53) Sale price and legacy considerations (7:49) Earnouts: what they are and their benefits (9:38) Ensuring your business can operate without you (11:19) Delegating authority and operational independence (13:35) Maintaining clean and accurate financials (16:29) Creating predictable, diversified revenue and defendable margins (19:41) Evaluating people, company culture, and leadership (22:00) Legal and operational housekeeping (24:08) Preparing due diligence documents and financial strategy (29:18) Melinda’s contact information for business selling advice (29:42) Closing remarks and next episode teaser

How to Grow a Business Right Now with Sharif J. Small

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Sharif Small to discuss essential growth strategies for small business owners. They explore the significance of financial planning and efficient systems, highlighting common areas where entrepreneurs may be missing out on potential income. The conversation shifts to building generational wealth and effective tax strategies for safeguarding and increasing profits. Sharif also elaborates on the benefits of employing a fractional CFO. Sponsored by Zoho One. Sharif J. Small is a Tax Wealth Strategist, Fractional CFO, Real Estate Developer and Investor, and M&A Business Advisor with more than 20 years of experience leading a tax accounting, real estate development, and business mergers and acquisitions advisory practice. Sharif is passionate about helping small, minority, and veteran-owned businesses start, grow, and successfully acquire and scale companies. His mission is to empower entrepreneurs to build generational wealth, achieve financial freedom, and leave a legacy through sound financial strategy, ownership, and investment. For more information, go to https://www.sjsfinancialfirm.com [https://www.sjsfinancialfirm.com] (0:00) Introduction, subscription reminder, and sponsor: Zoho One (1:18) Guest introduction: Sharif Small (2:18) Best ways for small business owners to grow right now (3:46) Importance of financial planning and systems (4:56) Where small business owners are leaving money on the table (6:30) Building generational wealth (9:50) Tax strategies for protecting and growing profits (13:29) The role of a fractional CFO (15:10) Three actionable steps to grow your business in 90 days (17:07) Best business advice received (17:46) Closing remarks, thank yous, and next episode teaser