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© 2025 Small Business Survival Conversations
Description
Small Business Survival Conversations is the weekly podcast designed to empower entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and small business owners who are fighting every day to build, grow, and sustain their businesses in a noisy and unpredictable world.
Hosted by Anna Steinfest, business strategist, entrepreneur, and founder with decades of experience helping small businesses thrive, this show delivers practical wisdom, mindset fuel, and real-world strategies that small business owners can actually use.
What to Expect Every Week
Monday Morning Motivation
Kickstart your week with a powerful story—drawn from timeless fables, real business lessons, or classic wisdom—paired with three actionable steps you can apply immediately. Each episode is crafted to help you regain focus, protect your momentum, and make better decisions as a small business owner.
These episodes are short, energizing, and packed with practical insight. Think of it as your weekly dose of clarity, courage, and direction.
Occasional Expert Interviews
Throughout the season, Anna welcomes entrepreneurs, industry experts, and community leaders who share their experiences, failures, wins, and lessons learned. Whether you’re looking to scale, pivot, or simply survive another day of running a business, these conversations offer the guidance and encouragement you need.
Who This Podcast Is For
This show is built for:
• Small business owners
• Solopreneurs
• Startup founders
• Women-owned businesses
• Community-based and service-based entrepreneurs
• Anyone navigating growth with limited time, resources, and support
If you’re building a business from the ground up—and learning as you go—you’re in the right place.
Why Listeners Love This Podcast
• Practical, real-world strategies (no fluff)
• Story-driven insights that stick
• Weekly motivation designed specifically for small business owners
• Action steps in every episode
• Honest conversations about what it really takes to survive and grow
• Encouragement without sugarcoating
Running a small business is not easy — but you don’t have to do it alone.
Subscribe now and start your week with inspiration, direction, and the tools to keep moving forward.
Small Business Survival Conversations
Your journey. Your grit. Your growth.
198 Episodes
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Send us a text In this raw and honest episode of Small Business Survival Conversations, Anna Steinfest is joined by two of her longtime friends and fellow entrepreneurs — Clinton Smith and Quasan Shaw. Together, they’ve walked through the ups and downs of building businesses, and today, they’re sharing the hard truths small business owners need to hear as we head into 2026. This isn’t theory — it’s real talk from three people who’ve supported each other through setbacks, growth, and reinventi...
Send us a text In this week’s Monday Morning Motivation, host Anna Steinfest breaks down the real reason many small business owners feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or stuck—lack of focused energy. Inspired by the “Power of Focus” principles, this episode reveals how distractions quietly drain progress and how even small shifts in focus can lead to massive momentum. Anna explains why multitasking kills results, how your mental energy ratio determines your success, and why your business doesn’t ne...
Send us a text This week, host Anna Steinfest brings a powerful business lesson from the classic Grimm Brothers tale Hansel and Gretel. In a world where small business owners are often underestimated—by competitors, customers, or even themselves—this story reveals a truth every entrepreneur needs to hear: Your abilities aren’t defined by age, pedigree, or experience. They’re defined by resourcefulness, courage, and creativity. Hansel and Gretel survived not because they were strong, wea...
Send us a text In this Monday Morning Motivation episode of the Small Business Survival Conversations Podcast, Anna Steinfest shares a powerful story that every entrepreneur needs to hear — the tale of a humble hot dog seller who let someone else’s fear destroy his thriving business. This episode dives into why good judgment matters more than education, expert opinions, or economic forecasts — and why small business owners must learn to trust their own data, their own customers, and their own...
Send us a text In this week’s Monday Morning Motivation, host Anna Steinfest revisits the timeless story of Little Red Riding Hood to explore how distractions can derail small business success. Through this fable-inspired reflection, Anna shares three powerful focus-building strategies every small business owner can use to eliminate distractions, boost productivity, and stay aligned with their goals. Don’t let the wolves of distraction steal your momentum — learn how to stay laser-focused on ...
Send us a text In this episode of "Monday Motivation with Anna Steinfest," Anna tells the story of the stonecutter, a powerful example of how consistent, daily effort can lead to monumental success. Discover why persistence is essential in overcoming obstacles and achieving your business goals. This episode will motivate you to keep pushing forward, even when progress seems slow, and remind you that every small action brings you closer to your breakthrough. Perfect for entrepreneurs see...
Send us a text In this episode of "Monday Motivation with Anna Steinfest," Anna shares the inspiring story of the Chinese Bamboo Tree, a powerful metaphor for the patience and perseverance required in business. Learn how consistent effort, even when progress seems invisible, can lead to extraordinary growth. This episode will encourage you to stay committed to your goals, reminding you that success often takes time and persistence. Perfect for business owners who need a reminder that th...
Send us a text Join hosts Anna Steinfest and Michael Troyer in this exciting new episode of Small Business Survival Conversations. Dive into the world of artificial intelligence and discover how AI tools and strategies can revolutionize your small business. In this episode, Anna and Michael share three crucial tips to help you harness the power of AI, drive growth, and stay competitive in today's fast-paced market. Tune in and transform your business with actionable insights and practical adv...
Send us a text In this episode of Small Business Survival Conversations, hosts Anna Steinfest and Michael Troyer delve into the dynamic world of social media to uncover essential tools and tactics for small business growth. From selecting the perfect platforms to crafting compelling content and leveraging analytics, this episode is packed with actionable insights designed to help small business owners thrive online. Whether you're new to social media or looking to refine your strategy, ...
Send us a text Join hosts Anna Steinfest and Michael Troyer in this episode of Small Business Survival Conversations, titled "Understanding Profit: Types and Strategies." Delving into the intricacies of profit management, Anna and Michael provide a comprehensive guide to help small business owners navigate the complexities of profitability. Beginning with an exploration of gross profit, listeners will learn how to calculate and optimize their revenue minus the cost of goods sold, laying a sol...
Send us a text In this episode of Small Business Survival Conversations, co-hosts Anna Steinfest and Michael Troyer sit down with Barb LaMue, a seasoned economic development and entrepreneurship expert. With a rich background in fostering innovation and growth, Barb shares invaluable insights and strategies for small businesses aiming to thrive in today's dynamic landscape. Drawing from her extensive experience, Barb delves into various topics crucial for small business success. She discusses...
Send us a text Join Anna Steinfest and Michael Troyer in the latest Small Business Survival Conversations episode as they unravel the secrets behind delivering a compelling presentation. In this episode, they delve into the "5 Keys to a Better Presentation," equipping small business owners with the essential skills to captivate their audience and leave a lasting impression. Know Your Audience: Discover the power of understanding your audience. Anna and Michael explore the importance of identi...
Send us a text Join hosts Anna Steinfest and Michael Troyer in the latest episode of Small Business Survival Conversation, where they delve into the crucial aspects of business preparedness, expectation management, and maintaining a positive outlook. In this insightful discussion, the hosts draw parallels to the meticulous preparation of an attorney entering a courtroom to emphasize the importance of being well-prepared in the business arena. Always Be Preparing: The episode explores the mind...
Send us a text Dive into a compelling discussion on enhancing customer service for small businesses in our latest podcast episode, "Mastering Customer Service: Setting Your Small Business Apart." Hosted by Dr. Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest, this episode features a captivating interview with customer service expert Dan Hatheway. Discover the essential role of exceptional customer service in building loyalty and trust, and gain insights into effectively differentiating your small business f...
Send us a text Today Dr. Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest will share tips and tools to master your networking skills.
Send us a text In this podcast episode titled "Three Essential Steps in Financial Planning for a Small Business," financial expert Anna Steinfest and host Dr. Michael Troyer provide critical advice for small business owners who want to survive and thrive in the current economic climate.The first essential step is to develop financial projections that accurately reflect the business's revenue, expenses, and cash flow. Steinfest and Dr. Troyer discuss the importance of creating multiple scenari...
Send us a text Welcome to our new podcast episode, and in this episode, we'll be sharing four key lessons that every small business owner should know to succeed. The first lesson we'll discuss is the importance of a profit plan. Our second lesson is to revisit your lending needs in good times. Third, we will discuss the importance of starting with small, steady steps. We'll explore how small business owners can avoid getting overwhelmed by their goals by breaking them down into ma...
Send us a text Sales - Small Business Survival Guide Today’s sales environment is hyper-competitive! Fine-tune your SBSG sales strategies for attracting and retaining customers that truly fit your mission and vision within your community. Improve your sales know-how with these real-world tips and lessons learned from the pros.
Send us a text Knowing how to prioritize work affects the success of your business. Today Dr. Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest will share some tips on how to be more efficient in doing so.
Send us a text Michael Troyer and Anna Steinfest will explain in detail the questions your banker will ask you when you apply for a loan. Here are questions your banker will ask you: 1. What is your financial strength? 2. What will your project’s financial impact be? 3. What is your investment or collateral? 4. What’s your overall business plan? 5. What’s your personal financial situation? 6. Have you done your due diligence?
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