This Is Small Business

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.

When Partake Foods founder Denise Woodard’s daughter had a life-threatening allergic reaction, everything changed. That moment inspired Denise to launch an allergy-friendly snack company that’s now worth millions and serves thousands of families across the U.S. But starting a food business from scratch with no baking experience and no outside funding meant taking one bold risk after another. Host Andrea Marquez talks with Denise about her transition from corporate executive to entrepreneur, how she kept going after getting 86 investor no’s (at least) until she landed a yes from Jay-Z’s VC firm, and how to validate a product before it exists. If you've ever been afraid of hearing “no,” Denise’s story will change how you think about risk, resilience, and the power of starting small.Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us as 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:(00:00) Ever felt like you needed a “perfect” plan before starting? Hear how Denise launched Partake Foods with no product, no baking skills – just a very personal “why.”(04:55) What if a stranger at the zoo told you to start a business? Denise shares the serendipitous moment that gave her the push she needed.(09:20) Struggling to get others to believe in your idea? Learn how Denise turned a cold shoulder from a manufacturer into a yes.(11:21) Feel like you have to do it all yourself? Denise opens up about making costly mistakes, asking for help, and finding the right people to bring her vision to life.(16:27) Thinking about quitting your job to go all in? Denise shares the very unglamorous reality of her first day as a full-time founder.(21:17) Tired of rejection? Hear how Denise pushed through 86 investor no’s and how one yes from Jay-Z’s VC firm changed everything.(25:28) Afraid to take risks? Denise’s advice for fellow risk-averse founders will make you rethink what it really means to start small.

What do you do when your glasses don’t fit well – and the eyewear industry doesn’t see the problem? For best friends Tracy Green and Nancey Harris, co-founders of Vontélle Eyewear, the answer was bold: start their own company. In the season six premiere of This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez kicks off her personal mission to become more of a risk-taker so she could eventually start her own business by learning from two women who embraced the curveballs that life threw at them and came out stronger. If you’ve ever felt like you couldn’t take the leap, Tracy and Nancey’s story might just be the push you need.Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us as 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:(00:33) How listeners like you are stepping outside their comfort zones – plus, Andrea shares why she’s finally facing her fear of risk.(03:35) How losing a favorite pair of glasses sparked an impromptu trip to Paris and a new business idea – and why noticing everyday problems is your first step to innovation.(10:51) Ever wonder how to know when it’s time to go all in? Tracy and Nancey were juggling full-time jobs, family responsibilities, and a pandemic – until they realized they couldn’t wait for the “perfect” time to start.(14:17) When everything goes wrong, do you pause or push through? From a health scare to a fire, these founders share how staying focused on their mission helped them overcome obstacles and keep building.(17:58) The small wins, like a single email from a customer, can keep you going when self-doubt creeps in. Hear what kept Tracy and Nancey going, even when things got rough.(20:17) How Tracy and Nancey pivoted from direct-to-consumer to wholesale and got creative about growing their business.(22:55) Get advice on how to decide when to leap, when to pause, and how to bounce back from failure without losing momentum.

What’s the boldest risk you’ve ever taken? For entrepreneurs, risk is the heart of the journey. In our newest season of This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez takes you behind the scenes with founders who’ve turned "maybe one day" into "let’s do this!"Join Andrea as she digs into the stories of fearless entrepreneurs who’ve made life-changing decisions and bet everything on their dreams. From nail-biting moments of uncertainty to those breakthrough successes, Andrea’s on a mission to uncover what drives people to take risks.Packed with stories of grit, helpful advice, and a touch of chaos, this podcast will have you asking: What bold move will I take next?So, whether you’re dreaming of your first big leap or already living on the edge, This is Small Business is here to inspire you to take that next risk and see where it takes you.And no matter where you fall on the risk spectrum, we want to hear from you! Share your own stories of risk and growth as an Apple podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email them to us at Thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – maybe you'll get to hear it in an upcoming episode.Before this new season of risk kicks off, we’ll be dropping small business bytes on This is Small Business – bite-sized episodes packed with quick tips and actionable insights that could help you level up your entrepreneurial journey. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to take your next big step, these shorter episodes are your go-to source for small business inspiration.

From a chaotic childhood to joining the military at 17, this entrepreneur discovered the therapeutic power of science and gamified it. In this special Veteran's Day episode of This is Small Business, John Coveyou, founder and CEO of Genius Games, a science-based board game company that has sold over half a million units worldwide, shares his journey. He discusses how military principles shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and led him to create engaging educational games. John shares the pivotal moment that inspired his first game and how crowdfunding transformed his hobby into a successful business.In this episode you’ll discover: (0:00) How various business principles overlap with lessons learned in the military.(1:50) John explains how his interest in science helped him cope during tough times in the military.(2:59) While teaching chemistry, John noticed that his students were intimidated by the subject, sparking his idea for a game.(03:09) John connects the excitement of gaming to learning science and decides to create a game.(3:50) John details his early experiments with game mechanics and his journey through game design clubs.(4:12) How feedback from play-tests led to the creation of John’s first game and the push to publish it.(4:49) John discusses how his crowdfunding campaigns validated his business idea and led to further success.(5:37) The moment John decided to leave his engineering job and pursue his passion full-time.(7:20) John explains the After Action Review process and how it encourages continual improvement in business.(12:35) The power of perspective in entrepreneurship, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.

A behind-the-scenes look into Emmy Award-nominated entrepreneurship show "Start Up" on PBS. Gary Bredow and Jenny Feterovich explore the power of storytelling in entrepreneurship and the journey that led them to creating their successful show Start Up. Gary reflects on his childhood experiences that ignited his entrepreneurial spirit, while Jenny shares her journey from the Soviet Union to becoming a successful storyteller and business owner. They discuss how Start Up has evolved to inspire others to pursue their dreams, emphasizing resilience, community support, and the impact of authentic storytelling in connecting with audiences and driving meaningful change.In this episode you’ll discover:(01:06) "Start Up" is a national PBS series that explores the mindset and experiences of American entrepreneurs, aiming to inspire and educate viewers.(01:19) The show's goal is to motivate dreamers to take action by showcasing relatable stories of diverse individuals pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams, both in America and globally.(1:53) Gary’s entrepreneurial spark was ignited by witnessing a small business story unfold in his own home.(4:49) Jenny’s entrepreneurial journey was sparked by a trip across the globe. (7:33) How Gary came up with the idea behind Start Up to solve a problem.(9:10) How Gary and Jenny started working together.(11:42) The ways in which the show evolved over time. (13:59) Why sharing personal stories is important and brings people closer together. (15:05) How Start Up pushed an aspiring entrepreneur to pursue his dreams. (16:20) Beyond helping entrepreneurs, Start Up also helps the featured businesses that make it on the show grow. (18:45) Motivational words from Jenny and Gary.

Can you still start a business if you’ve got no space or time to create, store, and pack your products at home? Just ask Marilyn Yang, the Co-Founder and CEO of Popadelics, who managed to do just that by starting her business remotely using third party logistics. She shares the ins and outs of outsourcing your operations as a startup, some of the early risks she had to take to make it work, and the benefits and challenges that might come your way.In this episode, you’ll learn: (01:05) How Marilyn, a picky eater, created and introduced mushroom chips to the snacking world. (02:38) The steps it took for Marilyn and her husband to collaborate with a food start-up consulting firm. (03:25) What to do if you hit a snag with your outsourced co-packer. In this case, Marilyn had ingredients that took many months to arrive with nowhere to go, and a co-packer that was still on the fence – but she still managed to make it work. (6:42) Why Marilyn started her business using third party logistics – something that companies usually do as they scale.(7:30) How outsourcing your operations can help your business scale faster.(8:29) How having your operations spread out across the US can make your business eligible for more opportunities but makes applying to them more complicated. (10:11) How to balance running a remote business with the rest of your life. 

How can the right ad strategy help your business stand out in a crowded market? Just ask Kyle Goguen and Garrett Gosselin, the co-founders of CRBN Pickleball, who transformed their passion for pickleball into a thriving brand by leveraging the power of Amazon Ads. Discover how the right advertising helped them showcase their unique brand identity and stay ahead of the competition. Whether you're new to advertising or looking to fine-tune your approach, you’ll walk away with actionable lessons on maximizing your ad spend, using Amazon ads to increase brand awareness, and converting potential customers into loyal fans.Learn the importance of testing and refining your ad strategy, how to use data-driven insights to optimize campaigns, and why it’s crucial to tell your brand’s story through ads. In this episode, you'll discover:(1:08) How Garrett came up with CRBN pickleball(2:33) How to find the perfect business partner by combining complementary talents, just like Garrett and Kyle did to build CRBN Pickleball.(4:35) How to stand out in a competitive market by creating a strong brand identity. CRBN's "Southern California" vibe helped them break through the noise — how can your brand story do the same?(6:58) Why incorporating Amazon Ads into your marketing strategy could be the game-changer your business needs.(8:41) How CRBN used data to track the results of their ad campaigns and how you can implement that. (11:11) Why you should embrace experimentation and data analysis to continuously improve your Amazon Ads strategy and how those insights can shape other areas of your businessWatch full episodes of Rising Stars by Amazon Ads here: thisissmall.biz/crbn

Ever wondered how to get a cash injection for your business without giving up equity or taking on debt? Just ask Elise Lambkin, the founder of Lil Sippers, who landed a game-changing for-profit grant that helped propel her business forward. Elise breaks down the entire process of applying for the Amazon Business Small Business Grant, from finding the opportunity to making sure her brand story resonates with everyone. You’ll also hear from Bria Arline, the Founder and CEO of IQ Ignited, a boutique grant writing firm, who reveals the secrets behind crafting a winning grant proposal. From finding the right grants to nailing your application, this episode gives you a crash course on what you need to know to secure your next grant and grow your business.Learn how to identify grants that align with your business goals, what makes a standout application, and what you should focus on to make your application shine.(2:18) How Elise Lambkin transformed a common parenting struggle into a thriving business(4:50) Where to find the best business grants and how to kickstart your search for funding opportunities to grow your business.(6:05) Elise’s approach to winning the Amazon Business Small Business Grant.(6:57) Bria's lessons on how you could craft a winning grant application which includes understanding the funder's perspective, aligning your budget with your goals, and presenting a strong narrative that highlights your business's potential.(10:51) Why Elise’s grant application stood out from the crowd with strong brand messaging and a clear vision for her business’s growth.(12:17) Why taking your time and planning carefully can improve your chances of success in the grant writing process.(13:52) The benefits of getting rejections and how that could help fine-tune your approach for future success.(15:09) How Elise used her Amazon Business Small Business Grant to propel her business forward.

What if you could revolutionize your Amazon business with cutting-edge AI tools? Join us as we uncover the latest advancements from the Amazon Accelerate event in Seattle, with exclusive insights from Andrea Marquez of Amazon’s This Is Small Business podcast. We dive into the game-changing world of AI-generated A+ content, as well as the exciting debut of Project Amelia, Amazon’s generative AI that promises to transform seller capabilities.Our discussion takes you to the heart of Amazon’s evolution in supporting sellers, highlighting the critical role of video content and improved analytics. Explore new tools designed to help brands create high-quality video content, alongside a detailed look at the updates that brands can benefit from. We also shine a light on Amazon’s “Sellers in Your Community” initiative and hear the inspiring stories of Amazon entrepreneurs and their impact on communities.In the second part of this episode, let’s discover how A+ content has evolved, with insights from Lauren Coury, Senior Product Manager at Amazon, and learn how to utilize your basic, shoppable A+ content, premium, brand story A+ content and AI integration to elevate your brand storytelling. Get ready to explore this wealth of knowledge and uncover new ways to make your Amazon presence more engaging and impactful than ever before.In this episode, you'll discover:00:00 – Amazon Accelerate Highlights and A+ Content Powered By Generative AI04:36 – Innovative Video Generation Revolutionizes Advertising06:29 – Enhancing Amazon Seller Experience and Analytics10:16 – Improved Amazon Seller Support Features12:43 – Entrepreneurial Stories and Amazon Product Ideas18:48 – Success Stories From The Amazon Accelerate Event21:56 – Brand Experience and A+ Content Creation25:19 – A+ Content and Brand Story 26:59 – Importance of A+ Content for Brands32:50 – Shoppable A+ Content and AI Benefits42:00 – Enhancing A+ Content With Graphics46:23 – Leveraging A+ Content and Generative AI

Want to build an award-winning business that not only thrives but also makes a real difference? Just ask Justin Forsett, former NFL player and CEO and co-founder of Hustle Clean, who turned his side hustle to a successful community-focused brand! In a live recording, we catch up with Justin, winner of the Amazon Force for Good Award. He reveals how his personal experiences – from humble beginnings to the highs and lows of professional sports – shaped his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to giving back. We also bring back some of his essential steps to building a successful business from “Justin tackles the top 3 steps to start a business” so you can have key insights into what makes purpose-driven brands successful. Learn the actionable steps you need to set up your business for success and how to integrate community impact into your core values even in the early stages of your entrepreneurial journey.In this episode, you'll discover:(1:35) How Justin transformed a personal experience into a thriving award-winning business.(2:58) Why community impact is important to Justin and how he prioritizes it. (4:37) How winning the Amazon Force for Good Award helped Hustle Clean overcome a major setback and continue their mission.(5:58) How to give back to your community in the early stages of your business.(7:30) The critical questions you need to ask yourself before launching your business.(8:41) Why establishing a strong legal foundation is essential for long-term success.(9:39) Key elements of a winning business plan, from market research to cash flow management.(10:32) The importance of building a supportive "huddle" of mentors and advisors.(12:09) Why defining your core values is crucial for navigating challenges and attracting the right team.(13:39) How to avoid spreading yourself too thin by focusing on your core customer.(14:30) Why embracing the entrepreneurial journey – with all its ups and downs – is key to finding fulfilment.

Ever wondered how being part of an entrepreneurial community can be the game-changer your business needs? Just ask Jen Earle, CEO of the National Association of Women Business Owners aka NAWBO, who believes that surrounding yourself with a good network can propel your business to the next level. To celebrate National Women’s Small Business Month, we’re taking a look back to see how the entrepreneur founders behind NAWBO transformed the landscape for women entrepreneurs and the impact that women-owned businesses have on today’s economy. Jen also breaks down the four C’s—Capital, Community, Confidence, and Congress—and explains why they’re crucial for any business to thrive and how you can leverage them for your own success.Learn how to find your entrepreneurial community and how that can help you unlock funding opportunities, boost your confidence, and give you the support you need to build or grow a successful business. In this episode, you’ll hear: (00:58) How NAWBO was founded.(02:06) The progress that’s been made to support women-owned businesses and their impact on the US economy.(03:41) Jen’s entrepreneurial journey and how she became the CEO of NAWBO.(5:49) A breakdown of the four essential pillars for business success which Jen calls the 4 C’s: Capital, Community, Confidence, and Congress and how you can tap into them.(9:52) The importance of building a strong community for business success.

How do you transform an everyday problem into a product that people want to buy? Just ask Ray Philips, the CEO of SoapSox, who turned children’s bath-time struggles into a product that resonated with so many people. Ray shares how he validated his idea and navigated the bumps throughout his entrepreneurial journey. And if you're still in the brainstorming stage, Morgan DeBaun, the CEO of Blavity, has you covered with her DRIP method, a decision-making framework designed to help you turn your ideas into actionable steps. Whether you're stuck in the ideation phase or just need a motivational pick-me-up to ride the wild rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, this episode will give you the confidence and clarity to turn your next big idea into reality.Learn how to leverage constructive criticism, stay balanced through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, and push past the doubt to start or build your business. In this episode, you’ll hear: (3:00) How Ray Philips turned a bath-time challenge into a business, and what made him launch his entrepreneurial journey.(5:12) Morgan DeBaun breaks down her powerful DRIP decision-making framework which can help you come up with ideas and turn them into real, validated business opportunities.(8:32) How to refine your product using feedback that matters—and more importantly, how to filter out the noise that could throw you off track.(10:48) Ray talks about funding his business and Morgan shares how to handle the inevitable highs and lows of entrepreneurship while keeping your vision alive.(14:26) Setbacks are part of the journey. Here’s what to do when your first big obstacle hits—and how Ray and Morgan turned their first major setbacks into fuel for success.(17:31) How Ray pushed through tough times and scored a coveted spot on Shark Tank, and what it took to get there.(21:36) If you’re battling self-doubt, stick around—this advice might be the boost you need to keep chasing your entrepreneurial dreams.

Want to know how your culture can give your business an edge? Just ask Mayra Luz Colon, the founder of Healthy Rican, who fused her Puerto Rican roots with her passion for healthy living to create a successful line of mom-approved seasonings. Mayra shares how she overcame imposter-syndrome, connected with her community, and pivoted from coaching to creating a product that resonated with so many people. You’ll also hear from Ramiro Cavazos, CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), who’ll dive into how Hispanic-owned businesses are shaping the future of entrepreneurship despite the challenges they face and how the USHCC is helping entrepreneurs get access to more capital, contracts and connections, and the tools and resources they need to grow their businesses.In this special Hispanic Heritage Month episode, you’ll discover the importance of staying connected to your roots, how to build a strong community around your brand, and why empowering Hispanic-owned businesses benefits everyone.In this episode you’ll hear:(02:06) How a health issue inspired Mayra to start her business(04:27) Why Mayra pivoted to a product based business(06:06) How to get customer feedback and build a supportive community(8:52) The growth and impact of Hispanic businesses and what makes them stand out(10:15) How the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) is helping Latino entrepreneurs overcome the challenges they face by focusing on the 3 C’s: access to capital, building connections, and capacity building(14:50) Why supporting Hispanic-owned businesses benefits everyone(16:13) How resilience and being open to pivoting can help you build a successful business