How Small Businesses Can Use Ethical AI to Finally Make Marketing Work With Steven Sakach

S5:E33 In this episode of Small Biz Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Stephen Sakach, founder of aiCMO.io, to unpack how small businesses can use AI without losing the human, emotional core of their brand. Stephen has spent years sitting between technology, marketing and leadership — and he's using that experience to build an "AI CMO" that doesn't just spit out content, but helps founders think more clearly, act more ethically, and market more effectively. In this conversation, you'll learn: 00:06:16 – Why more tools isn't the answer, and how to put boundaries around tech so it serves your business instead of swallowing your time and attention. 00:08:33 – How to root your marketing in emotional truth (not just features and funnels) so customers actually feel the change your product creates. 00:11:40 – Stephen's vision for AI as a collaborator that nudges you toward better, more empathetic decisions instead of optimizing for profit at all costs. 00:13:15 – The hidden cost of saying you care about people and the planet in your messaging… while your behind-the-scenes behavior tells a different story. 00:19:12 – How to treat AI like a surfboard, not a life raft—using small experiments, feedback and data instead of gambling your whole marketing budget on hunches. If you've ever thought "I know I should be using AI and better marketing… but I don't want to become a robot or sound like everyone else," this episode is your blueprint. You can learn also listen to Steven here: 👉 Producer and Host of The Bliss Business Podcast 👉 https://aicmo.io/about-us   ✴️ And don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel  ⁨@Midlifesuccess⁩  and follow us at STEERus #smallbusiness #marketing #ai #cmo #entrepreneur

In this episode S5:E32 of Small Biz Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Jeremy Bower, founder of Givr Packaging, chemical-engineer-turned-eco-entrepreneur, and one of the most refreshingly honest voices in sustainability. Jeremy doesn't just sell boxes — he rethinks packaging from the ground up. You'll hear how his background in paper science (yes, they actually award degrees for this specialty science and Jeremy has one) and sustainability led him to start Givr Packaging, why he fights to protect small businesses from predatory packaging minimums, and the surprising truth: most small businesses get packaging wrong and waste thousands. From sustainable materials like bio-polymers and chitin foam, to the brutal realities of recycling, to Jeremy's no-minimum-order philosophy that helps startups scale responsibly — this episode is packed with practical insights and contrarian wisdom. ⏱️ Timestamp Highlights (Entrepreneur Value Moments) [3:03] — "I'm good at contrarian thinking." → Jeremy shares how seeing holes others miss gives him a competitive edge. [7:25] — "We give sustainable startups traction they'd never get on their own." → How Giver helps eco-innovators break into the market. [14:16] — "Our minimum order is one. People are shocked." → Why serving tiny startups can produce massive long-term wins. [20:57] — "Get paid. Protect yourself. Only 2% will try to screw you — but they will." → Critical advice for entrepreneurs dealing with receivables, contracts, and bad actors. [24:02] — "Don't print your boxes. You don't need it." → The #1 packaging mistake entrepreneurs make that wastes thousands — and what to do instead. AND here's a first - we would have easily kept talking for another hour or so, but we lost power due to a thunderstorm and that was the end of the show!   Clearly he has something against the letter "E" ... but you can follow Jamie: 👉 Instagram  ⁨@boxbuildr⁩  👉 Web https://givrpackaging.com   ✴️ You can follow @STEERus on Instagram and @MidlifeSuccess on YouTube  #smallbusiness #entrepreneur #packaging #waste #sustainability

S5:E31 In this radiant and deeply human episode of Small Biz Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Dr. Roz, founder of the Love Revolution and creator of the Debt-Free Degree movement. Together, they unpack how love, intention, and emotional presence can transform not only your relationships — but also your leadership, your business, and your day-to-day life. Dr. Roz shares her philosophy of letting others voluntarily evolve (the real meaning behind Let Them), how to lead with compassion even when life is chaotic, and how entrepreneurs can infuse love into their brand, team, and daily choices. This episode is warm, funny, raw, and revolutionary. If you've been feeling drained, disconnected, or discouraged, this conversation will light you up. ⏱️ Timestamp Highlights (5-6 moments with value for entrepreneurs) [4:23] — "I'm good at love." Dr. Roz explains how knowing your core identity gives you business clarity and confidence. [9:00] — "Love is letting others voluntarily evolve." A powerful reframe for entrepreneurs dealing with difficult clients, team members, or partners. [12:11] — "Love is intentionality — not conditions." Why conditional relationships (professionally or personally) destroy collaboration — and how to fix it. [20:17] — Handling conflict with compassion. Her "restaurant story" becomes a masterclass in emotional intelligence and leadership under pressure. [36:22] — "Your day is better if YOU feel better." A mindset reset for entrepreneurs who constantly push through burnout. [45:07] — "Why not always choose love?" Dr. Roz delivers a groundbreaking truth: positivity is a competitive advantage.     #love #relationship #business #connection  

S5:E30 Tired of agencies that overpromise, underdeliver, and burn your cash? Meet Brandon Willington, the straight-talking founder of WHERE U? [https://whereu.com.au/], who teaches small business owners how to generate their own leads—fast. And profitably. All without losing their minds. From humble beginnings as a broke DJ in Perth to spending $4,000+ a day on ads, Brandon has cracked the code on simple, scalable marketing. He calls it "Chadvertising" no fancy funnels, no endless A/B tests, just basic things done well. If you've ever been burned by a marketing agency (or a couple of them!!) or felt overwhelmed by lead generation, this episode is your wake-up call. Brandon breaks down exactly what works, what doesn't, and how to build a lean, effective ad strategy that you control. 🕒 Timestamp Highlights [3:30] – "Understanding your customer trumps any dorky nerd marketing you can do on the internet." → Brandon explains why small business owners—not agencies—should run their own marketing. [6:45] – "You don't need seven ad sets and 15 creatives; you need one ad done well." → His "Chadvertising" approach simplifies ad success. [8:02] – "If someone guarantees you results, run." → Why most agency promises are red flags and how to spot the fakes. [10:09] – "In a skeptical world, the truth sells. I literally run ads about my 4/10 reviews." → How honesty and vulnerability outperform "perfect" marketing. [32:00] – "Clicks from the right person. Landing pages that convert. Conversations that close." → Brandon's 3C formula that drives real results for small businesses. #smallbusiness #marketing #advertising #ads #entrepreneur

S5:E29 In this eye-opening episode of Small Biz Stories, Dr. LL sits down with Jeff Greenfield, serial entrepreneur and CEO of Provalytics, to unpack why most small business owners are tracking the wrong marketing metrics - and what to do instead. With decades of experience in attribution modeling, Jeff reveals why clicks lie, cookies are crumbling, and why you're probably misjudging your Meta ads. If you've ever wondered why your Google Ads "work" but your Meta ones "don't," this episode will blow your mind. And flip your funnel. Whether you're spending $500 or $5M a month, Jeff explains how to: ✴️Follow the money trail beyond misleading dashboards ✴️Measure the halo effect of ad impressions across platforms  ✴️Build your own DIY analytics dashboard (no expensive tools required) ✴️This one's a must-listen for anyone struggling to make their ads pay off.   ⏱️ Timestamp Highlights [5:01] – "I'm really good at taking an idea and bringing it to market." → Jeff shares how his entrepreneurial brain works—and why chaos excites him. [10:01] – "Most entrepreneurs gloss over the data—until it's too late." → The ADHD struggle is real. Learn how to ground your optimism in reality. [14:00] – "Your Google Ads didn't win the sale. Your Meta ad planted the seed." → A masterclass on attribution and what your analytics dashboard won't tell you. [25:00] – "Most people optimize for clicks. But impressions are what drive sales." → The biggest DIY marketing tip for budget-conscious entrepreneurs. [27:00] – "Stop tracking only clicks. Track attention." → Jeff walks through exactly what to change in your ad tracking Google Sheet. 🌟 Don't forget to follow us on YouTube  @Midlifesuccess  #entrepreneurship #digitalmarketing #advertising #googleads #smallbusiness

S5:E28 If "AI" still feels like magic tricks and missed ROI, this episode will flip the switch. Dr. LL sat down with Jim Weldon (Founder/CEO, Prospect.ai) (one of the sharpest systems thinkers she has ever interviewed) to map a practical path to cash with agentic AI. Here's what you'll walk away with: ✴️A meta-model you can explain to your team in 60 seconds so everyone finally understands where AI value lives. ✴️A 2-week innovation cadence you can copy-paste into your org and no enterprise budget required. ✴️The lane strategy for seasoned operators vs. young ideators so you stop competing in the wrong game and start compounding wins. ✴️The unsexy USP that beats competitors: nail the basics (speed, follow-up, clarity, billing, referrals). ✴️How to become a utility in your market (the "water & power" behind others' growth) instead of an easily replaced vendor. If you lead a small or midsize business and want results in the next 30 days, not theory, then this is the episode. 0:53 — Superpower: synthesis over "speeds & feeds." Jim explains how to ignore noise and frame problems so solutions map to real market opportunities. 3:15 — The Meta-Model for AI. A memorable analogy for LLMs (answers), agentic flows (task chains), and enterprise-grade platforms plus where value will concentrate next. 10:45 — Beat "aging out": redefine your lane. Mindset + role clarity: younger teams dominate ideation; experienced operators win in innovation, beta, and scale where cash is created. 11:58 — Two-week innovation cadence. Jim's playbook: 48-hour prototype only after value is proven. Use no-code + agents to compress cycles. 34:16 — The most overlooked USP: do the basics flawlessly. Answer the phone, quote fast, follow up, bill clearly, ask for referrals. Master baseline execution before hunting fancy differentiators. ✴️You can find Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimweldon/  ✴️Don't forget to subscribe to YouTube  ⁨@Midlifesuccess⁩  #ai #agenticai #technology #entrepreneur

S5:E27 In this episode of Small Biz Stories, host Dr. Loralyn Mears chats with Laurie Genevish, founder of My Ideal College, who helps teens and entrepreneurs cut through the noise, plan their next chapter, and make confident decisions about their future. From college prep to career pivots, Laurie shares candid lessons on goal-setting, entrepreneurship, and the art of saying no to distractions. Timestamps & Key Takeaways: [5:00] – "No one has the same path." Laurie explains why comparison is toxic for both teens and entrepreneurs.  [8:00] – The planning mindset: How quarterly goals and imperfect launches drive momentum. [11:15] – The truth about "shiny object syndrome" and how to stay aligned with your mission. [15:00] – Why goal-setting isn't optional and how accountability partners keep you moving forward.  [22:00] – Debunking the "Instagram millionaire" myth: real talk on what it takes to build a sustainable business. [27:00] – The #1 red flag in business: "If you have to drag them in, you'll be dragging them the whole time." [31:00] – Laurie's "Next Chapter" program: empowering teens to make confident college and career choices. 🎧 Listen now to hear how to plan smarter, focus longer, and chase purpose, not perfection.  ✴️ Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube @MidlifeSuccess #entrepreneurship #mindset #smallbusiness #coaching #wellness

S5:E26 In this punchy, practical episode of Small Biz Stories with Dr. LL, John Horn, CEO of StubGroup (a Google Premier Partner - note that very, very few companies have this distinction and honor!!), breaks down how small businesses can turn Google Ads into reliable profit instead of a money pit. From the Search Terms Report to negative keywords, smart budget math, and review mechanics, John gives you a field guide you can use today. KEY TIMESTAMPS [06:03–07:34] Cut wasted spend fast: Use the Search Terms Report and add negative keywords (e.g., "Dollar Tree" for a tree service) to block irrelevant clicks. [08:20–10:26] Budget reality check: Why ~$2K/mo is a sensible baseline (context matters by CPC), and why you must allow time to learn, iterate, and improve. [19:51–22:20] Prep before ads: Dial in your Google Business Profile, reviews, and get familiar with LLM-driven search (ChatGPT/Perplexity) to stay findable beyond Google. [23:33–25:28] Website that sells: Treat your site as your 24/7 reputation with proof, offers, awards, reviews, working links, and helpful content that establishes expertise. [26:46–28:43] Reviews that move the needle: Ask every time, make it frictionless (texted link/QR), and try incentives tied to the rep who served the customer. One-liners you'll take away: • "Google makes it easy to spend money and hard to make it back." • "PPC works when you measure, prune, and iterate." • "Your website and reviews are the runway and ads are the takeoff." ⭐Why listen now: StubGroup sits in the top 1% of Google partners, with 3M+ leads and $400M+ in revenue generated. John turns "complex" into checklist. ❇️ Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to YouTube  ⁨@Midlifesuccess⁩  for more great content like this! #googleads #smallbusiness #leadgeneration #digitalmarketing #entrepreneurship #advertising      

S5:325 In this episode of Small Business Stories, host Dr. LL sits down with Emil Abedian, CEO of Council CPAs and newly minted author of Council to Council. Emil shares candid lessons from 15+ years in entrepreneurship, scaling from a solo CPA to a trusted partner for law firms nationwide. 🚨 Most entrepreneurs make this $100,000 mistake. They treat their business like a job instead of an investment. My guest on Small Business Stories, Emil Abedian, learned this lesson the hard way — grinding through 80-hour weeks, doing everything for everyone, and nearly burning out. Then he made the shift: 👉 He niched down to focus only on law firms. 👉 He reframed compliance accounting into strategic partnership. 👉 He scaled his CPA practice into a thriving business — all while reclaiming time for family. In this episode, Emil breaks down: ✅ How to avoid the "hamster wheel" trap. ✅ The KPI red flags every small business owner should track. ✅ Why niching down is the fastest path to scaling up. ✅ The 80/20 rule for launching ANY product (including a book). If you're a solopreneur, lawyer, or small business owner wearing 17 hats — you can't afford to miss this. 🔑 Key Moments & Takeaways for Small Business Owners: [00:05:30] Balancing Business & Family: Emil reveals the tipping point that forced him to shift from 80-hour work weeks to protecting time with his kids — and how entrepreneurs can do the same. [00:12:45] Mindset Shift from Job to Business: Why too many professionals see their firm as a "job" instead of an investment, and how reframing this accelerates growth. [00:20:10] Lessons from Success vs. "Less Success" Stories: Emil explains why learning from both wins and mistakes helps entrepreneurs shorten the path to growth. [00:34:50] Beyond Compliance — Becoming a Strategic Partner: How CPAs (and other service providers) can add real value by moving from "check-the-box" compliance to year-round strategic insight. [00:47:15] Riches Are in the Niches: Emil's bold pivot to exclusively serving law firms — and why specialization was the best business decision he ever made. 👉 follow us on YouTube  ⁨@Midlifesuccess⁩   #smallbusinessstories  #entrepreneurship  #financetips  #worklifebalance #finance #podcast 

S5:E24 In this soul-shifting episode of Small Biz Stories, host Dr. LL sits down with Sofia Rozhko, a powerhouse mindset and visibility coach who helps high-achieving women and visionary entrepreneurs show up as their most authentic selves. With roots in Ukraine and a global impact, Sofia reveals the inner transformation needed to unlock business success from rewriting your self-worth to crafting an aligned personal brand. She shares how she turned years of survival into a thriving practice, and why your energy and mindset (not your tactics) determine your outcomes. If you've ever felt stuck, undervalued, or afraid to be seen—this episode is your permission slip to go big. ⏱️ Timestamp Highlights [04:48] – "There's no clarity without courage." → Sofia explains why bold action unlocks mental clarity, not the other way around. [09:21] – "When you lead with authenticity, the right clients come to you." → Discover why showing your truth is the greatest marketing strategy. [14:12] – "I'm a brand. You're a brand. We're all a brand." → Sofia breaks down how to own your narrative as a personal brand—even if you're a solo founder. [22:07] – "Most people sell themselves short. Literally." → A powerful call to raise your rates, own your value, and shift from scarcity to sovereignty. [30:18] – "Before strategy, we work on safety." → Sofia explains why inner security is the true foundation of outer success. Follow Sofia and learn more about her work as a nutritionist: 🌟https://www.instagram.com/sofi_rozhko/ 🌟https://thebody.school/en/team/ 🌟https://www.tiktok.com/@sofia.rozhko   And don't forget to subscribe ✅ to YouTube  ⁨@Midlifesuccess⁩  ! #entrepreneur #mindset #coaching #nutrition #wellness