What happens when two powerhouse women—one a former Nestlé executive and certified leadership coach, the other a yoga instructor and education leader—meet in Louisville, KY and both get knocked flat by allergy season?

They build a wellness center unlike anything else in the region.

In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, host Christy Smallwood sits down with Anna Shulgina and Dasha Grankina, co-founders of Bodhi Salt, a luxurious-yet-approachable 2,400 sq.ft. wellness center designed to help families heal naturally through salt therapy, cedar steam barrels, red light therapy, kids programming, and more.

🌍 Learn how their global experiences, scientific approaches, and holistic traditions came together to create a business that’s thriving—with purpose.
💡 Get their take on entrepreneurship, parenting, leadership, and why building a business with heart (and salt!) matters now more than ever.









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S3E9: From Allergies to Entrepreneurship: How Two Global Leaders Built Bodhi Salt Wellness Center

What do dance, casting, and dog poop bags have in common? Kim Swanson. In this inspiring episode of Small Business Success Talk, Kim shares her journey from being a single mom crying in her car to launching a thriving dance studio, building a successful casting business, and founding SHŪNŪ, an eco-conscious dog product company that gives back to veterans. From church basements and Emmy-winning commercials to a life-changing win on The Price is Right, Kim’s story is a testament to faith, hustle, and trusting the roadmap of possibility. Tune in to hear how Kim turned passion into purpose—and get ready to rethink what’s possible for your own entrepreneurial path. www.castingbykim.com SPONSOR: https://502hemp.com/ and https://812hemp.com/ https://smallbusinesssuccesstalk.biz/



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S3:E8 From Dance Studios to Casting Calls: Kim Swanson on Starting Small and Dreaming Big

What happens when a Deadhead entrepreneur becomes one of Louisville’s top attorneys and co-founds a powerhouse law firm in just one weekend?

Meet Libby Gray, co-founder and managing partner at Gray Ice Higdon. In this episode, host Christy Smallwood digs into Libby's unconventional path from friendship bracelet slinger to federal court litigator, and how her firm is redefining law firm culture through inclusivity, intentional leadership, and business-savvy legal expertise.

Whether you're navigating non-competes, scaling your business, or just trying to avoid costly legal pitfalls, Libby's insights are pure gold. Discover how commercial law, intellectual property, and strategic contracts can make—or break—your business.

🎧 Learn how to protect your business, lead with integrity, and build something meaningful with your name on it.

🔎 Topics covered:
• Starting a law firm from scratch
• Legal essentials for entrepreneurs
• Managing business partnerships
• Preventing costly litigation
• Building inclusive, values-based culture
• Why every small biz needs an attorney (ASAP)





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S3:E7 From Bracelets to Boardrooms:  Building a Law Firm with Heart

What happens when a former Microsoft exec buys a chocolate factory, reinvents the brand, and turns it into a movement? In this deliciously inspiring episode of Small Business Success Talk, host Christy Smallwood sits down with the powerhouse mother-daughter duo behind Maeve Chocolate (formerly Seattle Chocolate).

Founder Jean Thompson shares how she went from investor to CEO, tackling imposter syndrome, supply chain challenges, and brand transformation—while daughter Ellie brings in a fresh Gen Z perspective, helping the company transition to a more vibrant, purpose-driven brand.

They spill the cocoa beans on:

 * Reinventing a legacy brand while staying true to your mission

 * Why the cocoa industry is more complex than wine

 * Building a female-led, impact-driven chocolate business

 * How storytelling, sustainability, and bold packaging win over conscious consumers

 * Preparing the next generation for leadership (and legacy)

If you love chocolate, entrepreneurship, or stories of brand transformation with heart—this one’s for you.

🌎 Learn more about Maeve Chocolate: https://maevechocolate.com
🎧 Subscribe for more small business success stories!





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S3:E6 Rebranding with Purpose: How Maeve Chocolate is Reinventing the Industry—One Bar at a Time

What if your story was the one thing that could shape generations to come? In this heartwarming and powerful episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy Smallwood sits down with David Sermersheim—corporate leader by day, founder of Celebrate Audio by passion—to uncover how storytelling is the most underutilized yet impactful tool in business today.

David shares how a personal voicemail at a wedding changed everything for him, leading to a calling to help families and businesses preserve their legacies through audio storytelling. From bringing corporate values to life to capturing once-in-a-lifetime wisdom from loved ones, this episode dives deep into how stories are more than memories—they're the blueprint of success, connection, and legacy.

💡 Whether you're a founder, team leader, or family business owner, this episode will move you—and might even make you cry (in a good way).

🔗 Learn more about Celebrate Audio: [insert website or link]

📌 Subscribe for more inspiring interviews with leaders making waves in small business success.





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S3:E5 - Why Every Business Needs To Capture Its Origin Story

Meet Kathryn and Todd Zeigler—Broadway veteran, lifelong creatives, and founders of Iron Pirate Publishing. In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, we explore their journey from theater and television to launching a book that sparked a movement. We talk creative business, family dynamics, making an impact through storytelling, and what real success looks like. Hosted by Christy Smallwood, who also happens to be one of their proud partners. Get ready for deep laughs, big takeaways, and serious heart.



🎧 Featuring: Kathryn & Todd Zeigler

📍 Iron Pirate Publishing – Kissimmee, FL

💥 Topics: Autism advocacy, publishing journeys, theater roots, creative entrepreneurship, business partnerships

🌐 More info: thespectrumseriesbooks.com | christysmallwood.com







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S3:E4 - Building A Creative Legacy with Todd & Kathryn Zeigler

Jess Pettitt joins Christy Smallwood on Small Business Success Talk to dive into the realities of running a speaking business, balancing purpose with profit, and navigating tough conversations. With her signature humor and deep insights, Jess shares how small business owners can create lasting change, build authentic workplace cultures, and align their values with real actions. They discuss the power of asking better questions, taking control of urgency, and staying true to your mission. Jess also talks about her new book, Almost Doing Good, and the unexpected viral moment that put her in the spotlight. This episode is packed with practical strategies and thought-provoking discussions to help entrepreneurs lead with impact and authenticity.



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Season 3: Episode 3 with Jess Pettitt

In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy sits down with marketing expert and entrepreneur Amy Torres for a deep dive into AI, branding, and the evolving landscape of business growth. Amy, the powerhouse behind Director of Marketing Inc., shares how AI tools are revolutionizing decision-making, streamlining cash flow management, and creating new opportunities for small business owners.



They also discuss:



The impact of AI on marketing and business strategy

How to integrate AI without losing the human touch

Personal branding and the power of consistency

The importance of short-form video and digital storytelling

Building a business that gives you the freedom to do what you love

Plus, Amy and Christy share their experiences navigating business pivots, rebranding, and the power of showing up authentically. If you're a small business owner looking for practical insights, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and actionable strategies.



🎧 Tune in now and start making your own kind of success!



🔔 Subscribe now to stay tuned for new episodes featuring small business owners, best practices, and expert advice to help you thrive in 2025!



Follow us or reach out! https://m.mtrbio.com/smallbusinesssuccesstalk



Connect with Christy!



#SmallBusinessSuccessTalk #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessStrategy #Resilience #WomeninBusiness #SmallBusiness #Business #Podcast



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Season 3: Episode 2 with Amy Torres

🎙 Welcome Back to Small Business Success Talk! 🎙



After a brief hiatus, host Christy Smallwood returns with exciting updates and a fresh perspective for 2025! In this episode, Christy shares the behind-the-scenes journey of navigating a chaotic 2024, including a car accident, business shifts, and a major rebranding effort. She opens up about hitting rock bottom, rebuilding with purpose, and implementing strategic changes to level up her businesses—and this podcast!



💡 What to Expect in This Episode:

✅ The real reason for the podcast hiatus

✅ Lessons learned from unexpected setbacks

✅ Merging multiple businesses into one powerful brand

✅ The importance of setting boundaries and creating space for strategy

✅ How a "phased approach" can help you grow efficiently

✅ The Gary Vee-style content strategy she’s using to stay top of mind



Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode is packed with real talk, resilience, and practical insights to help you navigate the ups and downs of running a business.



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Season 3: Episode 1

Welcome to another episode of Christy's Corner! Today, Christy dives into the dynamic world of Leadership and Ownership. Whether you're leading a team or running your own business, the principles of effective decision-making, empowering others, and true leadership are crucial. Christy discusses the art of making choices that drive success, how true leaders inspire and empower their teams, and the important distinction that an owner is not always a great leader, but a leader needs to be a good one. She also shares practical tips to boost your team's morale and productivity. Tune in to gain insights on transforming your approach to leadership and making a real impact in your business. Watch now and take your leadership skills to the next level!



*********************************************************************



This episode of Small Business Success Talk brought to you by



Chrysaetos. Making a better human experience by building better leaders. We are the Leadership Professionals. https://chrysaetos.biz/



Eagle Eye Strategic Marketing. Meaningful marketing that creates meaningful results. https://eagleeyestrategicmarketing.biz/



Interested in booking Christy for your next event? Visit https://christysmallwood.com/, or email sidekick@eagleeyestrategies.biz for more information.



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Christy's Corner: Leadership and Ownership

Small Business Success Talk is a show about the small business experience. Listen and discover for yourself that we take what we do very seriously, but not ourselves! www.smallbusinesssuccesstalk.biz [https://www.smallbusinesssuccesstalk.biz]