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

Welcome to another episode of Small Business Success Talk with Christy Small! In this exciting installment, Christy chats with Stella Mountain of Ntaba African Safaris while on location in beautiful South Africa. Christy and Stella discuss the ins and outs of preparing for a thrilling safari trip and share stories of group adventures that will leave you longing for your own African escapade. Plus, don't miss Christy's delightful reaction to encountering penguins in their natural habitat!



Learn more about Ntaba African Safaris: https://ntabaafrica.com/southern-africa-safaris/



#Tourism #Safari #SouthAfrica #NtabaAfricanSafaris #SmallBusinessSuccess #AdventureTravel #Penguins #TravelTips #GroupTravel



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



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.



Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Talking Tourism While On Location in Africa with Stella Mountain of Ntaba African Safaris

Welcome to another episode of Christy’s Corner! In this insightful installment, "Your Business is a Living Organism," we enter the dynamic nature of businesses and how they evolve just like living organisms. Discover how empathy and understanding play a crucial role in business success and learn how emotions influence decision-making and drive the core of every business. We'll explore how personal and professional experiences shape business strategies and operations, reflecting on the journey of your business and how it has transformed since its inception.



Get insights on when and why to pivot your target audience or adopt a new business model, and understand the growth stages of a business, including how it matures and ages over time. Join us as we unravel these intriguing aspects of business growth and development. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Christy’s Corner!



#ChristysCorner #BusinessGrowth #BusinessEvolution #Entrepreneurship #BusinessStrategy #EmotionalIntelligence #BusinessDevelopment



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



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.



Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Your Business is a Living Organism | Christy’s Corner

Join us for a refreshing episode of Marketing Mavens, where we dive into handling unexpected challenges and staying resilient in business. In this special poolside discussion, we explore the art of pivoting when plans go awry, emphasizing the importance of self-evaluation and maintaining a clear strategic focus. Communication strategies and personal investment take center stage as we navigate the twists and turns of entrepreneurship. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation that will inspire and empower your business journey!



#MarketingMavens #BusinessResilience #PivotStrategy #CommunicationSkills #PersonalInvestment



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



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.



Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Marketing Mavens Episode: What to Do When Shit Hits the Fan

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]