Email isn’t dead. It’s just being used wrong. In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy sits down with Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Growth at Constant Contact, to break down how email marketing—when powered by storytelling—becomes one of the most effective drivers of business growth. With decades of experience helping small businesses succeed, Dave shares why: Email is still one of the highest ROI marketing channels Most businesses fail because they focus on “what” instead of “why” Storytelling is the missing link between attention and conversion From internal podcasts to preserving founder stories, Dave reveals how authentic storytelling builds trust, drives engagement, and ultimately increases revenue. You’ll learn: ✔ Why email marketing still outperforms social media for conversions ✔ How storytelling builds stronger customer relationships ✔ The difference between transactional emails and transformational emails ✔ How to turn your business story into consistent marketing content ✔ Simple ways to improve your email strategy immediately If you’re sending emails that aren’t getting opened, clicked, or converting—this episode will show you what’s missing.



📩 Get your copy of the Small Business Now Report from Constant Contact HERE [https://cdn.bfldr.com/YGBG4W15/at/wjf4fcck29qjvf8t3w6s7cw/CRT-PDF-Q1-2026-SmallBusinessNowReport.pdf]. https://www.constantcontact.com/ https://smallbusinesssuccesstalk.biz/



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How Email Marketing Drives Business Growth Through Storytelling

What does it really take to grow a business today? In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy sits down with Amy Torres, owner of Director of Marketing, Inc., and Collin Bonsey of Southwestern Consulting to break down the real relationship between marketing and sales—and why most businesses get it wrong. This conversation goes beyond theory and dives into what actually drives results. You’ll hear: Amy’s journey building a marketing firm focused on strategy that converts Collin’s work in sales coaching and behavior-driven growth Why marketing without sales (and vice versa) falls flat The biggest mistakes business owners make when trying to grow How to create real conversations that lead to revenue A major theme? 👉 Growth doesn’t come from more tactics—it comes from alignment. As highlighted throughout the conversation, success is less about doing more and more about doing the right things consistently—especially when it comes to communication, relationships, and follow-through. If you’re a business owner tired of spinning your wheels with marketing that doesn’t convert or sales that don’t stick—this episode will give you clarity on what to fix first. https://SmallBusinessSuccessTalk.biz https://directorofmarketinginc.com https://southwesternconsulting.com/coaches/collin-bonsey/



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The Truth About Business Growth: Marketing & Sales Alignment

If you’re building a business while running on stress, caffeine, and “I’ll deal with it later”… this episode is your wake-up call.

In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy sits down with Dr. Meredith Sweeney—a former bariatric surgeon turned longevity specialist—who walked away from traditional medicine to focus on proactive, data-driven health.

Together, they unpack what most entrepreneurs ignore until it’s too late:

 * The real impact of chronic stress and “survival mode” on your body
 * Why traditional healthcare often misses early warning signs
 * The 4 core pillars of longevity (and how they actually show up in real life)
 * How burnout affects decision-making, weight, sleep, and performance
 * What it looks like to build a business without sacrificing yourself

Dr. Sweeney shares how she transitioned from surgery to prevention, why she believes most diseases are preventable, and how simple (but intentional) habits like breathwork, movement, sleep, and nutrition can dramatically change your trajectory.

If you’ve ever felt like your body is working against you… or like success is costing you your health… this conversation will hit home.





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E19: Burnout, Stress & Survival Mode: A Doctor’s Guide to Fixing Your Health Before It Breaks You

What happens when your business, finances, and life all hit at once… and nothing is working anymore?

In this raw and honest episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy pulls back the curtain on her personal journey through what she calls a “life storm”—from financial collapse and business setbacks to rebuilding with clarity, strategy, and a completely new mindset.

This episode dives into:

 * How to get unstuck when nothing seems to be working
 * The hidden impact of your thoughts on business success
 * Why entrepreneurs repeat the same patterns (and how to break them)
 * The connection between mindset, decision-making, and momentum
 * How to rebuild your business from the ground up—smarter this time

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re starting over… this episode will hit home.

This isn’t theory. This is lived experience, real strategy, and a reminder that you’re not alone—and you’re not done.

🎧 Listen now and take your next step forward.

📌 Join the Success Builders Launchpad community (free + growth opportunities)
📌 Subscribe for more real conversations about business, mindset, and momentum





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I Lost Everything… Here’s How I Got Unstuck and Rebuilt My Business

In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, host Christy Smallwood sits down with Chris Bonbright, founder of Curiosity Consulting, to unpack why curiosity—not assumptions—is the most underrated business advantage today.

Chris shares hard-earned insights from decades in market research, explaining why most businesses confuse symptoms with real problems, how to tell the difference between KPIs and true insight, and why “pressing the easy button” (including over-reliance on AI) can actually stall growth.

You’ll learn:

 * Why better information leads to better decisions—and better results

 * The difference between reacting to data vs. understanding it

 * Why demographics are losing power and values, attitudes, and beliefs matter more

 * What the emerging “anti-algorithm” trend means for marketing and customer relationships (including insights from Mintel)

 * How small, consistent research beats panic-driven decisions every time

 * Why research should guide action—not replace leadership

If your business feels reactive, unclear, or stuck chasing metrics without real traction, this conversation will reset how you think about data, strategy, and decision-making.

🎧 Listen now and rediscover the power of asking why.





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Stop Guessing: How Market Research, Curiosity & Better Questions Drive Better Business Decisions

Isolation is sneaky. Entrepreneurs often call it “focus time” or “cocooning,” but it can quietly turn into loneliness, stagnation, and burnout.

In this Christy’s Corner episode of Small Business Success Talk, Christy Smallwood breaks down the science, the soul, and the strategy behind solitude—why you need it sometimes, and when it starts working against you.

👉 Key insight: “Isolation becomes incubation when it’s chosen for restoration—but infection when it’s triggered by shame or pride.”

🎧 Listen now to learn how to re-enter your community stronger, clearer, and more whole.
#Entrepreneurship #LeadershipDevelopment #EmotionalIntelligence #SmallBusinessSuccessTalk #ChristySmallwood #MentalHealthAtWork





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Isolation: Reset or Self-Destruct?

This week on Christy’s Corner, I unpack how one frustrated woman accidentally sparked a viral movement — and how small business owners can do the same.

If you’ve ever felt overworked, underpaid, or simply over it, this one’s for you.
From marketing myths to the messy middle, this episode is equal parts real talk, laughter, and strategy.

💡 Topics:

 * How movements really start

 * The “MVP” mindset: show up, even when it’s messy

 * Why emotion and authenticity beat algorithms every time

 * The Being Super Method (and how to activate your inner hero)





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Movements, Marketing & Midlife Mojo: The We Do Not Care Club Effect

Technology doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In this episode of Small Business Success Talk, host Christy Smallwood sits down with repeat guest Jeff Chandler, owner of ZJAK Technologies, to unpack the world of AI, cybersecurity, and small business tech solutions.

Jeff shares insights on protecting your business from cybercriminals, avoiding shiny-object syndrome with new tools, and keeping technology practical and effective for everyday operations. From AI-powered platforms to the basics of staying safe online, this conversation is packed with real-world tips for entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to scale with confidence.

If you’ve ever wondered how to choose the right tools, when to outsource, and how to keep things simple in a noisy tech world—this episode is for you!





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AI, Cybersecurity & Tech Made Simple for Small Business | Jeff Chandler of ZJAK Technologies

Dee Dee Taylor, owner of 502 Hemp and President of the Kentucky Hemp Association, returns to Small Business Success Talk for an update on the challenges and victories in the hemp industry. From Kentucky legislation to federal battles, Dee Dee shares the inside story of lobbying, integrity in business, and why hemp products matter for both customers and communities. This candid conversation dives into entrepreneurship, politics, and perseverance in a shifting industry.

If you’ve ever wondered how small business owners fight back against powerful lobbyists—or how passion and integrity keep a business moving forward—this is the episode you need to hear.



Join the Success Builders Launchpad community HERE: https://smallbusinesssuccesstalk.biz/ THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR https://502hemp.com/



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Fighting for Hemp: Dee Dee Taylor on Kentucky Laws, Integrity, and 502 Hemp’s Future

In this special “Christy’s Corner” episode of Small Business Success Talk, host Christy Smallwood opens up about navigating one of the most chaotic seasons of her business and personal life. From unexpected financial hits and rebranding on the fly, to rebuilding from scratch and letting go of her team, Christy shares real, unfiltered insights on finding calm, making bold decisions, and leading with clarity through change.

Packed with practical tools—like her simple yet powerful “Centering Protocol”—and seasoned with hard-earned wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone facing uncertainty. Learn how to reset, refocus, and take the next best step… even when the world feels upside down.





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Finding Clarity in Chaos – How to Lead, Pivot, and Thrive in Business & Life

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]