AI…nightmares? 

Join Kat and Ian for a part two to their original AI episode - slightly spookier. Will AI take over our jobs, our thoughts, the world? Press play to co-conspiracy deep dive…but also hear practical takeaways on how Cisco is securing AI models. 

Kat confesses to a close relationship with Chatgpt, and Ian vents about the need to upgrade his iPhone. From incredible sports references (1:22) to the tech revolution that we're all experiencing (5:17), this episode (like most) has a little something for everyone.

If you came to listen to this episode to learn something about Cisco's AI solutions for small and medium businesses, you should check them out here: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/small-business/index.html#tabs-a107e9a621-item-6caff3e5bb-tab

404 Script Not Found: AI Nightmares

Reliable small business bookkeeping removes uncertainty. Outsourcing small company bookkeeping gives you the support.  Small business accounting and tax services must be flexible by Advantage CPA.

Start Smart Growth with Small Company and Business Bookkeeping

The 2% Club: where 2% of your customers give you 98% of your problems. How to recognize what it is and what to do about it.
1:30 Mike introduces the concept of the "2% Club"—the small percentage of customers who create most of your problems—and explains why handling them is key to business success.
6:00 Brook reflects on a past job where the customer had a valid complaint and how owning the mistake turned a tense situation into a productive one.
10:15 Mike shares a story about a customer with 100 sticky notes and how failing to set boundaries cost him both time and money.
20:00 Brook talks about intentionally avoiding problematic customers and learning to spot red flags during estimates.
26:00 Mike explains why they now charge for estimates and how it's a strategy to filter out time-wasting inquiries and non-serious clients.


Small business confidential - The 2% Club(EDITED)

🚨Small biz owners, beware! In 2025, compliance is no longer optional—even for you. From HIPAA & PCI DSS to FTC rules, skipping security measures can cost 💸thousands or even your biz's rep. Stay ahead with risk assessments, staff training, and airtight data protection. Don't wait for fines—protect your future NOW!

The Compliance Blind Spot_ What You’re Missing Could Cost You Thousands

New is always better, right? 

In this episode, Ian is joined Dave Soscia, Vice President of Cisco Product Management and Business Development at D&H Distributing to talk about his perspective on Cisco’s new partner program and how partners can optimize their profile before the launch date. Dave digs into how distribution can help partners with business analysis, practice consultations and even building and executing a business plan. The channel is changing, and partners are the ones who will continue to drive that change.

Learn more about Cisco's solutions for SMBs: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/small-business/index.html

Learn about D&H’s partner offerings: https://www.dandh.com/v4/view?pageReq=focusedlanding&focus=SPAS1&int_cid=NS-NAV&utm_campaign=ASCII


Small Business, Big Solutions: A 360 View of Cisco's New Partner Program

Here's what we know: People don't like surprises, especially unpleasant ones, and when information is missing, they'll fill in the gaps — rarely with generous assumptions. We break down why proactive communication with clients, your team, and even in your personal life feels harder than it should be, then share strategies for getting ahead of the narrative. From understanding why we avoid these conversations (spoiler: we assume people know more than they do) to crafting that perfectly timed heads-up email, we explore how transparent communication builds trust and prevents those awkward moments when everyone's caught off guard. It's not about having everything perfect; it's about communicating with intention before situations spiral out of control.

Quick, Send the Heads-Up Email

In this special episode of the Big Ideas for Small Business podcast, host Tim Hayden is joined by his wife, Dawn, for a heartfelt conversation about the other side of running a family business: family, marriage, and support.
Dawn, now an accomplished artist based in Upstate South Carolina, once put her career on hold to focus on raising their family so that Tim could grow the business. Together, they share their story, their sacrifices, and the key to making a family business work—at home and on the manufacturing floor.

The Other Half of the Family Business with Dawn Hayden

This week Kat and Ian are diving into one of their favorite topics - Workplace Productivity. We've heard Ian's terrifying email organization (or lack thereof before), but believe it or not, this week he's coming in hot with the productive tips. 

Tune in this week for WebEx features that even Kat didn't know existed, and a general education on online folders for Ian. 

OH and if you're here for additional information on Cisco's solutions that can support your team's productivity, *cough* Webex *cough*, you can check them out here: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/small-business/index.html#tabs-a107e9a621-item-6caff3e5bb-tab

404 Script Not Found: Workplace Productivity

We jump right in by talking...supplements? Kat may be Pablo Escobar, who knows. She makes her own preworkout, and the rules around here.

Kat then has a fire alarm, so we had to restart the show halfway through (shoutout to our production team, this ended up flowing really well).

We then get into what we meant to talk about: tips for balancing work and working out, and why we both think it is SO important. Spoiler: working out makes you a better employee. We share our best practices for committing and staying committed to fitness, no matter what our 9 to 5 throws at us! 

If you've read this far, and are actually looking for information on Cisco's solutions that you can use to work from anywhere, even the gym, you can check them out here: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/small-business/index.html#tabs-a107e9a621-item-6caff3e5bb-tab

404 Script Not Found: Work and Working Out

Capitalism: An economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, especially as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth. Friedrich Hayek in his book, The Road to Serfdom warns of the danger of tyranny that inevitably results from government control of economic decision-making through central planning. He further argues that the abandonment of individualism and classical liberalism inevitably leads to a loss of freedom, the creation of an oppressive society, the tyranny of a dictator, and the serfdom of the individual. Countless men and women worked together to create the breakthroughs that today inspire us with awe. It is their stories – of ambition, of bravery, of hope, and of trust in their companions – that we should celebrate as the true legacy of capitalism. 
Sageintl.com


Cheri Hill, Champion of Capitalism

40+ year business owner, Mike Reilly, shares the dirty secrets of owning your own small business.

Advantage Tax, Accounting, Payroll, and Bookkeeping, we are a trusted accounting firm in Boca Raton, offering the best accounting services for small businesses. Our team provides expert bookkeeping services, helping you keep track of finances with ease. We also specialize in business payroll services, ensuring timely and accurate payments. As one of the leading payroll companies in Florida, Advantage CPA offer tailored solutions. With our comprehensive tax planning service, we help minimize your tax liability.

Big Ideas for Small Business Leadership Podcast

Join Cheri Hill, “Wealth Protection Diva” for an array of fascinating topics centered on what it takes to start, grow, and maintain a successful business.
Not your ordinary business talk show, each week features a successful business owner, community leader or Industry expert who shares their challenges, insights, and advice. Learn about the hidden gems, resources and special events featuring local businesses and nonprofit organizations doing great work within our community. 
Sprinkle on relevant facts, new ideas, inspiring thoughts, invaluable guidance, and of course encouragement-All of the key things it takes to spark and fuel your entrepreneurial dream!
Airs Mondays at 11:30 am and Sundays at 1:00 pm (PDT) on 1060 AM KFOY  Radio.

The Cisco Podcast Network is a collective of podcasts from across Cisco spanning technology to culture and everything in between. Hear from Cisco customers, partners, and Cisco insiders on the topics that matter most to you. Email us with your feedback and suggestions. Discover your favorite playlists today!

Hi. Jen Estill and Karen Stefl here. In The Speak Easy Podcast, we share years of expertise in marketing, branding, video production, strategy—not to mention management, employee development, mentoring, sales, creativity, maintaining life balance, managing money, and.. you get the idea. It takes a lot to keep a couple of creative studios thriving. 

We developed this podcast after years of "how do you..." boss lady conversations. It was clear that if we were both in such similar places with regard to business growth, and personal growth, and work/life/motherhood/bossland balance, then other women may be, too. We'd been sharing confessions over cocktails for quite a while—solving problems, asking for advice, and whispering the secret fears and disappointments that successful women are never supposed to have. (You've had those, right? It's not just us?)

Thus, Speak Easy was born. Our goal and our promise is to speak with honesty about the challenges that experienced women in the creative industry face. To create a community where we can support one another and abandon the mantra that we put on a good face and make it look like we have it all together, even when we don't. You can expect honesty, complete vulnerability and even a good laugh.

And cocktails. You can expect cocktails.

New tracks tagged #SmallBusiness