Every entrepreneur knows the feeling: the great idea that sits untouched because fear won't let you move. In this episode of The Small Biz Catalyst, Ayisat Abilogun reframes fear as data, not a dead end, and gives you five moves to turn it into forward momentum.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• Why fear is neurologically normal — and why entrepreneurs feel it more intensely than most
• The three types of fear that stall small businesses, and how to identify yours
• Why a growth mindset is not a feeling — it's a practice with a schedule
• Five moves to use fear as data instead of a stop sign
• This week's Catalyst Grant Minute: up to $20,000 available

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success — Carol S. Dweck (available at most public libraries)
• SCORE — free mentoring for small business owners: score.org
• North Texas SBDC — DFW entrepreneur guidance: ntxsbdc.org
• Small Biz Catalyst Resources Page: smallbizcatalyst.org/resources

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Chris Gronkowski went from NFL fullback to DFW entrepreneur after one sweaty gym session gave him an idea nobody had solved. In this episode of The Small Biz Catalyst, he breaks down how he built Ice Shaker from a spare bedroom side hustle to a Shark Tank deal with Mark Cuban and Alex Rodriguez; and $3M+ in annual revenue.

Enjoy From Side Hustle to Seven Figures: How Chris Gronkowski Turned a Gym Frustration into a Dallas Product Empire; a Small Biz Catalyst Startup to Success Series.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• How a product idea is born and why your frustration might be your business plan
• The real reason Ice Shaker stayed a side hustle for over a year before going full-time
• What happened the week the Shark Tank episode aired (the numbers will shock you)
• The quality control nightmare that almost derailed the first shipment
• Five lessons from Chris that apply to any product-based small business

Resources: THIS WEEK'S GRANT SPOTLIGHT

Intuit QuickBooks + Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program

Maximum Grant: $20,000 per winner

Deadline: May 15, 2026

Who Can Apply: U.S. small business owners aged 18+ who demonstrate courage, perseverance, and integrity. 3 winners chosen per quarter.

Find it at: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/offers/small-business-hero-program/

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst

Tariffs are no longer just an economic headline. They're showing up in your invoices, your vendor conversations, and your cash flow right now. In this solo deep-dive, host Ayisat Abilogun breaks down exactly what the current tariff landscape means for small businesses, shares the real numbers behind the impact, and delivers 5 strategic moves you can take this week whether you run a product-based or service-based business.

Plus, this week's Catalyst Grant Minute spotlights a $20,000 grant opportunity with a fast-approaching deadline.

Resources: THIS WEEK'S GRANT SPOTLIGHT

Intuit QuickBooks + Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program

Maximum Grant: $20,000 per winner

Deadline: May 15, 2026

Who Can Apply: U.S. small business owners aged 18+ who demonstrate courage, perseverance, and integrity. 3 winners chosen per quarter.

Find it at: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/offers/small-business-hero-program/

Support the show

Learn more at Resources | Small Biz Catalyst