Business owners don’t need a “perfect” story—just a structured one. Bill Blankschaen (StoryBuilders) shares a 5-part storytelling framework to make any message matter, build credibility, and turn your story into impact, influence, and income.

If you’ve ever thought “my story isn’t that interesting”—this episode will change how you see your experiences (and how you use them to grow your business).

Michael D. Morrison sits down with Bill Blankschaen, founder and Chief StoryArchitect of StoryBuilders, a team that helps entrepreneurs and thought leaders turn their ideas into brand stories, books, and learning experiences that increase impact, influence, and income.

Bill breaks down a simple, proven storytelling model you can use immediately—whether you’re:

• selling a service
• pitching an idea
• leading your team
• speaking on stage
• or just trying to explain what you do in a way people actually remember

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Why most business owners undervalue their story (Bill calls it the “normalcy trap”)
• How to make your story impactful without exaggerating or getting “too dramatic”
• The 5-part framework that makes any message matter: Attention → Tension → Connection → Solution → Action
• How to identify your core audience so your message lands with the right people
• The real value of a book as a credibility and business-building tool—and why a book should be as long as it needs to be (no magic number)
• What it typically takes to publish a book (and why “30-day AI books” can backfire long-term)

Bill also shares the concept of a “story ecosystem”—how your message can evolve from a brand story into a book and then into IP (courses, workshops, coaching, and more).

Support the show

1. Want more resources to grow your business faster?
https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/

2. Want to connect with our Host, Founder & CEO on LinkedIn?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/

3. Want professional business coaching with our Host, Founder & CEO?
https://www.michaeldmorrison.com

4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO?
https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultation


FOLLOW US ON:
- WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/

-WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/

-LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/

-YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified

Welcome back to Small Business Pivots, the podcast created for small business owners who want real conversations, real lessons, and real growth.

In this episode, host Michael Morrison sits down with Katie Nelson, CEO of Sales Uprising and a serial entrepreneur on her third business journey.

Katie is on a mission to help business owners stop hating sales — and start seeing it for what it really is: a human conversation that fuels business growth.

Together, Michael and Katie dive deep into:

• Why sales feels “icky” for so many business owners — and how to change that mindset
• The real difference between sales vs. marketing (and why confusing the two hurts growth)
• Why sales is the most human function in any business
• How to simplify funnels, pipelines, and CRMs without overcomplicating them
• Why your clients already have the answers to your best messaging
• How to build a simple sales process that actually works
• When to keep things simple — and when systems matter
• Why pivots aren’t failures, but necessary iterations for long-term success

Katie also shares powerful insights from her early days in sales, lessons learned from growing businesses to multi-million-dollar run rates, and practical advice for business owners who want to work on their business — not just in it.

If you’re a small business owner who struggles with sales, avoids it altogether, or wants a simpler, more authentic approach — this episode will change how you think about selling.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who needs to hear it.

00:00 — Meet Katie Nelson & Sales Uprising
02:20 — Why sales feels “icky” for business owners
06:45 — Katie’s first sales job at 15 (and what it taught her)
12:10 — Why sales hasn’t really changed over time
16:40 — Sales vs. marketing: the real difference
23:05 — Why sales should come before branding
29:30 — Asking clients for messaging (the golden nugget)
35:20 — Simplifying funnels, pipelines & CRMs
43:10 — How many sales stages do you really need?
49:55 — Working on your business vs in it
56:30 — Pivots, iterations & long-term growth
01:02:15 — Sales playbooks, scripts & keeping it human
01:09:40 — Best beginner sales books
01:13:30 — Final mindset takeaway for entrepreneurs

Support the show

1. Want more resources to grow your business faster?
https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/

2. Want to connect with our Host, Founder & CEO on LinkedIn?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/

3. Want professional business coaching with our Host, Founder & CEO?
https://www.michaeldmorrison.com

4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO?
https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultation


FOLLOW US ON:
- WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/

-WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/

-LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/

-YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified

Are you running your business on gut instinct instead of data?

In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael D. Morrison sits down with Stacey Bullman, Founder & CEO of I’m Not Mad At You Consulting, to break down how small business owners can apply Fortune 100 systems, financial discipline, and decision-making frameworks without becoming corporate or losing agility.

With over 25 years inside Fortune 100 companies, Stacey brings real-world insight into why most small businesses struggle with forecasting, cash flow clarity, delegation, and scalable systems — and how CEOs can fix it fast.

You’ll hear why:
• Math and financial acuity drive every successful decision
• Systems beat hustle every time
• Small business owners avoid asking for help — and why that hurts growth
• CEOs must stop wearing every hat to scale
• Discipline, delegation, and belief separate growth companies from stalled ones

Stacey also draws powerful parallels between marathon training and business leadership, showing how discipline, consistency, and coaching apply to both.

If you’re a small business owner who feels overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to scale — this conversation will change how you think about your business.

About the Guest:

Stacey Bullman is the Founder & CEO of I’m Not Mad At You Consulting, a leadership and business consulting firm helping CEOs and leadership teams improve decision-making, financial clarity, and operational discipline.

Timestamps (Short)

00:00 — Meet Stacey Bullman & her consulting background
03:40 — From elite athlete to Fortune 100 executive
07:55 — Why marathon discipline mirrors business leadership
12:20 — The real difference between corporate & small business systems
18:10 — Why most small businesses don’t use math to make decisions
24:35 — Forecasting, inputs vs outputs, and financial discipline
31:50 — The 5 PL line items every CEO must understand
38:45 — Delegation, discipline, and why owners wear too many hats
45:30 — Why successful leaders always have coaches
52:10 — Why business owners avoid asking for help
59:00 — Belief, mindset, and the final takeaway for every CEO

Support the show

1. Want more resources to grow your business faster?
https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/

2. Want to connect with our Host, Founder & CEO on LinkedIn?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/

3. Want professional business coaching with our Host, Founder & CEO?
https://www.michaeldmorrison.com

4. Want to set up a FREE business consultation with our Host, Founder & CEO?
https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/consultation


FOLLOW US ON:
- WEBSITE: https://www.businessownershipsimplified.com/

-WEBSITE: https://www.michaeldmorrison.com/

-LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldmorrisonokc/

-YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@businessownershipsimplified