In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael sits down with fellow small business coach and long-time business owner Marshall Stern — host of THE STERN TRUTH: Business Unfiltered — to talk about the real reasons owners stay stuck, even after buying all the courses and programs.

With 35+ years of owning businesses (including a 29-year sign & graphics company) and 14 years coaching, Marshall has seen the same pattern over and over: the owner is the bottleneck. Not because they’re lazy — but because of mindset, isolation, and trying to do everything alone.

Together, you and Marshall unpack:

• Why so many “10x” courses and $10K–$20K programs don’t change anything
• The difference between growing a business and scaling one — and why the words matter
• How business owners get trapped doing 80% admin and 20% revenue-generating work
• Why it’s easier to hide in systems, emails, and estimates than to sell and lead
• What actually makes a good business coach (vs a consultant with a binder and a blueprint)
• Why you can’t outsource the hard work to a program — and what a real coach does instead
• How generational shifts and post-pandemic realities are changing how we must lead teams
• Why your mindset and leadership habits will cap your growth long before your tactics do

You’ll also hear:

• Marshall’s honest take on frameworks like the E-Myth and EOS — when they help and when they overwhelm
• Simple ways to start building systems without disappearing into them for months
• Why documenting your sales process and follow-up is one of the first systems every owner needs
• A clear, real-world explanation of business coach vs consultant so you know who you actually need
• How to interview a coach, what red flags to watch for, and why “as seen on…” logos aren’t enough

If you’ve ever thought,

this conversation will help you see where the true bottleneck is — and why nothing around you changes until you do.

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

Many business owners feel stuck—but rarely talk about why.

In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael D. Morrison sits down with Mendy Turk, owner of Three Arrows Coaching & Consulting Group, for an honest conversation about leadership vulnerability, imposter syndrome, and how understanding DISC personality styles can radically improve communication, decision-making, and team performance.

Mendy works with established business owners and leaders—often 7+ years into business—who’ve survived the highs and lows but still feel unsure about their next move. Together, Michael and Mendy unpack why asking for help feels so hard, why most leaders feel like they’re “supposed to have it all figured out,” and how DISC reveals the hidden motivators, fears, and stress responses driving behavior at work.

This episode goes beyond theory. You’ll hear real examples of:
– How DISC shows up under stress
– Why indecision is still a decision
– How leadership communication breaks down (and how to fix it)
– Why self-care isn’t optional for business owners
– How vulnerability actually builds trust with teams

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure how to lead people with different personalities—this conversation will hit home.

What is DISC in business?
DISC is a behavioral assessment that helps leaders understand communication styles, motivation, stress responses, and decision-making tendencies.

Why is DISC important for leadership?
DISC helps leaders adapt communication, reduce conflict, improve trust, and lead teams more effectively—especially under stress.

How does DISC help business owners?
It increases self-awareness, improves hiring decisions, strengthens team communication, and reduces leadership burnout.

What are the four DISC personality types?
Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C).

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

In this episode of Small Business Pivots, host Michael D. Morrison sits down with Chris Hallberg, known as The Business Sergeant, to break down what actually creates traction inside a business.

Chris brings nearly a decade of military and paramilitary leadership experience into the business world, helping owners replace chaos with clarity using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). As an expert EOS Implementer and creator of the GoExpand platform, Chris works with organizations ranging from growing small businesses to companies doing $10M–$1B+ in revenue.

This conversation dives deep into:

• Why businesses get stuck—even when revenue is growing
• The six key components every business must strengthen to scale
• How clarity eliminates the wrong people (without firing them)
• Why accountability fails when vision isn’t fully shared
• How EOS creates traction in 90-day cycles
• The leadership mindset required to build a healthy, aligned company

If you’re a business owner struggling with lack of clarity, people problems, or stalled growth, this episode delivers a practical framework you can apply immediately—without fluff or hype.

Chris Hallberg is an expert EOS Implementer, leadership coach, and founder of The Business Sergeant. With a background in military and paramilitary leadership, Chris helps business owners replace chaos with clarity through disciplined execution, accountability, and alignment. He is the author of The Business Sergeant’s Field Manual and creator of the GoExpand business operating system platform.

Connect with Chris Hallberg

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hallberg-01516315/
• Website: https://implementer.eosworldwide.com/chris-hallberg/
• Email: chris.hallberg@eosworldwide.com

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

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

In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael Morrison sits down with Francis Flair (Flair Consulting Group) to break down client retention systems and why customer experience is the #1 revenue multiplier for scaling businesses.

Francis shares his journey from Ghana, West Africa to building a consulting firm that helps service-based and scaling companies improve customer experience, employee experience, and retention—because “for every client you keep, it’s a competitor you beat.”

You’ll learn:

• Why retention multiplies growth (and why profits hide in retention—not acquisition)
• How to “think from the market” instead of “thinking for the market”
• The simple (not easy) way to identify your audience: ask better questions and test offers
• Why your people aren’t the problem—your systems (SOPs) are
• How brands like Chick-fil-A, Disney, Amazon, and Southwest set expectations that become your competition
• The 5 mistakes that sabotage customer experience (and how to fix them)

The 5 Mistakes Most Service Businesses Make (Francis Flair):

1. Not realizing customer experience is the #1 revenue multiplier
2. Thinking the staff is the problem (instead of the system)
3. Believing great service is “common sense” (and not defining what “great” means)
4. Wanting the team to care—but not showing the team you care
5. Treating customer service like a department (instead of an identity)

Timestamps

00:00 Francis Flair + what Flair Consulting Group does
02:10 From Ghana to the U.S.—the origin story
06:40 The pivot into consulting + “create your own economy”
10:35 Think from the market vs for the market
14:05 “Just ask”—how to discover what customers really want
18:30 Retention vs acquisition—where profits actually hide
24:10 Chick-fil-A vs Popeyes—what the numbers reveal
29:20 5 mistakes that break customer experience (overview)
31:10 Mistake #2: People aren’t the problem—systems are
36:30 Mistake #3: Define “great” or employees will decide
41:10 Mistake #4: Want them to care? Show them you care
47:40 Mistake #5: Customer service is an identity, not a department
53:10 Final takeaway + where to connect with Francis

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

Founder April Glavine shares how she turned a near-bankruptcy CPG lesson into Sum Good, a fruit-first electrolyte brand built on health and smart scaling.

Are you building a product brand and hoping the margins will magically work themselves out later?

In this episode of Small Business Pivots, Michael D. Morrison sits down with April Glavine, founder of Sum Good, a Canadian company pioneering fruit-first electrolyte shots and freezies made with pressed fruit and a potassium-forward formula.

Named one of the Top 100 Women with Natural Products Canada, Rising Star of the Year 2022, and a 2024 EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, April also took Sum Good onto CBC’s Dragons’ Den where she secured a deal to help scale the brand nationally.

April shares the hard lessons from almost going bankrupt with her first CPG company and how she used those scars to build a stronger, data-backed brand with Sum Good. From market validation and packaging strategy to clinical research and investor pitches, this conversation is packed with real-world insights for any founder trying to grow without burning out.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

• Turn a near-bankruptcy experience into a blueprint for your next successful business
• Use market validation to test flavors, pricing, packaging, and messaging before you over-invest in inventory and design
• Prioritize cash flow and sales velocity instead of chasing perfect margins too early
• Think differently about electrolytes and hydration – including why Sum Good focuses on high potassium and low sodium for cognitive function and muscle repair
• Translate academic or clinical research into simple claims your customers actually understand
• Prepare for high-stakes pitches like Dragons’ Den, VC meetings, or bank presentations – and what investors are really looking for in the founder
• Apply global business management thinking so you don’t assume what works in one market will automatically work in another
• Build the right “informal” team around you as a solo founder – co-packers, brokers, creatives, and mentors who’ve both won and failed in your industry

Whether you’re in food and beverage, consumer packaged goods, or any kind of product-based business, you’ll walk away with practical ideas to slow down, think smarter, and build something that can stand the test of time.

Ranked globally in the top 10% by ListenNotes, Small Business Pivots brings you real, honest conversations with entrepreneurs who’ve built something from nothing. My goal is simple: help you grow your business faster and avoid the mistakes that keep small business owners stuck.

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