The Small Business School Podcast

Why Connection Will Be Your Most Valuable Business Currency in 2026

In this episode of Small Business School, Staci is diving into a major shift she sees coming for entrepreneurs as we head into 2026. With AI making information instantly accessible, what really matters now isn’t what you know — it’s how you serve, connect, and give people their time back. This episode is all about rethinking value, letting go of burnout culture, and building businesses that feel good for both you and your customers.Key topics covered:Why information is no longer the differentiator and what actually isHow AI is changing buying behavior and raising the bar for service providersThe growing importance of solving the “time gap” for your customersWhy connection, customer experience, and thought leadership can’t be replacedWhat it means to build a business that supports your health and your clients as we move into 2026As we move into 2026, the businesses that will thrive aren’t the ones chasing more information or louder marketing, but the ones that lead with connection, thoughtful service, and real human impact. Staci's Links:Instagram. Website.

How Story, Alignment & Authenticity Drive Business Growth with Lianne Cawley

Welcome back to Small Business School! In today’s episode, Staci sits down with award-winning brand strategist Lianne Cawley, founder of Chapter 35, to unpack what branding really means in today’s business landscape. From building a brand that drives trust and longevity to navigating growth, motherhood, and a life-changing health diagnosis, this conversation goes far beyond logos and colour palettes. If you’ve ever wondered how to create a brand that actually connects and evolves with you — this episode is for you.Key topics covered:Why great branding isn’t about aesthetics alone and how story, values, and alignment create long-term customer loyaltyHow Lianne grew her branding studio from a solo venture to a collaborative team, and why leadership evolves with business growthThe difference between visibility and longevity and why brands with attention don’t always lastHow a brand audit can uncover misalignment between your intentions and how your business is actually experiencedWhy authenticity matters more than ever in the age of AI and how to use technology without losing the human side of your brandThis episode is a powerful reminder that branding is about more than how your business looks, it’s about how it feels, connects, and evolves. Connect with Lianne:Instagram: @chapter35.ca @liannecharleneWebsite: www.chapter35.caStaci's Links:Instagram. Website.

Why Power Partners and Affiliates are Failing Most Businesses

In today’s episode, Staci delivers a bold but timely perspective on one of the most overused pieces of business advice heading into 2026: “Find power partners.” While partnerships are often positioned as the solution to social media burnout and slow growth, Staci explains why power partners and affiliates are failing most businesses and what needs to come first.This episode breaks down the hard truth about leverage, clout, and momentum, and offers a refreshing, grounded approach to building relationships that actually lead to referrals, visibility, and long-term growth.Key topics covered:Why power partnerships don’t create clout, they only leverage what already existsThe real difference between affiliates and power partners (and why both often disappoint)What leverage actually means in business and why effort alone doesn’t countWhy most cold pitches for partnerships quietly fail before they startHow strong relationships outperform paid referrals every timeWhat successful power partners exchange instead of moneyWhy partnerships reward momentum — they never replace itPower partnerships aren’t the shortcut to growth. They are the reward for momentum you’ve already built. Focus on becoming valuable, reliable, and useful first, and the right partnerships will follow naturally.Staci's Links:Instagram. Website.

Podcast Guesting That Actually Grows Your Business (and What Hosts Really Want) with Kristina Bartold

Welcome back to Small Business School! In today’s joint episode, Staci Millard and Kristina Bartold (Co-founder of The Social Snippet, and Community Podcast Host) pull back the curtain on what truly makes a great podcast guest — and how podcast guesting can be a powerful strategy for visibility, authority, and business growth when done well.Recorded in Ottawa during a High Five Women gathering, this candid conversation dives into what podcast hosts look for, why most pitches miss the mark, and how business owners can stop chasing podcast appearances and start using guesting intentionally to build real relationships, credibility, and ROI.If you’ve ever said, “I want to be on more podcasts,” but weren’t sure how to turn that into actual opportunities, this episode is for you.Key topics covered:Why saying “I want to be on more podcasts” isn’t a strategy and what to say insteadWhat podcast hosts actually look for when choosing guestsHow unclear messaging can hurt your credibility as a guestWhy warm introductions outperform cold pitching every timeThe biggest mistakes guests make after an episode goes liveWhether paying to be on podcasts is ever worth itHow to position yourself as a thought leader instead of a commodityWhat turns a good guest into someone hosts eagerly refer again and againPodcast guesting isn’t about being everywhere. It’s about being in the right rooms, with the right message, serving the right audience. When done with clarity and intention, one great podcast appearance can open more doors than a hundred cold pitches.Connect with Kristina:Instagram: @kristina.bartold Website: https://www.thesocialsnippet.com/Community Podcast: https://communitypodcast.buzzsprout.com/Staci's Links:Instagram. Website.

The Real Power of Podcasting for Business Owners with Kristina Bartold

Welcome back to Small Business School! In today’s episode, Staci sits down with podcast strategist Kristina Bartold, co-founder of The Social Snippet, to talk about why podcasting keeps coming up in every business room and how to actually make it work for your business.From ROI and authority to guests, funnels, and monetization myths, this episode pulls back the curtain on what podcasting really looks like behind the scenes. If you’ve ever wondered whether a podcast is worth the time, this conversation will help you decide strategically, not emotionally.Key topics covered:Why podcasting can outperform social media for trust, longevity, and authorityThe biggest mistake business owners make when choosing podcast guestsHow podcasts quietly become one of the strongest networking tools in businessWhat a profitable podcast funnel actually looks like (and when ads matter)Why small, loyal audiences often outperform “big name” celebrity guestsPodcasting isn’t about chasing charts or celebrity guests. It’s about clarity, consistency, and serving the right audience. When done intentionally, a podcast becomes a long-term business asset that builds trust, relationships, and opportunity over time.Connect with Kristina:Instagram: @kristina.bartold Website: https://www.thesocialsnippet.com/Community Podcast: https://communitypodcast.buzzsprout.com/Mentioned in Episode:Mini Mic - https://amzn.to/4iIjFBJStaci's Links:Instagram. Website.