5 Podcasts Every Small Business Owner Should Listen To
A few years ago, I'd only dreamed of owning my own business, and sometimes I still can't believe that I get to be my own boss! I love everything from having the flexibility of setting my own schedule, to being able to take intermittent walks around the block with my family, to being able to work with my sweet, sweet clients. However, making the switch from a 9-5 to working from home has had its growing pains. Specifically, I've needed to both learn discipline in ways I didn't know I would and how to find new, refreshing ways to grow my business all on my own! If you're in the same boat or just looking for a productive way to kill time or multi-task, here are 5 podcasts that I've been plowing through lately that have been inspiring and refreshing!
This podcast is part of Donald Miller's new company, "Story Brand." Miller is a master story teller and has written books like A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, Searching for God Knows What, Scary Close, and, most notably, Blue Like Jazz. He has built his career on storytelling, and "Story Brand" is no different. In this podcast, Miller discusses practical tips on how to both clarify your message and how to grow your business by using the 2,000 year-old proven formula of storytelling itself. If you are frustrated with getting the word out about your business or just figuring out who your audience is, this podcast is for you! Miller also shares insight from guests like Dave Ramsey and Michael Hyatt to name a couple, and his perspective on storytelling merged with marketing is truly unique!
Hosted by Guy Raz of NPR, "How I Built This" chronicles the unique stories of some of the world's most well-known companies and brands. Some of Raz's guests include Cathy Hughes, founder of Radio One; Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, co-founders of Instagram; and Gary Erickson, owner of Clif Bar. Each episode focuses on a different storied business and is truly inspirational! If you ever find yourself frustrated with how small your business feels or that you just don't have what it takes, this podcast is a warm reminder that every business starts small. Seriously, give it a listen. You won't be disappointed!
Pat Flynn is arguably the most prominent voice in the online business industry, and his podcast is an extension of his blog with the same name in which he literally shares all of his tips and secrets on how to create passive income streams. For years now, Flynn has supported his family both while making a six figure salary and working only a few hours a week, and his passion is to share his story with anyone who will listen. Seriously, if you're someone that's struggling to figure out how to balance life and work, which we all are, listen to this ASAP! Flynn is incredibly relatable and does an amazing job giving feasible and practical advice for all his listeners.
Hosted by Kathleen Shannon and Emily Thompson, this podcast is full of life, spunk and down-to-earth business advice. Specifically catered towards creative entrepreneurs, they offer a wide range of content - that range from awesome interviews, to personal stories, to practical business strategies. This podcast will feel like home for the creative soul. I consistently feel understood when listening to these two lovely ladies, and appreciate their realness and willingness to get vulnerable about the struggles and hardships that come along with forging your own path. They also have a Facebook group for their listeners to engage with a like-minded community and get instant feedback. If you're a rebel, artistic soul like me you should definitely give this one a listen!
Grace Bonney, the founder of Design*Sponge, and all-around creative goddess, would naturally, host one of the best podcasts to hit the internet. In between curating amazing content for her blog, and publishing super inspiring books, she somehow manages to drop business savvy on her listeners on the regular. I have no idea how she does it, but I'm glad she does. She hosts a plethora of talent on her show, nitty-gritty interviews, thought-provoking stories, and of course intensely sensible business expertise. It's interesting, inspiring and incredibly helpful. You won't regret spending all day going through the archives.
That's all for now, so go check out these podcasts and let me know what you think! I also welcome any and all other suggestions!
What are your favorite podcasts?
