The Business Behind Small Business
Most small businesses don't fail because of a bad idea. They fail because of what happens behind the scenes — the operations no one explained, the finances that quietly got out of hand, the marketing that never connected, and the moments where the wrong decision at the wrong time cost everything. The Business Behind Small Business exists for that gap.
Each episode, host Sevana Stone breaks down one piece of what it actually takes to run a small business — from pricing and packaging to contracts, payroll, cash flow, government contracting, and knowing when to bring in outside help. Every episode opens with a story from business history: a real company, a real founder, a real lesson that maps directly to what small business owners face today. Then a local business owner or subject-matter expert joins the conversation as a co-host — not as an interview subject, but as an equal at the table.
This is a small business education podcast for owners who are tired of surface-level advice. If you're running a company in the DMV — or anywhere — and you want to understand the real mechanics of staying in business, growing profitably, and not learning the expensive lessons twice, this show is for you. New episodes publish twice monthly. The BBSB Roundtable brings the conversation to a small, invite-only group of local owners every month. Mind the business behind your business. Proudly sponsored by the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.
Episodes
90 episodes
Unlocking the Secrets of Pricing Psychology
89. This episode delves into the psychology of pricing, exploring how businesses can confidently adjust their pricing strategies without losing clients. It discusses the emotional aspects of pricing, the importance of aligning pricing with perc...
Why, When and How to Re-brand Your Business
88. Is it time to re-brand your business? How do you know? Today, this episode covers the why, when, and how to re-brand your business!************************Our podcast is originally a video podcast, so see us on YouTube or ...
How To Create Service Packages
87. Creating service packages for your small business may be one of the hardest things to do! Sevana and Tiffany tackle how you create service packages in today's episode and how to convey your value to your clients!************************...
The Everything Business Episode
86. How does the demise of DEI affect small business? What to do if you are a government contractor in 2025? How to know what profit margins should you have? How much does your payroll really cost you? Today, Sevana and Tiffany talk a little bi...
Tariffs and the Impact On Your Small Business
85. We recorded this episode just before inauguration where tariffs were a mere speculation, little did we know that so quickly thereafter, it is now a reality. In today's episode, we talk about the real-life impact that tariffs can have on you...
Power vs. Status in Business
84. Sevana and Tiffany explores the differences in how men and women approach power and status in business. There is a very fine balance between being competent and likable, how your power and status is impacted of cultural influences, and the ...
2024 Elections and the Potential Effects On Your Business
#83. Trump. Harris. Harris. Trump. How does their plans impact you as a small business owner? That's the center of today's episode - breaking down the main parts of each candidate's plans for taxes and the economy so you can make the vote that ...
Defining Your Customer Experience
#82. Alfred Peet changed the way Americans experienced coffee, paving the way for his first shop in Berkley, California. But he didn't only define the customer experience for his own stores, he also helped 3 co-founders learn how to brew co...
How to Build Your Business Credit
#81. Find out about how Duns & Bradstreet came about and learn how to build your business credit score on today's episode with Sevana and Tiffany. Topics in today's episode includes:
Building Your Referral Village
#80. Inspired by the viral rise of Sabeer Bhatia and Jack Smith, founders of Hotmail. Sevana and Tiffany talk about how to build a referral village to grow a business. <...
Turning Your Business Into A Family Business
#79. Starting with the story of today's spotlight entrepreneur Franklin Clarence Mars, founder of the chocolate candy company Mars Incorporated, Sevana and Tiffany talk about the complicated dynamics of doi...
How To Grow From Owner-Operator To Owner-CEO
#78. What happens when your business outgrows YOU? in today's episode, Sevana and Tiffany take on business lessons from the story of Martin Eberhard, American inventor, engineer and entrepreneur who co-founded Tesla, Inc. (...
When Too Much Business Makes For Bad Business
#77. When too much growth in a business spirals out of control ... in today's episode, Sevana and Tiffany take on business lessons from the story of Barry Minkow, owner of ZZZZ Best Carpet Cleaning and share with you how to...
Outsourcing Mistakes That Could Cost You Your Business
#76. What can you learn from someone else’s mistake? Today, Sevana and Tiffany shake things up a bit by starting with the fascinating story of a well known entrepreneur who was conned by her closest advisors and how you can avoid the mistakes s...
Two Amazing Business People from History (Who May Surprise You!)
#75. Sevana and Tiffany share two successful business people from history who aren't given much spotlight but amazing in their own rights nonetheless and worth showcasing in today's episode. These super successful business people have i...
Finding the BEST customers for your business - what they look like, where to find them, and how to keep them around!
74. One of the keys to having a successful business that you can enjoy is by working with your BEST customers as much as possible, but how do you find them? Well, today Sevana and Tiffany chat about how to identify what your best customer looks...
How to Hire Right (the First Time!)
73. Are you new to hiring or have been doing it for some time but it always seems to be a miss? In today's episode, Sevana and Tiffany go over what you need to have in place at your company BEFORE you hire so you have a greater success of h...
The True Cost of Hiring Employee (that no one talks about!)
#72. Feeling anxious about hiring your first employee? Sevana and Tiffany got you covered with one aspect of hiring that many business owners mis-step which not anticipating the TRUE COST of employees. Sevana and Tiffany break it all down in to...
Tax Tips for Tax Time! Small Business Tax Advice To Get You AHEAD of Your Next Tax Return.
#71. Feeling the heat of tax filing before the deadlines? Then today's episode is for you! Sevana and Tiffany dive into small business tax topics with Helaine Weissman and Lori Roberts of PB Mares, two CPAs...
Sole Proprietor, LLC, S Corp, C Corp - What You Should Be and When
#70. In today's episode, a reply of a popular past episode of when Sevana and Tiffany talk about Sole Proprietorship, S-Corp, C-Corp, and what you should be and when. Famous Example - Hulk Hogan and Gawker Media Rihanna and Fenty Video...
The CTA is here! Does it affect your small business and what should you do?
#69. The Corporate Transparency Act is actively affecting businesses in 2024, so does it affect yours? If so, what do you do about it? Sevana and Tiffany break it all down in today's episode! **Sorry for the poor sound qu...
How to work ON your business, not IN it! (Part 1 of 2)
#68. Let's kick off the new year thinking about how to work ON your business rather than IN it. **Due to a technical hiccup, we will be airing part 2 of this episode on Jan 15th.** *******************...
*Holiday Special* Podcast Past, Podcast Present, and Podcast Future!
#67. Welcome to this year's holiday special where we talk about past episode, where it all began, how we are ending season 3 and what exciting new things you can look forward to in season 4! Recommedations:
How to Fire Your Toxic Customers
#66. Firing customers is a necessary part of being a business owner, but how do you identify a toxic client and how do you fire them, if the relationship really cannot be saved? Sevana and Tiffany break down the answers to these questions and m...
