The Small Business Safari
Have you ever sat there and wondered "What am I doing here stuck in the concrete zoo of the corporate world?" Are you itching to get out? Chris Lalomia and his co-host Alan Wyatt traverse the jungle of entrepreneurship. Together they share their stories and help you explore the wild world of SCALING your business. With many years of owning their own small businesses, they love to give insight to the aspiring entrepreneur. So, are you ready to make the jump?
Episodes
281 episodes
Comfortable In The Gray | Lisa Tilt
What does it really take to build a business that lasts 20 years—and not hate it by the end?Summary: Lisa Tilt, founder of Full Tilt Consulting, joins us to break down what it actually takes to build a long-term business...
What Is A Lead | Dominic Carubba
If your team can’t answer “what is a lead?” the same way, your CRM doesn’t stand a chance.Summary: We kick things off with real shop talk from the field, then get straight to the hidden issue wrecking most CRMs: unclear defini...
Credit Is The Foundation | Gerri Detweiler
What if your credit is the one thing quietly limiting how fast your business can grow?Summary: Gerri Detweiler, credit expert and education advocate at Nav, breaks down why credit is one of the most misunderstood—and most importan...
The Virtual Factory | Tino Go
What if custom cabinets could be priced, designed, and built faster—without the usual headaches?Summary: Tino Go, founder of Hello Baru, joins the Safari to break down why the custom cabinet industry still runs on slow, outdat...
Death To Voicemail | Alfredo Salkeld
TITLE: Death to Voicemail |Alfredo SalkeldWhat if every missed call in your business was a lost customer?Summary: Voicemail is where small business leads go to die. In this episode, we talk with Alfredo Salkel...
What Running A Business Teaches You About Running A State | Brad Raffensperger
What happens when an engineer and small business owner steps into public office—and decides to run for governor?Summary: Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger joins us to share how his background as an engineer ...
Curiosity Makes You A Stronger Leader | Tyler Chisholm
What if the biggest leadership mistake is talking too much instead of asking better questions?Summary: In this episode of The Small Business Safari, we sit down with Tyler Chisholm, marketing agency founder, po...
No You Cannot Deduct Your Cat | Melissa Kennebrew
TITLE: No You Cannot Deduct Your Cat | Melissa KennebrewWhat if the problem isn’t your taxes—but the system you’re using to manage money?Summary: Melissa Kennebrew of MBK Financials joins the Safari to bre...
Life Happens For Me Not To Me | Dr. Joseph Drolshagen
Why do so many small business owners hit a revenue ceiling—even when the opportunities keep growing?Summary: In this episode of The Small Business Safari, we sit down with Dr. Joseph Drolshagen to unpack the hi...
What Happens When Local Capital Meets Local Know-How | Steve Beecham & Bob Koncerak
What does it take to launch a brand-new community bank in today’s world of mega-banks and endless bureaucracy?SummaryIn this episode of The Small Business Safari, we sit down with Steve Beecham and Bob Koncerak, the ...
Align the Promise with the Experience: Fixing Revenue Leaks | Chelsey Reynolds
If your marketing makes promises your operations can’t keep, growth will always stall.Summary: Chelsey Reynolds joins us to break down how real growth happens when marketing, sales, and customer success operate as one aligned ...
What If Your Business Could See What Customers See, Instantly? | James Hatfield
What if your team could see exactly what your customer sees—without an app—and turn that video into a tight estimate, clean documentation, and a five-star review?Summary: James Hatfield, blue-collar founder and former KK...
He Walked Away From Radio To Sell Insurance And Build A Life He Owns | Jerry Payne
What happens when a longtime radio producer steps out from behind the mic and into the sales arena? Jerry Payne is betting his next chapter on mentorship, licensing, and disciplined execution.Summary:We put longtime prod...
What If Your Product Isn’t The Problem—Your Offer Is | John (JD) Dwyer
What if your growth problem isn’t your marketing—or your product—but the offer itself?Summary:John “JD” Dwyer, founder of The Institute of Wow, joins us to reveal how challenger brands out perform bigger competitors by e...
From Door-Kicking To Strategy: Running A Profitable Handyman Business | Chris & Alan
What happens when you stop kicking doors and start building a business that actually moves upward?Summary: In this episode of The Small Business Safari, Chris and Alan push past a door-kicking moment ...
From Welding To Wireless: A Family’s Exit Strategy | Jim Tracy
What does it take to go from the factory floor to the boardroom—and still keep your values intact? In this episode, we trade war stories with Jim Tracy, tracing his journey from welder to Wireless Hall of Fame leader. Jim shares how ...
Pick The Right Marketing Agency, Not The Cheapest | Andy Seeley
What happens when a business stops guessing on marketing and starts treating growth like a system? One gymnastics gym went from stalled growth to multi-million-dollar revenue—and the playbook applies to any small business. Andy Seeley tel...
From Distributor To Barber To Manufacturer: Eric Malka Shares The Playbook | Eric Malka
What does it really take to turn a scrappy New York storefront into a globally recognized luxury brand—and then exit it on your terms? Eric Malka breaks it all down.Summary Eric Malka shares the real story behind building a pr...
From Service to Skilled Trades: Creating Real Jobs for Veterans | Marty Strong
🎧 The Small Business SafariTitle: From Service to Skilled Trades: Creating Real Jobs for Veterans Too many veterans leave the military with discipline and grit—but no clear civilian pathway. Marty Strong is fixin...
From Bank Teller To CEO: Building Teams That Thrive | Courtney De Ronde
🎧 The Small Business Safari PodcastTitle: From Bank Teller to CEO: Building Teams That Thrive What if clarity—not hustle—was the real growth lever in your business?Summary: We unpack how ...
If Jobs Don’t Want Your Experience, Lead With Your Mission | John Tarnoff
Stop waiting to “feel ready.” Here’s the hard truth: confidence comes last. If layoffs, ageism, or career ghosting have knocked you sideways, this conversation with career transition coach John Tarnoff offers a practical way f...
Wicked Smart Real Estate, No Banks Required | Chris Prefontaine
What happens when an investor swears off banks, personal guarantees, and risky one-and-done deals? Chris Prefontaine rebuilt from the 2008 crash by creating a bank-free model that produces cash now, cash monthly, and cash at exit.Summ...
From Engineer To Award-Winning Remodeler | Rob Stephenson
What happens when you lose everything in 2008—and still choose to pay everyone back? Rob Stephenson rebuilt not just a business, but a reputation that now wins national NARI COTY awards.Summary:Rob Stephenson, founder of
She Left Wall Street, Built A Brand, And Found Freedom In Small Business | Jessica Dennehy
What happens when a regulatory attorney trades Wall Street stress for barber-chair swagger? Jessica shows how instinct, culture, and system design built a luxury grooming brand that outlasted the copycats.Summary:Jessica, f...
AI Tools That Help Small Businesses Excel | Dennis Jackson & Benny Carreon
What happens when small businesses stop fearing AI—and start using it to remove friction, boost margins, and strengthen customer trust?Summary:We trade fear for facts and show how real small businesses put AI to work withou...