What if the riskiest part of your business was just saying what it is out loud? Katie Diasti didn’t plan to start a company about periods – especially not one she’d pitch to rooms full of confused, uncomfortable investors. But when a college class project opened her eyes to just how outdated and wasteful the period care aisle was, she couldn’t unsee it. That spark turned into Viv, a sustainable, stigma-smashing brand that’s changing how people learn about and experience their periods. Host Andre...
Jul 01, 2025•31 min•Season 6Ep. 81
What if the real barrier to your success isn’t risk but uncertainty? Dr. Matt Rutherford, John de Pope Chair in Entrepreneurship at Oklahoma State University, joins host Andrea Marquez to redefine risk for founders and show you how to make every risk you take more manageable. You’ll get to hear the six types of entrepreneurial risk, learn why distinguishing risk from uncertainty is crucial, and discover how pinpointing the risks you face can actually tilt the odds in your favor. By the end of th...
Jun 24, 2025•26 min•Season 6Ep. 80
What happens when your viral moment finally comes — and you’re not ready for it? Aliett Buttleman, co-founder of Fazit, only had 300 TikTok followers when she said her goal was to get Taylor Swift to wear her product. And she made it happen. But that moment wasn’t luck. It was the result of two scrappy founders, a small but strategically allocated budget, and years of rejection, pivots, and TikTok experiments. Host Andrea Marquez unpacks the strategy behind how Aliett made a viral celebrity mome...
Jun 17, 2025•31 min•Season 6Ep. 79
What were you doing when you were 12? Blake Shook, the founder of Desert Creek Honey, was wrangling swarms of bees and selling honey – all before middle school let out. What began as a childhood hobby sparked a decades-long entrepreneurial journey that led to the creation of a multi-million honey empire with over 120 employees. But before reaching that level of success, Blake lost his entire bee population – just as he was deciding whether to go to college – and had to choose whether to walk awa...
Jun 10, 2025•28 min•Season 6Ep. 78
What if your business took off before you were ready? No team. No investors. Just a homemade product and a sudden wave of demand. That’s exactly what happened to Adria Marshall, founder of Ecoslay. When her flaxseed hair gel went viral overnight, she had to decide: shut it down or take the risk and build something bigger. Host Andrea Marquez unpacks how Adria scaled her side hustle into a purpose-driven brand, why staying small was her boldest move, and how she learned to embrace risk despite be...
Jun 03, 2025•25 min•Season 6Ep. 77
When Partake Foods founder Denise Woodard’s daughter had a life-threatening allergic reaction, everything changed. That moment inspired Denise to launch an allergy-friendly snack company that’s now worth millions and serves thousands of families across the U.S. But starting a food business from scratch with no baking experience and no outside funding meant taking one bold risk after another. Host Andrea Marquez talks with Denise about her transition from corporate executive to entrepreneur, how ...
May 27, 2025•30 min•Season 6Ep. 76
What do you do when your glasses don’t fit well – and the eyewear industry doesn’t see the problem? For best friends Tracy Green and Nancey Harris, co-founders of Vontélle Eyewear, the answer was bold: start their own company. In the season six premiere of This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez kicks off her personal mission to become more of a risk-taker so she could eventually start her own business by learning from two women who embraced the curveballs that life threw at them and came ou...
May 20, 2025•29 min•Season 6Ep. 75
What if your customers could become your best marketers? In this minisode of Small Business Bytes on This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez dives into the power of user-generated content (UGC) and why UGC is a game-changer for businesses of all sizes. You’ll learn how UGC builds trust, loyalty, and engagement with your audience, discover simple ways to encourage your customers to create content, and get actionable tips to use UGC effectively. Whether you’re a brand that's just getting start...
May 06, 2025•6 min•Ep. 5
Your pitch is more than just words – it’s your first impression, your story, and your chance to stand out. But how do you pack all that into just 60 seconds or less? In this minisode of Small Business Bytes on This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez walks you through how to craft an elevator pitch that grabs attention, tells a compelling story, and leaves people wanting more. Whether you’re pitching to a potential customer, investor, or partner, you’ll walk away with actionable steps to make...
Apr 29, 2025•8 min•Ep. 4
People don’t just buy products – they buy stories. So how do you tell yours in a way that sticks, connects, and builds loyalty? In this minisode of Small Business Bytes on This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez explains how you can write a brand story that does more than just sell – it builds a loyal customer base. You’ll learn how to craft your story, why embracing your struggles can make your brand more relatable and inspiring, and how to weave your customers into your story so they see t...
Apr 22, 2025•8 min•Ep. 3
Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. It’s the voice that whispers, ‘Just one more tweak,’ while your competitors are already out there, learning and growing. In this minisode of Small Business Bytes on This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez dives into why waiting for perfection can sabotage your success – and what you can do to break free and start making progress. Hear from past guests like Mayra Luz Colón, founder of Healthy Rican, who built a thriving business by learning from her mis...
Apr 15, 2025•10 min•Ep. 2
Discover how your deeper purpose can be a practical tool for long-term planning and overcoming challenges. In the first minisode of Small Business Bytes on This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez dives into the #1 thing every business needs to work on to be able to thrive: your why. Get inspired from past guests like Sean Brownlee of Ravenox, who built his business to create jobs, and Teri Johnson of Harlem Candle Company, whose passion for Harlem’s history shaped her unique brand. Whether y...
Apr 08, 2025•5 min•Ep. 1
What’s the boldest risk you’ve ever taken? For entrepreneurs, risk is the heart of the journey. In our newest season of This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez takes you behind the scenes with founders who’ve turned "maybe one day" into "let’s do this!" Join Andrea as she digs into the stories of fearless entrepreneurs who’ve made life-changing decisions and bet everything on their dreams. From nail-biting moments of uncertainty to those breakthrough successes, Andrea’s on a mission to uncov...
Apr 01, 2025•3 min
In the season finale of This is Small Business: Behind the Buy, we follow Derek Tillotson, founder of Haven Tents, and his journey from world traveler to entrepreneur. His game-changing hammock blends the comfort of a bed with the freedom of camping. What started as a family adventure evolved into a crowdfunding success! You can watch Haven Tent's episode on the Buy it Now show titled: The Panel Find Their Haven in the Woods. Tune in and get inspired by the real stories behind the entrepreneurs ...
Dec 12, 2024•21 min•Ep. 13
Meet Kerry Cooke and her daughter Kat, the founders of Spleash—a multi-functional dog leash holder that hydrates, cools, and cleans your pet on the go. Kerry and Kat share the emotional journey behind their product, born from a need to care for their own dogs during tough times. They reveal the challenges they faced, from sketching the first design to overcoming manufacturing hurdles, and how they finally made it onto the Buy It Now show. You can watch Spleash's episode on the Buy it Now show ti...
Dec 12, 2024•17 min•Ep. 12
Tiffany Gil, the CEO and inventor behind Shezza Socks, creates foam-padded socks designed to prevent blisters. Tiffany's journey to entrepreneurship started as a high schooler struggling with painful blisters from new shoes. After years of refining her idea and overcoming challenges—like securing funding by winning a cross-country lawnmower race—Tiffany's product went viral on TikTok. This led Tiffany to pitch her brand on the Buy It Now show, where she impressed a panel of judges, including Jam...
Dec 12, 2024•19 min•Ep. 11
Meet Khadijah Robinson, the founder and CEO of Aqua Waterproof Headwear, a line of waterproof turbans and head wraps. Khadijah's journey began with a personal challenge: trying to protect her hair extensions while snorkelling on vacation. Frustrated by the lack of suitable products, she created her own solution—waterproof headwear that is both stylish and functional! Khadijah faced numerous setbacks, from struggling to find the right fabric to losing money when her first manufacturer went bankru...
Dec 12, 2024•20 min•Ep. 10
Jaime Salcedo, the founder of Painless Picasso, a numbing cream designed to alleviate pain during tattooing, piercing, waxing, and laser treatments shares his entrepreneurial story. From his beginnings as a tattoo artist to creating a product that challenges the norm in the beauty industry, Jaime shares the highs and lows of building a business from the ground up. Despite freezing up during his pitch on Buy It Now and facing tough questions from the judges, Jaime's authenticity and passion for h...
Dec 12, 2024•17 min•Ep. 9
Meet Debra Mastic, the founder of Fluff Trough, a pet feeder designed to enhance mealtime comfort for our furry friends. Debra shares her heartfelt journey, inspired by her beloved pug, Porkchop, who struggled during mealtime. From the challenges of launching a business to overcoming personal obstacles, including a cancer diagnosis, Debra’s story is one of resilience and innovation. Discover how she transformed her passion for pets into a thriving product that’s making a difference for animals e...
Dec 05, 2024•18 min•Ep. 8
Meet Anissa Pfeifer, the CEO and inventor of the Whiskee Straw, a unique straw with a whisk at the bottom designed to mix drinks like smoothies and coffee. Anissa shares the emotional journey behind creating her product, from the early struggles of running a small boutique to the breakthrough moment when she invented the Whiskee Straw. With her business on the brink of failure, Anissa finds new hope after being invited to pitch her product on the Buy It Now show. After overcoming nerves and deli...
Nov 28, 2024•19 min•Ep. 7
Meet Chris Osse, the founder of Armbie, a unique dual-arm support sling designed for comfort during long flights. Chris shares his journey from engineer to entrepreneur, revealing the challenges and triumphs he faced while bringing his innovative product to market. Join us as we explore the passion behind Armbie, the lessons learned along the way, and the pivotal moment that led Chris to pitch his product on the Prime Video show, "Buy It Now.” In this episode, you’ll discover: (03:10) Chris disc...
Nov 21, 2024•17 min•Ep. 6
Kayla Castañeda, founder of Agua Bonita, brings a refreshing twist to the traditional Mexican drink, aguas frescas, blending heritage and innovation in every sip. With a rich personal story rooted in her family's heritage, Kayla's mission is to share an elevated version of this beloved beverage. After navigating challenges like job loss during the pandemic and financial struggles, she successfully funded her startup through pitch competitions, culminating in a victory on Amazon Prime Video's Buy...
Nov 14, 2024•18 min•Ep. 5
From a chaotic childhood to joining the military at 17, this entrepreneur discovered the therapeutic power of science and gamified it. In this special Veteran's Day episode of This is Small Business, John Coveyou, founder and CEO of Genius Games, a science-based board game company that has sold over half a million units worldwide, shares his journey. He discusses how military principles shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and led him to create engaging educational games. John shares the pivotal m...
Nov 11, 2024•13 min
Matthew Tesvich, the CEO of Skunk Skin turned his personal battle with stinky feet into a thriving business with his innovative odorless socks. Hear about his experience on "Buy It Now," where he impressed judges like Jamie Siminoff, and learn the key lessons he gathered on entrepreneurship, marketing, and overcoming challenges. You can watch Skunk Skin's episode on the Buy it Now show titled: Lions and Ducks and Skunks, Oh My! Tune in and get inspired by the real stories behind the entrepreneur...
Nov 07, 2024•19 min•Ep. 4
Meet Keith Lorren, a.k.a. The Spice King on Buy It Now. With his aromatic cooking seasonings, he swooned a panel of industry judges, complete with a live cooking demo and an original song. We delve into how his vibrant personality and unique approach won him a spot in the Buy It Now store and a $20,000 prize. Tune in for an inspiring story of perseverance and creativity that might just ignite your own entrepreneurial dreams. You can watch The Spice King's episode on the Buy it Now show titled: T...
Oct 31, 2024•16 min•Ep. 3
“Stumble, stumble forward.” That’s the key advice of Scott and Paige Putnam, founders of Swat n Scoop, and winners of Prime Video's Buy It Now. This father-daughter entrepreneurial duo share the origins of their innovative product, which began with a scream— the kind every parent knows all too well. With a blend of humour and heart, they discuss the challenges of creating a humane bug-catching product. Scott describes the evolution of their idea from a father’s determination to save the day with...
Oct 31, 2024•20 min•Ep. 2
A tragedy near-miss turned this healthcare professional into an entrepreneur. Her toddler was crying, but no sound was coming out: a clear sign of choking for any medical professional. Felicia Jackson's nightmare scenario inspired a product that is literally saving lives: CPR Wrap. Host, Andrea Marquez explores the backstory and journey of Felicia’s invention, what led her to audition to Buy it Now, and how that experience (and the $20,000 cash prize) will take her business to new heights. While...
Oct 31, 2024•24 min•Ep. 1
A behind-the-scenes look into Emmy Award-nominated entrepreneurship show "Start Up" on PBS. Gary Bredow and Jenny Feterovich explore the power of storytelling in entrepreneurship and the journey that led them to creating their successful show Start Up. Gary reflects on his childhood experiences that ignited his entrepreneurial spirit, while Jenny shares her journey from the Soviet Union to becoming a successful storyteller and business owner. They discuss how Start Up has evolved to inspire othe...
Oct 29, 2024•20 min•Season 5Ep. 76
Are you an entrepreneur looking to turn your big idea into a successful business? Welcome to "This is Small Business: Behind the Buy", the official companion podcast to the Buy it Now show from Amazon Prime Video. Hosted by Andrea Marquez from This is Small Business, and featuring Jamie Siminoff, creator of Ring, this special season of TISB dives deep into the world of Buy it Now and the entrepreneurs who are building their businesses one pitch at a time. Every Thursday, we follow up with the wi...
Oct 24, 2024•3 min0
Can you still start a business if you’ve got no space or time to create, store, and pack your products at home? Just ask Marilyn Yang, the Co-Founder and CEO of Popadelics, who managed to do just that by starting her business remotely using third party logistics. She shares the ins and outs of outsourcing your operations as a startup, some of the early risks she had to take to make it work, and the benefits and challenges that might come your way. In this episode, you’ll learn: (01:05) How Maril...
Oct 22, 2024•12 min•Season 5Ep. 75
