In this episode we hear Jason Feifer, host of Problem Solvers, share how he handled an angry customer’s email. Behind the Review host Emily digs into how responding to online reviews in a public forum is different, but the approach of engaging customers online is impactful. A recent survey commissioned by Yelp found that responding to reviews increases trust in a business and 87% of consumers say they look past critical reviews when a business responds. Listen to learn the best way. Learn more a...
Feb 02, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 95
In this episode, Emily Washcovick, Yelp’s Small Business Expert, takes a look at the whys and hows of reviewing from the reviewer’s perspective. Some of the best advice comes not from business owners, but the customers themselves. Behind the Reviewers Ali Schwartz: https://linktr.ee/alischwar Meserole Sound: https://www.meserolesound.nyc/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 26, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 94
Class-goers at Chrome Cycle Studio in California get a tough spin workout. But they keep coming back thanks to the welcoming culture. Ninette opened Chrome Cycle after years of working as a lawyer in the corporate world. Spin kept her going during a difficult time in her life, so she is passionate about providing well-run classes for her customers today. With a team of instructors who focus on personalized experiences, Chrome Cycle has built a community of loyal customers. Chrome Cycle Studio Al...
Jan 19, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 93
Boite de Fleurs in Phoenix, Arizona, is the perfect example of why small businesses are so important to communities. Business owner Tina keeps the same passion for her work and level of commitment to customer service as she did five years ago when she started the flower shop in her garage. In this episode, hear how Tina overcame the pandemic hitting right as she opened her store and how she uses social media to draw in her clientele. Boite de Fleurs Ali Schwartz Meserole Sound Learn more about y...
Dec 15, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 92
Chef Jason Helfer runs his family restaurant, Peasant Village, much the way his father did, and his father, and his father before him. In fact, at least one member of the Helfer family has been in the food business for hundreds of years, and those traditional family recipes anchor a unique, upscale dining experience in San Angelo, Texas. They’ve also created an employee culture that shines through in the elevated customer service they provide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...
Dec 08, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 91
Cate Luzio spent two decades as a corporate banker—in 2018, she pivoted. With the goal of supporting women in their career journeys, Cate founded Luminary, a NYC-based professional networking space. Emily chats with Cate about her experience self-funding Luminary and how the community-centered business weathered the pandemic. Then, Luminary member and fellowship winner Gwen Beloti speaks to the close-knit community’s benefits. Listen in to learn how you can expand your business and network. Lear...
Dec 01, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 90
Ash Cordona never thought he’d own a donut shop, after years in trucking and transportation, but when an opportunity to buy Donutopia fell into their laps, he and his wife Sophea jumped at the chance to own a small business. They’ve turned it into one of the most popular donut shops in San Angelo, Texas. Donutopia Ali Schwartz Meserole Sound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Nov 17, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 89
Technology can be a tricky thing for a small business. Used correctly, it can increase revenue and streamline operations. But bad technology can be devastating to the customer experience and a business’s bottom line. Jeremy Julian, host of the Restaurant Tech Guys podcast, says technology should always serve a purpose, be adaptable, and increase the ease of your customer experience, even if the tech isn’t customer facing. Restaurant Technology Guys Ali Schwartz Meserole Sound Learn more about yo...
Nov 10, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 88
Brandon Gardner has a long history in customer service, so it made perfect sense to use that expertise when he bought SoCo Taphouse in San Angelo, Texas in 2015. With a combination of knowledgeable staff, a warm and friendly atmosphere, and incredible craft beers, SoCo Taphouse has become a home away from home for regulars like reviewer Josh. Yelp’s Small Business expert Emily Washcovick chatted with them both about how SoCo made itself “The Cheers of Beers.” SoCo Taphouse Ali Schwartz Meserole ...
Oct 20, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 87
We know that digital presence is a critical part of business strategy, but how can business owners and marketing managers ensure that their plans are effective? In this episode, Emily is joined by the director of market insights at SOCi, Damian Rollison. SOCi is a data-driven platform that empowers brands to scale their presence across local search and social media—listen in as the two discuss how you can leverage engagement to improve your online presence and simplify multi-location operations....
Oct 13, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 86
Business owner Kristin Near knows that patience is a virtue. At Botanica Skin and Brow Studio in Albuquerque, new staff members are trained throughout an internship that can last months. Brand awareness builds with incremental growth rather than large campaigns. Kristin’s successful strategy has sparked stellar customer referrals and online reviews, keeping Botanica in business for eight years and counting. Botanica Skin & Brow Studio Ali Schwartz Meserole Sound Learn more about your ad choi...
Oct 06, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 85
Online reviews—positive and negative—can reveal a wealth of benefits for your small business. With the right review response strategy in place, you can capitalize on your customer feedback to make lasting, positive changes. In this episode, hear from several business owners about how they use online reviews to strengthen their business practices, boost morale, and encourage customers to return again and again. Ali Schwartz Meserole Sound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...
Sep 15, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 84
For most business owners, your business is you—and you are your business. With identities intertwined in business plans and goals, setting boundaries between your work and personal life is a challenge. In this episode, Emily is joined again by Yauss and Sascha of the Texas craft bakery Skull and Cakebones, to take a deep dive into their mental health journeys and how it has impacted their business, and provide some tips for how to ensure you’re bringing your best, healthiest self to work. Skull ...
Sep 08, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 83
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 01, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 82
Combining his passions for dogs and art, Josh White has created a unique dog grooming salon that keeps customers coming back. Dogue in West Hollywood does standard grooming, but also uses color to make dogs look extra snazzy. Most importantly, customers trust the experienced staff to go above and beyond, from expert grooming to teaching proper at home upkeep. With its welcoming environment, humans and dogs alike have been known to treat Dogue as a second home. Dogue Spa Ali Schwartz Meserole Sou...
Aug 25, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 81
From the physical environment to interactions with employees, the Uncommon Closet experience is intentionally inclusive. Business-owner Korri has created a tailoring shop that is welcoming to all. That element has been built in since day one and the shop grew quickly within just a few years. With that growth came challenges, but the emphasis on creating a positive and gender-affirming customer experience has remained throughout the business’s evolution. Uncommon Closet Ali Schwartz Meserole Soun...
Aug 18, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 80
Starbright Floral Design provides a high quality product and top notch customer service to all of their clients. In this episode, hear from owner Nic Faitos on how nearly 30 years into his business he’s still having fun and finding unique and creative ways to work with clients and celebrate flowers. Customer Ali joins the conversation to share what sets Starbright apart from other floral shops and how Nic’s team goes the extra mile to make customers feel like family. Starbright Floral Design Ali...
Aug 11, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 79
Sometimes picking just one thing and doing it well can turn around an entire business. Tres Lecheria Bakery in Seattle makes one thing, tres leches cakes, albeit in a number of varieties. After pivoting from an assortment of baked goods to just the most popular, Kevin Moulder’s business took off in some unexpected directions, and he hasn’t looked back since. Tres Lecheria Ali Schwartz Meserole Sound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Aug 04, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 78
Owners Yauss and Sascha of Skull & Cakebones have made their bakery a haven for all kinds of people by paying attention to ingredients and being true to themselves. In addition to being vegan, their products are all delicious and nut allergy-friendly, and their staff is knowledgeable on product ingredients to help guide customers toward safe-for-them foods. They’ve also baked their own personal experiences and beliefs into their small business, creating a safe space in their community. Skull...
Jul 28, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 77
Robbins Brothers prioritizes a long-term relationship with their customers. The staff always aims to connect individuals with their dream piece by providing a welcoming environment, but the Robbins Brothers experience goes well into the future, including follow up interactions and annual cleanings. Tune in to hear Kevin’s engagement ring shopping experience and how general manager Charlotte helps foster a positive environment within the intimidating realm of jewelry shopping. Robbins Brothers (S...
Jul 21, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 76
This week, small business expert Emily Washcovick sits down with Yelp social media manager Lara Betthauser for some frank talk about using your social media pages effectively, and how to get over the scary idea of video content by using existing resources — your employees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 14, 2022•17 min•Season 1Ep. 75
Keith Zeiler knows a thing or two about pet nutrition, and wanted to share that knowledge with his community, so he opened Paws on Chicon, a boutique pet store that focuses on your furry friend first. Through a well-educated staff and a careful selection of products, he’s grown his business and added a second location that is almost a carbon-copy of the first, keeping things consistent and helping pet owners find the best food and treats for their dogs and cats. Paws on Chicon Ali Schwartz Meser...
Jul 07, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 74
Farm Ale Brewing stays true to the history of their old schoolhouse, while brewing exceptionally good beer. But they’re keeping things small and local to insure the highest quality ingredients, while supporting other local businesses in the area, and hiring employees for their potential, not necessarily their experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 30, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 73
Have you seen the “Yelp Elite” badge on profiles on Yelp or encountered community managers in your city, but felt unsure about what their roles are in the business community? Emily sits down with Gabi and Aimee—two Yelp employees who got their start as community managers—to discuss the importance of community and explain the inner workings of local Yelper networks. Give it a listen to understand how community managers and Elites work together to support small businesses across the country. Learn...
Jun 23, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 72
Nola Bliss Massage Therapy starts making its clients more comfortable before they walk in the door with user-friendly online booking. Once they’re inside, the client-forward service continues with personalized service, and a staff that reflects the diverse New Orleans neighborhood. Tune in to hear what keeps reviewer Swati coming back, and how owner Sara has scaled from her solo operation to over 20 massage therapists. Nola Bliss Massage Ali Schwartz Meserole Sound Learn more about your ad choic...
Jun 16, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 71
If a picture is worth a thousand words, how valuable a video must be! The amount of online videos consumers are watching has doubled since 2018—to address this striking trend, Emily is joined by Yelp’s San Diego community manager, Anne, to chat about Anne’s success in creating video content for social media. Anne shares actionable tips, including how to get that perfect shot and the benefits of scheduling apps, to help you level up your content. Yelp San Diego Instagram Ali Schwartz Meserole Sou...
Jun 09, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 70
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 02, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 69
A Mediterranean oasis in the middle of the Arizona desert, CALA offers its patrons seasonally-inspired dishes with a carefully curated selection of wines and cocktails to accompany them. This business recently opened but has already made an impact with its quality cuisine, customer communication and exceptional service. Hear from general manager, Robert Meir, and learn about how he is building the team he credits with being ambassadors for the restaurant’s values. CALA Ali Schwartz Meserole Soun...
May 26, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 68
For many entrepreneurs and business owners, it might seem impossible to balance the demands of the business with your own mental health needs and personal wellbeing. In fact, it’s often positioned as admirable and selfless to put your own needs aside in exchange for starting or running a business. It’s time to move away from that narrative. Tune in for advice on prioritizing your wellness and directly impacting your bottom line and online reputation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...
May 19, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 67
Becoming a go-to spot isn’t luck—it takes consistency and a memorable experience. From the owners’ daily incense-burning to custom orders and spot on delivery service, Juicy Leaf does just that. In this episode, hear Felix and Felipe’s divide and conquer strategy that has made their boutique plant company a leader in the LA scene, and the challenges they’ve faced along the way. Reviewer Emily shares what sets The Juicy Leaf apart and why she’ll never shop anywhere else for client gifts. The Juic...
May 12, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 66
