Our first "Biz Bites" episode explores the critical concept of translating your in-store consumer experience into a compelling online presence. Creating connections with your customers in-person is crucial, but the next step is to leverage online listings, review sites, and social media to reflect your uniqueness and attract new customers. By responding to reviews and showing up online, you build trust. This digital consistency ensures you make a lasting impression and attract future customers. ...
Oct 17, 2023•13 min
Two years ago, Behind the Review featured Angela Shen and her longstanding food tour business, Savor Seattle. Since then, Angela sold Savor Seattle and started a new tour business, Savor the Wild, this time focused on novel food experiences in the wild, such as oyster shucking and mushroom foraging. Hear from Angela on what inspired her decision to leave behind her successful first venture and start again from scratch. Savor the Wild Tours More about the episode Theme Music by Ali Schwartz and M...
Oct 12, 2023•43 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Kei Concepts CEO Viet Nguyen takes the inspiration for his restaurant group from an unusual source — 14th century Italian banking dynasty Medici family — to build his own dynasty of eight restaurants, with more on the way, in Orange County. While the different restaurants are all separate concepts with their own menus, the consistency in service and experience can be felt across the brand. Customer Sabrina has dined at multiple concepts in the group and shares what really makes them special. Kei...
Oct 05, 2023•43 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Stellar customer service is the core of every successful business. But the journey to get there is not always the easiest. How do you balance the resources, time, and methods to ensure that your employees are going above and beyond to provide customers with what they need? In this episode of Behind the Review, Jeff Toister, a service culture guide, shares his tips on teaching employees how to offer a service that keeps customers coming back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...
Sep 28, 2023•32 min•Season 2Ep. 21
As the owner and solo employee at Trickery, a magic & comedy show in Chicago, Aaron Rabkin wears many hats — and not just ones with rabbits inside. To keep the show fresh and maintain his energy, Aaron adopts the motto “less is more,” creating intimate shows for audiences of up to 35 people. Hear from one of these attendees, reviewer Jackie M., about her experience at the show and from Aaron about how his hard work has achieved Trickery a perfect record of 5-star reviews, including Jackie’s....
Sep 21, 2023•24 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Implementing feedback from all the reviews you receive as a business owner can be an overwhelming task but don’t make the mistake of overlooking their importance. In this episode of Behind the Review, Alok Ahuja, founder of Trexity, shares how he utilizes constructive criticism to guide the direction of his business. Even after finding success as a CEO, the voices of his customers is something he’ll never let go unheard. Trexity More about the episode Theme Music by Ali Schwartz and Meserole Sou...
Aug 31, 2023•37 min•Season 2Ep. 19
From reaching out after one of his clients misses a class, to providing an affordable one week trial for new clients, Ambitious Athletics makes connecting with clients their top priority. Ambitious Athletics strives to provide clients the tools they need to reach their goals, using a more personal approach for each individual. Hear from owner Carmen Sturniolo on how he makes sure he creates a safe and friendly environment for his clients; he’s joined by Steven C, a satisfied customer. Learn more...
Aug 24, 2023•27 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Emily chats with Spencer Horsman & Nicole Bailey, creators of an intimate magic experience that was ranked #2 in Arts & Entertainment on Yelp + Entrepreneur Media's first ever Top 150 Mom & Pop Shops list. Discover their captivating journey, engaging tricks on and off the stage, and how a personal touch creates memorable experiences. Delve into the role of reviews in shaping their success, and what clients like Derick Y think of the show. Illusions Bar & Theater More about the ep...
Aug 17, 2023•29 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Wade Dickinson has been passionate about engraving since he was a young adult. He opened his business Heirloom Engravers and started taking on various clients, from large scale companies to individual projects. In this episode, Wade talks about his personal business philosophy and how he has learned to utilize online forums for communicating with his clients despite his initial reservations. He’s joined by Sarah R., a reviewer who made a pivotal recommendation for the business. Heirloom Engraver...
Aug 10, 2023•24 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Sandra’s Next Generation, a soul food restaurant in New Haven, is #56 on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the US in 2023. It’s not just the great food, like the famous fried chicken or rasta pasta, that makes Sandra’s a go-to place for good eating for more than 34 years. It’s the purposeful positive vibes that Sandra and her husband Miguel share with employees and diners alike that keeps people coming back for seconds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Aug 03, 2023•30 min•Season 2Ep. 15
When customers write reviews on Yelp, they help others find great local businesses and provide business owners with valuable constructive feedback. Their words matter more than they might know. This week, Yelp’s Small Business Expert Emily Washcovick is joined by Community Manager Bailey Dixon to share how customers can write impactful reviews that help their communities—both consumers and businesses—build positive experiences. More about the episode Theme Music by Ali Schwartz and Meserole Soun...
Jul 27, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 14
This week, Yelp Small Business Expert Emily Washcovick sits down with three of the inaugural Yelp Luminary Fellows, female entrepreneurs who have built businesses from the ground up. They talk about the particular difficulties — and benefits — of owning a small business as a woman, how to listen to clients and reviewers, and how to know when to let go of portions of your business so that other opportunities can shine. More about the episode Theme Music by Ali Schwartz and Meserole Sound Learn mo...
Jul 20, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 13
While building Starbright Floral Design, owner Nic Faitos has asked himself a lot of questions over the almost 30 years in business, but the biggest one to him is just two words: “Why not?” Emily sat down with Nic in New York City inside the floral studio to talk about how that simple question has helped him grow the company from a small floral delivery service to a business that today serves clients like Horizon Media and Netflix. Starbright Floral Design More about the episode Theme Music by A...
Jul 13, 2023•40 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Located in Queens, NY, Aigner Chocolates has been serving chocolate treats and sweets for 93 years. When Rachel Kellner bought the longstanding chocolate shop with her husband, she brought values from a previous career in social work, prioritizing community service on both a small and large scale. In this live episode, hear from owner Rachel and Yelp Queens Community Manager Samantha B. about the importance of community and family to the business and how that has contributed to their success. Ai...
Jun 29, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Mexican Mom, Gina, started her restaurant from her home, canning sauces, catering to different events, and cooking for those around her. She touches people with her home cooked meals made with love and takes suggestions from her customers for new menu items. In this episode, Gina & her husband Jaime talk about the origins of their restaurant, their relationship with their customers, and their use of fresh ingredients. They’re joined by number one fan – Brett N. Mexican Mom More about the epi...
Jun 22, 2023•27 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Earth & Me owner Kayli Kunkel brought her mission of sustainability to New York City, creating the first zero-waste store in Queens. The store encourages customers to be environmentally conscious with refill stations for reusable items in sustainable containers. And partnering with eco-friendly brands. Hear Kayli and Yelp Elite reviewer Lina A. chat together about what sustainability means to them, and how this woman owned business is bettering the community by educating one customer at a ti...
Jun 15, 2023•27 min•Season 2Ep. 9
A powerful social media presence helped build MF Strong, a personal training business, from a one-woman operation to a network of professional trainers. But now that it has gone from virtual and on location training to a proper brick and mortar training studio, owner Miriam Fried knew she needed additional support to grow her business, and set about creating her own Yelp business page with the help of Yelp’s Small Business Expert, Emily Washcovick. MF Strong More about the episode Theme Music by...
Jun 08, 2023•26 min•Season 2Ep. 8
In a pandemic, Chef Dave Dreyfus wanted to make people feel better, so he started making cookies. His friend Mo Sahoo saw an opportunity for a business and together they built Best Damn Cookies, a bakery in New York where every cookie has a unique story to tell. In this episode, Dave & Mo talk about building a business from scratch, hiring the right people, & learning how to say yes to collaboration & no to the right opportunity at the wrong time. They’re joined by consumer and frien...
Jun 01, 2023•44 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Social media strategy can seem daunting to small business owners, or like just another task that takes attention away from increasing revenue. In this episode of Behind the Review, Crystal Vilkaitis, owner of Crystal Media, says social media cannot be ignored by small businesses. She uses her expertise in the ever-changing landscape of social media strategy to help local retailers harness the power of social media for increased sales, exposure, and brand recognition. Crystal Media Rooted in Reta...
May 11, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 6
There’s a coffee house on just about every corner in America now, so it can be hard to stand out among the crowds. That’s not a problem for Cream + Sugar in Cincinnati. Between the warm and welcoming atmosphere and the simple but delicious menu, owner Taren Kinebrew keeps people in her community coming back for more. Cream + Sugar Coffeehouse More about the episode Theme Music by - Ali Schwartz and Meserole Sound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
May 04, 2023•40 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Around 15 miles away from Disneyland, Sunbliss Cafe echoes the bright happy energy of the theme park. With an Instagrammable interior and colorful dishes, Sunbliss has become a popular destination for smoothie bowls, coffee drinks, and avocado toast. Hear from owner Tani Ahmed how she brought her creativity to Sunbliss’s menu and fostered a sunny spirit in her team members to make all customers, including reviewer Alyssa Mae L., feel welcomed and valued. Sunbliss Cafe More about the episode Them...
Apr 27, 2023•25 min•Season 2Ep. 4
As Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur magazine and author of Build for Tomorrow, Jason Feifer knows a lot about change. According to him, change is inevitable in any business, whether it’s a small bakery or a Fortune 500 company. How you adapt to that change is the key to turning that change into a success story. This week, he sat down with Yelp’s Small Business Expert Emily Washcovick to talk change strategy, learning to ask questions, and creating an identity outside of your business. Learn more ...
Apr 20, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 13, 2023•32 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Located in a strip mall in Oahu, Hawaii, Adela’s Country Eatery has grown a name for itself beyond its small takeout counter, winning the #5 spot on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat. Founded with a mission of sustainability, Adela’s integrates locally grown Hawaiian produce into its colorful noodle dishes. Hear from co-owner Millie Chan and her daughter Elizabeth Chan how they make everyone feel like family by giving customers a behind-the-scenes look into the noodle-making process. Learn more about...
Apr 06, 2023•23 min•Season 2Ep. 1
A sneak preview of Season Two of Behind the Review. The first episode drops on April 6! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 30, 2023•3 min
Emily takes a walk down memory lane as Behind the Review celebrates 100 episodes of small business experience, talking about everything from review response to great customer service, to hiring and firing employees. It’s all in anticipation of Season Two of the podcast, launching in early April 2023. Behind the Review Ali Schwartz Meserole Sound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Mar 09, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 100
Growing up, Dogpatch Games owner Shannon Newton played board games as a way to connect with his busy family. Years later, Shannon created Dogpatch Games, a board game store, to connect members of the San Francisco community during the pandemic. In this episode, hear how Shannon used customer service and event planning to turn Dogpatch Games into a community staple — and more than a board game store. You’ll also hear what made it memorable and review worthy for customer Jenny. Dogpatch Games Ali ...
Mar 02, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 99
Small business owners know that they put their heart and soul into their businesses, but how much of their own personality should shine through? In some cases, all of who you are as a person and a business owner can make your product or service more meaningful to your customers. This week’s podcast takes a closer look at how using authenticity in person and online can build a bigger and stronger business. Ali Schwartz Meserole Sound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Feb 23, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 98
Reputation is important for any business, and especially so when selling through an online platform only. Since customers can’t enter your storefront and meet you in person, they rely on things like online reviews to make sure the seller is legitimate and has good quality merchandise. In this episode Emily sits down with her life partner and owner of Top 10 Collectibles to dig into how you can create connections with your customers virtually and put a personal touch on things to show you care. T...
Feb 16, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 97
First, build—then, expand. Most small business owners dream that their business will become successful enough for them to open another location; that dream came true for Candle Pour owners Misty and Dennis Akers. The Tampa, Florida couple kicked off their expansion plans months before the COVID-19 pandemic, which was just the first of a slew of unexpected obstacles. Listen in to learn how you can plan for challenges as you pursue your expansion goals. The Candle Pour Previous Episodes : Making S...
Feb 09, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 96
