Welcome back to Counselingish —aka free business couples therapy with Chrissy, Ryan, and their bestie/pastor Lee McDerment. Expect plenty of laughs, a few “uh-oh” moments, and the kind of questions only your best friend would dare to ask.
Corey and Baylee Simpson went from small-town roots to launching multiple businesses including their newest one: a mobile coffee shop in a vintage camper—now evolving into a soon-to-open brick-and-mortar café, currently mid-renovation, with bold expansion plans ahead. In this episode, we explore how their personal journeys led them to offer only gluten-free products, their strategy behind limited-edition merch drops, and the teamwork that makes it all possible. They’re opening this business with...
On this interview episode, Ryan puts Chrissy in the hot seat to answer some surprise questions that lead to some deep business insights. We're talking second location, closing down, changing the business model, and more. Tune in to this quick episode to hear more about the ins and outs of this couple running a business together! Subscribe to our newsletter.
In this very unserious episode, Chrissy interviews Ryan and asks all the juicy questions about what it’s really like to run a business as a married couple—including a few gems from Ryan’s days as a child businessman. From honest truths to wild pipe dreams, you’ll get a candid peek behind the curtain—plus Ryan’s hot take on whether every couple should work together. Don’t miss this lighthearted yet insightful look into their business and marriage dynamic. Sign up for our newsletter....
In this solo episode, Chrissy shares 4 practical tips to help you fight less when running a business with your spouse—based on real-life arguments she and Ryan have had while building Mountain Goat together. Learn from their experience, laugh a little, and walk away with tools to protect both your business and your marriage. It’s a quick, easy listen with plenty of honest insight. Got your own tips? Send them our way! Subscribe to our newsletter...
Meet Lauren and Brandon Alpert, actors who fell in love and, just three weeks later, embarked on an international theater tour. Their global adventure sparked a passion for craft cocktails, inspiring them to launch Yes Cocktail Co. to bring restaurant-quality mixers to homes across the U.S. From their start at a farmers market to nationwide shipping, their step-by-step journey showcases the grit and perseverance honed by their acting backgrounds. Aspiring entrepreneurs and couples in business wi...
Join Chrissy for a solo episode sharing proven strategies for balancing parenthood and business ownership during the busy summer months. She offers practical, actionable advice and key mindset shifts to ensure you, your family, and your team are set up for success. Tune in to learn how to manage the demands of summer while keeping your business on track. Learn more and subscribe to our newsletter!
In this episode, Chrissy and Ryan sit down for a heartfelt chat with Georgia and Grace, Mountain Goat’s Operations Manager and Assistant Manager. The duo shares memories from their hiring process, insights into the vibrant staff culture that’s kept them both with the company for over 2.5 years, and plenty of behind-the-scenes laughs. Perfect for listeners curious about Mountain Goat’s inner workings or seeking practical tips to create a workplace where staff thrive. Sign up for our newsletter!...
In this episode, Chrissy sits down with Faith Hanan—copywriter and SEO strategist—to talk about why ignoring SEO is a mistake you can't afford to make. Faith breaks down the basics of SEO in a way that's simple, practical, and actually fun. You'll walk away with actionable tips to help Google work for you, not against you. If you're a business owner ready to strengthen your online presence and set yourself up for long-term success, this episode is a must-listen. Work with Faith Sign up for our n...
Brandon and Emily Wiseman founded Fit Mom Method to support busy moms not just in losing weight, but in transforming their mindset. In this episode, Chrissy and Ryan sit down with the couple to talk about their early relationship (they met at the gym—how fitting!), how they navigate business decisions together, the evolution of their business, and what drives their passion for helping women thrive. Fit Mom Method Fit Mom Instagram: @fitmom.method Sign up for Business Partner Partners Newsletter!...
In this episode, Chrissy and Ryan recap the Inaugural Golden Goat Awards—a staff celebration where employees dressed in cocktail attire and received actual GOAT trophies tailored to their unique qualities. While they touch on the logistics of planning the event, the heart of the episode is about sparking ideas to celebrate and appreciate your team, no matter the size. As a small business owner—whether you’re solo or working with your spouse—finding creative ways to show your team they matter is ...
Leaving your business—whether it’s for a day, a week, or a month—can feel overwhelming. How do you step away without everything falling apart? In this episode, Chrissy walks through key questions to ask yourself before heading out of town or taking a much-needed mental health break. Taking time off has huge benefits, but the stress of preparing to leave can sometimes feel heavier than the break itself. Chrissy shares why it’s always worth it—and how stepping away can actually reveal important ga...
In this episode, Chrissy sits down with Caroline Hull, founder of Wild Home Podcasting, to talk all things small business and podcasting. Caroline is a podcast strategist who helps women coaches and consultants grow their businesses through strategic podcasting. She shares her unexpected journey from ballerina to podcasting pro (trust us—you’ll want to hear it), how to define your goals and measure success, and why podcasting can be such a powerful tool for building community. We also dive into ...
In this episode, Chrissy and Ryan chat with Nicolle and Zack Long of Agency Long — a married duo helping fashion brands and boutiques scale their e-commerce businesses. They share their rom-com-worthy love story, the early days of entrepreneurship, and how they found their niche by blending strategy, intuition, and creativity. Nicolle and Zack have created a beautiful balance between business and life that’s both inspiring and relatable, whether you’re a couple starting a business or an entrepre...
In this episode, Chrissy sits down with Leah Lawson, Founder and CEO of The Rock It! Co.—a full-service marketing and events company based in Greenville, SC. This conversation feels like a laid-back brainstorming session with a friend who’s overflowing with business wisdom and happy to share it. No matter where you are in your business journey, you’ll walk away with valuable insights—whether it’s email marketing or finding non social media marketing strategies that actually work! Leah also share...
The best low cost marketing resource? Emails. In this episode, Chrissy shares her experience with emails (albeit very imperfect) and breaks down how to figure out your goals for sending emails. From nailing the hook to adding a personal touch, Chrissy covers why pictures matter more than words, how to keep your tone consistent (without getting stale), and why your sign-off matters. Tune in to tune up your email strategy (see what I did there!?).
Chrissy and Ryan get real about the tough stuff—when business goals don’t pan out and expectations fall flat. They dive into why confidence is key to avoiding the comparison trap, how shifting from the big picture to the small picture can help you reset, and why learning to move on quickly is a game-changer. Plus, they'll discuss how they received a reminder from their children about the best way to have good perspective on their perceived shortcomings. Tune in for practical tips on moving on an...
In this episode, Chrissy sits down to recap the top tips, insights, and lessons they've gathered from interviewing entrepreneurial couples over the past year and a half. Whether you're already in business with your partner or considering it, this quick, insightful episode will help you navigate common challenges, avoid pitfalls, and set yourselves up for success—no matter how the business itself turns out.
Join Chrissy for a quick but insightful chat about the big (and little) changes in how they’re managing money at Mountain Goat this year. She shares some eye-opening (and slightly embarrassing) financial habits, details on Mountain Goat’s switch to a new accounting system, and a bold move from a paid service to a free one—stay tuned to see if it’s worth it... If you’ve been thinking about reworking your budget, this episode will get your wheels turning. Tune in now! Links! Profit First Keynote V...
Running a business can be rocky at times, with extreme highs and lows all in a single day, (maybe even within an hour)! In this episode, Chrissy sits down with Kathryn Short, co-owner and co-founder of Reedy River Counseling and a Licensed Professional Counselor, to discuss the mental and physical toll of entrepreneurship. They explore practical strategies for managing stress, the impact of nutrition on focus, mood, and productivity, and how to build a lifestyle that supports long-term well-bein...
Join Chrissy for a quick episode on how Mountain Goat keeps content simple and manageable and keeps people coming in the door for more coffee, beer, and waffles! With so much happening behind the scenes, they needed a calendar that made sense without adding extra work. Chrissy shares how dividing social media tasks among the team helps and the best way to keep everyone on the same page. If you want to stay on top of content without overcomplicating it, this episode is for you!
If you think running a shutter business sounds boring, Adam and Kristin are here to prove you so wrong. These two started out building and selling barn doors, but when shutters stole the show, they went all in—and haven’t looked back. In this episode, they share their wisdom on trial and error, team building, and making bold business moves by jumping in quickly and figuring it out later. No matter what kind of business you run, you’ll find golden nuggets of wisdom you can apply right away- both ...
AI in Small Business: Hype or Help? Ryan breaks down the basics of artificial intelligence in a quick "AI for Dummies" lesson, making it easy to understand if you haven’t kept up. Then, Chrissy and Ryan dive into how AI is impacting their coffee and waffle business. While robots won’t be making lattes at Mountain Goat anytime soon, they share how they’re using AI now, future possibilities, and practical tips for incorporating AI into your own business. If you’re unsure where to start with the AI...
It’s not that serious—but even after 6.5 years of running a business, tough learning moments still happen. In this storytelling episode, Chrissy shares a challenging day at Mountain Goat when she had to face the chaos with her team. As a couple running a coffee and waffle shop, they know every day brings unique lessons and opportunities to grow—both together and independently, and Ryan was actually taking care of their children on this very day! Tune in to laugh at the mess-ups, learn from the m...
In this episode, Chrissy chats with Marco Suarez, one of the three owners of Methodical Coffee, Greenville, SC based Roaster and Coffee Shop about what it’s really like to open a second, third and (almost!) 4th brick-and-mortar location. Marco shares how they figured out it was the right time to expand, the financial and market factors that went into the decision, and whether it was all part of a plan or just a great opportunity that came along. They also talk about the vibe of each location, ho...
Ever wonder what makes a business tick behind the scenes? Join Chrissy and Ryan as they spill the beans on this episode all about 2024—sharing the top-selling items, the email subject line that made customers click, and other insider secrets you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re looking for actionable tips to boost your own business or just curious to peek behind the curtain of ours, this is your chance to lean in, listen, and learn! Website: www.partnerpartners.net Insta: @businesspartne...
Chrissy sits down with Rick Bryson, Creative Director at Cargo, a full-service marketing agency in Greenville, SC, to explore the essentials of branding. This episode pairs perfectly with our discussion on marketing (see Ep. 59 with Jeremy Elrod) since branding and marketing are often confused—but they’re not the same! Rick offers invaluable advice for anyone building a brand, considering a rebrand, or looking to strategically expand an established brand. A must-listen for business owners who ca...
In this solo episode, Chrissy discusses what she loved in 2024 and that made her year better in all the different categories. This is a fun, quick listen to get some suggestions for your personal & business life and to get to know a little bit more about what inspires her! Come be friends with Chrissy! website: www.partnerpartners.net insta: @businesspartnerpartners
Chrissy sits down with Jeremy Elrod, Owner and Business Coach of The Candid Entrepreneur, Owner and Idealist at Ideal Scenario, and co- founder of Common Pops to chat all things marketing. Jeremy's career path has given him a wide and deep marketing education which you'll quickly find by listening to this episode and taking in all of the tangible marketing tips and mindset shifts he has to offer. Chrissy and Jeremy discuss everything from how AI is affecting marketing to how we should really try...
The first episode of this kind: an interview with a couple who each run their own business, but share an office, ideas, and their family! Chrissy and Ryan sit down with Suzie Bunn and Steven Bunn to discuss everything from how to communicate with each other when you're each growing a new business, the ways they help each other out through brainstorming, growing, and holding each other accountable, and their goals and dreams for their businesses. This is a true power couple that has so much wisdo...
