Making Good: Small Business Podcast - podcast cover

Making Good: Small Business Podcast

Lauren Tildenmakinggoodpodcast.com

Want to make money, do something you love, AND make the world a better place? You're in the right place. Making Good is the podcast for small business owners who want to make a big impact. This podcast is about two things: building a strong small business, and using it as a tool for good. We cover topics like marketing, business philanthropy, finding community, doing purpose-driven work, mindset - and everything in between. If you have (or want) a small business and life that make a difference, this podcast is for you. I'm your host, Lauren Tilden, ex-corporate marketer turned maker and shop owner. I'm so glad you're here.

Episodes

The Secrets of Creating an Unforgettable Brand with Drewe and Kate

Branding isn’t just about a pretty logo—it’s about telling a story, creating an experience, and making a real connection. In this episode, I sit down with Drewe & Kate , the creative duo behind Drewe & Kate Branding Co. , a boutique studio specializing in brand identity, website design, and brand photography. Drewe & Kate share their journey from editorial design and wedding photography to running a thriving business that helps small brands stand out with strategic, beautifully cohes...

Mar 06, 202559 min

The 3-Part Marketing Strategy Every Business Needs

Marketing doesn’t have to be complicated—it just needs a clear strategy . In this episode, I break down the 3 essential jobs of marketing that every business needs to focus on: getting visible, building relationships, and making sales. Plus, I’m sharing an exciting new resource to help you make marketing simple, sustainable, and effective. Let’s dive in! JOIN THE LAUNCHPAD https://makinggoodpodcast.com/launchpad MAKING GOOD SHOW NOTES: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/286 CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGR...

Feb 25, 20256 min

'The Personal MBA' [Making Good Book Club]

If you want a crash course in business without the six-figure MBA price tag, this episode is for you! In this Making Good Book Club episode, we dive into The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman—a powerful guide that distills essential business principles into one book. Charelle and I discuss the five key areas of every business, how to overcome barriers to purchase, 4 ways to increase revenue, and more. MAKING GOOD SHOW NOTES: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/285 CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM: https://inst...

Feb 19, 202552 min

The Friendship Desert + Navigating Loneliness with Author Kat Vellos

Do you struggle with making or holding onto friendships as an adult and small business owner? Kat Vellos, author of We Should Get Together , joins Making Good to discuss the challenges and solutions around making and keeping friendships in adulthood. From her own experience with the "mid-thirties friendship desert" to research on the loneliness epidemic, Kat sheds light on how adults can approach friendship with curiosity, intentionality, and courage. Kat talks us through common obstac...

Feb 11, 202551 min

I Spent a Month in Europe with My Family (How, Why, All the Deets!)

I took my business (and my family!) on the road for a month in Spain and Portugal, and wow—what an experience. In this episode, I share what we did, what I learned, and why this trip shifted everything for me. If you’ve ever dreamed of a more adventurous, intentionally designed life, tune in! MAKING GOOD SHOW NOTES: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/283 CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/laurentilden GET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!): https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts...

Feb 04, 202518 min

The ROI of Kindness with Tara May

My guest today has spent her career driving innovation and leading with kindness. Tara is the CEO of Aspiritech, a leading QA testing company that provides meaningful employment opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum. In this episode, we discuss neurodiversity & why it matters in today's workplace, how Aspiritech provides meaningful employment for autistic individuals, the business and cultural benefits of leading with kindness, practical ways to create a more inclusive wo...

Jan 29, 202543 min

The Beginner's Guide to Launching

All the training, resources, templates, swipe files, content calendars AND MORE you need for an effective launch: check out Launch Week . In this episode of Making Good , I’m tackling one of my most important marketing skills: launching. Whether you’re releasing a new product, offering a service, or reintroducing something you’ve shared before, launches are a nearly magical way to create buzz, drive sales, and strengthen your connection with your audience. We’ll cover what launching means, why i...

Jan 22, 202520 min

Four Thousand Weeks (Making Good Book Club)

In this episode of Making Good Book Club, Charelle and I chat about Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. Spoiler alert: it’s not your typical productivity book. Instead of a list of time-saving hacks, Burkeman offers a radical reframe on how we think about time, productivity, and our short human lifespan (about 4,000 weeks on average). We discuss key takeaways, like why you’ll never clear your to-do list, the importance of embracing imperfection, and how hobbies (...

Jan 16, 202549 min

Building a Business That Fits Your Life with Valerie Feghali

In this episode, I chat with Valerie Feghali, the content creator and visionary behind Wellness Vault who has made some big shifts in her own business in order to design it. Valerie shares her unique five-step process to reverse-engineer a business, along with practical advice on finding and pivoting to a new ideal customer, marketing through ads, and balancing the life you want with the business you’re building. MAKING GOOD SHOW NOTES: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/279 CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAG...

Jan 15, 202539 min

Your 2025 Visibility Plan with Publicist Christina Lenkowski

Podcast publicity expert Christina Lenkowski joins me to share how podcast guesting can grow your business. We talk about why earned media builds trust, how to create a 2025 visibility plan, and her formula for writing pitches that land podcast guest spots. Full of actionable tips, this episode is a must-listen for business owners ready to increase their visibility and impact. MAKING GOOD SHOW NOTES: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/278 CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/laurentild...

Jan 07, 202555 min

10X is Easier Than 2x [Making Good Book Club]

This month’s Making Good Book Club explores 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. Lauren and Charelle share their takeaways on achieving exponential growth by focusing on fewer, high-impact strategies and embracing an abundance mindset. Tune in for insights on making big transformations in your small business without burning out. MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/277 CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/laurentilden GET 100 MARKETING PROM...

Jan 01, 202555 min

How Small Businesses Can Drive Social Change with Takema Robinson

In this episode, I talk with Takema Robinson, CEO of Converge, about how small businesses can create a big impact. From leveraging local business councils to aligning profits with purpose, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for entrepreneurs who want to make a difference. MAKING GOOD SHOW NOTES: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/276 CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/laurentilden GET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!): https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts...

Dec 31, 202437 min

Best Year Ever: A Step-by-Step Planning Guide for 2025

Quick note: Huge thanks to Making Good’s first ever sponsor, Brevo ! Brevo is offering a special deal for Making Good listeners. Click to learn more . Get ready to dream big and plan smart! In this workshop-style episode, I’ll guide you through creating a plan for 2025 that’s not just motivating—but achievable. From reflecting on 2024 to dreaming up your vision, breaking down quarterly goals, and sticking to your plan, this episode is your ultimate guide to making 2025 your best year yet. MAKING...

Dec 26, 202423 min

Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Year in Review

Quick note: Huge thanks to Making Good’s first ever sponsor, Brevo ! Brevo is offering a special deal for Making Good listeners. Click to learn more . This episode is your step-by-step guide to doing a powerful Year in Review. Reflect on what went well, what challenged you, and what you learned in 2024. This practice isn’t just about looking back—it’s a way to set a clear, intentional course for 2025. MAKING GOOD SHOW NOTES: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/274 CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM: https:/...

Dec 10, 202420 min

Growth, Equity + The Net Divide with Nakeia Drummond of NLD Strategic and She's Well Networked

For this episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Nakeia Drummond, social entrepreneur and founder of both She’s WELL Networked and NLD Strategic. Nakeia shares her inspiring journey of building an ecosystem that uplifts and empowers Black women business owners. From starting her own consulting firm, NLD Strategic, to founding She’s Well Networked and The Women Entrepreneur Leadership Lab (The WELL), Nakeia has dedicated herself to closing the equity gap for Black women entrepreneurs. We di...

Dec 03, 202452 min

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Email Marketing

Quick note: Huge thanks to Making Good’s first ever sponsor, Brevo ! You all know I’m a huge fan and advocate for email marketing. Brevo is a great place to start if you’re interested in doing better, more effective marketing by harnessing the power of email! Plus: Brevo is offering a special deal for Making Good listeners. Click to learn more . If you’re a small business owner, you’ve likely felt the frustration of battling social media algorithms to connect with your audience. Here’s the truth...

Nov 26, 202440 min

Marketing When You're Short on Time with Clementine Holman & Kryshla Salaris

Quick note: Huge thanks to Making Good’s first ever sponsor, Brevo ! You all know I’m a huge fan and advocate for email marketing. Brevo is a great place to start if you’re interested in doing better, more effective marketing by harnessing the power of email! Plus: Brevo is offering a special deal for Making Good listeners. Click to learn more . Ever feel like you're supposed to be EVERYWHERE with your marketing... but you can barely keep up with posting on one platform? 🙃 Today's con...

Nov 19, 20241 hr 8 min

Brag Better by Meredith Fineman [Making Good Book Club #36]

Brag Better by Meredith Fineman tackles the challenges and insights of self-promotion, especially for those who don’t feel comfortable “bragging.” Brag Better promises a guide to promoting yourself in a way that’s true to who you are—and though we felt some parts missed the mark for us as small business owners, as the book is in some ways geared more towards people with more traditional employment, we were able to translate her more corporate-employee-centered advice into useful tips for small b...

Nov 15, 202451 min

40+ experts on how to do better marketing in 15 minutes

🎟️ Get your free ticket here and listen before today's sessions expire. 15-Minute Marketing: The Summit is officially LIVE! 🎉 I’m hosting a free, totally virtual week-long event, and you’re invited. Here from 40+ marketing experts who can help you do better marketing... in just 15 minutes. Here's what’s in store each day: After Day 1, you’ll know how to create a magnetic, memorable brand. After Day 2, you'll have new strategies to get your brand SEEN. After Day 3, you’ll be able...

Nov 11, 20242 min

From Followers to Community, a Guide to Social Media Success with Kristina Bartold - Sorgota of The Social Snippet

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that today’s guest and I were set up on a friend date, and you get to hear it in this episode! My takeaway? When mutual business friends tell you you NEED to connect with someone, give it a try because at least in this case, my community was dead on. I had such a blast having this loose but insightful conversation with Kristina Bartold-Sorgota! Kristina is a Social Media Marketing coach and the founder of The Social Snippet, a social media and podcasting agenc...

Nov 05, 202451 min

From Trick, to Treat: Social Media Coach Jumer Adalin on Losing 45k Followers and Bouncing Back

Happy Halloween everyone! In celebration of my absolute favorite holiday, we’re airing a special bonus episode. I sat down with my friend, Jumer Adalin, to chat about a very spooky thing that happened to his business recently… Jumer is a social media marketing expert, who recently had his Instagram account hacked. Yikes! With 45,000 followers lost overnight, Jumer shares how he’s bouncing back, rebuilding his presence, and shifting his focus to help a broader range of online entrepreneurs. We di...

Oct 31, 202428 min

[An invitation] 15 minutes can change everything

So for the last couple of months behind the scenes in secret, I have been putting in a ton of work on something that I think will make a real difference in how you approach your marketing. Let me introduce you to 15 Minute Marketing the Summit. This summit is for anyone who's ever felt like marketing is overwhelming or impossible to keep up with. If you're tired of feeling like you're constantly behind on marketing, this is for you. Each session is just 15 minutes. No fluff, no ho...

Oct 29, 20246 min

Personal Experiences with OCD + Neurodiversity with Caitlin from Caitie Means Business

I’m so excited to bring you part two of my interview series with Caitlin of Caitie Means Business! If you haven’t listened to Part 1, definitely check it out at makinggoodpodcast.com/265. Today’s episode is very, very close to my heart. Caitlin and I talk about something personal that’s become a big part of both of our lives—OCD. While the topic might seem a little unrelated to business, our conversation will show how mental health can show up in all areas of life, including entrepreneurship. Ca...

Oct 24, 20241 hr 5 min

Digital Accessibility: What, Why + How with Caitlin from Caitie Means Business

Today, I’m joined by web designer Caitlin of Caitie Means Business, who specializes in creating websites that not only look great but are also digitally accessible. We dive into the world of digital accessibility, discussing what it even is, and why it’s crucial for businesses to ensure their websites and content are easy to use for as many people as possible. Caitlin works with service-based businesses to design websites and booking systems that are not only beautiful but inclusive and easy to ...

Oct 22, 202443 min

Slow Productivity by Cal Newport [Making Good Book Club #35]

Though this book wasn’t exactly what we expected, Charelle and I had so much fun picking it apart and finding applications for small business owners, including ourselves! Slow Productivity is all about challenging the hustle culture mindset and redefining what it means to be productive. While the book offers an intriguing framework, it’s really not a “how-to” guide—it’s more about understanding the history and philosophy of productivity, and then finding ways to apply those principles in your ow...

Oct 15, 202445 min

10 Ways to Make Marketing Easy

Marketing doesn't have to be complicated or overwhelming. In this episode, I share 10 ways to make marketing easier for your small business. From getting clear on your marketing foundations to leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT, I break down practical tips to help you streamline your efforts and reduce overwhelm. Ready to make marketing fun again? Tune in for actionable insights that will change the way you approach your marketing. MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/263 CONN...

Oct 09, 202418 min

Change Your Business (+ Life) by Leading with Vision with Sharon Lipovsky of Point Road Studios

We are over 200 episodes into this podcast, but just when I think we’ve covered every topic under the sun… something like today’s episode comes along and makes me realize I may have missed something big. That is certainly the case with today’s episode, but I’m so excited that today’s guest joined me to help right the ship. In this episode, I sit down with Sharon Lipovsky, founder of Point Road Studios, to dive deep into the power of vision and how it can transform your life and business. Sharon ...

Oct 01, 202456 min

10 Things I Want to Tell You

In this special solo episode, I share some personal reflections and life updates that have been on my mind lately. From navigating a new season of motherhood, to letting go of my beloved retail store and making big changes like rebranding my stationery business, I’m diving into how life, business, and mindset all intertwine. I also talk about the power of leaning into your excitement, embracing "good enough," and how your feelings impact productivity. Plus, I share a few thoughts on ho...

Sep 24, 202420 min

Storytelling, Marketing, and Parenting with Jen Fuller

I can’t tell you how excited I am to introduce you to today’s amazing guest, Jen Fuller, because this was one of my favorite conversations ever. Jen is the founder of Etta Loves, a brand that collaborates with visual experts to design baby sensory essentials that align with babies’ cognitive and visual development. Etta Loves was created after Jen noticed how transfixed her new born was by Jen’s black and white sweater. Her baby, of course, is Etta. From there, Jen’s observation evolved into a f...

Sep 17, 202444 min

A Hundred Million Dollar Offers by Alex Hormozy [Making Good Book Club #34]

This was not a book Charelle and I were planning on covering for the podcast, and I think we both kind of surprised ourselves by choosing it. But after last month’s read of Daring Greatly by Brene Brown, which while fantastic was definitely not strictly a business book, we wanted to try swinging in the opposite way for this month’s read. And you know what? While we definitely both had some reservations and don't agree with 100% everything in the book, I think we were both pleasantly surpris...

Sep 15, 202446 min