Not So Small
Not So Small
Podcast Description
Running a small business is anything but small. In each episode our host, Sam Bauman, asks small business owners about their challenges, triumphs, and the passion that keeps them going. Through this, Not So Small seeks to spotlight and strengthen the small businesses that are dedicated to their community and care about more than the bottom line.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes such as entrepreneurship, community engagement, and personal growth. Episodes cover specific challenges like launching a business during a pandemic, as seen in the conversation with Cody-John Marks from Drop Dead Gorgeous, who speaks about inclusivity in beauty standards and work-life balance. Another episode features Mariah Hamm discussing the importance of creating an inclusive real estate brokerage, demonstrating how unique visions can redefine traditional industries.
Running a small business is anything but small. In each episode our host, Sam Bauman, asks small business owners about their challenges, triumphs, and the passion that keeps them going. Through this, Not So Small seeks to spotlight and strengthen the small businesses that are dedicated to their community and care about more than the bottom line.
Starting a business is way harder than running a 100-mile ultramarathon and Ryan Hurley has done both! In this episode, hosts Sam Bauman and Adam Rondeau visit Ryan at the Lagoon warehouse to learn about his sleep and fitness company that aims to help athletes optimize their rest through an often-overlooked piece of equipment: the pillow. Ryan shares his journey from NBC Sports to founder, including the moment he realized he needed to stop trying to sell to everyone and lean into the demographic he knew best. By positioning Lagoon as ”the pillow for runners” and getting comfortable putting himself out there on social media, Ryan found his niche. He talks honestly about the challenges of entrepreneurship: losing friends and family money in the first year, the months of not paying himself, and the fine line between perseverance and stupidity. But he also celebrates the flexibility and joy of building a life he loves, even if it means making less money than he would in a corporate job. His advice? Do the work, know your numbers, and run your own race.
Guest Info
Community Shoutout
Other Links:
Host & Show Info
- Host Name: Sam Bauman (she/her)
- About the Host: Sam is the President of Mellowlark Labs, a Twin Cities-based small business consulting agency. She has a masters degree in counseling psychology, a field she worked in for several years before applying her skills in business, and is certified in Organization Development.
Sound Editing By: Adam Rondeau
Podcast Art By: Andy Bauman (website)
Disclaimer
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