In this episode of Small Business School, Staci has a powerful and nuanced conversation about AI, ethics, and the mental load entrepreneurs are carrying. Joined by Elaine Alexander, ethical AI educator for therapists and value-led founders, this episode explores how women can use AI strategically, without compromising their values, privacy, or humanity.

From reducing decision fatigue to navigating real fears about confidentiality and replacement, this conversation goes beyond surface-level productivity tips. It’s about understanding what AI actually is, where it fits, and how to use it responsibly as a business owner in a rapidly changing world.

Key topics covered:

• Why AI adoption is slower among women — and why that needs to change
• How AI can reduce the mental load in both business and motherhood
• The “blank page problem” and how AI helps you start or finish faster
• Practical business uses for AI including messaging refinement, tech troubleshooting, and data pattern recognition
• Why treating AI like an assistant (not an authority) changes the results you get
• The ethical concerns around confidentiality, therapy use, and intellectual property
• How AI differs from Google and why it’s more powerful than most people realize
• Where fear is valid and where it’s simply unfamiliarity
• Why integrating AI may create more opportunity, not less
• The importance of guardrails, personal responsibility, and filtering advice through your values

AI isn’t going away. But how you use it (and whether you use it intentionally) will shape the future of your business. This episode will help you move from fear to informed action, so you can leverage AI as a tool instead of resisting it out of uncertainty.

Grab Elaine’s Pause Before You Prompt resource, a free guide to safer smarter AI use: https://reclaimedpractice.kit.com/6c598bb464

Connect with Elaine:

Instagram: @elainetalexander

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

Welcome back to Small Business School! In today’s episode, Staci sits down with registered dietitian, entrepreneur, and founder of Fraiche Living and Fraiche Table, Tori Wesszer, for an honest conversation about failure, resilience, motherhood, and building a business that actually aligns with your life.

Tori shares the very public crash and burn of her first business venture, what it taught her about business fundamentals and visibility, and how she rebuilt from the ground up — first as a blogger, then as a content creator, and now as the CEO of a growing meal planning software company. This is a powerful conversation about what it really costs to build something meaningful and why sometimes the long road is the right road.

Key topics covered:

• The lessons learned from a very public business failure
• Why understanding the fundamentals matters more than chasing trends
• The transition from blogger to software founder
• Navigating entrepreneurship through motherhood and evolving priorities
• Rebuilding confidence after setbacks
• The importance of long-term vision over short-term wins
• Growing sustainably instead of rushing scale
• What it actually looks like to build a mission-driven company

Failure doesn’t disqualify you — it prepares you. And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do in business is rebuild with wisdom instead of ego.

Visit fraichetable.com and use code SMALLBUSINESS20 at check out to get 20% off Tori’s meal plan

Connect with Tori:

Instagram: @fraichetable and @fraicheliving

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

Welcome back to Small Business School! In today’s episode, Staci sits down with mindset coach and founder of the Sparkle Entrepreneur Network, Ashley Dawn, to talk about authenticity, community, and the courage to pivot. Ashley shares the bold decision to leave her master’s program with only practicums remaining, how she rebuilt her confidence during a difficult season of life, and why real connection (not curated perfection) is what truly grows a business.

Key topics covered:

• The brave decision to walk away from a nearly finished degree to pursue aligned entrepreneurship
• Why community accelerates growth more than isolation ever could
• How celebrating strengths prevents burnout and builds sustainable momentum
• The difference between curated authenticity and truly showing up as yourself
• Why repetition, exposure, and small brave steps rewire confidence over time
• How meaningful connection (not pitching) creates long-term business success

Community isn’t just a nice-to-have in business, it’s often the catalyst for clarity, confidence, and real growth. And sometimes, the most powerful move you can make is choosing alignment over expectation.

Take Ashley Dawn’s free Sparkle Mindset quiz to determine how much you are dulling your sparkle and learn tips and tricks of how you can start sparkling being YOU.

https://tally.so/r/mV7r2l

Connect with Ashley:

Instagram: @therealashleydawn

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

Welcome back to Small Business School! In today’s episode, Staci sits down with Kristina Bartold, co-founder of The Social Snippet and High Vibe Women, to talk about all things event sponsorships. Fresh off the High Vibe Women brunch in Ottawa, Staci and Kristina share a behind-the-scenes look at what actually makes sponsorships work (and why so many business owners get them wrong). This conversation is all about being intentional, protecting your budget, and choosing opportunities that truly align with your brand and goals.

Key topics covered:

• Who event sponsorships actually make sense for and who should skip them
• How to evaluate whether an event is the right fit for your brand
• What a real return on investment looks like beyond vanity metrics
• Why repetition builds recognition and how your energy in the room matters
• The importance of integrity and alignment in brand collaborations
• How to think strategically about swag bag sponsorships
• What it takes to stand out and succeed as an event vendor
• Why not every opportunity is a good opportunity even if it looks exciting

Event sponsorships aren’t about being everywhere, they’re about being in the right rooms, with the right people, for the right reasons. If you’ve ever wondered whether sponsoring an event is worth it, this episode will help you make smarter, more confident decisions.

Connect with Kristina:

Instagram: @kristina.bartold

Website: https://www.thesocialsnippet.com/

Community Podcast: https://communitypodcast.buzzsprout.com/

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School, Staci breaks down the real, behind-the-scenes strategies that helped her husband Dan exceed his one-year sales and profit goals in just six months as a first-time franchise owner. This isn’t about hype or hustle culture — it’s about visibility, cash flow discipline, boundaries, and customer experience. Whether you’re launching a franchise, starting a service business, or trying to grow sustainably, these lessons apply far beyond franchising.

Key topics covered:

• Why “getting visible” beats perfect branding when you’re starting out
• The uncomfortable but powerful marketing moves most business owners avoid
• How understanding cash flow early prevents years of financial stress
• Why not all marketing spend is created equal and how to spot what actually works
• The role of boundaries, notifications, and work hours in preventing burnout
• How over-communicating expectations builds trust and saves time
• The small habits that quietly create massive customer loyalty
• Why success came from doing fewer things but doing them intentionally

Fast growth doesn’t come from doing everything, it comes from doing the right things consistently, protecting your cash flow, and building trust one interaction at a time. If this episode resonated, go back and listen to last week’s franchising conversation with Kim, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next.

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

Welcome back to Small Business School! In today’s episode, Staci sits down with Kim Hiebert, CEO of Door Gurus, for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about franchising without the glossy brochure promises. Drawing from her experience as both a former franchisee and a current franchisor, Kim breaks down what most people don’t ask before buying into a franchise, where real value actually lives, and why support, integrity, and financial literacy matter far more than a recognizable logo.

Key topics covered:

• The biggest myths about franchising and why it’s never a “set it and forget it” business
• How to evaluate the real value exchange before buying into a franchise
• Why brand recognition alone doesn’t guarantee success (especially in small markets)
• What Kim’s experience as a franchisee taught her about building an ethical franchisor model
• The three non-negotiables Door Gurus built into their franchise structure and why they matter
• Why community, relationships, and reputation are becoming more powerful than rigid brand control
• The hidden risks of brick-and-mortar, inventory-heavy franchise models
• Why financial literacy, cash flow awareness, and understanding your numbers are essential
• How ongoing support (not just SOPs) determines long-term franchise success
• What to look for in a franchisor when things inevitably get hard

Franchising isn’t about buying a name, it’s about partnering with people who are invested in your success. This episode is a reminder to slow down, look past the logo, and choose business models built on integrity, support, and long-term sustainability.

Connect with Kim:

Instagram: @kimberley.hiebert @doorgurus.ca

Website: www.doorgurusfranchise.com

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School, Staci is diving into a major shift she sees coming for entrepreneurs as we head into 2026. With AI making information instantly accessible, what really matters now isn’t what you know — it’s how you serve, connect, and give people their time back. This episode is all about rethinking value, letting go of burnout culture, and building businesses that feel good for both you and your customers.

Key topics covered:

• Why information is no longer the differentiator and what actually is
• How AI is changing buying behavior and raising the bar for service providers
• The growing importance of solving the “time gap” for your customers
• Why connection, customer experience, and thought leadership can’t be replaced
• What it means to build a business that supports your health and your clients as we move into 2026

As we move into 2026, the businesses that will thrive aren’t the ones chasing more information or louder marketing, but the ones that lead with connection, thoughtful service, and real human impact.

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.