Kicking off the new season of The Small Business Showcase podcast with a very inspiring guest! Join us for the conversation with Isabella Duvall, the founder of Better Shea Butter. She turned her passion for organic skincare into a thriving business, starting alone in her garage and partnering with women in Ghana. In the first 8 months, Isabella made $150,000 in sales as a side hustle. Now, 11 years later, she has a manufacturing site and a team of 10 people.

In today’s episode, Isabella shares insights into overcoming inventory nightmares, managing social media as a small business owner, and balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood.

Better Shea Butter: https://bettersheabutter.com/

Kaizntree: https://www.kaizntree.com

Hosted by Benoît Van Keer

Produced by Ekaterina Drobashenko

Kaizntree is AI-powered operating software designed for small batch manufacturers. Our mission is to empower small business owners to scale their product businesses by providing an intuitive and easy-to-use platform that enables them to manage inventory, sales, and purchase orders all in one place.

What is the process of launching a successful frozen food business?

Power Veggie Bites from Appleton's Market are perfect frozen mini-meals microwaved in just one minute. Their farm-fresh ingredients are sourced locally in Southern California - from cage-free eggs to crisp Swiss chard - to give you the most delicious bite filled with fiber, veggies, protein, and greens. Listen as the founder and CEO of Appleton's Market, Christina Appleton, shares how she launched a frozen food business providing its customers with the healthiest products.

Power Veggie Bites: https://appletonsmarket.com

Kaizntree: https://www.kaizntree.com

Hosted by Benoît Van Keer

Produced by Ekaterina Drobashenko

Kaizntree is a company specialized in managing small businesses' inventories. Through our software, we enable small business owners to manage all their inventory, sales and purchase orders all from one intuitive and easy-to-use platform.

How to gain product credibility among your customers?

Casa de Sante is a gut-friendly natural brand of products made for people with sensitive irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and those who follow low FODMAP diet. All of their products are plant-based, gluten & lactose free, and contain no additives, preservatives or fillers. Listen as the founder, Onyx Adegbola, MD PhD, a physician scientist and former pharmaceutical executive, shares insights into how to gain product credibility among the customers.

Casa de Sante: https://casadesante.com

Kaizntree: https://www.kaizntree.com

Hosted by Benoît Van Keer

Produced by Ekaterina Drobashenko

Kaizntree is a company specialized in managing small businesses' inventories. Through our software, we enable small business owners to manage all their inventory, sales and purchase orders all from one intuitive and easy-to-use platform.

How to build a sustainable brand?

Beflax Linen is a brand that creates luxury bedding made of 100% natural linen from Portugal. Linen is one the healthiest and most sustainable fabrics for sleep, home, and life. Listen as the founder, Katerina Rothman, shares how she built Beflax Linen, delivering the best of what nature has to offer with zero to minimum waste to the environment, in recyclable & reusable packaging.

Beflax Linen: https://beflaxlinen.com

Kaizntree: https://www.kaizntree.com

Hosted by Benoît Van Keer

Produced by Ekaterina Drobashenko

Kaizntree is a company specialized in managing small businesses' inventories. Through our software, we enable small business owners to manage all their inventory, sales and purchase orders all from one intuitive and easy-to-use platform.

How to make a successful transition from in-person to online sales?

Britta Ambauen Jewelry is a brand that empowers people by creating jewelry that serves as a reminder to honor yourself. The founder Britta Ambauen was inspired to create a jewelry line that would connect the wearer with their true intentions. Listen as Britta shares how her brand has grown organically from small pop-up events and markets to a wide presence in stores across the U.S. and online.

Britta Ambauen Jewelry: https://www.brittaambauen.com

Kaizntree: https://www.kaizntree.com

Hosted by Benoît Van Keer

Produced by Ekaterina Drobashenko

Kaizntree is a company specialized in managing small businesses' inventories. Through our software, we enable small business owners to manage all their inventory, sales and purchase orders all from one intuitive and easy-to-use platform.

How is building a skincare brand different from any other business?

Authenticary is a skincare brand that is based on the idea of being your authentic self. Their natural cosmetics are designed not only for people who adhere to a skincare routine on a daily basis, but also for those just starting out on this journey. Listen as the founder James Chavez talks about the unique process every skincare product has to go though before it's released and what is was like to start a business from a hand sanitizer during the pandemic.

Authenticary: https://www.authenticary.com

Kaizntree: https://www.kaizntree.com

Hosted by Benoît Van Keer

Produced by Ekaterina Drobashenko

Kaizntree is a company specialized in managing small businesses' inventories. Through our software, we enable small business owners to manage all their inventory, sales and purchase orders all from one intuitive and easy-to-use platform.

How to grow wholesale?

B.T. Leigh’s Sauce and Rubs are all-natural barbecue sauces created locally in Kentucky with a little…twist on the flavors! Brian, who founded B.T. Leigh’s, creates all these delicious and unexpected flavors in his own kitchen! But what’s even more impressive, is that while Brian prepares everything at home, he's grown to be present in 120 stores all over the country. Listen as Brian shares how he’s constantly pushing boundaries in the kitchen and in the BBQ business industry.

B.T. Leigh's: https://btleighs.com

Kaizntree: https://www.kaizntree.com

Hosted by Benoît Van Keer

Produced by Ekaterina Drobashenko

Kaizntree is a company specialized in managing small businesses' inventories. Through our software, we enable small business owners to manage all their inventory, sales and purchase orders all from one intuitive and easy-to-use platform.

Art2Go is a high quality activewear brand with a focus on originality and sustainability founded in 2020 by Monique. Being an artist herself, Monique used her creativity and inspiration from art exhibitions to design her leggings and bras collections, thus making her designs very colorful and unique to customers. Comfort for customers is a top priority to Monique when creating her activewear. Listen as Monique describes her journey from the process of crafting her designs to manufacturing, selling and building strong relationships with her customers.    

Kaizntree: https://www.kaizntree.com

Art2Go: https://www.art2go.com.au

Hosted by Benoît Van Keer

Produced by Ekaterina Drobashenko

Kaizntree is a company specialized in managing small businesses' inventories. Through our software, we enable small business owners to manage all their inventory, sales and purchase orders all from one intuitive and easy-to-use platform.

How do you make your mark?

Ace Marks is a luxury men's shoe brand founded in 2015 using a Kickstarter campaign. With a focus on making quality leather shoes at the most affordable price point possible, founder Paul Farago designed his shoes with his customers in mind. Listen as Farago discusses how Kickstarter was crucial to his success as a small business, and well as how building relationships with your customers is one of the best things you can do.

Ace Marks: acemarks.com

Kaizntree: kaizntree.com

Produced and Hosted by Emily Burzinski

If you're a small business looking for assistance managing your inventory, try Kaizntree. Purpose built for small businesses, Kaizntree is the place to manage your inventory, customers, and sales channels.

How do you connect with your audience?

Young Squad is an Australian swimwear and clothing brand focused on providing a sturdy and sustainable product that you can feel good about buying. With a focus on size inclusivity and promoting a variety of body shapes and sizes in their images, Young Squad strives to make everyone feel confident in their clothes. Listen as founder Linda Aitken also discusses the importance of outsourcing certain tasks and how being yourself is the best way to get customers.

Young Squad: youngsquadonline.com.au

Kaizntree: kaizntree.com

Hosted and Produced by Emily Burzinski

Starting a small business is a tricky task.

Online Marketspace can make it a little easier. Founded during the covid-19 pandemic, Online Marketspace helps small businesses move online by providing them a host website. Whether you have another website or are just starting out, Online Marketspace provides your business with the exposure it needs to thrive.

Listen as founder Kathryn talks about why she's so passionate about helping other small business owners, and why it's so important for you to be knowledgeable about everything behind-the-scenes in your business.

Online Marketspace: https://www.onlinemarketspace.com.au/

Kaizntree: kaizntree.com

Produced and hosted by Emily Burzinski

How you choose to market your business can make all the difference.

One Minute Films, a subsidiary of The Honest Jones creative studio, helps small businesses with their marketing, through the creation of short video pieces. In this episode, Sophie discusses how having a branded video can help your business, and the ways One Minute Films can help you shine if you're just willing to try. Listen as she emphasizes the importance of staying true to what makes your business unique.

One Minute Films: https://oneminutefilm.shop/

The Honest Jones: https://www.thehonestjones.com/

Kaizntree: www.kazintree.com

Hosted and Produced by Emily Burzinski

What can you do to give back?

The Prospect Project is a female-owned and operated Australian candle company committed to giving back. All of the packaging is designed to be eco-friendly, and a portion of all proceeds is donated to a charity of the customer's choices. Listen as founder Shannon discusses why charity is so important to her business, and why she believes that having personality is the best thing you can do for your business.

The Prospect Project: theprospectproject.com

Kaizntree: kainztree.com

Produced and Hosted by Emily Burzinski

How do you take what you've been given and make it your own?

Milawa Cheese Company was founded in 1988 by David and Anne Brown, in the hopes of bringing European-inspired cheese to Australia. As time passed, the business grew, eventually becoming a nationally distributed brand. Listen as their daughter Ceridwen speaks about what it was like taking over the family business, and the plans she has for the future of Milawa Cheese Co.

Milawa Cheese Co: www.milawacheese.com.au

Kaizntree: www.kaizntree.com

Hosted and Produced by Emily Burzinski

What do you know about managing your business' social media?

Erika McInerney is a social media and marketing consultant focused on supporting small business owners in their social media journeys. She offers personalized training, public workshops, and online resources. Listen as Erika discusses her journey in social media, and gives advice on ways that you can develop a successful online presence.

Mac&Ernie: macandernie.com.au

Kaizntree: kaizntree.com

Produced by Emily Burzinski

Hosted by Emily Burzinski

Turn your passion into your business!

THIS LUSH CORNER is a yarn and notions brand focusing on providing crafters with well made, sustainable products. Their products are chosen carefully to ensure ethical labor and animal practices, so consumers can be confident they are making a socially and environmentally conscious purchase. Listen as founder Leah discusses how she turned her love of knitting into a small business, and her recommendations for starting your businesses off right.

THIS LUSH CORNER: https://www.thislushcorner.com/

Kaizntree: kaizntree.com

Hosted by Marcos Brisson

Produced by Emily Burzinski

Don't be afraid to make friends with your competition.

Marshall's Haute Sauce is a small batch hot sauce and seasoning company based in Portland, Oregon. Marshall's Haute Sauce focuses on using farm fresh, unique ingredients to create diverse flavor profiles that will suite any palate. Listen as founder Sarah Marshall discusses expanding from a home kitchen to a commercial one, and why creating a community has been so important in her journey.

Marshall's Haute Sauce: https://marshallshautesauce.com/

Kaizntree: https://www.kaizntree.com/

Hosted by Emily Burzinski

Produced by Emily Burzinski

What is a bookplate and why do you need one ASAP?

Fleur and Fable is a small stationary store focused on revitalizing the lost art of bookplates, a small sticker or stamp placed in the front cover of a book to identify it's owner. Founder Jessica Le fell in love with bookplates during university, and her love has only grown since. Listen as Jessica discusses how she got her start, and how her business has grown in only a few months time.

Fleur and Fable: https://fleurandfable.com.au/

Kaizntree: https://www.kaizntree.com/

Hosted by Marcos Brisson

Produced by Emily Burzinski

Grassroots Movement is a haircare brand focused on creating natural products that are good for both your hair and the planet. From their reusable and sustainable packaging to their naturally formulated products, Grassroots Movement was designed with the environment in mind. Listen as founder Belinda discusses how she's grown Grassroots, the constant role of community in her journey, and where she hopes to take the brand in the future.

Grassroots Movement: grassrootsmovement.online

Kaizntree: kaizntree.com

Hosted by Marcos Brisson

Produced by Emily Burzinski

Founded on the Bellarine Peninsula in 2013, Adelia Fine Foods creates nutritious and unique food items. Their granola, muesli, and pancake mix are all paleo, gluten free and vegan. In 2017, Amelia and her husband Adam introduced Bellarine Brownie, expanding their offerings into desserts.

Listen as Amelia discusses the process of growing from farmers markets to retail stockists, and all the changes that came in between.

Adelia Fine Foods: adeliafinefoods.com.au

Bellarine Brownie: bellarinebrownie.com.au

Kaizntree: kaizntree.com

Hosted by Marcos Brisson

Produced by Emily Burzinski