Episodios

  • Hiring: What the Resume Doesn’t Tell You
    Mar 4 2026

    Hiring is often reactive. You have an influx of work or attrition, and bam, you need someone now. This creates a lot of stress on you as a manager and business owner. How are you going to get that role filled and manage the work that needs to be done? The cost of putting the wrong candidate is tremendous. How patient are you in waiting to ensure you have the right candidate in the right seat?

    Many interviewers resort to questions that don’t really give you the information needed to hire. And, many are not trained to dig beyond the surface answers that candidates give. These are answers that are often practiced showing themselves in the best light.

    There is a way to hire much more predictably. Learn more about role development and how to get beyond the surface answers in this podcast.

    About Your Host

    Denise Cagan has been working with small businesses for 25 years. She has served on the boards of professional organizations and nonprofits. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Quality Systems Management from James Madison University and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, which is a program for small businesses that links learning to action for growth-oriented entrepreneurs.

    Recognized as a facilitator, problem solver, and builder, Denise enjoys working with small business owners who want to create a solid foundation. Her past experience includes 10 years in manufacturing with various awards plus inclusion into Marquis Who’s Who.

    Denise is the CEO of 3 companies: DCA Virtual Business Support, DCA Association Management, and Denise Cagan Business Consulting. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her granddaughter, cooking, and cuddling with her dogs.

    View and listen to Podcasts with Denise Cagan.

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    14 m
  • Poetry, Purpose, and the Power of Dreams with Dr. Yemaja Jubilee
    Oct 15 2025

    In this soul-stirring episode of the Nurture Small Business Podcast, host Denise Cagan welcomes spoken word artist, author, and visionary Dr. Yemaja Jubilee. From her early days writing poetry in secret to producing plays and publishing books rooted in personal and cultural history, Dr. Jubilee shares how she channels divine downloads to guide her creativity and purpose.

    Listeners will hear about her latest book, Born and Raised Under Jim Crow: Now You Know, her transformative dreams, and her unique acronyms like BYOV [Bring Your Own Voice], BYOT [Bring Your Own Truth], and AI [Authenticity and Integrity]. She also recounts the historic journey of bringing Dr. Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth, to Virginia—an effort born from a dream and realized through community collaboration.

    Whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking inspiration or a creative soul looking for permission to express your truth, this episode is a masterclass in living authentically, embracing inner brilliance, and letting purpose unfold naturally.

    🔗 Connect with Dr. Jubilee:
    Facebook & Instagram: @yemajajubilee
    YouTube: Love, Light, and Positivity with Dr. Yemaja Jubilee

    About Your Host

    Denise Cagan has been working with small businesses for 25 years. She has served on the boards of professional organizations and nonprofits. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Quality Systems Management from James Madison University and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, which is a program for small businesses that links learning to action for growth-oriented entrepreneurs.

    Recognized as a facilitator, problem solver, and builder, Denise enjoys working with small business owners who want to create a solid foundation. Her past experience includes 10 years in manufacturing with various awards plus inclusion into Marquis Who’s Who.

    Denise is the CEO of 3 companies: DCA Virtual Business Support, DCA Association Management, and Denise Cagan Business Consulting. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her granddaughter, cooking, and cuddling with her dogs.

    View and listen to Podcasts with Denise Cagan.

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    32 m
  • How a Personal Challenge Turned into a Patented Product and Purpose-Driven Brand
    Sep 16 2025

    From fashion merchandising at Tommy Hilfiger and Gap to leading e-commerce at Lucky Brand, Tiana Ravden spent over two decades shaping how people experience style. But a personal challenge—ruined silk tops and sweat marks—sparked her entrepreneurial journey and led to the founding of Eroe.

    In this episode, Tiana shares how she transformed a DIY solution into a patented product while juggling corporate roles, restaurant ownership, and motherhood. Her story is one of resilience, creativity, and purpose. You’ll hear how she navigated the complexities of product development, built a brand rooted in authenticity, and found support in unexpected places, including her identical twin sister.

    Whether you're a founder or a dreamer, this episode is packed with insights on balancing vision with business realities, protecting your ideas, and building a brand that truly empowers.

    About Your Host

    Denise Cagan has been working with small businesses for 25 years. She has served on the boards of professional organizations and nonprofits. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Quality Systems Management from James Madison University and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, which is a program for small businesses that links learning to action for growth-oriented entrepreneurs.

    Recognized as a facilitator, problem solver, and builder, Denise enjoys working with small business owners who want to create a solid foundation. Her past experience includes 10 years in manufacturing with various awards plus inclusion into Marquis Who’s Who.

    Denise is the CEO of 3 companies: DCA Virtual Business Support, DCA Association Management, and Denise Cagan Business Consulting. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her granddaughter, cooking, and cuddling with her dogs.

    View and listen to Podcasts with Denise Cagan.

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    24 m
  • How Hidden Brain Patterns Sabotage Success
    Aug 19 2025

    What if the real reason high-achieving leaders plateau has nothing to do with drive, strategy, or mindset—but something deeper, hardwired into the brain’s survival instincts? In this episode, our host Denise Cagan is joined by a fascinating guest, and together they uncover the invisible ceiling that holds leaders back, even when they’re doing everything right.


    Mitch Weisburgh, creator of the Mind Shifting Method, joins the show to discuss his innovative approach to revealing how unconscious survival patterns sabotage success. He explains how leaders can rewire their internal operating system to lead, decide, and scale without burning out. Drawing from neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and leadership strategy, Mitch shares the journey that led him from Education Technology to brain-based transformation, and the three essential elements every leader must master.

    Welcome to a conversation that could shift the way you think, lead, and grow.

    About Your Host

    Denise Cagan has been working with small businesses for 25 years. She has served on the boards of professional organizations and nonprofits. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Quality Systems Management from James Madison University and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, which is a program for small businesses that links learning to action for growth-oriented entrepreneurs.

    Recognized as a facilitator, problem solver, and builder, Denise enjoys working with small business owners who want to create a solid foundation. Her past experience includes 10 years in manufacturing with various awards plus inclusion into Marquis Who’s Who.

    Denise is the CEO of 3 companies: DCA Virtual Business Support, DCA Association Management, and Denise Cagan Business Consulting. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her granddaughter, cooking, and cuddling with her dogs.

    View and listen to Podcasts with Denise Cagan.

    Connect on LinkedIn

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    26 m
  • Your Brand's Story Through Color and Connection
    Jul 15 2025

    From her early aspirations as an educator to her experiences in technology, including her time at NASA, Helena's story is one of perseverance. In our latest episode,

    ultimately fueled her entrepreneurial spirit, leading her to create a business dedicated to empowering others through digital innovation. Helena delves into the art of building impactful online presences through website design, emphasizing the importance of color psychology in branding and how a signature color, like her vibrant orange, can elevate a business's identity. Small business owners will benefit from her insights into her thoughtful client vetting process, fostering genuine relationships, and the strength that comes from building a supportive community.

    Connect with Helena:

    • Website: hrichnetworks.com
    • https://www.facebook.com/HRichNetworks
    • https://www.linkedin.com/company/hrichnetworks
    • https://www.instagram.com/hrichnetworks/
    • http://www.youtube.com/c/H

    About Your Host

    Denise Cagan has been working with small businesses for 25 years. She has served on the boards of professional organizations and nonprofits. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Quality Systems Management from James Madison University and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, which is a program for small businesses that links learning to action for growth-oriented entrepreneurs.

    Recognized as a facilitator, problem solver, and builder, Denise enjoys working with small business owners who want to create a solid foundation. Her past experience includes 10 years in manufacturing with various awards plus inclusion into Marquis Who’s Who.

    Denise is the CEO of 3 companies: DCA Virtual Business Support, DCA Association Management, and Denise Cagan Business Consulting. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her granddaughter, cooking, and cuddling with her dogs.

    View and listen to Podcasts with Denise Cagan.

    Connect on LinkedIn

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    31 m
  • Turning Immigrant Resilience into an Entrepreneurial Advantage
    Jun 17 2025

    Could you imagine starting your day tending to patients, then prepping to run your brick-and-mortar business, and on top of that, starting a nursing school? In this episode, our host Denise Cagan sits down with the incredibly driven Allison Lee, an entrepreneur who is living this reality every day.

    Allison shares her powerful journey as a first-generation immigrant from Laos, and how the challenges of her family starting over in a new country shaped her entrepreneurial spirit. A nurse of 27 years, Allison discusses what prompted her to leap into the world of business, driven by a desire to help people in a new way.

    You’ll get a real-world look at the financial rollercoaster of a new brick-and-mortar, where sales can go from zero to thousands in 24 hours. Allison shares her playbook on navigating a family business partnership, including when to push and when to step back and let your partner learn from failure. Plus, discover the single most important principle she uses to build customer loyalty that has nothing to do with marketing and everything to do with connection.

    If you're looking for a dose of motivation and practical advice on building a business with true purpose, you don't want to miss this.

    Listen now.



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    About Your Host

    Denise Cagan has been working with small businesses for 25 years. She has served on the boards of professional organizations and nonprofits. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Quality Systems Management from James Madison University and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, which is a program for small businesses that links learning to action for growth-oriented entrepreneurs.

    Recognized as a facilitator, problem solver, and builder, Denise enjoys working with small business owners who want to create a solid foundation. Her past experience includes 10 years in manufacturing with various awards plus inclusion into Marquis Who’s Who.

    Denise is the CEO of 3 companies: DCA Virtual Business Support, DCA Association Management, and Denise Cagan Business Consulting. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her granddaughter, cooking, and cuddling with her dogs.

    View and listen to Podcasts with Denise Cagan.

    Connect on LinkedIn

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    21 m
  • When Marketing Money Disappears It's Time for Real Strategy
    May 22 2025

    Many small business owners have experienced pouring money into campaigns that simply don’t connect with their audience and just don't bring in results. In our latest episode, we're joined by Debbie Oster, a brand and marketing strategist who helps businesses transform those scattered efforts into a focused plan, tailored to their customers.

    If you are a small business owner who's overwhelmed by marketing options and unsure where to invest your resources, you'll want to listen. Together, we explore why a solid strategy is the foundation of effective marketing and how to move beyond random tactics. We also discuss key strategies for impactful marketing, including:

    • Clarifying your business goals to inform your marketing objectives.
    • Deeply understanding your target audience's struggles and aspirations to create compelling messaging.
    • Getting strategic about where to focus your marketing spend for the best return.
    • Developing messaging that resonates by speaking to your ideal client's desires.

    Tune in to discover Debbie's expert insights on how to stop the cycle of ineffective marketing and start building a strategic foundation that will really move the needle for your business!

    About Your Host

    Denise Cagan has been working with small businesses for 25 years. She has served on the boards of professional organizations and nonprofits. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Quality Systems Management from James Madison University and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, which is a program for small businesses that links learning to action for growth-oriented entrepreneurs.

    Recognized as a facilitator, problem solver, and builder, Denise enjoys working with small business owners who want to create a solid foundation. Her past experience includes 10 years in manufacturing with various awards plus inclusion into Marquis Who’s Who.

    Denise is the CEO of 3 companies: DCA Virtual Business Support, DCA Association Management, and Denise Cagan Business Consulting. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her granddaughter, cooking, and cuddling with her dogs.

    View and listen to Podcasts with Denise Cagan.

    Connect on LinkedIn

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    28 m
  • The Human Strategy for Successful Workplace Change
    Apr 15 2025

    Failed organizational changes can cost you more than just time and money. In our latest episode, we're joined by Shantera Chatman, a seasoned consultant renowned for her expertise in change management and organizational culture. She's collaborated with major organizations like NASA, Toyota, Lexus, and UNICEF, helping them navigate complex transitions and ensure new initiatives truly take root.

    If you're a leader, manager, or business owner guiding teams through change, you'll want to listen. Together we explore why successful change demands more than just new tools and how to master the human side of implementation. We also discuss key strategies for effective change, including:

    • Driving user adoption and engagement with new systems.
    • Developing strategic communications that resonate with diverse audiences.
    • Harnessing cultural awareness for better organizational alignment.
    • Recognizing how personal "Mind Shifts" influence leadership.
    • Integrating technology like AI while maintaining the human connection.

    Get ready for actionable insights to lead change more effectively!


    linkedin.com/in/shanterachatman

    linkedin.com/in/PowHerConsulting

    instagram.com/ShanteraChatman

    About Your Host

    Denise Cagan has been working with small businesses for 25 years. She has served on the boards of professional organizations and nonprofits. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Quality Systems Management from James Madison University and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, which is a program for small businesses that links learning to action for growth-oriented entrepreneurs.

    Recognized as a facilitator, problem solver, and builder, Denise enjoys working with small business owners who want to create a solid foundation. Her past experience includes 10 years in manufacturing with various awards plus inclusion into Marquis Who’s Who.

    Denise is the CEO of 3 companies: DCA Virtual Business Support, DCA Association Management, and Denise Cagan Business Consulting. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her granddaughter, cooking, and cuddling with her dogs.

    View and listen to Podcasts with Denise Cagan.

    Connect on LinkedIn

    Más Menos
    31 m