What if the thing that keeps your business alive isn’t a perfect plan but your ability to pivot, stay curious, and take risks along the way? Zoya Biglary, the founder of Fysh Foods, didn’t set out to become the internet’s fruit peeler but when her savings started to run out and her product needed a lifeline, she turned to the one thing she always relied on: the drive to figure it out.

Host Andrea Marquez dives into how Zoya created a sustainable raw fish alternative from her home kitchen, used content creation to keep the business alive, and navigated major shipping and product setbacks. If you’ve ever felt like you had to “know more” before starting, this episode will help you rethink what qualifies you to begin.

Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

(01:54) What drives a founder to start a business from scratch? Zoya shares how her early exposure to social entrepreneurship shaped her path and led her to start Fysh Foods.

(07:58) How do you develop a food product with no background? Zoya breaks down how she co-developed her early formulas and landed in Erewhon.

(12:58) How do you fund a business when money runs out? Discover how Zoya went viral on TikTok and turned content into capital.

(19:00) Dreamed of getting on Shark Tank to grow your business? Zoya got there but still made $0 profit. She explains what went wrong and what she learned.

(22:25) What do you do when your product doesn’t scale? Zoya walks through her shift from DTC to wholesale, how she re-engineered her product to cut costs and expand, and the costly lessons along the way.

(29:12) Feeling stuck as a founder? Zoya shares how staying curious, even when things felt impossible, kept her moving through fear and uncertainty.

What if the key to growth isn’t playing it safe – but learning how to manage risk when things start going sideways? That’s been the story for John Trimble, founder and CEO of Hot Crispy Oil. He didn’t set out to start a condiment company. But when the pandemic forced his family’s 44-year-old restaurant to close, John took a homemade chili oil recipe from his kitchen and turned it into a fast growing brand — all without a roadmap, formal training, or ideal timing.

Host Andrea Marquez unpacks what it really takes to scale a business when uncertainty never goes away. You’ll hear how John navigated supply chain chaos, outgrew two facilities, and made the bold decision to buy a building – all while staying scrappy, adaptable, and laser-focused on the bigger picture.

If you’re trying to grow your business but keep getting hit with the unexpected, this episode will show you how to take calculated risks, stay grounded, and keep moving forward even when things don’t go to plan.

Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com — you might hear it in a future episode.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

(01:32) What happens when your family’s 44-year-old restaurant suddenly closes? John shares how the pandemic forced a hard pivot and sparked a new idea.

(04:10) Can a side project from your stovetop really become a national brand? Hear how Hot Crispy Oil started with mason jars on John’s front porch.

(07:11) Why keep manufacturing in-house when outsourcing seems easier? John explains the importance of quality control and adaptability.

(09:38) What makes someone decide to buy a building instead of leasing? Find out how risk, necessity, and a collapsing warehouse shaped this bold move.

(11:41) How do you take a leap when the data doesn’t fully support it? John talks about betting on himself.

(13:13) What does risk look like in the day-to-day of a growing business? From falling pallets to surprise delays, John shares how he stays grounded.

(16:02) How do you handle supply chain chaos and make sure you never run out? John’s strategy for managing vendor relationships and hedging against disruption.

(18:50) What’s your advice for entrepreneurs afraid of scaling? John explains why growth is worth the risk and how to make it manageable.

What if risk isn’t about jumping off a cliff — but learning how to build the bridge as you go? That’s exactly what Lauren Goldstein, the Founder and CEO of Golden Key Partnership, had to figure out after walking away from a decade in medicine with no backup plan.

Host Andrea Marquez explores how to take smaller, intentional risks that actually move you forward, how Lauren built a thriving business with no business background, and why letting go of control is essential for growth. Lauren also unpacks how redefining success helped her build a business that fits the life she actually wanted — instead of trapping her in one that didn’t.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin or unsure what your next move is — this episode will show you how to get unstuck and grow into the business (and life) you actually want.

Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

(02:51) What makes someone walk away from their dream job after 10 years? Lauren shares the moment that changed everything.

(08:57) Can you build a business without knowing what you’re doing? Lauren opens up about learning on the fly, YouTubing her way through early client projects, and building confidence over time.

(11:00) What if the thing holding you back is actually your brain trying to “protect” you? Lauren explains how understanding the brain helps her reframe fear, spot self-sabotage, and take smarter risks.

(13:45) Can tiny habits really change the trajectory of your business? Lauren shares how “The Slight Edge” philosophy helped her build long-term momentum.

(18:31) How do you come back from failure and redefine success? Lauren helps founders reconnect to their deeper vision — and separate their worth from their business.

(24:06) Why do so many entrepreneurs stay stuck in businesses they’ve outgrown? Guilt, obligation, and fear of letting go — and how to move through them.

(25:27) What’s the smarter way to take risks without doing it alone? Lauren’s advice on finding flow, mentorship, and the right people to build with.

(28:10) What if you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop when things are going well? Lauren shares how she interrupts old patterns, rewires her mindset, and stays grounded in growth.