This week the guys talk with Rita Mitchell, Director of the Pine Belt Small Business Development Center, and Lori Watts, President of the Marion County Development Partnership. They discuss the vital role their organizations play in supporting businesses, from startups to established enterprises, especially in times of crises like natural disasters, economic downswings, and even global pandemics!

The conversation highlights how these centers provide free, confidential counseling and connect entrepreneurs with essential resources – emphasizing the importance of planning, realistic expectations, and adaptability in the ever-evolving business landscape. They also take some time to discuss the impact of AI on small businesses and share insights on common pitfalls for entrepreneurs, such as seeking non-existent grants and insufficient market research.

If you have ever wondered how the SBDC or your local county development partnership can help take your company to the next level, be sure to check out this episode on the platform of your choice!

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

The week the guys talk about the 2016 movie, The Founder, a period drama that tells the story of Ray Kroc, a salesman who turned two brothers’ innovative fast-food burger joint (McDonald’s) into the biggest restaurant in the world.

Caleb and Chris reflect on Kroc’s ambition, persistence, and ruthlessness, and how any of these talents (when taken to their extreme) can do as much harm as good. The guys also take some time to reflect on entrepreneurship more broadly, including the challenges of starting a business, and the personal sacrifices involved, using Kroc’s story as a point of comparison.

The conversation touches on balancing ambition with personal life, the importance of persistence, and the realities of the business world compared to idealized social media portrayals.

Check out the guys’ chat about this movie on the platform of your choice.

Special thanks to Indicium for editing this episode!

Hey Everybody, we just found out over the weekend that the Sippi Podcast has made it to the final round of the Top Five Podcasts for Festival South’s Best of the Pine Belt! Sincere thanks to those of you that nominated and then voted for us to make it to this final stage!

You can hear the guys briefly chat about it on the podcast player of your choice. If you want to check out the other South MS podcasts that made it to the final round, click here!