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Uniquely Small Biz

Welcome to Uniquely Small Biz, a podcast where real small business owners share unique stories to inspire listeners.

In each episode, we discuss what it takes to be a small business owner, growth strategies, the benefits of small business insurance, and much more.

Carolyn McArdle revisits small business episodes in the series finale of Uniquely Small Biz Podcast.

New Episode:

The Series Finale

Join our host Carolyn McArdle as she revisits every episode of Uniquely Small Biz. Hear highlights from each guest and Selective expert, plus Carolyn’s farewell message to our listeners.

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Listen Now

“

I want to just say first and foremost that I have had a wonderful experience hosting this podcast. Every single guest that we had on this podcast and every single Selective Insurance representative that we had as guests on the podcast, I have learned something from. It's got to be tough to start a small business. It takes a lot of courage, a lot of planning, a lot of expertise, and a lot of passion. And every single one of our guests has that. Thank you so much for having me.

Carolyn McArdle, Host of Uniquely Small Biz Podcast
Season 4 Episodes

Episode 5: Authentic Grain
 Brandon Work, owner of Authentic Grain, shares how an “aha moment” led to his decision to start his small business. Inspired by his grandfather, who was also an artisan woodworker, Brandon explores his creativity through commercial and residential builds.

Episode 4: Superior Shower Doors
 Mike Lawlor, owner of Superior Shower Doors, knows the secret to success in a skilled trade is hard work and the right employees. Mike joins our host, Carolyn, to discuss how he got into the glass industry and the evolution of attitudes toward jobs in the skilled trades.

Episode 3: Urban Churn
 Adam Brackbill is setting the bar high for craft ice cream. Inspired by childhood summers spent churning ice with his family, Adam creates unique flavors made with all-natural and local ingredients. Adam and our host Carolyn chat about Urban Churn’s branding, the science behind developing new flavors (like sauerkraut ice cream), and his support for local businesses.

Episode 2: The Bear of Real Estate
As the Bear of Real Estate, Melissa Krudwig is known for fiercely protecting her client’s interests and helping them avoid the “bear traps” of real estate. Melissa joins our host Carolyn to discuss how she got her nickname, her military background, and her values as a real estate agent.

Episode 1: The Fun Kid’s Dentist
Dr. Angela Trochlell, a pediatric dentist and owner of The Fun Kid’s Dentist, joins Carolyn to discuss the unique approach they take to the customer experience. Dr. Angie also shares how their “tell, show, do” method contributes to a calm, but fun, experience for their young patients.

Episode 6: Good Nature
Alec McClennan, founder of Good Nature, joins Carolyn to discuss how his organic lawn care business differs from his competitors. Alec also shares how hiring people who are as passionate as he is has helped his company grow and deliver an improved customer experience.

Episode 5: FIT & NU
Joslyn and Brittney Rae Reese are the charismatic sisters behind FIT & NU, a holistic wellness center for women of color. They join the podcast to share their backstory (starting with a backpacking trip and a lot of Zumba) and how it inspired them to start the business and launch the FIT & NU Coach app.

Episode 4: Your Next Jump
Tim Lo, owner of Your Next Jump, joins Carolyn to discuss how his career-coaching agency helps job-seekers with professional branding, resumes, and more. Tim reveals his number one piece of advice for job seekers – and how to follow it. 

Episode 3: Lance CPA Group
Josh Lance, owner of Lance CPA Group, joins Carolyn to discuss his lifelong love of business and how it led him to start his all-virtual firm, serving the niche markets of microbreweries and digital agencies. Josh reveals how small, calculated risks helped him build a flexible, family-friendly virtual workplace.

Episode 2: Swatara Coffee Company
Carolyn chats with John and Joanna Noll, owners of Swatara Coffee Company. John shares how the analytical skills he learned in the Navy helped guide him as a small business owner. Using a community-first, eco-friendly approach to running their two locations, Swatara has become a social hotspot.

Episode 1: Mo'Pweeze Bakery
Carolyn chats with Christine Allen, owner of Mo’Pweeze, a specialty bakery that creates delicious treats for customers with food allergies. Christine shares where her passion came from and the emotional moments of comradery she shares with other parents who have children with allergies.

Episode 6: The Office Coffee Shop
Mike Keith joins our host Carolyn to talk about co-working, coffee, and community. Mike’s innovative idea brings all three together in a unique shared location that gives entrepreneurs affordable space and resources to move their ideas forward.

Episode 5: Good Judy Garage
CC and Faith Haug, owners of Good Judy Garage, join USB to discuss why ensuring their auto repair garage is LGBTQ+ friendly and a genuinely safe space for their employees and customers is so important.

Episode 4: Family Pet Health
Michael Shirley chats with Carolyn about his strategy for elevating the Family Pet Health customer experience. From value-added services to community events, Michael, his wife Dr. Shirley, and their team are taking the pet health experience to a whole new level.

Episode 3: George's Drains
Aside from being a successful small business owner, George DeJesus is also a mentor in his community, educating teens on the benefits of working in a skilled trade through group volunteer work. He shares the unexpected benefit of social media and the challenges of competing with big companies for workers with our host, Carolyn.

Episode 2: Pull the Pin 
Tom Mattaini chats with Carolyn about his journey to owning a small business and why building confidence in his customers is the key to giving him a competitive edge over big-box retailers.  

Episode 1: Tiny Kitchen Candle Co.
Carolyn asks Regina and Dom Pasqualone to share their experience starting and running a home-based business, the science behind their scents, and how they are getting a foot in the door with well-known retailers. 

Episode 5: Whisk: a Sustainable Bakeshop
Kaylen Wissinger, the founder of Whisk, talks to Carolyn about the importance of sustainability, steps other business owners can take, and her love for working with small, local vendors.  

Episode 4: Love Law Firm
Attorney Francine Love, founder of Love Law Firm, talks to Carolyn about work-life balance, giving back to the community she lives in, and the three friends every Small Business owner should have.  

Episode 3: Happy Box
Sisters Ariel & Hannah Redmond join Carolyn for a laughter-filled conversation about how Ariel getting dumped one Valentine’s Day ultimately inspired them to start their online gifting business Happy Box. Join the fun and learn how they deliver a little “happy” to their customers while building a successful business.

Episode 2: The Petal Effect
Tobore Oweh explains to Carolyn how her small business journey ultimately began in Lagos, Nigeria before she relocated to Los Angeles and started The Petal Effect. Hear how she uses the color and energy of flowers to create meaningful moments for her clients and connect with them on social media.

Episode 1: Pandemic Pivot
Host Carolyn McArdle talks with Adam Shapiro, actor and owner of Shappy Pretzel Co., about how his favorite snack became a side hustle and grew to be a business. Listen to ‘Pandemic Pivot’ to hear how Adam went from Hollywood actor to self-proclaimed pretzelpreneur. 

Mo'Pweeze Bakery | Episode 1 Season 3

Carolyn chats with Christine Allen, owner of Mo’Pweeze, a specialty bakery that creates delicious treats for customers with food allergies. Christine shares where her passion came from and the emotional moments of comradery she shares with other parents who have children with allergies.

Tiny Kitchen Candle Co. | Season 2 Ep. 1

As a small business owner, Dom of Tiny Kitchen Candle Co. knows that sometimes you have to eat, sleep, breathe, and share living space with your product to keep growing.

The Office Coffee Shop | Season 2 Ep. 6

Co-working, coffee, and community. Mike Keith joins the Uniquely Small Biz podcast to discuss bringing these three elements to his small business for an innovative solution to shared workspace.

The Petal Effect | Season 2 Ep. 2

Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, Tobore Oweh came to America at an early age with a deep-rooted love for her culture. She eventually relocated to Los Angeles and launched her floral and design brand, The Petal Effect. As an avid lover of vibrant, bold colors and a sprinkle of glam, her passion is to share the true essence of flowers and the colorful magic they bring to any space or special moment.

Headshot of Carolyn McArdle, from Uniquely Small Biz

Meet Our Host
Carolyn McArdle

Carolyn McArdle has been working in radio for over 25 years. She is the Music Director/Assistant Program Director at 98.1 The Breeze in San Francisco as well as the host of their morning show. Carolyn is also a television host at KOFY-TV. A sucker for a good love song, Carolyn has hosted four different love song shows in her career.

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