The Small Business Safari

Have you ever sat there and wondered "What am I doing here stuck in the concrete zoo of the corporate world?" Are you itching to get out? Chris Lalomia and his co-host Alan Wyatt traverse the jungle of entrepreneurship. Together they share their stories and help you explore the wild world of SCALING your business. With many years of owning their own small businesses, they love to give insight to the aspiring entrepreneur. So, are you ready to make the jump?

The Small Business Safari is a business podcast hosted by Chris Lalomia, with 294 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Chris Lalomia hosts The Small Business Safari, a business show with 294 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #257

  How A Former Umpire Builds Financial Confidence | Jack Oujo

  Aug 18, 202647 minS4

  Send us Fan Mail What does a bad call behind home plate, a falling stock market, and a tough day in business have in common? You have to reset, trust your process, and be ready for the next pitch. Summary: Jack Oujo went from calling balls and strikes as a minor league baseball umpire to becoming a CPA, CFP, and founder of a wealth management firm that grew largely through referrals to roughly $900 million under management. Jack shares how the lessons he learned on the baseball field shaped the way he approaches money, leadership, and business. An umpire can’t dwell on a bad call—the next pitch is coming. The same principle applies when markets fall, clients panic, or business owners face difficult decisions. We dig into why a 20% market decline shouldn’t come as a surprise, how planning for worst-case scenarios can create confidence, and why disciplined habits like living below your means, maximizing a 401(k), and paying attention to taxes can build long-term financial independence. Jack also gets practical about growing a business: hiring before you feel completely ready, creating repeatable processes, building a culture where employees work with you rather than for you, and understanding that taking care of your people ultimately means better care for your clients. Most importantly, Jack explains why down markets and difficult moments can actually be opportunities to earn trust. When everyone else is reacting emotionally, strong leaders reset, follow the plan, and focus on what they can control. We also hear the story behind Jack’s book, Too Smart To Be An Umpire , and why he believes success is less about trophies and more about the process—and the legacy you leave behind. GOLD NUGGETS Why a 20% down market is normal—and why your plan should already account for it How Jack went from minor league baseball umpire to CPA, CFP, and wealth management entrepreneur Why saving early and living below your means can create real financial freedom Why federal income taxes may be one of your biggest lifetime expenses How a repeatable “reset” process helps leaders recover from mistakes Why candor and authenticity build lasting client trust When it’s time to hire and start working on the business instead of only in it Why taking care of employees leads to an overwhelmingly positive client experience The importance of financial planning around worst-case scenarios rather than optimistic forecasts Why process, not trophies, is at the heart of Jack’s approach to business and life Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari Follow The Small Business Safari toosmarttobeanumpire.com (Blog) LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/jack-oujo-cpa-cfp-ms-tax-97906810 Website | oujowealthstrategies.com (Company) Instagram | @smallbusinesssafaripodcast LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/ Website | https://chrislalomia.com Tell your friends, tell your family—if you liked it, let them know! And ask yourself: What part of your financial or business plan needs a better reset button? Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

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  Episode #256

  Natal Charts For Business Growth | Aleksandra Ceho

  Aug 11, 202649 minS4

  Send us Fan Mail Can your biggest business breakthrough come from understanding yourself better? Astrologer Aleksandra Ceho joins us to explore how astrology can become an unexpected tool for leadership, decision-making, and business growth—even if you're skeptical. Summary Most entrepreneurs spend countless hours trying to improve their business, but what if the biggest opportunity is understanding yourself first? In this episode, we sit down with astrologer Aleksandra Ceho to discuss how natal charts can serve as a mirror for leadership, strengths, blind spots, and the way founders naturally build businesses. We begin with a memorable World Cup story about rallying people around a common mission before diving into the history of astrology, why influential leaders once relied on astrologers, and how modern astrology differs from newspaper horoscopes. Aleksandra explains how an accurate natal chart—built from your birth date, time, and location—can reveal patterns that help entrepreneurs make better decisions instead of forcing themselves into business models that don't fit. We also explore scaling from individual talent into repeatable systems, using Saturn and Jupiter as metaphors for balancing structure and growth, and a real-world case study of a business owner who found greater success by leaning into their natural strengths. The conversation finishes with financial astrology, broader economic cycles, and why Aleksandra believes astrology deserves another look from even the most skeptical business owners. Whether you're a believer, a skeptic, or simply curious, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on self-awareness and leadership. Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari GOLD NUGGETS The difference between newspaper horoscopes and a true natal chart. Why knowing your natural strengths creates a competitive advantage. Scaling a business by building systems around your unique abilities. Balancing growth and discipline through the concepts of expansion and structure. A business turnaround driven by aligning work with the owner's strengths. Financial astrology and understanding larger economic cycles. A practical, skeptic-friendly approach to astrology and entrepreneurship. Guest Links Website: www.astrologerroyale.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandra-ceho-950452110/ Follow The Small Business Safari Instagram: @smallbusinesssafaripodcast LinkedIn: Chris Lalomia Website: https://chrislalomia.com If you guys aren't watching us on YouTube, you should! The Small Business Safari is putting out full video episodes every week, so be sure to subscribe and join us there for the complete conversation. Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

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  Episode #255

  How Richard Taylor Reinvented Architecture

  Aug 4, 202653 minS4

  Send us Fan Mail Most homeowners don't avoid renovations because they're lazy—they avoid them because they don't know where to start. Richard Taylor built SketchHaus to change that. Summary: We sit down with licensed architect Richard Taylor, founder of SketchHaus Architects, to explore how he reimagined the traditional architecture business for today's homeowners. Richard shares the reality of life after architecture school, his journey through New York during the 2008 recession, and how those experiences ultimately led him to build a company focused on transparency, speed, and accessibility. We discuss the mindset shift from technician to business owner, why duct-taped systems eventually limit growth, and how landing one major client forced Richard to learn the art of delegation. He also explains how COVID became the catalyst for rebuilding his company into a flat-fee architecture firm that removes the confusion and sticker shock many homeowners experience before starting a renovation. Richard also introduces SketchHaus AI, which creates realistic exterior facelift concepts, along with the SketchHaus Builders Network that helps homeowners obtain competitive contractor bids with confidence. Whether you're planning a home addition or building a service business that can scale, this episode is packed with practical lessons on simplifying complicated industries. Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari GOLD NUGGETS The reality gap between architecture school and the real world How the 2008 recession changed Richard's career path The client that forced him to become a true business owner Why systems—not talent—determine whether you can scale How COVID inspired a completely new business model Flat-fee architecture that removes pricing uncertainty SketchHaus AI and making renovation ideas easy to visualize The Builders Network that simplifies finding qualified contractors Guest Links Website: https://sketchhaus.com Instagram: @sketchhaus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardtayloraia/ Follow The Small Business Safari Instagram | @smallbusinesssafaripodcast LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/ Website | https://chrislalomia.com Subscribe to Small Business Safari, share this episode with someone planning a renovation or growing a service business, and leave us a review with your biggest takeaway! Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

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  Episode #254

  A Bad Festival Bathroom Sparked A Whole New Industry | David Sauers

  Jul 28, 202655 minS4

  Send us Fan Mail We sit down with David Sours of Royal Restrooms to unpack how one terrible outdoor festival experience turned into a business that upgraded the portable restroom industry. We talk product design, smart local marketing, and the messy reality of scaling when regulators and copycats show up at your door. • the “why can’t we do this on a trailer?” moment that sparked Royal Restrooms • designing a true bathroom experience for outdoor events with power, water, HVAC, and service plans • targeting wedding planners as the gate opener instead of selling one wedding at a time • building demand through community presence, relationships, and real photos that prove local work • side hustles, golf, and commercial banking lessons that shaped the founder’s business mindset • the licensing approach that got reclassified as franchising and forced legal compliance • competing with copycats by strengthening branding, professionalism, and reliability • innovating the look with a polished stainless steel trailer that blends into weddings • expanding from restroom trailers into broader professional event services and even international projects It’s Royal Restrooms.com. You can find us on all the social media applications. You can find me personally at davidsours.com or on LinkedIn under David Sours. Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

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  Episode #253

  The Four Pillars That Reset An Entrepreneur Brain | David Forster

  Jul 21, 202652 min

  Send us Fan Mail What if the biggest threat to your business isn't the competition—it's the exhausted person staring back at you in the mirror? Entrepreneur burnout doesn't happen overnight. It creeps in through brain fog, poor decisions, sleepless nights, and the constant feeling that you're always "on." In this episode, Chris sits down with David Forster , founder of Systems Over Sweat , multi-business operator, and COO, to discuss how business owners can recognize burnout before it turns into a complete shutdown. David shares his practical "three mornings in a row" rule for recognizing when it's time to make a change, along with science-backed strategies that improve mental clarity, energy, and leadership performance. From understanding how exercise boosts BDNF and helps reset your brain to creating better sleep habits, managing stress, optimizing nutrition timing, and finding real recovery, this conversation is packed with actionable takeaways every business owner can implement immediately. If you've been running on caffeine, cortisol, and sheer determination, this episode offers a healthier—and more effective—way forward. Gold Nuggets Recognize entrepreneur burnout before it becomes a crisis with the "three mornings in a row" rule. Boost focus and brain performance with as little as six minutes of high-intensity exercise. Pair workouts with learning to maximize memory and retention. Build a sleep routine that improves recovery and decision-making. Use a simple "brain dump" notepad technique to quiet a racing mind at 3 a.m. Shift your focus from what you eat to when you eat with David's 40/40/20 nutrition approach. Reduce stress through prayer, quiet time, breathwork, and activating the vagus nerve. Create more productive workdays through flow-state scheduling, time blocking, and intentional recovery. Learn why truly disconnecting on vacation is critical for long-term performance. Guest Links Website: Systems Over Sweat dforster.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdavidforster/ Follow The Small Business Safari Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallBusinessSafari Instagram: @smallbusinesssafaripodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislalomia/ Website: https://chrislalomia.com Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Small Business Safari , leave a review, and share this episode with another business owner who could use a healthier, smarter way to grow. We'd love to hear which habit you're putting into practice this week. Special challenge from Chris: Email Chris@thetrustedtoolbox.com with the subject or message: "Hey Chris, the garbage man just took it out." Thanks to our sponsor Smart Hire Solutions LLC!

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