PODCAST · business
Unpolished MBA
by Unpolished MBA®
Entrepreneurs are sometimes called "unpolished" because they are scrappy and unconventional when starting a business. On this podcast, we speak with entrepreneurs and innovators.Some went to Business School and have a formal MBA degree while others don't. Did it make a difference? Nope!They share the answer to that as well as other pieces of wisdom.To listen to all episodes, apply to become a guest, or a sponsor go to www.unpolishedmba.com
Episodes
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Episode 158 - Kind but cut-throat -Wrapping Up Season 11
Wrapping up Season 11 of Unpolished MBA. Lesson of 2025: People may appear kind/nice/assertive/confident and be ill-intentioned and cut-throat in business. Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com Follow Monique Mills LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/ Bio…
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Episode 157 - No More Guesswork: Scaling CPG and Food and Beverage with Sabeen Abbas
In this episode, we're joined by Sabeen Abbas, founder of Hatch Line Consulting, to unpack what it really means to turn product strategy into action in the CPG and food and beverage world. Sabeen shares how she transitioned from corporate America to entrepreneurship just one year ago, why she…
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Episode 156 - Greedy, Lazy and Wrong? Rethinking the Story We Tell About Capitalism with guest Douglas Stevens PhD
Episode Details: Capitalism is under pressure and everyday people can feel it. Rising prices from tariffs, fights over healthcare, shrinking trust in institutions and the rapid advance of AI have people questioning whether the system still works for them. In this conversation, Monique Mills sits...
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Episode 155 - What It Really Takes to Scale Your Business w/Andy Goldstrom
In this episode, Andy Goldstrom of Midcourse Advisors joined us. He has a remarkable track record of building and exiting two Inc. 5,000 companies to Fortune 50 buyers. Andy shares the powerful difference between mere growth and true scaling. In this episode, you will learn: What Andy’s first two...
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Episode 154 - Assertive, Not Abrasive: Lessons in Leadership with Dr. Julie Gurner
On this episode, Dr. Julie Gurner, executive performance coach and author of the Ultra Successful Substack newsletter, to unpack one of the most misunderstood traits in leadership: assertiveness. Most people equate assertiveness with rudeness — especially when it comes from women. But as Dr.…
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Episode 153 - What 2026 Will Demand from Every Company
2026 is shaping up to be the year that separates companies that are just keeping up from those creating what’s next. In this forward-thinking solo episode we break down the trends, technologies, and shifts that will define business success in the near future. We dive into why many…
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Episode 152 - Expertise Isn’t Enough: Bringing Humanity Back to Business with Lisa McGuire
When everyone sounds the same, trust becomes the real advantage. In this episode, Lisa McGuire, strategist, advisor, and host of Your Passion, Purpose & Personal Brand, shares how to build a business aligned with your unique identity rather than credentials or trends. Lisa breaks down how…
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Episode 151 - From Classroom to Company: How Lisa Shaw Turned Language Love Into A Business
Some Topics Discussed Include: Are you an educator hoping to pursue entrepreneurship? Listen in to learn how an educator-turned-entrepreneur reimagined her career to serve families, schools, and communities with language and literacy. Guest, Lisa Shaw, author, educator, and founder of My Other...
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Episode 150 - Dark, Dirty, Dangerous with Karla Trotman of Electro Soft
In this episode we speak with Karla Trotman, CEO of Electro Soft, an electronics contract manufacturer serving industrial and defense customers. Karla shares the company’s origin story from kitchen table cables to a second-generation operation, and how she’s steering through tariffs, supply chain...
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Episode 149 - Venture Capital for STEM Professionals with Erika Jefferson
Erika Jefferson joins the Unpolished MBA to talk about why more scientists and engineers aren’t at the venture capital table. She breaks down common myths about who becomes a VC, discuss the real backgrounds of investors, and highlight the unique value technical professionals bring to the world…
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Episode 148 - Business Ownership with Content Monsta A. Lee Judge
In this episode A. Lee Judge—entrepreneur, multimedia content expert, and founder of Content Monsta—discusses the evolution of content creation in the digital age. Lee shares his journey from DJing and corporate marketing to building a creative agency that specializes in video and podcast...
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Episode 147 - Winning In Tech with Caroline Dunn
About Episode 147 of Unpolished MBA(R): This episode of Unpolished MBA has guest Caroline Dunn—electrical engineer turned VP of Marketing, YouTuber with 37,000+ subscribers, and author of A Woman’s Guide to Winning in Tech. Caroline shares her unconventional career journey, starting in…
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Episode 146 - The Math Isn’t Mathing - What Small Business Owners Get Wrong About Growth with Jess Villegas
This episode kicks off Season 11 with a conversation that every small and mid-sized business owner needs to hear. We’re not talking hype—we’re talking real numbers, real friction, and the decisions that make or break your cash flow (and ultimately your success!). Monique sits down with Jess, a...
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Episode 145 - Wrapping Up the ETA Series - Buying vs. Building: The Best Growth Strategy for You
This final episode of the ETA series brings everything full circle. If you've been following along, you know we’ve covered the entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) space in depth—exploring what it takes to buy a business, what can go wrong, what goes right, and how investors evaluate deals....
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Episode 144 - What Investors Really Look For w/Mario Montag - The Acquisition Chronicles Series
Most searchers focus on finding the perfect business to buy—but what happens after the deal closes? In this episode, Monique Mills sits down with investor and experienced entrepreneur Mario Montag to discuss what really drives post-acquisition success. Spoiler: it’s not just adding new tech and...
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Episode 143 - Cash Flow Mistakes That Sink Businesses w/Josh Tejkl -The Acquisition Chronicles Series
In this episode, hosts discuss how cash flow can make or break your business. Whether you're running a company, buying one, or just trying to keep your finances in check, understanding how money moves through your business is essential. Joined by Josh Tejkl, a Fractional CFO and cash flow expert,...
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Episode 142 - What Business Buyers Get Wrong w/Kinza Azmat -The Acquisition Chronicles Series
Thinking about buying a small business? You’ve probably seen all the hype online about acquisition entrepreneurship—no money down, seller financing, and easy paths to wealth. But what if most of that isn’t true? In this episode, Kinza Azmat, a business broker and acquisition entrepreneur, breaks...
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Episode 141 - Not Meant to Scare You -The Acquisition Chronicles Series
In this episode, Jed shares his experience of buying and losing a business, the lessons he learned, and his mission to shed light on the often-overlooked challenges of business acquisitions. His forthcoming book, Buyer Beware: Real Stories of Business Acquisition Failure, compiles stories of...
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Episode 140 - Financial Due Diligence w/Yvette Owo -The Acquisition Chronicles Series
This episode features Yvette Owo, an acquisition entrepreneur and accountant. The discussion focuses on the crucial role of quality of earnings (QOE) reports in the acquisition process and how they help identify financial discrepancies, whether due to errors or fraud. Yvette emphasizes the...
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Episode 139 - After A Business Fails -The Acquisition Chronicles Series
In this candid episode, hosts break down the gritty realities of entrepreneurship. From personal guarantees and bankruptcy to building resilience in the face of failure, they leave no stone unturned. Whether you're considering buying a business or struggling with your current venture, this...
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Episode 138 - Business Acquisition is a Marriage -The Acquisition Chronicles Series
In this episode hosts dive deep into the realities of entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA). They explore why buying a business is not the "easy" path many imagine, the tools and strategies to streamline the search process, and the importance of self-awareness and honesty when taking on the...
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Episode 137 - LIES! Laundromats are NOT Passive Income - The Acquisition Chronicles Series w/guest Keira Hamilton
In this episode of Unpolished MBA, we continue the Acquisition Chronicles series to uncover the realities of small business acquisitions. Monique Mills is joined by guest co-hosts Jed Morris and Kinza Azmat to share stories, insights, and lessons from the trenches of Entrepreneurship Through...
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Episode 136 - Hard Truths About Selling a Business - The Acquisition Chronicles Series
In this episode of Unpolished MBA, we continue the Acquisition Chronicles series to uncover the realities of small business acquisitions. Monique Mills is joined by guest co-hosts Jed Morris and Kinza Azmat to share stories, insights, and lessons from the trenches of Entrepreneurship Through...
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Episode 135 - What Happens If The Business Fails? - The Acquisition Chronicles Series - What
In this episode, we kick off The Acquisition Chronicles series the question is answered: What really happens when a business fails? The conversation reveals the hard truths and realities of small business ownership—especially when things don’t go as planned. We discuss: ✅ The impact of personal...
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Episode 134 - Who Can You Trust? - The Acquisition Chronicle Series
In this episode of Unpolished MBA, we continue the Acquisition Chronicles series to uncover the realities of small business acquisitions. Monique Mills is joined by guest co-hosts Jed Morris and Kinza Azmat to share stories, insights, and lessons from the trenches of Entrepreneurship Through...
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Episode 133 - Buyer Beware: Lessons from the Frontlines of Buying Small Businesses - The Acquisition Chronicles Series
In this episode, we kick off The Acquisition Chronicles series with a deep dive into the complexities of buying and selling small businesses. We explore why EQ matters just as much as due diligence, uncover the red flags and deal breakers buyers need to watch for, and shed light on the untold...
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Episode 132 - Style As A Strategy - Special Holiday Episode w/Morgan Wider
Before we kick off Season 10's new series on small business acquisitions Tuesday, December 3rd, we’ve got a special holiday treat for you! In this episode, stylist Morgan Wider joins us to talk about how entrepreneurs can dress for success. From curating a wardrobe that boosts confidence to...
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Episode 131 - End of Hustle And Humor Series - Farewell Message
Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com Follow Monique Mills LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemills/ Bio Website: https://moniquemills.biz/ TPM Focus - Strategy Firm for Startups and SMBs: https://tpmfocus.com/
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Episode 130 - Hustle And Humor Series - From Scams to Solutions: How AI is Changing the Game—For Better or Worse
"Hustle & Humor" is a special Summer 2024 series under the Unpolished MBA ® podcast, hosted by seasoned Atlanta-based entrepreneurs Monique Mills and Caitlin Ferguson. We dive into the realities of running a business with candid conversations, insightful advice, and a healthy dose of humor....
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Episode 129 - Hustle And Humor Series - Can Women Really Have "It All"? with Kacie Lett Gordon
"Hustle & Humor" is a special Summer 2024 series under the Unpolished MBA ® podcast, hosted by seasoned Atlanta-based entrepreneurs Monique Mills and Caitlin Ferguson. We dive into the realities of running a business with candid conversations, insightful advice, and a healthy dose of humor....
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Episode 128 - Hustle and Humor Series - Humor and Landing Pages with Tas Bober
"Hustle & Humor" is a special Summer 2024 series under the Unpolished MBA ® podcast, hosted by seasoned Atlanta-based entrepreneurs Monique Mills and Caitlin Ferguson. We dive into the realities of running a business with candid conversations, insightful advice, and a healthy dose of humor....
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Episode 127 - Hustle And Humor Series: When Work Doesn’t Work Anymore and BWD Summit 2024 with Brandeis Marshall
"Hustle & Humor" is a special Summer 2024 series under the Unpolished MBA ® podcast, hosted by seasoned Atlanta-based entrepreneurs Monique Mills and Caitlin Ferguson. We dive into the realities of running a business with candid conversations, insightful advice, and a healthy dose of humor....
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Episode 126 - Hustle And Humor Series: Silent Laughter and Avoiding Whack-A-Mole in Business
"Hustle & Humor" is a special Summer 2024 series under the Unpolished MBA ® podcast, hosted by seasoned Atlanta-based entrepreneurs Monique Mills and Caitlin Ferguson. We dive into the realities of running a business with candid conversations, insightful advice, and a healthy dose of humor....
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Episode 125 - Hustle and Humor Series: Why More Women Are Going Solo In Business
"Hustle & Humor" is a special Summer 2024 series under the Unpolished MBA ® podcast, hosted by seasoned Atlanta-based entrepreneurs Monique Mills and Caitlin Ferguson. We dive into the realities of running a business with candid conversations, insightful advice, and a healthy dose of humor....
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Episode 124 - Hustle and Humor Series: How to Avoid the Burnout Trap in Consulting
"Hustle & Humor" is a special Summer 2024 series under the Unpolished MBA ® podcast, hosted by seasoned Atlanta-based entrepreneurs Monique Mills and Caitlin Ferguson. We dive into the realities of running a business with candid conversations, insightful advice, and a healthy dose of humor....
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Episode 123 - Hustle and Humor Series: Why Your LinkedIn Company Page is Like a Treadmill—Useful, But Mostly for Show
"Hustle & Humor" is a special Summer 2024 series under the Unpolished MBA ® podcast, hosted by seasoned Atlanta-based entrepreneurs Monique Mills and Caitlin Ferguson. We dive into the realities of running a business with candid conversations, insightful advice, and a healthy dose of humor....
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Episode 122 - Hustle and Humor Series - Navigating Entrepreneurship: Get Snarky, Sarcastic, and Smart
"Hustle & Humor" is a special Summer 2024 series under the Unpolished MBA ® podcast, hosted by seasoned Atlanta-based entrepreneurs Monique Mills and Caitlin Ferguson. We dive into the realities of running a business with candid conversations, insightful advice, and a healthy dose of humor.…
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Episode 121 - Hustle And Humor Series - From Zoom UX Mysteries to Psychic Insights
"Hustle & Humor" is a special Summer 2024 series under the Unpolished MBA ® podcast, hosted by seasoned Atlanta-based entrepreneurs Monique Mills and Caitlin Ferguson. We dive into the realities of running a business with candid conversations, insightful advice, and a healthy dose of humor.…
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Episode 120 - Hustle and Humor Series: Corporate Cushions to Construction with Guest Tato Corcoran
"Hustle & Humor" is a special Summer 2024 series under the Unpolished MBA ® podcast, hosted by seasoned Atlanta-based entrepreneurs Monique Mills and Caitlin Ferguson. We dive into the realities of running a business with candid conversations, insightful advice, and a healthy dose of humor.…
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Episode 119 - Hustle And Humor Series - Team Meeting Shenanigans: Secrets, Strategies, and a Dash of Creativity
"Hustle & Humor" is a special Summer 2024 series under the Unpolished MBA ® podcast, hosted by seasoned Atlanta-based entrepreneurs Monique Mills and Caitlin Ferguson. We dive into the realities of running a business with candid conversations, insightful advice, and a healthy dose of humor. This...
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Episode 118 - Hustle and Humor Series: From Break-ins to Breakthroughs
In this episode, Monique Mills and guest co-host, Caitlin Ferguson, introduce their new podcast series, Hustle and Humor, which will provide listeners with a mix of real talk, practical advice, and plenty of laughs. They discuss the importance of aligning business efforts for financial goals, the...
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Episode 117 - Inside the Laundromat Business with Mark Csordos
In this episode we dive into the intriguing world of laundromats with expert Mark Csordos. Mark, the author of the bestselling book "Laundromat Bible," discusses the reasons behind choosing laundromats, the impact of location, and the shift from cash to credit card operations. He also covers...
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Episode 116 - Stop Wasting Money On Marketing-Intro To Effective Marketing with Megan Bowen of Refine Labs
Megan Bowen, CEO of Refine Labs, joined us to discuss innovative marketing strategies. Megan, a recognized figure in the marketing industry with a 17-year career in B2B SaaS companies, shares insights on common marketing leadership mistakes under pressure for revenue targets, the necessity of...
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Episode 115 - Entrepreneurial Voyage: Surf, Sales, SaaS, and AI with Scott Leese
Welcome back to season nine of the Unpolished MBA®. After a six-week hiatus filled with new developments, the podcast returns with a lineup of remarkable entrepreneurs and CEOs sharing unfiltered business insights. The first guest is Scott Leese, a talented advisor to numerous SaaS companies. The...
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Episode 114 - Avoiding Common Scams in Tech Development for Startups with Igor Belagorudsky
In this special BONUS episode of the Unpolished MBA podcast, we welcome Igor Belagorudsky, founder and CTO of Fast CTO, who shares his insights on the pitfalls and scams tech startups face when working with development shops. He highlights common scam tactics, and provides actionable advice for...
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Episode 113 - The Future of Data and AI with Dr. Kruti Lehenbauer
Episode Highlights In this episode Monique speaks on the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its growing significance in various business sectors, particularly in tech. With AI becoming a mainstream tool, she discusses the multitude of applications of AI in businesses and how it leverages...
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Episode 112 - The Shift from Free to Fee: A Business Perspective with Monique Mills
In this episode the discussion centers on the changing dynamics in the world of business, especially focusing on how services that were previously offered for free are now transitioning to paid models. It highlights how unexpected charges for services that were once free can alienate users and...
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Episode 111 - Connection Codes, Communication, and Storytelling in STEM with Mark Bayer
In this episode, Mark Bayer of Bayer Strategic Consulting, who specializes in teaching scientists and engineers effective communication and storytelling to amplify their career growth beyond academia, discusses the challenges that scientists face when transitioning from academic. Mark shares...
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Episode 110 - HR Due Diligence for SMB Acquisition Success with Mark Sinatra
In this episode we hear Mark Sinatra, the CEO of Aspen HR, unravel the complexities of HR due diligence and its undeniable impact on successful acquisitions. Some Topics Discussed Include: The importance of HR diligence before acquisition, including compliance risks, benefits evaluation, and...
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Episode 109 - Business Clarity and Hypnotherapy with Beki Darlin
In this episode Beki Darlin introduces the audience to using hypnotherapy to elevate your empire and gain business clarity. Chaos in business is inevitable, but how you navigate it makes all the difference. Become an Unpolished MBA Guest: https://unpolishedmba.com Follow Beki Darlin LinkedIn:...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Entrepreneurs are sometimes called "unpolished" because they are scrappy and unconventional when starting a business. On this podcast, we speak with entrepreneurs and innovators.Some went to Business School and have a formal MBA degree while others don't. Did it make a difference? Nope!They share the answer to that as well as other pieces of wisdom.To listen to all episodes, apply to become a guest, or a sponsor go to www.unpolishedmba.com
HOSTED BY
Unpolished MBA®
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Unpolished MBA have?
Unpolished MBA currently has 177 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Unpolished MBA about?
Entrepreneurs are sometimes called "unpolished" because they are scrappy and unconventional when starting a business. On this podcast, we speak with entrepreneurs and innovators.Some went to Business School and have a formal MBA degree while others don't. Did it make a difference? Nope!They share...
How often does Unpolished MBA release new episodes?
Unpolished MBA publishes regularly with 177 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Unpolished MBA?
You can listen to Unpolished MBA on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Unpolished MBA?
Unpolished MBA is created and hosted by Unpolished MBA®.
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