Business on the Edge, Silicon Valley

Today’s guest, Sperling Services, joins us to discuss why mobile notary, I-9 verification, loan signing, and apostille services are more important than ever in a world of remote work, global mobility, and high-stakes paperwork.

Today we’re talking about a man who didn’t just build a company… he built a movement. A system that has helped everyday entrepreneurs go from idea… to income… to impact. I’m talking about Russell Brunson, cofounder of ClickFunnels alongside Todd Dickerson.   Here’s the truth—success in today’s economy isn’t about who has the best product… it’s about who has the best system to sell it.

Today on the show, we’re going to talk about why LinkedIn cold messaging, especially from the free version, is one of the worst marketing strategies in business today. Not only does it rarely produce deals…It actually damages your brand and destroys trust before the conversation even begins. But here’s the crazy twist…   LinkedIn is still one of the most powerful platforms in the world for landing high-value clients.

If you’re using grants just to survive, you’re thinking too small. Grants are leverage. And leverage gets you approved.

 Today, we are wrapping up our Grant Readiness Series with one of the most important conversations nonprofit leaders must understand if they want to survive the next decade — revenue diversification.  

Today’s conversation is one that most grant seekers wish they could be a fly on the wall for. Because we’re not just talking about grants… We’re talking about what actually happens inside the room— where funding decisions are debated, defended, and decided. My guest today brings a rare and powerful perspective. She’s spent decades serving at the highest levels of the arts and cultural ecosystem—working with institutions like the Sacramento Symphony, the San Jose Symphony, and the Monterey Symphony—and beyond that, she has dedicated her career to giving back.

Katrena Friel is an author, business mentor, expert, speaker, trainer, executive, and more…she is making her introduction to the Silicon Valley/ Bay Area and sharing her genius with you. Go on this wild ride show kicking off the New Yea, it is a no-holds bar kind a show! Check out the rebroadcast on our podcast channels. (iTune, Podbean, and iHeartradio)

How AI can help small businesses build credibility, readiness, and leverage grants to power up their next loan approval.   Most small businesses don’t get denied for bad ideas—they get denied because they’re unprepared. Today, we’re diving into how Artificial Intelligence can help small business owners get loan ready—from cleaning up financials to generating professional loan packages that impress lenders. We’ll talk about how to prompt AI the right way, sanitize your data, and even blend small business grants to strengthen your loan submission.   And joining me today is our guest Underwriter, CHATGPT who’s going to tell you exactly what a loan officer looks for when AI gets involved in your loan application.

Don’t miss your opportunity to join Coach and Radio Personality Margaret Jackson – anywhere in the country – to attend the 1st SBDC California North Bay AI Summit for Small Businesses. Tune in on this week episode of AM 1220. 

We’re in the final quarter of the year—the season when smart businesses and nonprofits get serious about positioning themselves for new funding opportunities. Grants are not just about writing a proposal; they’re about being ready—financially, organizationally, and strategically. Today, I’m going to walk you through my Grant Readiness Framework in 5 power-packed segments, so you can finish this year strong and enter the new year prepared to win.

On today’s show where we’re unlocking the playbook for turning a business idea into a high-five-figure—or even six-figure—machine in the next 12 months. Now, I know that sounds bold—but it’s not hype. With today’s digital tools, artificial intelligence, and proven business development strategies, it’s more possible than ever to launch, scale, and ramp up sales fast. Whether you’re a start-up, a small business owner, or someone sitting on the edge of entrepreneurship, this show is your blueprint. Stay locked in, because by the end you’ll walk away with the clarity and confidence to take your business from where you are—to where you want to be!  

This wasn’t politics as usual. It was political violence. And violence of any kind is always a failure of leadership, a failure of our society’s character. We can agree or disagree with Charlie Kirk’s views, but none of that justifies taking a life. None of that excuses threats, extremism, or the kind of rhetoric that leads people to believe that violence is ever acceptable. What should unite us now are higher values — respect for life, justice, truth, restraint.

Welcome to today’s show. AI is everywhere—you can’t scroll, swipe, or search without running into it. But for small businesses, it’s not just about what AI can do—it’s about what you should do, what to avoid, and what could get you into trouble. From copyright issues with AI art to data privacy, customer trust, and the ethics of automation—today, I’m pulling back the curtain on the real opportunities and the hidden gotchas of AI. By the end of this show, you’ll walk away smarter, sharper, and ready to leverage AI without losing your edge—or your reputation.

Today we’re diving into one of the biggest hurdles and opportunities for small business owners — financing. If you’ve ever wondered how banks really decide who gets a ‘yes’ and who gets a ‘not this time,’ this episode is for you. I’m going to walk you through the mindset, the tools, and the programs, like the SBA 7(a), 504, and even the brand-new 7(a) Working Capital Pilot that could be the key to unlocking your next stage of growth. From tightening up your finances and streamlining your systems to recharging your marketing and reconnecting with your best customers, we break down the exact mid-year check-in steps that can transform your next six months. Plus, you’ll get a bonus insider tip on why NOW not December is the time to go after small business grants.

We’ve hit the halfway mark of the year, and the clock is ticking. In this high-energy episode of The Halfway Hustle, we’re talking about the smart, strategic moves every small business should make right now to finish the year strong. From tightening up your finances and streamlining your systems to recharging your marketing and reconnecting with your best customers, we break down the exact mid-year check-in steps that can transform your next six months. Plus, you’ll get a bonus insider tip on why NOW—not December—is the time to go after small business grants. If you’re ready to cut the fluff, double down on what’s working, and position your business for a big year-end win, this episode is your wake-up call. Hustle smart, finish strong.

Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson because today we’re turning the spotlight on the fearless women who are rewriting the rules of business. This is the show where grit meets grace, and strategy meets unstoppable ambition. If you’re a woman thinking about starting your own business—or you’re already in the arena—this hour is for you. We’ll talk about the top industries to dive into, real strategies to grow and thrive, and the funding and grants that are helping women-owned businesses break barriers every single day. So, buckle up! We’re about to power up your WOSB game like never before. Tune in on this episode of AM 1220 KDOW!

Tune in to Business Coach Margaret Jackson where she reveals Power Moves that make women led businesses succeed. Learn the moves to turn the launch of your business into a successful sustainable one. Be sure to check it out on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW. 

Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson where she asks ChatGPT on what are the best tools you should be using in your business in 2025. Find out which tools you will need on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson, on today's show where she goes over how a change in administration can impact your business & careers. Learn how to overcome those changes on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW. 

Join business Coach Margaret Jackson along with special guest, Coach Tometrius Paxton to share how grant readiness is invaluable for your small business. Go beyond just applying for grants and learn to be ready for them. Tune in on this week's episode of AM 1220 Radio!

Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson as she shares how unethical practices by grant writers sets them up to fail. Tune in and learn ethical practices that succeed in grant writing on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson where she shares what it takes to winning grants.  Tune in as she shares the odds when starting out applying for grants and when you are actively applying on this week's episode.

Most Non-Profits that apply for grants face rejection every year. Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson where she will show you how to make your Non-Profit ready when applying for grants on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW. 

When managing your small business it's best to seek grants to help stay in business. Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson as she shares what kind of grants out there can help keep your small business running on this week's AM 1220 KDOW.

Join business Coach Margaret Jackson as she reveals the best kept secret for the success of Small Businesses. Tonight she will go over the Small Business Development Center Program, a federal program that helps provide services for people who want to bring their small business to the next level. Tune in on this week's episode of AM1220 KDOW.

There is a lot of uncertainty as a small business owner in the 2025 but there are ways to help succeed in uncertain times. Join business coach Margaret Jackson as she helps answer the following questions on how to survive these uncertain changes in 2025. Tune in on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson as she shows you how to turn Grant rejections to Grant successes. Learn how to win Grants that you deserve on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

Focus your efforts on where you want your business or career to be in four years. Leverage or pivot as needed. How can this new administration be your asset? Tune in to this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson on this week's episode of AM 1220 Radio discussing the impacts of the new administration's executive orders and the shutdown of Tik Tok. Joining her this episode is the Co-founder of Lotus Rosery Genius Music Industry, Digital Marketer & Project Manager, Anwar Dougsiyeh and SBDC Washington DC State Executive Director (At Howard University), Carl E Brown. Tune in!

With the rapid flurry of executive orders by the current administration, how will this affect the owners of small businesses? Join business coach Margaret Jackson as she dives into the impact these orders have on small business owners on this week of AM 1220 KDOW.

Happy Black History Month on AM1220 KDOW. Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson as she discusses the Balance & Impact of D.E.I with special guest, Dr. Devin Oten. Tune in!

Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson as she dives into ways that you can invest in yourself for success in your small business. Tune in, and learn to invest in yourself on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

With a lot of misinformation on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy, there are many who are unsure of what it means. Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson as she breaks down what exactly DEI is on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

You now have your business but there is one question that is on your mind. Where do you want your business to go in four years? Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson on this week's episode of AM 1220 Radio to help solve that question.

Missed out on the live broadcast? We will re-broadcast it. With the administration coming in the new year, what does that mean for Small Businesses? Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson as she uses ChatGPT to figure out how the political & economical landscape in 2025 on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

Tune in to Business Coach Margaret where she asks more questions using the AI tool ChatGPT. Would you want to know what ChatGPT would do if it became President of the United States? Find out on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson for week three of answering questions about the new administration using ChatGPT. One of them being how will Tariffs impact small businesses and what businesses owners need to do to prepare for them. Tune in on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson where she uses ChatGPT to answer even more questions on the upcoming Administration in 2025 and the future of DEI on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

With the administration coming in the new year, what does that mean for Small Businesses? Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson as she uses ChatGPT to figure out how the political & economical landscape in 2025 on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson, on this week's episode AM 1220 KDOW, where she challenges the Entrepreneur and small business owner. Why does a business that is starting out, not learn from the current businesses or not investing in your business. Why do small businesses fail? Check out the show where Margaret answers those questions.

Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson as she dives into how to procure and be ready when writing for grants. Increase your odds of winning on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

Yesterday's Business on the Edge show was Ah-Mazing! We wrapped up National Small Business Women's Month with all kinds of power talk and took it up a notch. My guest, Bobbie Racette, founder of Virtual Gurus, the one-stop shop to support your business, is a CraZy Rising Star in the business world who is impacting the U.S. Sabrina Parsons, CEO of Palo Alto Software, is a Silicon Valley "fan-favorite" the genius behind "Live Plan" the #1 business plan SAAS in the world. It was like being a kid in a candy store, and Mom says, "Whatever you want!"!! I about lost it LIVE in Silicon Valley—ya'll, I may have toed the lost it line—ready to blast out of my seat. I had not one but Two Powerful Women on the show changing the world—not making a Ding on the Universe, but making a full-blown Symphony on the Universe.

Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson as she celebrates Small Business Women's month. Joining her today is the Founder of College 2 Career, Dr. JoNataye Prather and Cocoa & Onyx founder Felicia Bradley. Check them out on this week's episode of AM 1220 Radio.

Powerful women are on the rise in business and we need to know their names. Tune in to Business Coach Margaret Jackson along with her guests, Amazon's Small Business Program, Abby Malchow and Lauren Morgan where they discuss how to use AI responsibly and protect your intellectual property. Check it out on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

Tune in to Business Coach Margaret Jackson as she explores integrating AI tools into your business. Joining her today is A1 Gutter Guys and how they use AI to drive year-end productivity on their social media. Check it out on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

Whether it's the deed, your title or even your identity, it all needs to be protected. Tune in to Business Coach Margaret Jackson and guest speaker  Ryan Marshal as they discuss how to protect you and your small business on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson as she answers the question, how leaders discover powerful answers by knowing how and what to ask. Joining her is co-author of Leading with Questions, Bob Tiede. Tune in on this week's episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

Technology is always changing and growing like a business. Join Business Coach, Margaret Jackson as she discusses the best ways to use AI for your small business.  Learn how to use these tools to grow your small business on this episode on AM 1220 KDOW.

So you started your business but don't know how to get customers to come to your business. Tune in to Business Coach, Margaret Jackson as she explores the strategies of marketing and advertising. Learn to expand and build your brand on this episode of AM 1220 KDOW.

When it comes to running your small business you need the right tools to maintain it. Join Business Coach Margaret Jackson as she shares the various tools a business owner should have. From handling payments with Gusto to creating designs for marketing with Canva. Find out what tools work for you on this episode of AM 1220 radio.