On this episode of the Think Small Podcast, we’re joined by Cynthia Kay of Cynthia Kay Biz, a longtime media executive, entrepreneur, author, and small business advocate who shares hard-earned insights from nearly four decades of building, growing, and successfully exiting a business. Cynthia dives into why communication is one of the biggest challenges facing organizations today, the importance of planning your exit from day one, and how purpose, adaptability, and clear leadership fuel long-term success. From navigating the emotional crossroads of business ownership to redefining what “retirement” really means, this conversation is a must-listen for entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey.

Connect:

Website: https://cynthiakaybiz.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiakaybiz/

On this episode of the Think Small Podcast, we sit down with William Roche, CEO of S. Clyde Weaver, a 100-year-old, fourth-generation smoked meat and cheese business rooted in Pennsylvania farmers markets. William shares how stepping in as the first non-family CEO just months before COVID forced rapid change, lean operations, and a renewed focus on local supply chains—ultimately turning crisis into opportunity. From navigating generational transition and pandemic disruption to finding growth during today’s economic uncertainty, this conversation is a candid look at resilience, reinvention, and why small, local food businesses can thrive when it matters most.

Connect:

Website: https://sclydeweaver.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sclydeweaver/

On this episode of the Think Small podcast, Wes, founder of Pic the Gift. shares how he grew a one-man operation tucked in the corner of a friend’s shop into one of the largest custom-gift manufacturers you’ve never heard of. He reveals how problem-solving, automation, and an obsession with efficient production helped the company thrive through industry shifts and even the chaos of COVID, all while staying invisible behind the brands they power.

From embracing one-off, on-demand personalization long before it was trendy to preparing for new acquisitions and strategic growth, Wes offers a candid, insightful look at modern American manufacturing and what it really takes to scale.

Connect:

Website: https://www.picthegift.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wes-pickering-058a1913/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/picthegift/