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31 best small business podcasts to listen to in 2024
I spent over a month listening to the top podcasts recommended by small business owners. Here are my favorites.
I spent over a month listening to the top podcasts recommended by small business owners. Here are my favorites.
There are over 3 million podcasts out there, almost as many as the number of businesses registered in the United States every year.
Finding a small business podcast isn’t hard, but figuring out which ones are worth your time can be. As a self-proclaimed podcast nerd, people often ask me for small business podcast recommendations. But “business” as a topic is so broad that right show for you will depend on the stage of your small business, the information you need, and the style of show you prefer.
To make things easy, I’ve broken this list down into three sections: the best overall, the best for inspiration, and the best for tactical advice. So whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur or a seasoned operator needing in-the-weeds tips to scale, there’s a show on this list for you.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
First up is Shoestring, a podcast I help produce. But hear me out – I created this show because I couldn’t find anything like it. I wanted more than just talking heads; something akin to This American Life and Heavyweight. In each episode of Shoestring, we provide free marketing advice to small business owners and invite you into the room as our team brainstorm ideas. You’ll eavesdrop on the call where we share these ideas with the business and learn if they work.
The Pitch is always on my list of recommendations of podcasts for small business owners. It is essentially Shark Tank in podcast form. Entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to investors for a chance at investment. When I ran a small business, The Pitch was invaluable – I’d take the questions investors asked entrepreneurs on the show and ask myself those same questions about my business.
Business plans, scaling, and identifying customers – these are questions every small business owner should be asking themselves. By interrogating your own venture with the same inquiries, you’ll evolve into a better entrepreneur.
This one stands out from the typical business podcasts that focus on interviewing founders and their startup stories. Instead, Think Like an Owner dives into the world of operators and private equity professionals who buy businesses, scale them, and then sell them. It’s a refreshing operational perspective that goes beyond the initial inspiration stage of running a business. Host Alex Bridgman has a knack for digging deep and asking tactical questions.
I’ve often pondered which shark I’d want to invest in my company if I were on Shark Tank. Time and time again, I find myself choosing Barbara Corcoran. Her incredible story is worth a listen on “How I Built This,” and she even has her own podcast, “Business Unusual.”
One of my favorite parts of the show is when small business owners call in with questions, and Barbara answers them. I really appreciate her no-nonsense advice, which comes from her firsthand experience not just in her real estate empire, but also from the businesses she’s invested in on Shark Tank.
I first stumbled upon Jerry Colonna through Startup, the next podcast on this list. Jerry, a founding partner of Flatiron Ventures, is known for mixing mindfulness with work. Picture him as a blend of business coach and therapist, working with top-notch tech founders and CEOs.
In his podcast, Reboot, he dives into themes similar to his book that shares the same name. He explores topics like conquering fear, establishing trust, and understanding how your childhood impacts you today.
Startup, a classic from the folks at Gimlet Media, is a podcast about starting a podcast company. Yeah, it’s pretty meta. With its documentary style, you’ll feel like you’re right there in the action.
Later seasons switch things up by following other businesses, like Dating Ring. And in season three, they feature a new business each episode. Trust me, Startup sets the bar high for business podcasts – you’ll want to binge every season.
For a deeper dive into how successful businesses operate, tune into “Business Breakdowns.” Each episode is a case study on a specific company – think Peloton, Netflix, or SpaceX. The hosts dissect business models, strategies, and what led to their successes (or failures). It’s a fantastic resource for understanding the nitty-gritty of various industries. Great for those who enjoy a mix of storytelling and analysis.
You might know Matt D’Avella from his YouTube channel, where he’s got 3.79 million subscribers. Or perhaps you’ve caught the Netflix documentary he directed, The Minimalists. But did you know he’s also got a podcast? It’s called The Ground Up Show.
Like his YouTube channel, Matt’s podcast isn’t just about business. He digs into topics like anxiety, morning routines, and breaking up with social media. There’s even an episode called A Minimalist Approach to Business. Matt hasn’t dropped a new episode since 2019, but don’t let that stop you. There are over 100 episodes in the vault, and they’re worth checking out. And hey, while you’re at it, give his YouTube channel a look if you haven’t already.
Shane and Sam, hosts of the My First Million podcast, chat like old friends, but each episode is packed with useful nuggets. You’re guaranteed to pick up some wisdom or a handy framework you can apply. The show began as a place to brainstorm business ideas but has since evolved to include interviews with entrepreneurs building big, impactful companies and breakdowns of different businesses.
It’s a mix of entrepreneurship, creativity, personal growth, and a dash of humor. With episode titles like “How I Bought a Million Dollar Egg Carton Business for Zero Dollars,” it’s tough not to binge this podcast.
The Quest pod seems to have hit the pause button, with no new episodes since February 2022. But don’t let that stop you – there’s a treasure trove of past episodes waiting. Justin Kan, one of Twitch’s co-founders, leads the show. Twitch, by the way, is that video game streaming giant that Amazon bought for a cool billion.
What sets Justin apart as a host? He’s down-to-earth. In a chat with him, he said he used to think you needed to be some kind of genius to run a successful company. But he’s no whiz at coding, math, or management – and yet, he made it big. That same humble vibe comes through when he interviews other successful founders.
It’s been a while since this show released a new episode – November 2019, to be exact. But trust me, it’s worth going back and giving it a listen. The host, Pablo Fuentes, spent three years traveling the country, chatting with small business owners face-to-face. He dives into all sorts of businesses – hostels, record stores, neon art shops, clothing stores, guitar repair stores, cafes… you name it.
These small business owners share their struggles, funny stories, and day-to-day lives. And with over 150 episodes in the catalog, there’s plenty to keep you entertained and inspired
Tim Ferriss is like the godfather of podcasting. He’s been at it since 2014, and his show has racked up over 700 million downloads. A favorite among small business owners, you might know Tim from his New York Times bestseller, The 4-Hour Workweek.
He talks about more than just business – fitness and mental health are on the menu too. But with over 700 episodes, you’re sure to find interviews with entrepreneurs that’ll get your wheels turning. One of my top picks? “One Person Businesses That Make $1,000,000 Per Year.” Give it a listen if you think success means managing a huge team. You might be surprised.
Reid Hoffman, the guy behind LinkedIn, has a podcast. It’s all about tech entrepreneurs – think Netflix and Slack CEOs. They talk about how they grow their businesses. It’s a chance to learn from them and see if you can use their ideas for your small business.
But heads up – this isn’t your typical interview-style podcast. They like to mix things up with music and sound design. Some folks find it distracting, or say the interviews feel chopped up. Give it a listen and see if it’s your cup of tea.
Gary Vee, you either love him or you hate him. But one thing’s for sure…he’s hard to ignore. He first made waves by creating Resy, a reservation software company. Now, he’s got his hands in advertising and media agencies while dishing out entrepreneurial advice on social media.
He’s got a podcast too, where he chats about the future of business and marketing and brings in other experts for a fresh take.
Ever wonder what runs through a CEO’s mind? “Diary of a CEO” might be your answer. Hosted by Steven Bartlett, a young entrepreneur and former CEO of a leading social media company, this podcast offers an unfiltered peek into the highs and lows of leading a business. Steven doesn’t just share his own journey; he brings on guests who open up about their triumphs and failures. It’s raw, honest, and sometimes brutally vulnerable – exactly what the entrepreneurial soul needs.
You have likely already listened to How I Built This. If so, you know what it deserves a spot on this list. If you haven’t, stop what you’re doing and pull up an episode. This is one of the leading business podcasts out there. Guy Raz, the host, is a master interviewer. He digs deep into the origin stories of household brands like Lululemon, Eventbrite, Supergoop, and others.
Mike Michalowicz, a small business author, has penned books like The Pumpkin Plan, Fix This Next, and his big hit, Profit First. He’s got a unique take on accounting. Instead of the usual revenue minus cost equals profit, he believes revenue minus profit should equal costs. Sounds odd, right? But if it piques your interest, give his podcast, Profit First Nation, and book a try.
A bunch of small business podcasts out there seem to be more about inspiration than real, down-to-earth advice. Badass Small Business Owner is different. They focus on trades like handymen, cleaners, landscapers, painters, dog groomers, pool cleaners, and so on.
If you’re working over 40 hours a week and struggling to grow your small business or find financial freedom, this is the show for you. Check out episodes like 7 Key Pillars of a Strong Business Foundation, Why Your Competition is More Profitable Than You Are, and You’re Paying Yourself Wrong in Your Small Business.
Donald Miller wrote a fantastic book called How to Build a Story Brand. If you’re a small business owner trying to tell your brand’s story, you need to read it. But that’s not all – Donald also hosts a podcast, Business Made Simple, where he helps business owners run their companies better. He talks with other experts about things like online marketing, social media balance, media presence, and negotiation secrets.
What’s great about his podcast is how focused each episode is on a specific topic. You can skim through the list and find exactly what you need. For example, there’s an episode called Your Website Probably Stinks. Here’s How to Fix It. Or another one titled How to Unleash Your Instagram Potential. No need to listen in order – just find the advice that fits your current small business challenge.
If you’re running a classic brick-and-mortar or service business, this podcast might not be right for you. But if you’ve got an online venture or an app, then pull up a chair. This one’s for folks building online businesses and side hustles to break free from the nine-to-five grind.
You’ll hear about startup trends, marketing your side projects, reaching that first taste of profit (known as “ramen profitability” in software circles), and growing your app.
One of the longest-running and most popular business podcasts is still going strong since its launch in 2016. Weekly episodes keep coming, thanks to hosts Allison Beard and Kurt Nikish. Allison, an executive editor at Harvard Business Review, used to be a reporter at the Financial Times. Kurt, also an editor at the same review, holds an MBA from Boston University and has covered business topics for NPR, Marketplace, and Fast Company.
Each episode tackles a different topic. They’ve talked about the four fears that hold you back from great ideas, big data, and how to build your company’s culture. No wonder people keep tuning in.
You might not know Mark Randolph, but you’ve probably heard of his little creation called Netflix. He’s got a podcast called That Will Never Work, where he mentors startup founders. He answers questions like: Is pre-revenue funding just a fantasy? Should you buy or lease your location? How do you deal with resistance to change?
It’s like eavesdropping on a chat between Mark and ambitious founders. And when it’s over, you walk away with real advice you can use.
Some people think you need piles of cash to make it as an entrepreneur. This podcast says otherwise. Arvid Kahl, the host, is all about bootstrapping your business. He knows what he’s talking about – he built and sold a company called Feedback Panda in under two years.
On The Bootstrapped Founder, Arvid shares the wisdom he picked up along the way. He’s a big believer in running a self-funded company. And he thinks it’s often better than chasing investors or racking up debt.
Tier 11 is an ad agency that dishes out a podcast twice a week. Every episode focuses on a particular tactic to get more leads and sales. You’ll learn stuff like blending Google Ads with Meta Ads to boost returns, or hear about must-have tools for marketers. If you’re a small business owner seeking digital marketing tips, this podcast might be right up your alley.
Do you think marketing is BS? This show’s for you. Host Louis Grenier isn’t scared to go against the grain. Over seven years and 250 episodes in, he talks timeless stuff: brand positioning, content marketing, product marketing, advertising. He chats with big names like Seth Godin, diving deep for an hour on things like shaking up change-hating industries, building a genuine social presence, and creating a content marketing empire.
For those who love staying small and bootstrapping your business, this one’s for you. Rob, the host, wrote the book Start Small, Stay Small. In each episode, he chats with experts about stuff like finding the perfect product-market fit, discovering your dream customer, and keeping your remote team fired up. Just a heads up, this podcast is mostly about software as a service. So if that’s not your jam, maybe choose another show from the list.
So, you started a business to make it work for you, not the other way around? The TMBA podcast might just be your thing. It’s for founders who crave personal freedom and want to shake up the old work-life balance idea. With over 10 million downloads and meetups worldwide, it’s worth giving a listen.
This show makes you want to get straight to work. Hosted by Kathryn Finney, one of Inc. Magazine’s most influential women in tech, she turned a blog into a seven-figure startup. Kathryn covers the basics: making sure your business solves a problem, getting the money to grow, and exiting a company to start anew. Her show even snagged a Webby Award nomination for Best Business Podcast.
I discovered Noah Kagan through his YouTube channels where he does stuff like knocking on mansion doors to ask millionaires how they made their millions or asking billionaires if they have any regrets. His podcast dives into entrepreneurship too.
Some of my favorite episodes? The one with productivity whiz Ali Abdaal, and the one with Jerry Colonna, the CEO coach known for making any CEO tear up. Noah’s got this infectious energy in his shows. Give it a listen.
Budget-friendly and practical, “The $100 MBA” is a no-fluff small business owner podcast. Omar Zenhom, the host, breaks down complex business concepts into bite-sized, actionable lessons. The best part? Each episode is around 10 minutes long, perfect for those on-the-go moments. It’s like having a business coach in your pocket, offering insights on everything from marketing strategies to time management. A must-listen for those who prefer straight talk over jargon.
Got a side hustle or thinking of starting one? “Side Hustle School” is your daily dose of inspiration and advice. Chris Guillebeau, the host and author of “The $100 Startup,” shares stories of regular folks who’ve started successful side hustles. Each episode is short and sweet, focusing on practical tips and creative ideas for making extra income. It’s empowering, especially for those dreaming of turning their passion into profit without quitting their day job.
Alfredo is SimpleTexting's brand manager. He's passionate about using his 10+ years of marketing experience to help small businesses grow.
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