In this episode of Small Business School, Staci sits down with Britt Holmes, founder of Merit Media, to unpack how small businesses can navigate the shift toward paid advertising and use ads strategically to grow in 2026. With more than 14 years of experience in digital advertising, Britt has worked across hundreds of campaigns and managed multimillion-dollar ad budgets before launching her own agency focused on helping small businesses scale with smarter ad strategies.

Together, Staci and Britt break down the realities of modern marketing, how to know when your business is ready for ads, and the key mistakes entrepreneurs make when trying to run them themselves.

Key topics covered:

• Why organic social media reach has declined and what that means for small businesses
• The return of the “pay-to-play” marketing model in the digital era
• How Britt went from managing $40M in e-commerce ads to building an agency serving small businesses
• Why running ads isn’t as simple as setting them up and walking away
• The foundational elements every business needs before investing in ads
• How ads differ for product-based vs service-based businesses
• The biggest misconceptions about DIY ad courses and quick-win marketing strategies
• Why businesses need to commit time and testing before expecting results
• What realistic ad timelines and budgets look like for small businesses
• Smart questions entrepreneurs should ask before hiring an ad agency

As marketing continues to evolve, visibility is no longer just about showing up, it’s about showing up strategically. For small businesses ready to grow, paid ads can become one of the most powerful tools available when used with the right systems, expectations, and expertise behind them.

Britt invites you to check out this recent blog post https://www.meritmedia.com/post/how-to-spot-a-rookie-ad-expert

Connect with Britt:

Instagram: @meritmedia.inc @brittholmeslive

Website: meritmedia.com

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School, Staci sits down with Alexandra (Ally) Mamalider, second-generation founder and president of Organic Traditions, to talk about what it really looks like to step into a family business and scale it with intention. From imposter syndrome and leadership transitions to ERP systems, rebrands, and cutting SKUs, this is a masterclass in thoughtful growth. Whether you’re building a product-based business, taking over a company, or preparing to scale, this conversation is packed with honest lessons from behind the scenes.

Key topics covered:

• What it actually takes to step into a family business and why outside experience gave Ally an advantage
• The three growth phases she led the company through before scaling 50% in 24 months
• Why hiring the right leadership team was a bigger unlock than any single process
• The financial blind spots that quietly hold small businesses back (and why monthly reporting changes everything)
• How to approach a rebrand strategically and why it must be customer-focused, not founder-focused
• The importance of going deep before going wide when expanding into new markets
• Why saying yes to everything can slow your growth instead of accelerating it
• The role of daily habits, superfoods, and fiber in sustaining entrepreneurial energy

Growth in a family business isn’t about proving yourself, it’s about building on what came before you with clarity, courage, and smarter systems that support the next level.

Connect with Ally:

Instagram: @allyzeifman

Website: www.organictraditions.com

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

In this episode of Small Business School, Staci has a powerful and nuanced conversation about AI, ethics, and the mental load entrepreneurs are carrying. Joined by Elaine Alexander, ethical AI educator for therapists and value-led founders, this episode explores how women can use AI strategically, without compromising their values, privacy, or humanity.

From reducing decision fatigue to navigating real fears about confidentiality and replacement, this conversation goes beyond surface-level productivity tips. It’s about understanding what AI actually is, where it fits, and how to use it responsibly as a business owner in a rapidly changing world.

Key topics covered:

• Why AI adoption is slower among women — and why that needs to change
• How AI can reduce the mental load in both business and motherhood
• The “blank page problem” and how AI helps you start or finish faster
• Practical business uses for AI including messaging refinement, tech troubleshooting, and data pattern recognition
• Why treating AI like an assistant (not an authority) changes the results you get
• The ethical concerns around confidentiality, therapy use, and intellectual property
• How AI differs from Google and why it’s more powerful than most people realize
• Where fear is valid and where it’s simply unfamiliarity
• Why integrating AI may create more opportunity, not less
• The importance of guardrails, personal responsibility, and filtering advice through your values

AI isn’t going away. But how you use it (and whether you use it intentionally) will shape the future of your business. This episode will help you move from fear to informed action, so you can leverage AI as a tool instead of resisting it out of uncertainty.

Grab Elaine’s Pause Before You Prompt resource, a free guide to safer smarter AI use: https://reclaimedpractice.kit.com/6c598bb464

Connect with Elaine:

Instagram: @elainetalexander

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.