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If it feels like AI is everywhere right now—you’re not alone. Between the nonstop emails, the constant hype, and the pressure to keep up, it’s easy for business owners to feel overwhelmed, unsure of what actually matters, and even a little uneasy about where all this is headed.

In this episode of Nurture Small Business, host Denise Cagan cuts through the noise to explore this very real challenge for today’s business owners. Drawing on her decades of experience, and a manufacturing mindset rooted in Quality Assurance, Denise shares a practical perspective: AI isn’t something you fear or blindly chase—it’s something you use intentionally.

Join us as she discusses:

• The delicate balance between opportunity and risk.
• Real-world productivity gains AI can deliver vs. the critical need for human oversight.
• Data security, privacy, and long-term platform stability.
• The promise (and creepiness) of hyper-personalization.
• Why choosing the right tools matters more than trying every tool.

If you’ve been wondering how to adopt AI without getting lost in the hype—or building your business on shaky ground—this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to move forward thoughtfully.

About Your Host

Denise Cagan has been working with small businesses for 25 years. She has served on the boards of professional organizations and nonprofits. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Quality Systems Management from James Madison University and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, which is a program for small businesses that links learning to action for growth-oriented entrepreneurs.

Recognized as a facilitator, problem solver, and builder, Denise enjoys working with small business owners who want to create a solid foundation. Her past experience includes 10 years in manufacturing with various awards plus inclusion into Marquis Who’s Who.

Denise is the CEO of 3 companies: DCA Virtual Business Support, DCA Association Management, and Denise Cagan Business Consulting. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her granddaughter, cooking, and cuddling with her dogs.

View and listen to Podcasts with Denise Cagan.

Connect on LinkedIn

Finding the right employee often feels like a gamble. A bad choice steals your time, disrupts your culture, and stalls your growth. In this episode of Nurture Small Business, Denise Cagan steps in as your guide to help you move from "gut-feeling" interviews to a predictable, five-piece recruitment system.

Drawing from the principles of Geoff Smart’s Who: The A Method for Hiring, Denise adapts high-level strategies specifically for solopreneurs and small organizations.

You’ll walk away with a clear plan to:

• Ditch the "Brainteasers": Why oddball questions fail and what to ask instead.
• Define Success: How to shift your focus from knowledge to measurable outcomes.
• Build Your Scorecard:Standardized evaluation tool to ensure every candidate is viewed through a consistent lens—one that aligns with your required outcomes.

Stop guessing and start building a team that actually supports your business.

About Your Host

Denise Cagan has been working with small businesses for 25 years. She has served on the boards of professional organizations and nonprofits. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Quality Systems Management from James Madison University and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, which is a program for small businesses that links learning to action for growth-oriented entrepreneurs.

Recognized as a facilitator, problem solver, and builder, Denise enjoys working with small business owners who want to create a solid foundation. Her past experience includes 10 years in manufacturing with various awards plus inclusion into Marquis Who’s Who.

Denise is the CEO of 3 companies: DCA Virtual Business Support, DCA Association Management, and Denise Cagan Business Consulting. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her granddaughter, cooking, and cuddling with her dogs.

View and listen to Podcasts with Denise Cagan.

Connect on LinkedIn

Hiring is often reactive. You have an influx of work or attrition, and bam, you need someone now. This creates a lot of stress on you as a manager and business owner. How are you going to get that role filled and manage the work that needs to be done? The cost of putting the wrong candidate is tremendous. How patient are you in waiting to ensure you have the right candidate in the right seat?

Many interviewers resort to questions that don’t really give you the information needed to hire. And, many are not trained to dig beyond the surface answers that candidates give. These are answers that are often practiced showing themselves in the best light.

There is a way to hire much more predictably. Learn more about role development and how to get beyond the surface answers in this podcast.

About Your Host

Denise Cagan has been working with small businesses for 25 years. She has served on the boards of professional organizations and nonprofits. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Quality Systems Management from James Madison University and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, which is a program for small businesses that links learning to action for growth-oriented entrepreneurs.

Recognized as a facilitator, problem solver, and builder, Denise enjoys working with small business owners who want to create a solid foundation. Her past experience includes 10 years in manufacturing with various awards plus inclusion into Marquis Who’s Who.

Denise is the CEO of 3 companies: DCA Virtual Business Support, DCA Association Management, and Denise Cagan Business Consulting. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her granddaughter, cooking, and cuddling with her dogs.

View and listen to Podcasts with Denise Cagan.

Connect on LinkedIn