In this episode of 'Locally Owned,' we follow the inspiring journey of Akash Chand, the owner of Champions Boxing in Pelham. Akash shares his story of humble beginnings, from his parents' immigration from India to working various jobs and eventually breaking into the world of computer programming and supply chain management. Despite corporate success, he felt unfulfilled and found solace in his true passion—boxing. With the support of friends and a calculated risk, Akash transitioned from the corporate world to opening a community-oriented boxing gym. He focuses on making boxing accessible to everyone, from fitness enthusiasts to aspiring competitors, and is dedicated to putting boxing on the map in Alabama. Akash's story is a testament to hard work, resilience, and the power of following one's dreams.

They say, ‘Nothing happens in business until a sale is made,’ but how you make the sale is the difference between thriving and struggling. Push too hard, and you’ll drive customers away. Be too passive, and you’ll lose opportunities altogether. So how do you strike the perfect balance? In this episode, I’m sharing the hard-earned lessons I’ve learned from running a highly successful business for over 30 years. You’ll discover the secret to building trust, avoiding the extremes, and creating relationships that lead to lasting sales success. If you want your business to grow without compromising your values, this episode is for you!

In this episode of Locally Owned, we dive into the extraordinary journey of Jordan Hosey—an immigrant who turned unimaginable challenges into massive success. From arriving in America as a 12-year-old who didn’t speak the language to building a real estate empire and Helena’s first boutique hotel, Buck Creek BNB, Jordan’s story is a masterclass in clarity, courage, and entrepreneurial spirit.Learn how Jordan turned a crisis during COVID into a thriving business, faced resistance with professionalism, and led the way with innovation and data-driven decisions. If you’re a small business owner looking for actionable strategies on overcoming fear, identifying opportunities, and thinking big, this episode is for you.Get ready to be inspired—and take notes. Jordan Hosey is proof that hard work, clear vision, and bold action can turn any obstacle into opportunity.

Alan Hale: From Navy Flight Commander to Business Leader | Lessons in Resilience and LeadershipIn this episode of Locally Owned, we sit down with Alan Hale, a seasoned entrepreneur and former Navy Flight Commander. Alan shares his compelling journey of resilience, from tracking Soviet submarines to growing a family business from a $20-30 million operation to nearly $300 million. He discusses his transition from the travel industry to consulting with 126 Advisors, where he facilitates peer advisory groups for small business owners. Alan also reflects on the invaluable leadership and strategic planning lessons from his military service that have shaped his approach to business. Small business owners will find incredible value in Alan's story as he emphasizes the importance of community, sound decision-making, and learning from both successes and failures.00:00 Introduction to Alan Hale's Journey01:38 Alan's Early Life and Military Career03:13 Transition to Family Business06:54 Lessons from Military to Business13:14 Challenges and Growth in Family Business20:06 Navigating Family Dynamics and Business24:58 The Buy-Sell Agreement Explained30:19 Navigating Family Business with a Business Prenup31:14 Transitioning to the Golf Travel Industry31:52 Challenges and Lessons in the Golf Travel Business33:06 The Importance of Cash Flow and Financial Planning38:14 The Value of Peer Advisory Groups40:38 Personal Reflections and Health Challenges49:15 Faith and Giving Back54:15 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this mini episode, Dave from the Street Smart Entrepreneur discusses three common pitfalls that prevent people from achieving their goals. He explains the importance of identifying what you truly want using the 'five why's' technique, creating a written plan to track progress, and setting manageable, smaller goals. Additionally, he introduces the 'lens of becoming', encouraging goal setters to align their goals with the person they want to become for greater fulfillment. If you are wondering why you set out to achieve your goals yet once again only to find yourself making no progress, it is possible that you are hitting one of the three roadblocks discussed in this episode. This mini episode gives you manageable solutions that you can implement immediately to avoid or get past these pitfalls.  There is even a bonus tip that you can apply to every goal that will give you 20/20 vision into your future self. Perhaps goal setting is not the problem. And you are not the problem. discover how to set and achieve your goals by recognizing these 3 obstacles that cause so many of us to fail at achieving our goals. Your goals are crucial not only to your success in life. They are crucial to you feeling fulfilled. But if you set the wrong goals, you will never feel fulfilled even when you achieve them.Discover how to set goals that lead to your dream life. Learn how to set goals that align with who you truly are. Goals that help you develop the person that you are inside. 

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the inspiring entrepreneurial journey of Macy Fulmar, owner of Grateful Lotus, a locally owned women’s boutique that’s become a staple for small town shoppers. Macy’s story is one of resilience, authenticity, and connection, showing how she transformed personal struggles into a mission to empower women through fashion. From her early days as a teacher and tutor to her leap of faith in opening a brick-and-mortar shop post-COVID, Macy’s path is a testament to the heart and hustle that define small-town businesses and "mom and pop" stores everywhere.We explore Macy’s bold approach to running a local business: embracing vulnerability, staying authentic, and building genuine relationships with her customers. In a world of impersonal retail, Macy stands out by offering honest advice, even when it means telling a customer something isn’t the right fit. It’s this honesty and care that keeps people coming back to Grateful Lotus.We also touch on Macy’s powerful use of social media, her role as a mom, and how she juggles it all while maintaining a strong online presence. In her boutique and through her social channels, Macy’s warmth and down-to-earth style create a space where women feel celebrated and confident in their own skin. We dig into her faith, which plays a key role in her decision-making, helping her stay grounded and trusting that everything will unfold as it’s meant to.Macy's entrepreneurial story is full of chance encounters, from bumping into an old friend who helped bring her boutique to life, to meeting future customers in unexpected places. Her journey shows the power of community, connection, and trusting your instincts as a small business owner.As we wrap up, we reflect on how Macy’s story isn’t just about growing a successful boutique—it’s about building something bigger: a place where local business and human connection intersect in meaningful ways. Whether you’re an SMB owner, a fan of locally owned businesses, or someone with a dream of starting your own small-town shop, Macy’s experience is sure to inspire and resonate. 

Thanks for stopping by Locally Owned and having a listen — We are the go-to podcast for small and medium-sized business (SMB) owners who want to master the art of goal setting and turn their visions into reality. Each episode dives into actionable strategies for achieving success, featuring interviews with real SMB owners who are in the trenches, getting it done. What makes us different is that we bring real local business owners to the show who are prepared to share stories of their business journey. You will hear real events and situations that they figured out how to overcome and thrive. Strategies that work for Fortune 500 companies are not actionable for local businesses. When you listen to an episode, you will learn how to set goals, implement effective business strategies, and overcome obstacles, stay motivated, and build bigger goals helping you reach your dream company. None of the ideas and strategies expressed here are out of reach to the local business owner. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale, this podcast is packed with practical advice to help you achieve your goals.