If your business feels harder to explain than it should, that’s a signal—not a failure.

Your story may be misaligned with your strategy, your systems, or your stage of growth.

At Small Business Whisperer, we help small business owners translate their vision into clear messaging, solid structure, and scalable strategy—so marketing feels easier, pricing feels justified, and growth feels intentional.

👉 Let’s clarify your story—and build the business to support it.

Introducing the SBW Curated Business Reading List
Smart entrepreneurs don’t just hustle—they study. The Small Business Whisperer Business Reading List is a hand-picked collection of books that blend strategy, purpose, and the lived experiences of Black and Brown founders. These titles will challenge your thinking, sharpen your systems, strengthen your leadership, and remind you that building a business with clarity and intention is not only possible—it’s powerful.

Whether you’re just getting started or scaling to your next level, this list is your go-to resource for growth that feels aligned, intentional, and real.

Hiring doesn’t start with job boards — it starts with relationships. In this blog, I break down insights from Mentor-Led Recruiting by Erin Mayhood, CEO of Mentor Collective, and show small business owners how mentorship can become a powerful talent strategy. If you’re tired of scrambling for good hires, this guide will help you create a pipeline of confident, capable talent long before you need it. Mentorship isn’t charity — it’s strategy, and it’s one of the smartest ways to future-proof your business.

2025 isn’t over — and the moves you make right now will define your entire 2026.
Most small businesses wind down in December… but the ones that win are planning, refining, and positioning themselves for a powerful start.

If you’re a small business owner who wants 2026 to be your most aligned and profitable year yet, this is the roadmap you should be following in the final weeks of the year.

Here’s what to prioritize to start 2026 strong…

The newest LinkedIn + Disability:IN report confirms something many of us have lived for years:
talent isn’t the problem—access is.

As a leader who identifies with a disability and has worked in this space professionally, this data hit home.
The gaps are narrowing, the momentum is building… but the work is far from done.

Most small businesses don’t run into HR trouble because they’re careless…
They run into trouble because no one ever handed them the roadmap.

From payroll laws to required trainings to annual filings — the compliance list grows the moment you hire your first employee. And if you miss something? The penalties can be costly.

That’s why I just released a new blog post breaking down why HR compliance is essential, how it impacts your bottom line, and a resource every small business needs going into 2026.

💼 If you have employees…
📅 If you’re planning to hire…
📌 Or if you’re ready to protect your business…

This one is for you.

✨ PLUS: I’m giving you access to the 2026 HR Compliance Calendar — a month-by-month guide to staying compliant all year long.

Layoffs have shaken a lot of talented professionals this year. And while it can feel like your whole world has been flipped upside down, here’s the truth most people overlook:

You’re not starting over.
You’re starting from wisdom now.

Your experience, your leadership, your resilience, your skill set—they didn’t disappear when the job did. In fact, this might be the moment you finally build something that can’t be taken away with one email.

Full blog for anyone navigating layoffs, career transitions, or the shift into entrepreneurship. You’re closer to your next chapter than you think. 💛✨

I walked out of Wicked thinking about small business owners—not Broadway. One line hit me so hard I had to stop, sit with it, and write an entire piece about how it shows up in entrepreneurship every single day.If you’ve ever felt torn between telling the truth about your business and telling the version everyone agrees with… this is for you.👉🏽 Read the full post: “What Wicked Teaches Small Business Owners About Truth, Power, and Standing Alone.” I’d love to hear what part resonates most with where you are in your business journey.✨ CTA: If your business is stuck in “performance mode” and you’re ready for a strategist who will tell you the truth—with clarity, compassion, and a plan—let’s talk. Book a strategy session: tamara.burks@smallbusinesswhisperer.comhashtag#SmallBusinessWhisperer hashtag#EntrepreneurJourney hashtag#BusinessGrowth hashtag#LeadershipTruths hashtag#SmallBusinessOwner hashtag#BusinessStrategy hashtag#EntrepreneurMindset hashtag#BrandIntegrity hashtag#WomenInBusiness hashtag#BusinessLeadership hashtag#EntrepreneurWisdom hashtag#TruthOverConsensus hashtag#PurposeDrivenBusiness hashtag#CourageousLeadership