Thinking about buying a small business? In this episode we talk with Darah Zeledon, owner of Black Pearl Limousine, a luxury car service and event transportation company, about what it really takes to buy, run, and scale a small business — and grow it over 300% in 10 years.

Darah shares how she and her husband left corporate life behind to buy an existing limousine company, why they raised prices instead of competing with the big ride share companies, and how they built a loyal, high-end clientele from scratch.

If you're a small business owner, entrepreneur, or thinking about acquiring a business, this episode is packed with real, practical lessons on customer service, luxury branding, cash flow, adapting to seasonality, and leadership.

🔑 What we cover:

• Buying an existing business vs. starting from scratch
• How to build trust with customers after a business acquisition
• Standing out in a saturated, competitive market
• Luxury brand marketing and word-of-mouth marketing
• Managing seasonality and cash flow
• Customer psychology and why understanding your client is everything

#Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #ProfitFirst #InventoryManagement #FinancialLiteracy #BusinessFinance #MoneyManagement #Funding

Disclosure: Nav Technologies, Inc. (“Nav”) makes no assurances or representations regarding the accuracy or sufficiency of the information included in this podcast. This podcast is for educational purposes only, and is not legal or financial advice. If you have questions, consult a trusted professional to help you make specific decisions about your business. The views, opinions, and statements expressed by the host and guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Nav.

Nav Technologies, Inc. (“Nav”) makes no assurances or representations regarding the accuracy or sufficiency of the information included in this podcast. This podcast is for educational purposes only, and is not legal or financial advice. If you have questions, consult a trusted professional to help you make specific decisions about your business. The views, opinions, and statements expressed by the host and guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Nav.

Follow us here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/navsmb/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navsmb/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/navsmb

In this episode, we sit down with Ciara Stockeland, founder of Inventory Genius, to talk about why so many business owners chase sales numbers while their actual profit quietly slips away — and what to do about it.
Sierra breaks down the mindset shift that changes everything: Success isn't about how much money comes in, it's about how much you keep. We dig into her Inventory Genius framework and the five numbers every business owner needs to understand on their P&L: sales, cost of goods sold, gross margin, operating expenses, and net profit.

🔑 What we cover:
* Why chasing revenue over profit is one of the most common (and costly) mistakes entrepreneurs can make
* How to stop fearing your financial numbers and start using them as neutral data to guide decisions
* The "Money Mondays" habit that can help business owners move from reactive to proactive money management
* The recommended order of operations when money's tight
* How to think about financing — when a fixed loan makes sense vs. a line of credit, and why you should fix your budget before consolidating debt
* Why you don't need an MBA to understand your numbers (it's mostly just addition and subtraction)

If you've ever felt intimidated by your financials or unsure whether your business is actually making money, this conversation will help give you a clear, practical path forward.

👉 Subscribe for more conversations with financial and business experts helping entrepreneurs build sustainable, profitable companies.
#Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #ProfitFirst #InventoryManagement #FinancialLiteracy #BusinessFinance #MoneyManagement #Funding


Disclosure: Nav Technologies, Inc. (“Nav”) makes no assurances or representations regarding the accuracy or sufficiency of the information included in this podcast. This podcast is for educational purposes only, and is not legal or financial advice. If you have questions, consult a trusted professional to help you make specific decisions about your business. The views, opinions, and statements expressed by the host and guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Nav.

Nav Technologies, Inc. (“Nav”) makes no assurances or representations regarding the accuracy or sufficiency of the information included in this podcast. This podcast is for educational purposes only, and is not legal or financial advice. If you have questions, consult a trusted professional to help you make specific decisions about your business. The views, opinions, and statements expressed by the host and guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Nav.

Follow us here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/navsmb/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navsmb/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/navsmb

Caton Hansen and Brent Skinner are the owners of Skinner Brothers Pool Plastering, a fourth-generation family business with more than 70 years’ experience in the pool construction industry.

In this episode, they share how their company grew from 35 projects to 85 in a single year, the challenges of managing cash flow in the construction industry, and why they believe long-term success comes from taking care of employees and customers alike. They also discuss family entrepreneurship, hiring and retaining great employees, finding the right business partner, and lessons they've learned from building a business designed to last for generations.

Nav Technologies, Inc. (“Nav”) makes no assurances or representations regarding the accuracy or sufficiency of the information included in this podcast. This podcast is for educational purposes only, and is not legal or financial advice. If you have questions, consult a trusted professional to help you make specific decisions about your business. The views, opinions, and statements expressed by the host and guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Nav.

Follow us here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/navsmb/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navsmb/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/navsmb

In this Mother’s Day Special, we highlight stories from past guests Emma Muntunga, Tanya Patterson, Christine Hodge, Terri Courser, Marty McDonald, and Bethany Bayless, who are building businesses while raising families. They share why they started and what continues to drive them forward. From choosing entrepreneurship to gain more time with their kids to building wealth, flexibility, and purpose, these women offer honest insights into what it really takes to balance motherhood and business ownership, and show us the richness that’s possible when they do.

Listen to their full podcasts here:
How to start a residential senior care home business (Costs, licensing and what to expect) https://youtu.be/DU5WW9bUqJY?si=sxQplQC_sLJTkGk1

Building a successful real estate business through referrals and word of mouth https://youtu.be/OxNkATbjJN0?si=6ykFrBCf4VUe4w66

How creating an authentic brand attracted her ideal customer with Bethany Bayless https://youtu.be/rlzR9zSs3kI?si=WEjayekpcaxXsQcg

https://youtu.be/r8h8FitNJyA?si=AJHHpyzeLJab-Zuw

Turning self-doubt into powerful action featuring Marty McDonald https://youtu.be/lLvnNrwhhoE?si=D_iXRhhAASTj58Od

Building your business to run without you featuring Christine Hodge https://youtu.be/kgSUh7uUBec?si=iLGzJf4Wmd1sj2n5

Podcast Disclaimer:

Nav Technologies, Inc. (“Nav”) makes no assurances or representations regarding the accuracy or sufficiency of the information included in this podcast. This podcast is for educational purposes only, and is not legal or financial advice. If you have questions, consult a trusted professional to help you make specific decisions about your business. The views, opinions, and statements expressed by the host and guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Nav.

Nav Technologies, Inc. (“Nav”) makes no assurances or representations regarding the accuracy or sufficiency of the information included in this podcast. This podcast is for educational purposes only, and is not legal or financial advice. If you have questions, consult a trusted professional to help you make specific decisions about your business. The views, opinions, and statements expressed by the host and guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Nav.

Follow us here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/navsmb/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navsmb/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/navsmb

In this episode, Emma Mutunga shares how she built a residential care home business from scratch with no prior experience, turning her own home into a safe and trusted space for elderly care. She breaks down the realities of starting in a highly regulated industry — from licensing and startup costs to hiring, finances, and getting her first client after six months. This conversation highlights the balance between compassion and profitability, and why understanding both is key to building a sustainable, purpose-driven business.

Nav Technologies, Inc. (“Nav”) makes no assurances or representations regarding the accuracy or sufficiency of the information included in this podcast. This podcast is for educational purposes only, and is not legal or financial advice. If you have questions, consult a trusted professional to help you make specific decisions about your business. The views, opinions, and statements expressed by the host and guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Nav.

Follow us here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/navsmb/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navsmb/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/navsmb

In this episode, Tanya Patterson, owner of Patterson Investments, shares how she transitioned from high tech into real estate and built a thriving business through referrals and word of mouth. She also breaks down different paths in real estate — from sales to property management — and explains how identifying your strengths can help you build a sustainable, profitable business.

Disclosure:

Nav Technologies, Inc. (“Nav”) makes no assurances or representations regarding the accuracy or sufficiency of the information included in this podcast. This podcast is for educational purposes only, and is not legal or financial advice. If you have questions, consult a trusted professional to help you make specific decisions about your business. The views, opinions, and statements expressed by the host and guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Nav.

Nav Technologies, Inc. (“Nav”) makes no assurances or representations regarding the accuracy or sufficiency of the information included in this podcast. This podcast is for educational purposes only, and is not legal or financial advice. If you have questions, consult a trusted professional to help you make specific decisions about your business. The views, opinions, and statements expressed by the host and guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Nav.

Follow us here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/navsmb/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navsmb/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/navsmb

Does building a brand ever feel elusive? Learn how to develop one that both reflects your passion and attracts and retains your target audience. In this episode, Bethany Bayless of Wildwind Lane shares her journey of transforming her business through strategic branding and diversification.

Nav Technologies, Inc. (“Nav”) makes no assurances or representations regarding the accuracy or sufficiency of the information included in this podcast. This podcast is for educational purposes only, and is not legal or financial advice. If you have questions, consult a trusted professional to help you make specific decisions about your business. The views, opinions, and statements expressed by the host and guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Nav.

Follow us here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/navsmb/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navsmb/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/navsmb