Sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/stop-frivolous-ada-lawsuits-targeting-e-commerce-small-businesses

In this episode of the Dirty Heifers Podcast, hosts Margaret, Jesse, and Shauna tackle a serious topic that often stays in the shadows until it’s too late: ADA website compliance. We are joined by Cindy Collins of Euphoric Herbals, who shares her firsthand experience of facing a legal summons and the reality of being targeted by "litigious" law firms.

Cindy pulls back the curtain on the world of "serial plaintiffs" and automated scanners that hunt for tiny errors on small business websites. We discuss why thinking you’re "too small to be targeted" is a dangerous mindset and provide a roadmap for makers to protect their brands.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The Lawsuit Reality Check: How Cindy discovered she was being sued and why settlement is often the only path for small businesses.
• ADA Essentials: What you need to know about alt text for images, color contrast, button labels, and accessible menus.
• The Widget Warning: Why accessibility widgets can provide a false sense of security and may actually make you a target.
• Actionable Steps: Three things you can do today—including adding an accessibility statement—to begin securing your site.
• Platform Protection: Understanding the difference between owning your own site versus selling on platforms like Etsy or Amazon.

It is far cheaper to fix your site now than to pay thousands in legal fees later. Join us for this essential conversation to ensure your business stays protected in 2026.

In this episode of the Dirty Heifers Podcast, we’re tackling the uncomfortable truth about what happens when "bare minimum" standards aren't met. Inspired by recent TikTok drama involving a creator shipping out moldy clay masks, hosts Margaret Connor, Shauna, and Jesse (Mini Heifer) dive deep into the fine line between a beginner’s learning curve and flat-out negligence.

Is social media making it too easy to start a business without learning the rules? We discuss the importance of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), how to handle pet hair and cross-contamination, and the "misfit" product dilemma. Plus, we share our own business "fails"—from moldy lotions to the "linty dish soap" incident.

In this episode:

• 00:00 – Intro: Learning Curve vs. Negligence
• 01:38 – Word of the Week: Malfeasance
• 03:11 – Southernism of the Week: "Mash on it"
• 08:15 – The TikTok "Moldy Mask" Controversy & Accountability
• 09:48 – Handling Pet Hair & Cleaning Protocols
• 13:38 – Why "I'm a Small Business" Isn't an Excuse for Bad Standards
• 15:22 – Did Social Media Lower the Barrier to Entry?
• 20:33 – Personal Horror Stories: When batches go wrong
• 22:31 – The Reputation Trap: How to handle subpar products

This episode is sponsored by Warm and Fuzzy Soapery—a brand built on quality, transparency, and the belief that respect for your customers is the bare minimum.

Support the show! Like, subscribe, and tell us in the comments: Where do YOU draw the line between a mistake and negligence?

Are you waiting for the "right time" to launch your dream? Spoiler alert: the right time is never coming. In Episode 55, Margaret, Shauna, and Jessie (the Mini Heifer) deconstruct the Myth of Ready—the dangerous idea that everything must be flawless before you hit "publish".

In this episode, we explore:

• The "Propaedeutic" Approach: Why treating your first steps as "preparatory training" is the only way to actually learn the ropes.
• Safety vs. Aesthetics: Why you can start with "messy" packaging but can never compromise on product testing and safety.
• Real-Life "Fails": From "scratcher" walnut soaps to website glitches that taught us more than any course ever could.
• Redneck Word of the Week: We take a trip to So So, Mississippi, discuss the inaccuracies of the Free State of Jones movie, and share a local ghost story about a glowing fireplace stain.

Whether you’re 80% ready or still in the "research phase," this episode is the nudge you need to stop overthinking and start doing. We're giving you permission to start messy—just don't start unsafe.

Special thanks to our sponsor: Country Lather Soapworks.