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A restaurant dream doesn’t always start with a business plan. Sometimes it starts with a side hustle, a community connection, and a door that opens a little too easily to ignore. We sit down with Carrie Gabrielson, who went from the coaching world and a clever micro catering concept to co-owning Soul on Main in Nicholasville with her husband CJ, a classically trained chef with a lifelong passion for food.

We talk through the real timeline of becoming first-time restaurant owners: the surprise opportunity, the heartbreak of a location that fell through at the signing table, and the way one introduction led to a downtown Main Street space that needed a major historic renovation. Carrie gets honest about the build-out process, contractor learning curves, and the stress of watching money go out before a single dollar comes in. If you’re a small business owner thinking about brick and mortar, this part is the reality check you actually want.

Then we get practical about restaurant marketing and customer experience. Soul on Main didn’t rely on paid ads or billboards. They focused on word of mouth, clear online info, and social media that feels human, creative, and unmistakably on brand. We also dig into what makes the restaurant stand out: from-scratch cooking, original recipes, local produce and farm partnerships, a full bar, and a hospitality philosophy that treats one tops like the highest compliment.

If you love small business stories, local restaurants, and honest entrepreneurship, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a quick rating or review so more besties can find the support and friendship we’re building.

Follow Carrie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ccgabrielson
Instagram: @carriegcoaching
Follow Soul On Main
Website: https://soulonmain.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563659532381
Instagram: @soulonmain

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Your personal brand follows you into every room, every comment thread, and every sales conversation whether you planned it or not. I sit down with Lexington, Kentucky marketing pro Rabiya Syed to talk about what “personal branding” really looks like when you’re building a career, representing major brands, and still showing up as a real human in your community.

We get into how Rabiya started doing community presentations, why teaching public relations case studies is such a powerful way to learn marketing, and what crisis communication looks like beyond textbook examples. We also talk about internal communication and what small business owners can learn from moments like COVID, when you may not have perfect answers but you still need a clear message and a steady plan.

Then we go behind the scenes of Fayette Mall marketing and the part many people miss: malls can include local, women-owned businesses alongside national retailers, and the marketing channels are a masterclass in reach. We break down practical tactics you can borrow, like VIP-style community events, loyalty lists, collaborations, and using media and social proof to drive foot traffic. We also touch on modeling, pageantry, and community involvement, plus the organizations in Kentucky that are truly worth your time.

If you loved this conversation, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs a business bestie, and leave a quick rating or review so more small business owners can find us.

Follow Rabiya:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rabiya.syed.5
Instagram: @rabiyasyed

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Most “self-defense” advice sounds confident until you picture a real moment of fear and realize you might freeze. That’s why we sat down with Chip Sebastian, a Lexington-based Arthur Murray dance instructor, martial arts teacher, and longtime mobile massage therapist, to get specific about what actually holds up under stress and what falls apart when adrenaline hits. If you’re a woman entrepreneur, a busy parent, or anyone who wants to feel safer in your body and your community, this conversation cuts through the noise without the chest-beating vibe that turns so many people away from training.

We talk about the difference between sport training and real-world self-defense, and why that distinction matters more than most people realize. Chip explains muscle memory in plain language: you respond the way you train, so “just do an eye gouge” is not a plan if your training builds conflicting habits. He also shares why self-defense is uniquely confusing, it doesn’t come with the same feedback loop you get in dance or competition, so people can believe they’re prepared without ever pressure-testing the method.

Then we bring it back to Lexington community life, including Dancing With The Stars fundraising, how the event has evolved, and why voting and donations support causes like Baby Health Services and the legacy of Surgery on Sunday. Along the way, Chip’s creative side comes through too: his writing background, his love of local arts coverage through Under Main, and what it looks like to keep learning without ego.

If this helps you rethink your training, your confidence, or the way you show up locally, subscribe to Small Business Bestie, share the episode with a friend, and leave a quick rating or review so more listeners can find the support.

Follow Chip:
CHIPSEBASTIAN.COM
Chip on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chip.sebastian
Chip on Instagram: @chipsebastian

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In this episode Monica Owens and Josh Miller join me for a dynamic conversation that flows easily from dancing, to nutrition, to community engagement and back again.

Monica Owens is the reigning "Dancing with the Lexington Stars" Overall Champion from 2025, and inspires everyone she meets with her heart for leadership. She is a true champion, not just because of her mad skills on the dance floor, but because of her love for others and her resilience.

Josh Miller is the powerhouse behind the Natural Bodybuilding Competitions in Central Kentucky, and his passion for health and wellness are evident. He cares deeply for his clients and for the community of fitness experts that are in alignment with his values.

These two have teamed up to support one another, and our community in ways big and small, and I can't wait for you to hear their stories, their passions, and a bit of raw confession from me.... Yes, I do eat junk food when no one is looking.

Make sure to slide into Josh's DMs to tell him how much you want to see him on the dance floor for the 2027 Dancing with the Lexington Stars!

Be sure to follow them!
Monic Owens
Monica's Facebook page
Monica's Instagram:
To shop my Partner.Co website for drops, other products:

Josh Miller
http://KentuckyNaturalBodybuilding.com
Kentucky Natural Body Building Instagram: @KyNaturalbb
Josh's Instagram: @joshuamillerknb

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In this episode of Small Business Besties, host Michelle Smock interviews Hunter Lisle, an accomplished entrepreneur and dance instructor. Hunter shares his journey from a shy child to a successful dance teacher and studio owner. The conversation delves into themes of overcoming imposter syndrome, building a supportive community at Arthur Murray, and the origins of the popular charity event, Dancing with the Lexington Stars. Hunter emphasizes the joy of dancing, the importance of social connections, and invites listeners to embrace the dance journey, regardless of their skill level.

Follow the Journey:
Hunter Lisle
Instagram:
Facebook
Arthur Murray Dance Studio
Website
Instagram
Facebook

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In this episode of Small Business Bestie, Michelle Smock interviews Kim Johnson about the Dancing with the Lexington Stars event, its mission, and the role of the Rotary Club in the community. They discuss the importance of fundraising for local charities, the evolution of the Rotary Club, and opportunities for business owners to get involved. Kim shares insights on the event's impact and encourages community participation.

Want to sponsor the event or purchase event advertisements to support Michelle: Click here for options

Rather just purchase "votes" to help Michelle get that trophy?

Vote here

Have an awesome silent auction item to donate or other ideas of how to support???

email: michelle@smallbusinessbestie.org

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In this episode of Small Business Bestie, Michelle sits down with Kim and Sherry for a heart-filled, laughter-packed conversation about sisterhood, purpose, mindset shifts, and the power of women truly showing up for each other.

From building community online and in real life, to rewriting the stories we tell ourselves about confidence, beauty, and worth — this conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to do life or business alone.

📲 Connect with Our Guests

IG

• Kim McGinnis
• Sherry Elam Hayes
• Michelle Smock

Facebook

• Kim McGinnis
• Sherry Elam Hayes
• Michelle Smock

💛 Community Invitation- sometimes the bravest thing you can do is ask to be connected 💛

📚 Books Referenced

• The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon
• A powerful read on mindset, perspective, and taking control of your outlook.
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• A favorite for building small, consistent habits that compound over time.
• The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
• Discussed in the context of discovering purpose and meaning at every stage of life.

🎧 Related Episode

• Michelle references a previous Small Business Bestie episode featuring Beth and the “Joy Cup” story.
  👉 Episode 15

🌟 Upcoming Event

Vision Board Experience (In-Person – @ the Camel Club, Lexington, KY)

• Hosted collaboratively by Kim & Sherry (with Michelle cheering from the sidelines 😉)
• Designed to be intentional and guided, not just a cute craft night
• Focused on aligning business goals, personal life, and CEO mindset
• Scheduled for February (intentionally not January — because survival mode is real)
• 👉 Message Kim if you're interested, spots are very limited!

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Tech is essential for all small businesses, but many entrepreneurs overlook critical IT security measures until it's too late. Tina Watson, IT consultant with 25 years of experience, shares how proper technology planning can protect your business from devastating data loss and security breaches.

• Small businesses are prime targets for hackers precisely because they often lack proper security measures
• Security basics include strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and regular software updates
• "Cloud" services aren't actually ethereal—they're physical servers that can be compromised without proper backups
• Managed IT services provide predictable monthly costs while ensuring proper security protocols and support
• Even low-tech industries now rely heavily on technology, creating new vulnerabilities that must be addressed
• Professional IT support helps prevent catastrophic data loss that can force businesses to close permanently
• Simple physical issues like overheating servers or damaged cables can cause significant tech problems
• Screen protectors can prevent sensitive information from being viewed from the side in public settings

Follow Tina and ExactIT Solutions
Tina's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tina.watsonsparkman
Tina's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/techchic/
ExactIT Solutions Website: https://exactitconsulting.com/

Visit CultivateLex.com or find us on Facebook to learn more about our sponsor, Cultivate Accounting, and schedule a free 30-minute review call to discuss your financial questions each month.

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