A small business conference is either worth the money or it isn't, and the answer shows up in the hallways, not the sessions. SBOC26 is in the books: about 125 owners, three days in Brookfield, and 45 first-timers who walked in nervous and walked out with a table full of people who knew their name. Here's what stuck with me, what the keynote did when he went off script, and the part you can steal whether you were in the room or not. Plus an Idea Slam on the question you're scared to ask, and an AI story about turning history class into short-form video.

Businessing is the weekly show where small business owners figure out what to do next. New episode every Monday morning. Hosted by Pat Miller, founder of the Small Business Owners Community. The Small Business Owners Community is where small business owners get help from other owners: every week, a room full of owners works your problem with you. Owners only, nobody pitching, $19 a month. Any member can bring any business owner to one Idea Slam as their guest: https://smallbusinesscommunity.com/idea-slam/

In this episode:

00:00 - Open, and what's on the show today

01:17 - Looking back at SBOC26

02:55 - What Mike Michalowicz did when he went off script

04:32 - Why the first-timer night is the one that matters

06:05 - The education lineup, from professional presence to AI

06:53 - Are we going to have a job in 12 months?

09:35 - The Friday VIP session with the Hug Sleep founder

11:18 - Idea Slam: should you ask the question that feels dumb?

14:25 - AI story of the day: turning history into short-form video

18:41 - The homework: make what you sell snackable

21:32 - New in the community, and what's on this week

Resources mentioned:

SBOC26 and next year's conference: https://event.smallbusinesscommunity.com/26conference

The Small Business Library, so your AI knows what we know: https://smallbusinesscommunity.com/library

Money Masters Bookkeeping: https://www.moneymasters4biz.com/

Athena Legal Solutions: https://athenalegalsolutionsllc.com/businessingwithpatmiller

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusinessingShow?sub_confirmation=1

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/businessing-with-pat-miller/id1870663109

Listen anywhere: https://businessing.captivate.fm/listen

Fridays Off Newsletter: https://fridaysoffnewsletter.com

Small Business Owners Community: https://smallbusinesscommunity.com

Your AI should know what we know. Add The Small Business Library to your AI tool: https://smallbusinesscommunity.com/library