Ep 171: "Small Business is, Really Big Business!" with Jamilah Corbitt

Who are the fastest growing entrepreneurs in the USA? How much of the USA economy is created by Small Businesses? What if the key to launching a game-changing business isn’t funding or connections—but the story behind it? In this episode, Rob sits down with his friend, storyteller and entrepreneurial ecosystem builder Jamilah Corbitt to uncover how powerful narratives can break barriers, amplify underrepresented voices, and drive real innovation—especially in rural and underserved communities. From navigating federal government and (SBA) Small Business Administration resources to building local ecosystems that truly listen, this conversation dives deep into what it really takes to build inclusive entrepreneurial support across the country. Feel free to follow and engage with JAMILAH here: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamilahcorbitt - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamilahcorbitt/ - X: https://x.com/jamilahcorbitt?lang=en - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/JamilahCorbitt - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamilahCorbitt/ - Website: https://jamilahcorbitt.com/ We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide. As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests. ¡Cheers y gracias!, Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers 04:10 Meet Jamila Corbitt: A Force of Nature 07:02 The State of Entrepreneurship in the U.S. 09:57 Inequities in Access to Entrepreneurial Resources 13:03 Understanding the SBA and Its Role 16:00 The Importance of Storytelling in Entrepreneurship 19:06 Establish: Bridging the Gap in Entrepreneurial Support 28:59 Innovative Community Building at Established 35:02 Addressing Marginalization in Entrepreneurship 41:53 The Backbone of the Economy: Small Businesses 47:29 The Art of Storytelling in Business 52:51 Building Local Ecosystems: Key Strategies