Why Relationships (Not Algorithms) Grow Your Business with Jen Szpigiel Artwork

The Small Business School Podcast

Ready to leave the small business struggle behind? The “School for Small Business” podcast supports small business owners in scaling a business that is profitable, purposeful, and doesn’t leave you burnt out. No matter whether you run your business online or you own a brick-and-mortar, you can expect our world class experts to support you with mindset, tactics, and everything in between so you can have the business you dreamed of. Based on our lived experience, we know that small business CAN be easy and we are here to show you how.The “School for Small Business” is hosted by Staci Millard, a CPA by trade with over 15 years of experience seeing the behind the scenes of thousands of small businesses. After growing and selling her first 7 figure business, Staci has been on the ground running - mentoring small businesses and working to increase success rates. Staci strongly believes you don’t need to have gone to business school to be successful so you can expect nothing but simple, impactful advice. Tune in each Tuesday for a new 30 minute or less episode of nothing but valuable advice to help you grow your small business. We are so excited for you to be on this journey with us!

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The Small Business School Podcast

Why Relationships (Not Algorithms) Grow Your Business with Jen Szpigiel

December 04, 2025 • Staci Millard • Episode 360

In today’s episode of Small Business School, Staci sits down with Jen Szpigiel, founder of Becoming Iconic and editor-in-chief of Iconic Magazine, to explore her 20-year entrepreneurial journey. Jen shares how motherhood shaped her path, how she built a thriving personal brand across industries, and why reputation and relationships became the driving forces behind her lasting success. This conversation brings both strategy and heart, opening a powerful window into what it truly takes to build something iconic.

Key topics covered:

The pivotal moment that pushed Jen from corporate marketing into entrepreneurship
How she built her first multi 8-figure beauty and wellness brand long before “coaching” existed
The identity shift of young motherhood, and the ache that sparked her desire to build something of her own
Why pivoting triggered criticism…and how her reputation carried her through it
The surprising truth about visibility and why relationships matter far more than algorithms
Jen’s simple, highly effective daily practice for nurturing meaningful connections
The difference between genuine relationship-building and transactional networking
Why long-term nurturing leads to clients who arrive at exactly the right time
The emotional maturity required to show up in the DMs without expectation or entitlement

Jen reminds listeners that iconic brands aren’t built overnight, they’re built through consistency, integrity, and genuine relationships that compound over years.

Connect with Jen:

Instagram: @becomingiconic @iconicmagazine__

Website: www.becomingiconic.co

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

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