Thought Leaders
She Turned a Crippling Fear of Public Speaking Into a Thriving Business
Lynn Smith uses her "brain bully" method and insights from her 15-year news career to help executives and small business owners.
As Yelp's Small Business Expert, Emily is dedicated to helping local business owners succeed and grow. Her expertise spans customer engagement, reputation management, and digital marketing strategies. Through speaking engagements and industry thought leadership, Emily shares insights that entrepreneurs across all sectors can use to build thriving businesses. She is also the host of Behind the Review podcast, from Yelp and Entrepreneur Media, where she interviews business owners and industry leaders to uncover the stories, strategies, and creative decisions behind standout businesses.
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More From Emily Washcovick
Thought Leaders
He Lost His Job and Quickly Started a Side Hustle — Now This ‘Queer Eye’ Star Heads Up a Major Brand
From retail's front lines to national TV, Bobby Berk's approach to entrepreneurship is packed with advice for founders who want to build businesses that last.
Building a Business
These Restaurateurs Relied on One Tactic to Help Them Tackle Their ‘Most Ambitious Challenge Yet’
55 Hospitality founders Jenn Saesue and Chat Suansilphong have turned "filling the white space" into a business model.
Building a Business
She Started a Business That Broke the Mold for NYC Cafés — And Grew It Into a Multi-City Brand
Elisa Marshall built Maman from a single New York café into a beloved brand that feels like "home away from home."
Building a Business
This Venezuelan Entrepreneur Craved His Favorite Comfort Food – So He Started a Business Selling It
German Sierra's journey in starting Pana Food Truck is rooted in resilience, culture and connection.
Building a Business
They Built Their First Restaurant With Their ‘Bare Hands.’ Now They Have 380 Locations.
Ted Xenohristos, co-founder of Cava, grew one restaurant into a national brand through hospitality, culture and purpose-driven growth.
Building a Business
He Grew His Small Business to a $25 Million Operation By Following These 5 Principles
Josh Campbell of Rescue Air and Plumbing has shown that lasting success in the trades requires integrity, reliability and genuine care.
Building a Business
These Brothers Turned a 2-Man Operation Into One of the Most Trusted Companies in Their Area. Here’s How.
For Jose and Michael Rodriguez of Pest Brothers, one of Yelp's Top 100 Local Businesses of 2025, success is about more than getting the job done.
Building a Business
Two Industry Leaders Share Their Best Advice for Restaurant Owners – And Reveal the Exact Amount You Can Raise Prices Without Losing Customers
As independent restaurants navigate rising costs, changing customer habits and the lasting effects of the pandemic, these leaders offer advice for entrepreneurs.
Building a Business
This Is What the CEO of Kickstarter Wishes Aspiring Entrepreneurs Knew
Everette Taylor founded his first company at 19 — this is his best advice for people who want to start a business.
Building a Business
She Created the Dance Studio She Was Looking For. Now, It’s a Nationwide Brand.
Jami Stigliano turned her passion for dance and people into DivaDance, a fast-growing franchise that helps adults build confidence through choreography, connection and community.
Building a Business
She Went From Teacher to Owning a Business in an Unexpected Industry – And Wants Others to Do the Same: ‘There Is So Much Opportunity’
Angie Snow went from teacher and stay-at-home mom to co-owner of a thriving business by embracing leadership, championing women in trades and rethinking what it means to support both employees and customers.
Building a Business
He Went From Customer to CEO of a Rapidly-Expanding Dessert Chain By Following This Process
Neil Hershman built his expansion playbook by perfecting a single store, then replicating what worked across the franchise system without sacrificing customer experience.
Building a Business
He Started a Business and Ended Up on the Brink of Bankruptcy. He Fixed His Mistakes – and Now Teaches Entrepreneurs What He Wishes He Knew When Starting Out.
Discover how Joe Crisara transformed decades of trial and error in the home services industry into a blueprint for success.
Building a Business
Her Show Was Canceled – But the Setback Taught Busy Philipps a Powerful Lesson for Creators and Entrepreneurs
Learn how Busy Philipps built a trusted personal brand by embracing unfiltered honesty, turning vulnerability into influence and redefining what authentic connection looks like in the world of celebrity entrepreneurship and digital marketing.
Building a Business
This Local Bakery Has Lines Out the Door. Here Are the Secrets to Its Success.
Known for its viral flat croissants and innovative desserts, Alexander's Patisserie also excels in hands-on leadership and team culture.
Building a Business
Want to Work With Influencers? Here’s What Small Business Owners Need to Know.
Julianne Fraser, founder of Dialogue NYC, crafts influencer marketing campaigns that stand out from the competition.
Building a Business
5 Secrets to Success From a Sustainable Business That’s Grown 95% in 3 Years
Here's how the president of this sustainable junk-removal business solves problems fast, treats customers with care and keeps as much as possible out of the landfill.
Building a Business
How This North Carolina Lawn Care Company Earns Customer Loyalty
By prioritizing responsiveness, transparency and efficiency, Sam Speno has cultivated a lawn care business that builds lasting customer relationships.
Building a Business
She Runs a James Beard Award-Nominated Restaurant. Here’s Her 2-Step Process for Hiring the Best Employees.
Krista Cole, who runs Portland, Maine tapas restaurant Sur Lie with chef Mimi Weissenborn, shares hiring tactics that any small business owner can use.
Building a Business
This CEO’s Paint-Your-Own Pottery Business Has 130 Locations — But Anyone Can Use Her Tips for Creating a Customer-First Experience
Color Me Mine CEO Teresa Johnson shares her best tips for engaging with customers and building lasting relationships.
Business Accounting
Expert Strategies to Add to Your Small Business’s Playbook This Tax Season
Leaders at nationwide payroll company Gusto explain how small business owners can leverage tax credits, use smart payroll tools and be proactive about compliance changes to avoid penalties and maximize savings.
Building a Business
The Training (and Business) Philosophy That Sets This Self-Defense Studio Apart
At Nomad Krav Maga, Shane Langwell teaches more than self-defense by helping students strengthen their confidence, resilience and a sense of community that extends beyond the gym.
Building a Business
What Small Businesses Can Learn from Yelp’s Trend Tracker
How Yelp's trend expert helps small businesses thrive by leveraging Yelp Trend Tracker insights, fostering community-focused engagement and embracing data-driven strategies to stay ahead of evolving consumer preferences.
Building a Business
He Turned His BBQ Restaurant Into a Full-Fledged Media Business. Here Are His 5 Best Tips for Growing Your Digital Presence.
Learn how Shawn Walchef built a thriving BBQ and media business through authentic storytelling, digital vulnerability and a bold approach to content creation that inspires entrepreneurs to embrace imperfection via online connection.
Building a Business
This Charleston Hotspot Found an Inflation Loophole That Helps It Avoid Rising Food Costs – Here’s Its Secret
Millers All Day partners with local farmers to combat rising inflation costs and thrive in Charleston's competitive restaurant scene.
Building a Business
A Simple 3-Word Mantra Helped This Serial Entrepreneur Build Brands Like GameStop and Laura Mercier
Discover Gary Kusin's winning formula for success.
Building a Business
How This Founder Is Sharing the Immigrant Story Through Food – And Her Best Advice for Entrepreneurs
Immigrant Food is transforming the culinary world by celebrating global flavors and advocating for immigrant contributions in America.
Building a Business
There’s a Loneliness Epidemic — And These Co-Founders Are Tackling It With Pickleball
Charlotte, North Carolina's Rally has pickleball, gourmet food, craft cocktails and a welcoming community atmosphere.
Building a Business
This Cozy Coffee and Garden Shop Has Become a Staple in Its Community By Following 5 Smart Strategies
Maypop is a combination coffee and garden shop where a blend of community building and customer service creates an unforgettable experience.
