Melinda Emerson
SmallBizLady
America's #1 Small Business Expert

About
Melinda F. Emerson, known globally as "SmallBizLady," is America's #1 Small Business Expert with over 25 years of entrepreneurial success. As CEO of Quintessence Group, her marketing consulting firm has served Fortune 500 brands that target the small business market, including VISA, American Express, FedEx, Google, Amazon, Verizon, Chase, Microsoft, and HP.
A former New York Times columnist and bestselling author of "Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months" and "Fix Your Business," Melinda reaches more than 1 million entrepreneurs weekly through her comprehensive digital ecosystem. Her blog SucceedAsYourOwnBoss.com attracts 247K monthly visitors, while The SmallBizChat Podcast generates 39K monthly downloads with a 73% subscription rate.
With an MBA from Drexel University, Melinda has taught entrepreneurship at leading institutions including Drexel University, Babson College, and internationally across five continents. She operates SmallBizLadyUniversity.com, an online school for entrepreneurs, and SmallBizLadyAcademy.com, a community for women business owners. HubSpot named her one of America's top business coaches, LinkedIn recognized her as a Top Voice for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Forbes called her the #1 woman for entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter.
Professional Highlights
- America's #1 Small Business Expert serving Fortune 500 brands for 25+ years
- CEO of Quintessence Group with clients including Visa, Google, Amazon, FedEx
- Reaches 1M+ entrepreneurs weekly through digital platforms and content
- Bestselling author, former NY Times columnist, and university professor
- HubSpot Top Business Coach and LinkedIn Top Voice for Entrepreneurship
Areas of Expertise
Content Types & Deliverables
Primary Content Piece
Article, blog post, video, listicle, infographic, financial tips, or newsletter
Social Media Element
Written, photo/image-based or video post
Interactive/Engagement Piece
Live session, workshop, podcast, TV/media interview, coaching, training or consultation
Additional Services Offered
Media & Speaking
- Featured in major business publications
- Regular contributor to entrepreneur media
- Quoted on small business trends and funding
Ready to Work Together?
Get in touch to discuss how Melinda Emerson can contribute to your project or event.