The new Better Business Bureau of Fresno podcast studio is available to accredited members the and non accredited alike. Photo by Ben Hensley

The Better Business Bureau in Fresno hopes to be a loudspeaker for local businesses with the launch of its new, state-of-the-art podcast studio, designed to give local businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders and community members a platform to share their stories.

The space, dubbed the “Ignite, sparked by BBB Podcast Studio,” is part of an ongoing effort by the nonprofit to enhance services and offer innovative resources to its accredited business partners and beyond, is one of the first major undertakings by BBB Fresno’s new Regional Director Nathan Gilbert last year.

Gilbert, a former small business owner himself, understands the value of the practical and accessible tools for businesses.

“The podcast studio is a way for us to offer businesses a professional, accessible space to produce content that helps them grow,” said Gilbert. “We want to empower local businesses to tell their stories, share their expertise and connect with their customers in new ways.”

A local mouthpiece

The studio, located at the BBB Serving the Pacific Southwest, Central & Inland California headquarters at 2600 W. Shaw Ln., in Fresno, was designed with local businesses in mind. It is equipped with a range of professional-grade microphones, headsets, soundproofing equipment and branding elements, offering a high-quality recording experience for users who lack the resources to produce a podcast.

Gilbert hopes the space will serve as a hub for community leaders, elected officials, entrepreneurs and anyone seeking to amplify their voice.

“I was an entrepreneur and a really young business owner putting myself through college,” he said. “This would have been so amazing for me; I wish that I had come across the BBB when I was 20.”

The idea behind the podcast studio stemmed from the larger BBB focus on innovation and keeping a step ahead of emerging trends in the business community.

“We saw the opportunity to create a space where businesses could tell their stories in a modern and engaging format,” Gilbert said. “We’ve had a lot of interest from our accredited businesses, and that’s exciting because it means we’re providing a resource that they truly value.”

Community involvement

Gilbert said that several accredited businesses have already reached out inquiring about booking time in the space.

The podcast studio is available to accredited businesses — six free hours of recording time each month, with additional hours available at $40 per hour. Non-BBB-accredited businesses are also invited to use the space at $50 per hour, ensuring that the resource remains accessible to as wide an audience as possible.

“It’s not just about promoting BBB; it’s about supporting the entire community,” Gilbert said. “The idea is to make this space available to anyone who can benefit from it — whether that’s an established business or a startup. We want people to feel like they can come in and create something valuable.”

BBB Fresno plans to offer technical support and assistance to those attempting to get their podcasts off the ground, with staff members available to provide assistance in the early days of the studio, and a do-it-yourself checklist that will be available to users as well.

 

Designed to be as accessible as possible, nonprofit organizations will also be provided with four hours of time monthly and will be charged $40 per hour for subsequent hours.

Gilbert, who acknowledged the low-cost barrier for non-accredited business, recognized the importance of keeping availability of the podcast studio for all businesses.

“We want to make it easy for people to get in, use the space, and share their stories. Whether you’re a large business or a small nonprofit, we want you to feel like this is a place where you can create content that matters,” Gilbert said.

What’s next on the horizon?

This year will mark a notable milestone for BBB Fresno, as the organization celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Gilbert hopes the studio will serve as the first part of the organization’s broader anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to expanding business footprints in the Valley and beyond.

“This is an exciting time for BBB Fresno,” Gilbert said. “As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, we’re looking forward to the next 75 years and beyond. We want to be a valuable resource for businesses and the community, and the podcast studio is just one way we’re working toward that goal.”