Emily Washcovick

Small Business Expert at Yelp at Yelp

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

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.

Building a Business

They Went From Selling Hangers as Kids to Starting a Retail Brand Worth $2.8 Billion – Here’s What the Property Brothers Learned About Entrepreneurship

The kings of HGTV, Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott, share their insights as lifelong entrepreneurs.

Building a Business

Emily Washcovick

More From Emily Washcovick

These Brothers Turned a 2-Man Operation Into One of the Most Trusted Companies in Their Area. Here’s How.

Two Industry Leaders Share Their Best Advice for Restaurant Owners – And Reveal the Exact Amount You Can Raise Prices Without Losing Customers

This Is What the CEO of Kickstarter Wishes Aspiring Entrepreneurs Knew

She Created the Dance Studio She Was Looking For. Now, It’s a Nationwide Brand.

She Went From Teacher to Owning a Business in an Unexpected Industry – And Wants Others to Do the Same: ‘There Is So Much Opportunity’

He Went From Customer to CEO of a Rapidly-Expanding Dessert Chain By Following This Process

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.

Her Show Was Canceled – But the Setback Taught Busy Philipps a Powerful Lesson for Creators and Entrepreneurs

This Local Bakery Has Lines Out the Door. Here Are the Secrets to Its Success.

Want to Work With Influencers? Here’s What Small Business Owners Need to Know.

5 Secrets to Success From a Sustainable Business That’s Grown 95% in 3 Years

How This North Carolina Lawn Care Company Earns Customer Loyalty

She Runs a James Beard Award-Nominated Restaurant. Here’s Her 2-Step Process for Hiring the Best Employees.

This CEO’s Paint-Your-Own Pottery Business Has 130 Locations — But Anyone Can Use Her Tips for Creating a Customer-First Experience

Expert Strategies to Add to Your Small Business’s Playbook This Tax Season

The Training (and Business) Philosophy That Sets This Self-Defense Studio Apart

What Small Businesses Can Learn from Yelp’s Trend Tracker

He Turned His BBQ Restaurant Into a Full-Fledged Media Business. Here Are His 5 Best Tips for Growing Your Digital Presence.

This Charleston Hotspot Found an Inflation Loophole That Helps It Avoid Rising Food Costs – Here’s Its Secret

A Simple 3-Word Mantra Helped This Serial Entrepreneur Build Brands Like GameStop and Laura Mercier

How This Founder Is Sharing the Immigrant Story Through Food – And Her Best Advice for Entrepreneurs

There’s a Loneliness Epidemic — And These Co-Founders Are Tackling It With Pickleball

This Cozy Coffee and Garden Shop Has Become a Staple in Its Community By Following 5 Smart Strategies

They Went From Selling Hangers as Kids to Starting a Retail Brand Worth $2.8 Billion – Here’s What the Property Brothers Learned About Entrepreneurship

He’s Hosted ‘This Old House’ for 20 Years — These Are His Best Tips for Growing a Home Services Business

Here’s How the Founder of PopUp Bagels Turned a Backyard Baking Project Into a Viral Sensation

This Miami Business Took a Bold Risk By Offering a New Type of Service — Here’s How It Paid Off

She Was Unhappy in Her Job as a Lawyer, So She Started a Business Serving a Comfort Food Staple — And Made Millions

How This Software Company Is Simplifying Complex But Critical Processes for Small Businesses

This San Francisco Pizzeria Found Success By Ignoring Naysayers and Offering Something Truly Unique

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