AI an important tool for small business marketing, but it can’t replace relationships and trust
The Small Business Association of Michigan’s Small Business Weekly Podcast
Release Date: 02/17/2026
Human strategy and understanding of AI are crucial to modern marketing success
The Small Business Association of Michigan’s Small Business Weekly Podcast
On today’s program, Michael Rogers talks with Tom Damitio, partner in Roots Marketing of Grand Rapids and a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. He discusses their approach to helping businesses grow through effective marketing strategies. Roots Marketing focuses on SEO, digital ads, web strategy, content, and print materials, emphasizing a tailored, measurable approach that involves continuous refinement and adaptation. Damitio also acknowledges the role of AI in enhancing marketing efficiency but stresses that human strategy and understanding remain crucial. “It's a...
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Industry/higher ed partnerships for workforce development
The Small Business Association of Michigan’s Small Business Weekly Podcast
On today’s program, Michael Rogers talks with Drew Petro, owner of Fortress Manufacturing in Benton Harbor. The firm was recently named to the list of Michigan 50 Companies to Watch for 2026. The company specializes in sheet metal and machining services, targeting order volumes of 1,000 to 12,000 pieces annually. Petro is committed to the importance of workforce development, particularly in trades, and praises local community colleges for their support. “Lake Michigan College, Southwest Michigan College, have been phenomenal between apprenticeship programs as well as providing funding for...
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Using commercial insurance to help optimize your business risk
The Small Business Association of Michigan’s Small Business Weekly Podcast
On today’s program, Michael Rogers talks with Frank Cox, CEO of iCOR Solutions, a member of the 2026 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch list. Cox discusses the company's unique approach to commercial insurance, which focuses on improving capital and optimizing risk. “When we come into a business our first objective is to help them figure out are you in growth mode or do you want to be in growth mode? So we talk about how we help you improve your capital from that standpoint. That could be from strategic planning, leadership development, things of that nature. And then once we do that, we also...
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Eat healthy foods, exercise and get good sleep – great advice for busy small business owners
The Small Business Association of Michigan’s Small Business Weekly Podcast
On today’s program, Michael Rogers talks with Cheryl Tallman, CEO & Founder of Fresh Baby in Petoskey, recently named to the 2026 list of Michigan 50 Companies to Watch. Founded in 2002, Fresh Baby provides nutrition education for public health agencies. What kinds of actions does she recommend to small business owners if they want to stay healthy? “Obviously, the focus is to avoid processed foods,” Tallman says. “A second thing that people can do is physical activity. We all know that we need to get up and move throughout the day. The goal should be 60 minutes of activity. And you...
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Woof! Mid-Michigan company honored for doggone good doggy daycare
The Small Business Association of Michigan’s Small Business Weekly Podcast
On today’s program, Michael Rogers talks with Janice Milligan, President and Owner of Doggy Daycare and Spa -- selected as a Michigan 50 Company to Watch for 2026. The company operates two locations in the Greater Lansing area, offering daycare, boarding, and grooming services. Milliken attributes their success to a dedicated team and comprehensive training. “The team members are trained, and so they know dog behavior, they know what to look for,” she says. “The dogs are always supervised when they're together. We're very particular about our requirements, so we don't take just...
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Business success and local economic development in west Michigan
The Small Business Association of Michigan’s Small Business Weekly Podcast
On today’s program, Michael Rogers talks with SBAM leader Paul Santoro, owner of the 876 Baldwin Restaurant, located in Baldwin in west Michigan. Inspired by his love for fly fishing, he established the restaurant in a renovated Masonic temple, featuring a 16-seat bar and three apartments. Santoro emphasizes the restaurant's role in economic development and community engagement, highlighting local natural resources and heritage through unique decor and community events. “We are attempting to use the restaurant and its emphasis on economic development to really change the economic landscape...
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A small business whose success is guided by providing a great customer experience
The Small Business Association of Michigan’s Small Business Weekly Podcast
On today’s program, Michael Rogers talks with SBAM leader Jordan Munsters, Chief Fort Officer for High Caliber Karting & Entertainment in Okemos. His business, located at the Meridian Mall, has added 25,000 square feet since 2022, including a banquet center, stage for live music, a large bar, and new attractions like jelly blasters and archery tag. Munsters says his business is guided by three questions: “One, does it improve the guest experience? Two, does it reduce the cost of doing business for them? And three is, does it increase profit? And if it doesn't satisfy at least two of...
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Breaking up is easy to do at Break Room Therapy
The Small Business Association of Michigan’s Small Business Weekly Podcast
On today’s program, Michael Rogers talks with SBAM leader Dawn Levian, owner of Break Room Therapy in west Michigan. The concept offers customers a space to break glass and electronics for stress relief or fun. The facility requires specific safety equipment, including tennis shoes, lab coats, and safety gear. Break Room Therapy caters to various occasions, including business team building, birthday and divorce parties and offers packages suitable for different needs. “People come for lots of reasons, and even if you're celebrating, that doesn't still mean that you haven't had a hard week...
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A great company culture means not having to second-guess and over-supervize your employees
The Small Business Association of Michigan’s Small Business Weekly Podcast
On today’s program, Michael Rogers talks with SBAM leader Mark Hamilton, founder of Versa Culture in Grand Rapids (He can be contacted via LinkedIn at , and by email at .) His company helps small and mid-sized organizations improve execution by defining and reinforcing company culture. Hamilton emphasizes the importance of clear decision-making, especially under pressure, and the need for leaders to set boundaries and accountability. “What good looks like, what is the standard people are being held to,” he says. “What do they need to achieve in their day-to day-behaviors, not just...
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AI an important tool for small business marketing, but it can’t replace relationships and trust
The Small Business Association of Michigan’s Small Business Weekly Podcast
On today’s program, Michael Rogers talks with SBAM leader Chip LaFleur, CEO of Lafleur Marketing in Grand Rapids. He discusses the company's transition from a traditional marketing firm to a growth insights agency and highlights the challenges small businesses face due to economic uncertainty and rapid technological changes, particularly AI, which has both expedited and complicated marketing strategies. “You have to build a relationship to establish trust,” he says. “You have to have the trust before you start sharing ideas around how to make your business successful, how to grow your...
info_outlineOn today’s program, Michael Rogers talks with SBAM leader Chip LaFleur, CEO of Lafleur Marketing in Grand Rapids. He discusses the company's transition from a traditional marketing firm to a growth insights agency and highlights the challenges small businesses face due to economic uncertainty and rapid technological changes, particularly AI, which has both expedited and complicated marketing strategies. “You have to build a relationship to establish trust,” he says. “You have to have the trust before you start sharing ideas around how to make your business successful, how to grow your organization, and things like that. AI can, in some ways, help us to capture ideas, and sometimes those ideas inform the relationships a little bit, but it's still a tool in the toolbox.”
The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We’re located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol.
Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own.
Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it!
(music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)