The Small Business Association of Michigan’s Small Business Weekly Podcast
The Small Business Association of Michigan’s Small Business Weekly Podcast presents a dynamic audio interview from a top-notch expert on entrepreneurial success. Hear great tips and advice on how to be a more effective small business owner.
info_outline
Helping to tell the under-told stories of small business excellence
10/29/2024
Helping to tell the under-told stories of small business excellence
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Cyndee Harrison, Principal at . She is a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. Her company connects business leaders and subject matter experts with their audiences through content marketing, public relations, and storytelling. “We often say that we specialize in the under-told, meaning there are so many great business stories out there, just latent, just untapped,” she says. “The people running these businesses and their teams are focusing exactly where they should be, on serving their customers and stakeholders. So we really like working with them to flesh that out and to help shine a light on the gift of their own relevant authority, and help them build trust to grow their business.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/33668972
info_outline
Have surplus assets? This dynamic small business can help you recover the value
10/22/2024
Have surplus assets? This dynamic small business can help you recover the value
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with SBAM VIP Member Doug Watkoski, owner and founder of , one of the fastest-growing asset disposition companies in the industry. Headquartered in Muskegon, it assists some of the largest companies in the United States with all facets of surplus assets. The company’s asset disposition program enables customers to efficiently liquidate unwanted and excess assets while enhancing their value recovery potential. The comprehensive program covers surplus operational machinery and MRO and tooling cribs items, as well as significantly reducing project costs related to scrap CNC machinery and automated lines. Learn more about BTM Industrial at. The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/33568667
info_outline
Being a better leader by nurturing your physical and mental health
10/15/2024
Being a better leader by nurturing your physical and mental health
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with executive leadership coach, trainer and workshop facilitator . She wrote an article for the September/October issue of SBAM's member-only Focus magazine called Six Ways to Optimize Leadership Performance. “I was inspired by the many leaders that I work with in my coaching and my training, particularly small business owners, a lot of them feel like they have a big weight on their shoulders,” Morrill says. “This drive to be successful, and the expectations that are on them to be successful, whether it be their own or others. The result of this is that it comes at the expense of their own physical and their own mental health.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/33466697
info_outline
There are no holes in this donut business success plan
10/08/2024
There are no holes in this donut business success plan
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Monica Gauthier, a member of the SBAM Board of Directors and co-owner of in mid-Michigan. Groovy Donuts was recognized as the SBDC Capital Region's Best Small Business and Greater Lansing Entrepreneurs of the Year in 2023. They offer fall flavors, tailgate donuts, catering services, host an annual donut design contest and celebrate customers with an annual Customer Appreciation Day. The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/33381512
info_outline
The challenges and success opportunities in government contracting
09/23/2024
The challenges and success opportunities in government contracting
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Catherine Behrenbrinker, President & CEO of in Grand Rapids. Her firm was recently named by Michigan Celebrates Small Business as an APEX Accelerator Best Small Business for 2024. She discusses the challenges and successes of scaling their government contracting division over the past two years, including hiring experts and optimizing technology procurement; emphasizes the importance of leveraging resources like the APEX Accelerator program for navigating government contracts, and notes the significant impact small businesses have on the economy, particularly in job creation and innovation. Behrenbrinker aims to grow her team from 23 to 35 employees and increase revenue to $50 million, with upcoming bids for contracts annually worth $12.9 billion. “Just getting a little seat on that bus and a piece of that business makes a huge impact,” she says.
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/33175617
info_outline
Nonprofit honored for workforce development for adult with developmental disabilities
09/17/2024
Nonprofit honored for workforce development for adult with developmental disabilities
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Jenny Brown, CEO of , a nonprofit in Oakland County. Dutton Farm was recently recognized as one of Michigan's 50 companies to watch for its unique hiring practices and inclusive business model. She discusses her organization's mission to provide skill-building, community access, and workforce development for adults with developmental disabilities. The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/33091812
info_outline
Growth and opportunities for a company in the far north of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
09/11/2024
Growth and opportunities for a company in the far north of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Jen Julien, who with her husband Jon owns in Houghton Michigan. Their company this year was selected as a member of the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch. Braveworks plans for 40 percent growth in 2024, with further expansion in 2025. “We're really excited to expand into the Marquette community, that's just been a really good fit for our growth and for what we're doing here, and we're just really honored to be selected as a Michigan 50 Companies to Watch,” she says. The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/33007182
info_outline
Turbocharging your small business social media tactics
08/29/2024
Turbocharging your small business social media tactics
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Peter Van Dyke, CEO of , a member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. His firm was recently named to the list of Michigan 50 Companies to Watch for 2024. “For any startup company or small company developing a social media strategy, it doesn't take a high level expertise to think about the timeline of your business over a year, over a month, and think about how you can share key elements of your business that can attract customers or clients,” he says. “It is probably the best, most accessible way to start building your business and building a platform for your business. And then when you get successful enough, you hire firms like us to bring other ideas to the table.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/32794177
info_outline
Small business owners can be their own best advocates
08/27/2024
Small business owners can be their own best advocates
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Gina Jacquart Thorsen, CEO of , home of the iconic Michigan brand Stormy Kromer. Gina was named SBAM's 2024 Advocate of the Year. “Small business owners, you know, we hear politicians all the time say that small businesses are the backbone of the economy. But they don't really understand what that means. Many of them are not, have never been and will never be small business owners. We have to be the ones that tell our stories. We have to be the ones that share both our successes and our triumphs and the great work we're doing, but also the challenges and how different systems and organizations and infrastructure can help support us. There is just no one better than you to tell your story.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/32760587
info_outline
Neon to LED to digital: business signage and lighting evolves and improves
08/20/2024
Neon to LED to digital: business signage and lighting evolves and improves
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Paul Deters, president of . They are Premium Members of the Small Business Association of Michigan, and have been selected to the list of Michigan 50 Companies to Watch for 2024. “We hear all the time that the world is going digital, and that has certainly been evident in our industry,” Deters says. “When we first started it's hard to believe that neon was the preferred lighting method. And then we saw a little bit of a migration towards more efficiency and then huge gains of efficiency as we've migrated to LED. And what's going on now is that digital signage is exploding. The reason is digital signage enables companies to keep their messaging current and fresh. So it's our job to find ways to help our customers stand out from all that noise.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/32662312
info_outline
The bigger the information haystack, the more you need help finding the needle
08/13/2024
The bigger the information haystack, the more you need help finding the needle
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Anne Bridgewater, the president of in Midland. She is a newly elected member of the Board of Directors for the Small Business Association of Michigan. “Information is available online, there's a lot of it and I always feel like the bigger the haystack, the harder to find the needle, right?” she says. “But we have experienced researchers who have degrees, like in Masters of Library of Science and Information Science, and these folks are trained and experienced in knowing where to go, what's reliable information sources, and then also how to search them.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/32564262
info_outline
Managing the complexities of growing your business
08/06/2024
Managing the complexities of growing your business
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with , a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan and an EOS Worldwide Professional Implementer. “I ask everyone, when I meet them for the first time and before we take a client engagement, what do you want from your business?” he says. “And it's not a knee jerk reaction – I want sales, and I want my people to do the things that I need them to do. What do you really want? And I slow it down. What do you really want from your business? And when you think about what you really want, sometimes it can be complex if there's multiple owners because you’ve got to be on the same page.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/32464752
info_outline
Employee benefits remain a key to attracting and retaining good employees
07/31/2024
Employee benefits remain a key to attracting and retaining good employees
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Shannon Enders, founder of in Norton Shores. He is a new member of the SBAM board of directors. “Typically, health insurance is the cornerstone [of benefits] and most employers do want to offer that, and need to, because they do need to attract and retain employees,” he says. “Rates are high, and we're going through another period of high increases throughout the state. But what's been interesting is the fear of not being able to attract or the fear of losing employees has been even bigger than the fear of taking a premium increase. I do feel that that's starting to swing back. The employers are starting to get a little more of the upper hand.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/32373197
info_outline
West Michigan business leader and consultant takes reins of SBAM’s volunteer board
07/19/2024
West Michigan business leader and consultant takes reins of SBAM’s volunteer board
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Erick Stewart, owner of in Battle Creek. Erick is serving as SBAM's Board Chair for 2024-2025. “We're a great organization, and we're scrappy, and I want to continue that scrappiness because being scrappy, you're ready for whatever comes around the corner,” he says. “We take our members through that as we deal with all types of legislative issues, we deal with having input and all types of things that happen throughout the state.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/32216052
info_outline
Business leader celebrates 15 years of community involvement with Lansing film festival
07/16/2024
Business leader celebrates 15 years of community involvement with Lansing film festival
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Camron Gnass, founder of Lansing-based creative studio . Among many other community activities, he is a founding member of the Capital City Film Festival. “Our intention was to prove that there is a desire for people to come together and have a shared experience,” he says. “What we did is we began finding venues or buildings that were either shuttered or getting ready to come online, other pretty non-traditional gathering spaces, and created community gathering spaces over the course of what started as four days to now expanded to 11 days. It really gives people an opportunity to be a part of the community culture that's here to get a lens into other cultures that are existing in different parts of the world.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/32162182
info_outline
Quality work and community involvement leads to business success
07/06/2024
Quality work and community involvement leads to business success
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Kevin Sodermark, Vice President of L&C Enterprises-USA d/b/a . They were recently recognized by Michigan Celebrates Small Business as one of the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch for 2024. “We support many different things around the community, and then doing quality work, I think, is one of the main things,” he says. “They're happy with our product. They tell their neighbors, they tell their family to come to us. We do work all over the UP into northern Wisconsin, and a lot of that is you've done work for my sister, you've done work for my mom. I mean, we get a lot of that. So with quality work comes more work, and our name is respected in the community for that. So it's if you do good work, you have good customer service, the work will find you.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/32031162
info_outline
Crafting business success with custom, high quality stickers
06/25/2024
Crafting business success with custom, high quality stickers
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Matt Stephens and Josh Stephens, co-founders of , creators of high quality custom stickers. The company was recently honored by being named by Michigan Celebrates Small Business to the list of Michigan 50 Companies to Watch. “We're super proud to be a Macomb County-based company and Michigan-based company,” they say. “There's been a lot of super great resources that we've been able to utilize in Michigan, including SBAM. We really appreciate everything that SBAM has done for us over the years.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/31883387
info_outline
HR innovations to help you get the most out of your employees
06/18/2024
HR innovations to help you get the most out of your employees
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Jim Stowe, president of . He helps small and medium sized companies deal with a wide range of challenges when managing employees. “The battle for talent, acquiring and retaining talent, is something that's still a challenge for most folks, although we've seen a little bit of daylight,” he says. “But it's still finding ways to be a unique and an attractive employer to attract and retain the best people you can, so they take the best care of your clients or help drive profitability.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/31792497
info_outline
Apprenticeship programs can bring value to your company
06/11/2024
Apprenticeship programs can bring value to your company
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Nick Jacqmain, CEO and President of , with locations in Kingsley and Big Rapids. He recently wrote an article for SBAM's Focus magazine on The Value of Apprenticeships for Small Businesses. “You're going to find that you're attracting more employees, you're going to find that you're attracting higher quality candidates, and you're going to find the retention process to be a lot better and a lot easier,” he says “Employees will be more engaged and they'll want to grow.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/31698362
info_outline
Learn how this business leaders helps maintain the legacy of a multi generational business
05/30/2024
Learn how this business leaders helps maintain the legacy of a multi generational business
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Elite SBAM member Kimberly Enders of in Sterling Heights. She says she loves being involved in maintaining the legacy of a multi generational business. “Because I don't have to reinvent the wheel, I guess that's a part of it,” she says. “When you have a really good business structure, you have a good foundation, I'm not out here having to do trial and error on how to run a really good business and how to have a really good financial planning practice. So that part of the multigenerational is amazing.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/31528462
info_outline
Building your annual and quarterly growth strategies
05/28/2024
Building your annual and quarterly growth strategies
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with professional . Maddox and Reuben Levinsohn are hosting workshops on June 12 and Oct. 17, focused on helping entrepreneurs grow their business valuation, “something very few entrepreneurs focus on with intention in their annual and quarterly growth strategies,” Maddox says. Attendees will have an opportunity to assess their personal + business “Exit Readiness” and build an action plan from it. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration is required: The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/31495757
info_outline
A new video interviewing service that makes the employment process more efficient and helpful
05/21/2024
A new video interviewing service that makes the employment process more efficient and helpful
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Matt Baxter, a VIP member of SBAM and the CEO of video interviewing platform , a more efficient and effective way of evaluating job candidates. “We are a one way video interviewing tool with a preset of pre-recorded questions that candidates respond to,” Baxter says. “They'll respond to those oftentimes in the earliest stages of the hiring process. A lot of times it’s used as a phone screen replacement, or sort of a preliminary interview replacement. So we sell that software to companies around the world, but really heavy, heavy focus on the U.S. and we love our Michigan clients as well.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/31408242
info_outline
HR as a strategic partner for your business success
05/14/2024
HR as a strategic partner for your business success
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Lisa Cooper, Chief People Officer for the . “As we came out of the pandemic, we saw organizations really understand the value of HR,” she says. “HR sort of led the charge during the pandemic, in terms of culture, communication, health and safety, COBRA and unemployment, and all the things that many of us have dealt with. We really leveraged ourselves as strategic partners within the business units that we have the pleasure of serving, and for organizations that are perhaps too small to have their own dedicated HR resource.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/31295592
info_outline
Teamwork for keeping essential power safe and reliable
05/07/2024
Teamwork for keeping essential power safe and reliable
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with John Patry, an Elite member of the Small Business Association of Michigan and the CEO and owner of in Dexter. “What we do is keep power controls safe, reliable and compliant for places where downtime is not an option,” he says. “Those places are hospitals, data centers, water and wastewater plants, big commercial buildings like the Renaissance building in downtown Detroit, big shopping malls or universities and stuff like that all over Michigan and Ohio.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/31180327
info_outline
Tulip Time in Holland a premier event for Skerbeck Entertainment Group
04/23/2024
Tulip Time in Holland a premier event for Skerbeck Entertainment Group
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Elite SBAM Member Sonja Skerbeck, owner of Holland-based . With over 160 years of experience in America and Europe, this family-owned firm was awarded the prestigious Circle of Excellence by the Outdoor Amusement Business Association and provides a wide range of entertainment services, event planning and marketing. The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/30954748
info_outline
A holistic approach to the complex world of effective Internet marketing
04/16/2024
A holistic approach to the complex world of effective Internet marketing
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Jim Mitte, president of in Brighton. “We focus really on that small business, one to $5 million company,” he says. “They got to some spot they're at and don't really understand the best places to spend their dollars effectively to generate the leads they need to grow. We've made major inroads into our franchise system. We built out a web platform that helps franchise owners deliver a consistent message and consistent leads for service-based franchisees.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/30853113
info_outline
Elite SBAM member celebrates 35 years of marketing and branding success
03/22/2024
Elite SBAM member celebrates 35 years of marketing and branding success
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Elite SBAM member Heather Isch, CEO and President of in Kalamazoo. One of the things this 35-year-old company does for its customers is help them make sense of a confusing world of social media marketing. “We’ve been working with our clients in the social media realm for quite some time and I think what we do at the beginning is sit down with them and figure out what their goals and objectives are, who they’re trying to reach, and then we make a determination of what platforms we’re going to use and what the messaging should be on those platforms,” she says. The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/30503423
info_outline
Improve the public image of your firm by properly maintaining your parking lot
03/20/2024
Improve the public image of your firm by properly maintaining your parking lot
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with SBAM Elite Member Dave Rosenberg, owner of , serving the Bay Midland Saginaw County areas. “The way I always put it is if there’s two stores next to each other that sell the same thing, one has a cracked parking lot, they don’t take care of the building, the other one has a beautiful parking lot, the building’s taken care of, you’re probably going to go that business instead, right?” he says. The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/30462803
info_outline
The urge to solve a consumer frustration leads to business success
03/18/2024
The urge to solve a consumer frustration leads to business success
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Sara Moylan, founder of a great Michigan small business success story: , based in Hudsonville. “I believe some of the best products are born out of one's desire to solve a problem and that was me,” she says. “I never had any intention of starting a company, I was just a frustrated fed up consumer who decided to take matters into her own hands, because every sports bra I wore was not doing what I needed. And that's really how SHEFIT was born. It was really truly born out of a desire to change what wasn't working.” The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/30425433
info_outline
Merging old world craftsmanship with modern production technology in contract furniture
03/17/2024
Merging old world craftsmanship with modern production technology in contract furniture
On today’s SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers talks with Blake Ratcliffe, the principal and founder of contract furniture company , also known as The Makers Creative. “Being a small company that we started at at our kitchen table and in Ann Arbor, and then working on the back of our suppliers to get rolling to bootstrap, we really had to be good at spotting trends,” Ratcliffe says. The 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 )
/episode/index/show/sbamentrepreneurialinsights/id/30408798