Entrepreneur Like Me Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Your hairstylist sees the version of you that shows up before the win, before the confidence, and sometimes before you even believe in yourself. Courtney Garrett sits down with Kentoyia Harris, her longtime hairstylist and the owner of Growing Hands Salon And Academy, for a real conversation about natural hair care, entrepreneurship, and the work people never see behind a finished...

Send us Fan Mail She Started With a Pen… Then Built a Business What happens when an unexpected life change pushes you to rediscover your creativity—and that creativity turns into a business? In this episode of Entrepreneur Like ME , I sit down with Sandra Crosby Robinson, founder of Just Pen It and creator of Journey by Journaling, to talk about what happened when retirement came earlier than she...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you take a material known for aerospace, automotive and high-performance applications and bring it into industries that have relied on steel for decades? On this episode of the Entrepreneur Like ME Podcast, Courtney sits down with Willie and Eli Rytlewski of CF SPAN to talk about CarbonBar, their carbon fiber solution designed to bring strength, durability and li...

Send us Fan Mail From Visibility to Viability: Building Marketing Systems That Convert Getting people to notice your business is only half the battle—turning that attention into paying customers is where the real work begins. In this episode of Entrepreneur Like Me , I sit down with Angela Carter , founder of Angela M. Carter Services , to talk about the strategy behind sustainable business growth...

Send us Fan Mail Building a Business That Leaves a Legacy What starts as making custom treats for a child's birthday party can grow into something much bigger. In this episode of Entrepreneur Like Me , I sit down with Devonya Brown , founder of Sparkle Tees , to talk about building a business rooted in creativity, family, and legacy. From custom apparel and personalized gifts to empowering me...

Send us Fan Mail Building a Business That Gives People Time Back What does it take to grow a service business from an idea into a company people trust? In this episode of Entrepreneur Like Me , I sit down with Lisa Mayo and Ashley LaVigne , co-founders of Scrubbydubs Cleaning Service, LLC , to discuss building a business founded on systems, exceptional customer service, and a culture that empowers...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to build a thriving downtown? In this episode of Entrepreneur Like Me, Courtney Garrett sits down with Ann Marie Batkoski-Sullivan, Executive Director of Positive Results Downtown Saginaw (PRIDE), to explore how community development and economic development go hand in hand. From organizing the beloved Friday Night Live concert series to leading a voluntee...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Title: From Cleaning Homes to Changing the Industry with Carrie Everett, Founder of Safiee What happens when an everyday challenge turns into a groundbreaking innovation? In this episode of Entrepreneur Like ME , Courtney Garrett sits down with Carrie Everett, founder and inventor of Safiee —a first-of-its-kind cleaning product created from years of hands-on experience as...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Entrepreneur Like Me Podcast , Courtney sits down with Tyler Harlan , insurance agent and member of The Power Link , to talk about one of the most valuable tools an entrepreneur can have—relationships. Tyler shares why networking is about much more than exchanging business cards. It's about building trust, creating meaningful connections, and surroundin...

Send us Fan Mail Season 3, Episode 4: Ann Sigsby – Curiosity, Connection & Supporting Small Business In this episode of the Entrepreneur Like Me Podcast , Courtney sits down with Ann Sigsby , a lifelong learner, connector, and champion for small businesses. With a background that spans animal agriculture, entrepreneurship in holistic wellness, and 25 years as a Senior Analyst with AIM Targeted...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Entrepreneur Like Me Podcast , Courtney sits down with Kelsey Snyder , Executive Director of Lead, to talk about leadership, technology, and building systems that create real community impact. After 12 years working in the tech industry and moving forward with leading a global team, Kelsey felt called to step into work that created a more direct impact in he...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Entrepreneur Like Me Podcast , Courtney sits down with Angie Evans , a familiar voice on 95.3 CFX and a true connector in the Mount Pleasant community. Angie shares her journey from Detroit radio to building a life and platform rooted in local impact. From broadcasting and integrated marketing to deep nonprofit involvement, this conversation explores how usi...

Send us Fan Mail Season 3 Premiere: Eugene Seals Jr. – Leadership, Partnership & The Power of the Chamber Season 3 of the Entrepreneur Like Me Podcast kicks off with a heavy hitter. Courtney sits down with Eugene Seals Jr., President & CEO of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, for a powerful conversation about leadership, connection, and community impact. In this episode, Eugene share...

Send us Fan Mail Season 2, Episode 13: Michael Wooley – Building Bridges Through Immigration Law In this episode of Entrepreneur Like Me , Courtney talks with Michael Wooley , Immigration Attorney at Varnum LLP , about how immigration law connects global talent, business growth, and community. With over 30 years of experience, Michael helps companies across healthcare, education, and manufacturing...

Send us Fan Mail Season 2, Episode 12: Protecting Your Ideas with Kristen Pursley, President of Dobrusin Law In this episode, we sit down with Kristen Pursley , President of Dobrusin IP Law , a women-owned intellectual property boutique firm based in Pontiac, Michigan. Kristen specializes in helping innovators, founders, and growing companies protect what they create — from patents and trademarks...

Send us Fan Mail Sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) – Make it in Michigan with the support of a robust partner network designed to help entrepreneurs succeed.  Learn more at michiganbusiness.org . Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the ELM Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode be sure to subscribe for more inspiring conversations with entrepreneurs and bu...

Send us Fan Mail Marcus Martin – Building Communities Through Access to Capital In this episode of the Entrepreneur Like Me Podcast , Courtney sits down with Marcus Martin , Community Development Manager at Lake Trust Credit Union , to talk about how financial institutions can do more than just provide banking—they can transform lives and fuel entrepreneurship. Marcus shares insights on: The impor...

Send us Fan Mail Season 2, Episode 9: Andrew Lay – Outsmarting Google & Elevating Your Marketing In this episode of the Entrepreneur Like Me Podcast , we sit down with Andrew Lay , Founder & Owner of Hierographx—a full-service digital agency driven by innovation and problem solving. With over 25 years in digital marketing and more than a decade as a local business owner, Andrew brings prov...

Send us Fan Mail Season 2, Episode 8: Kisha Smith – Fueling Small Business in Saginaw In this episode of The Entrepreneur Like Me Podcast, we’re highlighting the local support systems powering entrepreneurship in Saginaw, Michigan. Courtney sits down with Kisha Smith , Coordinator at the Saginaw Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), to talk about how SEDC is helping small businesses thrive thro...

Send us Fan Mail Season 2, Episode 7: Christiana Malacara – Purpose, Power & Platform We’re back and better than ever with an inspiring episode featuring Christiana Malacara , founder of That’s What She Said Radio Show and 3rd Eye Marketing. Christiana is a powerful voice in the Great Lakes Bay Region—connecting communities, empowering women, and elevating the Latino voice through media, netwo...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a tech entrepreneur brings Silicon Valley vision back to his hometown? In Episode 6 of Entrepreneur Like Me, we sit down with Shane Emmons, Founder and CEO of Swept. AI, a rising AI company that recently secured a pre-seed investment led by Chicago-based VC firm M25. But for Shane, the mission is deeper than tech—it's about investing in people, potential, an...

Send us Fan Mail We’re celebrating 1 YEAR of the Entrepreneur Like Me Podcast! And for this milestone episode, I’m joined by someone very special— my mother, Tracey Floyd . Tracey is the founder of Core Elevations Solutions , providing expert HR consulting services to help small businesses stay compliant and grow. She’s also the owner of Encore 360 , an event business offering 360 photo booth expe...

Send us Fan Mail Season 2, Episode 4: Gina Anayana – United We Go In this heartfelt and powerful episode, we sit down with Gina Anayana, founder of United We Go —a nonprofit rooted in collaboration, diversity, and creative expression. Launched in 2023 and based in Bay City, Michigan, United We Go is transforming communities through programs like the City of Mural Festival, I AM Youth Empowerment,...

Send us Fan Mail Season 2, Episode 3: Letisha Randle – Entrepreneur of the Year In this inspiring episode, we’re celebrating CMURC’s 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year —Letisha Randle. As the Co-Founder and CEO of PRH Group, Letisha is transforming the electrical construction industry, advancing diversity, and building lasting impact throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region. From scaling PRH to over 65 em...

Send us Fan Mail Season 2, Episode 2: Beauty In Me with Donald Bivens This episode shines a spotlight on Beauty In Me , a local modeling agency founded by entrepreneurs Donald and Brittany Bivens. We dive into their mission of empowering emerging models in the Great Lakes Bay Region through their signature four-step program focused on self-love, confidence, and resilience. From taking 30 models to...