Coffee & Grit

Do you have an FU date on your calendar yet? According to financial planner Michael Mann, financial freedom is the best way to reach a place in your life where you can just say, “f*ck you.” If you haven’t set a target date yet, you’re going to want to put that advent on your calendar. Jokes aside, financial planning is a touchy subject, especially for entrepreneurs and solopreneurs. So, this week,...

Welcome back to Coffee & Grit! This week, we feature Business Coach (or, rather, Business Wingman) Jason Ballard, host of Soar Higher with Jason Ballard . After we jammed on JB’s show in June, we knew it was only a matter of time before we collaborated again. This time, we dive into Ballard's story, and pull back the curtain on how he became the Business Wingman. Before he was a coach, Jason w...

The small business owners of "Main Street" are the heart that keeps many US towns and cities pumping. They invest in our communities, in our local sports teams, etc but operating on Main Street isn't always Sunny. What is it like owning a business on Main Street? What do you do to survive when the town goes under construction and the people can't easily get to your business? Join us this week as d...

It’s not every episode we get to meet a living legend. In this episode, undoubtedly one of our greatest ever, we have the honor of jamming with Da-I “Doc” Ping, whose life would make Forest Gump look like a homebody by comparison. He fled Communist China at age 9, nearly died before being given one of the first doses of penicillin in Bangkok. He then emigrated to the United States from Japan in or...

It's no coincidence that Clarkston and Brighton are fantastic communities for small businesses, especially with hustlers like Brandon Still building co-working spaces to empower entrepreneurs. Welcome back! This week, Jason welcomes Brandon, founder of The Integrated Life Company, to a jam session that gets to the heart of what makes Michigan local businesses great: small towns, community events,...

Whether it is growing people, relationships, or business referral partnerships always remember If You Build It They Will Come! From being a 1-800-number operator and answering calls from informercials, to selling bodybags and eyeball scoopers, Bernie DeSantis has had a unique career. At Quicken he was discovered by leadership as a person that was gifted at transferring knowledge led him to discove...

Where do dangerous amounts of coffee fit into The Good Fat Life? We're about to find out. Welcome back! This week, we have an AMAZING crossover episode to share featuring Sherri Richards, host of Inspired Good Fat Life and creator of the Good Fat Life magazine. Sherri introduces Jason to the idea of "the good fat life," a holistic concept of health that covers sleep, nutrition, and much more. Plus...

If you're a fan of this show, you've already heard a lot about the incredible Steve Zyskowski. In this episode, we welcome him to the studio for an extended jam session. From starting Caerus Net to his past as a mortgage lender, we dig deep to get to the heart of what makes a great community-builder. We had a blast talking with Steve, and we are SO excited to share this convo with you!! This episo...

People need people. It sounds so simple, but too often we make the mistake of trying to go it alone, especially when we are building a business. This week, we get a crash course from community cultivator Dr. Ronda Vaugn on how to attact, build, and celebrate your tribe. It may sound simple, but it certainly isn't easy, and we hope this jam session sparks your imagination. This episode is sponsored...

According to True Defense LLC owner Seth Martin, personal safety is more about awareness than martial arts. Seth teaches people to avoid physical conflict when possible, and how to act when a scary situation does arise. Today, he joins Jason to jam about the unique mindset behind his business, principle-based thinking, consistency, and the magic power of just doing the next thing. This episode is...

Have you ever had a job or experience that you are embarrassed to talk about it and often scrap under the rug? Then grab your notebook and get ready to listen! As you have heard by know in life we are either winning or learning. And that is exactly why this episode with Cory Thompson, founder of Red Oak Refillery, is a must listen. Give yourself permission to eat faces every once in a while. Cory...

Never miss a good opportunity to shut up and learn! This week, Jason jams with Ryan Griggs, owner of Blue Line Detailing. Ryan shares the struggles, breakthroughs, and wins of owning a business he loves. Ryan credits his success to not only his family and community, but his ability to just shut up and listen to what others have to say. It's a forgotten skill and we break down how Ryan does it in t...

Some of us just belong in the wild. This week, Jason interviews one of the people who first made Coffee & Grit possible: Natalie Miller, founder of Grit & Lavender, a co-working space in the heart of Brighton. Natalie championed this show from the beginning, and we are stoked to finally have her in the studio! Check out this awesome discussion about being a servant leader, collaborating wi...

Jennifer McGovern calls herself a reformed people pleaser. In the past, her schedule was too full to really pour herself into her work and her community. But now, she is building a model for community engagement as the Community Relations Specialist at CGC Water Treatment. Today’s convo goes deep into managing your time (including scheduling time to do NOTHING to ensure you don’t forget!), taking...

What is up?! Today, we welcome differencemaker Heather McGlone to the podcast. Heather started Ace Strategies in 2013 and has spent the past decade helping people make the jump from employee to entrepreneur. How Heather made her own way, and the insight she has to share, is the heart of this week’s episode. We hope you enjoy! This episode is sponsored by Playbook Builder: Powered by AI. Coffee &am...

When Dan Oginsky feels change coming to his life, he embraces it. This attitude is what led him away from corporate America and into founding Brighton Lighthouse and the All Heart Garage. These co-working spaces have been a vital hub for entrepreneurship and networking in Livingston County, allowing new business owners a chance to collaborate and work within the community. Today, Dan sits down wit...

For a lot of people the pandemic was a wake up call that it was time to work on our own story line, and not someone elses. And this week we are diving into one of those success stories! Through weekly family bonfires at the start of the pandemic two cousins by marriage found common ground in being chewed up and spit out at their jobs on a weekly basis. The more they talked the more they realized t...

This episode may be the hardest we've laughed in the studio so far. Joining Jason this week is Kelly Hamlin, an author and recruiter who is doing her own thing after spending over 20 years in the corporate world. After watching so many get it wrong, she created her own process - and business - that matches people with the right employer. In this episode, we get to know the authentic Kelly Hamlin a...

This week, Jason flies solo to answer some commonly-asked questions about entrepreneurship. Plus, we reflect on some of the most profound lessons we've had the privilege to learn from our past guests. While you'll have to listen for the best bits, the big takeaway this week is to START NOW. Whatever you want, wherever it leads. You can only find yourself when you are not afraid to fail first. Than...

Who do you want to be a hero to? According to Certified EOS Implementor Dave Feidner, this is one of the most important questions you need to ask yourself. This week, Dave joins Jason to talk about the outside perspective that many businesses are missing. After starting a paper route at age 11, Dave caught the entrepreneurial bug early, and today he is a proud member of the larger EOS community. I...

Being healthier starts with taking ownership. This week, Jason welcomes Kim Lenga, owner and founder of Emerge Fitness, to the podcast. In a world where processed food is cheap, easy, and accessible, Kim is helping people transform their health through fitness, nutrition, and mindset coaching. Hear Kim's story and her advice on how to become your fittest self, in this episode! Show Links Learn mor...

This week, Jason returns from vacation to interview fellow coach and podcaster Belinda Ellsworth. Ever since she petitioned to get her own paper route as a girl, Belinda has spent her career focused on selling the right way. Now, she joins Jason to tell her story - and share her insight - on how she coaches leaders to make work their happy place. Enjoy! Show Links Learn more about Jason's work! We...

Trae Bohlen may not have a marketing background, but she is an expert in taking risks that pay off. This week, photographer extraordinaire Trae jams with Jason in the finale of his 3-episode recording marathon. Trae explains the mindset that led her to follow her passion for photography, the divine timing that makes great things possible, and the power of an honest brand. Show Links Learn more abo...

Breathe. Seriously, stop reading this and just take one deep, full breath. Feel this moment. Why don't we do that more often? This week, Jason jams with mindfulness expert Trice Berlinski to talk about the power of living intentionally. From using mindfulness to find healthy ways to address trauma, to identifying your limiting factors, Trice is a goldmine of wisdom in this thought-provoking episod...

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. It's a long, sometimes lonely road to walk. But if you ask Dr. Michael J. Berry from Elevate Chiropractic, it's all worth it. This week, Dr. Berry joins Jason to jam about the constant battle for time that entrepreneurs fight. Listen to his story of starting a business at the beginning of the pandemic, and how he and Jason balance their ambitions wit...