Behind the Business: Where Business Owners in Southwest Michigan Tell Their Story

In this month's episode of Behind the Business, I sit down with Beth and Ben Wagner, Owners of B&B Grocery Outlet in Watervliet, to discuss how a passion for saving money, serving others and spending time together as a family grew into one of Southwest Michigan's most unique grocery destinations. Beth and Ben share their journey from creating what was once a 1,000-square-foot storefront to a 14,00...

In this episode of Behind the Business, I sit down with Lindy de Vries — artist, entrepreneur, lifelong South Haven local, and owner of Michigan Local Market. Lindy shares the story behind her journey from childhood creativity and old-school graphic design to running both her family’s screen-printing business, Little Oscar’s, and her own Michigan-inspired retail shop in downtown South Haven. Our c...

In this episode of Behind the Business, I sit down with Roxanne Leder, owner of Decadent Dogs in downtown South Haven, to talk about her incredible journey from a 30+ year career in healthcare to becoming the heart behind one of the community’s most beloved small businesses. Roxanne shares how her passion for animals and people inspired her to create a boutique centered on quality pet products, af...

In this episode of Behind the Business, I sit down with Nicole Valkner, the heart behind Gulotta Imagery, to talk about the journey from picking up a camera as a hobby to building a photography business that captures some of life’s most meaningful moments along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Nicole’s story isn’t just about photography—it’s about taking a leap into the unknown, trusting your instinct...

In this episode of Behind the Business, I sit down with Lacy Wolter, owner of Willow Behavior Specialists in Saint Joseph, Michigan. We discuss how Lacy saw a gap in care for children with Autism and other neurodivergent behavioral issues, as well as care for their families. From reimagining what therapy can look like to building meaningful community partnerships, our conversation dives into the h...

In this episode, Kyle shares his journey from the fast-paced restaurant industry to college classrooms and back to his roots as a third-generation blueberry farmer at Mitchell’s Patch of Blue. He reflects on growing up on the farm alongside his immediate and extended family, the legacy of his great-grandfather—who founded the farm amid the challenges of being an African American entrepreneur at th...

In the season one finale of Behind the Business, I sit down with Ryan and Mandy Servatius, from Big Blue Rentals. Our conversation explores how Big Blue Rentals began, how it has grown, what sets it apart from other property management companies in the area, and how short-term rental ordinances and the housing market affect their business. We also discuss the stressors that come with their dedicat...

In this episode of Behind the Business, I sit down with Josh Vochaska, Owner of Unique Catering Solutions. Join me as we discuss Josh's 20-year career in the restaurant industry, facing burnout, only to return to his passion a few years later, starting his own detailing side hustle, and how he wants to see Unique Catering Solutions grow in the future.

In this episode of Behind the Business, I sit down with Sarah Vochaska, Co-Owner of Paint Haven, to discuss her career shift from veterinary management and her rapid move from Los Angeles to South Haven last year, to be with her husband, Josh, who is also her business partner. We also discuss the stressors that went into renovating their current space at 510 Williams Street in South Haven, how Sar...

During this episode, I interview Seth Greenwald, owner of Recharge South Haven. We discuss how opening South Haven's newest coffee shop represents the first step of Greenwald's vision to develop a large, high-speed charging lot for electric vehicles that also provides healthy food, drinks, and amenities to travelers. We also cover the chaos of operating a business in South Haven during peak summer...

In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Goss. Also known as Driftwood, he is the owner of Driftwood Custom Designs. This business offers one-of-a-kind, handmade wire-wrapped jewelry crafted from gemstones and fossils sourced from across the country, as well as pieces made from sentimental items. Driftwood also makes furniture from reused and recycled wood. During our conversation, we discuss the i...

For the first official Behind the Business podcast episode, I sit down with the owner of SoHa Sauna Rentals. We discuss the initial idea behind SoHa Sauna Rentals, its services, family involvement, the stressors of being a business owner in a business rapidly gaining traction in the wellness community, what the future holds for the company, and its new 12-person sauna! For booking information, go...

Listen in as I describe the purpose of Behind the Business and prepare for our special guest in episode one: Arthur Piszczor, the owner of SoHa Sauna Rentals!