Business LO

Business LO, a Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce podcast hosted by Michelle O’Dell, features a guest-branded episode with Sage Notion founders Zoie Newman and Dylan Clifford, who provide Human Resources support for small and mid-size businesses. HR should be a trusted, human-centered resource , and proactive HR saves money, prevents culture damage, and improves retention through clear values stateme...

This Business LO episode explores how a thriving arts community benefits local businesses. Leading the conversation is Chamber Member Heather Graves Ramsey, owner of Coach to Brilliance , who specializes in Executive Coaching & Leadership Development. Guests Natalie Wood ( Lakewood Center for the Arts and Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts) and Eric Evans ( Arts Council of Lake Oswego ) describe the...

Listen to our guest-branded episode with Chuck Smith, president of the Kiwanis Club of Lake Oswego , and past president Kevin Faris, who discuss how community involvement supports both community and business success through visibility and networking. They describe Kiwanis membership as flexible in terms of “time, talent, or treasure,” and highlight work including student scholarships, Hunger Fight...

This month’s episode features Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent of the Lake Oswego School District, discussing how LOSD connects with and benefits the local business community. She highlights Career Technical Education pathways—marketing, engineering, culinary arts, and computer science—plus internships, mentoring, career talks, and partnerships such as BIOTRONIK for Women in Science, OHSU rese...

Business LO is thrilled to have Mayor Buck on again! CEO Liz Hartman interviews Mayor and business owner Joe Buck about City Council goal setting, business promotion, and leadership changes. He discusses council vacancies and the value of collaborative, community-first leadership, encourages business owners to invite councilors to their businesses, subscribe to the biweekly Lo Down , and describes...

This episode of Business LO features Megan Notarte, technology team leader and co-founder of AI Portland, a 2,800-plus-member community focused on demystifying generative AI and bridging AI technology with practical business applications through monthly events. Hosted by Heather Graves Ramsey from Coach to Brilliance and Michelle O’Dell, the conversation focuses on practical ways small businesses,...

In this episode of Business LO , hosted by Michelle O'Dell, Heather Graves Ramsey of Coach to Brilliance , and Chamber CEO Liz Hartman, we hear from local business owners and franchisees, Melissa Boatwright of ACE Handyman Services Lake Oswego, Portland and Vancouver , and Rosy Rojas of Woofie’s Southwest Portland , as they discuss their journeys into franchise ownership, their backgrounds, reason...

In this episode of Business LO, Heather Graves Ramsey, owner of Coach to Brilliance , dives into a conversation with Lisa D’Amore from D’Amore Law Group . Lisa shares insights on marketing and strategy, emphasizing the importance of authentic branding and community involvement. The discussion covers the lifecycle of businesses, the role of SEO and website management, and the unique challenges of m...

In this episode of Business LO , Heather Graves Ramsey, owner of Coach to Brilliance , interviews Matt Evans, the Chief of Economic Development and Business Research at the Lake Oswego Chamber. They discuss the Chamber's role in economic development, business trends, and its relationship with the city. Key topics include the status of office spaces post-COVID, the growth of new businesses, and the...

In this episode of Business LO , Heather Graves Ramsey of Coach to Brilliance interviews Travis Duncan, CEO of Mary's Woods , a Life Plan Community. They discuss the organization's mission-driven approach, focusing on modernizing operations and enhancing resident experience without losing the community's unique essence. They also explore community engagement initiatives, economic contributions, an...

In this episode of Business LO , 2025 LOSD Citizens’ Bond Campaign Chair, Heather Graves Ramsey , and the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce CEO, Liz Hartman, discuss the critical importance of Measure 3-628 on the November 2025 ballot for the Lake Oswego School District. This $245 million bond aims to address significant facility challenges across 11 schools, including outdated security systems, agi...

This episode focuses on the Business Leadership Development (BLD) program. Hosted by Michelle O’Dell, the show features insights from Executive Coach Heather Graves Ramsey of Coach to Brilliance , Pam Waldman, and Lara James of the Waldman and James Realty Group . They discuss their experiences with the BLD program, its impact on their leadership skills, and the practical tools they gained. Liz Ha...

In this episode of Business LO , hosted by the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce, we explore the Bend Chamber of Commerce Health Benefits Program offered to chamber members in Oregon. Executive Coach and Leadership Advocate Heather Graves Ramsey from Coach to Brilliance  discusses the program with Dennis Warneke, Senior VP at Risk Strategies Benefit Design Group , along with Chamber CEO Liz Hartman....

In this guest-branded bonus episode of Business LO , hosted by Michelle O’Dell and presented by the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce, the focus is on aging gracefully with Dr. Peter Vila of Portland Face Doctor . Dr. Vila, a double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon, discusses the nuances and misconceptions surrounding facial plastic surgery and the importance of individualized care and recover...

Are you ready to take your career and work life to the next level? This episode will help you think it through.  Leadership Lake Oswego has been helping leaders create the conditions for success since 1985, and the class of 2025 will be honing their leadership skills and fostering greater connection within the community. Krystal Hanna from Lion’s Capital Mortgage is in the captain’s seat with the...

In this episode, we’re joined by Krista Espenship, MSN, FNP-C, and Vanessa Burnum, MS, from OnePeak Medical’s Lake Oswego clinic to discuss how functional medicine is reshaping care for individuals and families in Oregon. They explore common concerns like burnout, fatigue, hormone imbalance, and weight gain, and explain why traditional primary care often misses the mark. You’ll learn how root-caus...

Michelle O’Dell sits down with Brianne Whitney, the first Chamber Member to be a guest on Business LO twice; she was on Episode 2 with Five Simple but Powerful Strategies for Employers to Elevate Employee Wellness .  Maxem Health Urgent Care is a one-stop place for you and your whole family to get immediate help with urgent care, basic care, some specialized care, and even school athletic physical...

It is our latest guest-branded episode of Business LO, with host Michelle O'Dell, along with the esteemed Attorney Anastasia Yu Meisner, as she delves into the critical topic of estate planning, specifically focusing on debunking five prevalent myths that often lead to misunderstandings and overlooked preparations. These myths include: "If I pass without a will, the government gets everything," "A...

This episode of Business LO is all about beautifying our fair city! We appreciate it so much that our podcast cover art highlights our love of the signature flower baskets all over town. You may be wondering who and what is behind all this. We are excited to feature Jonn Karsseboom, owner of The Garden Corner in Tualatin, also known as the "Garden Rebel." As he says on his LinkedIn profile, "Under...

How do you stay in business for decades? This episode we talk about how Jamie Anderson purchased Travel & Cruise Desk in 2019 from his mother-in-law, Sandy Hanna. He is a third-generation owner of a company that is celebrating its 60th year. He is interviewed by Heather Graves-Ramsey, owner of Coach to Brilliance , about how a business achieves longevity. Heather specializes in Executive Coaching...

Our episode this month focuses on local media, and we've secured the most obvious guest. We’ll be speaking with Brian Monihan, Vice President & Group Publisher of Carpenter Media Group. Brian is a fellow Chamber member as well as a recipient of the Bill Korach Leadership Award, making him the perfect person to discuss this topic. Guiding the conversation and asking the questions we're all wonderin...

Welcome to Wealth Redefined , where we explore strategies, stories, and services that empower you to live a life of significance. This episode is spotlighting a firm that’s redefining wealth management for families and entrepreneurs— Oswego Wealth Management . David Riback , Managing Partner and one of the key architects behind Oswego Wealth Management’s Virtual Family Office experience. Dave is a...

This year's Rookie of the Year Business - Grocery Outlet Bargain Market owners Liz Tafel and Tamara Davis talk about their insights as franchisees - their unconventional hiring process, how they have built success in Lake Oswego and the Bridgeport Village area and how they balance work and life as a couple in business. They're always happy to meet fellow business owners so stop by the Bridgeport G...

This is a special episode as we have the esteemed Mayor of our fine city here to share his insights and vast experience with us, Joe Buck! Heather Graves Ramsey, owner of Coach to Brilliance  who specializes in executive coaching and leadership development, is here with some fabulous questions for the mayor and as always, Chamber CEO Liz Hartman will have What You Need to Know in LO with insider i...

Blaise Dinkelman , CPA, MBA, Fractional CFO, and owner of Outlook CFO , is a seasoned executive and a strategic advisor whose specialties include strategic planning, process improvement and lean systems. Heather Graves Ramsey, owner of Coach to Brilliance interviews Blaise about what a business should consider to stay healthy and who businesses should have in their corner to avoid problems in the...