Central Illinois Business Leaders Podcast

Wes Ernst joins the CIBL Podcast to talk about his story.  Wes is the CEO of Halo Solar in Goodfield, IL. Wes kicks off the show by explaining his professional journey.  He initially found a niche in the food and restaurant industry.  After a period of time working in restaurants in Spain, he found his way back to Peoria Heights and continued to work in the food scene.  Wes eve...

Have you been interested in starting a side hustle but don't know where to begin?  Do you ever wonder how other people started their side hustles?   Check out this BIZ TIPS series with Andrew "Dozer" Dial, owner of Jedco Sales and Peace Lily Metal Works in Effingham, IL.  Dozer is also the co-host of The Short Story Long Podcast.     In our second side hustle episode,...

Tune in as Mark Probst joins the CIBL Podcast to share his inspiring business story.  Mark is the owner of Probst Auto Body in Dieterich and Flora, IL.    Mark starts off the show by telling us how he started in the auto business.  As a young man, he was working and going to school to further his career in the auto industry.  At the age of 26, he decided it was time to sta...

Have you been interested in starting a side hustle but don't know where to begin?  Do you ever wonder how other people started their side hustles?   Check out this BIZ TIPS series with Andrew "Dozer" Dial, owner of Jedco Sales and Peace Lily Metal Works in Effingham, IL.  Dozer is also the co-host of The Short Story Long Podcast.     In the first episode of this serie...

One year ago on the CIBL Podcast... Andy Shirk drops by the CIBL Podcast to share his story and talk about his unique business.  Andy is the President of BEER NUTS Brand Snacks in Bloomington, IL.  Andy talks about the history of BEER NUTS and shares how this family-owned business has evolved through the years.  Andy also explains his involvement with the Bloomington Normal Economic...

Do you want to grow your business through marketing, but don't know where to start?  Does marketing overwhelm you?     Join us in this CIBL BIZ TIPS series with Cassie Yoder, owner of Cass Concepts in downtown Decatur, IL.  Cassie is also the founder and owner of Prairie Commons Business Collective and Co-Host of Left At The Door Podcast.       In...

Katie VandenBerg joins the CIBL Podcast to tell us about her unique journey as a Central IL entrepreneur.  Katie is the owner of Focused Forward Divorce Coaching, MUSE Morton, and VanHaus Rental Property Management.     Katie kicks off the show by explaining how her entrepreneurial journey started.  After graduating from Colorado State, she moved back home and started a jo...

Do you want to grow your business through marketing, but don't know where to start?  Does marketing overwhelm you?   Join us in this CIBL BIZ TIPS series with Cassie Yoder, owner of Cass Concepts in downtown Decatur, IL.  Cassie is also the founder and owner of Prairie Commons Business Collective and Co-Host of Left At The Door Podcast.     In session 2, Cassie explai...

Do you find the short-term rental and "Airbnb" concept intriguing?  Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes to make a vacation rental operate efficiently? Tune in as Allison Hasler joins the CIBL Podcast to share her unique story.  Allison is the owner of Southern Illinois Vacation Rentals and the co-host of Small Town Big Business Podcast.   Allison kicks off the podc...

Do you want to grow your business through marketing, but don't know where to start?  Does marketing overwhelm you?   Join us in this CIBL BIZ TIPS series with Cassie Yoder, owner of Cass Concepts in downtown Decatur, IL.  Cassie is also the founder and owner of Prairie Commons Business Collective and Co-Host of Left At The Door Podcast.     In the first episode of thi...

Do you have a hobby that you've considered turning into a business?     Check out this interview with Ben Funk, co-owner of Funky Brew in Gridley, IL.   Ben is also a Financial Advisor with LPL Financial in Bloomington.   In this episode, Ben talks about how he and his dad started brewing beer as a hobby on their family farm.  He explains how they developed a loc...

Have you ever wondered if you should start an LLC for your business?  Do you know how an LLC works? Tune in to this three-part BIZ TIPS series with Cari Rincker to learn the what, how, and why of LLCs.  Cari is the owner of Rincker Law, PLLC in Champaign, Shelbyville, and New York City. In part three, Cari explains how to maintain your corporate formalities to make sure your legal protec...

Check out this throwback to a 2022 top performing podcast with Colt McLeod!! Tune in as Colt McLeod joins the CIBL Podcast to share his experience and background as the President of McLeod Express in Decatur, IL. Colt starts off the podcast by explaining how McLeod Express started.  His father initiated the business in 1986 as a "side gig" with a few idle farm trucks during slow months. &nbsp...

Have you ever wondered if you should start an LLC for your business?  Do you know how an LLC works?   Tune in to this three-part BIZ TIPS series with Cari Rincker to learn the what, how, and why of LLCs.  Cari is the owner of Rincker Law, PLLC in Champaign, Shelbyville, and New York City.    In part two, Cari explains the LLC application process.  She discusses the re...

Have you ever had an interest in real estate investing but don't know where to start?  Are you interested in investing in small-scale development? Tune in as David Lee joins the CIBL Podcast to share his experience in real estate development in downtown Springfield.   In this episode, David explains why he decided to invest and develop real estate in Springfield.  He talks about the...

Have you ever wondered if you should start an LLC for your business?  Do you know how an LLC works? Tune in to this three-part BIZ TIPS series with Cari Rincker to learn the what, how, and why of LLCs.  Cari is the owner of Rincker Law, PLLC in Champaign, Shelbyville, and New York City.   In part one, Cari explains what an LLC is and how it can protect you and your business.  I...

Let's finish 2022 with a throwback to one of our top performing episodes👇👇 Tune in as Francie Hinrichsen brings the heat on the CIBL Podcast!   Francie is the Founder of Simply Integrated and Founding Females.  She is an incredible supporter of women in business and has become a resource for females all over Central Illinois.   In this episode Francie teaches us about the recent F...

Do you find the home loan process confusing and daunting? Are you considering applying for a home loan but don’t know where to start? In this BIZ TIPS series we are joined by Lisa Wilson to learn about the home loan process. Lisa is a Mortgage Loan Officer in the Effingham branch of Land of Lincoln Credit Union. Lisa helps break down what potential home buyers should expect during the home loan pr...

Do you like the idea of being an entrepreneur but are shy about taking risks?  Have you ever wanted to turn your personal passions and interests into a business? In this episode we interview Tim Hoerr, CEO of Serra Ventures, LLC, Managing Partner of Serra Capital, and Author of Thank God It's Monday and Risking It.   Tim opens the show by explaining his personal and business journey. &nb...

Do you find the home loan process confusing and daunting? Are you considering applying for a home loan but don’t know where to start? In this BIZ TIPS series we are joined by Lisa Wilson to learn about the home loan process. Lisa is a Mortgage Loan Officer in the Effingham branch of Land of Lincoln Credit Union. Lisa helps break down what potential home buyers should expect during the home loan pr...

Have you ever admired how creative entrepreneurs can be?  Do you wonder what the difference is between successful and unsuccessful businesses?   Tune in as Casey Walk joins the CIBL Podcast to share her entrepreneurial journey.  Casey is the owner of Mattoon and Effingham Ginger Ale's and Gate-to-Plate Food Truck.  She also co-owns my6030.com and farms with her husband.  &...

Do you find the home loan process confusing and daunting? Are you considering applying for a home loan but don’t know where to start? In this BIZ TIPS series we are joined by Lisa Wilson to learn about the home loan process. Lisa is a Mortgage Loan Officer in the Effingham branch of Land of Lincoln Credit Union. Lisa helps break down what potential home buyers should expect during the home loan pr...

Derek and Garrett hit the mics solo in this episode of the Central Illinois Business Leaders Podcast.   D & G review some the most important things they've learned since starting the CIBL Podcast.  They explain the traits and characteristics they've observed from the best Central IL business leaders.  They also review some of their favorite moments from the first 50 episodes. &n...

Work comp is every business owners FAVORITE topic...     Workers' compensation insurance can be a huge frustration for businesses.  It's often one of the largest expense items as well.  Many business leaders are misinformed when it comes to the work comp system and how it works.  Our goal with this BIZ TIPS series is to educate our listeners on how work comp really wo...

Are you a Central Illinois business owner looking to grow, but don't know how to find the financial resources?  Is your business facing some difficulties and needing to find a financial option to keep going?   Jamie Corda Hadjaoui joins the CIBL Podcast to explain the resources she is able to seek for Central IL businesses.  Jamie is the Director of Workforce Investments at Lake Lan...