Main Street Reimagined Podcast

From the back hills of West Virginia to the vibrant streets of Marion, Ohio, Lois Fisher has been a driving force in downtown revitalization. Luke calls her the "Matriarch of Marion". Lois has an extraordinary story that begins with her origins as the original coal miner's daughter. Her unexpected career path took her from the office of attorney Ben Maloney, to becoming a tax practi...

Brad Winner, a seasoned entrepreneur literally raised in the food and beverage industry, joins us on the Main Street Reimagined podcast to share his journey from growing up in a family-run grocery and restaurant business to transforming a small-town dive bar into a vibrant eatery. With stories that take us from snow-filled parking lots to the bustling kitchen of Mixx 165, Brad reveals the lessons...

In this episode, Luke recaps the first season of the Main Street Reimagined Podcast with discussion around the major themes and takeaways from the first 24 episodes! He not only touches on some of the stories shared by our guests, but also boils them down to a few key lessons for each theme, teasing out the finer points to apply to life and business, and also adds takeaway thoughts for you to take...

What happens when a college professor trades the classroom for the world of insurance? Join us as we sit down with Katie Grimes, owner of Shamrock Insurance Agency in Marion, Ohio, who did just that. Katie shares her unique journey from academia to business ownership, revealing how her background in philosophy and social justice shaped her approach to the insurance industry. Discover the art of ba...

Heidi Jones, President of the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce, joins us on this episode to unravel the intricacies of leading the community business hub. As she dispels myths about the Chamber, Heidi outlines its mission of advocacy, engagement, and community planning, distinguishing it from other entities like the Better Business Bureau. With a keen eye on revitalizing outdated practices, Heidi d...

What does it take to transform a historic building into a vibrant cocktail lounge that tells a story with every sip? Join us on the Main Street Reimagined Podcast as we explore this journey with the creative minds behind Fable Bar & Co, Lily Lloyd & Sophie Johnston. These Marion natives have woven their artistic family legacy into the very fabric of this unique space, from a stunning mural...

Ever wondered what it takes to leave a stable banking career to chase your culinary dreams? Join us as Leiha Lamb, the visionary behind The Nest and Yellow Finch Creations, shares her fascinating journey. Leiha’s story is one of courage and creativity, as she transformed her lifelong passion for cooking into a successful business after being encouraged by a friend. Inspired by her family's de...

The 20th episode of the Main Street Reimagined Podcast features our most popular guest, Lindsey Henry, the innovative mind behind Lulu's Toy Co. and Luke’s amazing wife. Luke and Lindsey share insights on navigating economic uncertainties in the world of boutique retail, starting with some insights on the current market, then shifting to 10 strategies to help retailers recover this holiday se...

Join Luke Henry for a solo episode where he tells a story about his experience in a quaint Minnesota town, where the stark difference between the lively downtown and the surrounding commercial sprawl became a call to action. This episode of the Main Street Reimagined Podcast takes you on a heartfelt journey, exploring why supporting local businesses is more than a noble gesture—it's a vital i...

Ever wondered how a leap from the corporate world can lead to a flourishing small-town business? Meet Beth Fox, one of Downtown Marion’s newest business owners, who traded her career at Mac Tools for the charm of Foxglove Hollow Home Decor. Discover how her experience in franchise development became her secret weapon as she designed a boutique that feels like home. From crafting store vignettes to...

Listen in on the story of how a law enforcement veteran turns city leader, whose vision for Marion is reshaping the status quo through innovative public-private partnerships. Mayor Collins shares how he is looking to ignite change in Marion, emphasizing the importance of leaving a positive first impression and letting others know we are “open for business”. From the resurgence of Lincoln Park and...

What happens when two determined ladies take the leap to chase their entrepreneurial dreams? Jamie Riffe and Abigail Jordan, the mother-daughter duo from The Remnant Tea & Coffee, share their story of turning a simple coffee shop into a community gathering place in downtown Marion. Discover how their backgrounds in real estate and business, coupled with a shared vision sparked by the pandemic,...

Emilee Irey, the inspiring owner of Irey Dance Academy, shares her whirlwind journey over the last few years from dancer, to wife, to mom, to business owner. Once a dancer and instructor at the Edye Cook School of Dance, Emilee took a bold leap to purchase and rebrand the studio, although the timing was far from ideal. Hear about her journey from being guided by her mentor, Edye Cook, to becoming...

Meet Mike Zucker, a cornerstone of the Marion community who seamlessly transitioned from running Zucker Insurance Agency to founding Mike's Deli on Main. In this episode, Mike takes us through his adventurous career, reflecting on his time in the oil fields and behind the bar, all the way to revitalizing a historical building in Downtown Marion. Hear firsthand how Mike has managed to create a...

Logan Kirk joins the Main Street Reimagined Podcast this week to tell his story, as well as that of Dostal & Kirk Insurance & Financial Services. From the humble beginnings of his father taking a risk to start his own agency decades ago, Logan takes us through the key moments that shaped their success. Discover how Logan’s early entrepreneurial spirit, manifested through a car detailing bu...

Tune in to our latest episode of the Main Street Reimagined Podcast, where we chat with the incredibly versatile Courtney Danner. From navigating the labyrinth of property management to launching five stunning Airbnb properties, Courtney's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Learn how she has spearheaded the work to transform old spaces into vibrant short-term rentals, and hear firsthand a...

Can passion and creativity transform a dated counseling office into a vibrant beauty haven? In this week’s episode, we uncover the inspiring journey of Haylee Nicolosi and Tracy Crabtree, the powerhouse duo behind Beyond Beauty Lounge in downtown Marion. From specialized waxing and brow artistry to cosmetic and fine line tattoos, Haylee and Tracy offer a unique suite of services that empower women...

What if you could transform a vacant downtown into a lovable downtown? Listen in on an insightful conversation with Luke’s longtime friend and fellow entrepreneur Jason Duff to share his journey that started back around the time they became college buddies at Ohio Northern University. They reminisce about realizing they didn’t fit a traditional mold, then get real about the hustle required to turn...

Balancing marriage, kids, and multiple small businesses can be a rollercoaster ride, and no one knows this better than my wife, Lindsey Henry. For all of our 19 years of marriage, we have been a small business family, owning nearly a dozen businesses during that time, though that was never the initial goal. A couple years ago, Lindsey took the leap to be an entrepreneur herself, when she opened Lu...

Ever wondered how a second-grade teacher transforms into a thriving photography studio owner? Join us as we chat with Gretchen Jolliff, the passionate mind behind Days Gone By Photography Studio in Downtown Marion. Gretchen shares her journey from the classroom to capturing life's precious moments, specializing in everything from senior portraits to newborn sessions. Her studio’s charm, with...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with entrepreneur Chris DePuy as he takes us through his seemingly unlikely journey from truck driver to the mastermind behind MaxAiir Inflatapark. Chris shares the process of designing a custom inflatable park with features like obstacle courses and plunge pits, all aimed at creating unforgettable experiences for both private events and public gatherings. Chr...

Ever wondered how a small town can transform from a mere stopover to a vibrant destination? Learn from our own Bev Ford, Executive Director of the Marion Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, as she shares the shift of the organization from Route 95 to the heart of downtown Marion as well as the shift to market more to the local community. Bev talks about the meaningful collaborations with local bu...

Alex Sheridan is the cofounder of Main Street Reimagined, fellow visionary for Downtown Marion, and Luke’s former business partner. Alex and Luke go into detail about how their business partnership started, why it ended, and what they learned along the way about themselves, starting and operating multiple businesses, and how to navigate tough decisions. They also discuss how to maintain a united v...

What if you could turn your passion into a thriving retail business? Join me, Luke Henry, as I guide you through the essentials of starting your own venture on this special solo episode of the Main Street Reimagined podcast. We revisit crucial insights from our first three episodes, highlighting the Japanese concept of Ikigai—a harmonious blend of what you love, what the world needs, what you exce...

The Main Street Reimagined Podcast is a place for dreamers, creators, developers, and entrepreneurs to learn, share, and be inspired to change your community through small business. Chef Chris Rennick is the owner of Attaboys Comfort Cuisine in Downtown Marion, Ohio. In this episode, Chris shares the inspiration for his restaurant that came from his childhood, his journey to creating and launching...