Michigan Reimagined

Chris loves getting to meet fantastic people and companies throughout Michigan, especially those who advocate for the Michigan brand. This episode's guest is a perfect example of Michigan passion. Joining Chris is photographer and emmy-award winning filmmaker Mr. Stephen McGee!

Business Owners are often too engrossed in operating their business to deliberately drive the value of their company up as they prepare to exit. Joining Chris to explain the offerings of an outsourced service called Exit Factor, are Exit Strategists Jessica Starks and Tom Donaldson!

Each year the Michigan Celebrates Small Business organization - or MCSB - publishes their “Michigan Top 50 Companies to Watch”. Custom Built Design & Remodeling of Okemos was selected for one of the coveted positions from a state-wide pool of candidates. Joining Chris to discuss what makes Custom Built a special small business is Owner, CEO, and Visionary Michael Flory!

Dégagé Ministries provides Emergency, Empowerment, and Engagement services to people experiencing homelessness or poverty in Grand Rapids. Joining Chris to discuss the services provided by Dégagé and a new housing program is its Executive Director Thelma Ensink!

Spartan Innovations is committed to assisting technology start-ups here in Michigan. Joining Chris to share the story of a recent cohort and why it’s important is the Director of Venture Programming, Tom Stewart!

Businesses today rely on technology more and more, and there are many outsourced IT firms assisting businesses large and small. Joining Chris to discuss the services provided - and a unique scholarship program - by Kinetix are its Director of Marketing, Jeremy Johnson and Director of Technology, Mike Warmbier!

There are many non-profits out there delivering services to people who need it, and many host fundraising events to keep their mission moving forward. Joining Chris to share the story of the Davies Project, and their upcoming installment of Max’s Race is the Executive Director Pam Miklavcic as well as other members of her team!

In July 2021 we introduced a concept being discussed called Strikeout Baseball. Three years - and lots of hard work later - the team is back to give us a status update. Joining Chris to discuss an exciting concept planned for our region is the Founder of Strikeout Baseball Jeff Lazaros, President Jeff Burke, Community Ambassador & Board Member Ashlee Willis, and Major League Baseball Hall-of-F...

Today we have a returning guest where we’ll dive deeper into the prospect of owning a new home in this time of limited availability and challenged affordability. Joining Chris to talk about his company’s process for home ownership is the Founder and Owner of MCM Communities, Amin C. Khoury!

Most cities have community gathering places like convention centers, ballparks, festivals. Did you ever wonder how they’re operated and managed? Joining to discuss the work of the Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority is President and CEO, Scott Keith!

Affordable housing is crucial for attracting and retaining a growing workforce, yet affordability is declining nationwide. Joining Chris to discuss part two of this housing conversation is an impressive panel of experts - including the President of TA Forsberg, Brent Forsberg, the Chief Operating Officer for LEAP, Keith Lambert, the Secretary Treasurer at the Michigan Laborers District Council, Al...

Affordable housing is crucial for attracting and retaining a growing workforce, yet affordability is declining nationwide. Michigan is taking action to address this challenge. Joining Chris to talk about the state's first-ever statewide housing plan - in a TWO-PART SERIES - are the President of TA Forsberg, Brent Forsberg, the Chief Operating Officer for LEAP, Keith Lambert, the Secretary Treasure...

We’re on the cusp of the newest season of the award winning Capital City Film Festival! Joining Chris to share this year’s details as we know them at this time are Festival Director Emma Selby, Co-Program Director Jason Gabriel and Board of Director Member & Secretary Samantha Le!

It’s refreshing to meet young business people taking risks, finding success and winning awards. Today, we get to meet a local success story - the Principal of BeneGuides, Justine Bell!

The concept of bartering - exchanging goods & services with another person without using money - has been around for centuries. Joining Chris to share a modern and structured bartering system is the CEO of Trade Network, Evan Kay!

Chris loves to highlight significant regional employers - especially brands you may have heard of but don’t really know what they fully do. Joining Chris to share her story is the CEO of TechSmith, Wendy Hamilton!

Efficient public transportation and connecting communities is a must if you want to have a vibrant community. Joining Chris to share the story of - and some new services by - the Eaton County Transportation Authority are EATRAN Board Chair and County Commissioner, Terrance Augustine, and the CEO of CATA and Executive Director of EATRAN, Brad Funkhouser!

Many would say that nothing is more important to the sustainability of a community than the ability to prepare your residents for the jobs available. The Lansing Promise Foundation is a local organization that truly puts its mission where its mouth is. Joining Chris to teach us more about the Lansing Promise is Executive Director, Justin Sheehan!

The hospitality industry employs a huge number of people and, like any industry, they require training and support. Joining Chris to discuss the work of the Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan is President and CEO, Justin Winslow, and VP of Marketing and Membership Strategy, Emily Daunt!

Everyone is engaged when it comes to retail shops and restaurants. They tend to drive the fun of a community. Joining Chris to give an update on the retail and restaurant markets are the Retail Advisors for Martin Commercial Properties, Carson Patten and Samantha Le!

Housing has been a hot topic of late…not enough and too expensive. Joining Chris to talk about a fresh approach to community development and the way houses are manufactured, is the Founder and Owner of MCM Communities, Amin Khoury!

Simply put, companies are made up of their people. Production of the product, sales & revenue, administration and management - it’s all people! Joining Chris to discuss services and deliver tips and strategies to employers, and job seekers alike, is the Owner of DS Employment Services, Daniel Shinaver!

Being a small business owner may be one of the greatest challenges out there. A program called EOS - the Entrepreneur Operating System - is a structured program with many followers, and it appears to bring organization and peace to these owners. Joining Chris to explain what EOS is, and how the use of an Implementer helps, is Mike Maddox of EOS Worldwide.

Restaurant ownership is probably one of the most challenging career choices one can make, but a select few find their niche and fight the good fight to success. Joining Chris to share his evolving journey is the CEO and Founder of Tantay, Jose Aste!

Governor Whitmer announced recently that 27 organizations around the state will be funded & serve as entrepreneurial hubs, providing comprehensive resources and support to small businesses. One of those organizations is LEAP - the Lansing Economic Area Partnership. Joining Chris to explain the program is their Chief Equity and Development Officer, Tony Willis, and the Executive Director of the...