Mitten Money

Picture a mentor that has shaped you. What characteristics does this person embody? Your list of qualities likely includes maximizing your potential, being a great listener, developing your skills, and constantly improving their performance. We cannot wait for you to meet Wilbert Long, Jr., a mentor to many and now a mentor to our Mitten Money listeners. Wilbert’s journey to mentorship and co-foun...

In today’s episode, we welcome Bob Sutherland, the owner of Cherry Republic. Established in 1989, Cherry Republic creates the most unique, fresh, and high-quality cherry creations in the world. Bob is an entrepreneur through and through. He’s resilient, creative, and generous. Bob shared about Cherry Republic’s origin story and started with, “we come from a very humble beginning. In 1989, I was se...

Dear Listeners, May is Michigan Wine Month. Did you know the Michigan Wine Industry accounts for 47,299 jobs, $5.4 Billion in total economic impact, and $1.8 in employee wages?* Wow! Consumers are thirsty for wines grown amongst the Great Lakes.    To celebrate Michigan Wine Month, our gift to you, dear listeners, is an interview with Luke and Faye Pickelman, lifelong Michiganders who le...

Since its humble beginnings in 1995, BIGGBY COFFEE has grown from one location in East Lansing, Michigan, to over 240 locations in 13 states. A fear that some have when scaling at this magnitude is maintaining consistent company culture. Jeremy DeRuiter and Brieanne Roper are two dynamic, enthusiastic, and caring individuals leading the corporate culture initiatives at BIGGBY COFFEE. Jeremy and Br...

On today’s episode of Mitten Money, William Zank has a conversation with the current President of Hausbeck Pickles & Peppers. Founded almost 100 years ago, Hausbeck is very well known in the pickle industry, supplying many national restaurants, such as Subway and Burger King. Tim has personally been involved in the pickle industry for thirty years, and on today's episode, he shares valuable in...

On today’s episode, Will chats with Joann Crary, President & CEO of Saginaw Future.  Established in 1992, Saginaw Future has provided economic development assistance in Saginaw County, generating over $7 billion in new investment.  Joann and her team proactively focus on attracting and retaining jobs in the region, increasing business investment, growing the tax base, and providing a...

Detroit is best known as the birthplace of the modern automobile, Motown, and Coney Islands, but that’s not all the city’s given to the world. There is more to Detroit than meets the eye. The city is full of entrepreneurship, reimagining, and reinventing after the 2008 financial crisis. The purpose of this episode is to help leaders within their own organizations understand that there is potential...

Owning a residential construction company means you are building more than homes. Since 2002, Mark and Melissa Wahl have built a strong team, a winning process, and dream homes. In this interview, Mark Wahl, founder of Cobblestone Homes, shares his path to becoming a sought-after residential builder. “I think our attention to detail and a strong focus on customer service is what drove our success....

This week’s listeners will learn business banking from a local expert, Todd Gregory, Chief Lending Officer for 1st State Bank. Todd says he always had an interest in banking and reminisces about having an affinity for banking back to the sixth grade. Todd’s 30-year career has taken him all around the state of Michigan, serving in many different banking roles. Through his journey, he has found that...

Jimmy Gretzinger is a seasoned outdoorsman with a passion for storytelling, hunting, fishing, family, and faith. As Executive Producer and Host of Michigan Out of Doors, this avid outdoorsman has been owner of the 50-year old TV show since 2009.  “I bought the television show in 2008, which was a big venture on my part, but it worked out great. The guy that sold me the show was a very good bu...

In this episode of Mitten Money, Dick Garber, President and owner of Garber Management Group speaks candidly about leading an organization in the middle of the pandemic, supporting the community, and taking over the family business at 25 years old. As an employer of over 2,000 people, he will also share his secret to employee retention and maintaining a conscious culture.  Being named Preside...

“I don't care how you shape it. There are people with little money, who have great character, and people with a whole lot of money with no character whatsoever.” Tune into the first episode of Mitten Money with our guest Jimmy Greene, President of the Associated Builders and Contractor of Michigan. Jimmy is a voracious reader, movie buff, Prince groupie, and an all-around passionate individual. Wh...