Small Town Big Business

In this episode of 'Small Town Big Business,' host Russell Williams, Director of Ethos, sits down with Samantha Dahmer of The Patch. Dahmer shares her journey from being a radiology graduate and former competitive figure skater to running a successful seasonal farm business in Marion, Illinois. She discusses the inspiration behind The Patch, the challenges of farming, the importance of agr...

In this episode of 'Small Town Big Business,' hosts Jennifer Olson and Russell Williams welcome Whitney Roberts and Jade Mccalla from Idea Creative Marketing. The discussion delves into the unique business journeys of Whitney and Jade, spotlighting the challenges and successes they've encountered in the marketing industry. Whitney shares her start in Marion, Illinois, and the growth of...

In this episode of Small Town Big Business, hosts Jennifer Olson and Russ Williams interview Sherry Barter Hamlin and Kim Barr from The Voyage Senior Living, a senior living organization in Southern Illinois. Sherry, the CEO, and Kim, the Chief People Officer, discuss their mission to provide quality assisted living, independent living, and memory care services for seniors. They highlight the orga...

In this episode of Small Town Big Business, we talk with Nate Watts, founder of Revival Land Management, a growing excavation and landscaping company based in Southern Illinois. Nate shares how he turned his passion for heavy equipment and land work into a thriving business serving the Lake of Egypt area and beyond.

In this inspiring episode of Small Town Big Business, we sit down with Faith Wagner, founder of The Downtown Dip, an ice cream shop that’s scooping joy in not just one, but TWO Southern Illinois towns — Carterville and Marion!

In this episode of Small Town Big Business , we sit down with Teresa Katubig, founder and CEO of HireLevel, to explore how she built one of the most impactful workforce management companies in the Midwest—starting from a single office in Southern Illinois. Recorded at EThOs Small Business Incubator and Co-working Spaces in Marion, Illinois.https://members.ethosmarion.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST...

In this episode of Small Town Big Business, co-hosts Deb Barnett and Russ Williams talk with Cynde Bunch, the founder of Walker's Bluff, a multi-faceted business in Southern Illinois. Cynde shares her journey from working as a nurse to becoming a successful business owner, highlighting the development of Walker's Bluff from her grandparents' property to a major destination featuring a...

In this episode, Sean Hughes from Vernell's Interstate Service discusses the wide range of services offered by the company, from towing to diesel repair, tire sales, and road service. Sean shares the history of the family-owned business, which has been serving the community for over 60 years, starting from its founder Brunell Sellers' garage. He touches on the company's core values, th...

In this episode of Small Town Big Business, we’re joined by Doug Kimmel, Airport Director at Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois, for an in-depth look at how a small-town airport plays a big role in regional connectivity, economic development, and military legacy. Doug shares the story of how the airport evolved from its roots as a flying service operated by Fred Valentin in the 1930s to a moder...

In this episode of Small Town Big Business, co-hosts Deb Barnett and Russ Williams welcome Noah Fulk, the founder of E-Wagers. Noah shares his journey from growing up in Southern Illinois to forming E-Wagers, a unique B2B platform that offers skill-based wagers and tournaments. Noah discusses his motivations, the challenges of launching a startup, forming an advisory board, and the significance of...

In this episode of Small Town Big Business, hosts Jennifer Olson and Russ Williams interview Susan Erston, co-owner of Just Add Water. Susan shares the incredible, accidental journey of transforming a simple bait shop into a bustling community hub and bar at Lake of Egypt. From early days of selling pies and coffee to hosting large events, Susan recounts the trials, triumphs, and community support...

Join us for an engaging conversation with Victor Baker, the passionate owner of Everything Barbell CrossFit. Victor shares his 10-year journey from beginning CrossFit to lose weight for a Border Patrol job, to owning a worldwide CrossFit business. Hear about his early challenges, from the intimidating first visit to HealthPoint CrossFit in Missouri to building his gym with his own hands. Victor al...

The Legacy of Mary's Restaurant: A Conversation with David Hayes In this episode, we delve into the storied history of Mary's Restaurant in Herron, Illinois, through the eyes of its owner, David Hayes. Born and raised in Marion, David discusses his deep-rooted connections to Southern Illinois and his unexpected journey into the restaurant business. From his first job at Pay Less Shoe Source to inh...

Finding Hope Through Tragedy: Tina Porter's Inspirational Journey and Mission In this episode, we welcome special guest Tina Porter from Inspire Hope Counseling Ministry Center, LLC. Tina shares the heart-wrenching story of losing her son, Aaron Porter Jr., and how it led her to establish both the Inspire Hope Counseling Ministry Center and the AP3 Hope Foundation. Dedicated to offering grief and...

n this episode of the Small Town Big Business podcast, co-hosts Deb Barnett and Russ Williams interview Bailey Lowes, a young entrepreneur who transitioned from teaching to starting her own soda business, Downtown Fizz, in Marion, Illinois. Bailey shares her journey from her initial venture at vendor fairs to owning a storefront in a historic building. She discusses the support she received from h...

Empowering Small Town Businesses: An Interview with Amber and Luke Edmonds of Real Merchant Services In this episode of Small Town Big Business, co-hosts Deb Barnett and Russ Williams introduce listeners to Amber and Luke Edmonds of Real Merchant Services. Amber and Luke share their journey from meeting in college to building a successful business focused on providing honest and transparent mercha...

In this inspiring episode, co-host Deb Barnett sits down with Heaven Lunsford, founder and esthetician at Southern Beauty Aesthetics in Marion, Illinois. Originally from Quincy and raised in Dix, Illinois, Heaven shares her journey from relocating to Marion to launching her business in 2022 with a vision and no local network. Through grit, community involvement, and a deep passion for helping othe...

Cathy Rinne and Lauren Van De Mark - Flex Line Automation In this episode of 'Small Town, Big Business,' host Deb Barnett sits down with Cathy Rinne and Lauren Van De Mark of Flex-Line Automation from Chester, Illinois. They discuss the company's 40-year journey from a family farm shop to becoming a significant player in industrial automation. Cathy and Lauren share insights into the challenges an...

In this episode of Small Town Big Business, co-hosts Deb Barnett and Russ Williams introduce Sumer Oglesby, founder of Sumer School in Marion, Illinois. Sumer School began in 2021 to address educational gaps exacerbated by COVID-19, evolving from a tutoring service into a comprehensive enrichment program offering art, science, and more. Summer, a third-grade teacher with 13 years of experience, di...

Launching Big Businesses in Small Towns with Roany Pony Boutique's Jacqueline Barringer In this episode of Small Town Big Business, hosts Jennifer Olson and Russ Williams introduce Jacqueline Barringer, the owner of Roany Pony Boutique. Jacqueline shares her entrepreneurial journey, starting from an online shop to opening a physical store in Marion, Illinois. She talks about the challenges she fac...

Auctioning Across America: Inside Taylor Auction & Realty In this riveting episode of Small Town Big Business, co-hosts Deb Barnett and Russ Williams sit down with Zack Taylor of Taylor Auction & Realty. Zac takes us through the rich history of his family's auction business, from its beginnings with his grandfather to its expansive reach across all 50 states. Learn about Zac's journey into...

Small Town Big Business: Ten Years of Evolution with Judge Services In this episode of Small Town Big Business, hosts Jennifer Olson and Russell Williams sit down with Josh Judge, founder of Judge Services, to discuss the journey of growing a small-town business in Marion, Illinois. Starting from his garage in 2014, Josh shares his transition from a solo operation to managing a team of 13 employee...

Navigating IT Complexities and Cybersecurity with Megabytes Technology Services In this episode of Small Town Big Business, host Deb Barnett interviews Dusty Satterlee, Operations Manager at Megabytes Technology Services. They discuss the history and services of Megabytes, including IT support, networking, security cameras, and custom business software. The conversation covers the importance of cy...

Labrador Lakehouse Inn & Wedding Venue: A Journey of Dreams, Perseverance, and Healing In this heartfelt episode of Small Town Big Business, host Deb Barnett sits down with Victoria Johnson, of the Labrador Lakehouse Inn & Wedding Venue in Murphysboro, Illinois. The sisters share their inspiring journey from Washington State to Southern Illinois, detailing the challenges and triumphs of st...

In this special holiday edition of the Small Town Big Business podcast, co-hosts Russell Williams, Jennifer Olson, and Deb Barnett recap the past year's noteworthy episodes and highlight the podcast's impact on the community. The hosts discuss memorable interviews with local entrepreneurs and business leaders, the importance of collaboration and support, and the spirit of entrepreneurship thriving...