Spotlight Podcast

Brian Schutt, Director of Indiana's Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, joins the Spotlight Podcast to unpack the "silver tsunami" — the wave of baby boomer business owners retiring without succession plans, which threatens nearly 19% of Indiana's GDP. He shares how his office's KEEP Initiative (including a "Zillow for small businesses" marketplace) is tackling this crisis, plus his philoso...

Community First Bank's Chief Commercial Banking Officer, Jonathon Malin, breaks down how SBA loans work, why they're a game-changer for startups without proven cash flow, and how local, relationship-driven banking differs from big regional banks. He also digs into Kokomo's downtown growth, the psychology of taking on business debt, and the advice he gives entrepreneurs before they ever walk into a...

Air Force veteran and Kokomo real estate entrepreneur Paul Wyman sits down with host Tim Brandon on the Spotlight Podcast to unpack how he built The Wyman Group into a market leader against 50 competitors, and the leadership mindset ("find good, do good, feel good") that got him there. He also opens up about handling public criticism as a former county commissioner, raising his kids as a leader, a...

Indiana Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Vanessa Green Sinders joins hosts Tim Brandon and Courtney Butler to break down how state and local chambers work together to fuel Hoosier business growth — covering everything from small business health insurance and succession planning to the 2027 budget session and Indiana's data center/AI boom. She also opens up about leaving a 20-year D.C. polit...

In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast, hosts Courtney Butler and Caitlin Sheets sit down with Bob Hickman, Chief Banking and Credit Officer at Community First Bank of Indiana, to break down everything small business owners need to know about securing funding — from writing a bulletproof business plan to understanding why a bank's "no" might actually save you. Bob shares candid insights from 24...

Adrienne Akers , owner of the Radish Market and Cafe, shares her unlikely journey from kindergarten teacher to farmers market manager to restaurant owner, explaining how a health department ruling forced her tiny local-food store to accidentally become a full-fledged cafe. She digs into her "real food for all" philosophy, the true cost and red tape of running a local food business, and her dream o...

Marine Corps veteran Kevin Jewell shares how he went from CrossFit Kokomo member to co-owner, and how the gym evolved from a fitness competition space into a true community hub serving grandparents, first responders, and manufacturing shift workers alike. He also opens up about the gym's 24-hour fundraiser for Jackson Street Commons, a local homeless veteran shelter, which has raised over $126,000...

Brenda "Blondie" Kaufman shares how she turned a college dorm-room cookie business into Blondies Cookies, a 41-year family empire that survived 9/11, the housing crash, and Covid before landing a career-changing appearance on Shark Tank. She opens up about the leadership lessons from her late father, her marriage of 44 years, and the "master of one thing" philosophy that's kept her company thrivin...

#countryclub #networkingtips #golfclub #businessgrowth Jay Biggs, GM and President of Kokomo Country Club, shares his remarkable journey from a young golf pro at Firestone Country Club to a turnaround specialist who has revived struggling private clubs across the country — including stints at Pinehurst Resort and caddying at Pebble Beach. In this episode, Jay breaks down exactly how he's transform...

This episode is about Heather Duncan’s transition from healthcare into owning Blythe’s Bridal, and how she’s growing the business through community-building, social media, and a standout high school girls program. We cover the challenges of retail trends, online competition, and how local businesses can create memorable in-person experiences that keep customers coming back. 2:10 — Meet Heather Dun...

Lindsay Pile, founder of Posh Salon, shares the raw and real story of growing her business from a small booth salon in 2004 to a 40–50 person team over 22 years — covering expansion, leadership, and the hard lessons along the way. She and shareholder Perry break down their unique leveling system, associate program, and monthly personal development meetings that keep employees motivated, loyal, and...

Andy Baker, president and co-founder of AndyMark, shares how he and his partner Mark Kurs turned a side hustle born out of high school robotics mentorship into a 50-employee company that sells mechanical parts to over 90 countries and injects more than $40 million annually into Indiana's economy. Andy opens up about the hard lessons of cash flow management, knowing when to delegate, navigating com...

Welcome to Season 3 of Spotlight Podcast ! Meet hosts Courtney Butler & Caitlyn Sheets as they introduce Rob Blume, President & CEO of Community First Bank. In this episode they share how a group of 16 bankers set out in 2002 to build a locally-owned institution where the customer mattered more than the bottom line — growing from a small mortgage company into a nearly billion-dollar bank w...

In this episode of The Spotlight Podcast, Tim Branyan sits down with entrepreneur Austin Walls, owner of Walls Furniture & Mattress, to talk about building a family business, overcoming failure, and what it really takes to succeed as an entrepreneur. Austin shares his journey from growing up in the furniture business at just 15 years old to launching and scaling his own store. From loading tru...

In this episode, host Tim Branyan sits down with Rick Witt, the new Head Golf Professional at Kokomo Country Club, to talk about leadership, relationships, and the powerful role golf plays in building community. Rick shares his journey from collegiate golf to running elite golf operations, why he chose to be part of the club’s transformation, and how golf creates lifelong connections — from family...

What happens when traditional hiring fails—and you decide to build talent instead? In this episode of The Spotlight Podcast, host Tim Branyan sits down with seasoned entrepreneur and educator Ron Brumbarger to unpack decades of experience building companies, developing people, and rethinking how we educate and train the workforce. From founding and exiting a successful tech firm to launching Appre...

In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast, host Tim Branyan sits down with Courtney Zaugg, Indiana-based entrepreneur, innovation strategist, and co-founder of Venture Vets, to explore what it really takes to build sustainable support systems for entrepreneurs—especially those from the military community. Courtney shares her journey from international economic development to entrepreneurship, the c...

Starting a business can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, Art McDonald and Tim Branyan share honest, real-world insights on entrepreneurship, resilience, and what actually matters when building something from the ground up. From overcoming fear and uncertainty to learning while moving forward, this conversation breaks down the mindset shifts that separate successful e...

Entrepreneurship isn’t about reckless risk — it’s about not quitting. In this episode of The Spotlight, host Tim Branyan sits down with Mikel Berger, President & CEO of Greater Lafayette Commerce, to unpack what real entrepreneurship looks like behind the scenes. From starting a software company straight out of college, to helping launch MatchBOX Coworking Studio, to leading one of Indiana’s m...

In this episode, we sit down with Katelyn Colclazier, a business professional known for her approach to leadership, organizational development, and strategic growth. This 41-minute conversation breaks down the realities of business in 2025: ✔️ Leadership that actually works ✔️ Building teams that perform ✔️ Creating workplace culture that isn’t fake ✔️ Mistakes businesses make (and how to avoid th...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Ty Tjoelker, Managing Director at Gener8tor, as we dive into the world of entrepreneurship, accelerators, and the vibrant startup ecosystem in Indiana and beyond. Ty shares his journey with Gener8tor, the impact of their gBETA program, and the upcoming BOLT conference in Indianapolis. Learn about the key traits of successful entrepreneurs—curiosity and g...

Unlock the secrets to meaningful success and work-life integration with Coach Lucas Woody in this inspiring episode of the Spotlight Podcast! Host Tim Brandon sits down with Coach Woody—entrepreneur, educator, and founder of Next Better—to explore his journey from small-town Indiana to coaching high achievers and business leaders. Discover how Coach Woody’s unique approach helps clients break thro...

Tim Branyan from the Hoosier Heartland Indiana Small Business Development Center sits down with Drew Hansen, the relentless force behind Hansen & Holmes. Born and raised in Kokomo, Indiana, Drew traded a corporate grind and a bar gig for a full-throttle leap into home remodeling—without a website or fancy ads, just pure word-of-mouth hustle. From jacking up houses to chasing perfection (think...

Tim Branyan on Spotlight as he sits down with Jesus Correa, Latino Business Liaison at Greater Lafayette Commerce (GLC). Discover how GLC goes beyond a typical Chamber of Commerce, driving economic and workforce development in Greater Lafayette, Indiana. Jesus shares his journey growing Latino business membership from 5 to 50, hosting events like Café con Exiones and the Latino Business Expo (Marc...

Tim Branyan sits down with Don Wettrick, founder of StartEdUp Foundation and a trailblazer in education, at Vision Studio in Kokomo. From a 20-year teaching gig to sparking a “bizarre” class on innovation and entrepreneurship, Don’s journey is wild—think Skyping Tim Ferris on Halloween, coaching kids to Forbes 30 Under 30, and turning moaners into seekers. He shares how a Daniel Pink TED Talk lit...