The Creative Niche: The Space Between Faith & Business

What does it take to build a business that lasts for generations? In this episode of The Creative Niche , we sit down with Mike Bendele of Ottoville Hardware & Furniture to hear the lessons learned from a fourth-generation family business with more than 90 years of history. Mike shares how his grandfather’s small hardware store grew into a lasting family legacy, why he chose to join the busine...

What happens when you build a business around relationships instead of transactions? In this episode of The Creative Niche , we sit down with Adam Anspach, co-owner of Advanced Insurance Group, to talk about entrepreneurship, family business, and the role trust plays in long-term success. Adam shares the story of leaving a corporate career, acquiring multiple insurance agencies in just a few years...

What does it really take to grow a business, build relationships, and create long-term impact in your community? In this episode of The Creative Niche, we sit down with Tim Copsey of Paulding County Economic Development to talk about the intersection of business, relationships, and local growth. From his early days in manufacturing at Paragon Tempered Glass to his role in economic development toda...

What is the meaning of Lent, and why do Christians pray the Stations of the Cross? In this episode of The Creative Niche, Father Ned Brown shares how the Stations of the Cross help believers walk with Christ through the events leading to the crucifixion. During the season of Lent, Christians reflect on Christ’s journey to the Cross and prepare their hearts for the celebration of Easter. Later in t...

In this episode of The Creative Niche Podcast, we sit down with Thad Lichtensteiger for a candid conversation about what it really looks like to lead at the local level. From courthouse restoration to property taxes, downtown momentum to farming roots, this discussion moves through the realities of small-town leadership and the steady work that keeps a community moving forward. Thad shares how wor...

In this episode of The Creative Niche Podcast, we sit down with Reggie Buehrer for a candid conversation about innovation, purpose, and what it means to build a business with the future in mind. Reggie speaks from decades of experience as an entrepreneur and founder, addressing the reality that innovation is rarely clean or predictable. He shares why research and development are often costly and u...

In this episode of The Creative Niche Podcast, we sit down with worship leader and artist Tom Emerine for a conversation centered on worship, revival, and faith lived out under pressure. Tom reflects on years of leading worship, seasons of stepping away from visible ministry, and how obedience to God does not always follow a predictable path. From there, the discussion moves outward to what Tom is...

In this family feature episode of The Creative Niche Podcast, Jason sits down with his brother Josh for an honest conversation about what it’s really like working together in a family business. They talk about growing up around the shop, finding their own paths, and eventually finding their way back to work side by side. From learning when to stay in your lane to building trust through shared resp...

Faith, family, and the work of our hands shape every part of today’s conversation with our longtime friend and local entrepreneur, Troy Ross. Troy wears many hats: husband, father of five, crop-insurance agent, farmer, cattleman, and quiet leader who believes character is formed through daily choices. We talk about how he got started in agriculture, why relationships matter in business, and the wa...

In this episode of The Creative Niche, we sit down with Father Tim Kummerer of All Saints Parish in New Riegel, Ohio, to reflect on his years of ministry, his time serving in Zimbabwe, and the deeply moving Matthew 25 window project his parish entrusted to our studio. Father Tim shares how his grandfather sparked his lifelong love for “the things of the church,” and how that heritage eventually le...

In this episode of The Creative Niche , Jason sits down with Gustavo Lazara , North American representative for Tecglass , an industry leader in digital glass printing technology . From their headquarters in northwest Spain, Tecglass designs and manufactures both the digital printers and ceramic inks that make permanent, full-color glass designs possible. Together, Jason and Gustavo discuss how th...

Modern columbaria are entering a new era—one defined by color, precision, and strength. In this episode of The Creative Niche Podcast , Reggie and Jason from Crystal Creek Glass share how tempered printed art glass is reshaping memorial architecture as a durable, elegant alternative to granite. They discuss how this material combines structural integrity with artistic freedom, allowing for vivid i...

What happens when faith, family, and craftsmanship meet innovation? In this first episode of The Creative Niche Podcast, Reggie and Jason from Window Creations and Crystal Creek Glass share how their family business is redefining stained glass: blending traditional artistry with cutting-edge technology to create sacred art for churches and memorial spaces. From humble beginnings with a five-by-sev...