The ROCC Pod: Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we welcome Lindsey Collins, the founder of LMC Interiors, as we explore her journey in the interior design industry and her insights on emerging trends. Lindsey shares how her business began in 2005 after encouragement from her first job to launch a side business. With a degree in interior design from Kendall College of Art and Design and a background in graphic de...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we dive into the world of weddings with Grace Milligan and Michelle Mengele from Viero Bridal, the Michigan flagship of a luxury bridal brand. Viero, meaning "faith" in Ukrainian, offers a bespoke experience for brides, emphasizing handcrafted, customizable gowns. Every dress is made in their European atelier, featuring exquisite details such as hand-beading and in...

Today, Jon and Lisa are talking social media and video (and dogs) with Jordanna Cheifetz, the founder of JAC Digital Media. She  shares her journey of establishing a thriving business that specializes in creating engaging social media content. She explains her unique "content days," where she works with clients to produce multiple high-quality videos efficiently and stress-free. These sessions are...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we meet Tahura Holly and Nikunj Jain, founders of Corqueboard, a digital advertising platform designed to replace traditional cork boards in local businesses. Tahura shares how her time in India inspired her business journey; after moving there in 2017 and immersing herself in the jewelry trade, she returned to Michigan and launched Festive Essentials, a brick-and-...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we connect with Lindsay Madison, founder of Visions Incorporated, a yoga studio with a unique focus on accessibility and community inclusivity. Lindsay shares her inspiring journey, starting with her early career in retail management in Chicago, where she rose to a high-powered role at Bloomingdale’s by age 21. However, her career path shifted unexpectedly when she...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we interview Jordan Burns, owner of Honest Insurance Brokers, who takes us through his journey in the insurance industry, starting with how he launched and sold his first business during the pandemic. Jordan shares how he moved from life insurance and financial advising into property and casualty insurance, eventually deciding to strike out on his own, driven by a...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we sit down with Siri Pipat, the owner of Kacha Thai Market, to discuss her passion for authentic Thai food, her restaurant’s unique concept, and her experiences as part of the Royal Oak community.  Siri shares her personal journey of moving to the U.S. over 20 years ago and her struggle to find Thai food that matched the flavors she grew up with. That challenge in...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we dive into the musical world of the Royal Oak Concert Band and the Woodward Avenue Jazz Orchestra. Jon Gay and Lisa Bibbee host Kevin Czarnik, the director of the Royal Oak Concert Band, and Jim Cann, the director of the Woodward Avenue Jazz Orchestra. They do have very different backgrounds. Kevin is a music teacher who works with students of all ages. Jim, an e...

In this episode of The ROCC Pod , we sit down with Bryce and Shayna Sherman, a resilient couple whose life took a dramatic turn when Bryce experienced a traumatic brain injury. Bryce recounts the harrowing accident that occurred during a family trip to Colorado, when he fell from a moving vehicle and suffered a skull fracture, resulting in a life-threatening brain bleed. Shayna explains how Bryce...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we sit down with Anne Bradley from Common Ground, an organization dedicated to mental health crisis support and suicide prevention. Common Ground's mission is to help individuals in crisis transition from despair to hope through trauma-informed programs, advocacy, and community support. They offer a variety of services, including a crisis intervention facility in P...

Today we are joined by Terry Poduska, president of the Royal Oak Women's Club, which recently received the prestigious Women's Club of the Year award from GFWC Michigan. The club, part of the General Federated Women's Club, has been a vital community service organization since 1902. Terry shares the club’s rich history, highlighting its evolution from a study club to a community-focused group that...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, produced for the Royal Oak Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Jon and Lisa  interview Cynthia Gleich, Marketing Manager, and Paul Batista, owner, of BODY20 Wellness. They discuss the revolutionary fitness approach of BODY20, which leverages EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) technology to provide efficient, full-body workouts. Cynthia Gleich shares her journey into fit...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we welcome Ricky Martin and Adrian Adkins from Tuff Shed.  Adrian discusses his journey in theater, having participated in over 40 productions since high school. Ricky reveals his love for the movies Jaws and Empire Records , which he has watched countless times. Their camaraderie is evident as they share how they met while working at Best Buy and transitioned to T...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we dive into Deborah Johnson's journey with Mary Kay. Deborah, a seasoned member with over 30 years of experience, shares how she transitioned from being a personal use consultant to embracing a full-time role in the business. Her passion for empowering women shines through as she recounts her experiences and the values instilled by Mary Kay Ash, the company's foun...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we delve into the multifaceted world of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with Paige Robnett from Robnett Consulting.  Paige shares how her initial interest in women's studies, once met with skepticism about job prospects, has successfully translated into a thriving business. Her story underscores the persistent need for effective leadership and teamwork, prin...

Today's guest, Sarah Rollins of Embodied Wellness, shares insights into somatic experiencing and its importance in therapy. Sarah describes her unique journey, including performing at Carnegie Hall with a klezmer band during her middle school years. Despite initially pursuing somatic experiencing training during her time as a mental health therapist, she found it challenging to integrate this body...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, presented by the Royal Oak Michigan Chamber of Commerce, we delve into the adventurous backstory and business insights of Deb Aliotta from Tri-Pups, a professional remodeling and repair company. But we start with Debbie's hot air balloon crash on a golf course, which sets a tone of resilience and levity that we discover is central to both her personal and professio...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod produced for the Royal Oak Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts and Lisa Bibbee, a realtor with Keller Williams Advantage, discuss the misconceptions surrounding the recent Supreme Court ruling on the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and its impact on real estate transactions. As misinformation spreads, particularly highlighted by...

Today Jon and Lisa are joined by Jeff Hurlburt of Ivy Properties, a seasoned professional in commercial real estate. With a blend of humor and expertise, Jeff shares his journey from serving as a US Marine in Desert Storm to navigating the intricate world of real estate. We discuss the impact of his upbringing surrounded by siblings and his transition from military life to civilian entrepreneurshi...

In this heartwarming episode of The ROCC Pod, we delve into the harmonious world of the Cantata Academy Chorale. Join hosts John Gay and Lisa Bibbee as they explore the musical and personal connections that make this ensemble more than just a choir—it's a family. Our special guests, conductor Susan Catanese and board president Maggie Reese, share their stories of love, music, and community that re...

We dive into a conversation highlighting the critical state of education post-pandemic and the unique journey of Carolyn Graham into the world of tutoring with Tutor Doctor. Carolyn starts by shedding light on a concerning statistic: only 36% of U.S. students began the school year on track, emphasizing the significant role tutoring plays in bridging this gap. Her transition from a seasoned educato...

We dive into the world of small business financing on the ROCC Pod, highlighting two key programs aimed at supporting entrepreneurs. Our guests, Belinda Turner-DuBois from CEED Lending and Cathy Rasegan from the US Small Business Association, share insights into their respective lending programs designed to help small businesses access capital.  Belinda introduces CEED Lending, a part of the Great...

The Royal Oak Chamber now has its own app!  From the app, you can view Chamber events, meet other members, view the marketing tools available to your business, and even join the Chamber!   President Shelly Kemp and Chairman of the Board Michael Pesendorfer join us today to discuss. Download the app on Apple or Android by searching for Your City App! The Chamber has also partnered with member Tiffa...

To kick off Season 3 of the ROCC Pod, we welcome Jennifer McCallum from Firefly Pet Photography.  Jennifer shares her journey from being a third-level sommelier to a passionate pet photographer. She emphasizes her love for animals, detailing her extensive experience in animal rescue and fostering. Jennifer's transition into pet photography stemmed from her realization that she could make a greater...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we welcome Kayla Lopez from Good Business. Kayla, a seasoned corporate executive turned consultant, shares her journey and insights into the world of consulting, emphasizing her diverse experience in various industries such as mortgage, banking, automotive, manufacturing, healthcare, and food service. Kayla begins by defines consulting as providing expert advice fo...