The Small Business Association of Michigan's Small Business Weekly Podcast

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Jennifer Jurgens, CEO and Founder of B2B marketing organization 1 Bold Step. The company has been recognized by Michigan Celebrates Small Business with a Michigan 50 Distinguished Alumni Award -- Strategically Focused. Jurgens advises business owners to step away from daily tactics to focus on identifying bottlenecks and setting clear priorities. To sc...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with business trainer and coach Jeremy Lopatin, Professional EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide. He's based in southeast Michigan and is a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. He says that if companies focus on six core components—vision, people, data, issues, process, and traction— they can resolve numerous underlying organizational symp...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Jay Norman, CEO and Co-Founder of Detroit-based culture and brand agency Verse and Hook. They are VIP members of the Small Business Association of Michigan. Moving away from traditional marketing models, the agency focuses on building deep emotional connections rather than just highlighting product benefits. "It's very much based on fandoms and connect...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Daryn Lawson, an expert with SalesIndex and a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. His organization helps businesses optimize their revenue by applying data-driven diagnostics to the sales process using a specialized three-step methodology involving analysis, coaching, and training. "The analytics give us really a target, call it a...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Sharon McRill, owner of The Betty Brigade, a 2026 Michigan 50 Company to Watch. Operating nationwide, her business handles everything from virtual estimates to trust liquidations, ensuring meaningful items are preserved while simplifying lives. "We help people wherever they are, with whatever they need," she says. "Sometimes it's just organizing and mo...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Sonny Anani, president of Dynamic Glazing Systems – presented this year by Michigan Celebrates Small Business with the Michigan 50 Distinguished Alumni Award -- Great Place to Work. Dynamic Glazing Systems is a Detroit-based commercial glazing contractor specializing in glass and metal facades. Anani explains their "team before self" philosophy and the...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Shathi Govender, president of Transworld Business Advisors of Detroit South and an Elite member of the Small Business Association of Michigan.  As a professional business broker, Gavender explains how his firm facilitates everything from small "mom and pop" transactions to large-scale mergers and acquisitions valued at millions of dollars. "What we wou...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Elizabeth Goede, founder & president of Ratliff Consulting, an Elite Member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. Ratliff Consulting is a strategic consultancy specializing in AI transformation through assessments, ready-made products, custom solutions, and AI education and training as part of their SPARK AI Lab™ division. Goede emphasizes tha...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with SBAM leader Michael Koory, owner of growth advisory business Blue Salesfly in Grand Rapids. "I put three of my favorite things together in the name of the business," he says. "Blue ocean or blue sky thinking to help clients see where they could be growing. Sales has been my career so I love selling, and fly fishing is a passion of mine. So I put those...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Kory Miller, Director of Business Development for Detroit-area based ShowReady, a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. It's woman-owned nationally certified WBENC event technology production company. Based in the Detroit area, services extend throughout the United States and globally with an experienced team of event engineers and...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Tom Damitio, partner in Roots Marketing of Grand Rapids and a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. He discusses their approach to helping businesses grow through effective marketing strategies. Roots Marketing focuses on SEO, digital ads, web strategy, content, and print materials, emphasizing a tailored, measurable approach that i...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Drew Petro, owner of Fortress Manufacturing in Benton Harbor. The firm was recently named to the list of Michigan 50 Companies to Watch for 2026. The company specializes in sheet metal and machining services, targeting order volumes of 1,000 to 12,000 pieces annually. Petro is committed to the importance of workforce development, particularly in trades...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Frank Cox, CEO of iCOR Solutions, a member of the 2026 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch list. Cox discusses the company's unique approach to commercial insurance, which focuses on improving capital and optimizing risk. "When we come into a business our first objective is to help them figure out are you in growth mode or do you want to be in growth mode?...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Cheryl Tallman, CEO & Founder of Fresh Baby in Petoskey, recently named to the 2026 list of Michigan 50 Companies to Watch. Founded in 2002, Fresh Baby provides nutrition education for public health agencies. What kinds of actions does she recommend to small business owners if they want to stay healthy? "Obviously, the focus is to avoid processed foods...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Janice Milligan, President and Owner of Doggy Daycare and Spa -- selected as a Michigan 50 Company to Watch for 2026. The company operates two locations in the Greater Lansing area, offering daycare, boarding, and grooming services. Milliken attributes their success to a dedicated team and comprehensive training.  "The team members are trained, and so...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with SBAM leader Paul Santoro, owner of the 876 Baldwin Restaurant, located in Baldwin in west Michigan. Inspired by his love for fly fishing, he established the restaurant in a renovated Masonic temple, featuring a 16-seat bar and three apartments. Santoro emphasizes the restaurant's role in economic development and community engagement, highlighting local...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with SBAM leader Jordan Munsters, Chief Fort Officer for High Caliber Karting & Entertainment in Okemos. His business, located at the Meridian Mall, has added 25,000 square feet since 2022, including a banquet center, stage for live music, a large bar, and new attractions like jelly blasters and archery tag. Munsters says his business is guided by three que...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with SBAM leader Dawn Levian, owner of Break Room Therapy in west Michigan. The concept offers customers a space to break glass and electronics for stress relief or fun. The facility requires specific safety equipment, including tennis shoes, lab coats, and safety gear. Break Room Therapy caters to various occasions, including business team building, birthd...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with SBAM leader Mark Hamilton, founder of Versa Culture in Grand Rapids (He can be contacted via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/versa-culture , and by email at markh@versaculture.com .) His company helps small and mid-sized organizations improve execution by defining and reinforcing company culture. Hamilton emphasizes the importance of clear deci...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with SBAM leader Chip LaFleur, CEO of Lafleur Marketing in Grand Rapids. He discusses the company's transition from a traditional marketing firm to a growth insights agency and highlights the challenges small businesses face due to economic uncertainty and rapid technological changes, particularly AI, which has both expedited and complicated marketing strat...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Becky Philipp-Kranig, owner of  Bearcub Outfitters in Petoskey, selected by Michigan Celebrates Small Business as a Michigan SBDC Best Small Business. Her family-oriented outdoor gear store in Petoskey offers clothing and gear for infants through adults, including pets. Becky cites the store's unique product mix and excellent customer service as key fa...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Chris Kushmaul, owner of Restoration 1 of Metro Detroit, recognized as a Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year for 2025 by Michigan Celebrates Small Business. His company's services include water, fire, smoke, mold and biohazard cleanup. "I'm a service disabled veteran, served in the army for 11 years and I really bring that background to the busine...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Ronald Dwyer, president of RCS Janitorial and a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. Founded in 2016, RCS Janitorial offers commercial janitorial services, carpet cleaning, and facility maintenance across Michigan. Dwyer highlights their IICRC certification for carpet cleaning, ensuring warranty compliance and using modern, green s...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Tanya Thompson, owner and founder of The Aroma Labs, honored by Michigan Celebrates Small Business as a Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year. Her business offers personalized scent creation experiences and corporate events. A collaboration with Pure Michigan resulted in four seasonal fragrances: Fresh, Harvest, Snow, and Awakening, sold in roller bot...

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Christi Lower, founder of Highline Spirits, selected by Michigan Celebrates Small Business as a Michigan SBDC Best Small Business for 2025. She discusses her craft distillery's focus on blending and special finishing whiskey, which has earned multiple national and international awards, including two Best in Class whiskeys in 2025. "It is really importa...