Michigan Business Network

Originally uploaded October 29th, re-edited Nov. 26th. Chris Holman welcomes Tom Kelly, President & CEO, Automation Alley, Troy, MI. Chris had several things he wanted to catch up on with Tom: Q. Before we get started, can you remind our listeners what Project DIAMOnD is? Project DIAMOnD –which stands for distributed, independent, agile manufacturing on demand – is an initiative powered by Automation Alley and funded by Oakland County, Michigan. Project DIAMOnD was developed in October 2020 to accelerate digital transformation among Michigan manufacturers. In Phase I of the program, which was funded by $10 million from Oakland County and $2 million from Macomb County, Automation Alley distributed 300 3D printers to small- and mid-size manufacturers at no cost, provided workforce training, and networked the printers to be used to fulfill emergency orders at scale. In 2021, the network concept was validated, as it printed and shipped 8,000 tourniquet parts to fulfill a request from the Ukrainian Defense Min

Originally uploaded June 25th, re-edited December 18th. Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Kerry Lynch,, Director of Sales, Shorts Brewing, Bellaire, MI Tell me a little about what makes Short’s Brewing Company unique? You were a Michigan 50 company to Watch in 2011. How has being an awardee of Michigan Celebrates impacted your business? Thank you for being a sponsor of MCSB. Can you tell me why you continue to give back to support small businesses across the state? What’s new from Short’s that the audience can look for (anticipate) in the upcoming year? Way back in 2004… Joe Short opened the Pub in a renovated hardware store in Bellaire, Michigan (population 1,200), the heart of Antrim County, deep in rural Northern Michigan. Soon after, Leah joined the team. She and Joe fell in love, and while following their favorite band created our Ween-inspired menu. Since then, The Pub has grown to include five storefronts (including our own store and private dining space, The South End) and during the summer season, we’ve be

Originally uploaded June 28, re-edited Dec. 15th. Jeffrey Mosher welcomed back Deborah Brown, DMD, MHA, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer, My Community Dental Centers, Michigan (Statewide). Michigan Dental Centers Offers Care to More Than 90,000 Underserved Residents My Community Dental Centers works to provide dental care to a variety of individuals by offering affordable care for all. Could you tell me more about how MCDC ensures accessible dental care for Michigan residents? As one of the largest operating full-service non-profit dental practices, what does it mean to serve over 90,000 total patients within a year? How does MCDC collaborate with various health departments to make a difference in Michigan communities through dental care? One of the key successes in your 2023 annual report was working collaboratively with stakeholders on the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) program. What is KOHA and how is it impacting the lives of incoming Kindergarten students and families? MCDC offered

Jeffrey Mosher welcomes back Susan Corbin, Director, LEO, Michigan's Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Lansing, MI. 1. Can you give us an overview of the Veteran Employment Services program? What does it aim to accomplish for Michigan’s veterans? 2. What specific types of support and resources does the Veteran Employment Services program offer to veterans looking to enter or re-enter the workforce?" 3. In what ways does the program support broader workforce development goals in Michigan? How does it help veterans develop skills that are in high demand? 4. Who is eligible for this program, and what’s the best way for veterans in Michigan communities to access these services? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Originally uploaded June 28th, re-edited December 14th. Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Todd O’Grady, director of outreach, Michigan Saves Michigan Saves - Commercial Energy Efficiency Program What is Michigan Saves? How does Michigan Saves' commercial program support businesses in adopting energy efficient technologies and renewable energy solutions? What financing options are available for businesses interested in participating in Michigan Saves' commercial program, and what are the eligibility criteria? Can you provide examples of successful projects facilitated by Michigan Saves' commercial program? What are typical commercial improvements? How do your partnerships with utility companies benefit business owners? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Originally uploaded June 18th, fixed glitch December 9th. Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Amy McMillan, Director, Metroparks, Brighton, MI, Up to Speed: The Huron–Clinton Metroparks system is a regional park system in Metro Detroit in the U.S. state of Michigan. The park system includes 13 parks totaling more than 24,000 acres arranged along the Huron River and Clinton River forming a partial ring around the metro area. Jeffrey had several questions he wanted to find out about in this conversation: Amy share with the Michigan business community about Metroparks? Metroparks recently launched a multi-year and multi-million-dollar effort called Metroparks and Me to bring more free swim lessons and in-school science programs to kids in Southeast Michigan. To expand their impact across Southeast Michigan, and reach thousands more children, tell us about that? Metroparks is looking to raise $2.4 million over three years: $1.8 million for the supplemental science program and $600,00 for the Everyone in the Pool program

Originally uploaded December 6, final edit Dec. 8th. Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Name: Elaine Surnow, Founder, Cooper Street, Birmingham, MI. Jeffrey had several questions for Elaine in this conversation: Can you share the story behind Cooper Street and how your grandmother’s 100-year-old recipe inspired the business? What has it been like running a family-owned business alongside your two sons, Max and Sam? How has Cooper Street grown from its beginnings in Michigan to being available nationally in major retailers and airlines? Why is using locally sourced ingredients, like Michigan fruit, so important to Cooper Street? Why is it important for Cooper Street to meet modern health-conscious consumer demands and provide allergen-free products? Can you talk about Cooper Street’s philanthropic efforts with Make a Wish, HOOAH, and Higher Hopes? Are there any recent or upcoming initiatives Cooper Street is undertaking? What are your goals for Cooper Street in the next few years, and how do you plan to keep the

Originally uploaded December 3rd, final edit, December 6th. Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Matt Jemilo, Director of Talent Placement, HR Collaborative, Grand Rapids, MI. Welcome Matt, to start us off, remind the Michigan business community about HR Collaborative? As you are the director.... Please define Talent Placement, as it's conducted by HR Collaborative? What makes your HR Placement different? Digging into The Collaborative Difference, can you review the three sections? (Experienced HR Experts High-Tech, High-Touch Network of Professionals) So, Matt, if there's a business out there Ready to find their next HR rockstar,... how might they do so? HR Placement Who knows HR talent better than HR Collaborative? Leveraging our deep HR expertise and extensive network, we'll find you the perfect permanent fit to drive the next phase in your people strategy. Find Your Next HR Pro - with HR Collaborative! » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/  » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/U

Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Brooke Oberg & Casey Oberg, Business Operations, Owner & Owner, Detroit Mulch Company, Detroit, MI Their discussion covered: Can you share the story behind Detroit Mulch? What inspired its founding, and how has the company evolved over the years? Sustainability is at the heart of Detroit Mulch’s mission. Can you elaborate on the sustainable practices you’ve implemented and their impact on the environment and the community? As a company dedicated to creating a greener Detroit, how does Detroit Mulch engage with the local community to promote environmental awareness and sustainable landscaping? What challenges have you faced in pursuing your mission of sustainability, and how have you overcome them to achieve success? Looking ahead, what are Detroit Mulch’s goals for the future? Are there any upcoming initiatives or innovations that you’re particularly excited about? What advice would you offer to other businesses looking to prioritize sustainability while maintaining grow

Originally Uploaded October 24th, reloaded December 1st. For Media Business Episode 80: Tony Conley has a three-part conversation welcoming Rodney Palmer Owner of 8 Biggby Coffee locations, Co-owner of Mercy Ambulance, Motivational Speaker & Coach, Former varsity basketball coach at Williamston High School. Questions included: How is the coffee business? How do you find quality employees? What are the biggest challenges for small businesses in Michigan? Tony Conley interviews Rodney Dean Palmer, owner of 8 Biggby Coffees in Michigan, on the Michigan Business Network. Palmer discusses his business experiences, challenges in the Michigan business climate, and insights into running a successful franchise. He highlights the impact of regulations on small businesses, citing a $400,000 cost increase due to governmental overrides on a $1.2 million coffee shop project in Belding. Palmer shares his journey into the Biggby Coffee business, emphasizing the importance of following the franchise system. He also discu

Originally uplloaded October 14th, reedited November 29th. Elizabeth Bernhard welcomes her latest batch of guests in manufacturing for a great conversation. This episode's guests include: Tim Speno, VP North American ContractorLink, and Rod West Technical Director, External Affairs, Schneider Electric. Completing the Puzzle: A New Electrical Maintenance Standard (NFPA-70B). Electrical safety at plants and facilities should always be a top concern for manufacturers, whether at an existing facility or in new construction. An injury, incident, outage or arc flash event in one of these systems can be disastrous for the entire facility and business as a whole. For many years, NEC codes and electrical safety standards (NFPA-70E) have regulated installation and workplace safety around these systems. But now a new standard has been added to complete the electrical safety puzzle: NFPA-70B, which creates a standard around preventative and ongoing maintenance. The standard has been released and employers and facili

Originally uploaded October 24, re-edited Nov. 29th. Jeffrey Mosher welcomes back Tekea Norwood, COO, CAMW! the Capital Area Michigan Works!, Lansing, MI, but serving Ingham Eaton and Clinton Counties. THEME: Capital Area Michigan Works! COO Tekea Norwood explains the Rapid Response program, a personalized service that offers support in identifying layoff prevention strategies and proactively sharing resources to dislocated workers. Question: What is the Rapid Response program and how does it support businesses facing layoffs or closures? ● We know that layoffs are a difficult decision for employers to make. Through the Rapid Response program, employers can ensure their employees are supported and connected to other available employment opportunities when they experience a layoff. ● Through the combined efforts of local workforce boards, economic development organizations and other stakeholders, Rapid Response helps communities address the broader economic impact of significant layoffs or closures, support

Originally uploaded Nov. 18th, re-edited Nov. 29th . Jeffrey Mosher welcomes back Brad Williams, Vice President, Political Affairs, Detroit Regional Chamber, Detroit, MI. Welcome back Brad, we wanted a follow-up conversation that could reflect on the elections which you were discussing with Chris. First reflect on the regional and state results? How do the results for positions in Washington DC impact Michigan? What are the biggest issues expected to be dealt with in the Lame Duck session? Are there any Lansing based Lame Duck issues that the Chamber is watching closely? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Originally uploaded July 23rd, re-edited Nov. 22nd. Chris Holman welcomes Paul King, President ROI Insight, Grosse Pointe, MI, to the MBN studio, and back to the Michigan Business Beat. In their conversation Chris looked to cover: Remind the Michigan business community about ROI Insight, and the Michigan Future Business Index What were the highlights? What are the top concerns? What are the takeaways? If you listen to this between now and Dec. 20, 2024, please consider taking the Q4 2024 Michigan Future Business Index survey: https://www.research.net/r/Q42024MFBIMBN  Summary Chris Holman hosts the Michigan Business Beat, interviewing Paul King from ROI Insight about the recent Michigan Future Business Index survey for the Spring Quarter of 2024. Paul King discusses the key findings of the survey, which measures small business performance and predictions for the next six months. The survey revealed that businesses are continuing to improve post-pandemic, with a majority feeling fully recovered. Inflat

Originally uploaded May 29, re-loaded Nov. 26th. Jeffrey Mosher speaks with Eaton Co. Michigan Commissioner Terrance Augustine and the Board Chair Jim Mott Eaton County Board of Commissioners votes to form Tax Advisory Committee Jeffrey had several questions for the pair in this conversation. What led to the board taking action? Share with the Michigan business community what the CATLC will do? So, this sort of action is laid out in the Michigan constitution? share some more about the challenges faced by the federal, state, and local funding mix? What can the business community of your county do at this time? County financial struggles cause Board to take action EATON COUNTY, MI—The Eaton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to form a County Advisory Tax Limitation Committee (CATLC) to review the current tax amount the County is able to levy. The Committee will meet to determine if any changes are necessary to maintain operations, and then the Board will place that determination on the Novemb

Originally uploaded Nov. 12th, re-edited Nov. 24th. Jeffrey Mosher welcomes back Carrie Rosingana, CEO, CAMW! Capitol Area Michigan Works!, Lansing , MI, but serving Ingham, Eaton and Clinton Cos. for their November 2024 discussion. THEME: Capital Area Michigan Works! CEO Carrie Rosingana discusses the upcoming Capital Comeback event and its role in highlighting emerging live, work and play opportunities for current and former Greater Lansing residents. Question: What is the Capital Comeback event and how does it support small businesses and the economy in Lansing? ● Capital Comeback is an annual event organized by Lansing 5:01 that aims to connect former, current and aspiring residents with career opportunities in the Lansing area. ○ CAMW! is proud to be one of the presenting sponsors for this year's event! ● We know a lot of people return to Lansing for the Thanksgiving season, so this event aims to connect with those who may be visiting family in Michigan and tell them about the careers and activiti

Chris Holman speaks with Lorri Rischar Jandron CEO / Partner, EDGE Partnerships, who also serves as State President for AARP Michigan, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Chris Holman speaks with Maureen Donohue Krauss, CEO, Detroit Regional Partnership, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Vic Verchereau welcomes Joseph Yang, who is the President/CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing. Joseph Yang is the President/CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing. Born and raised in Lansing, Michigan, Joseph is a first-generation Hmong- American. Joseph graduated from Everett High School in 2000. He attended Michigan State University, earning a BA in Telecommunications in 2003. He then went on to earn his JD from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2013 and an LLM in Insurance Law in 2015. In 2024, after over 20 years with the organization, he was named President/CEO. A former Club Kid himself, Joseph draws on his personal experiences to create impactful programs for the children who attend the club daily. From his humble beginnings he lives the motto, great futures start here. Enjoy this fun conversation on the Leadership Lowdown as host Vic Verchereau helps to unpack this meaningful journey of an immigrant family to a community leader helping so many! » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwo

Originally uploaded October 31st, re-edited November 14th. Chris Holman welcomes back Andria Romkema, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, The Right Place, Grand Rapids, MI. Welcome back Andria, congratulations on the Crains GR 40 under 40 designation, ... remind the Michigan business community about The Right Place? The Right Place played a big role last month in GR's Tech Week, how did that event go? Lost in all the activities but crucial to your region is the "10-year update on Tech Strategy" tell us more? In a few weeks The Right Place has "The Place Matters Summit" can you tell us about that? Always popular is December's Western Michigan Economic Forecast Breakfast what details can you share about this year's event? Some more details about November 13th: Placemaking means many things to different people – but we can all agree that positive, proactive and strategic placemaking is essential for our communities to prosper. Our Place Matters Summit will gather community leaders span