Tune in to the full StartupNation Radio show with Ojeda, Barbash and Dawood to learn about the SCORE Mentors program and hear about each mentor's unique experiences.

Tune in to the full StartupNation Radio show with Baxter, Zuppke and Schwartz to learn more about these Detroit entrepreneurs and how they're thriving.

First up are AutoPets' leaders: Baxter, CEO, and Zuppke, president and COO. AutoPets creates products to make the lives of pets and their owners easier, such as the Litter-Robot.

During the interview, Baxter and Zuppke discuss:

• How the idea for the company came to life
• How the company pivoted after losing money the first five years
• How AutoPets' Litter-Robot works
• How they shifted AutoPets' business model
• How they used actual cats for influencer marketing

For more information on AutoPets, visit the official website, and follow on LinkedIn.

Next up is Schwartz, founder of Detroit Wick and Trip Wipes. Detroit Wick is a sensory marketing agency that creates custom fragrances through candles, while Trip Wipes produces sustainable hand sanitizing wipes.

During the interview, Schwartz explains:

• Why he decided to start two companies
• How he found his way to the fragrance industry
• How his sales went from 100,000 to 13 million
• Why you should build your brand around passion, not money
• Keys to setting up your business for success

For more information on Detroit Wick, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook and Pinterest. For more information on Trip Wipes, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook.

We’ll be back next weekend with another exciting episode of StartupNation Radio! Stay tuned.

Do you have a great entrepreneurial success story to share? Tell us your story here and you could be featured on an upcoming episode of StartupNation Radio.

First up is Berman, the founder and president of Digital Resource, a digital marketing agency. He is StartupNation's digital marketing expert.

During the interview, Berman discusses:

• The three keys entrepreneurs can use to drive awareness
• Why social media plays such a large role into consumers' buying and decision-making processes
• How to know which market will fit your business' needs
• Why paid ads are the best way to get traffic quickly
• How to grow your organic social media presence

For more information about Digital Resource, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Next is Packer, president of AccessPoint, a business that provides human resource services. Packer is StartupNation's human resources expert.

During the interview, Packer explains:

• How AccessPoint works and why it's beneficial for employers
• When an employer should intersect with a company like AccessPoint
• How work and employment has changed since the pandemic
• What companies should pay attention to post-COVID-19
• Why entrepreneurs should focus on executing their core vision

For more information about AccessPoint, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Next is Michael Spath, a client executive for Michigan-based Kapnick Insurance Group, a full-service insurance brokerage. He is StartupNation's insurance expert.

During the interview, Spath talks about:

• How he went from owning a small business to going into the insurance world
• Why everyone needs insurance
• What coverage is crucial for small business owners
• How a business owner's policy works
• Why every business owner should invest in cyber insurance

For more information about Kapnick Insurance Group, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Tune in to the full StartupNation Radio show with food entrepreneurs Harold, Hingst and Romito here to learn more about how to succeed in the food industry.

First up is Harold and Hingst, the co-founders of Kookys n Cream, a Michigan-based cookie shop in Lapeer known for its cookie blend called "cookie cream."

During the interview, Harold and Hingst discuss:

• What Kookys n Cream offers
• How they "kookify" traditional desserts
• How they came up with the business idea
• Why they're looking toward franchising
• How TikTok helped them get a surge in orders and how they handled the influx

For more information about Kookys n Cream, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Next up is Romito, a chef who founded High 5 Salts with Benefits, an organic seasoning blend.

During the interview, Romito explains:

• How she turned her concoction she previously used just for herself into a business
• An explanation of the five tastes of people's tongues
• Why she created the product to avoid working in restaurants forever
• How she switched from the teaching world to the food industry
• How she made her business scale

For more information about High 5 Salts with Benefits, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook.

Tune in to the full StartupNation Radio show with Dwoskin to learn more about business coaching.

Tune in to the full StartupNation Radio show with Damman, Gaskins and Covey to learn more about how to be successful on Amazon.

Gaskins is the president and founder of Aleva Stores, a retailer with a focus in medical supplies that assists brands in finding their way through e-commerce marketplaces like Amazon. He is also the chairman and co-founder of Retail Bloom, a service provider that helps businesses improve sales production in e-commerce marketplaces like Amazon.

During the interview, Gaskins discusses:

• How he started from eBay
• How to run your business primarily through Amazon
• Why you need to approach Amazon with a differentiation in strategy or product
• How Retail Bloom can help your small business thrive in e-commerce marketplaces
• How Aleva Stores works

For more information about Aleva Stores, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook and LinkedIn. For more information about Retail Bloom, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Next is Covey, the vice president of retail apparel and general merchandise of GS1, an organization that develops business communication standards and gave birth to the barcode.

During the interview, Covey talks about:

• How barcodes work/are generated
• The different barcode options for your business
• Why you shouldn't turn universal product codes (UPCs) on until they go to market
• Amazon's initiatives on preventing counterfeit UPCs
• Why UPCs are the key to online searching

For more information about GS1, visit the official website.

Morgan is an American-born Slovenian professional basketball player who played college basketball at the University of Michigan. Maviglia-Morgan was crowned Miss Michigan in 2014 and is the founder of The KT Maviglia Fund, which helps Michigan residents with hearing loss. Together, the duo host On Arrival, a travel-based podcast.

During the interview, Morgan and Maviglia-Morgan discuss:

• How Morgan balances being a professional athlete and maintaining a business
• Why they decided to create a travel brand
• How they plan to expand to booking and designing trips
• How to build a successful podcast
• How to immerse yourself in the business world

For more information about On Arrival, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.

Next is Bunnell, the founder and CEO of NaviSavi, a video-only travel app that shows prospective travelers what they're in for on their vacation of choice.

During the interview, Bunnell talks about:

• How the app works
• How it went from a TV show idea to an app
• Why the app doesn't allow photos, reviews or editing
• How and why user-generated content drives the app
• How people can be approved to send in videos and start earning compensation

For more information about NaviSavi, visit the official website, and follow on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

Next is Schubiner, founder of Wanderful Journeys, a boutique travel business that designs one-of-a-kind travel itineraries for customers.

During the interview, Schubiner explains:

• How she went from having a travel blog to a full-fledged business
• How she came to realize travel is her passion
• How being a travel advisor works
• How the business brings in revenue
• Why travel is booming now more than ever

For more information, visit the official website, and follow on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

We’ll be back next weekend with another exciting episode of StartupNation Radio! Stay tuned.

Tune in to the full StartupNation Radio show with McCuiston, Dr. Mason and Vakil to learn how to run a successful franchise.

McCuiston is the co-founder and CEO of Goldfish Swim School, the premier learn-to-swim facility for kids ages 4 months to 12 years. This year, the Michigan-based company is celebrating its 15th year in business.

During the interview, McCuiston discusses:

• Why entrepreneurs should consider going the franchise route and its advantages
• What the basic essentials behind franchising are
• Why every business should have a recipe it follows
• Why the franchise model helps to scale
• How Goldfish Swim School continues to succeed

For more information about Goldfish Swim School, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Next is Dr. Mason, the founder of Little Medical School, an educational company that teaches kids about the sciences surrounding health care.

During the interview, Dr. Mason explains:

• How she turned a hobby into a successful business
• Why she decided franchising was the best option for her business
• How Little Medical School's franchisees succeed
• Why taking risks is the key to success
• Why franchising gives businesses a head start

For more information about Little Medical School, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Next is Vakil, the founder and CEO of Tumbles Kids' Gyms, which focuses on physical fitness while incorporating science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) programs.

During the interview, Vakil talks about:

• How he started as a franchisee
• How the company is expanding to other continents
• How having a master franchisee gives businesses much more access
• What types of advisors he used to help him expand and enter into other countries
• How the company is continuing to thrive

For more information about Tumbles Kids' Gyms, visit the official website, and follow on LinkedIn.

Finally, all the guests come back together to discuss franchise disclosure documents and how to put together a business plan successfully.

We’ll be back next weekend with another exciting episode of StartupNation Radio! Stay tuned.

Calley, who is the former the lieutenant governor of Michigan, is the president of SBAM and will soon be its CEO. SBAM aims to help local small businesses find their footing and grow. It is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community, and has been in operation since 1969.

During the interview, Calley discusses:

• His transition from commercial banker to lieutenant governor to businessman
• How the SBAM does more than just advocate for small businesses
• How SBAM's membership levels work and what resources are provided
• His view of politics today
• Why he plans to dedicate the rest of his life to SBAM

For more information about SBAM, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Next, Calley and Jeff talk to Eisenbraun, the owner of Brown Iron Brewhouse, a smokehouse, full-service restaurant and brewery.

During the interview, Eisenbraun talks about: 

• How Brown Iron Brewhouse opened its second restaurant on March 1, 2020, right around the time the pandemic took over
• Why its business model worked before the pandemic, and how the staff had to change it completely due COVID-19
• How the business has maintained its staff during the tumultuous year
• Why Brown Iron Brewhouse pays its workers' health and dental insurance if they work a minimum of 30 hours per week
• How the business has recovered its customer base

For more information about Brown Iron Brewhouse, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Next, Calley and Jeff chat with Derek Dickow, who in addition to being the founder of a PR and political relations firm, is also on the Board of Directors for SBAM.

During the interview, Dickow explains:

• How he responded to the pandemic
• How he facilitated worthwhile programming during a difficult year
• Why some may adapt to a lifelong hybrid world
• Why he spends an hour a day connecting people
• How SBAM plans to move forward post-pandemic

For more information about SBAM, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Finally, all the guests come back together to discuss how small businesses can recover from the pandemic.

First up is Miller, who is the most decorated male American alpine ski racer of all time, known for 33 World Cup wins, two overall titles, four world championships and six Olympic medals. Now, he is founding partner at SKEO, an app that measures and tracks data on your smartphone in your pocket while skiing.

During the interview, Miller discusses:

• How he approaches his work
• His journey from the sports world into the business world
• How he's built a brand from skiing
• Why he decided to go into the business world and develop SKEO after retiring

For more information about SKEO, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Next up, Jeff talks to Moll, the founder and CEO of Vin Social, an online wine education program and hospitality solution that allows for virtual wine tasting and more.

During the segment, Moll talks about:

• Vin Social's equity crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder
• How she went from the fashion industry to the wine world
• How she came up with the idea for Vin Social
• How focusing on the source helped her develop Vin Social
• Why she wanted Vin Social to be an e-commerce platform
• How the pandemic helped her business

For more information, visit Vin Social's website, and follow on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

First up are Reina and Ortega, co-founders of Jibby Coffee, a business out of Miami, Florida, that fuses its coffee with cannabis (CBD).

During the interview, Reina and Ortega discuss:

• Why they decided to blend CBD into the already lauded commodity of coffee
• How they got their business going during the COVID-19 lockdown
• How they overcame adversity after a cold front ruined their growing coffee
• How they personalize each order
• Their plans for Jibby Coffee's future

For more information, visit Jibby Coffee's website, and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Next up, Jeff talks to Crawford, director of legal operations and social equity of Pleasantrees, a Michigan-based cannabis dispensary that's vertically integrated.

During the segment, Crawford talks about:

• How CEO and founder Randall Buckman went from knocking on doors to creating a booming business
• Pleasantrees' plans to open a retail store in Massachusetts soon
• How Crawford went from a performer, lawyer and model to an entrepreneur
• How the pandemic impacted Pleasantrees
• Where Pleasantrees is going from here

For more information, visit Pleasantrees' website, and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

First up is VanOverbeke, the founder of Genusee, an eyewear company that launched in 2018 out of Flint, Michigan, that creates its products from recycled, single-use plastic water bottles.

During the interview, VanOverbeke discusses:

• How the idea for Genusee formed
• Genusee's overall goals
• Why Genusee shoots to hire low-income, previously incarcerated and other often overlooked individuals
• Why she believes business can be a vehicle for social change
• How Genusee transformed from a side hustle to a full-fledged company

For more information, visit Genusee's official website, and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Next up, Jeff chats with Berg, the founder, co-owner and head cheese monger at Mongers’ Provisions, a company founded in 2017 with locations in Detroit and Ferndale, Michigan, that specialize in cut-to-order cheese, craft chocolate and charcuterie. In its Detroit store, it also carries beer and wine and makes grilled cheese sandwiches.

During the segment, Berg talks about:

• How the business adapted to the challenges of the pandemic
• How passion and storytelling drive the business and where those ideals came from
• The secrets to how the business connects with its customers
• How he went from an aspiring chef to a retailer
• How the brick-and-mortar business expanded to include an e-commerce site

For more information, visit Mongers' Provisions' official website, and follow on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

On this special edition of StartupNation Radio, Jeff shares a conversation with Ara Topouzian, executive director of the Michigan Venture Capital Association and RJ King, editor of DBusiness magazine, on the status of venture capital in Michigan today.

Jeff kicks off the show by discussing what venture capital is, why it's important and why entrepreneurs must know about it. During the discussion, Jeff, Ara and RJ discuss notable deals being made in the state of Michigan by venture capital firms today, the critical role follow-on funding plays and more.

Tune in to the full show to learn more about the venture capital community in the state of Michigan.

First up are Tania Shah, Erin Nobles and Lisa Sigman, co-founders of In The Know Legal, a company that provides online, DIY legal templates. At launch, they're focused on providing legal documents for life coaches and business coaches but will be expanding to other industries soon.

During the interview, Shah, Nobles and Sigman discuss:

• Why the three saw a need for In The Know Legal after their years of experience as attorneys
• How In The Know Legal works
• The steps they took to get their business off the ground
• Why entrepreneurs shouldn't be scared of the legal aspects of business ownership
• The benefits of having proper business contracts and protection in place

For more information, visit In The Know Legal's official website and follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Next up, Jeff chats with Kristen Denzer, founder and CEO of Tierra Encantada, the leader in Spanish Immersion Early Education®, providing care for children ages 6 weeks through 6 years of age. In 2013, while searching for quality early education for her young child, Denzer founded Tierra Encantada’s first location in Eagan, Minnesota. In 2019, she launched Tierra Encantada’s franchising expansion to provide access to language immersion education to families across the country. 

During the segment, Denzer discusses:

• What inspired her to launch Tierra Encantada and what makes the business unique
• Her entrepreneurial background
• Building the Tierra Encantada franchise
• The successes and struggles she has experienced along the way
• Where she sees Tierra Encantada in the next five years

For more information, visit Tierra Encantada's official website.

First up is Selom Agbitor, co-founder of Mad Rabbit Tattoo, a natural tattoo aftercare solution created to help improve the healing process after seeing the lack of effective and all-natural products.

During the show, Agbitor discusses:

• His entrepreneurial background and experience
• How he and his co-founder, Oliver Zak, started Mad Rabbit Tattoo
• How they prepared for the "Shark Tank" pitch
• Which Shark they were targeting, their ask and the deal they accepted from Mark Cuban
• How the "Shark Tank" appearance impacted the business
• What's next for Mad Rabbit Tattoo

For more information, visit the Mad Rabbit Tattoo official website.

Next up, Jeff and Matt welcome Joe Altieri, founder and CEO of FlexScreen, the world's first and only flexible window screen, to StartupNation Radio.

During the show, Altieri shares:

• His industry background and how he came up with the product
• How the "Shark Tank" team reached out to him to be on the show
• What actually happens behind the scenes
• What he asked for and the deal he struck with Lori Greiner
• How the "Shark Tank" appearance impacted his business
• His advice to fellow entrepreneurs

For more information, visit FlexScreen's official website.

Bloomscape, which is the modern online garden center delivering the largest variety of quality houseplants directly from the greenhouse, was founded in 2017. The Detroit-based company is the only plant company that ships plants directly from the greenhouse to the consumer’s front door. Last fall, Bloomscape announced that it raised $15 million in series B funding.

During the interview, Mast discusses:

• How he carved out a niche for his business
• Why Bloomscape's authentic brand story connects with its millennial customer base
• His vision to reinvent the garden center and create a premium retail brand
• Steps he took to prepare for launching Bloomscape
• How Bloomscape positions itself against its biggest competitors
• How he plans to continue scaling his business over the next few years

For more information, visit Bloomscape's official website.

Next up, Jeff interviews Phyllis Ellison, Executive Director of InvestMidwest Forum and Vice President of Partnerships and Program Development of Cortex Innovation Community.

The Midwest Growth Capital Symposium and InvestMidwest are once again partnering to present the 2021 Midwest Venture Showcase through a virtual event on April 27 to 28, 2021.

During the discussion, Ellison talks about:

• The partnership between Midwest Growth Capital Symposium and InvestMidwest
• How the event helps promote startup companies based in the Midwest
• The different types of companies pitching during the event
• How the event fosters relationships between startups and investors
• Past startup success stories

To learn more about the Midwest Venture Showcase, visit the official website.

First up, Jeff welcomes back Chris McCuiston, co-founder of Goldfish Swim School, who was featured on StartupNation Radio in December of 2019. McCuiston co-owns the state-of-the-art swimming facility with his wife, Jenny.

Goldfish Swim School is the premier learn-to-swim facility for kids ages 4 months to 12 years, and this year, the company celebrates its 15th year in business!

During the interview, McCuiston discusses:

• Goldfish Swim School's franchise model
• The company's growth over the last year and a half
• How Goldfish Swim School has been weathering the pandemic-related challenges of the last year
• Where he sees Goldfish Swim School five years from now

For more information, visit the Goldfish Swim School official website.

Next up, Jeff welcomes back Laurel Orley and Diane Orley, co-founders of Daily Crunch Snacks, to StartupNation Radio. The business partners and aunt/niece duo were initially featured on StartupNation Radio in June of 2020. Since then, they've experienced incredible growth!

Daily Crunch Snacks is a sprouted nut company, and winner of the 2020 Good Housekeeping Healthy Snack Awards. The company is non-GMO certified, vegan, gluten free, gut healthy and women-owned certified.

During the show, Laurel and Diane share:

• How they pivoted their launch strategy early on in the pandemic
• Daily Crunch Snacks' launch in 150 Meijer stores
• The company's mental health initiatives and sustainability efforts
• Upcoming product launches in CVS and Urban Outfitters

Daily Crunch Snacks is offering an exclusive StartupNation discount code to listeners! Receive $10 off your first order on DailyCrunch Snacks.com with the discount code "StartupNation."

For more information, visit the Daily Crunch Snacks official website.

We’ll be back next weekend with another exciting episode of StartupNation Radio! Stay tuned.

Do you have a great entrepreneurial success story to share? Tell us your story here and you could be featured on an upcoming episode of StartupNation Radio.

Joining StartupNation's Jeff Sloan in the co-host seat is Julie Sloan of MainStreet Nation (a subset of StartupNation), who is a subject matter expert on the business of Main Street. Jeff and Julie kick off the show with Julie's observations of the current state of Main Street, including the passion small business owners possess for not only their businesses, but their communities, as well.

John Bry, Supervisor of Local Business Development of Oakland County, joins the discussion to talk about what he's observed of Main Street businesses during the pandemic. He also offers his expertise on best practices that merchants can implement to continue to sustain their small businesses moving forward. 

Then, Jeff and Julie talk with three local Main Street merchants about what they're doing to position themselves for success coming out of the pandemic.

Featured guests include:

• Holly Anselmi, owner of The Italian Dish
• Marlene Mansour, owner of Urban Wick Candle Bar
• Sommer Poquette, founder and CEO of Keep it Real Social

Resources mentioned during the show:

• National Main Street Center
• National Chamber of Commerce
• U.S. Small Business Administration
• Oakland County Main Street Program
• MainStreet Nation
• ShopLoyal
• ShopMainstreet

We’ll be back next weekend with another exciting episode of StartupNation Radio! Stay tuned.

Lisa is a SCORE sales expert and founder and CEO of Sales Account Ability, a company that helps management to coach sales people, define performance goals and implement easy to use tools to measure and monitor the performance of sales people. Lisa is a six-year active member of SCORE and is a certified mentor, subject matter expert, workshop leader and membership chair.

During the show, Jeff, Armando and Lisa discuss customer acquisition for early-stage startups and take calls from listeners. Topics covered include:

• The difference between marketing and sales, and which to focus on when
• How much to allocate for marketing spend when creating a business plan
• How to measure success when it comes to marketing spend

If you’re in need of some advice or next steps in your decision-making process, feel free to reach out to a SCORE mentor at semichigan.score.org or call (800) 634-0425.

First up, Jeff chats with Jonathan Hayman and Cassie Alexe, co-founders of the Michigan Music Business Club. Hayman and Alexe are both are juniors in college at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.

When they noticed a gap in student organizations, they created the Michigan Music Business Club to give members an exclusive, educational experience through hands-on speaking events, social events and internship recruitment events.

During the interview, Hayman and Alexe discuss:

• How and why they created the organization to serve the university’s music business community
• The different types of events Michigan Music Business Club hosts, including some of the biggest names in the music industry virtually and in person throughout its 16-month inception
• The current excitement and disruption of the music industry as it relates to business
• Current trends in music, such as NFTs

For more information, visit the Michigan Music Business Club official website.

Next up, Jeff chats with Erik Nelson, co-owner of FanFlex, a music-tech platform for artists and venues that efficiently and profitably allows for the scheduling and booking of shows, tours and premium fan experiences.

As venues reopen their doors in a post-COVID world, never before has the need been so necessary to maximize a venue’s hours of operation and capacity, and FanFlex’s traction throughout the pandemic is a testament to this need. 

During the interview, Nelson shares:

• How he took his great idea and built it into a business
• How FanFlex works for both independent venues and local, independent artists
• How FanFlex has pivoted its revenue model during the pandemic
• The future of FanFlex

To learn more, visit the FanFlex official website.

Welcome to another edition of StarutpNation Radio! On today's show, Jeff welcomes Tom Berman, president and CEO of Nano Magic.

A merger of two formerly two different companies, today, Nano Magic is a leader in creating and bringing to market cutting-edge nanotechnology powered applications made in the U.S. with special expertise in liquid products to apply to surfaces such as glass, porcelain and ceramic.

During the show, Berman discusses:

• His family's background in the Detroit business scene
• How he pivoted from law to business ownership
• How he reinvented and rebranded the business that is now Nano Magic
• How aspiring entrepreneurs can recognize unique opportunities

Tune in to the full StartupNation Radio show with Tom Berman.

Together, Jeff and Jamie interview four experts on business and football and take questions from callers.

During the show, Jeff and Jamie chat with:

• Herman Moore, an NFL All-Pro, business owner, speaker and philanthropist.
• Jim Brandstatter, an American sports announcer who does the radio play-by-play for the Michigan Wolverines football team.
• John Wangler, a former football quarterback who played for the University of Michigan from 1977 to 1980.
• Lorenzo White, one of the greatest running backs in Michigan State history and the tenth player in the school's history to be inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Today’s featured guests are Renaldo Webb, founder of Pet Plate; Tate Stock, founder of Chirp; and Meredith Jurica, CEO of Makeup Junkie bags. Together, they share their “Shark Tank” experiences and offer up tips to aspiring entrepreneurs for perfecting your pitch in order to secure a deal.

But first, Jeff and Jon kick off the show by announcing their new joint business coaching program, “Business Builders,” which will feature live weekly business coaching sessions, a private Facebook group for members, expert guest speakers and more!

“The goal and the intent is very clean,” Dwoskin said of the “Business Builders” program. “We want to make coaching affordable for everybody. We want to be a resource to help you grow your business.”

“Business Builders” will launch in mid-March 2021, at an investment of $100 per month or $997 for the year.

To sign up to receive updates, please visit jondwoskin.com/business-builders or reach out to Jeff directly at jeff@startupnation.com.

Next up, Jeff and Jon introduce each of today’s guests, starting with Meredith Jurica, CEO of Makeup Junkie Bags, a lay-flat, leak-proof cosmetic bag created using a design that previously didn’t exist in the makeup industry. Jurica shares the deal she made on “Shark Tank” with Lori Greiner ($200,000 for 15% of her company) in early 2019, and what happened after the cameras stopped rolling.

Then, Jeff and Jon bring on Tate Stock, founder of Chirp, a company known for its Chirp Wheel, a device that helps to relieve back pain by stretching the muscles. Stock’s “Shark Tank” appearance aired in late October 2020, in which he struck a $900,000 deal for 2.5% of his company.

Lastly, Jeff and Jon introduce Renaldo Webb, founder of Pet Plate, a company that delivers nutritious dog food in convenient pre-portioned cups. While Webb did not receive a deal when he was on “Shark Tank” in 2016, he reflects on how he turned the obstacles that prevented him from securing a deal into the reasons Pet Plate has been so successful ever since.

Throughout the show, Jurica, Stock and Webb discuss the “Shark Tank” application process, share how aspiring entrepreneurs can increase their chances of getting a deal, and offer a look at the behind-the-scenes process that viewers at home don’t get to see.

First up is Heini Zachariassen, founder and CEO of the world’s most popular wine app, Vivino. With 46 million global users, Vivino is the world's largest wine community and the ultimate destination for discovering and purchasing wines.

During the interview, Zachariassen shares:

• How and why he started Vivino
• How he took a great idea and turned it into a great business
• The power of word-of-mouth
• The importance of teamwork
• The documentary, “Disrupting Wine,” about his entrepreneurial journey

To learn more, visit Vivino’s official website and check out Zachariassen’s YouTube series, “Raw Startup.”

Next, Jeff interviews Jamie Giovinazzo, president and founder of Eat Clean Bro, a healthy and convenient prepared meal delivery service.

After he spent years cooking healthy meals for his friends, and made several attempts at getting his business up and running, Giovinazzo started Eat Clean Bro in 2013. Today, Eat Clean Bro has made $17 million in sales.

During the show, Giovinazzo discusses:

• Why he started Eat Clean Bro out of a “moral obligation”
• The importance of having a positive outlook
• How his company gives back to the community
• Why entrepreneurship works

For more information, visit the Eat Clean Bro official website, and check out Giovinazzo’s articles on StartupNation to learn what he says is the key to success in entrepreneurship, and the importance of being self-reliant as an entrepreneur.

Lastly, Jeff chats with Eric Nalbone, head of marketing at Drum Technologies, a platform that allows businesses to promote offers and customers of those businesses to share those offers in exchange for compensation or a reward.

During the show, Nalbone shares:

• Why Drum waived its platform fees at launch
• The importance of prioritizing customers and community over profit at launch
• Examples of how customers are using the Drum platform
• How Drum utilizes influencer marketing
• What’s next for Drum

For more information, visit the official Drum.io website, or download the app, available for iOs and Android.

Blake is President of Blake’s Family of Companies and the founder of Blake’s Hard Cider, an independent, family-owned Michigan craft cidery located in Armada, Michigan.

When Blake returned to the family business after college, he knew he wanted to create a product that enriched the tradition and authenticity his family business was known for. Blake's Hard Cider was established in 2013 and has since brought in more than $100 million in sales.

During the show, Blake shares:

• The backstory of his family business, Blake Farms, and its evolution
• The importance of creating an experience for customers, not just a transaction
• How he came up with the idea for Blake's Hard Cider, and how he brought it to retail
• How Blake's Hard Cider has grown since its initial launch
• The importance of gathering feedback when launching a product
• How new entrepreneurs can establish partnerships with distributors
• The power of authenticity

Tune in to the full StartupNation Radio show with Andrew Blake!

Joining Jeff today are Armando Ojeda, southeast Michigan chapter chair of SCORE, and today’s expert guest, Angela Mitchell.

Angela is a SCORE mentor and financial services expert, as well as the founder of DNA Financial Services, where she helps small business owners with finances, bookkeeping, taxes and more.

During the show, Jeff, Armando and Angela take call-ins from listeners, covering topics including:

• Where to secure funding for your business when you’re relatively new to the small business community
• How to protect your personal assets when securing funding for your business
• How and when to hire more employees

The SCORE of Southeast Michigan team will be back for more “Ask the Expert” segments in 2021!

If you’re in need of some advice or next steps in your decision-making process, feel free to reach out to a SCORE mentor at semichigan.score.org or call (800) 634-0425.

In addition to weekly StartupNation Radio programming, tune in to News/Talk 760 AM WJR weekday mornings at 7:11 a.m. for the WJR Business Beat. Listeners outside of the Detroit area can listen live HERE.

Do you have a great entrepreneurial success story to share? Tell us your story here and you could be featured on an upcoming episode of StartupNation Radio.

On today's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff is joined by co-host Norm Pappas, president and CEO of Pappas Financial. Together, they interview two accomplished entrepreneurs, Jennifer Kluge and Jana Brownell.

First up is Jennifer Kluge, president and CEO of the National Association for Business Resources (NABR) and president and CEO of MichBusiness,a community for Michigan business owners. Jennifer is also the CEO of Corp! Magazine.

During the interview, Jennifer discusses:

• How her company, MichBusiness, helps small- and medium-sized businesses to grow and flourish
• How Corp! Magazine has grown its presence in Michigan, while also expanding out of state
• How her organizations are helping businesses to pivot during the pandemic (while also making pivots of their own)
• What led her to join the business community
• Her advice and life lessons for entrepreneurs
• Her ongoing goal of helping young entrepreneurs succeed

For more information on Jennifer and her organizations, visit The Best and Brightest. You can also click to learn more about MichBusiness and Corp! Magazine.

Next up, Jeff and Norm chat with Jana Brownell, president and CEO of the Kirlin Company, a 125 year old family business that is a leader in specification grade commercial and healthcare lighting, headquartered in Detroit.

During the interview, Brownell shares:

• How she transitioned to working in her family business after working in the healthcare industry
• Her appreciation of working in the family business with her father
• How Kirlin has successfully differentiated itself from its competitors as an industry leader
• Her leadership experience
• Kirlin's collaborative work environment, and how they've been able to maintain safe interactions during the pandemic

To learn more about the Kirlin Company, visit the official website.

First up, Jeff chats with Kathryn Petralia, co-founder of Kabbage, an online financial technology company that provides funding directly to small businesses. Since its founding in 2009, Kabbage has provided more than $6 billion to SMBs through a fully-automated platform that allows customers to apply in minutes.

During the show, Petralia discusses:

• Her background in entrepreneurship and how she fell in love with being her own boss
• The early days of Kabbage
• The key steps in building Kabbage, from idea to the massive success it is today
• How Kabbage has pivoted during the COVID-19 crisis
• Where Kabbage is headed

For more information on Kabbage, visit the official website.

Next, Jeff introduces Amanda Lewan, co-founder and CEO of Bamboo Detroit, a co-working and shared office space in Detroit. Currently, Bamboo has approximately 200 hundred startup companies in its incubator.

During the segment, Lewan talks about:

• How Bamboo pivoted to a virtual environment at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis
• The behavioral changes related to co-working that will stick post-pandemic
• How work from home will be the new normal
• How the pandemic will impact the future of co-working spaces
• What Bamboo is doing to make its space safe during the pandemic

For more on Bamboo Detroit, check out the official website.

During the interview, Ojeda discusses:

• How interest in entrepreneurship has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic
• The different types of mentors available through SCORE
• Workshops available for entrepreneurs through SCORE
• Success stories that have come out of the local SCORE chapter
• The new diversity initiative SCORE has implemented within its organization

For more information on SCORE of Southeast Michigan and its free resources, visit the official website.

Next up, Jeff chats with Sean Hurwitz, CEO and founder of PIXO VR, an innovative Detroit company that offers extended reality (XR) and virtual reality (VR) solutions for B2B on a global scale.

During the show, Hurwitz shares:

• What PIXO VR does and how the company got its start
• His entrepreneurial background
• The biggest problem PIXO VR is solving today
• The importance of relying on a team to execute your company's vision
• The PIXO VR business model
• The company's new product release, PIXO Apex

For more on PIXO VR, check out the official website.

The focus of today's show is the ability to be an entrepreneur and think entrepreneurially and how these skills can be applied to various careers and fields.

During the show, Ed discusses:

• His role with law firm Dickinson Wright
• Why you must be an entrepreneur to succeed in law
• The three Rs of business development: establishing reputation, respect and relationships

Rick shares:

• What his role leading Davenport University entails
• The entrepreneurial aspects of higher education

Together, the three Pappas brothers talk about:

• How to earn revenue when leading a university
• The key things that Rick is doing to make the business of the university work
• The importance of intrapreneurship within an organization
• How to market yourself as a lawyer
• The power of referrals
• The importance of building expertise within a given vertical
• Learning from failure
• How the trio have learned from each other as brothers
• Working hard versus working smart

On today’s episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff is joined by co-host, Norm Pappas, president and CEO of Pappas Financial. Together, they interview two guests who have both been living and breathing entrepreneurship for years: Bruce Liebowitz and Marci Taran.

First up is Bruce Liebowitz, president of Post Guard, a company that manufacturers a variety of bollard products, including plastic bollard covers, bollard sleeves and more.

During the interview, Bruce shares:

• What is a bollard?
• When he first knew entrepreneurship was for him
• How he pivoted from the healthcare industry to selling bollard covers
• The common elements that apply in business across the board, regardless of industry
• Customer-employee connection
• What drives him
• His expert advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

Next up on the show, Jeff and Norm interview Marci Taran, CEO of Bradley + Company, a certified woman-owned, Michigan-based, promotional marketing company.

During the interview, Marci discusses:

• How Bradley + Company helps its clients share their story while driving engagement
• Her background and how her father mentored her in the family business from a young age
• The work she’s done since taking over as the company CEO in 2014
• The pressure and challenges that come along with taking over a family business
• The importance of continued learning
• What drives her

On today’s episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff is joined by co-host, Norm Pappas, president and CEO of Pappas Financial. Together, they interview two guests: Mark Manzo, a professional business manager, and Dr. Bryan Weinstein, a psychiatrist and entrepreneur.

First up is Mark Manzo, president of Ally Financial. Manzo was appointed to his role in 2018, and is responsible for all of Ally’s insurance operations, including consumer products, as well as commercial property and casualty products for dealers.

During the interview, Manzo discusses:

• His position within a big corporation and how he grew his role with Ally
• How he is deploying entrepreneurial-like tactics within a big business
• The challenges that are similar (and different!) between startups and large corporations
• A day in the life
• How COVID-19 has altered his company’s operations
• Changes in company culture and productivity due to the pandemic
• What he thinks the future of work looks like a year from now

Next, Jeff and Norm interview Dr. Bryan Weinstein, a psychiatrist with a private practice in Livonia.

During the interview, Dr. Weinstein talks about:

• Starting his private medical practice
• His entrepreneurial pursuits outside of his day job
• The psychology behind business
• His lifelong love of learning and aspirations to help others
• How he prioritizes family time while operating his businesses
• The importance of delegation
• How the medical and healthcare fields have been impacted by COVID-19

On today’s episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff is joined by co-host, Norm Pappas, president and CEO of Pappas Financial. To kick off the show, Norm offers insights into his philosophy of viewing business problems as “brush fires” or “forest fires.”

Jeff and Norm interview two local entrepreneurs: Jim Alampi, founder of Alampi and Associates, and David Hellie, president of Digital Image Studios.

First up, Jeff and Norm chat with Jim Alampi, whose business, Alampi and Associates, has assisted CEOs and companies in developing business strategies, improving leadership practices and achieving better business results for more than 20 years.

During the interview, Jim discusses:

• His experience in both public and private companies
• His first business experience versus where he is today
• How and why he started Alampi and Associates
• The types of companies that Alampi and Associates works with, and what services the company provides
• What makes for great execution
• The three things that make for a successful company
• What future growth looks like for Alampi and Associates

Next up, Jeff and Norm interview David Hellie, president of Digital Image Studios, a pioneer in high-end CG imaging and animation started in 1990. Digital Image Studios continues to excel as one of the world’s leading creative services facilities, offering high-quality visual and creative services for film, video broadcast, print and web marketing.

During the interview, David shares:

• How and why he decided to go into business in the creative service space
• The unique services Digital Image Studios provides to its clients
• How entrepreneurs and small businesses can utilize Digital Image Studios’ technology
• How David and his team help companies to hone their marketing message
• What sets Digital Image Studios apart from other creative service companies
• Examples of some of the work his team is doing to help clients reach customers during COVID-19

On today’s episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff is joined by frequent co-host, Norm Pappas, president and CEO of Pappas Financial. Together, they interview Ron Lisch and Paul Deters.

First up, the two chat with Lisch, CEO and owner of Coretek Services, an industry-leading IT professionalservices and consulting firm.

Earlier this week, Coretek received the 2020 Microsoft U.S. Partner Award in advisory services.

During the show, Lisch discusses:

• How he went from three employees to 100
• How he’s built a company culture based on attracting and retaining the right people
• How and when he decided to start his own business (and what aspiring entrepreneurs can learn from how he took this leap)
• How the coronavirus has impacted his business
• Examples of the services Coretek provides that companies can use to enable their remote workforce
• What drives him to go to work every day

Next up, Jeff and Norm interview Paul Deters, owner of his family business, Metro Signs, a full-service custom sign company that he and his father purchased 25 years ago.

During the show, Deters shares:

• How he and his father purchased the business from a broker, and why they chose Metro Signs
• The criteria he and his father established when looking for a business to purchase
• How he succeeded breaking into a business he had no prior experience in
• The importance of a great customer base and excellent customer service
• Some of the local, Detroit brands his company has made signs for
• How Metro Signs differentiates itself from the competition

On today’s episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff is joined by frequent co-host, Norm Pappas, president and CEO of Pappas Financial. Together, they interview John Patry and Mike Kaszubski.

John Patry is the CEO of UiS Corp, a one-stop shop for specialty electrical services.

During the show, John Patry discusses:

• How he bought the business, UiS Corp
• His business background and related skills
• The status of the company when he bought it versus where it is today
• How he’s taken his business from 20-some employees to over 70!
• The healthy stress that comes along with being an entrepreneur

Next up, Jeff and Norm interview Mike Kaszubski, owner of HomeTeam Mobile Diagnostics, a company that offers efficient 24/7 mobile X-ray and Ultrasound services to nursing homes, assisted living facilities and patient homes.

During the show, Mike shares:

• How he started his business in 2013
• How his company partners with hospitals and physicians to bring its services to patients, which would otherwise only be offered in a hospital setting
• How patients can qualify for and take advantage of these services
• How his business has grown since the beginning
• The challenges and surprises he’s encountered as an entrepreneur

During the interview, Mike discusses:

• The types of businesses PCIA works with
• What startups need to think about related to business insurance
• The type of insurance every business out there needs, regardless of industry
• The importance of cyber liability insurance, and what it covers
• How COVID has impacted the insurance industry

Phaedra Wainaina is founder and CEO of the Westbank Company, a full-service consulting and strategic planning organization.

During the interview, Phaedra discusses:

• How the Westbank Company takes small businesses with a social enterprise focus and walks them through the process of starting a business
• Her background in law and how she transitioned to business
• Starting her first business at the age of 14
• The wide range of clients Westbank Company serves
• What social impact investing means, and examples of clients she’s currently working with
• How the COVID pandemic has impacted her business

During the show, Alden talks about:

• What he does in his role at Vistage and what the company provides to its members
• How he helps people work on their businesses (versus in their businesses)
• Examples of how entrepreneurs can work on their businesses
• The three characteristics that Vistage members generally portray
• The process for becoming a member
• His journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurial world

During the show, Rundell shares:

• What “forensic investigation” means
• How and why he chose this line of work
• Who hires Explico and the work they do
• A few of Explico’s most interesting cases
• How industry experts can break into this line of work

To kickstart the show, Jeff and Norm discuss various funding programs available to startups and small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis, including the Paycheck Protection Program.

Arn Tellem, vice chairman at Palace Sports and Entertainment, joins the show to discuss the impact the coronavirus is having on professional sports. He also provides forward-thinking insights into what sports lovers can expect in the future.

During the interview, Tellem discusses:

• How his role working for a professional sports team has changed amid COVID-19
• The most rewarding part of his work
• How he got his start in the sport business
• The importance of having a mentor and the value of community
• What the Detroit Pistons and partners are doing to help the community during this crisis

For more information on the Detroit Pistons' community efforts with Wayne County and its corporate partners, learn more about the $375,000 grant for Forgotten Harvest here.

Next up is Jim Bellinson, local serial entrepreneur best known for his work as chair and co-founder of Brilliant Detroit, which he runs with his wife, Carolyn Bellinson. Jim also owns 11 local restaurants, including Social Kitchen and Bar, MEX, Beau's and Como's.

He discusses the impact on the restaurant industry right here in Michigan, and shares his thoughts on what all of this will likely mean to the industry and to our lifestyles going forward once the storm passes.

Throughout the interview, Bellinson talks about:

• His entrepreneurial journey and what led him to becoming a restaurant operator
• The ways he is managing the crisis with his restaurants
• How failure during this crisis is unlike typical business failure
• What Brilliant Detroit is doing for children and struggling families in Detroit during COVID-19

We’ll be back next Saturday with an all-new edition of StartupNation Radio!