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 Tuff Shed. Ricky explains that after 20 years at Best Buy, a store closure prompted him to seek new opportunities, leading him to Tuff Shed. Recognizing Adrian’s customer service skills, he invited ..read more

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 founder. Deborah begins by explaining the essence of Mary Kay, emphasizing its mission to empower women since its inception in the 1960s. She highlights the innovative business model designed to break the ..read more

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, principles she brings from her basketball-playing days into her consulting work. A significant portion of our discussion revolves around the core concepts of DEI. Paige clarifies the often-misunderst ..read more

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-focused trauma treatment within her agency's traditional framework. The pandemic provided an unexpected opportunity for her to launch Embodied Wellness, allowing her to address the rising need for tr ..read more

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 a podcast from the New York Times, Lisa aims to set the record straight. Lisa explains the origins of the NAR lawsuit, initiated by sellers who felt they had overpaid in realtor commissions. She emph ..read more

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 entrepreneurship. As the commercial real estate landscape shifts post-pandemic, Jeff provides a candid look at the market's current state, distinguishing between class A, B, and C buildings, and revealing where the ..read more

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 resonate through the group's performances. Maggie reveals her own love story that blossomed within the choir's ranks, and the conversation takes a thrilling dive into her bucket list adventures, includi ..read more

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 educator to a franchise owner of Tutor Doctor is driven by a desire to stay connected to education while being closer to family in Michigan. Tutor Doctor's appeal lies in its local ownership coupled with a g ..read more

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 Lakes Women's Business Council, which offers loans to businesses unable to secure traditional funding. She details the types of businesses eligible for CEED's programs, emphasizing support for s ..read more

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 impact through her business. She highlights the importance of capturing the bond between pets and their owners, a unique aspect of her photography. Jennifer is open to photographing a variety of ..read more