FREE BOOK: The Value-Driven Approach To Sell Real Estate: Click here

019 – Paleo Results | Convenience Delivered | J Ballentine | Pure Cravings

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS

Summary

J Ballentine is a mother, wife, entrepreneur, and chef raised by two Italian parents in upstate New York. Food is an important tradition in Italian households, and it laid a strong foundation for founding Pure Cravings. “When we went paleo, I felt tremendously better,” says Ballentine. “I had always struggled with stomach problems my whole life, and no one could ever really figure out what I was allergic to or what I was sensitive to. When we did this, it was a night and day difference.” Her own experience fed into her passion of having a business of creating these types of meals for people.

 

 

 Time-Stamped Show Notes

[00:00] Introduction and background of J. Ballentine of Pure Cravings.

[03:25] Getting started.

[08:47] Paleo diet.

[12:47] The goal of the paleo diet.

[14:07] Children and the paleo diet.

[16:42] The team at Pure Cravings.

[18:09] The Pure Cravings kitchen.

[19:55] The business model.

[24:24] Future delivery options.

[26:50] Food for the whole week.

[29:42] The menu.

[32:42] Menu preparation.

[36:27] Menu requests.

[37:10] Ensuring consistency.

[39:34] Eliminating waste.

[41:18] What she’s learned.

[44:55] Training employees.

[46:02] Podcasts that made a difference.

[48:13] Marketing.

[50:10] Visionary versus Executionary.

[52:00] Hobbies.

[55:00] Parting words.

[57:00] Current delivery locations.

[58:45] Contact information.

Links/Resources/Sponsors Mentioned:

Reviews Help a Ton!

Thanks for joining me again this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

And finally, please leave an honest review for The Tri Town Advice Givers Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

018 – Inspiring Compassion | Anything is Possible | Rachel Delaney | Humane Indiana

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS

Summary

Rachel Delaney believes it is the mission of every person to make a difference. Born to teenage parents who divorced when she was young, Delaney moved around a lot, but she remembers what animals meant to her when she was a child. She began spending all her free time volunteering at the shelter despite going to school to be a nurse and working twelve-hour shifts as a paramedic. Now, the shelter’s CEO Rachel has spent over twelve years bringing the love and compassion of animals to Humane Indiana.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

 [00:00] Introduction and background of Rachel Delaney of Humane Indiana.

[02:04] Getting started.

[09:21] Rebranding the shelter.

[17:40] Rescuing wildlife.

[22:10] Rescuing domestic animals.

[24:06] Humane Indiana Resale.

[27:08] Delaney’s drive.

[39:10] Locking the block for Pets for Life.

[42:44] Adoption guidelines.

[46:26] Designer dogs.

[48:01] The team.

[49:39] How you can get involved.

[50:50] Changes she’d make.

[52:57] Books that made a difference.

[55:51] Hobbies.

[57:18] Parting words.

[58:20] Contact information.

Links/Resources/Sponsors Mentioned:

Reviews Help a Ton!

Thanks for joining me again this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

And finally, please leave an honest review for The Tri Town Advice Givers Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

017 – Escaping Redundancy | Team Building | Jennifer McMullin | Locked In: NWI Escape Room

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS

Summary

Jennifer McMullin and her mother had spent a few years looking for something they could do as their own business that interested them both. When McMullin fell in love with escape rooms after a visit to her brother, they knew they had found their business. They have only been open for about a year, but are already adding a second location to give people the fun experience of using teamwork and sleuthing skills to escape a room.

 

Time-Stamped Show Notes

[00:00] Introduction and background of Jennifer McMullin of Locked In NWI Escape Room.

[01:29] Starting Locked In.

[02:31] The space.

[04:05] Room concepts.

[04:39] Discovering escape rooms.

[05:58] The business model.

[06:52] Escaping the rooms.

[11:26] Types of room puzzles.

[12:17] Target audience.

[13:51] Team building for businesses.

[16:17] Repeat customers.

[17:50] Their second location.

[19:11] You’re on your own.

[20:50] Changes she’d make.

[22:08] How to schedule an escape room.

[23:06] Industry teamwork.

[25:48] Her hobbies.

[26:45] Parting words.

[28:05] Contact information.

Links/Resources/Sponsors Mentioned:

Reviews Help a Ton!

Thanks for joining me again this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

And finally, please leave an honest review for The Tri Town Advice Givers Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

016 – Raising Expectations | A Better Way | Jennifer Cosenza | Level Rite Concrete

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS

Summary

Jennifer Cosenza does marketing and sales for Level Rite Concrete, which she owns with her husband Joe in Munster. They started their business from scratch after a disappointing experience with getting their own driveway mudjacked, and now they’re all about quality, customer service, and high standards of excellence for leveling uneven concrete.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

[00:00] Introduction and background of Jennifer Cosenza of Level Rite Concrete.

[01:33] Starting Level Rite Concrete.

[06:19] The foam.

[08:24] Foam vs. mudjacking.

[10:04] Life expectancy of the foam.

[11:30] Preventing water erosion.

[13:17] Sealing concrete.

[16:45] The team.

[17:54] No regrets.

[18:29] Past experiences.

[20:54] A favorite book.

[22:21] Hobbies.

[23:55] Parting words.

[25:34] Contact information

Links/Resources/Sponsors Mentioned:

Reviews Help a Ton!

Thanks for joining me again this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

And finally, please leave an honest review for The Tri Town Advice Givers Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

015 – A Catered Affair | Cooking with Passion | Katie Sannito | The Gourmet Goddess

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS

Summary

Katie Sannito developed her passion for food from a young age, learning to cook the things that her great-grandfather, a chef, made in his restaurant. To her Italian family, food is everything. She enjoys meeting new people, and has now married her passion of sharing good food experiences with the people she meets to her business background to create The Gourmet Goddess.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

[00:00] Introduction and background of Katie Sannito, The Gourmet Goddess.

[01:32] Starting The Gourmet Goddess.

[06:03] Her services.

[08:30] Her team.

[08:53] Prep and cleanup.

[09:42] Her busy season.

[12:04] The business side of The Gourmet Goddess.

[13:53] Culinary school.

[15:18] Her original post-school plans.

[17:52] The time commitment.

[19:16] Her target audience.

[21:02] Social media.

[23:06] Biscotti retail locations.

[23:38] Advice to her younger self.

[24:55] Learning from books, events, and fellow entrepreneurs.

[27:17] Found and Shared.

[28:24] Hobbies.

[29:04] Parting words.

[30:04] Contact information.

Links/Resources/Sponsors Mentioned:

Reviews Help a Ton!

Thanks for joining me again this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

And finally, please leave an honest review for The Tri Town Advice Givers Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

014 – Earning While Learning | Embracing Digital | Jim Slavo | National Marketing Group

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS

Summary

By the time Jim Slavo was a sophomore in high school, his family had moved so often that he’d gone to nine different schools. The result was that he became skilled at communicating and making friends. Just after turning sixteen, Slavo learned that he was going to be a father and knew he had to earn money to care for his child. He turned a job selling newspaper subscriptions into a full-fledged marketing business, which today is National Marketing Group.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

[00:00] Introduction and background of Jim Slavo of National Marketing Group.

[02:14] Starting National Marketing Group.

[07:15] Earning While Learning.

[10:10] The evolution of National Marketing Group.

[13:38] National Marketing Group’s current status.

[24:42] Current clients.

[26:47] Their relationship with their clients.

[28:22] Their current setup.

[29:25] Tracking conversions.

[37:12] Advice to his younger self.

[40:45] Personality mixes that form successes businesses.

[42:20] Hobbies.

[43:45] Parting words.

[49:33] Contact information.

Links/Resources/Sponsors Mentioned:

Reviews Help a Ton!

Thanks for joining me again this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

And finally, please leave an honest review for The Tri Town Advice Givers Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

013 – Quick to Pivot | Local Needs | Nick Andrea Sanchez | Midwest Prints

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS

Summary

Shortly after getting married, Nick and Andrea Sanchez decided that they needed a business that would allow Andrea to stay home with their future children. They began with an athletic apparel line, but pivoted to become Midwest Prints after noticing that everybody needs t-shirts. Now Midwest Prints has orders lined up months in advance.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

[00:00] Introduction and background of Nick and Andrea Sanchez of Midwest Prints.

[01:32] Getting Started.

[04:36] Sourcing.

[05:13] The learning curve.

[08:35] Midwest Prints.

[11:10] Marketing and customer service.

[15:09] Purchasing and inventory as a small business.

[17:45] Ink options.

[19:37] Advice to his younger self.

[23:03] Target market.

[24:53] Aha Moments.

[27:36] Creativity evolution.

[31:15] Hobbies.

[33:55] Parting advice.

[36:45] Contact information.

Links/Resources/Sponsors Mentioned:

Reviews Help a Ton!

Thanks for joining me again this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

And finally, please leave an honest review for The Tri Town Advice Givers Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

012 – Farm to Cup Coffee | Community Connector | Elizabeth Steel & Annette McKeown | Smalltown Coffee

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS

Summary

It took Elizabeth Steel about six months to convince Annette Mckeown to go into business together and they co-found Smalltown Coffee. As Steel always says, “I can do anything I want,” and she eventually said it enough times to convince Mckeown.

The two women were living in separate states at the time, so they decided to move together to Highland, where they had a community and the support of friends and other businesses. “It’s always been about coffee and people,” says Mckeown.

“We both love coffee, but ultimately it’s about connecting with people and coffee is such a great connector,” Steel says.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

[01:04] Introduction and background of Annette McKeown and Elizabeth Steel of Smalltown Coffee.

[04:00] Starting Smalltown Coffee.

[06:35[ A better cup of coffee.

[07:10] Their sources and importers.

[10:55] The journey of a coffee bean.

[17:15] The roasting process.

[18:47] Whole beans versus ground beans.

[20:12] Size matters.

[22:30] The flavor learning curve.

[25:13] Consistency.

[29:34] Their demographic.

[33:36] Assistance from past experiences.

[34:08] Pitfalls along the way.

[38:34] Their vision for the cafe.

[42:36] Learning from a good book.

[44:30] Their hobbies.

[46:30] The takeaway.

[48:12] Contact information.

Links/Resources/Sponsors Mentioned:

Reviews Help a Ton!

Thanks for joining me again this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

And finally, please leave an honest review for The Tri Town Advice Givers Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

011 – Healthy Choices | Grab and Go Meals | Kate Rather | Green is Good by Kate

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS

Summary

Chef Kate only opened Green is Good by Kate about four months ago, but she’s been working in restaurants since she was sixteen years old. More recently, she’s catered events, sold food items each week at a local health foods store, and sold in farmer’s markets in Crown Point. It’s been a slow transition to opening her own restaurant, but she was willing to put in the work.

The spark of interest in opening her own restaurant came from going to culinary school in upstate New York at the Culinary Institute of America, where she had access to many amazing food options. “Being a vegetarian in the Midwest, you’re very limited,” says Chef Kate. “Coming back (to Crown Point), I missed all the stuff from New York, and I really thought that this area was missing out. So I wanted to bring something to the people and help them be more aware of what they’re eating.”

Time-Stamped Show Notes

 [00:00] Introduction and background of Kate Rather, creator of Green is Good by Kate.

[01:17] Starting Green is Good by Kate.

[03:35] Reception.

[04:35] About the restaurant.

[06:12] Executing her vision.

[07:24] Process of getting the space ready.

[07:56] Running the business.

[08:54] Choosing a culinary school.

[10:10] Hospitality management.

[11:10] Organic influences.

[12:37] Maintaining the quality of packaged goods.

[14:17] The menu.

[15:35] Local providers and ingredients from scratch.

[18:30] Her target customer.

[20:17] What she’d do differently.

[23:57] Continuing education.

[26:40] Hobbies.

[27:50] Contact information.

Links/Resources/Sponsors Mentioned:

Reviews Help a Ton!

Thanks for joining me again this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

And finally, please leave an honest review for The Tri Town Advice Givers Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

010 – Region Proud | Creative Outlet | Kevin Tempelman | Region Wear

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Stitcher | RSS

Summary

 Indiana native and architect Kevin Tempelman started Region Wear in 2015 to showcase regional pride in the area. Now he has a growing business, a social media presence, and ideas to test out new products.

 Time-Stamped Show Notes

 [00:00] Introduction and background of Kevin Tempelman, creator of Region Wear.

[03:45] Lifestyle brand.

[05:15] Creativity and architecture.

[06:32] Dividing his time.

[07:24] Where he’s selling.

[09:00] What he’s learned.

[10:35] Printing collaborations.

[11:22] Inventory stocking.

[12:29] Learning from podcasts.

[13:40] His designs.

[15:00] Hobbies.

[15:55] Regional identity rising to the surface.

[17:00] Mindset shift.

[18:05] Contact information.

Links/Resources/Sponsors Mentioned:

Reviews Help a Ton!

Thanks for joining me again this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

And finally, please leave an honest review for The Tri Town Advice Givers Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.