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

Hosted by Michael W. Rogers

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100

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Oct 2026

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About the show

"The Small Business Association of Michigan's Entrepreneurial Insights" every week presents a dynamic audio interview from a top-notch expert on entrepreneurial success. Hear great tips and advice on how to be a more effective small business owner. The program is hosted and produced by the Small Business Association of Michigan's Vice President Communications Michael Rogers

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October 27, 2026Episode 55114 min

Avoid long-term surprises by properly managing your short-term assets now

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Thomas Cook, CEO/Founder TCC Facilities Asset Management Consulting in Troy. He is an Elite Member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. His firm assists building owners and lessees in maximizing the value of their property assets. Cook emphasizes that the most prevalent error that businesses commit is short-term thinking, which ultimately leads to neglected upkeep and exponentially higher emergency expenses later on. "When things start to fail, now you're looking at huge expenses and now you've got real decisions that you have to make," he says. "Think how much do I have to spend over the next let's say five years, 10 years, every year. That will then maintain these different assets, these different systems over a period of time so that you don't get any surprises with breakdowns and failures." The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com )

October 20, 2026Episode 55015 min

Helping people interact with art and incorporate it into their lifestyle

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with artist and sculptor Tiffany Luke, owner of LaFille Gallery in Lansing and an SBAM VIP member. Her facility serves as an art gallery, boutique, studio, and event center across three public floors. Luke is now working on building a luxury lifestyle brand. "We are developing a boutique line of wearable art that allows people to incorporate an artistic identity into their everyday lives," she says. "For me, this is a natural extension of my artwork, which emphasizes texture, dimension, and detail. I want people to get close to the art and interact with it. True luxury comes from intention—the original design, materials, finishing, and overall sensory experience." The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com )

October 9, 2026Episode 54912 min

Veteran-owned small business pioneers a fully autonomous Michigan pickle ball facility

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with SBAM VIP member Bob Lorincz, co-founder and CEO of Pickleball 365 in Fair Haven. Pickle Ball 365, a veteran-owned small business, is Michigan's inaugural fully autonomous indoor pickle ball venue, operating entirely through a smartphone application for court reservations and facility entry without traditional staff members. "I'm very proud of my time in the Marine Corps," Lorincz says. "It taught me discipline, accountability, leadership and how to keep moving forward when things get difficult. It also drives our community work—for instance, this November is our second annual Salute and Smash Military Tournament. Last year we partnered with the Michigan Veterans Home at Chesterfield Township (a 501(c)(3) organization) and donated $2,000 to support veterans." The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com )

October 6, 2026Episode 54810 min

What small business owners need to know about natural gas safety and natural gas costs

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks about natural gas safety and natural gas pricing with Jonathan Wilson, regional manager with DTE Energy. "Natural gas safety starts with awareness," Wilson says. "You need to notice signs of a leak, leave the area immediately if you suspect one and call 911 and then DTE from a safe location. We'll respond 24/7 and it's always free." Wilson also reminds small business owners that Gas Choice allows customers to choose an alternative supplier for the natural gas commodity portion of the bill. "We always encourage our business customers to check the natural gas supplier section of their bill, see whether they're participating in Gas Choice and identify who supplies your natural gas. It's always a good idea, especially before the winter comes, to review the information and understand the arrangement between your business and your supplier." The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com )

September 28, 2026Episode 54713 min

Affordable, sustainable health benefit solutions for small businesses

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Ime Ekpenyong, PhD, owner of SGRX Health and a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. SGRX is a Michigan-based healthcare organization that's been providing a combination of pharmacy benefit management services and third-party administration (TPA) services to private and public sector payers since 2001. On the pharmacy benefit front, they work with employer groups to help manage employee benefits from a prescription management standpoint. They also recently launched a prescription savings program called SGRX Saves, tailored for both the uninsured and underinsured who face high copays or deductibles, and partnered with major chains including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and Kroger. The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com )

September 2, 2026Episode 54617 min

Don't just react to legislation – learn how to be proactive and shape bills

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Kristen Zalac and Jared Rodriquez, partners in Waypoint Policy, a company that provides Michigan business owners with curated legislative intelligence. Their platform aims to bridge the gap between complex legal language and practical business impact by offering real-time bill tracking and concise summaries. "If you're not at the table, you're likely on the menu and that holds true at all levels of government," Rodriquez says. "Ultimately, one bill can change licensing rules, tax treatment, insurance requirements, labor rules overnight. Waiting until it's law or the rule has been put out by a department, for example, means that you're reacting instead of trying to shape it yourself. And then you have to worry about compliance. So if you're in the know, if you are tracking and have the tools of how it's going to impact you and why you need to pay attention, it allows you to plan, be proactive and reactive when appropriate." The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com )

August 28, 2026Episode 54510 min

Young talent leading the way in building Michigan's drone and robotics industry

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Dakoyta Greenman, Founder/CEO of Westwood AI, a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. His firm specializes in autonomous drone systems and data automation, including the "Ranger Engine," a versatile core technology used for diverse applications ranging from commercial roof inspections to military runway analysis. "The last three years, I have primarily hired high school and young college kids to build this business," he says. "I was absolutely floored when I started digging into it and I saw the expertise that we had here in West Michigan in particular at junior, senior level, even in high school, let alone some at the collegiate level. You have young men and women that are coming out of high school, 18 years old with 10 years of real world robotic experience." The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com )

August 26, 2026Episode 54412 min

How to get your business strategy, people and processes moving in the same direction

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Scott Hiipakka, President of AxisPoint Advisors, VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan and former Army general. His company helps organizations navigate critical growth and transition phases. He says that businesses often reach a plateau where their existing methods are insufficient for future success, requiring a realignment of strategy, people, and processes. "Leadership can be hard," Hiipakka says. "But when we look at what is the crux of leadership, the military defines leadership as providing purpose, motivation, and direction. And what does that represent? It represents clarity." The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com )

August 25, 2026Episode 54313 min

Small business cyber safety in a cyber-dangerous world

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, CEO of SensCy, a 2026 Michigan 50 Company to Watch. SensCy was created in 2022. Its mission is to help people be safer in the cyber-world with a particular focus on small and medium-sized organizations. "Almost every organization is going to get attacked and the implications of a successful attack can literally put somebody out of business or seriously threaten their business, threaten their reputation, cost them financial resources," Snyder says. "The only time cyber security will be an organization's top priority is the day they're hacked and then it will consume their life. Short of that, I don't expect nor would I want them to make it their top priority, but they need to make it a priority." The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com )

August 18, 2026Episode 54210 min

Solving the people-side of business communications and leadership

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Shelley Davis Boyd, Founder, President and CEO of Essdee & Co., a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. She says her firm helps organizations solve the people-side of business communication breakdowns: accountability, leadership gaps and the human dynamics and behavior that impact the culture in the organization. "I really believe that leadership is about removing barriers so people can become the best version of themselves and engage within the organization," she says. "If you want your organization to reach its full potential to hit your goals and you're lucky enough to have folks that work with you, making sure that they are choosing to follow you and that you are creating conditions where they can excel will ultimately help you create conditions where your organization can excel." The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com )