Small Start, Smart Scale: The Happy Camper Coffee Story

It's Not About Me Anymore: Parenting & Money

Having kids changes a lot of things. Your sleep schedule, your free time, and definitely your budget. In this episode of Bleep the Budget, Meghan sits down with fellow parent, Rebecca Clark, to talk about how becoming a parent completely changes your relationship with money. The things that once felt important suddenly don't, while expenses you never thought twice about become part of everyday life. From daycare and convenience spending to future costs that already have us sweating, we get honest about what raising kids really looks like financially today, and how different it feels from when we were growing up. Because the biggest financial surprise of parenthood isn't always how much kids cost. It's how quickly your priorities change.

Brewing Up Community and Chaos

This week we’re brewing up community & chaos with Scott Newman-Bale, CEO of Short’s Brewing Company and the man known as “The Magician” behind making big ideas actually happen.  We dive into Short’s upcoming move into Traverse City and the exciting plans for Logan’s Landing, what it really takes to keep creativity alive without blowing the budget, and why today’s craft beer landscape is more challenging than many people realize. We also get into building something bigger than beer, creating places people connect with, leaving a positive mark on Northern Michigan, and the balancing act of growing while staying true to who you are. Plus: money talk, risk-taking, behind-the-scenes realities, and plenty more. Listen now!

From Silent Phones to Fully Booked; A Car Detailing Startup Story

What does it really take to start a business from nothing? In this episode, we sit down with a local business owner who launched her car detailing company just a few months ago, and has already experienced the highs and lows that come with building something from the ground up. From days of silent phones and slow starts to suddenly juggling more she than expected, she shares the real, unfiltered journey of getting a business off the ground. We talk about thepower of persistence, figuring out the financial side as you go, and the people and tools that helped turn an idea into something real.

The Business of a Good Time: Behind the Scenes of Profitable Events

What does it really take to pull off a successful festival? In this episode, we sit down with one of the masterminds behind northern Michigan favorites, Flapjack & Flannel and Suds & Snow, to go beyond the beer, wine, and flannel, and into the real story behind the scenes. From early financial risks and unexpected costs to what actually makes these events profitable, we’re breaking down the numbers, the lessons learned, and the moments that almost made him walk away. If you’ve ever thought about starting your own event, side hustle, or business, this one’s packed with real talk you won’t hear anywhere else.

Small Start, Smart Scale: The Happy Camper Coffee Story

A coffee shop in a camper might sound like a fun experiment, but for Happy Camper Coffee Co [https://www.happycampercoffee.co/] it was just the beginning. In this episode, we talk about the unexpected leap from mobile setup to full storefront, how that transition happened so quickly, and the intentional choices that made it work, like keeping prices steady while everything else scaled up. It’s a story about timing, trust, and building something your town shows up for again and again.