The Business Beat - by Howell Area COC

42: Faith in Action: Building a Church and a Community

In this episode, Janelle and Dianne are joined by Brad Tate, lead pastor of Agape City Church, who shares how faith, innovation, and community trust fueled the church’s rapid growth and impact in Howell, Michigan. From blessing teachers and uniting churches at Balloon Fest to partnering with local organizations, Brad’s story highlights how a clear vision and purpose driven leadership can inspire generosity, challenge perceptions, and build lasting connections across an entire community.   00:00 Brad Tate’s Journey to Ministry 04:15 Agape City Church’s Community Focus 09:43 Funding and Living the Vision 13:39 Why Howell? A Community of Love 18:35 Challenging Misconceptions and Fear 22:24 Blessing the Balloon Fest Grounds   Thank you to the sponsors of this episode: Bob Maxey Ford - https://www.bobmaxeyfordhowell.com/ [https://www.bobmaxeyfordhowell.com/] Pepsi - https://www.pepsi.com/ [https://www.pepsi.com/]   Show Links Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/howellchamber [https://www.facebook.com/howellchamber] Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/howellareachamber/ [https://www.instagram.com/howellareachamber/] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/howell-area-chamber-of-comm/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/howell-area-chamber-of-comm/] Twitter - https://twitter.com/HowellChamber [https://twitter.com/HowellChamber] YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfP1T-4lCgHMu8ZhxtEOTyw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfP1T-4lCgHMu8ZhxtEOTyw] Website- https://howell.org/ [https://howell.org/]   Guest Links Website: https://agapecity.church [https://agapecity.church] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agapecityonline/ [https://www.facebook.com/agapecityonline/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agapecityonline/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/agapecityonline/?hl=en] X: https://x.com/brad242 [https://x.com/brad242] Email: brad@agapecity.church [brad@agapecity.church]

41: Rooted In Community: The Heart Of Junk Removal

In this episode, Janelle and Dianne are joined by Michael Mayernik, co-owner of Mitten Junk Removal, who shares how his business is making a difference in the community. Michael shares how prioritizing people over profit and partnering with local nonprofits have shaped his company’s mission. Together, they explore how entrepreneurship, innovation, and genuine connection can transform both a business and the community it serves.   00:00 Introducing Mitten Junk Removal 04:00 Entrepreneurship and Community Service 07:15 Livingston County’s Entrepreneurial Spirit 09:37 Compassionate Junk Removal and Partnerships 14:00 The Livingston Business Hub’s Impact 19:02 Future Growth: Demo, Resale, and More 23:49 Community Initiatives and Chamber’s Vision   Thank you to the sponsors of this episode: Bank of Ann Arbor - https://www.bankofannarbor.com [https://www.bankofannarbor.com] Wayne Media Group - https://waynemedia.com [https://waynemedia.com/]   Show Links Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/howellchamber [https://www.facebook.com/howellchamber] Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/howellareachamber/ [https://www.instagram.com/howellareachamber/] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/howell-area-chamber-of-comm/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/howell-area-chamber-of-comm/] Twitter - https://twitter.com/HowellChamber [https://twitter.com/HowellChamber] YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfP1T-4lCgHMu8ZhxtEOTyw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfP1T-4lCgHMu8ZhxtEOTyw] Website- https://howell.org/ [https://howell.org/]   Guest Links Website: https://mittenjunkremoval.com/about/ [https://mittenjunkremoval.com/about/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mittenjunkremoval/ [https://www.facebook.com/mittenjunkremoval/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mittenjunkremoval/ [https://www.instagram.com/mittenjunkremoval/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mayernik-67379322/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mayernik-67379322/] Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mitten-junk-removal-howell [https://www.yelp.com/biz/mitten-junk-removal-howell] Next Door: https://nextdoor.com/pages/mitten-junk-removal-howell-mi/ [https://nextdoor.com/pages/mitten-junk-removal-howell-mi/] Email: info@mittenjunkremoval.com [info@mittenjunkremoval.com] Phone: (734) 648-5865

40: Small Business Marketing 101: Networking, Growth, and AI

In this episode, Janelle and Dianne are joined by Desiree Martinez, from The Kast Agency, who breaks down the marketing must haves for small businesses. Hear her tips on how to build a clear, consistent website to identifying your ideal customer and using past results to guide future efforts. Learn why networking groups are more than just business cards, how AI can streamline (but not replace) real human connection, and how Michigan's growing business climate offers fertile ground for entrepreneurs ready to turn purpose into profit.   Thank you to the sponsors of this episode: NorthStar IT - https://northstarit.org/ [https://northstarit.org/] Bob Maxey Ford - https://www.bobmaxeyfordhowell.com/ [https://www.bobmaxeyfordhowell.com/]   Show Links Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/howellchamber [https://www.facebook.com/howellchamber] Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/howellareachamber/ [https://www.instagram.com/howellareachamber/] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/howell-area-chamber-of-comm/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/howell-area-chamber-of-comm/] Twitter - https://twitter.com/HowellChamber [https://twitter.com/HowellChamber] YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfP1T-4lCgHMu8ZhxtEOTyw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfP1T-4lCgHMu8ZhxtEOTyw] Website- https://howell.org/ [https://howell.org/]   Guest Links Website: https://thekastagency.com [https://thekastagency.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsdesireerose [https://www.instagram.com/mrsdesireerose/?hl=en] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrsdesireerose/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrsdesireerose/]

39: The Power of Purpose: Empowering Entrepreneurs At Every Stage

In this episode, Janelle Smith is joined by Kevin Suboski for a conversation about human centered leadership, entrepreneurship, and building meaningful businesses. They explore the power of aligning purpose with practice, the challenges and rewards of supporting solopreneurs, and how the Livingston Business Hub and upcoming Entrepreneurship Academy are transforming community impact through intentional design and values driven action.   Thank you to the sponsors of this episode: Bank of Ann Arbor - https://www.bankofannarbor.com [https://www.bankofannarbor.com/] Brighton Ford - https://www.brightonford.com [https://www.brightonford.com/]    Show Links Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/howellchamber [https://www.facebook.com/howellchamber] Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/howellareachamber/ [https://www.instagram.com/howellareachamber/] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/howell-area-chamber-of-comm/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/howell-area-chamber-of-comm/] Twitter - https://twitter.com/HowellChamber [https://twitter.com/HowellChamber] YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfP1T-4lCgHMu8ZhxtEOTyw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfP1T-4lCgHMu8ZhxtEOTyw] Website- https://howell.org/ [https://howell.org/]   Guest Links Website: https://www.eosworldwide.com/kevin-suboski [https://www.eosworldwide.com/kevin-suboski] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinsuboski/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinsuboski/]

38: Level Up Your Leadership With Vision, Alignment, & Execution

In this episode, Janelle Smith and Dianne Samples are joined by Julia Keider, the Principal Executive Coach for Keider Consulting Group, to explore how aligning personal values with professional goals strengthens leadership, relationships, and community impact. From navigating the transition from teaching to coaching, hear as they share insights in understanding leadership styles and building authentic, purpose driven connections.   Thank you to the sponsors of this episode: Bob Maxey Ford - https://www.bobmaxeyfordhowell.com/ [https://www.bobmaxeyfordhowell.com/] Lake Trust Credit Union - https://laketrust.org [https://laketrust.org/]   Show Links Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/howellchamber [https://www.facebook.com/howellchamber] Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/howellareachamber/ [https://www.instagram.com/howellareachamber/] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/howell-area-chamber-of-comm/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/howell-area-chamber-of-comm/] Twitter - https://twitter.com/HowellChamber [https://twitter.com/HowellChamber] YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfP1T-4lCgHMu8ZhxtEOTyw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfP1T-4lCgHMu8ZhxtEOTyw] Website- https://howell.org/ [https://howell.org/]   Guest Links Website: https://www.keiderconsulting.com [https://www.keiderconsulting.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keiderconsulting [https://www.facebook.com/keiderconsulting] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-keider/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-keider/] Email: juliakeider@keiderconsulting.com [juliakeider@keiderconsulting.com]