Brand in the Making by ThinkTank Thought Leadership

Tricia Mulder on Collaboration and Strengthening Michigan’s Nonprofits

Founder Tricia Mulder of River City Grant Writing joins Brand in the Making to share how she helps nonprofits turn passion into sustainable impact. She explains why structure, collaboration, and humility matter as much as heart — and how staying true to mission can make Michigan a home for everyone. Chapters: (00:00) Welcome + Meet Tricia Mulder of River City Grant Writing  (02:10) From Finance to Nonprofits — Finding Purpose in Community  (06:30) Starting River City Grant Writing After Career Change  (10:45) Making Michigan a Home for Everyone  (15:00) Mission-Driven Decision-Making for Clients  (18:40) Nonprofits Built on Passion but Missing Structure  (22:10) Common Startup Mistakes in Nonprofit Leadership  (26:30) Collaboration vs. Competition in the Nonprofit Space  (31:50) Real-World Stories of Partnership and Impact  (37:20) Becoming “Grant Ready” and Building Trust with Funders  (43:00) Why Ego Checks and Team Trust Matter  (47:15) Advice for Nonprofit Founders and Leaders  (49:00) Closing — Work Together, Not Against Each Other 🎧 A must-listen for nonprofit leaders and anyone building purpose-driven organizations.

Building Experiences and Writing Stories with Carla Flanders and Lauren Koetje

Carla Flanders, founder of CMF Marketing and Events, shares her journey of entrepreneurship in West Michigan, from creating large-scale community events to launching her own children’s book. Carla talks about balancing visionary thinking with execution, the importance of trying new things, and the inspiration behind On the Day You Graduate. Plus, hear about her exciting upcoming project—Girlfriend’s Getaway. Chapters: (00:00) Introduction and Summer Life (02:31) Journey to CMF Marketing and Events (09:22) Life and Career in West Michigan (16:50) Balancing Vision and Execution in Business (22:43) Staying Grounded and Personal Rhythms (28:05) Creative Inspiration from Travel (32:48) Writing and Launching On the Day You Graduate (41:36) Advice for Taking the Next Big Step (48:10) Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

Building Community-Driven AgTech with Greg Austic, Dan TerAvest, and Zach Ramirez

Greg Austic and Dan TerAvest, co-founders of Our-Sci, share how they’re transforming agricultural research and technology by empowering communities instead of imposing top-down solutions. From handheld tools that measure food nutrition to software platforms that let farmers control their data, this episode explores regenerative agriculture, farmer-driven innovation, and the future of agtech that puts power back into the hands of those working the land. Chapters: (00:00) Welcome & Introduction to Our-Sci (04:20) Mission-Driven Research and Community Empowerment (10:15) The Rise and Plateau of Organic Farming (16:40) From Lab Tools to Platforms for Farmers (22:30) Soil Health, Crop Nutrition, and Big Data (28:50) Challenges and Opportunities in AgTech (34:20) Farmer Cooperatives and Future of DIY Technology (40:15) Where to Learn More About Our-Sci

Leadership Lessons from the Asphalt Business with Anthony Bison and Lauren Koetje

Anthony Bison, leadership and influence coach and owner of Anony's Asphalt, shares his journey of starting a business from less than $1,000, surviving early challenges, and growing into a leader who inspires others. From managing teams in the heat of asphalt work to building a lasting legacy of mentorship, Anthony reveals hard-won lessons on leadership, faith, and scaling a business beyond just "owning a job." Chapters: (00:00) Welcome & Anthony’s Background (04:20) Leadership Lessons from the Job Site (10:15) Early Challenges in Business (16:40) Self-Leadership and Character Growth (22:30) Scaling a Business Beyond Survival Mode (28:50) Leaving a Legacy and Mentoring Future Leaders

Making Auto Repairs Smarter with Owen VanEck and Jonathan Tasman

Owen VanEck, CEO of ADAS Find, shares how his family’s long history in auto repair led him to create a platform that simplifies calibrations for modern vehicles. From estimator to ADAS technician to software founder, Owen reveals how he turned real industry frustrations into a fast-growing tech solution and what’s next for innovation in diagnostics. Chapters: (00:00) Welcome & Owen’s Background in Auto Repair (03:20) From Estimator to ADAS Technician (08:15) The Industry Problem That Sparked ADAS Find (13:40) Building Software to Bridge Repair and Insurance Gaps (18:55) Leadership Lessons from Early Challenges (23:10) Future Innovations in Vehicle Diagnostics (28:25) Family Roots in the Auto Industry (32:15) Hobbies, Burgers, and Life Outside Work (35:40) Where to Find Owen and ADAS Find