Local Leadership, Work Ethic & Responsibility with Thad Lichtensteiger

Lessons From A 4th Generation Family Business with Mike Bendele

What does it take to build a business that lasts for generations? In this episode of The Creative Niche, we sit down with Mike Bendele of Ottoville Hardware & Furniture to hear the lessons learned from a fourth-generation family business with more than 90 years of history. Mike shares how his grandfather’s small hardware store grew into a lasting family legacy, why he chose to join the business alongside his brothers, and what he’s learned through decades of serving customers and working with family. From navigating challenges and making tough decisions to training the next generation, Mike reflects on the values that have carried the business forward: hard work, humility, adaptability, and taking care of people. We also discuss the long relationship between the Bendele family and Window Creations, the importance of learning through example, and the unforgettable story of how the community showed up when disaster struck. It’s a conversation about family, leadership, and the everyday choices that build something worth passing down.

More Than a Sale | Building Trust, Community, and Business with Adam Anspach

What happens when you build a business around relationships instead of transactions? In this episode of The Creative Niche, we sit down with Adam Anspach, co-owner of Advanced Insurance Group, to talk about entrepreneurship, family business, and the role trust plays in long-term success. Adam shares the story of leaving a corporate career, acquiring multiple insurance agencies in just a few years, and building a growing company alongside his brother. Along the way, we discuss what it takes to navigate growth, preserve culture, and lead a team through change. At the heart of the conversation is a simple philosophy: business isn’t just about making a sale. It’s about earning trust, serving people well, and building relationships that last. We also explore faith, work ethic, community involvement, investing in small towns, and the responsibility business owners have to give back to the places they call home. It’s a conversation about leadership, relationships, and why the most meaningful success is often measured by people, not numbers.

The Business of Relationships: Lessons in Trust, Growth, and Community with Tim Copsey

What does it really take to grow a business, build relationships, and create long-term impact in your community? In this episode of The Creative Niche, we sit down with Tim Copsey of Paulding County Economic Development to talk about the intersection of business, relationships, and local growth. From his early days in manufacturing at Paragon Tempered Glass to his role in economic development today, Tim shares what he’s learned about trust, networking, and helping others succeed. At the heart of the conversation is a simple but powerful idea: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know… or who you’re willing to ask or talk to.” We explore how relationships drive opportunity, why honesty matters in business, and how investing in people creates momentum that extends far beyond a single transaction. 00:11 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXIttC_3XDE&t=11s] Introduction: Tim Copsey00:26 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXIttC_3XDE&t=26s] Early Business Relationship & Company Growth02:10 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXIttC_3XDE&t=130s] Sales vs Networking – What Drives Success04:42 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXIttC_3XDE&t=282s] Transitioning into Sales & Leadership18:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXIttC_3XDE&t=1110s] Paulding County Economic Development Explained26:07 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXIttC_3XDE&t=1567s] Property Taxes & Business Impact Discussion29:10 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXIttC_3XDE&t=1750s] Columbaria Projects in Paulding County30:04 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXIttC_3XDE&t=1804s] Growth of Cremation & Cemetery Industry Trends36:42 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXIttC_3XDE&t=2202s] Sales Advice: Listen More Than You Talk45:50 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXIttC_3XDE&t=2750s] Future Growth of Paulding County

The Meaning of Lent and the Stations of the Cross with Fr. Ned Brown

What is the meaning of Lent, and why do Christians pray the Stations of the Cross?In this episode of The Creative Niche, Father Ned Brown shares how the Stations of the Cross help believers walk with Christ through the events leading to the crucifixion. During the season of Lent, Christians reflect on Christ’s journey to the Cross and prepare their hearts for the celebration of Easter.Later in the conversation, Father Ned explains how these prayers invite believers to accompany Christ through suffering while remembering that the story ultimately leads to the hope of the Resurrection.Along the way, we also talk about life and faith in western Ohio’s “Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches,” the role parish communities play in small towns, and how sacred spaces and church traditions continue to shape generations of families — including the creation of a Stations of the Cross prayer garden in Fort Recovery, designed to give parishioners a place to reflect and pray.It’s a warm and thoughtful conversation about Lent, faith, community, and walking with Christ on the journey toward Easter.

Local Leadership, Work Ethic & Responsibility with Thad Lichtensteiger

In this episode of The Creative Niche Podcast, we sit down with Thad Lichtensteiger for a candid conversation about what it really looks like to lead at the local level. From courthouse restoration to property taxes, downtown momentum to farming roots, this discussion moves through the realities of small-town leadership and the steady work that keeps a community moving forward. Thad shares how work ethic, responsibility, and long-term thinking shape the decisions that affect everyday life. If you’ve ever wondered how towns function, how leaders balance growth with restraint, or why hard work still matters in public service, this conversation offers a thoughtful look inside. 🎙️ The Creative Niche Podcast explores faith, leadership, creativity, and the real work behind building things that last. 0:00 – Welcome to The Creative Niche with Van Wert County Commissioner Thad Lichtensteiger 2:15 – How Ohio County Commissioners Actually Work 6:30 – Revitalizing Downtown Van Wert: What Worked and Why 11:40 – How Community Foundations Fund Small-Town Comebacks 16:50 – The Lincoln Highway, Historic Hotels, and Van Wert’s Early Boom 22:30 – Land Banks Explained: Eliminating Blight and Rebuilding Communities 29:10 – How Towns Win or Lose New Businesses 35:40 – Why Property Taxes and Home Values Spiked So Fast 42:50 – Can Property Taxes Be Eliminated? The Real Impact on Local Services 50:10 – Government Spending, Inflation, and Stabilizing Local Economies 58:40 – Restoring the Van Wert County Courthouse and Historic Stained Glass 1:09:30 – Craftsmanship, Legacy, and Preserving 100-Year-Old Architecture 1:18:45 – Work Ethic, Farming Roots, and Raising the Next Generation