Carroll County Chamber Chat

This week's guest is Brooke Nixon, Miss Maryland Volunteer, who will be representing Maryland on the national stage in Jackson, TN this June! Miss Volunteer America is a nationwide scholarship program based in Tennessee that seeks to empower young women across the country through scholarships and community service efforts. Mike and Brooke talk about scholarship and service opportunities that Miss Maryland Volunteer offers and talk about Brooke's preparation for the national competition!

This is Part #1 of an interview with Reggie Smith, owner of RU Coached and author of a new book called Workplace Relationships That Thrive, along with Sylvia Blair, owner of Blair Copywriting and Communications, LLC, and ghostwriter of this essential book on culture and relationships at the office.  Part #2 of this interview will air on June 8th.

This week I'm talking with Andrea Lane, General Manager of Sweetbay Farms, a wonderful local Nursery and Garden Center in Westminster with everything needed to beautify your landscaping and interior greenery!  Coupled with their knowledgeable and friendly employees, this is the place to go in Carroll County.

Our guest this week is Andy Gilliland, Valvoline Instant Oil Change General Manager. We're talking about their new location in Westminster and their Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting on May 16th.

This week Mike is talking with Trish Alejandrez, co-owner of Papa Joe's Mexican Restaurant in Westminster, about their local Westminster restaurant of 19 years. All their Mexican food is made from scratch and it's delicious, so check them out! Happy Cinco de Mayo!

This week I'm talking with JoJo Maguire of JoJo Maguire Design, a new business in Westminster that specializes in offering a full service bridal experience. This is the show for April 27th and they also have a Grand Opening with us set for May 7th.

In honor of Earth Day (April 22, 2025), I'm interviewing two board members from the Carroll County Environmental Council about what they do and about their awards.

This week Mike is talking with Michelle and Mia Alessi, the owners of Starlings Kitchen & Bakery at 172 E. Main Street in Downtown Westminster. They're open 7 days a week and they serve amazing baked goods, as well as a very diverse breakfast and lunch menu.

This week my guest is Garrett Hoover, President and COO of Carroll Hospital and Sr. Vice-President of Lifebridge Health. We're talking about Carroll Hospital's new Emergency Department Renovation Project.

This week I'm talking with United Way Board Member, Celene Steckel, about the United Way of Central Maryland ‘s 100 Year Anniversary Celebration.

This week Mike is talking with Mandy Gilbart, Principal of Carroll Lutheran School, about the excellent education they offer that is formed in faith.

This week I'm talking with Stephanie Powers, Executive Director of Care Healing Center, formerly Rape Crisis Intervention Service of Carroll County.  They are the primary provider of free comprehensive services to survivors of sexual violence in Carroll County since 1978 and now with an expanded mission and new name, they also provide services for human trafficking victims of any age.

My guest is Cody Snyder, Manager of O'Lordan's Irish Pub in Downtown Westminster. We're talking about all the happenings at O'Lordan's as they gear up for St. Patrick's Day on March 17th.

The Carroll Biz Challenge application period is officially open!  I'm chatting with past Grand Prize winners, Steve Moore of Run Moore in Downtown Westminster and Hannah Brookfield of BotaniGal in Downtown Sykesville, about the Biz Challenge and what the experience did for their businesses.

This week my guest is Steve Potorti, the owner of Giulianova Groceria and Italian Deli at 11 East Main Street in Downtown Westminster. Giulianova is the next door neighbor of the Chamber and Mike is beyond excited about their new Chicago Style Italian Beef Sandwich!  As Mike is a Chicago native, this slice of home is so welcome!

This Sunday. I'm with Paul, the owner of Chicken Salad Chick. We're talking about this new Westminster restaurant and all they have to offer!

This week I'm chatting with Sam Havighurst, President of North Carroll Community School, about their philosophy on educating children and their amazing school.

This week I'm talking with Steve Lowe, co-owner of 127 Creative and the Producer of the Chamber's Marquee event, the Carroll Biz Challenge.  We're holding the Biz Challenge Kickoff meeting this Tuesday, February 4th, at 6 PM at Carroll Community College. 

This week my guest is Jaclyne Roberts of R & W Kitchen and Bath in Westminster. We chat about the unique service this long standing local business provides. Owners, Jaclyne and her husband, Daniel, are community-minded people who are very involved in the Chamber's Young Professional Group, Launch Carroll.

My guest is Art Riley of Kiwanis and we are talking about the leadership programs they are offering for 7th and 8th grade students, as well as 9th and 10th graders. This sounds amazing and there is still time to enroll your students.

This week Mike's guest is Megan Plumley, co-owner of Plumley Creative, a design studio in Sykesville that specializes in branding and web development. Megan is also the newest Chamber of Commerce Board member.

Mike's guest today is Sherry Cracium-Bolin, Principal of Brown Plus in Westminster. Sherry fills us in with some of the bigger business tax changes coming in 2025.

Today Mike is talking with Dort Mollett, owner of Antrim 1844 in Taneytown, about their amazing establishment, which is a true jewel and Carroll County destination.

Today Mike is talking with George Wenck, co-owner of Westminster's newest Main Street business, Bargain Hunters Antiques and Collectibles. Located at 10 East Main Street in Downtown Westminster. They are celebrating their Grand Opening and Ribbon cutting on Wednesday, December 18th, at 1PM. This is a great place to pick up some last minute gift items!

Today Mike is chatting with Mark Seaman, General Manager of the TownMall of Westmsinter about the festive happenings going on there, including the visit by Santa!

Today Mike is chatting with Ian Scott of Quest Voyager about the Chamber's amazing European Christmas Markets trip in December of 2025! Pure Magic!

Mike is talking with Brenda Meadows, Executive Director of the Shepherds Staff, about their upcoming Festival of Trees and about their new home.

As the holidays draw near, Mike is chatting with Sweetbay Farms about the events they have planned to bring some Christmas cheer to the local community! Check out their amazing offer on Christmas trees...it's like getting your tree for FREE from Santa!

Today Mike is talking with Dr. Rose Mince, the new President of Carroll Community College, about exciting things happening at the College!

Today Mike's guest is Jason Siddock, Executive Director of the Carroll County Veterans Independence Project. They talk about what the organization does for local veterans and about their upcoming events in celebration of Veterans Day.

Today Mike and Becky showcase upcoming Chamber events and the benefits of joining the Chamber in it's 100th year!

Today Mike is chatting with Ms. Denise Beaver, the Carroll County Economic Development Director, about the Workforce Development program.

Today Mike is chatting with noted economist, Anirban Basu, about some of the topics he'll be covering at the Annual Meeting on October 24th.

Mike is happy to have Jon Weetman back for Part 2 of their interview, and they discuss Jon's involvement with the Chamber Board and the Chamber's Foundation Board, as well as his annual involvement as Emcee of the Carroll Biz Challenge. Jon is the owner of Jonathan C Weetman, the Entrepreneur's Lawyer.

Today Mike is chatting with Chamber Board Member, Jon Weetman, owner of Jonathan C. Weetman, the Entrepreneur's Lawyer. In the first part of a 2 part show, we discuss why entrepreneurs need legal guidance and why Jon became an attorney at the age of 40.

This is Part 2 of the interview with Doug Howard, President of Growth Team Strategies and we're talking in this episode of Doug's 8 Strategies to be an Effective Leader in Turbulent Times.

Today Mike's guest is Doug Howard, business coach, and President of Growth Team Strategies. We're talking about the qualities of a leader and the basic need of all business professionals to have a Coach.

Today Mike is talking with Mike Spence, the Owner of X-Golf of Eldersburg, the new Carroll County entertainment destination located at 1346 Liberty Rd. STE-2 Eldersburg MD 21784. Enjoy simulation golf and augmented darts 7 days a week, along with delicious food and drinks!

Today Mike chats with Coleen Kramer Beal of Velnoskey Wealth Management and Emily Miller of Barnes Bollinger Insurance about the 3rd Annual Carroll County Women's Conference set for Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at McDaniel College.

Today Mike talks about the Chamber's exciting trip to Turkey in April of 2025 and the upcoming September 10th webinar!

Today Mike chats with two iconic Eldersburg business owners about their recent collaboration. Dante Liberatore, owner of Liberatore's Ristorante in Eldersburg, and Mike McKelvin, owner of 1623 Brewing Company in Eldersburg, have married their talents to bring us Craft Culture. Come to 5975 Exchange Dr. Suite H-L in Eldersburg and check out their amazing beers and their outstanding new menu!

Today Mike is chatting with Caitlin Leduc, Senior Director of Development for United Way of Central Maryland. They review what United Way does and how they interact with the local non-profits in Carroll County, as well as their sponsorship of the Carroll Biz CHallenge Changemaker Award on August 15th at the Carroll Arts Center.

Mike's guests are Steve and Kim of 127 Creative. They are the producers of the Carroll Biz Challenge and we're talking about the Final Five for this year's competition!

Today Mike's guest is Brenda Frazier, VP of Development at Carroll Hospital, and they chat about the November 2nd 2024 Auxiliary Ball.

Today Mike is chatting with Wilson Bounds, the owner of two local businesses: Bounds Accounting & Tax Services LLC and Heltebridle Bounds Insurance Agency. We go over all the services his companies provide, as well as the numerous local non-profits he is involved with.

Mike is chatting with Jenny Burd Rogers, the Volunteer Coordinator for the newly forming Civitan Club of Carroll County. She's announcing an open house on July 30th from 4-7pm where guests can learn about joining the club.

Today Mike is chatting with George and Jason, co-owners of Revolution Motor Works in Finksburg, about their services and about their upcoming Car Care Clinic on July 23rd.

Today Mike is chatting with Tiombe Paige, the owner of Cultivated, Westminster's Main Street boutique about what's new in her world of unique gifts and fashion.

Check out the 2nd part of Mike's chat with President of Carroll Community College, Dr. Jim Ball, and hear more about his future plans post retirement.

Part 1 of this show I'm speaking with Dr. Jim Ball, President of Carroll Community College, about his upcoming retirement on July 5th.