Fortify Your Finances

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Join Elyce Billany; a bank and finance marketer with a side hustle small business that was featured on ABC's Shark Tank; talk to "The Best of the Midwest" entrepreneurs, innovators and finance experts. Each episode you'll hear interviews with business own

Elyce Billany


    • Nov 4, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 59m AVG DURATION
    • 25 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Fortify Your Finances

    Colin and Paula Woods - Diamond Builders - Big Vision Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2024 71:24


    In this edition of Big Vision, we will be chatting with Colin and Paula Woods, owners of Diamond Builders. Building a business is like building a house, it takes hard work, persistence, and a positivity that can withstand the challenges. Join us as we learn how Colin and Paula's vision has stood the test of time.

    Dave & DJ Necker - Neckers Jewelers - Big Vision Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 72:02


    In this episode of Big Vision, we will be chatting with Dave and DJ Necker, owners of Neckers Jewelers. How much fun can you have while designing a gem of a business? Well, the Necker brothers are about to fill us in. Join us as we learn the rough and the smooth of carving out a dazzling vision.  

    Andrea Belk Olson - Pragmadik - Big Vision Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2024 77:19


    In this edition of Big Vision we will be chatting with Andrea Belk-Olson, owner of Pragmadik. Managing 10 business units across 12 countries garnered Andrea the opportunity to study customer behavior across varying cultures. Now let's find out how she used her vision to become not a consultant, but a Change Expert. 

    Scott Ocel: Domino's - Big Vision Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2024 65:00


    In this edition of Big Vision we will be chatting with Scott Ocel, franchise owner of Domino's. Scott started out slinging pizzas and now owns several Domino's franchises. His journey is one of grit, determination, and dough. Now let's find out how Scott put all the right toppings on his vision. 

    The One Minute "Oh Sh$%" Moment

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2024 1:06


    Listen to Lee Garlach explain his first taste of entrepreneurship. Hear him describe that "Oh Sh$%" moment that so many entrepreneurs experience when they dive in! 

    Laquanda Hoskins & Letisha Randle - PRH Group - Big Vision Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2023 64:02


    In this edition of Big Vision we will be chatting with Tish Randle and Laquanda Hoskins of PRH Group. A business partnership built on friendship might sound like stormy weather, but this electrical construction company make it look like blue skies. Now let's find out how they rebuild our communities one storm restoration project at a time. 

    Jake Gervase - NFL, Stay Tiny TX, & Rally for Reid - Big Vision Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2023 54:11


    In this edition of Big Vision we will be chatting with Jake Gervase of Stay Tiny Texas. Jake's NFL career may have led him to the Superbowl and his brother Sam may have led him into a real estate adventure, but a sweet little boy named Reed led him into a rally.  With a family business, a football team, and a philanthropic goal on his plate he has a lot to share about the ups and downs along the way. Now let's find out how Jake, Sam and Hailey have created a big vision out of tiny homes. 

    Lisa Wertzbaugher - Wertzbaugher Consulting & Services - Big Vision Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2023 64:57


    In this edition of Big Vision  we will be chatting with Lisa Wertzbaugher of Wertzbaugher Consulting and Wertzbaugher Services. Juggling a successful consulting business of over 15 years and a welding and fabrication business with her husband, all while raising a young family is not for the faint of heart, but Lisa handles it like a professional. Now let's find out how she melts it all together to create a truly special vision. 

    Kristel Whitty-Ersan - Happy Joes - Big Vision Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 68:20


    We will be chatting with Kristel Whitty-Ersan of Happy Joes. The franchise of Happy Joes Pizza and Ice Cream Parlor comes with a unique family history that ends up creating a history making business. Now let's find out how Joe became Happy and how Kristel works to keep that memory alive with every slice.

    Calisse McPherson - J+M Civil Design

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2023 55:53


    In this episode of Vision in Review we will be chatting with Calisse McPherson of J+M Civil Design and RTM Engineering Consultants. Calisse and her business partner started a Civil Design firm to fill a need in the industry and ended up in a direction they didn't expect. Now let's find out how they engineered their way into a merger. 

    Fortify Your Finances Sample Clips

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2022 2:02


    Get a sneak peak of what our podcast is all about! Hear a sampling of our podcast interviews and the stories they entail. 

    Troy and Jamie Lewis - Success in Review - Heritage Landscape Design

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2022 75:21


    In this episode we will be chatting with Troy and Jamie Lewis, owners of Heritage Landscape Design. Troy and Jamie started their company so that they could provide the best service possible to their customers and now they are known for their above and beyond experience. Now let's find out how Troy and Jamie dig up opportunities and build a good reputation. 

    Mike Gudat & Brad Stegall - Success in Review - Acceleration Ventures

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2022 72:42


    In this episode we will be chatting with Mike Gudat and Brad Stegall, owners of Acceleration Ventures. Mike and Brad partnered up so that they could expand their real estate footprint. They not only increased their portfolio, but together are making a difference in the lives of other real estate investors and those hoping to be. Now let's find out how Mike and Brad invest in their future. 

    Matt Solis - Success in Review - Smith Filter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2022 67:38


    In this edition of Success in Review we will be chatting with Matt Solis of Smith Filter. Matt came onboard at Smith Filter as the 5th generation. He not only brought new ideas to support growth, but designed and implemented a game changing product. Now let's find out how Matt filters out challenges and seizes opportunities.  

    Pierce Lohman - Success in Review - Lohman Earthworks

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2022 58:19


    Kyle Kuehl - Success in Review - FSBO Homes & Code Ninjas

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2022 63:32


    Dr. Chris Larsen - Success in Review - Larsen Dental & Old Oaks Winery

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2022 43:10


    Dr. Larsen started his practice in 1989 and now owns multiple locations in Illinois. In addition to his dental practice Dr. Larsen has recently taken on a new venture and is putting the final touches on a unique winery and vineyard in Oak Grove, IL. Now let's find out how Dr. Larsen grows his practice and his vines. 

    Drew Allen - Success in Review - Grace Technologies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2021 63:23


    We will be chatting with Drew Allen, President and CEO of Grace Technologies. Grace makes maintenance safer, smarter, and more productive with innovative electrical safety products and predictive maintenance solutions. In addition to his role at Grace, Drew led a technology acquisition that developed and expanded into new markets and applications. Now let's find out how Drew powers his company. 

    Kevin Nolan - Success in Review - Ecogistics

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2021 67:02


    We will be chatting with Kevin Nolan, founder and owner of Ecogistics, an eco-friendly logistics company. Kevin and his wife Wendi have grown their business to a network of more than 17,000 carriers and was recognized as Inc. Magazine's Top 100 Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies in the US. Now let's find out how Kevin provides an experience that carries excellence. 

    Katie Castillo-Wilson - Success in Review - TapOnIt

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2021 63:05


    Katie Castillo- Wilson is the Founder and CEO of TapOnIt, a technology company most commonly known for TapOnIt Deals. In 2014, she left her career to launch her company, with a goal of helping brands connect with consumers in the most direct way possible, a text message. Katie has raised over $5M since inception and now TapOnIt's technology is used all over the country to connect brands with consumers.  Now let's find out how she put the tech into text messages. 

    Tiphanie Cannon - Success in Review - Oh So Sweet by Tiphanie

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2021 63:27


    Join us in learning how Tiphanie took Oh So Sweet by Tiphanie from a small town cupcake shop to a nationally recognized bakery by getting featured on Food Network's - The Christmas Cookie Challenge! Her marketing and creative flair is evident not only with her baking but with her business acumen. Now let's find out how Tiphanie bakes success into every bite. 

    success food network christmas cookie challenge
    *Special Edition* John Deere Classic Chairmen Magic Moments

    Play Episode Play 55 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 3, 2021 43:46


    In this special edition of Chairmen Magic Moments I will be chatting with Lee Garlach, Brian Kardell and Sean McGuire, who all have at least two things in common - they work at Fortress Bank and have all been the Chairman for The John Deere Classic. The John Deere Classic is a professional golf tournament in the PGA Tour that is hosted in the Quad Cities and has raised over 133 million dollars for over 500 local charities. Come with me as we take a deep dive into what it is really like to be the JDC Chairman. We will go behind the scenes to hear their stories about the fundraising that is done for our community, meeting the golfers and working with the people who make it all happen! Now let's find out how golf can inspire a little bit of magic!

    Eric Langan - Success in Review - Carpetland

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2021 60:36


    Eric Langan, owner of Carpetland, started working in the family business the day after he graduated from college in 2001. In 2004 he bought the business from his father, opened new locations and now owns 9 franchises across Iowa and Illinois. Now let's find out how Eric took his competitive drive and applied it to flooring. 

    Kent Pilcher - Success in Review - Estes Construction

    Play Episode Play 40 sec Highlight Listen Later May 7, 2021 56:54


    Kent Pilcher, owner of Estes Construction, has grown his company to nearly 300 employees, including a location in Des Moines as well as its home office in downtown Davenport. In addition to Estes, Kent has ownership in multiple affiliate companies across Iowa. Now let's find out how Kent took his challenges and built not only buildings, but opportunities. 

    Lee Garlach - Success in Review - Fortress Bank

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later May 6, 2021 81:52


    Lee Garlach, who was a former CPA and bank examiner for the Federal Reserve and an owner of a national beer distributing company, brought together his financial background and entrepreneurial experience when he purchased what is now known as Fortress Bank.  Now let's find out more about how Lee when from beer to banking. 

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