Shut Up and Listen: Small Town Stories

Got feedback? Maybe it's our turn to Shut Up and Listen! Send us a Text.Part of our job is to support the region through workforce development. In doing so, we hear from professionals and entrepreneurs all the time, and we've found they all have similar questions: What do I need to know about tax law? What happens after onboarding a new employee? What are the key points in developing a brand guideline? And these are only a select few!Oftentimes it can feel overwhelming to run a business or organization. The need for information is so much bigger than one community. Ignite 419 is a brand-new event for business leaders and organizations across Northwest Ohio who have questions about finance, human resources, marketing, or small business leadership. Renee takes the back seat while Sarah gives the whole 4-1-1 with the assistance of event committee team member, Ashley Barger, who also happens to be a panelist in the upcoming event.  There will be several 'Ask Me Anything' panels by industry type, a 'Tell All' Small Business Owner panel, a TedX Keynote Speakers, and a Wildfire Leadership Workshop.Ready to reignite your passion? www.ignite419.com Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

Got feedback? Maybe it's our turn to Shut Up and Listen! Send us a Text."Enroll, employ, enlist - I want kids to know there's a reason they're at school and everyone there is going to hold them accountable because we care."@fostoriasuper a.k.a. Jason Longbrake nailed his first podcast interview. Originally he had dreams of being a wildlife specialist out west, but started his education at The Ohio State University working towards a degree in social studies education. His first role was as a teacher and he quickly progressed to principal in Swanton OH which was literally 1 hour from his doorstep in Fostoria. Jason got his Superintendent license and then the opportunity with Fostoria City Schools opened up. You can tell Jason is passionate about Fostoria and our school system. He's an insider who's had experience from the outside. He can relate to the students and their surroundings and he's excited about the amazing facilities Fostoria City Schools boasts. Of course, he's also pretty pumped about his new 6-minute commute to work.His best advice: Be yourself. Be honest. He's tried some unique approaches while he was a school principal - pushing the trash can around the cafeteria and handing out candy bars to teachers at random…  Now, we'll see what he does with some of the new requirements of education in things like grants, funding, and graduation.Don't forget to follow @FostoriaSuper on X!Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

Aaron Smith and Weston Reinbolt take a seat on the couch and it was honestly hard to keep a straight face, at times… Maybe it was because we learned that Weston shops for Aaron's shoes for him, or perhaps it was the point in our conversation when Aaron took an opportunity to reference the phone book.Sarah&Renee did get to the heart of the matter, which is that both Aaron and Weston are firmly rooted in their communities and that they take every opportunity to invest in their small towns while growing their company: Financial Design Agency of Ohio. Through Aaron's steadfastness and Weston's ambition, they've taken on new challenges and have set plans for working alongside new technology like AI as well as defining the organization's succession plan. Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

Here he is - a blast from our not-so-distant past! Matt Kibler is the Director of Business Development for Custom Training Solutions which is a division of Northwest State Community College. Those who interact with us during our day-jobs may remember that Matt used to work for the Learning Center, but he took an opportunity he couldn't refuse AND we still get to work with him in his new role. With Matt, we dive into workforce development and the specific trainings that he helps facilitate. He works directly with employers and the employees he helps train, so he has a really good grasp on our regional workforce wins and where we might have room to grow.  The truth is, upskilling current operations compared to hiring is the most cost-effective option. Custom Training Solutions can help employers tailor their training specific to their deficits. There are a few small scuttles on the coach - of course - but overall this was a fun, lighthearted convo with one of our favorite guys in the business! Plus, Matt brings up grant dollars that might just help your business get the training you need. Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

Well, this interview has certainly been a long time coming! And she's possibly our most reluctant guest, yet.Ashley Barger has been the woman behind the scenes of this podcast since it began in February of 2022. We've relied on her to capture each and every moment, but just this once we wanted to share her with you.Ashley is a Northwest Ohio native and a graduate of The Ohio State University where she studied Strategic Communications. She's mainly worked in public relations, event planning, and marketing for organizations such as the Columbus Rotary Club, Coachtressel.com, the 2nd & Seven Foundation, the Arnold Sports Festival, Cancer Patient Services, Your Perfect Day, and FriendsOffice. But in 2020, she took the leap and opened up her own marketing consulting agency: Do Some Good Marketing.Ashley has seen first-hand the many organizations and people who come together in our community to help make Fostoria a better place. If you want the #bts look, she's your girl. Thanks for allowing this interview to happen, Ashley!Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

Whoopsies… it's been a minute! Hello, 2024! Sarah and Renee revisit and recap their annual meeting which took place last month and encompassed the collective results of their economic development, chamber of commerce, and convention + visitor's bureau offices. This year, the meeting addressed more of the organizational challenges that have led to recent changes within their team and also showcased all of the success Fostoria experienced in 2023. In light of all of these changes and in listening to those who have taken part in any or all of the offered programs,  there's been some personnel changes and there are more tweaks being made for the coming year. For example, there are advancements coming to fruition in residential housing and we're also planning a small business summit for the fall.Additional highlights include: The Fostoria Learning Center served 1,000+ more YOY and increased offerings to 65 certifications; it's truly become a more regional resource beyond the tri-county area$4.7 million in grant dollars flowed through our collective offices and were secured for Fostoria, OhioRenee puts out a prediction… “2024 will exceed 2023 in all numbers and across the board.” Listen-in to learn how this year is shaping up to be a BIG ONE! Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

We're sharing Fostoria Economic Development Corporation's video podcast series, ℝ

We're sharing Fostoria Economic Development Corporation's video podcast series, ℝ

We're sharing Fostoria Economic Development Corporation's video podcast series, ℝ

We're sharing Fostoria Economic Development Corporation's video podcast series, ℝ

We're sharing Fostoria Economic Development Corporation's video podcast series, ℝ

We're sharing Fostoria Economic Development Corporation's video podcast series, ℝ

We came, we laughed, and we closed a chapter. At the same token, we introduced a new chapter for our community. "Former Mr. Mayor meet the NEW Mr. Mayor!"It's true, our time on the couch with Eric Keckler is officially coming to a close. There were so many projects he saw to fruition during his twelve years as Mayor of Fostoria. From infrastructure improvements to establishing Snow Queens, he's supported us all... So, the next time you see him buying bacon at Kroger, you can just walk up to him and say, "Hey Eric! Nice bacon."And then there's Don... It will be such a big change for many of us to work alongside Don Mennel, but he brings an entirely new expertise to the role. There are big things coming up quickly for Fostoria and we definitely feel Don is the right man to facilitate and execute each item on our collective agenda.Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

For this episode, we had the sincere pleasure of hosting Ryan Wichman, meteorologist for WTOL11 (Toledo), who is also the founder of Wood County Plays. Wood County Plays is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that designs, fundraisers, and builds fully inclusive play spaces that allow children of all abilities to play side by side. Spoiler alert: Fostoria, Ohio is earmarked as an inclusive playground site in 2025! It will be next to our new splash pad, also in City Park.Ryan gives us some heartwarming background about the organization as well as more details about how each inclusive playground build goes from start to finish.  Plus, if you're interested in getting involved, he has the deets.Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

Fostoria, Ohio Mayor, Eric Keckler, has made another appearance on the couch for Episode 32. This may, in fact, be one of his last-hoorahs as mayor, and so he gets right down to business by sharing more about details his capstone project: the Splash Pad. Eric confirms the splash pad's location, discusses the evolution of its many parts, and reveals some pretty cool elements that are sure to be the highlight of summer for kids of many ages!Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

Michele Cochran is the Executive Director of the Greater Fostoria Community Foundation. She wears a multitude of hats in her role and in her community, but today we're talking about the direct impact she's both seen and had on Fostoria.Michele is a recurring guest on the podcast and has met us (and our microphone) in the Parkette, at our local coffee shop (Java's), and now she's officially on the couch with us. She is a huge proponent of the arts, community growth initiatives, and capitol improvements.  Since 1998, the growth she's seen and overseen has continuously improved the quality of life in Fostoria, Ohio. Listen now to learn more about the programs you can support and benefit from in thanks to the Greater Fostoria Community Foundation and Michele.Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

A new day, a new era...Jocelyn Reinhart grew up in Fostoria, did some of her college work in the city and then settled back in with the family business before recently getting married. And on August 1st, she started her new position as chamber director after having been appointed to the position by the chamber's board of directors.The ladies welcome her to the couch, the role, and their quick witted banter, and this girl takes it all in stride! Maybe it's too soon to tell, but it appears like she'll fit in just fine.Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

If you thought Sarah&Renee were the most dynamic of duos, just wait til you hear from Chase Eikenbary, V.P. of Project Management for Regional Growth Partnership of Ohio. You will instantly see she's a necessary component to the team and, dare we say, accomplice to this triple-threat in local female prowess.Chase dives right in by sharing slightly embarrassing Renee-stories from their years of working together. She also challenges the way these ladies typically run their episodes and recommends a multitude of future guests. But most of all, she showcases her unending talent and unique savvy in community growth initiatives and economic development within her region and for the state of Ohio."Go where the energy goes," Chase repeats multiple times throughout this episode and even decides in the end that energy is such a superpower, every community would do well to harness it.And as her last order of business... Did you know you can get real-time product availability notices at your local liquor store via OHLQ.com? Listen now to find out how this even came up in conversation.In the end, Renee declares a creed: "I don't care if you're a large manufacturer or small business, reach out to us! Even if we can't assist you through Regional Growth Partnership or JobsOhio we can connect you to other resources." Learn more about Chase and RGP Ohio.Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

You've heard it from us multiple times on this podcast and we're finally interviewing the lady who got us hooked on the program! Please help us welcome Rebekah Marr, CO.STARTERS to our virtual couch!CO.STARTERS is a 10-week accelerator program that takes idea-stage entrepreneurs through business basics, laying a strong foundation for their ventures' sustainable launch and growth. We've been fortunate to help 40 Fostorians bring their business ideas to life through this program, and we were thrilled to finally sit down with Rebekah and let her know how thankful we are for her faith in our community and in us.“When you are able to change individual lives, you have an opportunity to transform the communities around them," explains Rebekah. "I'm excited to see what the future holds."We hope you enjoy learning more about Rebekah Marr and CO.STARTERS here.Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

Our guest, Roberta Streiffert, joins us on the couch to give us some background on her role as Sr. Rural Development Specialist for the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership, as well as more details on the road that led her to this role. At times, she's been one of Fostoria, Ohio's greatest advocates and has worked alongside Sarah&Renee in supporting advancements for our community.Roberta currently works with nearly a dozen local communities in Ohio who all face similar issues. She's an expert at providing specific opportunities and resources that catapult them towards success.Learn more about community advancement programs and how to partner with GLCAP.Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

This is a very vulnerable and enlightened episode because it showcases one small town story that truly has impacted dozens of lives and will impact so many more lives in the years to come!It was our pleasure to meet with Ashley Reinhart and learn more about all of the amazing ways she supports students with special needs in Fostoria, Ohio. She opened up to us about the small business she started to benefit her students' lives and she goes into detail on how her students provide services to organizations like Tri-County Dental, the Fostoria Kiwanis Club, and more. Ashley and her team's goal through their programs is to meet each student wherever they are and help them develop life skills, job skills, and better understand how to live independently.We had the unique opportunity to actually interview some of Ashley's students on this episode! We hope you enjoy each of their unique personalities and sweet souls as much as we did.Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

Do you feel like the art of communication is lacking in 2023? Are you a target for negativity because of your work or job role? How do you deal with it, or not deal with it? Sarah&Renee discuss their ‘Facebook diet' and the disheartening fact that those who ‘poke holes' behind the wall of social media are not necessarily the ones coming forth and having change-making discussions. The biggest take-aways from this more serious discussion:  build your tribe of advocates it's ok to walk away and not engage understand not everyone is your people offer an open door We still stumble and make mistakes every day, but the key is to learn from them and come out stronger on the other side.  This is an ongoing issue that's not going away - social media is here to stay - if nothing else we hope that you realize if you're dealing with this, too, then you're not alone. Reach out to us - call, text, email, stop in!"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it's the only thing that ever has."  - Margaret Mead Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

Turn-about is fair play... Our 2022 guests joined us for our first birthday party where THEY got to ask US all the questions.  And, we kept the mic hot through all the anecdotes in between.Some questions were exact replicas of what we had asked our guests and others turned out to be super philosophical! All-in-all, it was a really fun way to head down memory lane and celebrate this wild ride we're calling our podcast.We'd like to give special thanks to Java's Enchanted Bean, LTD in downtown Fostoria, OH. for hosting our recording space and to Kendra's Cakes in Bascom, OH. for creating the most perfect, yummy cake for us to share. Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

There's so much to say as we kick-off 2023 ... And it's time for us to start hitting on the bigger issues: Workforce is potentially an international issue that we focus on daily.  How do we support our community by, essentially,  ‘creating more people' without teleportation and cloning?Jason Yoakam joins us on the couch to chat about the creative ways in which his company, JYoakam Communications, has assisted Fostoria in telling their story so that the community attracts and retains those who live, work, and play in Fostoria, Ohio.The truth of the matter is, there are a lot of great stories to tell and communities who can be creative and think outside the box are 'where it's at' right now because you have to get the attention of the people in your community and the kids in your districts. Jason concludes, "If you live [here] and you're working outside this community, there's a significant savings to work local." Join Sarah&Renee in this episode to learn more!Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

There may be two things that differentiate the first half of 2022 from the second half:Renee got just a little bit sassier.Sarah really started getting to all those hard hitting questions.Overall, there were definitely more laughs!In case you missed it, enjoy some of our favorite parts of these episodes.Episode 11: At the Parkette, Part OneEpisode 12: At the Parkette, Part TwoEpisode 13: the UrbanWoody Brewery with Mike & TiffaniEpisode 14: Kristin VanCuren Koester, Calico Charlie's Candy & MoreEpisode 15: City Council Part 1 with Steve KauffmanEpisode 16: City Council Part 2 with Mike Shaffer and Don MennelEpisode 17: Mike Kerschner, Seneca County CommissionerEpisode 18: Our Friends from the United Way, Libra & EvelynEpisode 19: Fostoria City Schools Superintendent Andrew SprangEpisode 20: These Are a Few of Our Favorite ThingsWe're concluding 2022 by sharing our own 'resolutions' for the new year. 2023 is sure to be a big year of personal and professional growth and we're excited to take you along with us!Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

Every day the struggle is real with Sarah&Renee, but along the way we've interviewed and featured some fantastic folks from Small Town USA. So, we decided to put together a 'Best of' episode from our first year doing this! But it was so hard to choose small snippets, so this is Part 1 featuring a special highlight from:Episode 1: And, Who Are We?Episode 2: Interview with the Mayor, Eric KecklerEpisode 3: Entrepreneurship in Our CommunityEpisode 4: Jena Stearns, Beyond Laser CreationsEpisode 5: Volunteerism in Our CommunityEpisode 6: Sue Gehring, President of Fostoria Garden ClubEpisode 7: Here's to You, MomEpisode 8: It's All About ReneeEpisode 9: There's Something About SarahEpisode 10: Interview with Micah HydeGet to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens...  It's here! 'Sarah&Renee's Favorite Things of 2022'.  And we're just in time for the holiday season! Who's ready to go shopping?We're keeping it local and highlighting some of our favorite gifts of 2022 from local artisans, crafters, and retailers of Hancock, Seneca, and Wood counties. We give out a few little known facts as well as some tips and tricks for gifting the most unique and memorable items this season while also remembering those small business owners and local citizens who deserve our support. We even get a little deep as we remember our own favorite gifts that we've ever received. What's yours?Join us as we get into the holiday spirit in this extra special episode!Brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of our favorite things...Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

With major additions in technology and a total focus on the students, Andy Sprang has a passion and a drive for continuing education especially through the Fostoria City School system.  As T-Swift would say, he's totally 'feeling 22' as this is his twenty-second year working in the school system.Sarah&Renee dove in deep and learned his favorite and least favorite things about his line of work, the impact of social media on the district and on his staff or students, and how he's taken-on partnerships with various organizations throughout the community and beyond to give everyone involved the best experience. Additionally, the programming that's available through FCS and because of these partnerships, as well as a significant donation, has really expanded over the past few years. As Renee put it, these students are our future! It's exciting that there's so much available to them in our community.And what's his favorite thing about Fostoria? You'll have to check-out the lighting round near the end to find out!To learn more about or make contact with Fostoria City Schools, go here.Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

We had not one but TWO microphones for our double-interview with Evelyn Marker,  Executive Director of the United Way of Fostoria, and Libra Martin, United Way of Fostoria's Program Coordinator and Director of First Call For Help Fostoria.Renee promises the interview will be painless, though maybe not easy, but these women show up and exude confidence and sincere compassion for others. Petite, determined Evelyn shares some unexpected information about herself while soft-spoken Libra offers her wholehearted way of helping others in the community. By the end of the interview, it's obvious that both ladies share true compassion for people!If you have questions about the United Way or the United Way of Fostoria, you can start here.Get to know us ...And, find us on Apple to leave us a review!Or, listen to our favorite songs ; -)

Between his amazing one-liners and the girls' very challenging questions, there may have been more laughs than anything else in this episode...  We so enjoyed our time getting to know another side of Mike Kerschner. He really opened up to Sarah&Renee. Perhaps it comes at a good time as he enters the final couple months of his second term as one of Seneca County's Commissioners.Mike began his career with Ohio National Bank, which now is PNC. He first became a CEO in 1983 at age 30 - which is a major talking point in and of itself. In 1988, Mike was named the president of Old Fort Bank Company. He retired from the bank in 2008. Mike's advisements, candor, and good humor leave for a lasting impression in and outside of office, and we cannot wait to see where his path takes him next! He mentions a follow-up recording where we potentially visit him on-site in his new venture, and he alludes there may be palm trees swaying in the background... to that we say, stay-tuned! Because we're currently packing our bags!https://linktr.ee/sulwithsarahandreneeLearn more about Seneca County's Commissioners: https://senecacountyohio.gov/

This is part of a 2-part series including City Council member interviews where we continue to learn about the way city government is actually run and all about the people who help make it all happen! Part 2:Sarah&Renee interview a couple of newbies... and these two men get down to business in very different ways. Mike Shaffer was appointed to serve on Fostoria City Council in 2022 representing the Second Ward. He's been with The University of Findlay and Marathon Petroleum Corporation, and he's currently employed by Eli Lily & Co. He's been a resident of Fostoria nearly all his life, and he brings all the hometown feels during his time with the girls in this interview.Don Mennel was the fourth generation president of the Mennel Milling Company. He is a regimented business man and he brings those kinds of tactics and tenacity to the way he supports his constituents in his role as a city councilman.  He says exactly what he means... are you ready for it?We learned some new things in the recording of this episode and we're curious if you do, too!

This episode is all about breaking away from the misconceptions of city government, from the way it's run to the role of council. In this 2-Part series, Sarah&Renee sit down with three council members who have a variety of professional backgrounds and varying levels of tenure within city government. Ultimately, they ask each one of them the same questions (what does council actually do, what have they learned on the job, what have they enjoyed and what are their frustrations about the roles in which they serve). But it's interesting how many of their responses are both different and the same!Part 1:Steve Kauffman has been the Fostoria City Council President for the past six years. He likens his role as president to that of a referee. He finds it quite similar to the eclectic personalities he orchestrates as the Director of Bands for Fostoria City Schools. Further,  he has recently started a side-hustle with his wife as an online and estate auction reseller. In short, he feels he's basically a Pokemon . Truthfully, Steve thought he'd just be an interim council president as a favor to the Mayor, but then 2 elections later... he's found he enjoys the role! He believes, it's all our jobs to payback things that are meaningful to us especially through volunteering. Plus, this town means a lot to him. Part 1 ends with a bet... will you take Renee up on it?Learn more about local Fostoria, Ohio city council here.

"Who can take a sunriseSprinkle it in dewCover it in chocolate and a miracle or two?"The Candy (Wo)man CAN!  We are so proud to have this year's LAUNCH Fostoria Business Competition Winner Kristin VanCuren Koester with us for this episode!'Kris' takes us WAY back to the days of her childhood with 'Big Baby' and reveals to us her LOVE for supporting and helping children. She's made it her mission in life to bring joy to others especially those in need! She's been a social worker, an educator, and soon she will be a storefront owner.  With her big win in tow, she can finally remove the giant gum ball machine from her living room and place it where it belongs.Watch the (5 minute) Business Competition Presentation/Winner video by Scanner Media:  HereRead the Review Times Article announcing Kris as the winner: Here

This was such a fun way to record a podcast episode, we'd like to make this a repeating host-site! Mike & Tiffani opened the UrbanWoody Brewery in 2019 - right before a tough year. But the way they've pivoted as business owners and the way they continue to support the local community has had such a positive impact on their business!  The brewery is a huge success and now includes The HoneyBee Winery's variety of local wines, a Summer Concert series, and *spoiler alert* will include axe throwing come this fall. Their banner event, Oktoberfest, returns October 8 in downtown Fostoria, OH. Check-out their listing of events and join in! If you feel like you're missing out, YOU ARE...It's another rowdy, can't miss episode of Shut Up and Listen: Small Town Stories with Sarah&Renee

A sunglasses problem or a curated collection... give Part Two a listen and you can decide!Our third guest was the Fostoria Ohio Mayor, Eric Keckler, and all throughout his interview were the "sounds of activity in small town USA".  Events like Guitar Fest, Latino Fest, Lunch on the Lawns, the Summer Concert Series, St. Wendalin Mini-fest, the Rail Festival, Oktoberfest, and even the Beatles Tribute Band will be gracing the area now and throughout the fall.  The Mayor highlighted some key renovation projects the city is undergoing like the Underpass, the Sewer Plant, the Water Plant, and several building updates. Lastly, Michele Cochran of the  Greater Fostoria Community Foundation discussed community artwork, our farmer's markets, DORA,  and the Community calendar. Part Two comes with some quick wit and a bit of chaos, but it's truly worth a listen! Don't you just feel like you're outdoors enjoying another Northwest Ohio summer day with these ladies and their guests?

We took this podcast out of office and off-site while we enjoyed one of the most gorgeous summer mornings in Small Town USA!  We had all the positive feels when helpful strangers gave us a hand as we unloaded office furniture and we even met families who were out enjoying our town's traveling sculptures.Our first guest was Dionna Brenamen, owner of Fostoria's first coffee shop: Java's Enchanted Bean. All food and beverage offered will be sourced from our tri-county area. It's been a rewarding challenge restoring a historic, old building. Dionna was super excited to share that they'd be starting with a soft launch on June 27 and continually building from there! Dionna shared that she's found. fantastic team of great people and the community has been so supportive.Next-up was Jena Stearns, owner of Beyond Laser Creations and our first community winner of LAUNCH Fostoria. They ladies talked about her top sellers (Corporate items), how she's hosting more Charcuterie workshops, and their favorite personalized gifts she's made in her first year of business.  Of course Jena's mom came up in conversation... and Collagen Drinks…and milestone birthdays... With the second annual small business competition finale fast approaching (August 5, 2022), there was also talk of a tiara to be circulated for future winners.This is only Part One of our Parkette Episode. Stay-tuned for Part Two and to get to know our additional guests!

https://linktr.ee/sulwithsarahandreneeNFL standout, Micah Hyde, is one of our hometown heroes. This family-man has made it his mission to support the community where he was born and raised as well as kids across the nation who have a passion for football.From his memorandum to Fostorians to learning who is favorite player of all time may be, you won't want to miss this fun interview. Join Sarah & Renee on their first-ever 'virtual couch' for this exclusive small town story gone big!

https://linktr.ee/sulwithsarahandreneeOur Sarah is a Findlay, OH native and she graduated from Arcadia High School.  She majored in Psychology and minored in Sociology at the University of Georgia and then she earned her teaching certification from the University of Findlay. From teacher to lawyer to doctor to psychiatrist, Sarah has had interest in a variety of careers and she is good at so many things! Which is why she is such a dynamic professional in the Fostoria community where she helps small business leaders make a difference in their organizations through programs and partnerships.She's an older sister to brother Aaron, and a proud daughter to her Mom, Judy, and her Dad, Duane Richard “Dick” Stephens.Thanks for giving Sarah's small town story a listen! It's probably not too unlike your own.

https://linktr.ee/sulwithsarahandreneeIt's time we put these lovely, and sometimes rowdy, ladies in the hot seat! Our guest today is none other than: Renee Smith, President of the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation. Renee grew up in Findlay, Ohio where she graduated from Liberty Benton High School and then continued on at The University of Findlay where she focused on History and Political Science. The verdict may be out as to where Renee got all of her pizazz... but her momma seemed to think she was going to either be an attorney or a country music star... There's still time, Renee!Renee is the daughter of John & Kim Smith and she's one of two girls. Being Kristal's big sister had certainly given Renee ample opportunity to practice "running the show".Thanks for joining us today as we uncover a little more about Renee...

https://linktr.ee/sulwithsarahandreneeIt's almost Mother's Day and we're celebrating by ambushing Sarah's mom, Judy, and Renee's mom, Kim, on the couch!It's true, these ladies don't usually let a day go by without talking with their moms and it's such a joy to hear their perspectives about their girls...There's talk of singing in the car, eating spaghetti, and so many more little nuggets of information about our Sarah&Rene - you won't want to miss this spectacular moment with their mommas.Happy Mother's Day to all those who have taken the role of 'MOM' upon themselves for someone! Mommas just make the world go 'round.

https://linktr.ee/sulwithsarahandreneeSweet Sue... she didn't know what she was about to get herself into when she sat down on the couch with spicy Renee and sassy Sarah! But all-in-all, they gave her (and maybe all of us) a little something to laugh about. There's certainly much to learn about what Sue and the Garden Club have been doing for the community!Sue was elected the Garden Club's President in 2020 after being a part of the organization for three years.  The Fostoria Garden Club is completely volunteer led and works to maintain the flower beds of the City of Fostoria. Its members were instrumental in the creation of the town's parkette, and the club works alongside the city and the beautification committee. It also shares a strong relationship with various organizations like FEDC, the Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Fostoria Learning Center through their YouthBuild Program.Of course the episode ends in a super-duper hilarious lighting-round led by Renee. It's a quick episode packed with loads of laughs as the girls uncover Sue's story and they take in more information about how we can all take part in our community.

https://linktr.ee/sulwithsarahandreneeOf course they showed up to record this, their 5th Episode, #twinning in their matchy-matchy oversized sweaters with black leggings while rocking red heels / killer kicks, so we KNEW they were on their A-Game!!"How can I help you?"In this gratefulness episode, Sarah & Renee discuss their 2022 Goal of more 'Random Acts of Kindness' and kicking-off Spring with various volunteerism opportunities in their community and beyond.In this episode, they came up with a short list of all of the volunteer-required organizations in their community with the caveat that this list is only from memory and not all-inclusive:Fostoria Rail Preservation SocietyFostoria Glass AssociationFostoria Community Arts CouncilFostoria Area Historical SocietyGeary Family YMCAFostoria Lions ClubFostoria Garden ClubFostoria Tree & Beautification CommitteeFostoria Redman ClubFostoria Women's ClubFostoria Junior Athletic AssociationH.O.P.E. in FostoriaFostoria Kiwanis ClubFostoria Rotary ClubFirst StepFostoria Area Habitat for HumanitySalvation ArmyFostoria Sharing KitchenThis was a short, feel-good episode and we'd love to hear your list of worthy organizations and whether you're focusing on doing more good in 2022.

https://linktr.ee/sulwithsarahandreneeWe were so proud to be able to interview Jena Stearns: CO.STARTERS alum, our first ever LAUNCH Fostoria Winner, and our entrepreneurship 'Spirit Animal'! Jena's story is unique in content but very similar to many local entrepreneurs: she's made something BIG out of her passion. From her garage to her - BIG NEWS - new storefront at 101 S. Main St. opening April 2022, Jena has turned a timely COVID project into a money-making downtown business. Two of Jena's three children are now enrolled in Fostoria Ohio's GENERATOR Program and the legacy will most likely continue...Thanks for listening to our quick chat with our local TikTok star!!Follow @beyondlasercreations for more from Jena

https://linktr.ee/sulwithsarahandreneeIt's just the ladies in this episode and they have LOTS to say about entrepreneurship, especially in Fostoria, OH. Topics  include:- CO.STARTERS CORE- CO.STARTERS GENERATOR - LAUNCH- "Entrepreneurial Ecosystem"As always, there's LOADS of laughter and general back-and-forth banter between these two. We have a feeling you'll be chuckling right along with them!

https://linktr.ee/sulwithsarahandreneeOur first ever guest!Sarah and Renee get to know the Mayor of Fostoria, Ohio just a bit better in this quick 20 minute episode.Eric Keckler takes us back to his early days and what brought him to become the Mayor.We learn a little bit about what makes him tick, as well as what makes his community so special to him and special to the state of Ohio.Then it comes full circle and we learn more about how his path crosses Renee's and then Sarah's, respectively, before he really shines a light on what sets the City of Fostoria apart - and what makes it just like so many of the other small towns across the great U.S. of A.Before they conclude, they endure a brief 'lighting round' where, honestly, we're not sure if you'll be most surprised by Eric's favorite color or what type of tree he'd be... Regardless, we hope he'll be making us dinner sometime soon!

https://linktr.ee/sulwithsarahandreneeSarah and Renee introduce themselves as well as the goal of this podcast.  This particular episode is a brief, 11-minute introduction to their wit and uncanny ability to suck you in to their crazy conversations while they shed some light on what's happening in Small Town USA and how their town's specific infrastructure has helped shape their community. The hope is that this podcast is a resource for others in whatever part of the USA they're in, as well as an initiative to help inform their own folks of what's going on in Northwest Ohio. There will be interviews with guests who are business owners and who are a part of city government, as well as friendly debates, trending conversations, and more! If you're 'our people', then thanks for joining us every 2 weeks. We hope you shut up and listen to each new episode! If you're not our people, then just shut us off... It's as easy as that.