StartupNation Radio

Michael Spath of Kapnick Insurance discusses construction with practice group leader, Jason McLelland of Kapnick Insurance. Here are highlights from that conversation. 

Melissa Matich of Kapnick Insurance discusses the benefits of private client insurance.

Russ Richards of Kapnick Insurance Group discusses real estate insurance with guest host Michael Spath.

Michael Spath of Kapnick Insurance discusses risk solutions with expert Amy DeKeyser of Kapnick Insurance. Here are highlights from that conversation.

Michael Spath of Kapnick Insurance discusses towing and transportation with practice group leader, Keith Tubergen.

DEI initiatives not only impact the culture of a workplace, but also lead to measurable financial growth. Studies indicate that organizations that prioritize diversity and inclusion experience better employee retention and improved brand reputation with the general public.

Michael Spath of Kapnick Insurance discusses employee benefits with expert Ian Burt.

Rama Gupta and Adam Blitchok of Kapnick Insurance talk with guest host Michael Spath about the insurance needs of cannabis businesses.

Before you travel and before you rent out your second home to vacationers, be sure you have the right insurance coverage. Shasta Hall of Kapnick Insurance shares her expertise.

Jeff Sloan, founder & CEO of StartupNation, discusses professional liability and errors and omissions (E&O) coverage with Michael Spath from Kapnick Insurance and Kapnick partner and leader of specialty risk, Doug Miller.

Jeff Sloan discusses why your small business needs to make cybersecurity protection a priority with Michael Spath and Melissa Selke of Kapnick Insurance.

On this week's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff Sloan talks with Digital Resource's Shay Berman about how he built his company from the ground up and the importance of hiring the right people. 

On this week's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff talks to Alexis Bowen and Craig Zapatka of Elsewhere Travel, a new kind of personalized, purpose-driven travel company.

Jeff talks to Lowey Bundy Sichol, whose Kids Idea Tank competition lets young entrepreneurs pitch their products, just like on "Shark Tank," and the 2021 competition's runner-up Carter Koenigsknecht, 13, of Troy, MI.

Jeff Sloan talks with the founders of Elsewhere Travel and the creator of Kids Idea Tank and one of its winners on the latest episode of StartupNation Radio.

Jeff Sloan talks with Carolyn Espinoza and Alex Vandervert, the mother and son team of Quiker, a mobile mechanics operation that brings onsite automotive services to you. Quiker's mission is to provide personalized on-demand, on-site repair service to the general public, corporations, and light vehicle fleet operators.

On this week's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff speaks with Corey Gerhart and Greg Marquardt of Hydrocinch about how they got their kiteboarding harness accessory idea off the ground.

Jeff Sloan talks with the founders of Quiker, a mobile mechanics service, and Hydrocinch, maker of a kiteboard harness.

On this week's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff Sloan talks with Digital Resource's Shay Berman about creating awareness that will translate into conversions for your business.

On this week's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff Sloan talks with Digital Resource's Shay Berman about creating awareness that will translate into conversions for your business and AccessPoint's Greg Packer about how cutting corners can hurt your long-term success.

Jeff Sloan talks with AccessPoint's Greg Packer about how cutting corners can hurt your long-term success.

Jeff Sloan and cohost Brian Calley, president of the Small Business Association of Michigan, discuss the challenges facing small businesses, including supply chain disruptions and inflation.

Cameron Cruse is a cofounder of R. Riveter, a handbag company that enlists military spouses as manufacturers. She discusses how their business structure supports the military community and why they chose handbags.

Jeff Sloan talks with two startup founders who were prompted by life circumstances to create businesses, Cameron Cruse of R. Riveter and Chris Budnik of Heiroom.

Heiroom creator Chris Budnik discusses how the pandemic sparked his idea for a private social media platform.

Shay Berman of Digital Resource talks with Jeff Sloan about holiday marketing strategies, including timing, the value of text messaging, and promotion and discounting decisions.

Greg Packer of AccessPoint says creating the best team requires presenting your employees with a world-class experience.

Does your small business need cyber insurance and how much? Michael Spath of Kapnick Insurance Group discusses cybersecurity on this week's Ask the Experts episode.

On today's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff Sloan interviews Chris Cameron of PwC and Matt Cotter of Pairsoft about blending the creative and financial sides of entrepreneurship.

On today's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff Sloan interviews Chris Cameron of PwC about how he's merged his creative and financial backgrounds in the entrepreneurial sphere.

On this week's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff speaks with Greg Packer of AccessPoint about vaccine mandates and the issue of safety at small businesses.

On this week's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff Sloan speaks with Michael Spath of Kapnick Insurance Group about the importance of having the right insurance -- and enough of it -- to cover storm damage.

On this week's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff Sloan speaks with Digital Resource founder and president Shay Berman about two forms of advertising critical to small businesses: Google ads and programmatic advertising.

On this week's episode, StartupNation's Jeff Sloan talks with Shay Berman about online advertising, Greg Packer about vaccine mandates for businesses and Michael Spath on summer insurance coverage.

Today's episode of StartupNation Radio features Jon Dwoskin. He's a business coach. He's an author. He's a speaker. He's a podcaster. But most importantly, he loves helping people turn their dreams into reality. That's why we're partnering with Jon to offer coaching through Business Builders, a new service that teaches entrepreneurs how to start, grow, and manage a successful business.

On this week's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff speaks with StartupNation's subject matter experts from SCORE Mentors: Armando Ojeda, Angela Barbash, and Marcia Dawood.Tune in to the full StartupNation Radio show with Ojeda, Barbash and Dawood to learn about the SCORE Mentors program and hear about each mentor's unique experiences.

On this week's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff discusses small business funding before speaking with StartupNation's subject matter experts: Kapnick Insurance Group's Michael Spath, Digital Resource's Shay Berman, and AccessPoint's Greg Packer.

On this week's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff talks to Mick Brege and Alex Lanzetta from Studio Cadenza about what an app is, how it can be used for small businesses, and how you can think about apps in new and novel ways. Jeff also speaks to Tim Connor, founder of Alteris, about an app he developed.

On this week's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff talks to Megan Shadle from Dell Technologies to discuss Dell's commitment to entrepreneurial spirit, and her colleague YJ Lin shares stories of pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors. Jeff also speaks to Alexis Wormley, founder of online clothing store Offbeat Native, to learn about starting a business in the fashion world.

On this week's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff talks to three Detroit entrepreneurs: Brad Baxter and Jacob Zuppke of AutoPets and Doug Schwartz of Detroit Wick.Tune in to the full StartupNation Radio show with Baxter, Zuppke and Schwartz to learn more about these Detroit entrepreneurs and how they're thriving.First up are AutoPets' leaders: Baxter, CEO, and Zuppke, president and COO. AutoPets creates products to make the lives of pets and their owners easier, such as the Litter-Robot.During the interview, Baxter and Zuppke discuss:How the idea for the company came to lifeHow the company pivoted after losing money the first five yearsHow AutoPets' Litter-Robot worksHow they shifted AutoPets' business modelHow they used actual cats for influencer marketingFor more information on AutoPets, visit the official website, and follow on LinkedIn.Next up is Schwartz, founder of Detroit Wick and Trip Wipes. Detroit Wick is a sensory marketing agency that creates custom fragrances through candles, while Trip Wipes produces sustainable hand sanitizing wipes.During the interview, Schwartz explains:Why he decided to start two companiesHow he found his way to the fragrance industryHow his sales went from 100,000 to 13 millionWhy you should build your brand around passion, not moneyKeys to setting up your business for successFor more information on Detroit Wick, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook and Pinterest. For more information on Trip Wipes, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook.We'll be back next weekend with another exciting episode of StartupNation Radio! Stay tuned.Do you have a great entrepreneurial success story to share? Tell us your story here and you could be featured on an upcoming episode of StartupNation Radio.

On this week's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff talks to StartupNation's new subject matter experts: Shay Berman of Digital Resource, Greg Packer of AccessPoint and Michael Spath of Kapnick Insurance Group.First up is Berman, the founder and president of Digital Resource, a digital marketing agency. He is StartupNation's digital marketing expert.During the interview, Berman discusses:The three keys entrepreneurs can use to drive awarenessWhy social media plays such a large role into consumers' buying and decision-making processesHow to know which market will fit your business' needsWhy paid ads are the best way to get traffic quicklyHow to grow your organic social media presenceFor more information about Digital Resource, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.Next is Packer, president of AccessPoint, a business that provides human resource services. Packer is StartupNation's human resources expert.During the interview, Packer explains:How AccessPoint works and why it's beneficial for employersWhen an employer should intersect with a company like AccessPointHow work and employment has changed since the pandemicWhat companies should pay attention to post-COVID-19Why entrepreneurs should focus on executing their core visionFor more information about AccessPoint, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.Next is Michael Spath, a client executive for Michigan-based Kapnick Insurance Group, a full-service insurance brokerage. He is StartupNation's insurance expert.During the interview, Spath talks about:How he went from owning a small business to going into the insurance worldWhy everyone needs insuranceWhat coverage is crucial for small business ownersHow a business owner's policy worksWhy every business owner should invest in cyber insuranceFor more information about Kapnick Insurance Group, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook and LinkedIn.

On today's food-themed episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff talks to food entrepreneurs Jessica Harold and Patrick Hingst of Kookys N Cream and chef Laura Romito of High 5 Salts with Benefits.Tune in to the full StartupNation Radio show with food entrepreneurs Harold, Hingst and Romito here to learn more about how to succeed in the food industry.First up is Harold and Hingst, the co-founders of Kookys n Cream, a Michigan-based cookie shop in Lapeer known for its cookie blend called "cookie cream."During the interview, Harold and Hingst discuss:What Kookys n Cream offersHow they "kookify" traditional dessertsHow they came up with the business ideaWhy they're looking toward franchisingHow TikTok helped them get a surge in orders and how they handled the influxFor more information about Kookys n Cream, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook and Instagram.Next up is Romito, a chef who founded High 5 Salts with Benefits, an organic seasoning blend.During the interview, Romito explains:How she turned her concoction she previously used just for herself into a businessAn explanation of the five tastes of people's tonguesWhy she created the product to avoid working in restaurants foreverHow she switched from the teaching world to the food industryHow she made her business scaleFor more information about High 5 Salts with Benefits, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook.

On today's business coaching-themed episode of StartupNation, Jeff brings on Jon Dwoskin. Dwoskin is a business coach, author, speaker and podcaster who has coached everyone from solopreneurs to Fortune 500 companies.Tune in to the full StartupNation Radio show with Dwoskin to learn more about business coaching.

On today's Amazon-themed episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff is joined by co-host Matt Damman and talks to Derek Gaskins of Aleva Stores and Retail Bloom and Michelle Covey of GS1.Tune in to the full StartupNation Radio show with Damman, Gaskins and Covey to learn more about how to be successful on Amazon.Gaskins is the president and founder of Aleva Stores, a retailer with a focus in medical supplies that assists brands in finding their way through e-commerce marketplaces like Amazon. He is also the chairman and co-founder of Retail Bloom, a service provider that helps businesses improve sales production in e-commerce marketplaces like Amazon.During the interview, Gaskins discusses:How he started from eBayHow to run your business primarily through AmazonWhy you need to approach Amazon with a differentiation in strategy or productHow Retail Bloom can help your small business thrive in e-commerce marketplacesHow Aleva Stores worksFor more information about Aleva Stores, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook and LinkedIn. For more information about Retail Bloom, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.Next is Covey, the vice president of retail apparel and general merchandise of GS1, an organization that develops business communication standards and gave birth to the barcode.During the interview, Covey talks about:How barcodes work/are generatedThe different barcode options for your businessWhy you shouldn't turn universal product codes (UPCs) on until they go to marketAmazon's initiatives on preventing counterfeit UPCsWhy UPCs are the key to online searchingFor more information about GS1, visit the official website.

On today's travel-themed episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff talks to KT Maviglia-Morgan and Jordan Morgan of On Arrival - The Traveler's Podcast, Sally Bunnell of NaviSavi and Andrea Schubiner of Wanderful Journeys.Morgan is an American-born Slovenian professional basketball player who played college basketball at the University of Michigan. Maviglia-Morgan was crowned Miss Michigan in 2014 and is the founder of The KT Maviglia Fund, which helps Michigan residents with hearing loss. Together, the duo host On Arrival, a travel-based podcast.During the interview, Morgan and Maviglia-Morgan discuss:How Morgan balances being a professional athlete and maintaining a businessWhy they decided to create a travel brandHow they plan to expand to booking and designing tripsHow to build a successful podcastHow to immerse yourself in the business worldFor more information about On Arrival, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.Next is Bunnell, the founder and CEO of NaviSavi, a video-only travel app that shows prospective travelers what they're in for on their vacation of choice.During the interview, Bunnell talks about:How the app worksHow it went from a TV show idea to an appWhy the app doesn't allow photos, reviews or editingHow and why user-generated content drives the appHow people can be approved to send in videos and start earning compensationFor more information about NaviSavi, visit the official website, and follow on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.Next is Schubiner, founder of Wanderful Journeys, a boutique travel business that designs one-of-a-kind travel itineraries for customers.During the interview, Schubiner explains:How she went from having a travel blog to a full-fledged businessHow she came to realize travel is her passionHow being a travel advisor worksHow the business brings in revenueWhy travel is booming now more than everFor more information, visit the official website, and follow on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.We'll be back next weekend with another exciting episode of StartupNation Radio! Stay tuned.

On today's franchise-themed episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff is joined by co-host Chris McCuiston of Goldfish Swim School and two featured guests: Dr. Mary Mason of Little Medical School and Manish Vakil of Tumbles Kids' Gyms.Tune in to the full StartupNation Radio show with McCuiston, Dr. Mason and Vakil to learn how to run a successful franchise.McCuiston is the co-founder and CEO of Goldfish Swim School, the premier learn-to-swim facility for kids ages 4 months to 12 years. This year, the Michigan-based company is celebrating its 15th year in business.During the interview, McCuiston discusses:Why entrepreneurs should consider going the franchise route and its advantagesWhat the basic essentials behind franchising areWhy every business should have a recipe it followsWhy the franchise model helps to scaleHow Goldfish Swim School continues to succeedFor more information about Goldfish Swim School, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.Next is Dr. Mason, the founder of Little Medical School, an educational company that teaches kids about the sciences surrounding health care.During the interview, Dr. Mason explains:How she turned a hobby into a successful businessWhy she decided franchising was the best option for her businessHow Little Medical School's franchisees succeedWhy taking risks is the key to successWhy franchising gives businesses a head startFor more information about Little Medical School, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook and LinkedIn.Next is Vakil, the founder and CEO of Tumbles Kids' Gyms, which focuses on physical fitness while incorporating science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) programs.During the interview, Vakil talks about:How he started as a franchiseeHow the company is expanding to other continentsHow having a master franchisee gives businesses much more accessWhat types of advisors he used to help him expand and enter into other countriesHow the company is continuing to thriveFor more information about Tumbles Kids' Gyms, visit the official website, and follow on LinkedIn.Finally, all the guests come back together to discuss franchise disclosure documents and how to put together a business plan successfully.We'll be back next weekend with another exciting episode of StartupNation Radio! Stay tuned.

On today's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff is joined by co-host, Brian Calley, president of the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), and two featured guests: Patti Eisenbraun, co-owner of Brown Iron Brewhouse, and Derek Dickow, founder of Steward Media and Board of Directors member of SBAM.Calley, who is the former the lieutenant governor of Michigan, is the president of SBAM and will soon be its CEO. SBAM aims to help local small businesses find their footing and grow. It is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community, and has been in operation since 1969.During the interview, Calley discusses:His transition from commercial banker to lieutenant governor to businessmanHow the SBAM does more than just advocate for small businessesHow SBAM's membership levels work and what resources are providedHis view of politics todayWhy he plans to dedicate the rest of his life to SBAMFor more information about SBAM, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook and LinkedIn.Next, Calley and Jeff talk to Eisenbraun, the owner of Brown Iron Brewhouse, a smokehouse, full-service restaurant and brewery.During the interview, Eisenbraun talks about: How Brown Iron Brewhouse opened its second restaurant on March 1, 2020, right around the time the pandemic took overWhy its business model worked before the pandemic, and how the staff had to change it completely due COVID-19How the business has maintained its staff during the tumultuous yearWhy Brown Iron Brewhouse pays its workers' health and dental insurance if they work a minimum of 30 hours per weekHow the business has recovered its customer baseFor more information about Brown Iron Brewhouse, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.Next, Calley and Jeff chat with Derek Dickow, who in addition to being the founder of a PR and political relations firm, is also on the Board of Directors for SBAM.During the interview, Dickow explains:How he responded to the pandemicHow he facilitated worthwhile programming during a difficult yearWhy some may adapt to a lifelong hybrid worldWhy he spends an hour a day connecting peopleHow SBAM plans to move forward post-pandemicFor more information about SBAM, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook and LinkedIn.Finally, all the guests come back together to discuss how small businesses can recover from the pandemic.

On today's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff interviews two entrepreneurs: Bode Miller of SKEO and Sara Moll of Vin Social.First up is Miller, who is the most decorated male American alpine ski racer of all time, known for 33 World Cup wins, two overall titles, four world championships and six Olympic medals. Now, he is founding partner at SKEO, an app that measures and tracks data on your smartphone in your pocket while skiing.During the interview, Miller discusses:How he approaches his workHis journey from the sports world into the business worldHow he's built a brand from skiingWhy he decided to go into the business world and develop SKEO after retiringFor more information about SKEO, visit the official website, and follow on Facebook and Instagram.Next up, Jeff talks to Moll, the founder and CEO of Vin Social, an online wine education program and hospitality solution that allows for virtual wine tasting and more.During the segment, Moll talks about:Vin Social's equity crowdfunding campaign on WefunderHow she went from the fashion industry to the wine worldHow she came up with the idea for Vin SocialHow focusing on the source helped her develop Vin SocialWhy she wanted Vin Social to be an e-commerce platformHow the pandemic helped her businessFor more information, visit Vin Social's website, and follow on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

On today's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff interviews three cannabis entrepreneurs: James Reina and Alvaro Ortega of Jibby Coffee and Jerome Crawford of Pleasantrees.First up are Reina and Ortega, co-founders of Jibby Coffee, a business out of Miami, Florida, that fuses its coffee with cannabis (CBD).During the interview, Reina and Ortega discuss:Why they decided to blend CBD into the already lauded commodity of coffeeHow they got their business going during the COVID-19 lockdownHow they overcame adversity after a cold front ruined their growing coffeeHow they personalize each orderTheir plans for Jibby Coffee's futureFor more information, visit Jibby Coffee's website, and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.Next up, Jeff talks to Crawford, director of legal operations and social equity of Pleasantrees, a Michigan-based cannabis dispensary that's vertically integrated.During the segment, Crawford talks about:How CEO and founder Randall Buckman went from knocking on doors to creating a booming businessPleasantrees' plans to open a retail store in Massachusetts soonHow Crawford went from a performer, lawyer and model to an entrepreneurHow the pandemic impacted PleasantreesWhere Pleasantrees is going from hereFor more information, visit Pleasantrees' website, and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

On today's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff interviews two entrepreneurs with Michigan-based businesses: Ali Rose VanOverbeke of Genusee and Zach Berg of Mongers' Provisions.First up is VanOverbeke, the founder of Genusee, an eyewear company that launched in 2018 out of Flint, Michigan, that creates its products from recycled, single-use plastic water bottles.During the interview, VanOverbeke discusses:How the idea for Genusee formedGenusee's overall goalsWhy Genusee shoots to hire low-income, previously incarcerated and other often overlooked individualsWhy she believes business can be a vehicle for social changeHow Genusee transformed from a side hustle to a full-fledged companyFor more information, visit Genusee's official website, and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.Next up, Jeff chats with Berg, the founder, co-owner and head cheese monger at Mongers' Provisions, a company founded in 2017 with locations in Detroit and Ferndale, Michigan, that specialize in cut-to-order cheese, craft chocolate and charcuterie. In its Detroit store, it also carries beer and wine and makes grilled cheese sandwiches.During the segment, Berg talks about:How the business adapted to the challenges of the pandemicHow passion and storytelling drive the business and where those ideals came fromThe secrets to how the business connects with its customersHow he went from an aspiring chef to a retailerHow the brick-and-mortar business expanded to include an e-commerce siteFor more information, visit Mongers' Provisions' official website, and follow on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.