Tallahassee Business Podcast

Did you know that 90% of brain development happens from ages 0 to 5? This means a child's brain is almost fully developed before they enter kindergarten. In Tallahassee, our kindergarten readiness rate is at an alarming 49%. This means over half of our children who are entering kindergarten are not adequately prepared to adapt to this new learning environment. This is where Littles to Leaders comes in. Littles to Leaders is an initiative by Leon County Schools to help establish parents as first teachers. The program will provide every parent of a newborn child in Leon County with brain development education and information about community resources to help with the development of the baby. Every family will receive a “brain bag” at the hospital following the birth of their baby. This bag contains resources and information to support their baby's brain development. Littles to Leaders aims to raise our kindergarten readiness rate by starting from birth. Tune into this week's episode to hear all about Littles to Leaders and the details behind the program from Brooke Brunner.

According to Forbes in 2022, only 23% of Americans had a written financial plan, while 37% had done no financial planning at all. It is a common misconception that you need to have a lot of money or be a business owner to seek out financial planning services and this could not be further from the truth.  On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast we are joined by our 2023 Podcast Presenting Sponsor, MillCreek Financial Consultants. William Green and Robbie Kinney join us to break down the walls of financial planning. They discuss their Process vs. Product approach, advice on planning for retirement when inflation is inevitable, and how exit strategies need to be discussed sooner rather than later.  MillCreek shares their "why" behind their "what" and how they believe financial education is the forefront of what they do. Tune in to this week's episode to learn more! Visit MillCreek's website here: https://www.millcreekfinancialconsultants.com/   Disclosure:  This podcast is intended for general public use and for educational purposes only. By providing this content, Park Avenue Securities LLC and your financial representative are not undertaking to provide investment advice or make a recommendation for a specific individual or situation, or to otherwise act in a fiduciary capacity. William and Robbie are Registered Representatives and Financial Advisors of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). OSJ: 3664 COOLIDGE CT., TALLAHASSEE FL, 32311, 850-5629075. Securities products and advisory services offered through PAS, member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Representatives of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. MillCreek Financial Consultants is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian. William's CA Insurance License Number - 0H88072, AR Insurance License Number - 3421324. Robbie's CA Insurance License Number - 0H88072, AR Insurance License Number - 3421324.2023-160727 Exp 9/23   

On this episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by MillCreek Financial Consultants, Dan McGrew, Workforce Program Development Senior Vice President of CareerSource Florida and Leadership Tallahassee Chair joins us to elaborate on the benefits provided throughout the CareerSource network. CareerSource Florida offers an integrated talent support solution to help businesses find, develop, and keep talented employees. They also provide expertise, funding, and resources businesses need to succeed.  Dan also talks about his experience with Leadership Tallahassee. From having to apply twice, learning about Tallahassee beyond the confines of Florida State University, and now serving as LT Chair, he shares how integral this program has been in his personal and professional life.    Tune in to this episode and learn how CareerSource Florida and Leadership Tallahassee can help shape your future.

When the Tallahassee Chamber was established 100 years ago, we had a vision for our great city. Now, it's time for us to come together and envision where we go next. On this week's episode, sponsored by MillCreek Financial Consultants, we sit down with Terrie Ard, President and Partner of The Moore Agency and Chamber Chair to discuss how through this initiative, we are elevating residents' voices by gathering feedback and addressing our community's opportunities and challenges by answering a simple yet foundational question: “How would YOU advance Tallahassee?”   Through a new approach anchored in our Community Scorecard, we invite you to use our anonymous, online submission portal to tell us what YOU think matters most as we raise our families, expand our businesses, and build our region.   Share your opinion: TellUsNowTLH.com

With a constant flow of new businesses entering the market, it is important for small business owners to know their options in Tallahassee. Each day, the Tallahassee Chamber advances opportunities that encourage business expansion, retention, and recruitment while supporting business-friendly initiatives. Florida First Capital is licensed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as Florida's Statewide Certified Development Company. Their mission, much like The Chamber's, is economic development and job creation with their main goal to provide access to capital for small businesses. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, sponsored by MillCreek Financial Consultants, our President/CEO, Sue Dick chats with Mark Kruse about the different services Florida First Captial provides. Through small business loans, Florida First Capital wants to keep as much cash in the hands of business owners as possible. Tune in & see what First Florida Capital could do for your small business.

The Tallahassee Chamber is dedicated to improving the quality of life for our community, but what does this look like? Our focus is creating a strong regional economy by following a pro-job agenda that will foster growth in the areas of talent supply and education; innovation and economic development; community prosperity; and overall business climate. Through the efforts of the Chamber's Business Advocacy Committee, led by Rob Clarke, Chamber Board Chair-Elect and Ausley McMullen Shareholder, we advocate for policies critical to positive change in community issues and the growth of the capital region. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, sponsored by MillCreek Financial Consultants, our President/CEO, Sue Dick chats with Rob about the collaborative work being done to address issues related to homelessness, job growth, and sales tax increases. Tune in to learn more about the Chamber's role as a business advocate and the initiatives and projects we support to bring Tallahassee to the forefront as a destination to live, work, and play.

Research shows that higher kindergarten readiness rates translate into better life and health outcomes for children and lower crime rates in our communities. They also keep Florida businesses and workplaces competitive. The Children's Movement of Florida's 'Bosses for Babies' initiative helps employers implement work policies beneficial to businesses and working parents. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by MillCreek Financial Consultants, Madeleine Thakur, President/CEO, Children's Movement of Florida, and Sachs Media President/CEO, Michelle Ubben join Sue to unveil the latest guide released by the Children's Movement of Florida. Through family-friendly work policies and benefits, businesses like Sachs Media have found a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining talent, increasing productivity, and employee loyalty. Learn more about the Children's Movement of Florida's Bosses for Babies initiative at https://www.childrensmovementflorida.org/bosses_guide.

Tallahassee has a long-running list of assets and accomplishments, but there's one that should make the whole community proud. Florida's Capital City, as of last year, is home to the #1 Public HBCU in the country: Florida A&M University. U.S. News and World Reports awarded FAMU this top position as well as ranking them 103rd of all public universities, a 13-spot jump from the previous year.  In 2022, Florida A&M University launched a five-year strategic plan, ‘Boldly Striking', with a goal to elevate performance and position FAMU to become a top 100 public institution. They set ambitious objectives through Student Success, Academic Excellence, Leveraging the Brand, Long-Term Fiscal Health and Sustainability, and Organizational Effectiveness and Transformation, with a plan to exceed all expectations. With application numbers setting new records each year, it's clear the word of Florida A&M University's achievements has already started to spread.  On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast sponsored by MillCreek Financial Consultants, School of Business and Industry Dean and Chamber Board Member, Dr. Shawnta Friday-Stroud joins us to update us on the continued success and goals for a transformative future.

May 1 marked the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month – a topic often avoided because of the stigma brought on by society. The difficult truth is, nearly one in five Americans live with a mental health condition, according to the National Institute for Mental Health. On this special episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by MillCreek Financial Consultants, Dr. Jay Reeve, President/CEO of the Apalachee Center, joins us to normalize the conversation around mental health and shares ways we can support someone that might be suffering. The Apalachee Center has been serving the Big Bend region since 1948 and continues to provide innovative resources to make access to help easier. In 2018, following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, the Florida Legislature created the Public Safety Act, allowing organizations like the Apalachee Center to partner with local law enforcement in creating Mobile Response Teams (MRT). This proactive partnership offers care in a community-based setting, increasing opportunities to stabilize individuals in the least restrictive setting.

Since 2006, Access Tallahassee has provided opportunities for young professionals to connect and engage with others to help them grow personally and professionally. Access has attracted and retained hundreds of local leaders in the capital city through exposure to community movers, shakers, and unique social events. This year, the YP group is taking its programming in a new direction, with Tallahassee's first-ever young professionals' summit. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by MillCreek Financial Consultants, 2023 Access Tallahassee Chair, Jason Hollister shares more information about the inaugural event taking place on April 21, 2023. In addition to the jam-packed agenda full of workshops and a keynote speaker, Access Tallahassee will also recognize five local up-and-coming leaders for their contributions to our community. Registration for the 2023 YP Summit & Future 5 Awards is still open! To view the full agenda and learn more, visit www.TLHYPSummit.com.

In an industry that is not often talked about, Tallulah CBD Mushrooms THC Owner, Ashley Guy is making noise throughout the capital city and beyond. You've seen the name and you've probably seen one of her six locations, but what's the story behind Ashley's rapid success? On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast presented by MillCreek Financial Consultants, we follow this former teacher's path to entrepreneurship and a booming business. Without a business background, Ashley took a leap of faith into the CBD market that has blossomed into a wide array of wellness products that can be found at one of the multiple Tallulah storefronts in Tallahassee.  

As students and families gear up for spring break, the team from Second Harvest of the Big Bend is prepping for the Junior League of Tallahassee's annual Mighty Meals event – distributing meal boxes for families over spring break that rely on school lunches. As a Feeding America local food bank serving 16 counties, Second Harvest is tackling hunger one meal at a time. Second Harvest of Big Bend's CEO, Monique Ellsworth, joins us on this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business podcast, presented by MillCreek Financial Consultants. Tune in as she shares more about the innovative programs Second Harvest is implementing to battle food insecurity and how her team of only 40, makes it all happen.

If you've flown through the Tallahassee International Airport lately, you've probably noticed a lot happening – updated TSA security scanners, renovations to the terminals, and even a new Dunkin' Donuts opening soon. But the most recent update might be the most important to local air travelers. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast presented by MillCreek Financial Consultants, TLH Airport Director of Aviation David Pollard joins us to share details about JetBlue's new air service, updates on the International Processing facility, and investments being made in both the land and air sides of the airport.

In a study done by the House Committee on Small Business, Black business ownership declined more than 40% within the first two months of the pandemic- the largest decrease across any ethnic group. Even before the widespread impacts of COVID-19, Black businesses faced many financial hurdles due to racial wealth disparities. Federal funding and many grant programs became available; however, the majority of businesses didn't take advantage of these resources. This is what led Vaughn Wilson, a local small business owner, to create the vision for the Black Business Expo. Wilson has worked closely with the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) to bring this highly anticipated event to life. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast presented by MillCreek Financial Consultants, Vaughn joins us to share his own story of survival and how he's using his platform to share local resources with fellow black business owners. On February 25, 2023, Mega Ace Media, OEV, bankers, and business development partners will come together for the 2nd Annual Black Business Expo. Tune in to learn more about this year's event and the $15,000 in grant funding being awarded. Learn more about the Black Business Expo by visiting www.BBETally.com.

In the midst of our celebration this year for the Chamber's 100th Anniversary, we're already looking ahead to another major milestone for the entire community. In 2024, Tallahassee-Leon County will celebrate its bicentennial. Visit Tallahassee, Leon County's division of tourism has already started to put wheels in motion for the big year. Earlier this month the County Commission approved the formation of a bicentennial steering committee and task force to engage the community and begin plans for the next year. In our latest episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast presented by MillCreek Financial Consultants, Visit Tallahassee's Director of Tourism, Kerri Post joins us to share their vision for 2024. More than a dozen representatives from local organizations, Chambers of Commerce, higher education institutions, and historical societies will come together to create a community-wide celebration that engages all segments of the community, and shares residents' experiences and stories of our community from their unique perspectives.

More than 80 percent of Florida business leaders, across industry sectors, surveyed by the Florida Chamber of Commerce “emphasized the importance of employability skills. These skills which include communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving are universally valuable work competencies that are essential to adapt to shifting demands within and between careers.” The State of Florida is listening to those employer concerns and invested in a free career readiness solution called Florida Ready to Work. The program focuses on developing a work-ready talent pipeline with the essential employability skills required for individual, business, and whole community economic well-being and growth. In our latest Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by MillCreek Financial Consultants, Florida Ready to Work's Tiffany Vause and our own Corrie Melton join us to share how our local employers can find ready-to-work talent and reduce hiring, training, and turnover costs. On January 17, Florida Ready to Work will host an informational webinar for employers and in partnership with Lively Technical College, they will offer a chance to take the assessment free every Friday starting on January 27.

Over the past 12 months, we have accomplished a lot as a Chamber and as a community. Our team has engaged and worked alongside dynamic leaders on our Board of Directors, moving our Mission forward to drive a higher quality of life in our community. This week, we've had the opportunity to reflect on another great year and we're joined by our Board Chair, Sammie Dixon for our final podcast episode of the year. Sammie shares some of his fondest moments as Chair and some of the successes we've had under his leadership. We hope you'll tune in for Sammie's farewell and learn more about the great work being done by your Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. 2022 Tallahassee Business Podcast Presenting Sponsor: The Health Network

The Tallahassee-Leon County region is continuing to face an ongoing workforce crisis with an extreme talent shortage. Over the past two years, the Chamber has worked to streamline the talent pipeline, encouraging educators and employers to work together and place qualified candidates in high-paying jobs. Through local partnerships, we're working towards that goal, and thanks to the latest efforts of Big Brothers Big Sisters, we're one step closer. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast presented by The Health Network, Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director, Molly Lord joins us to introduce their Big Futures program. With the expansion of their mentorship services, volunteers will work one-on-one with high school students from Godby and Rickards High School to prepare them for life beyond high school. Learn more about how the Big Futures program is setting youth up for success and how you can make an impact at www.bigbendmentoring.org.

Following a dream and starting a business is a brave task that not many take on. But it is the risk-takers and innovators introducing new technologies, products, and services that create jobs, and change the economic landscape for the future. Next week, our community will come together to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit in the capital city at Tallahassee Startup Week. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by The Health Network, Robert Blacklidge, Executive Director of Domi Station, and local entrepreneur, Julia Holly join us to share the details of this year's events. The schedule is jam-packed with thought-provoking events, led by local entrepreneurial leaders in twelve different industries. Learn more at https://www.domistation.org/tlhstartupweek/. 

Contact Your Candidates Laurie Lawson Cox www.laurielawsoncox4schoolboard.com info@laurielawsoncox4schoolboard.com Alex Stemle www.alexstemle.com alexstemle@gmail.com

Contact Your Candidates Paula DeBoles-Johnson www.imwithpaula.com PaulaDeBolesJohnson@gmail.com David O'Keefe www.davidforleon.com david@davidforleon.com

Contact Your Candidates Christian Caban www.christiancaban.com christian@christiancaban.com Hannah Crow www.votehannahcrow.com hannahlacey.crow@gmail.com

Contact Your Candidates Josh Johnson www.voteforjosh.org joshforleoncounty@gmail.com Nick Maddox www.nickmaddox.com maddox.nicholas@gmail.com

Contact Your Candidates John Dailey www.daileyformayor.com johndaileycampaign@gmail.com Kristin Dozier www.dozierformayor2022.com kristindozier@gmail.com

For 30 years, Big Bend MED Week has celebrated the monumental impacts our small/minority businesses have had on our local economy and recognized business owners for their contributions and leadership. On October 17, 2022, we will kick off the beginning of the 30th Minority Enterprise Development Conference. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast sponsored by The Health Network, Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality's MWSBE Deputy Director, Darryl Jones joins us to share the exciting events taking place to honor our small/minority businesses. From networking opportunities and workshops to galas and receptions, there is a lot to look forward to! Tune in to learn more about this year's agenda along with the announcement of 30th Anniversary MED Week Award Winners! Visit www.bigbendmedweek.org to learn more.

Earlier this year, we hosted our annual Prosperity Summit, highlighting the local affordable housing crisis. With alarming statistics shared with no relief in sight, it was apparent that we were going to have to think outside the box and find innovative ways to solve this problem… And that is exactly what Kyndra Light was doing. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by The Health Network, Kyndra, Owner of Precision Building & Renovating shares how she and her husband are utilizing 3D printing to build homes that are more affordable, environmentally friendly, and manufactured much quicker than traditional construction. On September 30, Kyndra and James will unveil to the public, the first 3D-printed home in the state of Florida, built in the Griffin Heights neighborhood in Tallahassee. Learn more about Kyndra at www.rethinkconstruction.com.

In January 2021, the Tallahassee Chamber launched The Community Scorecard as a data-driven approach to measure our progress in the Tallahassee-Leon County area. This monthly report focuses on twelve key factors that have demonstrated proof in driving regional economies and success in other communities including jobs, industry diversification, poverty and crime rates, kindergarten readiness, third-grade reading scores, and post-secondary attainment rate. On this episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast presented by The Health Network, we are joined by the Florida Chamber Foundation's Director of Research Dave Sobush, CEcD, who is the expert behind the statewide Scorecard - the model which ours follows. Dave shares the importance of the data as well as key trends and the factors critical for a vibrant community. Learn more about the Florida Scorecard at thefloridascorecard.org.

“Voting is the most important expression of our collective wisdom.” 2022 is a big election year in the Capital City and there are many divisive reports about the voting process. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast presented by The Health Network, Leon County Supervisor of Elections, Mark Earley joins us to address the misconceptions. Mark walks us through the voting process and explains why it's important you participate in both the primary and general elections. With more than eight local seats on the ballot, your vote makes a difference in the direction of our community. Learn more about your voting rights at leonvotes.gov.

June 1 marked the beginning of hurricane season. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predictions, we're facing an “above-average” 2022 Atlantic hurricane season with 14 to 21 named storms, including three to six major hurricanes. Are you prepared? Is your business? On this special episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, sponsored by The Health Network, local business owner, Tom Derzypolski who serves as Chair of the Capital Area Red Cross joins us with Executive Director Sharon Carraway to share best practices when preparing your business for an emergency. Think your business is ready? The Red Cross launched the American Red Cross Ready Rating™ program as a complete 123-point self-assessment of your preparedness and reveals areas for improvement. For more information on the Red Cross and to access the Preparation Checklist, visit www.redcross.org.

They call it the "Great Resignation" or the "Big Quit". With statistics showing two jobs to every applicant, employers are having to get creative with employee recruitment and retention. When the City of Tallahassee reached out to the Tallahassee Chamber team about getting the word out about job openings, we knew our TalentHub platform would be the perfect tool to host a Virtual Hiring Event. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast presented by The Health Network, Tammy Edwards, City of Tallahassee Human Resources Consultant joins our very own Corrie Melton to talk about the upcoming job fair taking place on June 9.  These virtual hiring events will take place every other month exclusively on TalentHub. Employers looking to hire are encouraged to participate and connect with a number of jobseekers live online. For employers looking to join the virtual hiring event, e-mail Katie Harwood at kharwood@talchamber.com for more information. Job seekers can create their profiles ahead of time and join the event live directly on www.TalentHub2030.com.

When we met Calvin Ford, Owner of Tremont Concrete Services (and many other ventures), he was a true testament to the fact that Tallahassee is open for business and there is a lot of opportunity in the Capital City. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by The Health Network Sue sits down with the new friend of the Chamber as they discuss the amount of growth happening within the region and how small businesses like Tremont are expanding their footprint through local connections.

The Tallahassee International Airport has been a busy place lately. Last month, TLH released statistics showing the demand for air travel has significantly increased, nearing record-breaking numbers marked in 2019. Through the first quarter of 2022, passenger traffic at Tallahassee International Airport is up 93.9% compared to the first quarter of 2021. So, what does this mean for travelers? On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by The Health Network, we are joined by Airport Director, David Pollard who addresses the latest challenges at the airport, including the recent news about longer security lines and flight times. We encourage you to tune into this episode to hear directly from David about how he and his team are investing in improvements to enhance passenger travel while helping to establish Tallahassee as a competitive and sustainable place to do business. Learn more about what's happening at the TLH Airport at https://www.talgov.com/airport/airport.aspx. 

Tallahassee roots run deep – especially in the capital city's Southside neighborhoods. Something that needs to be remembered and honored. This is why the Soul of Southside Festival was created back in 2021 and has already grown into a weeklong celebration with more than 12 events. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast presented by The Health Network, community advocate Christic Henry joins us to talk about the rich and diverse history of Tallahassee's Southside neighborhoods and the importance of this festival in the capital city. Christic and a team of volunteers have been hard at work over the past 12 months to accommodate the tremendous growth and put together a jam-packed schedule of events. For more information on this year's Soul of Southside Festival, visit https://sosfesttlh.com/.

You've heard the name at the beginning of every Tallahassee Business Podcast episode, but what exactly is The Health Network? Dustin Rivest, the Founder of THN joins us for a special sponsor highlight this week as he talks about the history of the tech company and where it's headed next. Dustin and The Health Network team have worked closely with a number of local healthcare practices to change the patient experience while helping local businesses advertise on a unique platform. Learn more about The Health Network at www.thnadvertising.com.

This year's legislative session ended with the largest budget passed in state history of $112B with a surprisingly low number of bills filed. What is even more interesting is what passed (and what didn't). On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast presented by The Health Network, Sachs Media Partner, Herbie Thiele joins Sue to discuss some of the major items that landed on the Governor's desk including COVID liability laws, hometown heroes program, gas tax and more. Tune in to learn more about what these bills mean for you and your business.

On March 23, the Tallahassee tech industry will finally have something many have been waiting for. Launch Tally is a hub for resources, opportunities and talent where tech folks can discover the best news, events, programs and jobs from across the community. Tech companies will now have a one-stop-shop to post jobs, share wins and connect with fellow tech peers. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast presented by The Health Network, Launch Tally leader, Eddie Gonzalez-Loumiet talks with Corrie Melton about the official liftoff of the community resource. The LaunchPad is already up and running, loaded with information and even merchandise to get you ready for the big day.

It's always a competition between Leadership Tallahassee classes as to who truly is the #BestClassEver. The LT experience is so much more than a leadership program and with the 40th anniversary upon us, this year's LT class might truly be the best class ever. In this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast presented by The Health Network, Leadership Tallahassee Class 38 member Dionte Gavin joins Sue to share his experience within the LT program and what potential applicants can look forward to in Class 40. Dionte is this year's Recruitment Chair and he is ready to break records. Tune in to learn more about the application process and tips on how you can stand out.

CESC, Inc. is a local non-profit organization that not only provides emergency shelter and immediate services to those experiencing homelessness but programs to help individuals get back on their feet and lead a self-sufficient life. On this episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by The Health Network, CESC Executive Director, Samantha Vance, and the local businessman who brought the project to life, Rick Kearney join Sue to talk about the critical services they provide to combat homelessness. The COVID pandemic has presented an entirely new set of challenges for the homeless population but through the support of the community, they see a promising future. Learn more about how you can help at www.cesctlh.org.

On February 2, 20 local college students will embark on a half-day to visit six area tech companies that are looking for interns and employees from our local universities. Unbeknownst to many students (and residents), Tallahassee is home to more than 60 tech-based companies and the industry is responsible for creating 13,000+ local jobs. In 2016, Access Tallahassee decided it was time to take students out of the campus bubble. In this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast presented by The Health Network, Ebe Randeree, Associate Dean of FSU's College of Communication & Information joins Access Tallahassee Manager, Katie Harwood to talk about the unique opportunity that was created to help attract and retain talent. Ebe has been a major advocate for the tech community and shares the impact the Job Hop has on his students and their careers. For more information on the Tally Job Hop, visit www.tallyjobhop.com.

When Ashley Guy moved to Tallahassee from Seattle, she had a vision that no one else saw. She wanted to be the first one to bring CBD to the capital city and she did just that. Tallulah CBD + Juicebar opened in the Market District in September 2019, and it's grown quicker than even Ashley could have expected. In this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast presented by The Health Network, Ashley talks about how she's embraced a new community, networked and cultivated a major following in a unique industry.

It's the final farewell. On the last episode of the year, it was fitting to have our 2021 Board Chair, Jay Smith join us on the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by The Health Network. Even in some of the most uncertain times, Tallahassee's private sector has shined. The Chamber Board along with the team have worked tirelessly over the past 12 months to support our member businesses through innovative programming and strategic partnerships within the community. We hope you'll take a few minutes to tune in, learn more about some of the great things that came from the Chamber this year and hear what's ahead in 2022.

Chamber partner and community hospital, Capital Regional Medical Center has an exciting year ahead. Throughout their 40 years in Tallahassee, they have invested in students interested in the healthcare industry. Next year will be even bigger. In this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by The Health Network, CRMC CEO, Alan Keesee joins us to talk about new programs being launched and a major partnership with Florida A&M University. Capital Regional Medical Center affiliate, HCA Healthcare has partnered with HBCUs all over the country to foster a new generation of healthcare professionals. This opportunity will help advance diversity, support scholarships and make the road to a lifelong career in healthcare more feasible for individuals at any age. Learn more about Capital Regional Medical Center and HCA Healthcare at www.capitalregionalmedicalcenter.com. 

This year's Black Friday and Small Business Saturday will look a little different. Sales began running weeks in advance, encouraging shoppers to make their purchases ahead of the big weekend. Scott Shalley, President/CEO of the Florida Retail Federation says his 3,000+ retailers have been preparing months in advance for the holiday madness. In this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast presented by The Health Network, Scott shares some insight into how his retailers are getting creative to combat supply chain issues and staffing shortages. He says although many consumers have turned to the web during the pandemic, 80% of purchases are still being made in brick and mortar. To learn more about the work of the Florida Retail Federation, visit http://www.frf.org/.

Christic Henry is not only a well-known real estate broker in the area, but she is a powerful and passionate advocate for the Tallahassee community and southside neighborhoods. Thanks to the leadership of Christic, Ron Sachs and community partners, the Friday after Thanksgiving is now known as Family Day. Tallahassee-Leon County is the first community in Florida to recognize Family Day, a holiday that celebrates the importance of family togetherness, support and love. On this day, you're encouraged to spend time with those you love while supporting local retailers, businesses, culture, arts, and outdoor locations county-wide. This year's event at Railroad Square will feature free family portraits, entertainment and activities for community members of all ages. More than 50 businesses and organizations are involved in this year's Family Day with the support of the City of Tallahassee, Leon County and generous sponsors. To learn more about Family Day, visit www.FloridaFamilyDay.com. The Tallahassee Business Podcast is presented by The Health Network.

Every now and then, we are asked the question “What does a Chamber of Commerce do?” While every Chamber has a different mission statement, we all have one goal in mind: to support local businesses. When resources and funding became available for organizations struggling during the pandemic, it was clear to all three Chambers that the best way to support our members was to work together, bringing our strengths to the table and do whatever we could to help our business community survive. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by The Health Network, the Capital City Chamber of Commerce President, Katrina Tuggerson sits down with Sue Dick to talk about the importance of community collaboration and the great things that have come out of partnerships. Next week during Tallahassee Startup Week, the Capital City Chamber along with Domi Station and Women Wednesdays will host their annual Advantage Conference. The collaborative conference focuses on harnessing the talents, tools and opportunities of an inclusive business community for everyone's advantage.

The needs of a business are never universal and are continuously changing throughout every phase of the business life cycle. The Small Business Development Center at Florida A&M University (Florida SBDC) works with existing and startup small businesses to help them grow and compete in today's global economy. Whether you're looking to create a business plan, analyze your financials, or need help navigating an HR issue, the experts with the FAMU SBDC offer customized consulting at no cost to you.   Keith Bowers, Regional Director of the SBDC joins this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by The Health Network, and dives deeper into the resources available to help business owners make more informed decisions. Keith also shares some exciting news for minority and women-owned businesses through the help of Wells Fargo.   Learn more about how the FAMU Small Business Development Center can help you at http://sbdcfamu.org/

When you walk into a store, you're starting to see more empty shelves, your online orders are taking weeks longer to be delivered, your options are limited. Every industry has been feeling the effects of what they're calling a global “bottleneck recession” and Tracey Shrine, Owner of Full Press Apparel says it will be months before things are back to normal. On this episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by The Health Network, Tracey talks about this new reality and how she's managing the internal stresses while maintaining a positive experience for both consumers and employees.

This week, we celebrate National Minority Business Development Week with the timely theme of “Reimagining Opportunity: Building Back Better, Together!” This week on the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by The Health Network, we're joined by Erica Woods, State Policy Manager of Facebook.   This week was the perfect opportunity to have Erica share the various resources the social media platform provides for small businesses. “Small businesses really are the backbone of Facebook.” Erica discusses how the pandemic has encouraged businesses to strengthen their social media presence and the unique ways you can utilize Facebook to reach your target audience.   Tune in to hear from Erica and learn more about free trainings and offerings for minority-owned and small businesses.

If you haven't yet had the full Leadership Tallahassee experience, we HIGHLY recommend you take advantage of the intensive, one-day version called Opportunity Tallahassee (OT). This year's Opportunity Tallahassee event, sponsored by AMWAT Moving, Warehousing and Storage and Centennial Bank is right around the corner, coming up on October 28. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by Event Owl, OT Chair, Tracey Cohen joins our very own Dana Noles as they reflect on their experiences in Opportunity Tallahassee. The agenda is packed full of activities and conversations centered around the physical, social, economic, and educational structure of Tallahassee. As an OT participant, you will have the chance to connect with many of our area's stakeholders and business leaders and finish the day re-energized about our community potential. Learn more about Opportunity Tallahassee and apply at https://www.leadershiptallahassee.com/events/opportunity-tallahassee-2/

Aaron Milner, President of Johnson + Milner Engineering Firm is a first-year Chamber Board member and was a first-time conference attendee. On this week's episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by Event Owl, Aaron reflects on his involvement with the Chamber community, the connections he's made and offers insight on the importance of small businesses having a voice in the community.