Podcasts about West Michigan

Some of the best real estate and business conversations happen in the hallways of the Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference, and every year since 2019 we sit down with our good friend Ramond Harris II to see what he's built since we last talked. This year Ramond walks through the full pivot from running a $3.6 million FedEx Ground operation to buying and rebuilding a commercial painting business serving apartment developers across Metro Detroit. It's an honest, unscripted look at what it actually takes to turn a struggling acquisition around, why margin beats revenue, and where a hustling operator still bleeds money when the bookkeeping can't keep up with the growth. Justin Workman joins to press Ramond on the numbers and hand him a few fixes he can use Monday morning. About Ramond Harris II Ramond Harris II is a Detroit-based operator and real estate investor. He grew a FedEx Ground route business from roughly $450,000 in revenue and four trucks into a $3.6 million operation with 36 delivery vans and 54 employees before exiting at the end of 2024. He now owns a 24-year-old commercial painting company focused on apartment new construction and repaints, and he continues to run rental property and fix-and-flip projects. What We Cover in This Episode Why Ramond exited a $3.6 million FedEx Ground business and what he kept from it Buying an established 24-year-old commercial painting company instead of starting from scratch The 12 to 18 month bid-to-start cycle that left the paint company dry for a full year How 48 bids in 2025 turned into $1.4 million in Q1 2026 contracts and a $4 million goal Networking into big general contractors like Sachse, O'Brien, Ronish, and Paragon Using Section 3 and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) status to win work and protect margin Why the painting business has better margins and fewer headaches than logistics Niching down to apartment buildings only: new construction and repaints The Higginbotham Project, a 100-unit Detroit school-to-apartments conversion Using fix and flips as bread-and-butter cash flow to survive the dry year (resiliency in practice) Leadership on the job site: staffing cutters, rollers, sprayers, and preppers The bookkeeping and job-costing gaps that come with fast growth, and how to close them Why the leftover trucks keep costing money and the case for cutting the loss How Detroit property taxes uncapped on his rentals and doubled his assessment How Ramond uses ChatGPT for blueprints, invoices, loan packages, and decision-making Key Insight A year ago at this same conference, Ramond had just bought a painting company and had no work, because the prior owner had stopped bidding and paint jobs run on a 12 to 18 month clock. Instead of panicking, he went back to his bread and butter, ran four flips to keep cash moving, and put in 48 bids. By the first quarter of 2026 he had signed $1.4 million in contracts, with another $900,000 in the second quarter and a real shot at a $4 million year. The comeback wasn't luck. It was pricing discipline, relentless bidding, and using his Section 3 and MBE status to get in the door. Why This Episode Matters If you run a small business or a real estate portfolio, Ramond's story is a live example of two things that decide whether operators survive: staying resilient when a bet isn't paying off yet, and being honest about where you're still losing money. The episode is worth it for the on-air diagnosis alone, watching a growing operator get called out on his bookkeeping, his job costing, and the trucks he still hasn't sold, and walk away with fixes he can put to work immediately. Find Out More VR Quality Painting Instagram: @harrisfamilycontracting Instagram: @mrplayoffensedaily Facebook Sponsors Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area. https://www.livegreenlocal.com And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits. https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

Looking for the best parks in West Michigan? In this episode of Living in Grand Rapids, Doren Colley with the May Group Realtors at RE/MAX of Grand Rapids shares his favorite parks and outdoor spaces around Grand Rapids, from family-friendly neighborhood parks to hiking trails and hidden beaches just a couple of hours away.Grand Rapids has a big-city energy with restaurants, live music, and even a Beer City USA title, but some of the best moments here happen when you slow down. Whether that means a morning trail, a playground afternoon, or a quiet bench with coffee, West Michigan has a park for every kind of day, and this video breaks down exactly where to find them.⏱️VIDEO CHAPTERS Introduction (0:00) What Are the Best Parks in West Michigan? (1:00) Best Family Parks & Playgrounds (1:17) Trails for Walking, Running & Biking (2:19) Quiet, Natural Parks (2:47) Choose Your Own Adventure (3:08) Beyond the City: Beaches & Dunes (3:25) Final Thoughts (4:07) What Are the Best Parks in West Michigan? It's one of the questions Doren gets asked most, and honestly, it's a tough one to answer because there are so many great options. Instead of a top ten list, this video walks through favorite parks and outdoor spaces based on the type of experience you're looking for, from playgrounds to peaceful hikes.Best Family Parks in Grand Rapids: If you have younger kids, Grand Rapids and the surrounding communities are full of neighborhood parks with playgrounds, splash pads, open fields, and gathering spaces. Some of the local family favorites include Millennium Park, Riverside Park, Hager Park, and Townsend Park, all of which offer large green spaces, trails, playgrounds, and reservable pavilions for parties and family reunions. For something closer to the neighborhoods, Garfield Park and Richmond Park are easy to get to and great for quick afternoon outings, complete with well-loved disc golf courses.Trails, Biking & Quiet Natural Spaces: For walkers, runners, and bikers, the White Pine Trail is a West Michigan favorite, stretching more than 90 miles from Comstock Park to Cadillac with a paved, mostly flat path perfect for dog walkers, families with strollers, and long-distance athletes alike. For a quieter, more natural setting, Doren recommends Pickerel Lake Park, Lewton Park, Townsend Park, and Roselle Park, all beautiful spots for wooded trails and a little solitude.Beyond Grand Rapids: Beaches, Dunes & State Parks. Within a couple hours of Grand Rapids, you'll find some of the most beautiful beaches and dune systems in Michigan. Doren shares one of his favorite outdoor adventures, backpacking at Nordhouse Dunes along Lake Michigan, about two hours northwest of the city, where you'll find white sand, crystal clear water, and a beach that feels almost private.Whatever kind of day you're looking for, whether it's a playground and a picnic table or a challenging hike, West Michigan has a park to match. Watch the full video to find your next favorite outdoor spot, and let us know in the comments which West Michigan park is your favorite.*LET'S CONNECT*Download our Free Relocation Guide: https://marketgrandrapids.com/relocation-guide Email: contact@marketgrandrapids.com Website: https://marketgrandrapids.com Instagram: @MayGroupRealtors

On this episode, we welcome Steve Tibbe, Director of Operations for Fans of Valley Field.Steve joins us to discuss the monumental $5.75 million revitalization of Grand Rapids' historic Sullivan Field.Episode Highlights:Fundraising Milestone: Celebrating over $5.75 million raised from 1,600+ donors, including the Bea Aldrink Idema Foundation, the Versluis family, and the City of Grand Rapids.Ballpark Transformations: A deep dive into the major structural updates happening from the grandstands down to the playing field before reopening in 2027.Transitioning to Operations: Moving from "fundraising mode" to "operations mode" and why community support matters after construction wraps up.Special Event Announcement: The upcoming Ballpark Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, September 26, 2026, will take over the street as an old-fashioned block party.Community Closeup is WYCE's weekly public affairs program, produced in partnership with the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, bringing you diverse perspectives from community leaders throughout West Michigan. The program is hosted by WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower.

Philip Henry started with no capital, a student loan balance, and a newborn at home. His first investment was a rundown two-unit in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Today he owns nearly 100 residential and commercial doors generating over $2 million a year through Connect Investments. In this episode, Philip walks through every step of how he built that portfolio, the creative financing strategies he used to get into deals with little or no money down, and the commercial real estate fundamentals that turned a series of overlooked properties into a $20 million portfolio. About Philip Henry Philip Henry is a former chemical engineer from Canada who quit his six-figure W2 job in 2017 after his real estate cash flow exceeded his salary. He is the founder of Connect Investments, author of Real Estate: The Blueprint to Firing Your Boss, and creator of propanalyzerpro.ai, a deal analysis tool for real estate investors. He manages his portfolio in-house with a small team and hosts the American Legacy podcast. What We Cover in This Episode Why house hacking a two-unit is the best first move for any new real estate investor How Philip used FHA 3.5% down to buy a four-unit building with almost no money out of pocket What seller financing looks like in practice and how Philip acquired 11 units by walking away from closing with a check Why distressed and underpriced properties create more opportunity for creative financing The reality of hands-on investing: evictions, renovations after work, and tenants who test your commitment How Philip bought a 32-unit building in Bangor, Maine for $1.2 million with no money down using seller carry and a private lender at 12% interest Why that same 32-unit building is now worth $5 million How to identify hidden expense problems in commercial listings that other buyers overlook How Philip cut $115,000 in annual expenses from a $1.8 million commercial listing and bought it for $1.3 million The NOI formula and why every dollar of income increase or expense reduction multiplies the value of a commercial asset How Philip manages nearly 100 doors with two full-time employees and Buildium software Why Philip still controls leasing in-house and what that means for occupancy The FHA loan program: who qualifies, how it works, and why the younger generation should use it before buying a single family home How to raise private capital when you have no track record and no connections Real Estate: The Blueprint to Firing Your Boss and propanalyzerpro.ai: what they are and who they're for Key Insight Philip found a 35,000 square foot brick commercial building downtown listed at nearly $1.8 million that had been sitting on the market. Nobody wanted it. After going through the expense sheet line by line, he found two problems nobody else had bothered to look for: a $45,000 flood insurance policy he renegotiated down to $10,000, and an $80,000 full-time maintenance position that was redundant given his existing team. He eliminated $115,000 in annual expenses before he owned the building, bought it for $1.3 million with seller financing, and it is now worth approximately $3 million. Why This Episode Matters Every strategy Philip used — house hacking, FHA financing, seller carry, private capital at a fixed return, expense reduction in commercial assets — is available to any investor willing to learn the mechanics. None of it required inherited wealth or industry connections. This episode is a step-by-step account of how a chemical engineer with student loan debt and no real estate background built a $20 million portfolio by solving problems other investors walked away from. Find Out More Website: propanalyzerpro.ai Book: Real Estate: The Blueprint to Firing Your Boss — available on Amazon Podcast: American Legacy — available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts Instagram: @philipmhenry Sponsors Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area. https://www.livegreenlocal.com And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits. https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

Originally uploaded July 3rd, reloaded July 13th. Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Paul Moore, Director, Start Garden, Grand Rapids, MI. Welcome Paul, remind us about Start Garden and your "The 100"? 'The 100' has traditionally focused on early-stage startup ideas. What prompted Start Garden to redesign the competition to serve businesses at multiple stages of growth and connect them with different types of capital? This year's program brings together lenders, investors, grant makers, and corporate partners under one umbrella. How does that broader funding ecosystem create more opportunities for Michigan entrepreneurs? The competition now centers on an entrepreneurial “sprint” tied to a specific business milestone. Why is that approach valuable, and what kinds of measurable results are you hoping participants will achieve? Existing businesses are now a major part of the program, not just startups. How does this change expand the impact of The 100 for established companies looking to grow, hire, or scale operations? With more than $500,000 in potential funding opportunities, live funding announcements at Demo Day, and strong participation from underrepresented entrepreneurs, what role do you see The 100 playing in strengthening West Michigan's broader business and innovation economy? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Start Garden reimagines annual entrepreneur competition by adding funding partners, expanding reach beyond startups and boosting funding opportunities to more than $500,000 Applications opened June 1 for a revamped 100 with a bigger pipeline for business owners and capital providers and a new format (GRAND RAPIDS, MI) — Start Garden today announced a major evolution of The 100, its eight-year-old annual entrepreneur competition that has connected more than 800 Michigan founders with funding and community resources. For the first time, the organization is bringing together multiple capital providers to fund multiple types of businesses at different stages, a shift from the event's historical focus on new business ideas. With the addition of external partners, The 100 will up its funding opportunities to more than $500,000, introduce a "sprint" process, and expand the people giving out money at the culminating event, Demo Day. Joining Start Garden in the new iteration of The 100 is what the organization calls Capital Partners that will help support up to $500,000 in corporate contracts, loans, shared revenue agreements, venture capital, and, as before, small catalytic grants to entrepreneurs at every stage. The 2026 Capital Partners include: GROW (small business loans) Opportunity Ventures (shared revenue agreements) Union Heritage (venture capital) Meijer (first-customer contracts for food and consumer product companies) Start Garden (grants) Applications for The 100 open June 1 at 100.startgarden.com. The application is still as simple as recording a 100-second video, but now includes a brief explanation about what stage the business is at. Start Garden will also host three community pop-up events this summer, where entrepreneurs can submit pitches in person with assistance. 2026 Key Dates June 1 — Applications open at 100.startgarden.com July 12 — Submissions close (11:59 PM) July 21 — 100 semi-finalists announced August 7–9 — Mandatory Bootcamp at Start Garden, Grand Rapids August 10 — 50 finalists announced, sprint begins October 8 — Sprint ends, Executive Summaries due October 22 — Demo Day at Start Garden, Grand Rapids # # #

Kenny Henderson, Community Relations Coordinator for Gift of Life Michigan in West Michigan talked with us about their special event at John Ball Zoo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Community Closeup, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower sits down with Lynn Goldberg, a branch librarian and member of the Summer Wonder Workgroup. Lynn shares all the exciting details about KDL's Summer Wonder program—a seasonal journey designed to keep West Michigan families engaged, inspired, and learning all summer long through outdoor discovery, reading challenges, and STEAM activities.Lynn also shares how your family can participate, track progress using the Beanstack app, and attend incredible free community events, including live cultural performances and a foam party!What is Summer Wonder? A free program packed with scavenger hunts, reading goals, and STEAM activities for all ages.How to Participate: Download and log your activities through the Beanstack app through August 7.Native American Dancers: Monday, July 20 at 1:00 PM (Comstock Park Branch) – Featuring champion powwow dancer Reg Pettibone & Family.Foam Party @ the KDL Bookmobile: Monday, July 27 at 6:00 PM (Caledonia Lakeside Park) – Bubbly fun and kid-friendly tunes (swimwear and towels recommended!).Summer Wonder Bash: Monday, August 3 (Caledonia Branch).Special Partnerships & Perks: Learn about Find Curi and Read For the Trees (in partnership with Kent County Parks), the KDL Perk Pass, and year-round youth reading programs like 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and Legendary Readers.Website: kdl.orgTrack Your Progress: Sign up on the Beanstack app to register for Summer Wonder and start earning rewards!Community Closeup is a weekly public affairs program produced in partnership with the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, bringing you diverse perspectives from community leaders throughout West Michigan.

In this episode of Hands in the Soil, we're joined by four guests - Ian and Kristina, co-founders and co-executive directors of The Farmers Land Trust, and Julian and Alita, the visionaries behind the Earthen Heart Farmland Commons in Bangor, Michigan - to talk about a hopeful and replicable model in food systems work happening right now.The conversation that unfolds in this episode is a story about what becomes possible when land is decommodified, when ownership is reimagined as stewardship, and when the right people find each other at the right moment. Julian donated his 19.9-acre Bangor farm, built over 14 years of food forests, medicinal plants, and regenerative land practices, into the Farmers Land Trust, where it became the founding property of the Earthen Heart Farmland Commons. Alita Kelly, founder of Jade Rabbit and steward of community food work across West Michigan, received a 99-year lease on that land and a seat in the ownership structure. This conversation is part origin story, part how-it-works, and part invitation to anyone sitting on land, working with land, or dreaming of a different relationship to it.Tune in to learn more about:What The Farmers Land Trust does and how the farmland commons model works, including the 501c25 legal structure that makes it possibleHow farmers who lease land through this model also get a seat in the ownership structure, and why that changes everythingJulian's 14-year journey as steward of the Earthen Heart property, what he learned, and what guided him toward donating rather than sellingWhat it felt like to ask the land for permission, and to receive an answerWhy healing on this land is inseparable from healing the relationship that communities of color have had with land in AmericaThe vision for Earthen Heart as a site of communal farming, collective living, a freedom school, and transformation through the seasonsThe honest challenges: finding pro bono legal support, aligning values among farm partners, navigating shared leadership, and building something with no mapWhy land is donated all the time (to universities, municipalities, and conservation trusts) and what it would mean to shift that culture toward working farmland and food sovereigntyThe history of the word "homesteading" and why Julian chooses to use it anyway, and the distinction between farming for sale and farming for useLiberty Hyde Bailey, Teddy Roosevelt, the Commission on Rural Life, and the moment over a century ago that set us on the path we're still trying to heal fromResources MentionedEpisode 13: Bringing Hope to the Future of Farmland with Ian McSweeneyEpisode 34: Creating a Farmland Commons with Ian McSweeneyEpisode 48: Solidarity and Community Sufficiency: Land Justice, Food Justice and True Community Empowerment with Kristina Villa et al Liberty Hyde Bailey The Homestead Act of 1862 Connect + Learn MoreThe Farmers Land Trust Website: thefarmerslandtrust.org Earthen Heart Farmland Commons Website: thefarmerslandtrust.org/commons/earthen-heart Earthen Heart Website: earthenheart.comJade Rabbit: jade-rabbit.orgWest Michigan Young Farmers Coalition: youngfarmers.orgConnect with Hannah on Instagram: @hannahkeitel

Land-home development is one of the most overlooked strategies in affordable housing, and most real estate investors have never seriously considered it. The model is straightforward: buy a parcel of land, order a brand new manufactured home from a factory, place it permanently on the property, and sell the land and home together to a first-time buyer. In this episode, Robert Howell breaks down how he built a business around this strategy, why manufactured housing delivers exceptional value at a price point stick-built homes cannot match, and how he uses mobile home parks as a long-term tax offset for the short-term capital gains his land-home packages generate. About Robert Howell Robert Howell is a real estate investor and developer based in the upstate of South Carolina. He owns 250 lots across approximately 25 small and mid-sized mobile home parks and completes land-home development packages at scale, closing 50 deals last year with a target of 75 to 100 this year. He came to real estate from event marketing, bought his first mobile home park in 2020 with no prior experience, and has since built a vertically integrated operation combining long-term park ownership with active land-home development. What We Cover in This Episode What land-home development is and how it differs from mobile home park investing Why manufactured housing is cheaper to build than stick-built homes at a comparable quality How Robert builds a complete 3-bedroom, 2-bath home on owned land for $125,000 to $140,000 The full land-home development timeline from acquisition to sold: targeting 4 to 6 months How to find motivated land sellers through direct mail, cold calling, texting, and wholesalers The 30 to 45 day due diligence process: soil, water, power, driveway, and deed restrictions Why deed restrictions and HOA covenants are the biggest hidden risk in land-home development The de-titling process: how to convert a manufactured home from DMV title to real property How Robert uses cost segregation and bonus depreciation in mobile home parks to offset short-term capital gains from land-home flips Why small and mid-sized mobile home parks in South Carolina have low competition from institutional buyers How 95% of land-home buyers use FHA loans and what that means for deal timelines Why Robert targets scattered lots rather than full subdivisions for risk diversification How Robert structured his team to handle 50 land-home packages a year with a project manager and virtual assistants The below-market rent opportunity in small mobile home parks and how to approach rent increases responsibly Key Insight Robert bought a mobile home park in 2020 with no prior experience in the asset class. He evaluated it the way he still evaluates every deal today: revenue minus expenses minus debt service. If the number is positive, he moves. That first park sold a year later at a profit large enough to fund his next round of acquisitions. He now owns 25 parks and closes land-home packages two at a time — and he got two houses under contract at a baseball game on a Saturday night. Why This Episode Matters Manufactured housing sits at the intersection of two forces most investors ignore: a shortage of affordable housing and a regulatory environment that makes new mobile home parks nearly impossible to build. Robert's model exploits both. Investors willing to learn the asset class, understand the due diligence requirements, and get their dealer's license are entering a market with motivated sellers, limited institutional competition, and a deep pool of FHA-qualified first-time buyers. This episode gives you the full framework. Find Out More Website: howellandsons.com Sponsors Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area. https://www.livegreenlocal.com And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits. https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

On this episode of WYCE's Community Closeup, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower welcomes Victor Williams, founder and president of the Grand Rapids Media Initiative & Film Incubator (GR-MiFi) and CEO of Grandstand Pictures. Victor shares how GR-MiFi is empowering the next generation of filmmakers while preserving and amplifying the stories that have shaped Grand Rapids.The conversation explores the organization's innovative film incubator model, its commitment to hands-on education and media literacy, and its first major documentary project inspired by Dr. Todd E. Robinson's A City Within A City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Victor also reflects on his own creative journey—from performing with his pioneering Grand Rapids hip-hop group, New Concept, to producing films that spotlight the community's rich and often untold history.Learn more about the Grand Rapids Media Initiative & Film Incubator at grmifi.org.

Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Paul Keifer, President, Bank of America, Grand Rapids Opens Knapp's Corner Financial Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Key Points New financial center, celebrated at grand opening event, demonstrates commitment to serving families and businesses in West Michigan BofA has invested nearly $7 million in Grand Rapids in past 10 years; plans to invest $7 million more over next three years. Nationally, Bank of America plans to open 150 financial centers by 2027 GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – Bank of America opened the Knapp's Corner Financial Center, at 2300 E. Beltline Ave. NE in Grand Rapids today. The opening of the bank's newest financial center in Michigan demonstrates the bank's commitment to serve the financial needs of the individuals, families and businesses of the Grand Rapids community. The opening builds on Bank of America's more than $5 billion investment and the company's plans to open 150 new financial centers in 2027. The grand opening was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks from Holly O'Neill, president of Consumer, Retail and Preferred, and member of Bank of America's executive management team. The Knapp's Corner Financial Center is a continuation of Bank of America's ongoing investments in the West Michigan region. Bank of America has invested almost $7 million in Grand Rapids over the past 10 years, and plans to invest $7 million more over the next three years. With the addition of Knapp's Corner, BofA now serves clients through six financial centers in Grand Rapids “Our financial center network is core to our business and gives us a strategic advantage — today and going forward,” said Paul Keifer, President, Bank of America West Michigan. “Whether they want an in-person conversation about their retail banking, lending and small business needs, financial guidance from Merrill, or use digital banking capabilities, we will be able to serve West Michigan clients when, where and how they choose to manage their financial lives.” In addition to Keifer, Bank of America leadership attending the grand opening included: — Holly O'Neill, President of Consumer, Retail and Preferred at Bank of America — Wyatt Smith, Senior Managing Director, Global Commercial Banking — Brian Stanton, Managing Director, Consumer Midwest Division Executive The opening of the Knapp's Corner Financial Center is helping to grow the local economy and strengthen the community. In September, Bank of America announced it raised its U.S. minimum hourly wage to $25 per hour for full-time and part-time employees, bringing the minimum annualized salary for full-time employees to more than $50,000. Bank of America also recently announced its commitment to increase military and community college hiring, creating 700 financial center jobs in new growth markets across the country. Clients in West Michigan also have access to Bank of America's industry-leading digital capabilities which serve the banking, lending and investing needs of more than 59 million verified digital clients. The new financial centers showcase the latest technology, private offices to assist clients one-on-one, and on-site financial specialists who work as one team to understand a client's unique priorities and goals, and to provide personalized guidance. Frequently Asked Questions Question: How does this new center help Grand Rapids small businesses grow? Answer: Local business owners can meet in person with dedicated Small Business specialist to access capital, commercial real estate loans and treasury services. Through Bank of America's Business Advantage solutions, entrepreneurs can get expert guidance on managing cash flow and employee benefits to help scale their operations. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

Most real estate investors talk about what worked. Dearonne Bethea is willing to talk about what didn't. In this episode, the CEO of Band of Brothers Investment Group walks through a $500,000 business loss on his first Anytime Fitness franchise, the three mistakes that caused it, and the decisions he made after that eventually led to $200 million in assets under management. Along the way he breaks down the investing philosophy behind his growth: use businesses to generate cash flow, use that cash flow to acquire real estate, and use real estate to eliminate your tax burden. It is a framework built on discipline, hard experience, and a clear-eyed view of what actually creates wealth. About Dearonne Bethea Dearonne Bethea is the CEO of Band of Brothers Investment Group and a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Four with 20 years of active duty service, including two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. He built his first businesses while still on active duty, scaled a franchise portfolio across multiple states, and now controls more than $200 million in assets across multifamily, rental housing, operating businesses, and private investments. He is also the founder of Treazure Studios, a salon suite franchise model he launched after trademarking the brand. What We Cover in This Episode Growing up in Enfield, North Carolina, one of the poorest towns in the state, and how limited resources shaped Dearonne's approach to money Joining the Army at 20 as a turning point, and meeting the mentor who introduced him to investing Buying his first tax lien property at age 20 with a car as collateral after being denied a $13,000 loan Building Anytime Fitness franchises while deployed, working 18 to 20 hour days and managing operations remotely The three mistakes that caused a $500,000 loss on his first franchise: poor visibility, wrong demographics, and a bad partnership How he negotiated his way to break even, doubled down with a second location, and eventually sold two locations for $2.6 million The seven business pillars behind his $200M portfolio: franchises, multifamily, property management, brokerage, and his new venture Why he believes businesses create cash flow and real estate creates wealth, and why you need both How he uses real estate professional status and cost segregation to offset income from his businesses The salon suite franchise model behind Treasure Studios and why he designed it around 5,000 to 6,000 square foot locations Why he is stepping away from Anytime Fitness and building a franchise model with fewer employees and more entrepreneurs How he is integrating AI across his organization, including two dedicated AI integrators and an enterprise dashboard build Key Insight Dearonne opened his first Anytime Fitness in Richardson, Texas, lost roughly $500,000, and was burning $8,000 to $10,000 a month. Instead of folding, he wrote down every mistake, negotiated his rent down to break even, and used the remaining capital he had to open a second location at Fort Bragg with military partners who put in $20,000 each. That location was profitable within six months, a cash cow within twelve, and both locations sold for $2.6 million. He calls the $500,000 loss one of the best things that ever happened to him. Why This Episode Matters Dearonne's framework is one of the more practical models for investors who want to accelerate beyond passive real estate income: generate serious cash flow through a business, deploy that cash flow into real estate, and use the real estate to offset your tax liability. If you are a rental property owner thinking about how to scale faster or structure your portfolio more efficiently, this conversation gives you a concrete model to study. Find Out More Website Facebook Instagram YouTube LinkedIn Sponsors Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area. https://www.livegreenlocal.com And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits. https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

You can have the perfect planner, the right system, and the best intentions, and still not follow through. It isn't a caring problem. After enough broken promises to yourself, some quiet part of you simply stops believing the plan. That's where this conversation with Dr. Tamara Rosier begins, and it reframes self-trust as something closer to a nervous system skill than a mindset you can think your way into.Dr. Tamara Rosier has written the books and built the center and stood on the stages, and she still wakes some mornings and reminds herself, deliberately, that she is a trustworthy person. The belief underneath — the one she's carried since she was small — is that she's a person who screws things up. ADHD feeds a belief like that. It chips away at your sense of who you are, one forgotten thing at a time, until distrusting yourself stops feeling like a wound and starts feeling like good judgment.So much of that, it turns out, is happening in the body. An ADHD nervous system can spend its whole life braced — fight, flight, freeze, appease — switched on and calling it normal because it has never known the alternative. For years Tamara sat frozen on the couch, melting into the cushions, sure she was resting, when she was really stuck somewhere below the place where rest actually lives. There's a narrow band where you're calm and awake at once, and a lot of us have never spent much time there. Hearing her describe it, you may quietly start to wonder whether you ever have.The way back looks like catching yourself mid-loop — Tamara tells it through the week she lost one of her chickens, and the refrain that trailed her around the house, I failed her, I failed her, I failed her — and then learning to talk back to it, to move your body, to put on the Motown, to do the next small thing that nudges you up out of the freeze. It looks like noticing the clever ways we avoid all of that, too: the new app, the next fix, the dopamine that keeps us busy on the surface so we never have to turn toward the thing underneath.And the hope here is almost disappointingly ordinary. No system is going to fix you by Thursday. What there is, instead, is the small correction, made again and again, the way a sailor nudges the tiller rather than wrenching the whole boat around and tipping it over. There's learning to read your own weather, hour by hour. There's accepting that you may always need the timer, the Post-it, the reminder, and letting that be fine rather than shameful. Self-trust grows in that soil — in the quiet, stubborn belief that whatever goes sideways today, you'll know how to repair it.Links & NotesDr. Tamara Rosier — our guest's author site, where you can find her work and stay connected.ADHD Center of West Michigan — the coaching and support practice Tamara founded in Grand Rapids.Your Brain's Not Broken — Tamara's book on navigating your emotions and life with ADHD. A new edition for teens and young adults is on the way.You, Me & Our ADHD Family — her book on cultivating healthy relationships when ADHD is in the house.ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO) — the professional body for ADHD coaches; their directory is a solid place to start if you're looking for one.HeartMath — the heart-rhythm coherence and breathing tool Tamara leans on to drop into a calmer, parasympathetic state.Vagal nerve resets — Tamara's advice is to find the one that fits you; she points listeners to the many free walk-throughs on YouTube rather than any single "right" technique. Clicking that link saves you a search in YouTube.Join us on Patreon — early, ad-free episodes, extended editions, the post-show Q&A, the Discord community, and a seat in the Wednesday morning live stream.Dig into the podcast Shownotes Database (00:00) - Welcome to Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast (02:57) - Introducing Dr. Tamara Rosier (04:25) - Self-Trust and the Nervous System (12:32) - What are our beliefs doing in our bodies? (32:55) - Learn Your State ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

How to Scale Your Real Estate Portfolio Without Burning Out: The 5-Step Framework Real Investors Need Most real estate investors who plateau aren't stuck because of bad deals or bad markets. They're stuck because the habits and decisions that built their business are now the ceiling keeping them from the next level. In this episode, high-performance coach and real estate investor Trevor McGregor breaks down the five key reasons investors fail to scale, what the dark side of reaching your next level actually looks like, and how to build a portfolio that compounds without consuming your life. About Trevor McGregor Trevor McGregor is a real estate investor with more than two decades in the business and a high-performance coach with over 45,000 one-on-one coaching sessions behind him. Known as Coach T, he is a former Tony Robbins coach who has worked with entrepreneurs, executives, investors, and Olympic athletes. His clients span 37 US states and include notable real estate investors such as Joe Fairless. He offers a free 30-minute discovery call and a free mini audio series for investors at trevormcgregor.com/realestate. What We Cover in This Episode Trevor's origin story: losing everything in his early 30s and rebuilding through real estate one property at a time How he went from broke with six figures in debt to a cash-flowing portfolio in two and a half years The difference between being interested in real estate and being committed to it — and why that gap determines everything The 5 key reasons real estate investors fail to scale or burn out trying: Limiting beliefs that cap what investors think is possible No strategic plan — short term, long term, and vision Lack of systems to support growth at scale Poor time management and confusing urgent with important Failure to execute with intelligent and inspired action The Pomodoro method: how Trevor uses 45-90 minute deep work blocks to protect growth-oriented time The "who" vs. "super who" framework for building the right team around your portfolio Zone of genius: how to identify what you should be doing vs. farming out The story of Joe Fairless: from 4 single-family homes in Texas to $2.7 billion in assets under management The dark side of the next level — why getting what you thought you wanted doesn't always feel the way you expected How to define what you're actually optimizing for: financial freedom, time freedom, location freedom Why your "why" has to go deeper than money to sustain real commitment Why This Episode Matters If you're already investing and feel like something is holding you back from the next level, this episode gives you a specific diagnostic. Trevor's five-step inventory — limiting beliefs, strategic plan, systems, time management, execution — is a tool you can apply to your own portfolio right now. He also makes a point that often gets skipped: defining what "enough" actually looks like for you, before you spend years chasing a number that doesn't match your real goals. Find Out More Website: trevormcgregor.com Free Mini Audio Series (8 coaching sessions for real estate investors): trevormcgregor.com/realestate Email: tmcgregor@freedomcodecoaching.com Sponsors Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area. https://www.livegreenlocal.com And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits. https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

Curious if Grand Haven, Michigan is as good as everyone says? In this video, we're taking you through one of West Michigan's most beloved lakeshore towns, from the beach and downtown to the food scene, schools, and the events that keep people coming back year after year.⏱️VIDEO CHAPTERSIntroduction (0:00)Grand Haven Beach & Lighthouse (0:30)Downtown Grand Haven & Washington Avenue (0:50)Outdoor Activities & Trails (1:13)Local Food Scene (1:32)Is Grand Haven Good for Families? (1:50)Grand Haven Musical Fountain (2:10)Festivals & Seasonal Events (2:30)Final Thoughts (2:40)Grand Haven, Michigan is one of West Michigan's most popular lakeshore communities, and it's easy to see why. The town is known for its beautiful beaches, charming downtown, family-friendly atmosphere, and year-round outdoor fun, which makes it a favorite for both summer visitors and people looking to relocate to the area.Grand Haven BeachOne of the biggest draws is the beach. Grand Haven State Park features wide sandy shores, unforgettable Lake Michigan sunsets, and the iconic Grand Haven Lighthouse and Pier, one of the most photographed landmarks in the state. Whether you're swimming, relaxing in the sun, or taking a sunset walk along the pier, the waterfront is the heart of this town.Downtown Grand HavenDowntown is packed with locally owned boutiques, specialty shops, coffee houses, ice cream parlors, and waterfront restaurants. Washington Avenue is the main street and the perfect spot for an afternoon of shopping and dining, especially during the warmer months when outdoor events and live music fill downtown.Things to Do in Grand HavenOutdoor lovers have plenty to explore too, including miles of biking and walking trails like the Lake Shore Trail, plus boating, fishing, and kayaking on Lake Michigan and the Grand River. Pair that with local favorites like Pronto Pup or a sunset dinner at Noto's at the Bil-Mar, and you've got a town built for making memories.Is Grand Haven Good for Families?Families are drawn to Grand Haven for its welcoming community, highly rated schools, parks, and year-round activities, including the Grand Haven Musical Fountain, one of the largest musical fountains in the world. Add in festivals like the Coast Guard Festival, farmers' markets, and art fairs, and it's clear why this community has such a strong sense of togetherness.If you're thinking about visiting, moving to, or buying a home in Grand Haven, this video will give you a real feel for what life here is actually like.Want to learn more about Grand Haven real estate or West Michigan living?

In this episode of Community Closeup, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower dives into the highlights of the 2026 National Civics Bee. On April 15th, the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce hosted the prestigious regional competition at the Ford Presidential Museum, bringing together 20 talented middle school finalists from across the area to showcase their civic knowledge.We are joined by Andy Johnston, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives with the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, along with two inspiring regional contestants from Riley Street Middle School in Hudsonville: Hadley Baer and Siddhi Pandey. We spoke with both Hadley and Siddhi about their experience competing on the big stage, what it takes to prepare for a civics bee, and how this unique initiative is building essential skills for the next generation of leadership.Inside the Competition: A recap of the April 15th regional event at the Ford Presidential Museum and what the competition looked like for the 20 local finalists.The Stakes: How top state winners earn prizes of up to $1,000, and how Michigan's first-place winner advances to the National Championship in Washington, D.C., this fall to compete for a $100,000 contribution to a 529 college savings plan.The Mission: Why the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation launched this annual, nonpartisan competition to increase civic literacy, skills, and community disposition among young Americans.Learn more about local business advocacy and initiatives: Grand Rapids ChamberLearn more about the competition: National Civics Bee / U.S. Chamber of Commerce FoundationWYCE's Community Closeup is a weekly public affairs program produced in partnership with the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, bringing you diverse perspectives from community leaders throughout West Michigan.

Rolling Growth Forward: How Motiv Bowling Is Investing in Muskegon and MichiganIn this episode, Scott Wilbur of Motiv Bowling discusses how his family came together to grow their business presence while supporting Michigan manufacturing, local jobs, and community engagement. Scott also shares insights into the culture behind Motiv Bowling, the company's commitment to quality and performance, and the importance of giving back to the Muskegon region that has supported its success. From entrepreneurship to manufacturing, we talk about how West Michigan remains an important place to build, invest, and grow a business.

Home Staging for Real Estate Investors: How Presentation Affects Sale Price, Days on Market, and ROI Home staging is one of the most underused tools in a real estate investor's toolkit. Most investors treat it as an optional expense. The ones who understand it treat it as a marketing strategy that directly affects what a property sells for and how fast it sells. In this episode, Alisa Sparks, founder and CEO of Linden Creek, breaks down the business case for professional home staging, what it actually costs, and what investors consistently get wrong when they try to do it themselves. About Alisa Sparks Alisa Sparks is the Founder and CEO of Linden Creek, a luxury interior design and home staging franchise with 22 locations across the country. Before founding Linden Creek, Alisa worked in corporate and military finance. She brings a data-first approach to staging, focusing on ROI, days on market, and the psychology of how buyers experience a property. What We Cover in This Episode Why vacant homes sell slower and for less than staged homes The psychology of staged vs. unstaged properties and how buyer behavior changes The $50,000 difference: a real A/B case study using two identical townhouse floor plans What home staging actually costs ($4,000 to $10,000) versus furnishing a property yourself ($15,000 to $60,000) How stagers think about MLS photography, buyer traffic flow, and storytelling in a space The difference between staging for sale and designing for a homeowner Why virtual staging falls short when buyers walk through the door Common DIY staging mistakes: wrong furniture scale, mismatched quality, poor accessorizing How to use staging to offset property flaws that can't be fixed (small kitchens, awkward layouts, neighbor issues) When to bring in a stager during the selling process and how long to keep furniture in place The competitive advantage of staging in markets where only 20% of listings do it How Linden Creek uses AI tools to scale marketing output with a small team Key Insight Two identical townhouse units. Same floor plan, same location, same everything. One sat vacant and sold in four months for around $600,000. The other was staged. It sold within the first week for $50,000 more. That one variable — staging — was the only thing that changed. Alisa has collected dozens of case studies like this across eight years and hundreds of properties. Why This Episode Matters Most real estate investors focus their capital on what's inside the walls — HVAC, plumbing, flooring. Alisa's argument is that the last 5% of the budget, spent on how the property looks and feels on the day it hits the market, often has the highest return. If you're flipping houses, selling rentals, or trying to lease model units faster, this episode gives you a framework for making that decision with real numbers. Find Out More Website: www.linden-creek.com Instagram: @lindencreek_ Instagram: @Alisa_Sparks LinkedIn (Company): www.linkedin.com/company/linden-creek LinkedIn (Alisa Sparks): www.linkedin.com/in/alisasparkslc/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LindenCreek Sponsors Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area. https://www.livegreenlocal.com And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits. https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

In this episode of Community Closeup, host Phil Tower sits down with Max Gilles, Strategic Initiatives Manager for Mobile GR, to discuss the future of urban transit in West Michigan. Max joins the program for a discussion about the city's upcoming long-range framework, major changes to the downtown shuttle system, and transit solutions for the city's newest entertainment hubs.Key Topics Covered In This Episode:The City's New Mobility Blueprint: Max gave us an inside look at the development of Grand Rapids' new long-range multimodal framework prioritizing safety, equity, and sustainability.The Reimagined DASH Route: Why the city of Grand Rapids chose to roll out a tighter, one-direction loop that slashes wait times down to 8 minutes while addressing rising transit costs.Downtown Grand Rapids Venue Transportation: How Mobile GR plans to efficiently move crowds to and from the new Acrisure Amphitheater and Amway Soccer Stadium.Learn More at Mobile GR.

Today we're broadcasting from the Midland Country Club as Dow Championship week is underway. Throughout the show we were joined by some of our great guests to talk about the Detroit Tigers, World Cup, NBA Finals, and more. We kicked off the show talking with former Major Leaguer John Vander Wal. He and Huge talked about how the Tigers have been playing the past couple of weeks, gave their thoughts on if the team has fully turned things around, talked about the Skubal situation, and more. We were then joined by our Soccer insider John Conlon. He and Huge talked about the World Cup and discussed the American team and how they see them doing in the World Cup, talked about the current state of Club Soccer, and much more. We wrapped up the hour talking with Jim Deiters who is the Assistant GM at the Midland Country Club. He and Huge talked about what makes the Dow Championship so special, talked about the impact on the community, and much more. In our second hour, we were joined by Scoop Jackson from ESPN Chicago. He and Huge talked about the NBA Finals and last night's game, gave their thoughts on if the celebrities in the room helped or hurt the Knicks, gave their thoughts on how the rest of the series plays out, and more. We were then joined by West Michigan Native Sarah White, who will be playing in the Dow Championship this week. She filled us in on her journey to playing in the Dow Championship, talked about what makes this event so much fun, and more. We were then joined by Bill Hobson from Michigan Golf Live. They talked about all of the great Golf happening in Michigan this season, talked about this being the last year of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, and more. In our final hour, we were joined by former Michigan Basketball Head Coach John Beilein and Josh Garvey from Doeren Mayhew for another edition of our "Talking Hoops" segment. Huge, John, and Josh talked about New York and San Antonio in the NBA Playoffs, gave their thoughts on the Spurs win last night, gave their predictions on the rest of the Series, and more. We were then joined by Mitch Lyons from Mitch Lyons Wealth. He and Huge gave their thoughts on how the Tigers have looked, Mitch told us about seeing Skubal pitch in West Michigan over the weekend, and more. Jim Comparoni from SpartanMag.com then joined us to update us on MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz. We wrapped up the show talking with Jeremy Friedman about bringing the Dow Championship and Meijer LPGA Classic together for 2 great weeks of Golf! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Regenerative medicine is not just about treating pain, it is about helping the body remember how to heal. In this episode, Dr. Jen speaks with Dr. Ann Auburn about osteopathic manipulative medicine, craniosacral therapy, prolotherapy, PRP, and natural aesthetic treatments that support healing from the inside out. They discuss how structural imbalances can create chronic pain, why ligaments and fascia matter, how regenerative injections stimulate repair, and how PRP can be used for skin rejuvenation without synthetic fillers. This conversation offers a practical look at natural tools for pain, movement, aging, and whole-body resilience. Dr. Ann Auburn, DO, is a board-certified osteopathic physician and founder of the Natural Health Improvement Center in West Michigan. With more than three decades of clinical experience, she specializes in osteopathic manipulative medicine, craniosacral therapy, prolotherapy, PRP, and integrative approaches to chronic pain and healing. Through her clinical work, teaching, and leadership, Dr. Auburn helps patients restore function, reduce pain, and support the body's innate ability to heal naturally. Website: https://www.nhicwestmi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhicwestmi Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NHIC.Michigan  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nhicwestmi  PODCAST: Thank you for listening please subscribe and share! Shop supplements: https://healthybydrjen.shop/CHECK OUT a list of my Favorite products here: https://www.healthybydrjen.com/drjenfavoritesFOLLOW ME:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integrativedrmom/Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/integrativedrmomYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@integrativedrmomFTC: Some links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you).  I truly appreciate your support of my channel. Thank you for watching! Video is not sponsored.DISCLAIMER: This podcast does not contain any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment advice. Content provided on this podcast is for informational purposes only.  For any medical or health related advice, please consult with a physician or other healthcare professionals. Further, information about specific products or treatments within this podcast are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

Skubal makes a rehab start.

In our final hour, we were joined by former Michigan Basketball Head Coach John Beilein and Josh Garvey from Doeren Mayhew for another edition of our "Talking Hoops" segment. Huge, John, and Josh talked about New York and San Antonio in the NBA Playoffs, gave their thoughts on the Spurs win last night, gave their predictions on the rest of the Series, and more. We were then joined by Mitch Lyons from Mitch Lyons Wealth. He and Huge gave their thoughts on how the Tigers have looked, Mitch told us about seeing Skubal pitch in West Michigan over the weekend, and more. Jim Comparoni from SpartanMag.com then joined us to update us on MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz. We wrapped up the show talking with Jeremy Friedman about bringing the Dow Championship and Meijer LPGA Classic together for 2 great weeks of Golf! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We were joined by Mitch Lyons from Mitch Lyons Wealth. He and Huge gave their thoughts on how the Tigers have looked, Mitch told us about seeing Skubal pitch in West Michigan over the weekend, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Most investors with 60 units didn't start with capital, connections, or a roadmap. Andres Bernal started with $500 and an FHA loan on a three-unit in Connecticut. He built that rental portfolio from there, one deal and one strategy at a time, until the income replaced his day job entirely. About Andres Bernal Andres Bernal came to the United States in 2012 as a professional tennis player from the Dominican Republic. He began investing in real estate in 2016 while still coaching full-time. Today he owns more than 60 rental units across Section 8, student, and long-term rentals, with a portfolio valued over $12 million. He is also the author of Born to Retire Young and currently runs three to five fix-and-flip projects per month in Connecticut. What We Cover in This Episode Why house hacking with an FHA loan is still the most reliable first move for new real estate investors How Andres scaled from 18 units to 60 in just two years by partnering strategically The case for student rentals: higher rents, parent co-signers, and lower effective expenses than traditional long-term rentals Why Connecticut is one of the hottest real estate markets in the country right now and why nobody is talking about it The tenant education process Andres runs at every move-in and why it is the single biggest factor in smooth property management How he manages three to five flips per month with 12 in-house contractors and a four-person rental management team When to sell a rental property with strong equity but weak cash flow and what to do with the proceeds Key Insight Andres bought his first house hack in 2016 for $210,000. It appraised last year at nearly $500,000. After refinancing, it cash flows $1,600 per month. He still owns it. That one deal funded everything that came after. Why This Episode Matters If you are sitting on the sideline waiting for the right market or the right amount of money, this episode is worth your time. Andres did it with $500, no network, and a coaching job. The strategies he used, house hacking, the BRRRR method, student rentals, and strategic flipping, are all still available to investors who are willing to execute. Find Out More Andres Bernal's book, Born to Retire Young, is available on Amazon. Proceeds from book sales go toward a charity in the Dominican Republic that supports improving the school system for children. His second book on flipping is expected mid-2026. Instagram: @AndresBerna1 Facebook: Andres Bernal Sponsors Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area. www.livegreenlocal.com And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits. www.rcbassociatesllc.com

https://clearmeasure.com/developers/forums/ Chris Woodruff, or as his friends call him, Woody, is a software architect of over 25 years. Woody loves software engineering, especially allowing applications and services to communicate across networks and through Web APIs. He has received Microsoft MVP awards in SQL, Data and C# in the past, along with multiple years of being awarded the AWS Community Builder Award. He's a current board member of the .NET Foundation Woody lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he explores the many breweries in West Michigan and travels with his family. Woody is also a long-time bourbon fan and loves hunting for whiskey bottles. Website - https://woodruff.dev/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriswoodruff/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/cwoodruff Simplicity-First Website - https://simplicity-first.dev/ Previous Appearances on the Azure & DevOps Podcast: Episode 262 - Chris "Woody" Woodruff: Network Programming https://azuredevopspodcast.clear-measure.com/chris-woody-woodruff-network-programming-episode-262 ---------------------------------------- Want to Learn More? Visit AzureDevOps.Show for show notes and additional episodes.

Alex Urban from the Eat em Up: Detroit Tigers Podcast joined us to give his thoughts on Skubal's rehab assignment in West Michigan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We were joined by Dan Hasty who is the voice of the West Michigan Whitecaps. He and Huge talked about Skubal coming to West Michigan, gave their thoughts on how many starts he gets before he goes back to the Tigers, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Throughout today's entire broadcast, we're being joined in studio by our good friend Mitch Lyons from Mitch Lyons Wealth. During that time, he and Huge talked about the Detroit Red Wings and Dylan Larkin requesting a trade, talked about how the season has been going for the Detroit Tigers, talked about Skubal starting his rehab assignment this weekend with the Whitecaps, talked about the Detroit Lions in the off-season, talked about the Detroit Pistons and their season, Mitch filled us in on how he can help you with your retirement, and much more. In our second hour, Alex Urban from the Eat em Up: Detroit Tigers Podcast joined us to give his thoughts on Skubal's rehab assignment in West Michigan. We were also joined by Dan Hasty who is the voice of the West Michigan Whitecaps. He and Huge talked about Skubal coming to West Michigan, gave their thoughts on how many starts he gets before he goes back to the Tigers, and more. We wrapped up the show with a "Moving Ferris Forward" interview as Huge spoke with Ferris State University President Dr. Bill Pink. Dr. Pink joined us to fill us in on the Jim Crowe Museum going up on the campus of FSU, told us about the new residence hall they're putting up on campus, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Throughout today's entire broadcast, we're being joined in studio by our good friend Mitch Lyons from Mitch Lyons Wealth. During that time, he and Huge talked about the Detroit Red Wings and Dylan Larkin requesting a trade, talked about how the season has been going for the Detroit Tigers, talked about Skubal starting his rehab assignment this weekend with the Whitecaps, talked about the Detroit Lions in the off-season, talked about the Detroit Pistons and their season, Mitch filled us in on how he can help you with your retirement, and much more. In our second hour, Alex Urban from the Eat em Up: Detroit Tigers Podcast joined us to give his thoughts on Skubal's rehab assignment in West Michigan. We were also joined by Dan Hasty who is the voice of the West Michigan Whitecaps. He and Huge talked about Skubal coming to West Michigan, gave their thoughts on how many starts he gets before he goes back to the Tigers, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this encouraging episode of the Healing Begins Podcast, Pastor Gale Kragt talks with author Melanie Cox about her book, “ You Have To Know: What I've lived. What He's shown. What you need to know.”  Melanie shares her personal journey through pain, struggles, healing, and discovering God's faithfulness in difficult seasons of life. Her story is filled with honesty, hope, and encouragement for those who may feel rejected, forgotten, or overwhelmed by life's challenges.During the conversation, Melanie speaks about identity, purpose, healing, and learning to trust God even when life does not make sense. Listeners will be reminded that God sees their pain, understands their struggles, and still has a beautiful plan for their lives.This episode is a heartfelt reminder that no matter what you have faced, healing and restoration are possible through Jesus Christ. Melanie's transparency and faith will inspire you to keep moving forward with hope, courage, and confidence in God's love.To donate to the ministry of Spiritual Care Consultants, please visit:  www.DonateToSCC.com   or visit:  www.SpiritualCareConsultants.com

This week on The Metal Maniacs Podcast (Ep 157), host Jay Ingersoll sits down with three‑fourths of heavy post‑hardcore breakout Dog Skull — Brad Jahr (bass), Jackson Filion (guitar), and Chance Reyes (drums) — to talk about life on the road, the grind of DIY touring, and carving a modern sound rooted in underground grit. With Jack (vocals) away this round, the band opens up about everything from their East Coast Tour (4/1 – 4/10) to the writing sessions behind one of Michigan's freshest heavy releases.Dog Skull has been turning heads across the Midwest with their fusion of raw emotion, groove‑driven riffs, and punk energy — a sound fans of Helmet, Bad Religion, and Trapped Under Ice will instantly connect with. Recorded and produced with the care of veterans who know “clean doesn't mean soft,” their self‑titled LP (released July 17, 2025) cements them as a serious force in the heavy underground movement.We dig deep into the band's inception and influences, how each member contributes to the crisp production and tight live chemistry, and what keeps them motivated to chase authenticity in a saturated heavy scene. Expect laughs, road stories, and insight into how these guys balance brutal honesty and unshakable fun in their songwriting.

Most rental portfolios stall between $500,000 and $5 million. Not because the deals stop. Because the owner is still operating like a technician instead of a CEO. In this episode, Brian talks with Andy Clark, bestselling author of Getting the Whole Pie and creator of the Whole Pie System. Andy works with small business owners who have hit operational ceilings and need structure, clarity, and accountability to scale sustainably. If your rental business feels heavier than it used to… this conversation is for you. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why growth creates operational strain between $1M–$5M The difference between being a visionary and an executor Why what got you here won't get you there The three pillars of a healthy business: Profit, Impact, Enjoyment How to build a foundation before scaling further The four components of the "flywheel" that drive sustainable growth Why clear ownership prevents chaos How to identify the right metrics for your portfolio Why decisive action beats perfect analysis How unresolved issues drain energy and stall momentum Why business owners often choose their own frustration The Whole Pie Framework Andy's system focuses on three core outcomes: Profit – Strong, sustainable financial performance Impact – Making lives better through your business Enjoyment – Building a company that doesn't own you Too many investors focus only on profit. But when impact and enjoyment are ignored, burnout, stagnation, and operational breakdown follow. The Flywheel: Turning Strategy Into Execution Once the foundation is built, Andy implements a structured "flywheel" model: Clear Ownership of priorities Right Metrics that act as your dashboard Smart Decisions using data and values Great Meetings that drive accountability It's not flashy. It's not sexy. But it's what separates sustainable growth from chaos. Why This Matters for Rental Property Owners If you: Feel stuck at a certain portfolio size Are involved in every decision Can't step away without things breaking Are growing revenue but not freedom You're not alone. The solution isn't more units. It's better structure. Resources Mentioned Getting the Whole Pie by Andy Clark thewholepiesystem.com The Whole Pie Health Check (free tool) Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area. https://www.livegreenlocal.com And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits. https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

Most real estate investors never reach financial freedom. Not because they lack hustle. Not because they miss deals. They fail because they never build a real long-term strategy. In this episode, Brian sits down with Joel Kraut, a real estate investor with over 30 years of experience. Joel has flipped more than 100 homes, built rental portfolios across multiple states, operated through the 2008 crash, and rebuilt after losing $4.2M during the financial crisis. Today, he shares the framework behind his book Seven Steps to Financial Freedom and explains how investors can build portfolios that survive volatility and compound over time. In This Episode, You'll Learn: How Joel accidentally discovered the BRRRR method in the 1990s The biggest differences between real estate investing then vs. now Why today's financing options are more flexible than ever Where the BRRRR strategy still works in 2026 Why most investors fail because they treat real estate like transactions instead of a business How to build a team before you scale The importance of slowing down and creating a real financial foundation Why boring deals often outperform "home run" swings How Joel recovered after losing $4.2M in the 2008 crash The mindset required to survive big financial swings Why financial freedom is really about time freedom Joel also shares why new investors should focus on simple, structured deals instead of risky, high-leverage bets—and how discipline beats hype every time. About Joel Kraut Joel Kraut is a real estate investor, author, and operator with over 30 years of experience. He has flipped more than 100 homes, built rental portfolios across multiple states, and financed projects nationwide through his lending platform. After navigating multiple market cycles—including the 2008 crash—Joel now focuses on helping investors build sustainable, long-term strategies rather than chasing short-term wins. Resources Seven Steps to Financial Freedom – Available on Amazon Website: brrrr.com Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area. livegreenlocal.com And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits. rcbassociatesllc.com

Cubs win their fifth straight game with a 5 to 4 victory. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She Builds Podcast features the seldom-told stories of women who build. These women's stories were not taught in schools, but they have shaped the industries of architecture, construction, and development over the last century. The podcast was started by three friends who, after graduating from architecture school together, sought to fill in the gaps in their education while creating a resource for others.Jessica Rogers, NOMA is the Office Administrator and Marketing Coordinator at Peacock Architects, where she combines her architectural background with strong operational and marketing expertise.  In her role, Jessica leads proposal development, manages the project pipeline, and supports overall office efficiency. Elizabeth Raar (Lizi) is a licensed architect, originally from West Michigan, who graduated from Syracuse University. Currently, she works for En Masse Architecture and Design in Chicago, IL on single-family residential projects. She enjoys making a project functional yet beautiful for the client. Norgerie Rivas-Villalongo is an architect from Puerto Rico with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Syracuse University. She is currently a project manager at eStudio Architecture in Houston, Texas, where she has designed projects for various sectors, including commercial, healthcare, multifamily, and retail, from inception through construction. She currently serves as an Architect Licensing Advisor with the Texas Society of Architects, Past-Chair of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program, and is an active participant in Latinos in Architecture. We talk about…- The behind-the-scenes reality of building an international women in architecture podcast, from writing scripts and digging through archives to piecing together the stories of impactful women who history nearly overlooked.- The very different career journeys these three women have taken from Syracuse to Miami, DC, Houston, San Francisco, and Chicago, and why there is no single roadmap for building a meaningful architecture career. - Themes and patterns that have emerged across more than 100 stories of women in architecture, including how access, privilege, education, and mentorship have historically shaped opportunity in the profession.- We end by sharing architecture-fueled travel stories and the unforgettable places that have shaped their perspective, including Hearst Castle, Sea Ranch, and Hagia Sophia.>>> Connect with She Builds: www.shebuildspodcast.com>>>Thank you to our Sponsor:⁠⁠⁠⁠Arcol ⁠⁠⁠⁠is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly. Learn more about Arcol on their ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠.>>>Connect with Architectette:- Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Learn more)- Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @architectette⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (See more)- Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Behind the Scenes Content)- LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Architectette Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Page and/or⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Caitlin Brady⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠>>> Support Architectette:- Leave us a rating and review!>>>Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Miguel Useche led the offensive charge on Saturday night, as the South Bend Cubs downed the West Michigan WhiteCaps 5-3, their third win in succession.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Bend comes from behind on Friday night to edge West Michigan 5-4, solidifying their first place position in the Midwest League West Division standings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get the stories from today's show in THE STACK: https://justinbarclay.comJoin Justin in the MAHA revolution - http://HealthWithJustin.comProTech Heating and Cooling - http://ProTechGR.com New gear is here! Check out the latest in the Justin Store: https://justinbarclay.com/storeKirk Elliott PHD - FREE consultation on wealth conservation - http://GoldWithJustin.comTry Cue Streaming for just $2 / day and help support the good guys https://justinbarclay.com/cueUp to 80% OFF! Use promo code JUSTIN http://MyPillow.com/JustinPatriots are making the Switch! What if we could start voting with our dollars too? http://SwitchWithJustin.com

Matt Halbach homered as the South Bend Cubs rolled past West Michigan 7-1 Thursday night.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tired of ADHD strategies that don't work? Here's what actually does. FREE training here: https://programs.tracyotsuka.com/signup_____A lot of ADHD women are not using executive function to get things done. They are using anxiety. If panic, pressure, or shame is what finally gets you moving, this episode explains why.Dr. Tamara Rosier is an ADHD coach, founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan, and author of Your Brain's Not Broken. Through her work with adults, families, and students, she helps people understand the emotional side of ADHD in a way that feels practical, concrete, and deeply human.Tamara realized that many ADHD brains are not relying on calm systems to transition, prioritize, or follow through. Instead, they are using emotional intensity to create enough urgency to act. Fear to remember. Shame to stay motivated. Anxiety to get started.That shift changed how she approached ADHD support. Instead of focusing only on productivity strategies, she began helping people understand the emotional patterns underneath the behavior first. Because when the nervous system is overloaded, no planner or system will stick for long.In this episode, we talk about the “angry neighbor” versus the “butler” brain, why transitions feel so hard, and how divergent thinking can turn one small problem into twenty imagined outcomes. We also get into emotional overwhelm, perfectionism, humor as regulation, and why so many ADHD women feel emotionally exhausted even when they look high-functioning on the outside.If you have ever wondered why you can only seem to function under pressure, this episode will help you understand what your brain has been relying on all along.Resources: Website: https://www.tamararosier.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.tamararosier  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-rosier-phdSend a Message: Your Name | Email | Message If this podcast helps you understand your ADHD brain, Shift helps you train it. Practice mindset work in just 10 minutes a day. Learn more at tracyotsuka.com/shiftInstead of Struggling to figure out what to do next? ADHD isn't a productivity problem. It's an identity problem. That's why most strategies don't stick—they weren't designed for how your brain actually works. Your ADHD Brain is A-OK Academy is different. It's a patented, science-backed coaching program that helps you stop fighting your brain and start building a life that fits.

Co-living is one of the most overlooked strategies in real estate investing. While most investors chase single-family rentals generating $200 a month per door, a small group of operators is filling houses with multiple residents, charging per bed, and clearing $5,000 or more on a single property. In this episode, co-living investor and coach Katrina Robinson breaks down exactly how this model works, who it serves, and how she runs three properties in San Antonio, Texas from Los Angeles. About Katrina Robinson Katrina Robinson is the founder of the Group Home on Autopilot coaching program and operator of Roundtable Living, a San Antonio-based co-living company with three properties housing low-income residents including people with disabilities, working-class adults, elderly tenants, and reentry individuals. A former Air Force officer deployed to Iraq, she manages her portfolio remotely and coaches investors nationwide on how to build and run co-living businesses profitably. What We Cover in This Episode What co-living is and how it differs from assisted living and adult foster care Why Katrina targets low-income, disability, elderly, and reentry residents How she went from $200 a month per door to $5,000+ per property The economics of co-living: beds, pricing by market, and the $2,000 monthly target How to choose the right property: bedrooms, bathrooms, layout, and amenities Why she avoids HOAs and how the Fair Housing Act protects her business How to segment residents by house to reduce conflict The systems she uses to manage properties remotely: Rent Ready, Jotform, Calendly, and Google Sheets The operations manager model and how she structured it as an independent contractor Real horror stories from the field and what they taught her about screening and systems Key Insight Katrina's first co-living house has 15 beds at $560 a month each. Gross income: $8,400. Her take-home after expenses: over $5,000 a month on one property. That single result convinced her to open a second house, then a third, and eventually build a coaching business around the model. The math works because the per-bed rate, even at an affordable price point, stacks in a way that single-family cash flow never does. Why This Episode Matters Affordable housing is one of the most pressing problems in the country and also one of the least understood opportunities in real estate. This episode gives investors a clear look at a model that addresses both, with real numbers, real systems, and real stories from someone who built it from the ground up and teaches others how to do the same. Find Out More Website: grouphomeonautopilot.com LinkedIn: Katrina E. Robinson YouTube: youtube.com/@grouphomeonautopilot Sponsors Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area. livegreenlocal.com And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits. rcbassociatesllc.com

In this episode, Phil Schiller and Erik Dondzila share their entertaining experience racing Iceman Cometh Challenge on a tandem - and Dan Frayer from West Michigan Mountain Bike Alliance explains how the Yankee Springs Time Trial helps contribute annually to the West Michigan mountain bike trail system.

Rob and I start at 25 minutes after a thorough debunking of conspiracies Stand Up is a daily podcast. I book,host,edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. This show is Ad free and fully supported by listeners like you! Please subscribe now for as little as 5$ and gain access to a community of over 750 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous soul Subscribe and Watch Interviews LIVE : On YOUTUBE.com/StandUpWithPete ON SubstackStandUpWithPete The Committee to Protect Health Care, composed of over 36,000 doctors and advocates across the United States, drives lasting change in health care by using our tested and proven strategies across everything we do. Through our physician-led initiatives and targeted advocacy, we push for accessible, affordable, and equitable health care. Our programs reflect our commitment to advancing policies that put patients first and safeguard the health and freedom of every family. Nearly 25 years as an emergency medicine physician has provided Dr. Rob Davidson with a wealth of knowledge in practicing health care. Two years ago, however, he decided that he needed more. He began pursuing a Master of Public Health degree in the online Population and Health Sciences program at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.  "I've always been right at that point of health care where you meet people at significant moments in their life," said Davidson, a West Michigan-based physician. "The ER seems far removed from the goals of population health and public health, but you come to realize just how much people's wider world has an impact on what brought them to the ER at that point in time."  Davidson pondered earning his master's degree for a while, having seen colleagues who earned their MPH go on to impact local health outcomes. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he knew that pursuing an MPH was the right next step.  Listen rate and review on Apple Podcasts Listen rate and review on Spotify Pete On Instagram Pete on Blue Sky Pete on Threads Pete on Tik Tok Pete on Twitter Pete Personal FB page Stand Up with Pete FB page Gift a Subscription https://www.patreon.com/PeteDominick/gift Send Pete $ Directly on Venmo All things Jon Carroll  Buy Ava's Art  Subscribe to Piano Tuner Paul Paul Wesley on Substack Listen to Barry and Abigail Hummel Podcast Listen to Matty C Podcast and Substack Follow and Support Pete Coe Hire DJ Monzyk to build your website or help you with Marketing