Behind the Business with the Kendallville Area Chamber of Commerce

What makes employees want to stay, and how can small business owners find the support they need? In this episode, Chamber Director, Nikole Albright welcomes Dee Wise of HR by Dee to Behind the Business for a practical conversation about the people side of running a business. Drawing on more than 25 years of HR experience, Dee explains fractional HR, shares commonly overlooked workplace responsibilities, and explores how listening, trust, and intentional leadership help teams thrive.

Whether you have one employee or a growing team, there’s something here to get you thinking about your workplace.

At Misty Meadows Marketplace, handmade goods are only part of the story. Owner Devon Knox joins Nikole Albright to share how he’s creating opportunities for local makers and a welcoming space where people can be themselves. From unique gifts and Friday night markets to giving back, Devon opens up about entrepreneurship, resilience, and his personal mission to be someone’s reason to smile. Plus, hear about plans for indoor winter markets in partnership with the Kendallville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Insurance can feel overwhelming, but having someone to walk you through your options can make all the difference. In this episode of Behind the Business, Nikole Albright visits with Kendallville native Carrie Hunter, a licensed insurance agent with HealthMarkets. Carrie shares her journey into the business, her passion for helping people understand their coverage, and how her support continues long after someone selects a policy. From Medicare to life insurance, discover the person behind the policies and the value of a local connection.

What makes a community a place people want to visit, and a place residents are proud to call home?

In this episode of Behind the Business, Nikole sits down with Grace Caswell, CEO of the Noble County Convention and Visitors Bureau, to talk about the impact tourism has on our local economy, the importance of community pride, and why investing in visitors ultimately benefits the people who live here year-round.

Grace also shares her passion for servant leadership, mentorship, and her involvement with the Noble County Young Professional Network. It’s a conversation about tourism, leadership, collaboration, and the exciting future of Noble County.

What does economic development really look like in Noble County? In this episode of Behind the Business, Nikole sits down with Tara Streb, Interim Director of Be Noble Inc., to uncover the many ways the organization works behind the scenes to help businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities thrive.

From attracting new employers and strengthening our workforce to supporting childcare, housing, small businesses, and young entrepreneurs, Tara shares how relationships and connections are helping build a stronger Noble County, and why Be Noble may be one of the first calls you should make when you have an idea, challenge, or opportunity.

Listen, learn, and then discover all the ways Be Noble makes an impact in our community and beyond.

A local business’s survival story, the hidden power of buying local, and the surprising tech keeping custom apparel from going generic; Monica Corbin reveals how Betty Lou Designs and Graphics keeps Kendallville looking sharp. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to run a Main Street business for 10 years, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the challenges, investments, and community relationships that make it work. Monica shares how she went from teaching swim lessons at the YMCA to co-owning a shop that handles everything from custom T-shirts and engraved awards to banners, signage, trophies, and medals. You’ll discover:

• Why direct-to-film printing is changing custom apparel and solving the problem of highly detailed AI-generated logos
• How a storefront gives customers the edge over online-only printers by letting them see, touch, and try things on before they buy
• What recent investments in a UV printer, screen printing, and engraving equipment mean for local businesses, schools, sports teams, and benefit events
• Why small businesses supporting small businesses is the backbone of Kendallville’s local economy
• How Betty Lou Designs helps streamline team orders, business apparel, and last-minute game-day needs

Monica also explains the realities behind the business: the equipment costs, the need to adapt, and why keeping custom work local still matters when national online shops promise convenience. From benefit fundraisers to downtown events like Final Fridays and the Family Harvest Festival, her story shows how a shop can become part of the fabric of a town. This episode is perfect for anyone who loves local business stories, community-driven entrepreneurship, or wants a smarter way to get custom apparel and signage done without the guesswork.

What happens when a passion for authentic Neapolitan pizza meets a desire to help people in need? You get Bufala Fest!

In this episode of Behind the Business, Mike Haefer of One House of Bufala Pizzeria Napoletana shares the story behind this incredible community event, and how what began as a simple gesture of giving away pizzas during the pandemic has grown into a massive fundraiser benefiting all six food pantries in Noble County.

Mike takes us behind the scenes of his journey into authentic Neapolitan pizza, the creation of Bufala Fest, and the overwhelming support from local businesses, volunteers and community members.

This year's goal? 15,000+ meals!

And Bufala Fest isn't just about food. With free pizza, chicken, gelato, live entertainment, bounce houses and face painting, it's a family-friendly celebration centered around one simple idea: breaking bread, sharing smiles and helping our neighbors.

Tune in to hear Mike's inspiring story and learn how you can be part of making a difference in Noble County.

If you can't attend but would still like to make a donation, use this link: https://bit.ly/bufala

What happens when a passion for holistic health becomes a business built around helping others?

In this episode of Behind the Business, Nikole sits down with Stacey Gillespie, owner of Charani’s Teas, to hear the inspiring story behind her unique tea business. From navigating the challenges of opening a brick-and-mortar shop to creating more than 70 custom loose-leaf tea blends, Stacey has built a business rooted in health, flavor, and personal connection.

Stacey shares how her own experiences sparked her passion for natural wellness, what makes Charani’s personalized tea blends different, and why building relationships and supporting other local businesses are such an important part of her journey.

It’s a conversation about perseverance, purpose, community, and, of course, finding the perfect cup of tea!

What does it really take to make a difference in a child’s life? Sometimes, it’s simply showing up.

In this episode of Behind the Business with the Chamber, Jill Dunham, Director of Community Development for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Noble and DeKalb Counties, shares her journey from a 20-year career in the restaurant industry to nonprofit work, and why she has fallen in love with the mission of helping local youth thrive.

Jill talks about the challenges of building relationships in a new community, the importance of local support, and some of her proudest moments so far, including a sold-out Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser and bringing local mentors together to connect and share their experiences.

We also talk about the School Buddy Program, an opportunity for volunteers to mentor elementary students during the school day, and how a relatively small investment of time can have a lasting impact on a child.

From community connections to giving back, Jill offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people and programs working to make a difference for local kids, and why there is always room for another caring adult to step up.

And yes…we even learn a fun fact about Jill that you probably won't guess!

If you've ever wondered what Big Brothers Big Sisters does, how you can become a mentor, or how your support stays right here in our community, this conversation is a great place to start.

What does it take to turn a passion for building into a thriving business? For Kyle Bolen, owner of Relentless Tile & Remodeling, it takes determination, creativity, and a relentless commitment to doing things right.

In this episode of Behind the Business, Kyle shares the story behind his journey into construction, the inspiration behind the name “Relentless,” and why quality craftsmanship, especially when it comes to tile and custom showers, is at the heart of everything he does.

We also talk about the realities of running a growing construction business, from pricing and hiring to mentoring the next generation of skilled tradespeople. Kyle reflects on one of his proudest projects, the restoration of Kendallville’s historic Strand Theater, and how projects like this connect his work to the community he calls home.

It’s a candid conversation about craftsmanship, perseverance, entrepreneurship, and the importance of building something that lasts, both in your work and in your community.