Behind the Region

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Our guest today is Russ Cramer from Tee Box Granger. Tee Box has created a unique experience that brings together golf, entertainment, food, and community — and Russ is here to tell us more about the vision behind the business, what he’s learned along the way, and how Tee Box fits into the growing business and entertainment landscape of our region.

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Our guest today is, Mark Burkey from Otonamo EV, a pre-owned electric vehicle dealership bringing a different approach to the car-buying experience here in our region.

Today, we’ll talk with Mark about the growth of electric vehicles, what he’s seeing in the pre-owned EV market, and what it takes to build a business around an evolving industry. We’ll also learn more about Mark’s journey as an entrepreneur and his perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing businesses in our community.

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Today, we’re talking heroes—real ones, fictional ones, and the people passionate about bringing those stories to life.

Our guest is Allen Stewart, founder of the Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum in Elkhart, Indiana. What started as a personal passion for superheroes has grown into one of the most unique museums in the region, featuring an incredible collection of comic books, costumes, props, and memorabilia spanning generations of superhero history.

Allen’s story is about much more than collecting. It’s about entrepreneurship, creativity, preserving pop-culture history, and turning a lifelong passion into something that brings people together.

Today, we’ll go behind the region with Allen Stewart to hear how the Hall of Heroes came to be, what drives his passion for superheroes, and what it takes to build a destination that inspires fans of all ages.

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Today, we’re excited to welcome Marlon Brathwaite from KidStrong South Bend.

KidStrong is helping families across our community build stronger, healthier, and more confident kids through fitness, character development, and a strong sense of community. Today, we’ll learn more about Marlon’s journey, what brought him to South Bend, the mission behind KidStrong, and the impact he hopes to make on the families and young people in our region.

We’ll also talk about entrepreneurship, community involvement, and what it takes to build a business that’s about more than just the bottom line.

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Today, we’re talking about something that connects our community to the rest of the world — air travel, economic development, and the role of a strong regional airport in building a thriving community.

Our guest today is Mike Daigle, CEO and Executive Director of South Bend International Airport. Mike leads an airport that plays an important role in connecting Michiana to destinations across the country and beyond, while also supporting business, tourism, workforce development, and economic growth throughout our region.

We’ll talk with Mike about the airport’s role in our community, what’s happening behind the scenes to keep South Bend International moving, how air service decisions are made, and what he sees on the horizon for the airport and the region.

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In this episode of Behind the Region, we sit down with Victor Aguilar, Co-Owner and General Manager of Net Par in Mishawaka, to learn more about his journey as a business owner and the story behind one of the region’s unique entertainment destinations.

Victor shares his perspective on entrepreneurship, building a business in the South Bend–Mishawaka community, and creating an experience that brings people together. We’ll also talk about the challenges and rewards of running a local business, the importance of community connections, and what’s next for Net Par.

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On this episode of Behind the Region, the South Bend Regional Chamber sits down with Stephanie Baxter of Michiana Eye Center to talk about leadership, business, and the people who help make the Michiana region a great place to live and work.

Stephanie shares her perspective on building a successful organization, serving the community, and navigating the ever-changing landscape of healthcare and business. We’ll also get to know the person behind the professional title and hear what inspires her work across the region

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Today we're joined by a guest who's proving that entrepreneurship and community impact can go hand in hand. Kim Sult is the founder of the Cat Lady Café, a one-of-a-kind business that combines a love of coffee, cats, and connection. More than just a café, it's a place where visitors can relax, meet adoptable cats, and support animal rescue efforts while enjoying a unique experience.

In this episode, we'll talk with Kim about the journey of bringing the Cat Lady Café to life, the challenges and rewards of building a purpose-driven business, how she's creating a destination that's making a difference in the community, and what she's learned along the way as an entrepreneur.

Whether you're a business owner, an animal lover, or someone who enjoys hearing stories of innovation and local impact, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Here's my conversation with Kim Sult, founder of the Cat Lady Café.

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Today we're joined by an award-winning photographer whose work has captured everything from corporate branding and community events to stunning portraits and visual storytelling. Peter Ringenberg, owner of Peter Ringenberg Photography, has spent years helping businesses, nonprofits, and individuals tell their stories through powerful imagery.

In this episode, we'll talk about Peter's journey into professional photography, how strong visuals can elevate a brand, the evolution of photography in the digital age, and why authentic storytelling through images is more important than ever. We'll also hear about his experiences working throughout the South Bend region and what inspires him behind the lens.

Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, creative professional, or someone who simply appreciates great photography, you won't want to miss this conversation.

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Today we're joined by Eric Jensen, AIA, Principal, CEO, and Architect at Arkos Design. Eric has spent his career helping communities bring their vision to life through thoughtful architecture, collaborative planning, and designs that create lasting impact.

In this episode, we'll talk about how great design influences economic development, what makes a community attractive for businesses and talent, and the role architects play in creating spaces where people want to live, work, and connect. We'll also hear Eric's perspective on the opportunities ahead for the South Bend region and how intentional design can help communities grow while preserving what makes them unique.