This week on the Chamber Podcast, Rob sits down with Kelly LaBelle and Maureen Theodore, designers at Cabinets For You in downtown Brighton. As a locally owned, full-service cabinet company, Cabinets For You offers three cabinet lines ranging from affordable to fully custom, serving homeowners and builders alike. Kelly and Maureen share how their years of experience help prevent costly mistakes by carefully planning measurements, appliance placement, plumbing, electrical, and overall flow before cabinets ever arrive. The conversation dives into builder relationships, why retention matters, and how thoughtful design blends function with personality. They also discuss current kitchen trends, from warm wood tones and jewel colors to the return of bold statements, while encouraging homeowners to design for their own lifestyle rather than resale value. With deep roots in the community and a growing outlook for 2026, Cabinets For You continues to help Brighton families create spaces they love.

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This week on the Chamber Podcast, Rob sits down with Jessica Pomerville, speech-language pathologist and Clinical Director of the new Brighton location of Thrive Therapy Center. Jessica shares Thrive’s mission of supporting families and helping children build communication skills and daily living independence through evidence-based speech and occupational therapy. The conversation highlights Thrive’s family-owned roots, their whole-person approach, and the importance of creating a safe, supportive space for both children and parents. Jessica reflects on the deep bonds formed with families, the emotional impact of the work, and what it means to bring Thrive’s 40-year legacy into her hometown of Brighton. With locations in Davison, Clarkston, and now Brighton, Thrive is focused on growth, connection, and helping more families truly thrive. 

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This week on the Chamber Podcast, Rob sits down with Blake Williams, Account Manager at the Herndon Family Agency Farm Bureau Insurance, to talk about local insurance done the right way. Blake shares how the family-run agency has served Livingston County for over 20 years and why staying Michigan-focused matters when it comes to protecting families and businesses. The conversation covers common insurance mistakes like being underinsured or paying too much for coverage, changes to Michigan auto insurance laws, and why reviewing policies regularly can make a real financial difference. Blake also talks about his passion for community involvement, his experience with the Brighton Chamber, and how building personal relationships helps clients feel confident and covered. 

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This week on the Chamber Podcast, Rob sits down with Rex Streetman, owner of The Rex Effect, a Howell-based DJ and entertainment company built to keep the party going long after everyone else clocks out. Rex shares how a “crazy idea” to look at DJ equipment turned into a full-blown business, starting with karaoke nights and growing into a team of 10+ employees across 10+ venues. Today, The Rex Effect delivers everything from weddings and corporate events to karaoke, trivia, Music Bingo, and even plans to expand into dance floor rentals. Rex and Rob talk about what it takes to build a following, manage a growing crew, and evolve through industry shifts like COVID, all while staying focused on fun, energy, and unforgettable experiences. 

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This week on the Chamber Podcast, Rob sits down with Steve Grech, CEO of LOC Credit Union, and Stephanie Hamlin, Community Impact Manager, to talk about what it really means to be a community-first financial institution. With 90 years of history and more than 50 years serving Livingston County, LOC focuses on doing a few things exceptionally well, from affordable car loans and home equity lending to strong digital banking paired with real human relationships. Steve shares how LOC differentiates itself in a crowded financial market through thoughtful lending practices and service-driven culture, while Stephanie highlights the credit union’s deep investment in financial education, school partnerships, and local programs that build confidence from elementary school through adulthood. The conversation offers a clear look at how staying focused, accessible, and people-centered helps LOC strengthen both financial health and community trust.

00:00 LOC Credit Union’s Journey

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Our Brighton Branch opened in June of 2024 and is located on Grand River Avenue just outside of downtown, next to Planet Fitness and AutoZone. 

We have had a presence in Livingston County for 50 years. In 1976 we opened in Howell and have been at our current location on Grand River since 1997. Our current Hartland location opened in 2007 at Old 23 and M59. As we continue to invest in Livingston County, we will be building a full-service branch with a drive thru in 2026. This branch will be adjacent to the Hartland Target parking lot. 

Community Sponsorships and Volunteer Involvement: 

Brighton, Howell and Hartland - Athletic Business Sponsorships 

Brighton Chamber Efforts and Events- the Farmer's Market Flower Day- Bouquet Building Station, Volunteering at Chamber Events such as the Smokin Blues and Brighton Holiday Glow Reindeer Game Sponsorship.  For the third year in a row, we sponsored the Tunnel of Lights at the Millpond Bridge for the community to enjoy a seasonable photo opportunity.

Financial Literacy and Education Efforts