Central Illinois Business Leaders Podcast

Have you ever wondered if you should start an LLC for your business?  Do you know how an LLC works?

Tune in to this three-part BIZ TIPS series with Cari Rincker to learn the what, how, and why of LLCs.  Cari is the owner of Rincker Law, PLLC in Champaign, Shelbyville, and New York City.  

In part one, Cari explains what an LLC is and how it can protect you and your business.  If you've ever wondered if an LLC is right for you, this episode will help answer your questions.

This is great info for any business leader to know!  

Rincker Law: https://rinckerlaw.com/

Let's finish 2022 with a throwback to one of our top performing episodes👇👇

Tune in as Francie Hinrichsen brings the heat on the CIBL Podcast!  

Francie is the Founder of Simply Integrated and Founding Females.  She is an incredible supporter of women in business and has become a resource for females all over Central Illinois.  

In this episode Francie teaches us about the recent Founding Females event held in Peoria.  We also learn about her new book, Dream, Build, Grow: A Female's Step-by-Step Guide for How to Start a Business.    

Make sure you go to Francie's website to get access to her free business resources.

This episode is a MUST LISTEN!!!!

Do you find the home loan process confusing and daunting? Are you considering applying for a home loan but don’t know where to start?

In this BIZ TIPS series we are joined by Lisa Wilson to learn about the home loan process. Lisa is a Mortgage Loan Officer in the Effingham branch of Land of Lincoln Credit Union.

Lisa helps break down what potential home buyers should expect during the home loan process. The loan process is definitely confusing, especially for first-time home buyers. Lisa helps break down the ins and outs of what to expect when applying for a mortgage.

In part 3, Lisa explains the steps between making and offer on a home and closing on your new property.  

This is great info for any future home buyer to listen to!

Do you like the idea of being an entrepreneur but are shy about taking risks?  Have you ever wanted to turn your personal passions and interests into a business?

In this episode we interview Tim Hoerr, CEO of Serra Ventures, LLC, Managing Partner of Serra Capital, and Author of Thank God It's Monday and Risking It.  

Tim opens the show by explaining his personal and business journey.  He shares how he grew up in a family landscaping business and the lessons he took from that experience.  Tim goes on to talk about his professional transition from the world of accounting to technology.  He also talks about the incredible story of how his venture capital firm, Serra Ventures, LLC, got started.

One of Tim's favorite topics to teach to other entrepreneurs is risk taking.  He uses his experiences to encourage other entrepreneurs to align their personal passions with their work.   Tim uses his 30+ years of entrepreneurship to empower others to take on risks and live courageously to maximize their impact in life.  

Tim finishes up by talking about his books.  He also shares his experience with starting several Jimmy John's franchise locations.

This is a super cool story that all Central IL business leaders can learn from!  Make sure you listen to the entire recording to learn how to qualify for a free giveaway...

Do you find the home loan process confusing and daunting? Are you considering applying for a home loan but don’t know where to start?

In this BIZ TIPS series we are joined by Lisa Wilson to learn about the home loan process. Lisa is a Mortgage Loan Officer in the Effingham branch of Land of Lincoln Credit Union.

Lisa helps break down what potential home buyers should expect during the home loan process. The loan process is definitely confusing, especially for first-time home buyers. Lisa helps break down the ins and outs of what to expect when applying for a mortgage.

In part 2, Lisa explains how to start the loan pre-approval process.  This is an important step in the home buying process since most realtors and home sellers will not show you a home without showing proof of pre-approval.  

This is great info for any future home buyer to listen to!

Have you ever admired how creative entrepreneurs can be?  Do you wonder what the difference is between successful and unsuccessful businesses?  

Tune in as Casey Walk joins the CIBL Podcast to share her entrepreneurial journey.  Casey is the owner of Mattoon and Effingham Ginger Ale's and Gate-to-Plate Food Truck.  She also co-owns my6030.com and farms with her husband.    

When it comes to entrepreneurial creativity and problem solving, Casey leads the pack.  In this episode she explains how she jumped at the opportunity to open both the Mattoon and Effingham Ginger Ale's locations.  Casey also talks about how her early experience as a manager of a ServePro helped her grow as a business owner.  

One of our favorite stories that Casey shared was how her Gate-to-Plate food truck came to be.  At the beginning of the pandemic, her family livestock operation hit a standstill.  Instead of throwing in the towel, Casey and her family took advantage of the large influx of workers constructing the new solar farm in Clay County.  They identified that there were not many restaurant options in Louisville for the large number of workers to eat at.  They quickly opened Gate-to-Plate and solved two problems at once.  Such a cool idea!  

Make sure you tune in to learn about the bright green building that just popped up by the underpass on Fayette Ave in Effingham.  You won't regret listening to this one!

Do you find the home loan process confusing and daunting? Are you considering applying for a home loan but don’t know where to start?

In this BIZ TIPS series we are joined by Lisa Wilson to learn about the home loan process. Lisa is a Mortgage Loan Officer in the Effingham branch of Land of Lincoln Credit Union.

Lisa helps break down what potential home buyers should expect during the home loan process. The loan process is definitely confusing, especially for first-time home buyers. Lisa helps break down the ins and outs of what to expect when applying for a mortgage.

In part 1, Lisa explains what potential home buyers should do prior to applying for a loan. She goes through how to run your credit report, debt-to-income ratio requirements, and other items you should review prior to applying for your new loan.

This is great info for any future home buyer to listen to!

Derek and Garrett hit the mics solo in this episode of the Central Illinois Business Leaders Podcast.  

D & G review some the most important things they've learned since starting the CIBL Podcast.  They explain the traits and characteristics they've observed from the best Central IL business leaders.  They also review some of their favorite moments from the first 50 episodes.  

This is a fun, light-hearted episode that will help you re-live the fun we've had in the early stages of the podcast.  You'll also get excited for where we are headed in the future.  

We hope you've enjoyed the show so far, and we hope you join us for the next 50!

Work comp is every business owners FAVORITE topic...    

Workers' compensation insurance can be a huge frustration for businesses.  It's often one of the largest expense items as well.  Many business leaders are misinformed when it comes to the work comp system and how it works.  Our goal with this BIZ TIPS series is to educate our listeners on how work comp really works.  

Join us as Bob Woodard of Illinois Public Risk Fund explains the work comp system and what Central Illinois business owners should understand about this confusing product.  In the 4th and final session, Bob explains a few things you can do to control your cost.    

Make sure you catch this 4-part BIZ TIPS series to gain control over one of your largest business expenses!

Are you a Central Illinois business owner looking to grow, but don't know how to find the financial resources?  Is your business facing some difficulties and needing to find a financial option to keep going?  

Jamie Corda Hadjaoui joins the CIBL Podcast to explain the resources she is able to seek for Central IL businesses.  Jamie is the Director of Workforce Investments at Lake Land College.    

Jamie opens the show by explaining the grants she specializes in to help local businesses and individuals grow in their professional niche.  She explains that these programs are often used by local small businesses to grow or maintain their economic impact.    

We also talk about Jamie's podcast, the WIN Podcast.  WIN stands for Workforce Innovation News.  Jamie explains the structure of her podcast and what tools and resources she uses to produce the finished product.    

We wrap up the show by learning about Jamie's "side gig" as an Ordained Wedding Officiant.  Jamie also talks about her passion for reading and gives some recommendations for books to read.  

This is a fun show with plenty of information that Central IL business leaders can use to improve!