Central Illinois Business Leaders Podcast

Central Illinois Business Leaders Podcast

By Derek HaydenBusiness
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Central Illinois Business Leaders Podcast episodes

  • Tools For Creating Videos | Brian Meyers, The Meyers Agency

    Check out this CIBL BIZ TIPS episode with Brian Meyers where we discuss tools and software you can use to create, edit, and share videos for your business. Brian is the owner of The Meyers Agency in Effingham, IL.

    Brian explains some of the tools he uses to generate leads through video content within his real estate business. You'll leave this episode with a laundry list of video creation ideas and tools to help you grow your customer visibility.
    Come get CIBLized and learn about video tips with one of the best in the Midwest, Brian Meyers.

    14 min
  • Why Should They Care? with Ashlee Sang | Ashlee Sang Consulting, LLC, Bloomington, IL

    In this episode of the Central Illinois Business Leaders Podcast, we had the pleasure of interviewing Ashlee Sang, the owner of Ashlee Sang Consulting LLC, a brand consulting firm based in Bloomington, IL. Ashlee shared her journey of starting her own business and the challenges she faced along the way.
    She also discussed the services her firm offers, which include marketing strategy, branding, brand direction, and purpose-driven growth direction. Ashlee shared her insights on the importance of building a strong brand identity and the role brand clarity plays in today's digital age.
    Throughout the conversation, Ashlee emphasized the significance of defining your target market and speaking directly to those niche customers. Her passion for helping small businesses and entrepreneurs succeed with branding was evident in this candid and informative discussion.
    Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to take your business to the next level, this episode is packed with valuable insights and advice that you won't want to miss. Tune in now to hear from the inspiring Ashlee Sang!
    Special CIBL Link: ashleesang.com/centralil

    33 min
  • How To Find Video Topics | Brian Meyers, The Meyers Agency, Effingham, IL

    Do you want to market your business with video but don't know how to find the right topics for your videos?

    Brian Meyers joins us to share some insider tips on how he identifies video topics to help market his business, The Meyers Agency in Effingham, IL.

    Brian shares PURE GOLD in this episode as he talks about several tools he uses to identify important topics that generate leads for his realty business.

    If you want to take your video game to the next level, you better hit play and listen to this one! If you don't listen, prepare to be left behind...

    https://answerthepublic.com/

    11 min
  • Home Mortgage vs. Commercial Loan | John & Nick, Heartland Bank & Trust

    Nick Gentile and John DeFreitas join this BIZ TIPS session to educate us on real estate investment loans. Nick and John are both Commercial Lenders at Heartland Bank & Trust in Springfield, IL.

    In this episode we discuss the difference between personal home mortgage loans and commercial loans for real estate investment properties. We also talk about the BRRRR method and how banks handle refinancing of properties. We wrap up with discussing how some people are using home equity lines of credit as down payments on investment properties and what banks are looking for before approving that scenario.
    If real estate investing is your game, this is an episode you'll find value in!

    19 min
  • Freeze Frame with Melissa M. Harden | Studio 21 in Mattoon, IL

    Melissa Harden joins the CIBL Podcast to talk about her business, Studio 21 Photography in Mattoon, IL. At Studio 21, Melissa offers senior portraits and professional headshots to Central Illinois.

    Melissa starts off the podcast by sharing how she entered the photography business. In high school she had the opportunity to photograph a Special Olympics event and she had a blast. Early in her photography career she started Happy Shack Photo Booth to offer her photo services at events. Melissa also initially offered her photo services to nursing homes where she took photos of the residents and staff members.

    Melissa goes on discuss how she helped organize the Mattoon Area Business Networking Meetup. She saw a need to help businesses share ideas and strategies and promote each other in the community. They now meet in the Elevate meeting room in the Mattoon Cross County Mall. They meet the second Monday of each month. Melissa also started a Facebook group for members to connect outside of the meetups.

    Melissa also talks about her passion for situational awareness. Melissa often provides training to groups to help people be more aware of surroundings to stay safe in unique and difficult situations. She is active on her church's security team and offers mentoring to the Coles County Jail.

    This is a cool story from an awesome Central IL business leader! Make sure you check out Melissa at Studio 21 here: https://www.melissamharden.com/

    33 min
  • Loans for Real Estate Investing | Nick & John, Heartland Bank & Trust

    Nick Gentile and John DeFreitas join this BIZ TIPS session to educate us on real estate investment loans. Nick and John are both Commercial Lenders at Heartland Bank & Trust in Springfield, IL.

    In this episode we discuss down payments, what banks look for when you apply for a loan, and what types and terms of loans you may qualify for.
    If real estate investing is your game, this is an episode you'll find value in!

    9 min
  • Virtual Realty with Brian Meyers | The Meyers Agency, Effingham, IL

    Brian Meyers joins the CIBL Podcast to talk about all things real estate and video marketing. Brian is the Owner and Managing Broker of The Meyers Agency in Effingham, IL.

    Brian starts off the podcast explaining how he got into the real estate game. His interest in real estate began with rental properties. He began his career with a small, locally owned real estate office. In 2015, Brian wanted to expand his business and started The Meyers Agency so he could control 100% of the experience for his clients.

    Brian goes on to share his success with video and social media. He talks about using video to educate his clients and community about real estate. In 2023, Brian has challenged himself to produce 500 videos to help improve his business and share his knowledge with Effingham County!

    Toward the end of the podcast we share tips and tricks for producing quality videos to engage with your audience. Brian, Derek, and Garrett all talk about how to use video in your business to create a stronger connection, attract clients, and answer questions that your target market is asking.

    This is a great podcast with tons of marketing tips that all business leaders can use. Don't miss this one!

    The Meyers Agency: https://www.effcohomes.com/

    Brian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selleffinghamcounty/

    35 min
  • How To Use A Business Line of Credit | Nick & John, Heartland Bank & Trust

    Nick Gentile and John DeFreitas join this CIBL BIZ TIPS session to tell us what a line of credit is and how businesses can use it. Nick and John are both Commercial Lenders at Heartland Bank & Trust in Springfield, IL.

    In this episode we discuss how and when a business should consider using a line of credit. John and Nick also explain how different businesses may use credit.

    Even though it's not the sexiest topic, this is info that most business owners need to know! Tune in to learn the ins and outs of lines of credit from a couple of CIBL vets!

    12 min
  • Long Story Short | Josh Hester, The Storyteller Studios

    Tune in as Josh Hester tells us about his business, The Storyteller Studios in Springfield, IL.

    Josh kicks off the show by explaining his background and business journey. After graduating with his degree in Film and Video Production, he moved backed to Springfield where he held several production jobs. After gathering some experience, Josh felt like he could make it on his own and wanted to pursue a few ideas he had created around video production.
    Josh officially launched The Storyteller Studios in 2013. They are now a regional company with 5 employees serving businesses across the country. The Storyteller Studios conducts on-camera interviews to create strategic messaging through video. Every video they produce is custom-made to capture and tell the story that their clients want to share.
    Toward the end of the interview we have a great discussion about how businesses can build their brand and tell their story with video. Josh talks about how to position your business in the best light to connect with your target audience. We talk about avoiding being "salesy" in your videos, being authentic, and engaging with your followers.
    This is an awesome interview with a great video and marketing mind in Central IL. If you want to learn how to connect with your audience through video, this is the episode for you!!

    The Storyteller Studios: https://thestorytellerstudios.com/

    Josh Hester LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhester3/

    38 min
  • What Is A Line Of Credit? | Nick & John, Heartland Bank & Trust, Springfield, IL

    Nick Gentile and John DeFreitas join this CIBL BIZ TIPS session to tell us what a line of credit is and how businesses can use it. Nick and John are both Commercial Lenders at Heartland Bank & Trust in Springfield, IL.

    In this episode we learn basics of what a line of credit is, what it is used for, how businesses use it, and how you can apply for a line of credit. Even though it's not the sexiest topic, this is info that most business owners need to know!

    Tune in to learn the ins and outs of lines of credit from a couple of CIBL vets!

    John DeFreitas

    Nick Gentile

    12 min

About Central Illinois Business Leaders Podcast

From the publisher's feed

This is the Central Illinois Business Leaders Podcast. The CIBL podcast is a place where business owners, thought leaders, and community champions from Central IL share their story. Are you ready to…