What’s holding business leaders back from expanding, innovating, or taking that next big leap? For Chuck Mullen, it often comes down to fear—and he’s here to challenge it. Chuck, Partner and Great Lakes Market Leader at Eide Bailly, joins Steve Millard for a candid conversation on how to lead through uncertainty, navigate mergers, and build trust in a changing world. Drawing from 20+ years in public accounting, Chuck shares what’s stayed the same—and what absolutely hasn’t—when it comes to scaling a business.

As the 2025 Kaulig Companies Championship returns to Firestone Country Club from June 18–22, we’re revisiting a conversation with Don Padgett, Executive Director of the tournament. In this episode, originally aired in 2024, Don and Steve Millard discuss the tournament’s deep roots in Akron, its economic and charitable impact, and what makes it more than just a golf event. Whether you’re a fan of the sport or just looking for a premier summer experience in Greater Akron, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the championship continues to evolve as a community-wide celebration.

In celebration of Small Business Month, this episode, originally spotlights the woman entrepreneurs building community and driving local impact. Steve Millard talks with Tara Mosley and Joelle Diane Zellman about Women Supporting Women, a vendor event that showcased the power of women-led small businesses in Greater Akron.

In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Greater Akron Chamber President Steve Millard sits down with Frey Canty, owner of The Soulful Vegan, Downtown Akron’s first Black female-owned restaurant. What began as a personal fitness journey and a love for sharing workouts online turned into a powerful pivot—from running a gym to creating plant-based meals that filled a gap in Akron’s dining scene. Frey opens up about the barriers she faced as an entrepreneur, her experience with community support programs like DAP’s Start Downtown and the Western Reserve Community Fund, and the difficult realities of opening a vegan business in a region still warming up to the lifestyle. She shares her belief in meeting people where they are—offering sample tastings, plans for a vegan-friendly food truck, and even blended menu options to bridge dietary divides

In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Greater Akron Chamber President and CEO Steve Millard talks with Tracy Carter, System Director of Government Affairs and Health Policy at Summa Health. Tracy shares her inspiring journey from a young intern seeking mentorship at 18 to becoming a key voice in healthcare policy and advocacy at one of the region’s leading health systems. Tracy discusses the importance of proactive relationships across all levels of government, her fierce advocacy for Medicaid expansion, and the transformative potential of the HatCo acquisition for Summa’s future.

In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Greater Akron Chamber President and CEOSteve Millard sits down with John Williams, President and CEO of the Akron Urban League. As the Akron Urban League approaches its 100th anniversary, John discusses the organization’s enduring legacy and its evolving role in workforce development, youth engagement, and small business support. From safe spaces for teens and esports programs to business incubators and community partnerships, John is focused on building trust, creating opportunity, and positioning the Urban League as a hub for innovation and empowerment.

In this episode of Dreamers, Drivers, Doers, Greater Akron Chamber President and CEO Steve Millard sits down with Dr. Teri Lash-Ritter, President of Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Lodi Hospitals and President of the South Submarket of the Northeast Ohio Market. Dr. Lash-Ritter shares her leadership journey from growing up in Canton to becoming a key figure in healthcare administration, with a strong foundation as a physician leader. She reflects on lessons learned in crisis management, the need for empathetic leadership, and her commitment to reinvesting in preventive care. Throughout the conversation, she offers candid insights into building trust, overcoming leadership challenges as a woman in medicine, and how Cleveland Clinic Akron General's physician-led model keeps patients at the center of every decision.

In this episode, Steve Millard and John Rizzo talk with Todd McCracken, President & CEO of the National Small Business Association (NSBA) about the organization's history and the services they offer. Todd provides insight into various issues that small businesses face such as the Small Business Income Deduction, Corporate Transparency Act, R&D amortization, and other actions they're taking to give small businesses a voice among elected officials and government leaders. For more information about the NSBA and how to get involved, visit https://www.nsbaadvocate.org/.

In this episode, we sit down with Dan Rice, President and CEO of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, to explore how this impactful organization connects communities through history, recreation, and economic development. With over 150 public and private partners, the Coalition works to preserve and promote the rich educational and recreational assets along the Ohio & Erie Canalway like the Towpath Trail and Summit Lake. Dan also details the organizations upcoming “Captains Ball” on April 30–a virtual fundraising auction that supports their mission of protecting, preserving, developing and enhancing the historical, natural and recreational resources along the route of the historic Ohio & Erie Canal.

With energy costs set to rise by a whopping 10%-20% this summer, commercial businesses and residences alike are facing mounting expenses. By investing in solar, businesses can lock in energy rates for up to 30 years, take advantage of a 30% federal tax credit, and even benefit from domestic manufacturing incentives. In this episode, Steve sits down with Anthony Manna Jr., President of Hello Sunray, to discuss how solar energy provides a powerful solution, as well as detailing their large scale commercial solar project in Cuyahoga Falls with manufacturer Kyocera. Anthony also breaks down how solar works—net metering, policy impacts, and why Ohio gets more than enough sun to make solar a viable investment.