Michigan Business Network

Melody VanderWeide is the founder and president of Grand Rapids Kids. An innovative media company reaching West, Southwest and Mid-Michigan families looking for home, school, vacation, and life resources. Her all-woman-owned business has been around since 2009. That’s over a decade of helping local families connect with their communities. They partner with organizations that align with their mission to help them generate leads, grow their businesses, and stay top of mind. They have earned a voice in many communities and generated great interest in family activities all over the state!

Listen in to this edition of Michigan Corners and discover some gems on the west side of the great lakes state!!

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Vicki Hamilton-Allen covers the topic of COVID-19's Impact with Ele’s Place Director, Kristine Kuhnert. She discusses grieving children and families, especially how they've dealt with the COVID era. Kuhnert discusses the programs offered to support grieving children through their healing journeys. Like many non-profits, Ele’s Place had to make adjustments to continue operating throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and Kuhnert discusses the impact of the virus on the organization.

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Originally uploaded October 11, 2021, Jeffrey Mosher has a discussion with Middle School Principal Dina Barnaby from the Charyl Stockwell Academy of Livingston County Michigan.

She discusses the new facility, the delays moving in from COVID, and the advantages that the facility give students of this district as they prepare toward an eventual career.

Tony Conley speaks with Ed Sarpolus, founder and executive director of Target-Insyght, is recognized as one of Michigan’s most notable pollsters, analysts, and strategists. A Google search for “Ed Sarpolus” reveals hundreds of articles and videos in which his insights are sought and his opinions appreciated for their accuracy and candor. Ed is a frequent and welcome guest on numerous statewide news and political radio and television programs.

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Thank you to Benjamin Robinson and Motor City Skyline's music open.spotify.com/track/7y23KC54uZ…fPSoq_BrEnoS9kUw

For Chris Conlin, travel is simple...make good plans, execute those plans flawlessly and...oh yeah, call Conlin Travel. As President and CEO Chris says “I am blessed with the best staff in the industry. It’s cliché to say that but it’s true. And with these amazing people, Conlin Travel has transformed into one of the largest travel-management companies in the United States. I feel very proud of my people and their perseverance that has allowed us to thrive and grow."

We caught up with Chris to discuss the challenging times in the travel industry and to hear all about some great tips and insights that make Michigan's tourism and meeting industry so hot! It's time to meet down at the Michigan Corners to hear from those that know...Michigan is amazing!

Hear Vic Verchereau's engaging conversation with Chris.

Vicki Hamilton-Allen covers the topic of COVID-19's Impact on the Insurance Industry with Lyman & Sheets Insurance Company. Her guest: Matt Waligorski!

Matt Waligorski is an insurance agent with Lyman & Sheets Insurance Company in Lansing, MI. He has earned the title of expert when insuring the construction and commercial sectors with his 20 years of experience.

Waligorski manages inherent financial and property risk with experience in traditional risk transfer as well as risk management, self-insurance, and captive insurance programs. Waligorski, a seasoned networker, has developed multiple programs for a range of clients since 2000.

Waligorski earned his BBA from Adrian College. While studying he acquired years of construction-specific experience while working as a roofer for his father’s residential roofing company.

Waligorski serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity Capital Region, he lives in Lansing, loves golf, and is committed to running with his dog.

In the interview: Vicki Hamilton-Allen chats with Insurance Agent, Matt Waligorski about the impact of COVID-19 on the insurance industry and insuring non-profits. Waligorski offers advice on critical policies non-profit businesses should have in place and why. Insurance doesn’t have to be a risky business!

Originally uploaded October 15, 2021

Jeffrey Mosher speaks with Delaney McKinley | Vice President of Membership, Marketing & Events| Michigan Manufacturers Association, Lansing.

Delaney reviews the exciting and busy times for the Michigan Manufacturers Association. She reviews MFG Excellence Awards, MFG Legislative Day, Michigan Manufacturing Week and National MFG Day.

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Tony Conley speaks with Ed Harden, President, Capitol National Bank, Lansing, MI. They discuss whether media is fair in its coverage of banking.

Ed has a career in sales, healthcare, and banking. He also shares a perspective on what it took to help small businesses survive through the COVID19 era.

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Thank you to Benjamin Robinson and Motor City Skyline's music open.spotify.com/track/7y23KC54uZ…fPSoq_BrEnoS9kUw

October is already a spooky month with Halloween, but it is also Cybersecurity Awareness Month. If you own or manage a business, you’re likely no stranger to the risks of cyber-attacks. Businesses of all shapes and sizes are making headlines due to falling victim of an attack. However, for many, news of cyber-attacks has become white noise.

Mike Maddox of Application Specialist Kompany (ASK) is here today to talk with cybersecurity expert, Josh Gembala. As ASK’s Enhanced Security Services (ESS) Manager, Josh has just about seen it all. In this episode of the Bottom Line IT Show, Mike and Josh get into the nitty gritty of what today’s cyber threat landscape looks like, how it’s changed over the last 12 months, and what business owners need to know – especially if working with Managed Service Providers (MSPs).

In segment 2, Mike and Josh talk about the devastating impact a cyberattack has on a business. Many business owners think of the financial costs. Many stats on the web talk about the cost per record. While this is most definitely a contributing cost, business owners also need to consider the legal and attorney costs. Additional costs that quickly add up:

Legal and attorney fees

Loss of production due to downtime

Overtime-pay for IT staff, executives, etc.

Public relations fees

Damage to reputation, trust with customers

In segment 3, Mike and Josh hit on an interesting topic about managed IT service providers and cybersecurity. They go into detail on how the wave of cyberattacks in recent years has morphed managed IT service providers into marketing their services around cybersecurity. Mike and Josh caution business owners not to be tricked by the buzz words and marketing tactics. What they encourage business owners to do though is to thoroughly vet and question their MSPs’ cybersecurity business model, their level of expertise and training, and how their security services are offered.

Check out the full episode to get ALL the details.

Tony speaks with Saul Anuzis the principal and managing partner of Coast to Coast Strategies, LLC, which provides strategic planning, political intelligence, political risk-assessment, political consultant and business development services to clients across the United States and internationally.

He previously served as Michigan Republican Party chairman from 2005 until 2009 and was a candidate for chairman of the Republican National Committee in 2009 and 2011. From 2010 until 2012, Anuzis was Michigan’s committeeman on the Republican National Committee.

His extensive political, governmental and diplomatic experience includes working as consul for the Republic of Lithuania, senior adviser to United States Senator Ted Cruz during the 2016 presidential campaign, chief of staff to the Senate Majority Leader in the upper chamber of the Michigan Legislature, and chairman of the Michigan Republican Senate Campaign Committee. Additionally, Anuzis has worked with former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich and Congressman Jack Kemp’s 1988 presidential campaign. In 2012, Anuzis was appointed to the NRA Board’s Public Affairs Committee. He served on several non-profit boards as well as a Gubernatorial Appointee to the Michigan Jobs Commission.

At the Republican National Committee, he was chairman of the Committee on Technology under the party chairmanships of Michael Steele and Reince Priebus. Anuzis was also deputy permanent co-chairman of the 2012 Republican National Convention and a delegate from Michigan to the 2016 Republican National Convention.

Anuzis studied economics at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. He is married to Lina and together they have four sons.

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Thank you to Benjamin Robinson and Motor City Skyline's music open.spotify.com/track/7y23KC54uZ…fPSoq_BrEnoS9kUw