The Production House Studios welcomed in Julio Alonso and Jake Bruner on this fall crisp day to discuss their work with Bloomington’s own, Hoosier Hills Food Bank. The Hoosier Hills Food Bank (HHFB) has been keeping our neighbors fed for 40 years. 

Jake and Julio have had the pleasure of working with Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, Community Kitchen, Pantry 279, and the Boys and Girls Club to ensure our community families are receiving healthy meals at their dinner tables.  

One of the biggest challenges in working with Food Banks is meeting your supply to the demand. In 2020, HHFB received an outpour of donations from the community, and in the last year alone served 1.4 million pounds of produce! That’s a lot of broccoli! To ensure they were meeting all members of the community listen in and learn how HHFB is branching out into alternative ways of delivering food when donations are just not enough. 

Gone are the days of the stigma surrounding Food Banks and feeding the “needy”. Poverty has been an issue since the Dark Ages but listen in as Julio and Jake work to navigate the issues in our community.  

Wes, are you listening? Turn down Miranda Lambert and get back to work! It’s time for the Ruby Anniversary video premiere of the HHFB!

https://hhfoodbank.org/

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The Production House Studios was buzzing after we met with Eric Behrman, a well-known IU Alumni leader. Originally from a small town in Southern Indiana, Eric came to Bloomington after working as 4-H Youth Agent and became the Monroe County Extension Agent. From these experiences Eric's passion grew into the connectivity between human beings through social interactions.  Eric's growth within the IU Alumni Relations Office led to trust among multiple donors and their families and led to generations of students becoming part of the growing university. One incident left Eric floored when an alumni member hosted a Student Recruitment event without telling his wife, she walked in to quite a surprise. 

Eric shares fantastic stories tied to the beginnings of Straight No Chaser, meeting Michael Uslan, and navigating the alumni's discrepancies with the firing of then famous coach Bob Knight.  His belief in staying connected is seen by the many alumni officers and chapter leaders that still interact with him today, even after he and they have left their positions.  This important network allows Eric to still help people living all over the world as they decide how to get involved with university activities. 

If you've lived in Bloomington long enough, you will have heard about Eric's daughter, Jill, whose life was taken too early on a morning bike ride. In this episode we discuss the wonderful gift Bloomington has been given with Jill's House. Here we learn about its origin story and the intergenerational preschool they now have within.  The conversation within episode is filled with passion and advice.  It will leave you wanting to learn even more the next time you see Eric. 

Did someone say Miranda Lambert? Eric has a connection which may finally lead us to an in-person meeting with her.  

Miranda, can you hear Mind Yo' Business calling?

 

https://www.facebook.com/IUALUMNI

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The Production House Studios was a flood of enthusiasm from our guests, Christina Rockett and Michelle Suttile.

From a humble start in wedding planning to venturing into a podcast these two women are thirsty for growth.

Branching out right after Covid brought many life changing events for everyone, but for Michelle and Christina, they began not 1, but 2 new business ventures and a strong friendship.

Navigating through county ordinances and business strategy, this dynamic duo shares their beginnings and merge of businesses.  

Between working multiple jobs, building a business career, and working through family challenges; these women explain the ups and downs of growing their professionalism in the community. They also explain how they've overcome stressful wedding situations, finding the right venues for accommodations, and hiring new staff to help them manage their valuable time. One event in particular involved quite a debacle: slippery dance floor, cars stuck in the mud, and managing a drunken guest. 

While we are unsure if Miranda Lambert can be the next wedding singer at an event; Andrew announces his own services to ordain weddings with press credentials and his own parking pass.

https://www.sywpevents.com/

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The Production House Studios was thrilled to bring in our July guest as we finally landed a direct relation to the podcast master.   Mark Lambert is a commercial developer who hails from Crown Point, Indiana, while also the father of this podcast host.  Mark shares his journey from small time grocery store employee to manager and the move to the suburbs of Chicago.   He shares the reasons why he was looking for personal and professional growth as well as why real estate seemed to be the business that fit his goals.   Mark tells some hilarious stories about struggling early in his career, learning how to work with people who are not always willing to spend money, and why flipping a coin can be a business solution.  Whether encouraging his employees to buy a pie to throw in his face as a tool of motivation to helping Apple develop one of their first Chicago based buildings, the stories and advice shared here will help any business owner feel empowered.   Podcast Studio Sponsor Podcast Sponsor Episode 7-12 Sponsor Episode 7-12 Sponsor Episode 7-12 Sponsor  

The month of June saw record temperatures and tempers rise throughout the Midwest.   It only seemed fitting to bring in the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce President, Eric Spoonmore.  Having studied and loved the world of politics, Eric knew early on that he wanted to be part of shaping and supporting a community.  He was always interested in working as a City Manager but the State of Indiana doesn't allow that position to exist.      Eric's journey has taught him that the business sector is the stable foundation of your community, not the government, and how important local voting is within your community. This affects everything from tax dollars, roads, services, not just political standings.  His stories of steering the local community through COVID, while serving on the County Council, and his transition into the Chamber demonstrate that hard work and listening to others really does pay off.   While Eric might be a bit disappointed that Miranda Lambert wouldn't be joining us, even though he was playing her latest music while on vacation, this episode has  passion and humor that you don't want to miss.   Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Podcast Studio Sponsor Podcast Sponsor Episode 1-6 Sponsor

The Production House Studio was electric with energy when Tony Suttile joined us for the May interview.    A man who learned early in life that hospitality was his calling, Tony worked hard to establish himself as the go-to manager for several brands of hotels.    Whether helping to jump start boutique hotel in the Northeast to welcoming International travelers at a Caribbean resort, his positive attitude and hard work set him apart from his competitors.    The interview is filled with advice that can be applied to just about any business.  This includes how to treat consumers right the first time, how to read problematic people, and what to do when your hosting a big name celebrity.    The stories Tony shares will keep you entertained and informed as he shares real world moments ranging from catching people making out in a ballroom, to working with the organization that proudly represents Italian-Americans, to playing the role of body guard for Joe DiMaggio.   This episode is one that you'll want to listen to a second time even though Tony was hoping to meet Miranda Lambert! Tony Suttile on LinkedIN Sincerely Yours Weddings and Premier Events   Podcast Studio Sponsor Podcast Sponsor Episode 1-6 Sponsor

The Production House studios came alive with the arrival our April guest, Mark Lauchli.  Being around Bloomington for such a long time has given Mark perspective on what it means to be a resident.  His passion for development and creating housing experience goes back over decades where he obtained experience working both in the States and overseas.  The stories of his growth and success should be listened to by anyone wanting to hear why it's okay to fall down, fail, and then restart again.   Mark shares why blending personal and professional experiences helps to create a stronger entrepreneur, why working outside the States can help guide you to creating a better community locally, and even questions why the Miranda Lambert hasn't called into the show yet.   This episode has the heart and the passion that every business owner needs to hear to have a stronger outlook tied to success.

https://www.dwellingsllc.com/

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The Production House Studio was excited to have California based Philip Eldred and Jacob Melby join us in house for a high-powered discussion.   These two business partners, successful even before they came together to form Fairpoint Mutual, shared their journey to establishing an impactful non-profit that benefits current and future entrepreneurs.  Stories of epic failures in the gaming industry, to learning and earning during the famous "California Green Rush," to deciding to teach others how to be mindful once they come into money, this episode has incredible information for our listeners.   Whether listening to stories of when they grew up in small, conservative towns to being confused on why Miranda Lambert wasn't interviewing them, Philip and Jacob demonstrate why their hard work should be replicated to help others in need.  Don't miss this very interactive and informative episode! Fairpoint Mutual 

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It might still a February winter outside but the Production House Studio was on fire when owner and operator, Cheryl Smith, joined us for a conversation on the importance of organization.  As owner and operator of Consider It Done (CID), Cheryl has used her skills to grow a team to become the go to transitional services company.   Whether helping moving an elderly relative from one living area to the next,  to helping busy adults organizing their house for easier living, to having your office repurposed in a way that creates efficiency in the workplace, Cheryl has done it all.   Sharing some great stories of her past, including being a former school principal, she gives insight and advice that will help every listener learn the importance of embracing your past and using those skills for the future. With some great insight to why being an organizational professional can help her two daughters prepare for upcoming weddings to wondering why Miranda Lambert hasn't called into the show yet, this episode has big heart, big laughs, and very big guidance for anyone wanting to get just a touch more organized.   https://consideritdonein.com/   Podcast Studio Sponsor Podcast Sponsor Episode 1-6 Sponsor

We are thrilled to be back for Season 5 and couldn't think of anyone better to have in as our guest.  Steve Bryant is the Regional Director, South Central SBDC and Executive Director of the Ivy Tech Gayle and Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship whose years of experience has helped to bridge politics, venture capitalist, and start-up businesses through numerous channels and networks.   The advice Steve gives will certainly help any start-up company or those owners looking to grow.  He should know because he came to his current role in uncertain and stressful times all while being charged with a big mission: Grow an Entrepreneurship Center!

[email protected]

https://www.ivytech.edu/bloomington/entrepreneurship/

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