On today’s episode, Will chats with Joann Crary, President & CEO of Saginaw Future.  Established in 1992, Saginaw Future has provided economic development assistance in Saginaw County, generating over $7 billion in new investment.  Joann and her team proactively focus on attracting and retaining jobs in the region, increasing business investment, growing the tax base, and providing a positive environment for businesses to thrive.

We dive into the impact economic development can have in a local region, not only for existing businesses but its citizens as well. Joann shares, “We meet with about 250 C-level executives every year and talk about their plans for the future. That is meeting with the CEO, the COO, or the CFO. Our job is to listen to them and learn what barriers they have. We want to understand their barriers so we can assist in removing those barriers. For example, we want to help business owners identify new investments, and then provide a wide variety of financial incentives, identify available sites for building locations, and more.”

We think you will love Joann’s passion for creating a thriving economy. She highlights the work her team has done to advance economic growth. “We are problem solvers and work hard to reduce barriers for growth.” COVID has presented its challenges with business growth and development and there is no stopping the Saginaw Future team in their desire to help small businesses thrive and expand Saginaw’s overall economic impact.

Saginaw Future https://www.saginawfuture.com/

Tool to help small business reopen safely and thrive

Size up Small Businesses https://www.saginawfuture.com/doing-business/size-up-small-business

Detroit is best known as the birthplace of the modern automobile, Motown, and Coney Islands, but that’s not all the city’s given to the world. There is more to Detroit than meets the eye. The city is full of entrepreneurship, reimagining, and reinventing after the 2008 financial crisis. The purpose of this episode is to help leaders within their own organizations understand that there is potential to change the narrative, and the change starts with one person’s drive and desire to see that potential.

This week we welcome on the podcast, John Gallagher, an expert on all things Detroit. For more than three decades, John covered urban and economic events with Detroit Free Press. John is also an accomplished author, having written six books. His most recent book was released into the world on March 30, 2021. The Englishman and Detroit and tells the story of the resurgence of entrepreneurship in Detroit in the past 20 years. with details never before reported. 

On today's show, we talk about the process of writing a book, the biggest lesson that John learned from money, and the transformation Detroit has made to become a tech hub. Listeners will be introduced to Randal Charlton, a remarkable Brit who founded the Asterand bio-medical startup in Detroit in 2000 and went on to serve as director of TechTown. He was among the first to promote the idea that Detroit could rebuild its confidence through entrepreneurship. We hope this podcast inspires you to invent and re-emerge from any tragic event bigger and better than ever before.

The Englishman and Detroit: John Gallagher

https://www.amazon.com/Englishman-Detroit-John-Gallagher/dp/1950843386

Owning a residential construction company means you are building more than homes. Since 2002, Mark and Melissa Wahl have built a strong team, a winning process, and dream homes. In this interview, Mark Wahl, founder of Cobblestone Homes, shares his path to becoming a sought-after residential builder. “I think our attention to detail and a strong focus on customer service is what drove our success.”  

Mark also shares how his mentor's words of wisdom affected the course of his career. Mark had a love for construction, and it was early in his career where he met his mentor. His hobby of equestrian sports and showing horses led him to building horse barns and flipping houses. It was at this time that Mark fell in love with the process of building and considering flipping homes as a career. Mark’s mentor gave all the reasons to change his career path and go “all in” on new construction. Unsure but trusting Mark and his wife, Melissa, took his advice. In 2002, they sold their home, moved into a 500 square foot apartment in their horse barn, and bet everything on Cobblestone Homes.

Listen to this episode and hear themes of knowing your niche audience, staying on top of building trends, reasons to have diverse business lines, and the benefits of creating a replicable process.

Connect with Mark:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-wahl-48a973b0/

This week’s listeners will learn business banking from a local expert, Todd Gregory, Chief Lending Officer for 1st State Bank. Todd says he always had an interest in banking and reminisces about having an affinity for banking back to the sixth grade. Todd’s 30-year career has taken him all around the state of Michigan, serving in many different banking roles. Through his journey, he has found that he feels most fulfilled working directly with business owners and operators and developing strong relationships.

In this episode, listeners will learn tips on how to prepare for securing a business loan; lessons learned from the PPP loan process; and the advantages of working with a local business lender. “Surround yourself with experience and expertise, a good banker will go a long way. Find a good CPA, a good attorney, and a business associate - maybe somebody that's owned a business for a long time. It’s all about creating great networks.”

We think you’ll learn that this Michigan resident is proud to be with a company that believes in supporting the community as much as he prides himself on being a community banker. “We don't have a one 800 number for you to call. If you want to speak to somebody on a residential mortgage, you can speak with individuals that will help you. We're right here.”

Connect with Todd:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-c-gregory-25611442/

Jimmy Gretzinger is a seasoned outdoorsman with a passion for storytelling, hunting, fishing, family, and faith. As Executive Producer and Host of Michigan Out of Doors, this avid outdoorsman has been owner of the 50-year old TV show since 2009.  “I bought the television show in 2008, which was a big venture on my part, but it worked out great. The guy that sold me the show was a very good businessman, and he said, ‘if you can make it through year one and year two, you should be alright.’ And he was right.”

Michigan Out of Door is a Michigan-based media company highlighting hunts from around the state in their 52-episodes released each year. When he first started, he was the self-proclaimed “low man on the totem pole,” and the poster child for the saying ‘hard work pays off’.  Jimmy talks fondly about his elementary gym teacher who connected him with the retired host of Michigan Out of Doors in 1998. “My gym teacher is sitting in a duck blind with the retired host of Michigan Out of Doors. They were looking for a new person to join the team. My teacher says ‘well, hey, I know this kid who grew up hunting and fishing and graduated from Michigan State with a video production degree.’ And that’s how it all began.”

In this interview, Jimmy talks about the 2020 boom in hunting and fishing, shares steps on how a novice should begin, telling the stories of Michigan-based “real” people, and shares how his feelings on money have changed over the years. He claims he is not a businessman, and yet he’s as business savvy as they come. Enjoy this episode that will leave you wanting to explore the abundant water resources and vast forests Michigan has to offer.

Connect with Jimmy:

https://twitter.com/jimmygretzinger?lang=en

In this episode of Mitten Money, Dick Garber, President and owner of Garber Management Group speaks candidly about leading an organization in the middle of the pandemic, supporting the community, and taking over the family business at 25 years old. As an employer of over 2,000 people, he will also share his secret to employee retention and maintaining a conscious culture. 

Being named President of a 75-year old family business at 25 could seem like an exciting and yet daunting task. For Dick Garber, all he saw was an opportunity. An opportunity to make some tough decisions that needed to be made and position Garber Buick for exponential growth. Dick also gives advice on employee retention, and it is no secret why people remain loyal to his business and the Garber name. Dick and his team have created a conscious culture where ownership and organizational pride in the Garber brand are felt at all levels.

When talking about his love for the community, his thoughts are heartfelt and sincere. “I believe that business's calling is greater than just a return on investment for the shareholders, it's got to be good for the entire entity when you build that culture. That includes all stakeholders - the shareholders, the community, the staff. Everyone who touches your business.”

Connect with Dick:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/garber-automotive-group/

“I don't care how you shape it. There are people with little money, who have great character, and people with a whole lot of money with no character whatsoever.”

Tune into the first episode of Mitten Money with our guest Jimmy Greene, President of the Associated Builders and Contractor of Michigan. Jimmy is a voracious reader, movie buff, Prince groupie, and an all-around passionate individual.

When asked what it means to lead an organization during these historic times, Jimmy remarked, “it means everything. I’ve been here for 13 years leading ABC’s advocacy. For me, it’s a reward back to my grandfather… I always knew whenever I was advocating on behalf of discriminatory practices against people like him back in the 60s and 70s that he was and still is on my shoulder. I feel him.”

Jimmy’s life was shaped by his grandparents, and he even goes as far as to say he was “rescued” by them. His grandfather was a hard-working independent trucker- and his grandmother, the first black businesswoman in Flint, Michigan. When talking to Jimmy, you can hear how they shaped the morals, values, and work ethic he stands for today.

Throughout this interview, themes of grit, grace, compassion, and determination emerge. After diving into this episode, we would venture to say you will feel inspired to lead from within your organization and learn why it’s important to “invest” in your community.

Connect with Jimmy:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-greene-72296a7/