This week I speak with Renee Collins Cobb, the owner of Listen Locally, LLC, which is a broadcasting, media and consulting business featuring diverse products, speaking engagements, platforms, radio shows, podcasts, event production and career planning services that encourage folks to listen to locally to each other via engagement in music, theater, poetry, dialogue, shared learning and conversation.

She is also a business consultant.

We talk about how she got into this duality of music and business consultations, and the lessons she's learned over the years.

Listen Locally LLC is one of nearly 400,000 small businesses in Kentucky and part of the more than 32 million small businesses across the United States. Businesses like Listen Locally are local, independent, community-rooted.

This is Open Signs, a Southwest Ohio-based podcast that highlights the entrepreneurs and independent businesses shaping neighborhoods. Each episode features in-depth conversation with local entrepreneurs and small business leaders who are redefining what community means.

For more about Renee and her business, visit https://www.reneecollinscobb.com/about

This week I speak with Toni and Rafael Salem, the owners of the Pour House in Hamilton, Ohio. We talk about why they started this restaurant and bar when they didn't need to do so, and why they believe it's successful.

Pour House is one of nearly 1 million small businesses in Ohio and part of the more than 32 million small businesses across the United States. Establishments like Pour House--local, independent, community-rooted-- are what keep communities like Hamilton vibrant and connected.

This is Open Signs, a Southwest Ohio-based podcast that highlights the entrepreneurs and independent businesses shaping neighborhoods. Each episode features in-depth conversation with local entrepreneurs and small business leaders who are redefining what community means.

I sat down with Biz Jarvis, the owner of Hue Mane, a salon in the Hamilton, Ohio, neighborhood of Lindenwald, We talk about how she transitioned from social work to being the owner of a successful hair salon, and why her business is a Safe Space.

Hue Mane is one of nearly 1 million small businesses in Ohio and part of the more than 32 million small businesses across the United States. Shops like Hue Mane--local, independent, community-rooted-- are what keep communities like Hamilton vibrant and connected.

This is Open Signs, a Southwest Ohio-based podcast that highlights the entrepreneurs and independent businesses shaping neighborhoods. Each episode features in-depth conversation with local entrepreneurs and small business leaders who are redefining what community means.

I sat down with Brandie Potzick, the owner of Fable Cafe in the Westwood neighborhood of Cincinnati. We talked why she got into the coffee shop business, and what's non-negotiable.

Fable Cafe is one of nearly 1 million small businesses in Ohio and part of the more than 32 million small businesses across the United States. Shops like Fable Cafe—local, independent, community‑rooted—are what keep Cincinnati’s west side vibrant and connected.

This is Open Signs, a Cincinnati‑based podcast that highlights the entrepreneurs and independent businesses shaping neighborhoods. Each episode features in‑depth conversations with local entrepreneurs and small business leaders who are redefining what community means.

Join me as I step behind the counter to uncover the stories, motivations, and “Whys” that drive the entrepreneurs who keep our communities humming.Learn more about Fable Cafe on Instagram (Fable Cafe (@fablecafecincy) • Instagram photos and videos)and on their website (Hey there beautiful, let's wake you up.)

I sit down with Bill MacFarland, who—along with his wife, Andrea—owns Snapdragon Books & Gifts on Cincinnati’s west side. Their independent bookstore lives inside a century‑old home that, according to neighborhood lore, once doubled as a bootlegging hideout—and may even have been built for it.

Snapdragon is one of nearly 1 million small businesses in Ohio and part of the more than 32 million small businesses across the United States. Shops like Snapdragon—local, independent, community‑rooted—are what keep Cincinnati’s west side vibrant and connected.

This is Open Signs, a Cincinnati‑based podcast that highlights the entrepreneurs and independent businesses shaping neighborhoods. Each episode features in‑depth conversations with local entrepreneurs and small business leaders who are redefining what community means.

Join me as I step behind the counter to uncover the stories, motivations, and “Whys” that drive the entrepreneurs who keep our communities humming.

For more about Snapdragon, visit Facebook ((11) Facebook) or Instagram ((4) Instagram).