Rooted and Reaching

In this episode of Rooted & Reaching, Marty speaks with Ujaswin Jain, founder of NutriPop, to discuss Jain’s entrepreneurial journey of bringing a beloved Indian snack, popped water lily seeds, to health-conscious snackers in America. Ujaswin opens up about how his own fitness and nutrition journey sparked the idea to create a snack that hits all the cravings without the guilt. He shares what it was like leaving his corporate data analyst job, stepping out of his comfort zone, and chasing a dream that seemed impossible at times.

They also dive into what makes NutriPop special, its nutrient-packed profile, the fun of introducing something totally new, and the clever marketing moves that help it stand out in a crowded snack world.

RESOURCES

NutriPop: https://snacknutripop.com/

CONTACT

Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/

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In this episode of Rooted & Reaching, Marty speaks with Kris Priemer, a visionary entrepreneur whose passion for building community has helped shape South Bend’s entrepreneurial scene. Kris shares the story of his career journey and how it led to the creation of Momentum, a dynamic space designed to bring innovators and creators together. They talk about the challenges he faced along the way, the wins that made it worthwhile, and why collaboration and community are at the heart of every successful venture.

Kris shares why creating inspiring spaces matters and how nurturing talent can spark long-term innovation across an entire region.

RESOURCES

Momentum: https://momentumsb.com/

CONTACT

Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/

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In this episode of Rooted & Reaching, Marty speaks with Ryan Blake, co-founder of Purely Press Organic, a local juicery that has grown dramatically since its early days. Marty and Ryan discuss the power of adaptability and innovation, especially in responding to shifting market trends and consumer needs. They explore what drew Ryan and his wife into the organic food industry, the role of community in their growth, and the strategic choices behind their recent expansion.

Listen as Ryan shares key lessons from both triumphs and setbacks, underscoring the importance of passion and perseverance in entrepreneurship.

RESOURCES

Purely Pressed: https://www.purelypressedorganic.com/

CONTACT

Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/

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In this episode of Rooted & Reaching, Marty speaks with serial entrepreneur John Nunemaker, Partner at Fireside.fm, to explore the winding path of building meaningful work. John shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey and the role he’s played in shaping the startup ecosystem across the South Bend and Elkhart communities.

Their conversation touches on the importance of flexibility, curiosity, and choosing passion over pure profit. John reflects on how a strong work ethic, grounded in purpose, can sustain entrepreneurs through changing seasons of business. Marty and John discuss the power of collaboration, community, and mentorship, while reminding us that even in a tech-driven world, traditional craftsmanship and human connection still matter.

RESOURCES

Fireside.fm: https://fireside.fm/?ref=johnnunemaker.com

CONTACT

Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/

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In this episode of Rooted & Reaching, Marty sits down with Allie Shook, Executive Director of the Marshall County Lifelong Learning Network, for a thoughtful conversation about learning, work, and opportunity in rural Indiana. Allie shares her personal journey and the realities of strengthening educational pathways that serve both young people and adults as they build skills for today’s workforce.

Together, they explore the evolving role of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and how it has become a powerful tool for aligning education with local industry needs and opening doors to meaningful careers. Listen as Marty and Allie invite listeners to reflect on lifelong learning and entrepreneurship as deeply rooted drivers of community growth, economic resilience, and positive change in rural regions.

RESOURCES

Marshall County Lifelong Learning Network: https://www.marshallcountylln.org/

CONTACT

Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/

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This week, we sit down with Sunjay Agtey, Vice President of Revenue and Alliances at Nimbello, to explore the evolving landscape of modern business. We dive into the story behind Nimbello, a fintech startup rooted in South Bend, Indiana, and hear how Sunjay teamed up with his father to bring innovative solutions to life. 

Sunjay shares his insights on accounts payable automation and how technology is transforming financial operations across industries like manufacturing and higher education. Along the way, we discuss the unique dynamics of family business, the power of community connections, and how embracing technology can enhance efficiency without losing a personal touch.

RESOURCES

Nimbello: https://www.nimbello.com/blog/author/sunjay-agtey

CONTACT

Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/

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In this episode of Rooted and Reaching, we sit down with David Sims, the creative mind behind Smart Drain Pro, a breakthrough device that automates the draining of hot water heaters. Our conversation explores how a simple yet powerful idea can transform the way we care for our homes.

David shares the often-overlooked truth about sediment buildup in water heaters, how it quietly affects efficiency, shortens equipment life, and impacts the quality of the water we use every day. Through his invention, he’s redefining maintenance as not just a chore, but an act of care and sustainability.

Beyond the technology, David’s path reminds us that innovation often begins with noticing the small problems and daring to create a better way forward.

RESOURCES

Smart Drain Pro: https://3eyeinc.com/ 

CONTACT

Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ 

Susan Ford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-howard-ford-8446441/

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This week, we explore the groundbreaking work of Dr. Tod Stillson, founder of ChatRx, an AI-powered telemedicine platform designed to transform how patients receive care. ChatRx offers a “doctor in your pocket” experience, enabling patients to get fast, reliable treatment through a simple chat interface, without the hassle of scheduling appointments.

Drawing on his years as a rural family physician, Dr. Stillson shares how his firsthand understanding of healthcare access challenges inspired ChatRx’s creation. We dive into the decade-long journey of developing this innovative technology and discuss how it’s reshaping healthcare by improving efficiency, expanding access, and keeping patient-centered care at the core.

RESOURCES

ChatRx: https://www.chatrx.md/ 

CONTACT

Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ 

Susan Ford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-howard-ford-8446441/

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Chad Mastagh, founder of Rides2U, joins us to share the story behind building a rideshare service tailored specifically for the South Bend–Elkhart region. Chad reveals how community trust and genuine relationships form the backbone of his entrepreneurial philosophy, and how these values shaped every aspect of his business.

From his beginnings as a firefighter to becoming a trailblazing entrepreneur, Chad’s journey is one of resilience, innovation, and purpose. Listen as we discuss the obstacles he faced, the lessons he learned, and the vision that inspired him to create a service centered on safety, reliability, and customer care.

RESOURCES

Rides2U: https://www.rides2u.com/ 

CONTACT

Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ 

Susan Ford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-howard-ford-8446441/

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Originally inspired by the urgent need to protect schools during active shooter situations, Nick Ackerman and Adam Toland developed Door Blockade, a smart secondary security device designed to enhance safety in schools, hospitals, childcare centers, homes, and more.

This week, we discuss how their mission has evolved to serve a wider range of vulnerable environments and dive into their entrepreneurial journey, exploring how they turned a simple idea into a life-saving product aimed at empowering people in high-risk scenarios.

From early challenges to breakthrough moments, this conversation sheds light on what it takes to build a socially impactful product. 

RESOURCES

Door Blockade: https://doorblockade.com/ 

CONTACT

Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ 

Susan Ford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-howard-ford-8446441/

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