Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab

Before she was baking wedding cakes for 900 people on Michigan Avenue, Laura Davenport was a Kentucky chemistry grad who went to law school, practiced civil and appellate law in Jackson for eight years, and then stepped away to raise five kids.

Brandon Marken and Alex Masten sit down with the founder of The Blue Julep, the downtown Jackson specialty dessert shop heading into its tenth year. Laura talks about turning a home business that took over her house into a storefront, the wedding cake that nearly melted mid-ceremony, how a volunteer became her first employee, and getting through surgery right as her manager walked out the door.

She also shares the one question that helped her finally drop a product she loved: would I still make this if it paid three times as much?

Connect with Lean Rocket Lab: 

• Website: leanrocketlab.org
• LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab
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• Instagram: @Leanrocketlab
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• YouTube: Lean Rocket Lab

Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts. 

This week we flip the script and put JTV's Bart Hawley in the guest chair for the first time. Bart takes us back to 2000, when a portrait photographer and former radio DJ took over Jackson's government access channel and built it into JTV, now the world leader in local high school sports television and the most visited website in Jackson County. 

We talk about the "no plan" origin story (his words: an entrepreneur jumps off a building and figures out the parachute on the way down), how JTV's commitment to unedited, long-form interviews became its differentiator from traditional news, and why staying hyperlocal rather than going regional or franchising to other markets was the right call, even when AT&T came calling to try to replicate the model elsewhere. Bart also shares how his sons Andy and Joey grew into the business, what it took to pivot to live sports production during the pandemic, and the Gandhi quote that got JTV through its early "this will never work" years: first they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. 

If you've ever wondered how a small local station ended up worth 40,000 guests and 25 years of daily programming, this one's for you.

Connect with Lean Rocket Lab: 

• Website: leanrocketlab.org
• LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab
• Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab
• Instagram: @Leanrocketlab
• TikTok: @Leanrocketlab
• YouTube: Lean Rocket Lab

Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts. 

What happens when a video production company outgrows its space and stumbles into a real estate deal instead? In this episode, Brandon and Alex sit down with Jake to unpack the winding, hard-won journey of scaling a video business — and then taking a completely unexpected leap into property development.

Jake opens up about the pricing mistakes that were quietly capping his business (and what happened the moment he tripled his rates), the shift from selling "a video" to selling a measurable return on investment, and how tiered proposals changed the way clients said yes. He credits Unreasonable Hospitality with reshaping how his team thinks about every customer touchpoint — no more videos delivered 30 minutes before showtime.

Then the story takes a turn: outgrowing Lean Rocket Lab, Jake and his father took on a distressed, gutted downtown building — holes in the floors and all — and turned it into a studio, podcast space, two commercial units, and three apartments. He walks through the messy reality of capital stacking a project like this: MEDC grants, American One, County National Bank, a 13-month wait for official approval, and a renovation that moved faster than anyone expected once the green light finally came.

It's a candid conversation about pricing with confidence, building systems before you think you're ready, and betting on yourself even when the math looks scary — plus a look at what's next, including a free video assessment tool and plans to expand the studio.

In this episode:

• Why tripling prices didn't scare clients away — it changed the conversation
• Turning quotes into tiered proposals built around client goals, not just deliverables
• Lessons from Unreasonable Hospitality on treating every touchpoint like it matters
• Capital stacking a building purchase: grants, banks, family investment, and patience
• The real timeline behind a "quick" downtown renovation
• What's next: growing the team, expanding the studio, and maximizing video content

Connect with Lean Rocket Lab: 

• Website: leanrocketlab.org
• LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab
• Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab
• Instagram: @Leanrocketlab
• TikTok: @Leanrocketlab
• YouTube: Lean Rocket Lab

Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts. 

What does it really take to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem from the ground up? In this episode, the Lean Rocket Lab team comes together to pull back the curtain on the full scope of what LRL does, from its roots as a high-tech manufacturing incubator and accelerator to the co-working space and entrepreneurial support hub it has grown into today. The team shares the pivotal moment during 2020 that reshaped their approach, when people from every walk of life started walking through their doors trying to launch businesses to support their families through a hard time, and how that led to expanding their support well beyond their original focus. Together they talk candidly about why investing in entrepreneurs matters for a community's economic mobility, what it looks like to walk alongside a founder from idea to thriving business, and why Jackson has become fertile ground for a small business renaissance. This conversation is a look at the full picture of Lean Rocket Lab's mission: helping people build something that changes their life and their community, one business at a time.

Connect with Lean Rocket Lab: 

• Website: leanrocketlab.org
• LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab
• Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab
• Instagram: @Leanrocketlab
• TikTok: @Leanrocketlab
• YouTube: Lean Rocket Lab

Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts. 

What does it take to buy a creative agency, modernize it, and grow it entirely on your own terms? In this episode, Brandon and Alex sit down with Paige, Owner and CEO of Hoyden Branding, for an honest and energetic conversation about what it really means to lead a creative business. 

Paige opens up about the biggest shift she made after acquiring the agency -- moving away from a production-house model and leaning hard into brand strategy and relationship-driven work. She shares how being in the same life stage as her team has shaped her leadership style, why going fully remote has made her more productive (even if she misses the office vibes), and how she keeps company culture alive without a shared physical space. 

From navigating maternity leaves and scaling challenges to weighing outside investment and staying true to her "frugal boss" roots, Paige gets real about the messy math of growing a small agency. She also talks about an unexpected niche she's found in financial services -- and why she's on a mission to make wealth management, insurance, and financial planing actually cool. 

Plus: her unfiltered new podcast Hoyden and Hang, why difficult clients are sometimes her favorite ones, and what she'd tell herself about asking for help sooner. 

Find Paige and the Hoyden Branding team on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn @hoydenbranding.

Connect with Lean Rocket Lab: 

• Website: leanrocketlab.org
• LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab
• Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab
• Instagram: @Leanrocketlab
• TikTok: @Leanrocketlab
• YouTube: Lean Rocket Lab

Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts. 

What started as a simple desire to give back through baking turned into a thriving culinary movement in Jackson, Michigan. In this episode of Startup Storytelling with Lean Rocket Lab, we sit down with Aaron Cole, the visionary behind DoughNation Bakery and The Melted Grill. 

Aaron shares the unconventional "non-business" origin story of DoughNation--a bakery founded on the principle of feeding the community--and how that mission-driven approach paved the way for the comfort-food success of The Melted Grill. We drive into the realities of scaling a passion project, the importance of authentic branding, and how Aaron balances social impact with sustainable business growth. Whether you're a food entrepreneur or a mission-driven startup founder, Aaron's insights on community-centric business are not to be missed. 

Connect with DoughNation Bakery & The Melted Grill

Facebook: DoughNation Bakery

Facebook: Melted Grill

Instagram: @doughnationbaker

Instagram: @themeltedgrill

Website: https://www.doughnationbakery.com/

Connect with Lean Rocket Lab: 

• Website: leanrocketlab.org
• LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab
• Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab
• Instagram: @Leanrocketlab
• TikTok: @Leanrocketlab
• YouTube: Lean Rocket Lab

Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts. 

Welcome back to Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab! 

In this episode, host Alex Masten is joined by a special co-host--Lean Rocket Lab co-founder Ken Seneff--to dive into the high-stakes, high-precision world of manufacturing. Our guest is Shane Grant, the founder and owner of Machining Momentum. 

Shane's story is a masterclass in what happens when technical expertise meets entrepreneurial grit. From his roots as a skilled machinist to building a company that serves as a cornerstone of the regional manufacturing ecosystem, Shane shares the "real and raw" truth about what it takes to keep a business moving forward when the stakes are measured in microns. 

Listen in to learn: 

• The Spark of Ownership: What motivated Shane to transition from a technical role to founding his own precision machining shop. 
• The Precision Paradox: How to maintain extreme quality standards while trying to scale a manufacturing operation. 
• Momentum vs. Friction: Shane discusses the unique challenges of the machining industry, from equipment investment to finding the right talent. 
• The Breakthrough after the Fall: A candid look at a significant business hardship Shane faced and the pivotal changes he made to pull through. 
• The Future of Machining: Where Shane sees the industry heading and his advice for the next generation of "makers" and founders. 

Whether you're in the manufacturing world or just looking for a story about resilience and technical passion, Shane's journey offers a fascinating look at the gears that turn behind a successful startup. 

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Guest Information: 

• Shane Grant, Founder & Owner of Machining Momentum
• Website: https://www.machiningmomentum.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-grant-879aab156/

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Connect with Lean Rocket Lab: 

• Website: leanrocketlab.org
• LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab
• Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab
• Instagram: @Leanrocketlab
• TikTok: @Leanrocketlab
• YouTube: Lean Rocket Lab

Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts. 

Welcome back to Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab! 

In this episode, hosts Brandon Marken and Alex Masten sit down with the founder of Realization Co., Dallen Reber. Dallen shares his journey of turning a passion for personal development into a successful business that helps people live more intentionally. 

Listen in to learn: 

• The "realization" that sparked the idea for his company's flagship product, the Self-Mastery Journal. 
• How a simple, easy-to-use journal can help enhance happiness, productivity, and stress management. 
• The surprising challenges of launching a personal development brand and how he overcame them. 
• How Realization Co. built a loyal supportive community and a customer-first brand. 
• Dallen's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and the core values that drive his business. 

Whether you're looking to start your own business or simply seeking to improve your life, Dallen's story is an inspiring look at the power of turning a vision into a reality. 

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Guest Information: 

• Dallen Reber, Founder of Realization Co.

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Learn More About Realization Co. & The Self-Mastery Journal: 

• Website: shoprealizations.com
• Facebook: Realizations HQ

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Connect with Lean Rocket Lab

• Website: leanrocketlab.org
• Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab
• LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab
• Instagram: @leanrocketlab
• TikTok: @leanrocketlab
• YouTube: Lean Rocket Lab

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts. 

Connect with Lean Rocket Lab: 

• Website: leanrocketlab.org
• LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab
• Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab
• Instagram: @Leanrocketlab
• TikTok: @Leanrocketlab
• YouTube: Lean Rocket Lab

Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts. 

Welcome back to Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab! 

In this episode, hosts Brandon Marken and Alex Masten sit down with the incredible Kim Gamez, a true serial entrepreneur who has built and sold multiple companies. Kim shares her remarkable journey, from her early days as a restaurant and real estate owner to the creations of her highly successful tech marketplace, Mi Padrino, and her latest multi-million dollar venture, Sober(ish). 

Listen in to learn: 

• How Kim went from running a popular restaurant, The Crazy Cowboy, to building a global tech platform. 
• The story behind Mi Padrino, her successful event planning marketplace that reached millions of users. 
• Why she broke a vow never to start another company to launch Sober(ish) after a viral TikTok video. 
• Her unique strategy for building a community-first brand and reaching a million dollars in sales. 
• The common thread that drives all of her ventures, from hospitality to the "sober curious" movement. 

Whether you're an aspiring founder or a seasoned business owner, Kim's story is a masterclass in grit, adaptability, and turning passion into a successful business. 

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Guest Information: 

• Kim Gamez, Founder of Sober(ish)

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Learn More About Sober(ish):

• Website: Soberish.com
• TikTok: @trysoberish
• Instagram: @trysoberish
• Facebook: Soberish

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Connect with Lean Rocket Lab: 

• Website: leanrocketlab.org
• TikTok: @leanrocketlab
• Instagram: @leanrocketlab
• Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab
• LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab
• YouTube: @leanrocketlab

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts. 

Connect with Lean Rocket Lab: 

• Website: leanrocketlab.org
• LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab
• Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab
• Instagram: @Leanrocketlab
• TikTok: @Leanrocketlab
• YouTube: Lean Rocket Lab

Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts. 

Connect with Lean Rocket Lab: 

• Website: leanrocketlab.org
• LinkedIn: Lean Rocket Lab
• Facebook: Lean Rocket Lab
• Instagram: @Leanrocketlab
• TikTok: @Leanrocketlab
• YouTube: Lean Rocket Lab

Don't miss a single story! Subscribe, rate, and review Startup Storytelling by Lean Rocket Lab wherever you get your podcasts.