Did you know that 90% of brain development happens from ages 0 to 5? This means a child's brain is almost fully developed before they enter kindergarten. In Tallahassee, our kindergarten readiness rate is at an alarming 49%. This means over half of our children who are entering kindergarten are not adequately prepared to adapt to this new learning environment. This is where Littles to Leaders comes in.

Littles to Leaders is an initiative by Leon County Schools to help establish parents as first teachers. The program will provide every parent of a newborn child in Leon County with brain development education and information about community resources to help with the development of the baby. Every family will receive a “brain bag” at the hospital following the birth of their baby. This bag contains resources and information to support their baby's brain development. Littles to Leaders aims to raise our kindergarten readiness rate by starting from birth.

Tune into this week's episode to hear all about Littles to Leaders and the details behind the program from Brooke Brunner.

According to Forbes in 2022, only 23% of Americans had a written financial plan, while 37% had done no financial planning at all. It is a common misconception that you need to have a lot of money or be a business owner to seek out financial planning services and this could not be further from the truth. 

On this week’s episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast we are joined by our 2023 Podcast Presenting Sponsor, MillCreek Financial Consultants. William Green and Robbie Kinney join us to break down the walls of financial planning. They discuss their Process vs. Product approach, advice on planning for retirement when inflation is inevitable, and how exit strategies need to be discussed sooner rather than later. 

MillCreek shares their "why" behind their "what" and how they believe financial education is the forefront of what they do.

Tune in to this week's episode to learn more!

Visit MillCreek's website here: https://www.millcreekfinancialconsultants.com/

On this episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by MillCreek Financial Consultants, Dan McGrew, Workforce Program Development Senior Vice President of CareerSource Florida and Leadership Tallahassee Chair joins us to elaborate on the benefits provided throughout the CareerSource network. CareerSource Florida offers an integrated talent support solution to help businesses find, develop, and keep talented employees. They also provide expertise, funding, and resources businesses need to succeed. 

Tune in to this episode and learn how CareerSource Florida and Leadership Tallahassee can help shape your future.

With a constant flow of new businesses entering the market, it is important for small business owners to know their options in Tallahassee. Each day, the Tallahassee Chamber advances opportunities that encourage business expansion, retention, and recruitment while supporting business-friendly initiatives. Florida First Capital is licensed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as Florida's Statewide Certified Development Company. Their mission, much like The Chamber's, is economic development and job creation with their main goal to provide access to capital for small businesses.

On this week’s episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, sponsored by MillCreek Financial Consultants, our President/CEO, Sue Dick chats with Mark Kruse about the different services Florida First Captial provides. Through small business loans, Florida First Capital wants to keep as much cash in the hands of business owners as possible.

Tune in & see what First Florida Capital could do for your small business.

The Tallahassee Chamber is dedicated to improving the quality of life for our community, but what does this look like? Our focus is creating a strong regional economy by following a pro-job agenda that will foster growth in the areas of talent supply and education; innovation and economic development; community prosperity; and overall business climate. Through the efforts of the Chamber’s Business Advocacy Committee, led by Rob Clarke, Chamber Board Chair-Elect and Ausley McMullen Shareholder, we advocate for policies critical to positive change in community issues and the growth of the capital region.

Research shows that higher kindergarten readiness rates translate into better life and health outcomes for children and lower crime rates in our communities. They also keep Florida businesses and workplaces competitive. The Children's Movement of Florida's 'Bosses for Babies' initiative helps employers implement work policies beneficial to businesses and working parents.

Tallahassee has a long-running list of assets and accomplishments, but there’s one that should make the whole community proud. Florida’s Capital City, as of last year, is home to the #1 Public HBCU in the country: Florida A&M University. U.S. News and World Reports awarded FAMU this top position as well as ranking them 103rd of all public universities, a 13-spot jump from the previous year. 

In 2022, Florida A&M University launched a five-year strategic plan, ‘Boldly Striking’, with a goal to elevate performance and position FAMU to become a top 100 public institution. They set ambitious objectives through Student Success, Academic Excellence, Leveraging the Brand, Long-Term Fiscal Health and Sustainability, and Organizational Effectiveness and Transformation, with a plan to exceed all expectations. With application numbers setting new records each year, it’s clear the word of Florida A&M University’s achievements has already started to spread. 

On this week’s episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast sponsored by MillCreek Financial Consultants, School of Business and Industry Dean and Chamber Board Member, Dr. Shawnta Friday-Stroud joins us to update us on the continued success and goals for a transformative future.

May 1 marked the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month – a topic often avoided because of the stigma brought on by society. The difficult truth is, nearly one in five Americans live with a mental health condition, according to the National Institute for Mental Health.

On this special episode of the Tallahassee Business Podcast, presented by MillCreek Financial Consultants, Dr. Jay Reeve, President/CEO of the Apalachee Center, joins us to normalize the conversation around mental health and shares ways we can support someone that might be suffering. The Apalachee Center has been serving the Big Bend region since 1948 and continues to provide innovative resources to make access to help easier. In 2018, following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, the Florida Legislature created the Public Safety Act, allowing organizations like the Apalachee Center to partner with local law enforcement in creating Mobile Response Teams (MRT). This proactive partnership offers care in a community-based setting, increasing opportunities to stabilize individuals in the least restrictive setting.