The Small Business Association of Michigan's Small Business Weekly Podcast

Tom Shea is president of TMShea Products in Troy, a great example of a company that is pivoting from its primary product line toward new products that prevent the transmission of coronavirus in retail settings. “As an inventor, you always say what is the end result,” says Shea, who holds numerous patents. “The end result is it’s going to look like this. What do we need to make that happen design-wise, material-wise?”

The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We’re located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol.

Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. 

Our 28,000+ members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it!

(music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

Michael Forsyth is the founder of and partner in Detroit City Distillery and a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. When COVID-19 hit, the distillery shifted to making sanitizer -- over 20,000 gallons to date. “Small businesses have really stepped up and led the way through this crisis to fill some critical needs, and it’s going to be the way out,” he says.

The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We’re located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol.

Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. 

Our 28,000+ members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it!

(music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

Executive coach Mike Kole is the owner of Kole Performance Group and a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. He tells Michael Rogers that the COVID-19 crisis can be a time to candidly evaluate your business performance. “Go through your list of processes, what can be improved, what didn’t you like that you were doing before,” Shea says. “Now is the time to write down that process and kick it around with other small businesses.”

The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We’re located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol.

Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. 

Our 28,000+ members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it!

(music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

Jessica Richardson is Senior Partner at the In-Fusion Group in Southgate. On the SBAM Weekly Podcast, she shares with Michael Rogers her advice on shaping company culture and improving personal executive performance. “One of the keys to success is being self-aware, and self-awareness as a leader means that I recognize that other people have different needs than me,” she says.

The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We’re located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol.

Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. 

Our 28,000+ members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it!

(music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

Attorney Klint Kesto is a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. He has a unique background that includes small business experience and a distinguished career in the State House. On the SBAM Weekly Podcast, he tells Michael Rogers that there is value in being involved in the political process. “If there's a problem, most likely either me or whoever is having the issue in their business is not the only one dealing with that problem,” he says. “Let's go to the legislators, they work for us. Let's get them to understand what the problem is...and have them make that change.”

The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We’re located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol.

Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. 

Our 26,000+ members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it!

(music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

SBAM VIP member Diane Hartwell owns Little Blessings Childcare Center with three locations in the Lansing area. Diane and her daughter Helen talk with Michael Rogers on the SBAM Weekly Podcast about the keys to keeping their business vital while restricted by the COVID-19 crisis. “Stay positive, keep that connection,” Diane says. “That’s what makes a small business person successful, the connection to the community. Of course, I cater to the children but the adults are part of it too.” 

The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We’re located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol.

Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. 

Our 26,000+ members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it!

(music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

SBAM VIP members Dr. Tom McDonald, DDS, and his wife Coleen McDonald, are owners of Mid-Michigan Dental Excellence. They talk with Michael Rogers on the SBAM Weekly Podcast about their business, how they have been affected by the COVID-19 situation and their advice for other small business owners trying to cope with lockdowns and social distancing.

The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We’re located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol.

Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. 

Our 26,000+ members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it!

(music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

Remote working technology seems to be maturing just in the nick of time. “It's easier than ever today, in this day and age to work remotely,” says Aaron Hamp, owner of I.N.C Systems in Grand Blanc and a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. “Now, there are some security concerns, but those can be easily handled, if it's done right.”

Learn more about small business IT, security and remote working when he talks with Michael Rogers on SBAM’s Weekly Podcast.

The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We’re located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol.

Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. 

Our 26,000+ members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it!

(music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

An expert in the art of in-person networking is changing with the times and pivoting his small business toward producing live virtual events. “I built my entire career with handshakes and just being in the community and attending events and supporting various causes and events, so this new world of COVID-19 is something that is a very big challenge,” says Derek Dickow, the founder and president of Metro Detroit-based public and political relations firm Steward Media. “So, in a business mindset, I'm putting on my entrepreneurial hat and we decided very quickly to pivot instead of panic.”

Learn more about Dickow’s new business strategy when he talks with Michael Rogers on SBAM’s Weekly Podcast.

The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We’re located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol.

Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. 

Our 26,000+ members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it!

(music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)

One of your main goals when trying to cope with the monetary impact of the COVID-19 crisis should be revisiting and auditing your finances, according to business consultant, professional speaker and trainer Lisa Fisher. “What can you negotiate, what can you minimize or do without,” she says. “It doesn't mean cut everything to the bare bones. Yet, can you negotiate contracts? Can you talk to your mortgage provider or your lender, or your landlord on attaching your rents to the back end of the contract?”

Learn more when Fisher talks with Michael Rogers on SBAM’s Weekly Podcast.

The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We’re located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol.

Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own. 

Our 26,000+ members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it!

(music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)