Midwest Momentum

Join us as we uncover the fascinating journey of Becca Wenning, a former bridal shop owner and the visionary founder of Dress It. Becca shares her invaluable insights into the modern-day challenges brides face, from navigating endless social media inspiration to the logistical headaches of matching online finds with in-store inventory. Discover how the Dress It app is innovating the industry by bridging these gaps and offering a st...

What's fueling Ohio's restaurant and hospitality resurgence? Join us as we uncover the dynamic trends shaping Ohio's food scene with John Barker, president, and CEO of the Ohio Restaurant and Hospitality Alliance. Learn how post-pandemic restaurant openings are flourishing, the innovative rise of ghost kitchens, and why chicken-focused eateries are gaining traction. John reveals how inflation is steering consumer hab...

What if you could step back in time and experience rural Ohio's rich history while enjoying modern, innovative lodging? Join me, Michelle Gatchel, as I take you on an enchanting journey to Hideaway on the Hocking, guided by Cindy Hayes, whose family has lovingly preserved their 2,600-acre farm for 147 years. Hear Cindy recount fascinating tales connecting the farm to the B&O Railroad and President Rutherford B. Hayes, maki...

Justine Blank, Vice President and co-founder of Engineered Product Innovations (EPI), shares her remarkable journey and how she, alongside her husband Brian, has revolutionized the world of RFID. Learn about the fascinating applications of RFID tags in sectors like defense, manufacturing, medical, and retail. These tiny devices are making significant impacts in automated inventory management and verification systems. Justine offers...

Ready to explore the future of food? Join Michelle Gatchell as she catches the momentum of an innovative company moving to Ohio called Nexture Bio. She sits down with Heidi Coia, Director of Product Development and Tissue Engineering at Nexture Bio, to unravel the science and potential of cultured meat. Heidi guides us through the fascinating process of creating structured meat products from animal cell biopsies, aiming to replicat...

This week on Midwest Momentum, Jon Snyder, the Managing Director of Investor Relations at Ohio Life Sciences, sheds light on the significant achievements and trends within Ohio's life sciences sector. This episode promises to reveal how Ohio's cost-efficiency and innovative capacity attract substantial investments from large out-of-state investors. We'll discuss the unique advantages of doing business in Ohio, from c...

Can you imagine a world where humans have continuously lived in space for over two decades? That's the reality for anyone under the age of 23, thanks to NASA's unwavering commitment to exploration. In this episode, we reflect on this monumental achievement and dive into the insights shared by James Free, NASA's Associate Administrator.  He highlights Ohio's pivotal contributions, particularly through the NASA Gl...

You will be inspired by Howard (Lee) Mosbacker IV, PhD, Founder Cyrannus's journey from Ohio State University to pioneering multiple groundbreaking ventures, providing a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs. Lee Mosbacker is on a mission to transform the venture capital experience. 

Learn about Cyrannus' new app, which will soon launch in Alpha. This platform is designed to redefine the venture ecosystem by bridgin...

Ever wondered how AI can revolutionize entrepreneurship? As we chat with Tushar Kulkarni from Big Kitty Labs about their groundbreaking dual focus on software and physical product development, prepare to be inspired. Tushar shares a new projet that is an "AI Playground" for entreprenuers.  This new initiative promises to democratize AI experimentation, breaking down financial barriers and fostering a fertile ground for cr...

Ever wonder how a tech visionary turns innovative ideas into practical tools used by the military? Join us on this exciting episode of Midwest Momentum as we sit down with Eric Wagner, a key figure in the Midwest Ohio tech community. Eric shares his journey from the early days of computer science to today when he is helping to create an ecosystem for AI startups in Hilliard, Ohio, called Hilliard City Lab. This episode contains val...

How can academia, industry, and government collaborate to inspire the next generation of space explorers? Join us at the Ohio Space Forum in Cleveland, where we sit down with Marla Perez-Davis, former director of the NASA Glenn Research Center and current director at Kent State University's Division of Aeronautics and Engineering. Marla provides a wealth of knowledge on the importance of an inclusive educational pipeline and t...

Embark on an inspiring quest with Elizabeth McClain from Ohio Pet Charities as she narrates her evolution from a hands-on animal advocate to the helm of an organization providing for pet rescues. This heartwarming session unpacks how a collaborative approach has been a game-changer for pet-related nonprofits, with strategic alliances like the Cohatch Gives Scholarship and Hollywood Feed amplifying their cause. Prepare to be moved a...

Could your neighborhood be the next hunting ground for child traffickers? Vicki Thompson from Grace Haven joins us to peel back the curtain on a harrowing reality that's closer to home than many of us would like to believe. Our powerful exchange delves into the quintessential services Grace Haven extends to the young victims of sex trafficking, from therapeutic residential care to pervasive case management. We navigate the com...

Embark on a journey through the fusion of biology and technology with Beau Warren, the revolutionary mind behind Species X Beer Project, as he sits down with me, Michelle Gatchel, to share his captivating evolution from homebrew hobbyist to the vanguard of brewing innovation. Beau's leap to craft beer is as unexpected as it is inspiring, detailing how his passion for ale and an academic foundation in psychology ultimately inte...

When European baking meets the entrepreneurial spirit, magic happens in the kitchen—or should I say Kitschen Bakery. Katie Porter-Conley sits across from me, sharing the aroma-filled tale of her quaint bakery nestled in Marysville, Ohio’s historic heart. What began as a family tradition soon rose like the perfect sourdough into a thriving business, blending warmth, community, and the finest local ingredients into every bite. From n...

Join us on a remarkable journey with the insightful Professor Clifford Hurst of Ohio Wesleyan University, as he recounts his extraordinary shift from a disciplined Marine Corps officer to a dynamic entrepreneurship professor. His story is a testament to the boundless nature of the entrepreneurial spirit, weaving through various career paths and disciplines. With Clifford's guidance, Ohio Wesleyan's entrepreneurial program...

Discover the heartbeat of Delaware's economic surge with local visionaries Logan Brunney and Cody Hatton, who are steering the city towards a renaissance of business innovation. Join us as we uncover how their strategic alliance with the Delaware Entrepreneur Center, city officials, and Ohio Wesleyan University is nurturing an ecosystem ripe for entrepreneurial success.  I share my love for Delaware's tight-knit community...

Unlock the entrepreneurial spirit within you as Alison Gatchell, an independent business owner with Amway, joins us to share the ins and outs of thriving in the world of sales and business ownership. Get ready to be inspired by Alison's journey from embracing Amway's unique business model—a blend of independence and franchising support—to mastering the fine art of relationship building in sales. 

No prior skills?...

In this episode of Midwest Momentum, host Michelle Gatchell talks to Don Overly, creator of the Marysville Toy Show. Don shares is journey from toy collector to toy show organizer. Revel in Don's nostalgic trip down memory lane, his enduring love for Mustang keepsakes, and the resurrection of his Star Wars fandom. Don shares what it takes to curate a successful toy show and the exciting expansion Don and his partner Fred Rober...