The ROCC Pod

In this episode of the ROCC Pod produced for the Royal Oak Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts and Lisa Bibbee, a realtor with Keller Williams Advantage, discuss the misconceptions surrounding the recent Supreme Court ruling on the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and its impact on real estate transactions. As misinformation spreads, particularly highlighted by a podcast from the New York Times,...

Today Jon and Lisa are joined by Jeff Hurlburt of Ivy Properties, a seasoned professional in commercial real estate. With a blend of humor and expertise, Jeff shares his journey from serving as a US Marine in Desert Storm to navigating the intricate world of real estate. We discuss the impact of his upbringing surrounded by siblings and his transition from military life to civilian entrepreneurship.

As the commercial real estate lan...

In this heartwarming episode of The ROCC Pod, we delve into the harmonious world of the Cantata Academy Chorale. Join hosts John Gay and Lisa Bibbee as they explore the musical and personal connections that make this ensemble more than just a choir—it's a family. Our special guests, conductor Susan Catanese and board president Maggie Reese, share their stories of love, music, and community that resonate through the group's performa...

We dive into a conversation highlighting the critical state of education post-pandemic and the unique journey of Carolyn Graham into the world of tutoring with Tutor Doctor. Carolyn starts by shedding light on a concerning statistic: only 36% of U.S. students began the school year on track, emphasizing the significant role tutoring plays in bridging this gap. Her transition from a seasoned educator to a franchise owner of Tutor Doc...

We dive into the world of small business financing on the ROCC Pod, highlighting two key programs aimed at supporting entrepreneurs. Our guests, Belinda Turner-DuBois from CEED Lending and Cathy Rasegan from the US Small Business Association, share insights into their respective lending programs designed to help small businesses access capital. 

Belinda introduces CEED Lending, a part of the Great Lakes Women's Business Council, whi...

The Royal Oak Chamber now has its own app!  From the app, you can view Chamber events, meet other members, view the marketing tools available to your business, and even join the Chamber!   President Shelly Kemp and Chairman of the Board Michael Pesendorfer join us today to discuss.

Download the app on Apple or Android by searching for Your City App!

The Chamber has also partnered with member Tiffany Wisnieski of Twiz Creative for a n...

To kick off Season 3 of the ROCC Pod, we welcome Jennifer McCallum from Firefly Pet Photography.  Jennifer shares her journey from being a third-level sommelier to a passionate pet photographer. She emphasizes her love for animals, detailing her extensive experience in animal rescue and fostering.

Jennifer's transition into pet photography stemmed from her realization that she could make a greater impact through her business. She hi...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we welcome Kayla Lopez from Good Business. Kayla, a seasoned corporate executive turned consultant, shares her journey and insights into the world of consulting, emphasizing her diverse experience in various industries such as mortgage, banking, automotive, manufacturing, healthcare, and food service.

Kayla begins by defines consulting as providing expert advice for compensation. She reflects on her ...

In our latest episode of the ROCC Pod, we dive into the world of fitness and entrepreneurship with Erin Szaroleta and Moe Ashley from Home Turf Gym. We start with the common January fitness surge, with many of us feeling the aftermath of holiday indulgence. Erin shares her journey from a collegiate athlete to finding balance in her fitness and diet post-college. She emphasizes the importance of adapting workout routines to fit a bu...

Today's guest is Marjorie Saulson from Vibrant Vocal Power. Marjorie, a communication confidence coach, shares her insights on overcoming the fear of public speaking and effective communication strategies.

Marjorie defines public speaking as any form of communication beyond self-talk. She identifies the emotional fears associated with public speaking, highlighting criticism, rejection, and failure as the primary concerns. We delve i...

Joel Chinsky's journey in the world of technology began in the late 80s when his father worked for a company that allowed him to work from home, making them one of the few families to own a home computer at the time. Joel fell in love with technology, spending hours playing games and learning basic programming. This early exposure ignited his passion for technology and set him on a path of exploration and discovery.

Joel’s curiosity...

Jon Gay and Lisa Bibbee welcome Joe Haney, the President of AssuredPartners of Michigan, one of our state's leading workplace insurance providers. 

We start by acknowledging the importance of mental health support in the workplace. Joe discusses the significance of employee assistance programs (EAP) in addressing the mental health challenges that emerged, especially during and after COVID-19.

The discussion delves into the changing d...

Just in time for Thanksgiving, we are visiting with new Chamber member Jannie Teitelbaum from Great Lakes Pot Pies.

She was semi-retired and was experimenting with healthy bars, when she brough a pie to a Women's event.  She was told "this should be your business." Jannie's business took off from there, with her pies gaining popularity at the Royal Oak Farmer's Market, which played a crucial role in expanding her customer base and n...

Dustin Ryan Walker from Ross Mortgage joins us today. Dustin's insights into the current housing market shed light on the factors affecting housing prices and inventory shortages. The pandemic, work shortages in shipping, and a growing population have all contributed to the current situation. The idea of a housing bubble or collapse is dispelled, and we touch on the impact of factors like Airbnb and the growth of wealth among prope...

In this episode of The ROCC Pod presented by the Royal Oak Michigan Chamber of Commerce, we welcome Andrea Hicks, a local insurance agent specializing in Medicare. Andrea clarifies the intricacies of Medicare enrollment and the importance of understanding the difference between annual enrollment and open enrollment periods. She emphasizes the significance of having an independent agent to navigate the complex world of Medicare plan...

On this episode of the ROCC Pod, presented by the Royal Oak Michigan Chamber of Commerce, we have a special guest, Chef Dewayne Gordon from Gus's Fried Chicken, located at the corner of 13 and Woodward. 

Chef Dewayne shares his inspiring journey from a career in IT to becoming a chef. His passion for serving people and cooking led him to work his way up from washing dishes to becoming a chef at Peas and Carrots Hospitality. When the...

Olga Schmidt from Creative Society joins the Rock Pod to discuss the organization's mission and how it aims to create a sustainable and harmonious society. The Creative Society project started about ten years ago when volunteers from around the world conducted interviews and research to understand people's desires for a better society. Based on millions of interviews, eight pillars of the Creative Society were formed. The organizat...

Mallory Slusser is the campaign development manager for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, LLS.  Their signature event, Light The Night, is happening at Hart Plaza October 5th.  If you've never beenm it's an incredibly powerful gathering of survivors, supporters, and more.   And while the LLS appreciates all fundraising, raising money is not a requirement for attendance.   LLS is simply looking for support.

Mallory is very passionat...

Matthew Stransky, founder of Stransky and Company, shares his journey into real estate and how he built his successful team. He discusses the advantages of working with a real estate team and the importance of delivering excellent service to clients. Matthew also provides insights into the Royal Oak real estate market and explains why now is a great time to buy a home. He concludes by sharing his predictions for the future of the r...