The ROCC Pod

In this episode of The ROCC Pod, we sit down with Shawn Thornton, founder of Smart Biz IT and former tech leader at Amazon and Ford, to unpack the growing importance of cybersecurity and compliance for small and mid-sized businesses. We open with a real-world horror story—Shawn walks us through how one of his Michigan-based clients was completely taken out by ransomware. Two facilities, thousands of hacked printers, a wiped custome...

In this episode of The ROCC Pod, we dive deep into the world of emotionally intelligent AI with Christine Chubenko of CodeBaby. Jon hosts solo while Lisais away, and together with Christine, we explore how AI is reshaping business efficiency, customer interaction, and our daily digital experience.

We begin by learning about CodeBaby, a platform that powers emotionally intelligent avatars capable of handling repetitive customer servi...

In this episode of The ROCC Pod, we welcome Kizzy Parks, Executive Director, and Kai Anne Radcliffe, Senior Leasing Specialist with The James Ferndale, a boutique-style living community for adults 55+. We explore how The James blends luxury, independence, and community in the heart of Ferndale, Michigan.

Kai Anne shares her music-filled background, from interning at BET to meeting Beyoncé during the Destiny’s Child era. Kizzy talks ...

In this episode of The ROCC Pod, we sit down with Matt Traitses, General Manager, and Chris Downs, HVAC Manager at Cregger Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electrical. With summer in full swing, we focus on home comfort, efficiency, and cost savings through HVAC upgrades and maintenance. Chris breaks down how federal tax credits and utility rebates can save homeowners over $2,000 when replacing outdated systems, thanks to incentives...

In episode 100 of The ROCC Pod, we celebrate a major milestone by revisiting some of our most memorable and impactful moments from the past five and a half (!) years. We kick things off by honoring the co-hosts who helped launch the show, Andrea Arndt and Trish Carruth, and by thanking the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce and its leaders for their continued support.

From there, we relive powerful moments of resilience and entrepreneurs...

In this episode, we sit down with Angela King and Jolene Plotzke from Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union to talk about the importance of financial literacy and their unique approach to serving the community. After some lighthearted conversation about dogs, music, and family, we dive into the core topic—money, debt, and financial education.

Angela and Jolene explain that many people, even high earners, often lack basic budg...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we sit down with Benson Onyegbula, a first-generation Nigerian-American who shares his transition from finance into real estate and the lessons he's learned along the way. We begin by exploring how Benson's early curiosity and drive landed him mentorships with top executives at Trion Solutions while still a junior at Oakland University. That curiosity paid off when a financial advisor offered him a ...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we sit down with Chance Jennings from Tittle Brothers Construction. We kick things off by discussing a major highlight for Tittle Brothers: being an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, a prestigious designation held by only about 15 companies nationwide. This certification ensures homeowners’ warranties are backed by Owens Corning, even if anything happens to the original contractor.

Chance ...

This week's guests are Nick Dane and Jaime Rowland of Citizens State Bank, who now lead ROYAL, the Young Professionals group within the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce. They walk us through how the group has grown since the pandemic and what’s made that growth possible. We hear about how they were tapped as young leaders within Citizens State Bank (a proud Chamber member!) to help rejuvenate ROYAL and how that responsibility has alig...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we sit down with Christina DeGregory, an independent insurance broker with Health Markets, to talk through her journey from a biology major (!) to health insurance and how she’s using her science background to educate and empower clients. Christina shares that she holds a master’s in biological sciences and once worked as a teaching assistant in cell biology and microbiology. That experience, she ex...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we sit down with Mark Friday of RJ Telecommunications to explore how his company has grown from a family-run operation to a full-scale managed service provider. Mark walks us through the company’s origins, starting in 1996 and his joining in 2004 as a teenager. Back then, RJ focused mainly on physical phone systems, but with the rise of VoIP and the decline of traditional systems like Nortel, the co...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we sit down with Christine Scott from Paul Scott Plumbing to talk about her journey in the plumbing industry, the importance of clean water, and the value of careers in the trades. Christine shares how she transitioned from the car business to plumbing after meeting her husband, Paul, and how she eventually became a licensed journeyman and contractor to help run the family business. After Paul's pas...

Today on The ROCC Pod, we sit down with Kyle Vandeventer from the Royal Oak Sandlot League to talk about baseball, softball, and community engagement. Kyle shares how the league, which has been a staple in Royal Oak since 1959, continues to provide affordable, high-quality youth sports opportunities for kids aged 4 to 18. With roughly 1,000 athletes participating annually, the league is powered entirely by volunteers dedicated to f...

Today, we sit down with Alex Bartell from Cinch I.T., a new Royal Oak Chamber member. Right away, Alex shares his unique talent for impressions, though he keeps them for in-person encounters—so if you see him at an event, be sure to ask! He also recounts a hilarious story of accidentally taking a ferry into Canada- you've got to hear this.

Moving into business, Alex explains that Cinch I.T. is a franchise, started by his partner Jos...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we sit down with Amy Claeys, owner of Daisy Blue Photography, to discuss her journey into wedding photography, her unique approach to capturing special moments, and how she ensures a stress-free experience for her clients.

Amy shares that her love for photography started with a simple point-and-shoot camera after the birth of her first child in 2001. As she honed her skills, she eventually found hers...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we welcome Lindsey Collins, the founder of LMC Interiors, as we explore her journey in the interior design industry and her insights on emerging trends. Lindsey shares how her business began in 2005 after encouragement from her first job to launch a side business. With a degree in interior design from Kendall College of Art and Design and a background in graphic design and art history, Lindsey built...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we dive into the world of weddings with Grace Milligan and Michelle Mengele from Viero Bridal, the Michigan flagship of a luxury bridal brand. Viero, meaning "faith" in Ukrainian, offers a bespoke experience for brides, emphasizing handcrafted, customizable gowns. Every dress is made in their European atelier, featuring exquisite details such as hand-beading and intricate craftsmanship. The store al...

Today, Jon and Lisa are talking social media and video (and dogs) with Jordanna Cheifetz, the founder of JAC Digital Media. She  shares her journey of establishing a thriving business that specializes in creating engaging social media content. She explains her unique "content days," where she works with clients to produce multiple high-quality videos efficiently and stress-free. These sessions are designed to empower clients with c...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we meet Tahura Holly and Nikunj Jain, founders of Corqueboard, a digital advertising platform designed to replace traditional cork boards in local businesses. Tahura shares how her time in India inspired her business journey; after moving there in 2017 and immersing herself in the jewelry trade, she returned to Michigan and launched Festive Essentials, a brick-and-mortar store in Hamtramck specializ...