The ROCC Pod

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...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we connect with Lindsay Madison, founder of Visions Incorporated, a yoga studio with a unique focus on accessibility and community inclusivity. Lindsay shares her inspiring journey, starting with her early career in retail management in Chicago, where she rose to a high-powered role at Bloomingdale’s by age 21. However, her career path shifted unexpectedly when she experienced a sudden and rare loss...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we interview Jordan Burns, owner of Honest Insurance Brokers, who takes us through his journey in the insurance industry, starting with how he launched and sold his first business during the pandemic. Jordan shares how he moved from life insurance and financial advising into property and casualty insurance, eventually deciding to strike out on his own, driven by a desire to offer more personalized s...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we sit down with Siri Pipat, the owner of Kacha Thai Market, to discuss her passion for authentic Thai food, her restaurant’s unique concept, and her experiences as part of the Royal Oak community. 

Siri shares her personal journey of moving to the U.S. over 20 years ago and her struggle to find Thai food that matched the flavors she grew up with. That challenge inspired her to create Kacha Thai Mark...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we dive into the musical world of the Royal Oak Concert Band and the Woodward Avenue Jazz Orchestra. Jon Gay and Lisa Bibbee host Kevin Czarnik, the director of the Royal Oak Concert Band, and Jim Cann, the director of the Woodward Avenue Jazz Orchestra. They do have very different backgrounds. Kevin is a music teacher who works with students of all ages. Jim, an engineer-turned-musician, talks abou...

In this episode of The ROCC Pod, we sit down with Bryce and Shayna Sherman, a resilient couple whose life took a dramatic turn when Bryce experienced a traumatic brain injury. Bryce recounts the harrowing accident that occurred during a family trip to Colorado, when he fell from a moving vehicle and suffered a skull fracture, resulting in a life-threatening brain bleed. Shayna explains how Bryce was rushed into emergency surgery, s...

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we sit down with Anne Bradley from Common Ground, an organization dedicated to mental health crisis support and suicide prevention. Common Ground's mission is to help individuals in crisis transition from despair to hope through trauma-informed programs, advocacy, and community support. They offer a variety of services, including a crisis intervention facility in Pontiac known as Oasis, a sober supp...