The Business Beat Podcast

In this episode of Business Beat, hosts Janelle Smith and Diane Samples sit down with Michael Sage of DTE Energy to discuss the power of volunteerism and its impact on individuals, businesses, and communities.
Michael shares how his journey into volunteerism began through corporate opportunities and evolved into a lifelong commitment to service. From international mission trips to local community engagement, he reflects on how giving back has shaped both his personal and professional life.
The conversation also highlights the Michigan Challenge Balloon Fest, a signature community event that brings together volunteers, businesses, and families to create lasting memories and meaningful connections. Michael and the hosts explore how events like these not only strengthen community bonds but also drive economic impact and regional visibility.
This episode is a powerful reminder that volunteerism is more than an activity—it’s a lifestyle that builds relationships, fosters connection, and creates opportunities for impact across generations.
00:00 Introduction to Michael Sage and DTE Energy01:00 Career journey and introduction to volunteerism02:30 Early volunteer experiences and corporate support04:30 Mission trips and global service experiences06:30 Shift toward local community impact08:30 Volunteerism as a lifestyle and personal value10:30 First experience volunteering at Balloon Fest12:30 Building relationships through volunteering14:30 The role of community events in connection and impact16:30 Generational experiences and family traditions18:30 Volunteer opportunities and event logistics20:30 What’s new at this year’s Balloon Fest23:00 Community partnerships and behind-the-scenes effort25:30 Final reflections on impact, economy, and community growth
Thank you to the sponsors of this videoLake Trust - https://laketrust.org/Brighton Ford - https://www.brightonford.com/Northstar IT - https://www.brightonford.com/ 
Guest Links 
Facebook-   / mlsagefamily  LinkedIn-   / michael-sage-11792430  Website-  https://www.dteenergy.com/
Howell Area Chamber Links
Facebook-    / howellchamber  Instagram-    / howellareachamber  LinkedIn -   linkedin.com/company/howellchamber    YouTube-       / @howellchamber  Website- https://howell.org/

Hosted by Janelle Smith, President of the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce, this episode of Business Beat features guests Amy Zander of Zeedia Media and Kevin Suboski, founder of The Fastest Route and Livingston Entrepreneurship Academy, for an honest conversation about the realities of entrepreneurship.
Amy shares her journey from side hustles and failed ventures to burnout, reinvention, and ultimately redesigning her business around her strengths. Together, the conversation explores entrepreneurship mindset, mentorship, isolation, finding your “superpower,” and what it really means to build a business that aligns with who you are.
The episode also highlights the growing entrepreneurship ecosystem in Livingston County through the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce and Livingston Entrepreneurship Academy, and the importance of intentional community, collaboration, and support for entrepreneurs at every stage.
00:00 Introduction to Amy Zander and entrepreneurial background02:00  Failed brewery venture and lessons learned04:00  Discovering marketing and finding a mentor06:00  Chamber involvement and early business growth08:00 Burnout, considering closing the business, and job searching11:00 “You’re not hireable—you’re an entrepreneur” breakthrough moment13:00  Redesigning the business around strengths and consulting16:00 Finding your entrepreneurial “superpower”18:30  Isolation, entrepreneurship mindset, and cohort learning21:00  Why entrepreneurship is different from business management24:00  Hard conversations, uncertainty, and entrepreneurial personality traits27:00 Howell entrepreneurship forums and building community30:00 The value of entrepreneurial networking vs traditional networking34:00 Solopreneur struggles, self-marketing, and honest feedback37:00 Chamber programming and entrepreneurship support ecosystem41:00 Entrepreneurship as identity and organizational culture45:00 Final reflections on mentorship, transformation, and entrepreneurial growth
Thank you to the sponsors of this episode:Lake Trust - https://laketrust.org/Brighton Ford - https://www.brightonford.com/Northstar IT - https://www.brightonford.com/
Stay connected
Show Links -Facebook-  https://www.facebook.com/howellchamberInstagram-  https://www.instagram.com/howellareachamber/LinkedIn -   linkedin.com/company/howellchamber    YouTube-    https://www.youtube.com/@howellchamberWebsite- https://howell.org/ 
Guest Links - 
Kevin SuboskiFacebook-  https://www.facebook.com/fastest.route/Instagram-  https://www.instagram.com/kevin_suboski/LinkedIn -   https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinsuboski/Website- https://fastestroute.co/
Amy ZanderFacebook-  https://www.facebook.com/ZeediaMedia/Instagram-  https://www.instagram.com/zeediamedia/LinkedIn -   https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeediamedia/Website- https://zeediamedia.com/Youtube- https://www.youtube.com/@zeediamedia

In this episode of Business Beat, hosts Janelle Smith and Diane Samples sit down with Kris Ward, owner of Sunshine and Sage, a boho-inspired boutique in downtown Howell that blends retail with mindfulness, joy, and community connection.
Kris shares her journey from a corporate career rooted in innovation and risk-taking to taking a leap on herself as an entrepreneur. She discusses the realities of building a small business—from the loneliness of entrepreneurship to the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and community support.
The conversation dives into how Kris has intentionally designed her shop as more than just a retail space—creating an experience where customers can relax, connect, and find meaningful moments. She also reflects on her experience pitching her business in a competitive entrepreneurship program, emphasizing the value of “small moments that matter” in a world often focused on scale.
This episode highlights the evolving role of small businesses in creating community, the power of local collaboration, and why meaningful, in-person experiences still matter in a digital world.
00:00 Introduction to Kris Ward and Sunshine & Sage01:00 Defining entrepreneurship and Kris’s background02:30 Taking the leap from corporate to business ownership03:50 Branding Sunshine & Sage and creating a “vibe”05:20 Challenges of entrepreneurship (loneliness, risk, decision-making)07:30 Mentorship and chamber-supported resources10:30 Collaboration and building a downtown business ecosystem12:30 Innovation in retail (bracelet bar, hours, experiences)15:00 Experience-driven retail vs. transactional shopping17:30 Emotional impact of the space and customer connections19:30 Entrepreneurship pitch competition experience23:00 “Small moments that matter” philosophy25:30 Supporting other small businesses28:30 Final reflections on community and entrepreneurship
Thank you to the sponsors of this episode:Lake Trust - https://laketrust.org/
Brighton Ford - https://www.brightonford.com/
Northstar IT - https://www.brightonford.com/
 
Stay connected
Show Links -Facebook-  https://www.facebook.com/howellchamberInstagram-  https://www.instagram.com/howellareachamber/LinkedIn -   linkedin.com/company/howellchamber    YouTube-    https://www.youtube.com/@howellchamberWebsite- https://howell.org/ 
Guest Links - Facebook-  https://www.facebook.com/sunshineandsagehowellInstagram-  https://www.instagram.com/sunshineandsagehowellLinkedIn -   https://www.linkedin.com/in/krisnasiatka/Website- https://www.sunshineandsageshop.com/

This episode of Business Beat features members of the Livingston County Chamber Alliance discussing the power of regional collaboration, chamber partnerships, and leadership development. Karen Storey of the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce and Emma Lynn Wheaton of the Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce join the conversation to highlight upcoming chamber mixers, Leadership Livingston, economic forecasting initiatives, and the importance of cultivating future community leaders. The discussion explores how collaboration across chambers strengthens Livingston County’s business community while creating opportunities for meaningful networking, civic engagement, and professional growth.
00:00  Introduction to the Livingston County Chamber Alliance01:00 Upcoming chamber mixers and community networking events03:00 Chamber collaboration and showcasing local businesses04:30 Economic forecast event preview05:30 Leadership Livingston and County Services Day08:00 Sheriff’s department tour and leadership experiences10:00 Therapy dog Teddy and community engagement11:30 Capitol Day and connecting with legislators13:00 Nonprofit Day and problem-solving exercises14:30 Leadership development and discovering new skills16:30 Leadership Livingston success stories and alumni impact18:00 Graduation, applications, and future cohorts
Thank you to the sponsors of this episode:Lake Trust - https://laketrust.org/
Brighton Ford - https://www.brightonford.com/
Northstar IT - https://www.brightonford.com/
 
Show Links
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/howellchamber
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/howellareachamber/ 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/howellchamber/?viewAsMember=true
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@UCfP1T-4lCgHMu8ZhxtEOTyw 
Website- https://howell.org/
 
Guest Links
Karen Storey
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/GreaterBrightonAreaChamber/#
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/brighton_chamber/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-greater-brighton-area-chamber-of-commerce/?trk=nav_account_sub_nav_company_admin
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@greaterbrightonchamber
Website- https://www.brightoncoc.org/
 
Emma Lynn Wheaton
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/HartlandChamber
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hartlandareachamber/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hartland-area-chamber-commerce/
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@hartlandchamber3520
Website- https://hartlandchamber.org/
 

This episode of Business Beat features entrepreneur Caitlin Wilkinson, founder of Inspired Ascend. She discusses her journey from personal adversity to building a business focused on personal growth, breathwork, and community-building for women. Caitlin shares how breathwork and other modalities helped her overcome self-doubt and trauma, ultimately inspiring her to create spaces like her “Girl Dinner” gatherings and retreats that foster authentic conversation, healing, and empowerment.
The conversation explores entrepreneurship, vulnerability, leadership, and the importance of supportive community networks.
00:00 Introduction & Meet Caitlin Wilkinson
00:40 Inspired Ascend & What She Does
02:00 The Story Behind “Girl Dinner”
03:30 Taking the Leap Into Entrepreneurship
05:15 How Breathwork Changed Her Life 11:00 Self-Worth, Identity & Personal Growth
16:00 Helping Others & Facilitating Breathwork
20:30 Training, Retreats & Building Her Practice
24:30 Career Journey, Mentorship & Athena
30:30 Reflections & Closing
 
Thoughts Thank you to the sponsors of this episode:
Lake Trust - https://laketrust.org/
Brighton Ford - https://www.brightonford.com/
Northstar IT - https://www.brightonford.com/
 
Show Links
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/howellchamber
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/howellareachamber/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/howellchamber/?viewAsMember=true
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@UCfP1T-4lCgHMu8ZhxtEOTyw
Website- https://howell.org/ Guest Links
Website: https://www.inspiredascend.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inspiredascend
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspiredascend
Email: caitlin@inspiredascend.com