With over two decades running Nunatak Coffee in Beaver Dam, businessman Josiah Villman joins Grace and they talk about how he began roasting coffee to provide better quality coffee. Josiah continues to grow his business by expanding into new markets and developing new taste profiles. He describes how the company started with no prior knowledge of coffee roasting and learned through trial and error. They now supply coffee to industrial customers, license their products through distributors, and have two cafes – one of which will be opening soon as a store with a cafe. Josiah describes how COVID-19 had a big impact on the retail business and they had to adjust their operations on already slim margins. Staffing became challenging, although some good employees were retained. Listen to find out the lessons he has learned, including the importance of being agile and adjusting as needed, as well as his plans to expand manufacturing, online sales, and wholesaling.

As a successful entrepreneur, Kyle Rowe knows a thing or two about business growth. In this episode of Banking On Business Podcast, Grace is joined by Kyle Rowe, owner of five Jersey Mike's Stores. Kyle shares his business growth journey and what it takes to run a business in multiple locations. He also shares tips on hiring and retaining employees. Kyle's advice is essential for any entrepreneurs looking to take their business to the next level. His insights on business growth are invaluable, and his tips on hiring and retaining employees will help you keep your business running smoothly. Whether you're just starting out or you've been in business for years, this episode is a must-listen.

As a business owner, you are always looking for ways to protect your business from fraud and scams. In this episode, Grace is joined by Melissa, who shares some tips about how we can protect ourselves from fraud. Melissa explains that business owners need to be aware of the different types of fraud and how to prevent it. She also describes the importance of having a good security system in place to protect your business. Finally, she offers some advice for business owners who have been the victim of fraud. Tune into this episode and hear these tips, it can help keep your business safe from fraud and scams.

In this episode, Grace is joined by Sarah Ninmer, marketing and social media management instructor at Moraine Park Technical College. They talk about how social media works and the importance of using it for your business. They also talk on how to leverage your brand by using social media.

Security and anti-fraud measures are some of the most important aspects of running a business. Not only do they protect your investments and help you to avoid costly mistakes, but they can also save you a lot of time in the long run. Grace Bruins is joined by security expert Jason Scherer. Jason shares his top tips for protecting your business from fraud, as well as some time-saving hacks that will help you to run your business more efficiently. Whether you're just starting out or you've been in business for years, this episode is packed with valuable information that will help you to keep your business safe and running smoothly. Jason Scherer is the VP of Treasury and Commercial Payment Solutions at Horicon Bank. Jason ensured that growth-oriented companies across a variety of industries, including Manufacturing, Healthcare, Professional Services, Non-Profit access sophisticated Treasury and Payment Solutions to meet their diverse needs, from the dispersion and collection of funds to provision of security and investments.

In this episode, Grace is joined by Rick and Beth, business owners who have turned their ideas into successful enterprises. They talk about how they got their start, the importance of trial and error, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Rick and Beth offer insights on a range of topics, including the importance of a business plan, the value of customer feedback, and the challenges of scaling a business. They also share their thoughts on the role of failure in business, and how to use it as a learning opportunity. This is an episode that any budding entrepreneur will find inspirational.

Grace Bruins and Joe Venhuizen are joined by Tom Kulczewski, owner of Real Sportscards. Tom fell in love with baseball cards in 1986 and his love has grown from there. Tom’s Collection features Ryne Sandberg, Yasiel Puig, Joc Peterson, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Jay Cutler. His favorite card is a 2018 Allen & Ginter Champ Peterson Autograph.Tune in and hear Tom's story of success in his business and what you can do when you set your your business on the right track.Highlight03:00 – With our growth, we started in 2016, between our online business or our in-person store, we are the largest seller of Topps baseball cards in the country.09:15 – So he took me down to Chicago to this  big sports card convention and I was like “Oh this is awesome”. So that was kind of the hook for me to collect more.22:10 – When I started this business and when went full time, we had a lot of people like that and I don’t even care what they say anymore. I used to really care and I feel like I have to convince people.23:55 – I always tell kids, when an adult asks you what do you want when you grow up, turn the table and ask them.45:20 – So I never look at myself as a successful entrepreneur. I always look at myself as a 12-year-old who plays baseball cards.Connect with GraceLinkedInConnect with JoeLinkedInConnect with TomLinkedIn

Small business owners are the backbone of the American economy. By opening and running a small business, they create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and bring new innovation to their communities. In order to support these important enterprises, state and local governments offer a range of incentives and programs to promote economic development.In this episode Grace Bruins and Joe Venhuizen will take a closer look at what these initiatives involve, and how small business owners can benefit from them. Tune in and hear more.Highlight01:30 – Envision Greater Fond du Lac is a regional economic development and chamber of commerce organization. So what that means is it’s a result of a merged organization.03:17 – The more that we know about current or upcoming business happenings the better we can position ourselves to help and assist.17:31 – They get a certain commitment from their lender and the project costs X, the lender is willing to come in with Y and there’s this gap and that's where envision can come in and fill that gap.29:55 – If you`re someone at any level in the business community, your network is so critically important and a lot of folks know this intrinsically but don’t put it into action. You get stuck in your way.Connect with GraceLinkedInConnect with JoeLinkedIn

Employee engagement is critical to the success of any company. It is the level of commitment and enthusiasm that employees have towards their work and their employer. Engaged employees are more productive, more profitable, and more likely to stay with their company. They also provide better customer service and are more likely to promote their company to others.Tune in to this episode and hear more about the importance of having managers that are engaged. This is a great episode for anyone who is looking to learn more about employee engagement or for companies who are struggling with how to improve it.Highlights:03:59 – I think that employee engagement looks like a lot of different things to different employees. It could be staying in the organization for a long time, it could be feeling comfortable giving your opinion, it could be promoting change within the organization.05:22 – We tried to do many different things. One of the first things that we do that is so important is getting a pulse on what the actual feelings of our employees are.11:49 – Having an awareness of always what's going on, and spend time with your employees and ask questions.15:18 – One thing that I think is really unique about us is that we are partially employee owned.Connect with GraceLinkedInConnect with ReneeLinkedIn

Finding the right employees is one of the most important tasks that a business owner or manager has. The process of hiring can be time-consuming and expensive, so it's important to get it right the first time. Grace Bruins interviews Renee Peterson in this episode. Renee is based out of Horicon, Wisconsin and works at Horicon Bank as AVP, Talent Acquisition and Development Officer/Security Officer.They talk about how she finds the right employees and how she prepares to interview. Tune in to this episode and hear more information on the hiring process.Highlights: 02:37 – I feel like I’m in the position where I`m growing skills and knowledge.06:18 – No situation is exactly the same, so the 1st thing that I do once we have a qualified candidate, is we always include the manager in those conversations.08:55 – In the interview questions, sometimes there`s questions that we cannot ask our candidates and I feel like that is really my job as the talent acquisition manager of this whole process. So, I provide the manager with interview questions.11:29 – Sometimes it happens really quickly, sometimes it happens within their first three months of their employment and it really depends on the position.21:28 – I think with interviewing, just to remember that it's so easy to get into that rut and to recognize that they are interviewing you as much as you`re interviewing them.Connect with GraceLinkedInConnect with ReneeLinkedIn