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Welcome to 'Main Street Success Stories', where each month, we deep dive into the journeys, the challenges, and the triumphs of real-world local entrepreneurs. Whether you're dreaming of starting your own venture or just looking for a dose of inspiration, you're in the right place. Join us as we celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship, learn from each other and motivate you to keep growing your own local business
51 Episodes
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What happens when life pushes you to finally go all in on your dream? In this inspiring conversation, Jennifer Kok sits down with branding and headshot photographer Heather Mahoney to talk about her journey from nurse to full-time entrepreneur, how fear almost held her back, and the incredible women’s project she created that’s lighting up the local community. Facing Fear and Going All InThe Rising Together ProjectThe Power of Supportive Communities Why Listen? Because this isn’t just a sto...
What if choosing yourself was the most powerful business strategy you could implement? In this inspiring and candid conversation, Jennifer Kok sits down with abundance expert Sarah Walton to talk about women, money, mindset, and the truth about charging what you’re worth. What we chatted about: Selling with Heart Isn’t “Icky” Sarah reframes sales as something women already do naturally, whether it’s convincing toddlers to eat peas or sharing a favorite book with a friend and shows how t...
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by inventory, buried in business debt, or unsure how to actually pay yourself—this is the episode you didn’t know you needed. Jennifer sits down with returning guest Ciara Stockeland, founder of Inventory Genius, for a real talk on what’s crushing profitability for product-based businesses—and how to fix it. From understanding your balance sheet to why your pricing strategy might be broken, Ciara shares the hard truths (and hopeful fixes) that can help you recl...
From pivoting during a career crossroads to creating something meaningful and profitable, Carla shares what it really takes to take action—even when the future feels uncertain. Today’s guest is someone who wears a lot of hats — and wears them all with purpose. Carla Flanders is the founder of CMF Marketing & Events, a West Michigan-based business that blends traditional marketing with large-scale event production. You’re going to love this conversation about what it means to pivot, ...
In this episode Jennifer Kok sits down with Jackie Benjamin, the founder of We Assist Marketing, to talk about how she built a thriving social media agency by choosing a lane, staying consistent, and leading with heart. Jackie opens up about the unexpected moment that inspired her to start a business, how she shifted from “doing everything for everyone” to becoming an industry expert in outbound social media for home service business. If you've ever struggled to niche down or questioned wheth...
Jennifer Kok sits down with Brooke Koeninger, founder of Scale with Clarity, to talk about leaving corporate during the Great Resignation, rewriting her identity as a working mom turned entrepreneur, and what it really means to build a business that works for you. They get real about burnout, measuring fulfillment (not just profit), and how small tweaks in your numbers can have a major impact. This episode is a must-listen if you’re a small business owner who: Feels stuck in the cycle of chas...
What if the key to being a more impactful leader wasn’t about learning how to do more, but about learning how to be more present? In this powerful episode, Jennifer Kok sits down with Kristy Mandour, founder of So To Speak, to unpack how high-achieving leaders can stop defaulting to pressure and perfection and start leading with grounded presence, emotional intelligence, and true self-trust. From embodied self-awareness to understanding your internal "Personification Posse," this conversation...
What if the business you’ve poured your heart into can’t be sold when you’re ready to move on? In this eye-opening episode, Jennifer Kok sits down with Jessica Starks, business broker and Exit Factor expert, to break down everything entrepreneurs need to know about building a business with resale in mind — even if selling feels miles away. With 80% of businesses never selling, this is a must-listen for anyone building a business they hope to exit someday. Key Discussions: Why 80% of bus...
In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Curt and Rob, co-founders of HUMN Marketing Agency, to unpack the power of customer-centered storytelling and human-first marketing strategy. With complementary backgrounds in design, nonprofit leadership, and brand messaging. The conversation dives into the importance of understanding your customers on a deeper level—and how most business owners are marketing based on assumptions, not insights. You’ll learn how to use frameworks like StoryBrand, plus ...
In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Geoff Schalow to demystify the Google Business Profile (GBP) and reveal how local business owners—whether brick-and-mortar or home-based—can optimize their presence on Google Maps and search results to attract more clients and outrank big-box competitors. From avoiding profile ownership mistakes to simple habits that boost visibility, this is your go-to episode if you’ve been guilty of the “set it and forget it” strategy. Geoff breaks down GBP best pra...
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Jennifer Kok sits down with Rebecca, the founder of a successful web design studio in West Michigan. From building websites for her dad’s agricultural business to launching her own creative agency, Rebecca shares her 20+ year entrepreneurial journey rooted in curiosity, faith, family, and community. Listeners will hear how she grew her business intentionally—without rushing—and how she balanced motherhood with meaningful work. Rebecca’s story is a powe...
Ever fumbled through an introduction at a networking event? Struggled to make people really understand what you do? In this episode of Main Street Success Stories, I’m joined by business communication and speaking expert, Leslie Fiorenzo, who shares a simple yet powerful formula to craft an elevator pitch that sparks interest and generates referrals. Leslie breaks down the key components of a great pitch—how to grab attention, highlight a problem, present a solution, and create curiosity in j...
In this episode of Main Street Success Stories, host Jennifer Kok sits down with Sara Barco, business and networking consultant and founder of 52 Connections. Sara is passionate about helping business owners strengthen customer retention and build authentic connections. She shares her unique approach to networking, why traditional hard leads groups don’t work for everyone, and how entrepreneurs can find the right networking opportunities that fit their personality and business goals. If you'v...
“If you can develop leaders within your business, you free yourself to actually grow it.” ~Jennifer Kok In this episode, Jennifer Kok interviews leadership development coach Shaina Lane, who specializes in helping corporate professionals and small business owners transition into effective leadership roles. They discuss the challenges business owners face when hiring and managing people, the importance of shifting from a task-driven to a people-centered mindset, and how to build a thrivi...
In this inspiring episode of Main Street Success Stories, Jennifer Kok sits down with Scott Vogel, owner of Nothing Bundt Cakes in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Scott shares his remarkable journey of transitioning from corporate America to entrepreneurship and the challenges, failures, and victories along the way. From depleting savings to building a thriving, community-focused business, Scott's story is a masterclass in grit, resilience, and giving back. Scott opens up about the realities of runni...
Did you know that only 50% of small businesses make it to year five? That statistic fires me up! In this solo episode, I’m diving into the real reason so many entrepreneurs struggle—ignoring their numbers. I’ll take you behind the scenes of my own business journey, including a humbling moment when my payroll checks bounced (yes, it happened!). But more importantly, I’ll show you why understanding your numbers isn’t just about finances—it’s about confidence, growth, and finally paying yourself...
Welcome to Main Street Success Stories, where we inspire and equip creative entrepreneurs to stress less and earn more. In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Jenna Harding, a former actor-turned-social media expert who’s now empowering entrepreneurs to attract paying new clients on Instagram without spending endless hours glued to their phones. Jenna shares her journey from the stage to running a thriving social media management agency and teaching others how to use Instagram effectiv...
In this episode, Jennifer Kok sits down with Jamie Trull, a financial literacy educator and former Fortune 500 finance executive turned entrepreneur, to tackle one of the most challenging aspects of business ownership—managing money. Jamie shares her journey from corporate finance at Coca-Cola to launching her own business, fueled by her desire for flexibility and independence. Key takeaways include: Jamie’s Entrepreneurial Journey: How her corporate finance background inspired her to empower...
In this episode of Main Street Success Stories, Jennifer Kok chats with Brooke Norlin, a seasoned Virtual Assistant (VA) with a knack for helping business owners streamline their operations and amplify their online presence. They dive into Brooke’s journey from early days in social media to her current role as a VA. The conversation focuses on actionable strategies for locally-owned businesses to thrive online and drive foot traffic to their brick-and-mortar stores. We discussed: The ch...
In this episode, we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Lori Sanborn, the owner of Urban Threadz Boutique, as she shares her experience transitioning from a salon owner to running a successful online boutique. Lori opens up about her challenges and triumphs, offering valuable insights for locally owned businesses. Key Topics Covered: Starting from Scratch: Lori shares how she began Urban Threadz Boutique as a side project while running her salon and how it quickly became her full-time bu...
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