The Business RoundUp with Melissa Bill

The Business RoundUP (formerly Texas RoundUp) Hosted by seasoned journalist Melissa Bill, The Business RoundUp explores the pivotal topics shaping local and the broader business landscape today. From groundbreaking innovations to leadership insights and finance trends, this podcast delivers in-depth coverage and engaging interviews with influential figures and newsmakers from across the United States. ✨ Meet the Host: Melissa Bill With 16+ years of journalism experience, Melissa Bill has been a trusted voice for major outlets like The Miami Herald and WIOD News Radio. While reporting for The Texas Insider, she focused on business, technology, space, and finance—issues vital to Texans, from the proposed Texas-based stock exchange to the state’s expanding energy industry. A proud graduate of Florida International University, Melissa brings sharp insights and a passion for storytelling to every episode. 📅 Tune in Weekly for fresh perspectives, lively discussions, and a deep dive into the stories that matter most locally, regionally and beyond.

Hands-on Guide to Navigating the Trades: Insights from Carl Murawski

In this conversation, we interview Carl Murowski, a seasoned electrician and entrepreneur, who shares insights from his 20+ years in the trades. He discusses the realities of working in the trades, the impact of AI on job opportunities, the importance of choosing the right gear, and the challenges facing the workforce as many skilled workers retire. Carl also emphasizes the need for better education about the trades and speaks about the following: The shift in societal perceptions towards blue-collar work Lack of entrepreneurship in trades can stem from a lack of knowledge. The skilled trades gap is a significant issue. How it's important to provide accurate information about trade jobs. How AI is changing the landscape of trades, creating new opportunities. Choosing the right work gear is crucial for comfort and safety. The perception of trades is shifting towards respect and viability. Hands-on work can be more fulfilling than office jobs. Community knowledge is invaluable in the trade Don't miss this insightful segment where we dive into the industry, plus get tips and advice for people working in the trades. You can also catch Carl on YouTube!

09-30
17:47

Inside the World of Private Equity Real Estate with Park Madison Partners’ Nancy Lashine

In this episode, we catch up with Nancy Lashine, founder and chief executive officer of Park Madison Partners, who discusses her journey in the real estate investment industry, the dynamics of private equity real estate and current market trends. Nancy shares valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and gives insights on the importance of relationships, the stability of real estate investments, and the qualities needed for successful leadership and entrepreneurship. Topics discussed include: How Nancy Lachine founded Park Madison Partners 19 years ago, focusing on institutional real estate investments. Her background in dance and business school, which led her to a career in real estate. Family values instilled a strong work ethic and independence in Nancy. How current market trends show a focus on logistics and living sectors, with data centers gaining popularity. Keys to entrepreneurship and how it requires problem-solving skills and adaptability to market changes. Why courage and the ability to learn from failure are key traits of effective leadership. Join us in this insightful conversation as we navigate the real estate landscape with Nancy Lachine. 

09-26
20:34

Fed Cuts, Inflation & Economic Trends: Insights from Vijay Marolia

In this conversation, Melissa Bill and Chief Investment Officer, Vijay Marolia, discuss the recent cuts by the Federal Reserve and their implications for the real estate market, inflation, and investment strategies. Vijay has been featured on Fox News, CNBC, Bloomberg, Barron's and Wharton Business News. Marolia emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and critiques the current economic policies, plus explores the future of gold and silver investment. This discussion highlights:  The challenges faced by young graduates in managing student loan debt and the need for better education in financial matters. Inflation will remain a consistent issue affecting the U.S. economy. The Federal Reserve's role is misunderstood; it does not guarantee economic growth. Real estate market challenges stem more from supply issues than mortgage rates. Private credit is growing rapidly as an investment avenue. Understanding economic history is essential for making informed financial decisions. Don't forget to subscribe and join us for this insightful conversation with Vijay Marolia as we discuss how to surf economic trends.

09-25
18:59

Surviving AI and Navigating Today's Business Landscape: Interview with Jared Navarre

In this conversation, Jared Navarre, a multidisciplinary founder of Keyni Consulting and creative strategist, discusses the evolving business landscape, emphasizing the importance of diagnosing structural leadership gaps rather than merely focusing on sales or technology. In this episode, Jared highlights pain points for many of today's businesses including: The challenges of integrating AI into business processes and the need for clear communication to alleviate employee fears about job security. The significance of soft skills and character in hiring, advocating for a shift away from traditional resume-based hiring practices. He also shares insights into his latest creative venture, Zillion, which aims to provide a unique sensory experience. Don't miss this deeper look into what it takes to survive and thrive in today's business landscape.

09-17
24:47

Empowering Young Latina Athletes: Interview with ELLA Sports Foundation Co-founder

In this episode of the Business Roundup, Melissa Bill interviews Lilly Travieso, co-founder of ELLA Sports Foundation, which empowers young Latina athletes through mentorship and community engagement. They discuss the foundation's mission, the importance of representation in sports, and Lily's personal journey as an athlete and leader. The conversation highlights the various programs ELLA offers, including sports clinics and academic workshops, aimed at fostering leadership and growth among young women in sports. Lily shares her aspirations for the future and the impact of mentorship on the next generation of athletes as well as: How ELLA Sports Foundation supports young Latina athletes. The foundations focus on community, athletics, and academics. Mentorship is crucial for young athletes' development. Representation in sports leads to cultural shifts. How Lily's mother was a significant influence in her journey. How sports can be a catalyst for personal growth. The foundation's various programs nationwide, which encourage young girls to pursue sports is essential. Don't miss this look into how we can support young women achieve their goals and dreams.        

09-13
12:07

Grow Haralson Initiatives: Chamber President on Fostering Economic Growth

Take a journey into what a small town is doing to spurn economic growth. In this episode we speak with Tara Chapman, President & CEO of the Greater Haralson Chamber to discuss why the chamber is the cornerstone of the community. Chapman provides insight into: Her background and how she has spent more than 20 years leading localized efforts in economic development, tourism, and business growth. Discuss projects such as Grow Haralson, unified chamber and development authority initiatives. Steps for strengthening business communities in rural and small-town markets. The role of tourism and community branding in economic growth Leadership strategy, especially for women in executive roles. How public-private partnerships can drive business expansion and resilience. Please make sure to subscribe and listen and comment on topics you would like us to cover in future episodes.    

09-11
21:49

Interview with Disney's Secret Weapon, Creative Producer, Lee Romaire

In this episode we interview Lee Romaire, an Emmy-award winning, creative producer and the founder of Romaire Studios. Lee has built a distinguished name in the entertainment industry as one of Disney and Universal Creative's greatest secret weapons, crafting live-action creatures and characters. In this episode he shares where the love for character creation began and how did his childhood visits to Disneyland play a part in this fascination. Plus:  How his early involvement in taxidermy experiments helped spurn a quest to create the lifelike characters he's developed over the years. His move to Los Angeles and working with legendary makeup artist Dick Smith. What was it like to create characters for films including Steven Spielberg's War of The Worlds, Stephen King's Nightmares and Dreamscapes, and Legend of the Guardians What were the most challenging characters to create. His work on the theme park attractions Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser at Walt Disney World and Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash Attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood. What distinguishes his company from other special effects and animatronic studios. Dive into the world of creation with us and find out what it takes to make these lifelike characters come to life.

09-07
21:36

Trump, Tariffs and America's Business Reset: Interview with Relentless Bill Robinson

In this episode of The Business RoundUp, we are joined by Relentless Bill Robinson from Newsmax - a veteran in the news industry, having won numerous prestigious awards for his columns and articles. Bill has covered stories for Newsmax, FORTUNE Small Business, and The Wall Street Journal Europe Bill shares his journey from a businessman and entrepreneur, to writing columns and appearing on CNN and Newsmax. He also discusses his interviews with Trump, and his personal take on: Why tariffs are a must: Understanding the ins and outs of tariffs and how they are resetting the economy. How Trump's initiatives are driving small business growth. His words of wisdom when it comes to the future of American business. Join us for this insightful episode to see how the world of media and politics often converge.  

09-03
35:07

Joe Jurgielewicz & Son: What it Takes to Build a Pekin Duck Dynasty

In this episode we are joined by Joey and Michael Jurgielewicz, of Joe Jurgielewicz & Son - a family-owned, fourth-generation Pekin duck farmer based in Pennsylvania. They discuss the founding of this family-owned and operated business and what are the key ingredients to building one of the largest Pekin duck farming businesses in the U.S. Michael and Joey give insight into: Why part of their success comes from being the only poultry farm in North America owned and operated by a veterinarian. How having veterinarians as owners has fostered the family's belief in humanely treating animals and how this creates a higher quality product. According to Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, the average life of a family business is 24 years. How they've beat these odds. Why the continuous pursuit of improvement has led to a lasting business. Expanding their business here in the U.S. and globally. The increasing consumer interest in eating duck meat and its health benefits. The shift towards consumers wanting less processed foods. Don't miss this insightful conversation!  

08-30
23:07

Myseum Transforms Memory Sharing: Interview with Tech Entrepreneur Darin Myman

In this episode on the Business RoundUp, we catch up with Darin Myman, a veteran technology entrepreneur, media innovator and the CEO of Myseum. Darin discusses the unique concepts behind Myseum, a new consumer app designed to change how we capture, share, and preserve digital memories. He also shares his journey into the technology space, including:  How he founded and led multiple public companies including BigString Corporation and Wally World Media.  His background on LiveInsurance.com, the first online insurance broker, and held a senior role at Westminster Securities Corporation. How his new platform is furthering online privacy, social media technology and memory preservation. Don't miss this episode as we look into the next era of social media and online memory sharing  

08-27
13:40

Inside "The Big Beautiful Bill" with Tax Expert Ryan Otto of Accent Financial

Taxes affect everyone from small businesses to the average taxpayers. In this episode, Ryan Otto, President and Owner of Accent Financial Services, walks us through "The Big Beautiful Bill" which recently passed in July of 2025. Otto breaks down parts of this bill and who will see the greatest effects from changes including: Permanent QBI deduction for small businesses Bonus depreciation Research and Development, how is this opening up doors QSBS and changes within the stock market Discuss this year's tax filing, filing changes, and how this may affect tax withholdings Accent's expanding Tax Smithing services Join us for this in-depth look into changes we're likely to see when it comes to filing our taxes next year and find out why early preparation is key to a successful tax strategy.    

08-23
17:29

Cem Zorlular, CEO of Er-Kim on the Global Challenge of Drug Inequity

This week on the Business RoundUp we catch up with Cem Zorlular, CEO of Er-Kim to discuss the global challenge of drug inequity. During this conversation, Cem breaks down the vast challenges of access to life saving pharmaceuticals especially in underserved areas of the world, plus: His own family experience with drug inequity and how it shaped his perspective on global drug access. How Er-Kim is a direct continuation of his family's legacy. Er-Kim's focus on rare disease treatments and why it's so crucial for low- and middle-income countries. How Western markets rarely see dramatic shifts, but such changes are commonplace globally. (natural disasters, economic volatility, war, etc.)  Given these significant challenges, what unique strategies/business models has Er-Kim developed to navigate these volatile environments and ensure a more consistent supply of medications. Don't miss this information packed episode!

08-20
18:01

Re:Public is Redefining Media: Former Fox Broadcaster Eric Bolling on Latest Venture

In this episode of The Business RoundUp, former Fox News Broadcaster Eric Bolling, joins us to discuss his latest venture as the Senior Communications Manager and Partner at Re:Public  The new, independent journalism platform is redefining media relations and public engagement. Bolling shares plans for the newly released site that will cater to those looking for news without censorship. The goals of Re:Public include:  The pursuit to focus on causes, not profiles. Re:Public is dedicated to spotlighting the issues and topics that drive the community forward, rather than focusing on individual profiles and social metrics. How the platform welcomes voices from all walks of life and encourages respectful dialogue and aims to foster unity by celebrating diverse perspectives and shared values. How it places privacy and independence before advertising: The platform will not track personal data, and plans to ensure a pure, unfiltered experience. Don't miss this episode as we explore the next chapter in America's evolving media landscape.  Listen, subscribe and share!

08-17
16:07

Paying Forward Through Innovation and Education: Interview with Pedro Espinoza

In this episode of The Business RoundUp, we are joined by Pedro David Espinoza a TED speaker, entrepreneur, AI investor, and author. Pedro shares how he is invested in the future by empowering underserved communities through technology and entrepreneurship.  In this episode, he shares insight into: What prompted him to start Pan Peru USA, a nonprofit organization that trains Andean women in rural Peru to become entrepreneurs by marketing and selling handmade alpaca garments. How Pan Peru USA has scaled under his leadership, from empowering one woman to over 100, with support from Fortune 500 companies such as KPMG, Bristol Myers Squibb, MSCI, and Western Union. Discuss SmileyGo, a platform that has helped companies invest smarter by connecting them with nonprofits. The platform indexed the data of 1.5 million NGOs. His journey as the founder & CEO of SmileyGo, an app that indexed the data of 1.5 million NGOs in addition to having users in 30 countries.  His book – Differences That Make A Difference, which attracted 100 CEOs as contributors such as Pat Gelsinger who wrote the foreword. 

08-14
38:57

Illuminate XR: Redefining the Future of Learning Through Virtual Reality

Join us as we explore the world of virtual reality and AI with Colin Cooper and Meghan Freeman, Co-Founders & Co-CEOs of Illuminate XR. In this interview, Cooper and Freeman discuss the future of XR as it relates to school education and how it's now assisting numerous companies in their training processes. In this episode we dive into: The great advancements in AI and how it's making an impact in various industries and in education. How immersive learning is changing the way we take in information. A recent TEDx talk where they discuss the need for schools to prepare students for our changing world. New projects on the horizon and insight into advancements we'll likely see in 2026 and beyond. Don't miss this episode as we take a journey into the future of learning!

08-10
33:10

Rethinking America's Education System: Interview with Justin MacDonald

Join us for an insightful look into reshaping the education system with Justin MacDonald, Head of The Academy at District Church. In this episode we dive into how The Academy at District Church is leading a bold, new movement to reimagine K–12 education through a Christian, purpose-driven lens. Justin shares the idea behind their concept of running a school similar to a successful company and teaching students to do the same, plus the following:  How this approach can foster a better school environment. Steps to producing a higher number of graduates and more young entrepreneurs. How The Academy is run like a business, and they teach students to do the same. Their 6-week sprints and agile design methodology.  If you want a new outlook on our resolving America's education dilemma, then don't miss this episode!

08-06
35:02

Essay Grader AI: A Beacon of Relief for Overloaded Teachers

In this episode, we speak with Chan Yerneni, Founder of EssayGrader.ai - the leading AI-powered grading platform for teachers across the US, UK, Australia, and Canada.  Yerneni shares background on company and how its grown to over 100,000 registered teachers on the platform after only 18 months. Plus: How EssayGrader.ai supports teachers and schools in almost 30 U.S. states, as well as school districts including Texas. Ways the platform actively supports the Texas Education Agency’s STAAR readiness standards. How AI is transforming the way teachers approach grading and feedback. How EssayGrader.ai is building a fast-growing multi-million-dollar business. Discover how AI is helping to streamline the workflow of teachers worldwide!

08-03
18:28

Rayburn Electric on Keeping Up with Texas's Growing Power Demand

Energy and the power grid continue to be at the forefront of discussions across the United States. Join us in this episode as we catch up with Chris Anderson, General Counsel at Rayburn Electric Cooperative to discuss how this electric energy solutions provider is redefining Texas's evolving energy sector, plus: How Anderson is leading Rayburn through a period of incredible change, growing assets from $300M to more than $1B. The Impact of Winter Storm Uri and how it was a wake-up call for a lot of Texas utilities. What steps Rayburn has taken to strengthen the grid and better prepare for extreme weather. Rayburn's acquisition of a new generation facility after Winter Storm Uri and plans to build a second one. How do these facilities help you manage risk and keep power prices more affordable? North Texas is one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S. New types of demand—like large-scale commercial and industrial users. The future of energy mixing including natural gas, hydro and nuclear. Join us for this inside look into the energy sector and be sure to subscribe to get notified on newly released episodes!

07-30
26:32

Gifts, Swag and Sponsorship: Accent Financial Offers Tax Tips for Influencers

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Otto, President of Accent Financial Services to explore the rise of a new type of employment - social influencers and creators. Ryan discusses the IRS and its need-to-know guidelines for this industry. He offers insight and tax advice on: How tax preparation for influencers differs from other contractors. Advice on properly filing and reporting gifts, promo items and brand deals. What types of revenue and income are taxable. Why it's necessary to follow proper IRS filing procedures. This is a great episode to explore whether you're an established influencer or one that's just starting your rise to fame. Be sure to listen, follow and subscribe for updates on new episodes.

07-26
14:45

Solving the Hidden Dangers of EMF: Interview with EMF Specialist Cory Hillis

In this episode, we speak with Cory Hillis, the visionary President of EMF Solutions and a Certified EMF Specialist & Trainer, about the  hidden harms of EMF exposure and how it's affecting our families, children and even pets.   Hillis dives deep into how, and to what extent we are all exposed to EMFs on a daily basis, plus the following:  EMF, otherwise known as “Electromagnetic Frequencies”, and how this man-made electromagnetic radiation is bombarding us via modern day technology including our cell phones. The invisible enemy and how it enters the home and work. Signs of exposure to EMF and ways you can protect your home and family. Studies on the EMF exposure and what they have determined. How we can forge a safer way to live with modern technology moving forward. Join us for this information packed episode to find out what's at the heart of the EMF conundrum, plus actionable tips for fixing the issue. 

07-23
42:45

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