Enjoy this episode For more than 35 years, Dennis Hill, PhD has been a change agent and solutions architect, serving on more than 20 boards in business, industry, and education, including EXACTA Corporation, a forty-three-year-old business specializing in software architects and solutions. As a young professor in the ’80s and ’90s, Dr. Hill founded one of the first accredited computer science & engineering programs in the USA. Concurrently, while working with businesses, he led the developme...
Jan 16, 2019•35 min
Enjoy this episode Meet Mark: Joined GE’s Healthcare Financial Services business, became CFO in 2014. He led the organization through a host of changes over the past 4 years. New tax laws, lease accounting changes, revenue recognition rules, and the sale of GE Capital all impacted his business. He had to set up new business processes and international finance/accounting teams as the support infrastructure was sold. Started Supporting Strategies Milwaukee Franchise in 2018. It allowed him to help...
Jan 08, 2019•33 min
Enjoy this episode Meet Sarah Bauer Sarah is a card processing specialist with Heartland Payment Systems. She specializes in working with business owners that want to understand the true cost of taking electronic payments, being secure in doing so as well as working one on one to help them leverage all the data from credit cards to grow their business. She’s a native of Minnesota, has a BA from St. Norbert College, has authored numerous papers and hosted industry specific events to help grow man...
Jan 03, 2019•40 min
Enjoy this episode Meet the Gate Keeper of the Dark Web Gjeret Stein Starting in IT back in 1994, working for a Digital VAR (Value added reseller) as the Tech Support for their spin-off, WCF Internet, in Mukwanago Wisconsin. While the internet side of the business was slow, I learned “Big Iron” computing by building, configuring and installing OpenVMS Servers for small places like St Lukes, the Chicago Stock Exchange and First Star! Y2K was a boon for most IT companies, sadly, OpenVMS was not af...
Nov 28, 2018•27 min
Enjoy this episode Meet Toomas Mitt, Toomas Mitt Owner: TBG Networks LLC A lifelong technology cheerleader, at the age of 11, Toomas was the youngest amateur radio operator in the US. In high school, he was one of the first students to work with the schools new IBM 360, using punch cards on panel switches to program. Later, he went on to program for SAMI Syste ms, a food service marketing firm that provided reports to major producers around the country. In the 70’s, he became interested in the n...
Nov 22, 2018•33 min
Enjoy this episode Let’s meet Dave Ciccantelli, Dave is proud to be the owner of Wisconsin’s first Assisted Living Locators franchise. After 30+ successful years as a software engineer in the challenging IT world, Dave decided it was time for a change. His experiences with placing his elderly father and a desire to give back to his community brought him to Assisted Living Locators. He serves Waukesha county along with portions of Milwaukee county. He is looking forward to working with families i...
Nov 14, 2018•27 min
Enjoy this episode Meet Dr. Tummala MEET THE DOCTOR A Pioneer in the Field of Integrative Psychiatry “We now know that mental illness can be a result of many different physiological imbalances, such as nutritional deficiency, hormonal imbalances and digestive system health. At Trinergy Health, we address these root causes to heal the body and help you achieve mental wellness and balance.” Aruna Tummala, MD, is a board-certified adult and geriatric psychiatrist and founder of Trinergy Center for ...
Nov 07, 2018•39 min
Enjoy this episode Jackson & Host Rob have a discussion on the importance of being Persistence. It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer. Albert Einstein I will persist until I succeed. Always will I take another step. If that is of no avail I will take another, and yet another. In truth, one step at a time is not too difficult. I know that small attempts, repeated, will complete any undertaking. Og Mandino Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20t...
Nov 06, 2018•11 min
Enjoy this episode Meet Sue Gresham, “The LinkedIn Lady” is your LinkedIn Coach & Trainer. As a Certified Social Media Strategist and the founder of Innovative Client Solutions, she has been teaching professionals how to use LinkedIn to grow their business, their brand or find a job since 2010. She offers one-on-one individual LinkedIn coaching, online classes and webinars, workshops, and corporate training for small-to-medium sized businesses. She also facilitates in-service programs to org...
Oct 31, 2018•34 min
Enjoy this episode Meet Dr. Nicole Knapp Freedom. That’s what my job is about. Letting you do the things you want to do in the way you want to do them. Whether that’s washing your classic car, playing on the floor with your grandkids, getting aggressive in a game of pickup basketball or just keeping up with life. That word has been central to my practice – not just for my patients, but in my own career. There’s nothing worse than being unhappy with your chosen career path – but that’s where I wa...
Oct 24, 2018•26 min
Enjoy this episode Let’s meet Melissa, Melissa is all about helping small businesses achieve efficiency and time by blending technology with marketing Melissa Blair is a serial entrepreneur and a product of 2 entrepreneurial parents. Small business is in her DNA. This is also why she is so passionate about helping other entrepreneurs. She knows all too well how much time, energy, and money it takes to run a small business. As a self-proclaimed ‘marketing geek’ she has worked with a wide variety ...
Oct 17, 2018•32 min
Enjoy this episode Let’s meet Mara & Gloria, Our names are Mara & Gloria, and together we make Artery Ink! Through our artwork and various products, we want to encourage you to eat healthier, take better care of your body, learn more about how it all works and ultimately become happier. We came up with the concept for Artery Ink when we decided to eat healthier ourselves and learn more about our bodies. In changing what we ate and appreciating how our bodies worked everything else in our...
Oct 10, 2018•42 min
Enjoy this episode Meet Kelly Andrew: President & Chief Executive Officer, Filament Communication Kelly E. Andrew grew up on a farm in Wisconsin, before moving to her current hometown: Milwaukee. In 2013, after a decade in the non-profit sector, she pursued her lifelong entrepreneurial dream by founding Filament Communication. Her mission, to help independent businesses grow, inspired her to hone her Internet marketing skills and build a passionate, growth-minded team of marketers. Kelly bel...
Oct 03, 2018•26 min
Enjoy this episode Local First Podcast Show Partner Jackson Bubolz Key Take Aways Inspiring others How to manage your attitude You have to sacrifice something to get what you want Rule of 3 to 1 Recommend Books: Rich Dad Poor Dad Happiness Advantage Looking at Connecting with Small Businesses Sponsors Love the podcast? Sign up for listener support , you’re basically buying me a coffee each month. Elevated Insurance Our passion is Elevating the Community around us. That means serving you the way ...
Oct 03, 2018•20 min
Enjoy this episode Meet Martin: Martin tells his story how he puts in the work to go from Auto Mechanic to Photographer at Koss headphones. Koss and Martin provided Local First Podcast with two wireless speakers and headphones to give away. All you need to do is listen to the interview to learn how to WIN Key Take Aways: Doing what you love Collaborating is key The biggest challenge is time We all only have the same 24 hours Being more efficient Perfect road food Building Relationships Face to f...
Sep 27, 2018•36 min
Enjoy this episode Meet Rachel, Rachel was born and raised a Wisconsin girl. She’s always loved math and developed a passion for small business when she and her dad opened a franchise in 2010. Her small business ownership experience gives her a unique perspective working with her clients, and her bookkeeping practice is a perfect blend of her talents and background. She’s committed to helping her clients grow their businesses and believes having great books isn’t just for taxes – it’s valuable i...
Sep 19, 2018•32 min
Enjoy this episode Meet James Hamer Background and Philosophy I acquired my first license in the financial industry in 1988. My academic background is in the sciences and secondary education. Combining my 30 years of experience and my teaching ability has given me an innate capacity to simply explain the technical aspects of money and finance. In today’s economy, it is essential to have an understanding of the product and strategy recommendations in an ever more complex industry. My mission in t...
Sep 13, 2018•24 min
Enjoy this episode Scenic Shore 150 Bike Ride – raised $1.55 million and counting We have a new office location: 6737 W. Washington St. Suite 2100 Milwaukee, WI 53214 September 2018 Events Blood Cancer Conference: Saturday Sept. 22 8:00am–3:00pm at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee: 333 Kilbourn Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53203 Free Registration (all attendees must register) – Direct link: www.etouches.com/wibcc19 Breakout Sessions, Keynote Speaker, Lunch Provided Oyster Roast: Sunday Sept. 23 11:00am-4:00pm ...
Sep 07, 2018•11 min
Enjoy this episode Meet Ben Ben joined the Vantage Financial team after moving to the Milwaukee area. His connection to Wisconsin began in undergraduate school when he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Later, Ben would continue his pursuit of education at the University of South Dakota where he obtained a Master’s in Business Administration. He is focused on building a transparent plan for his clients and connecting them to the solutions that they want. Ben and his fiancé liv...
Sep 05, 2018•29 min
Enjoy this episode I had the opportunity to have a fabulous conversation with Carol White President of the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce right after a networking breakfast. It was all about building culture and relationships. If you have ever considered joining a networking group or joining another group, you will not be disappointed with the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce 3 Key Points: Relationships take nurturing It’s not about selling yourself. It’s about getting to know the other person It’...
Aug 29, 2018•13 min
Enjoy this episode Milwaukee’s Premier Tech Shop What Defines Roger: I’m a people person and I want to help people navigate through the confusing world of technology. I strive for understanding when I educate people and try really hard not to talk over people’s head – which is real easy to do when it comes to technical topics. What do I do? With the many ways technology solves problems, I evaluate a situation and narrow down solutions specific to the needs of the person I’m working with. For ins...
Aug 29, 2018•24 min
Enjoy this episode My conversation with Meg Daly is genuinely inspiring. After listening, I’m sure you will be encouraged as well as getting your MOJO back. Meet Meg Daly and get your MOJO How do you move from “wanting” to “being?” For me, the journey from one state to the other is the essence of truly living. I know exactly what it’s like to wrestle with the often confusing process of “becoming.” Finding my own story amidst what I thought I “should” do or “should” be were often the predominant ...
Aug 23, 2018•30 min
Enjoy this episode Meet Host and Founder Rob Kochanski un-edited unscripted Rob was going to interview Jackson Bubolz when Rob asked Jackson “what do you want to discuss in his episode?” he flips the script and says its time for the listeners to learn more about the host of Local First Podcast. The rest is history. We spend the next hour drinking beer and discussing everything from having a Vision, having Pasion, and asking the right questions. Are you a small business owner, entrepreneur? Do yo...
Aug 17, 2018•52 min
Enjoy this episode Meet Dr. Lees Dr. Lees received her Doctor of Psychology degree with honors from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 1990. Prior to opening Lees Psychological Services in 1998, she developed and directed several hospital-based as well as independent clinic-based, eating disorder programs for anorexia and bulimia. A licensed psychologist and one of the only Certified Eating Disorder Specialists (CEDS) in the area, Dr. Lees was recognized in 2001 by her peers as a l...
Aug 15, 2018•29 min
Enjoy this episode Meet Ron, I can’t remember when I didn’t carry a camera. I’ve been inspired by images and art my entire life. My Uncle Ray got me interested in photography when I was about ten or twelve years old and continued to water that seed. Photography was a hobby of his and he enjoyed sharing it with me. He set me up with a makeshift dark room in my parent’s basement and taught me how to process and print in black & white. Thanks to him, I have been creating images ever since. Duri...
Aug 08, 2018•28 min
Enjoy this episode Meet Nancy, This quote comes from my daughter, Wendy, who has observed me all her life: “You have always been a great listener and question asker, and people have always opened up to you, your whole life.” Her quote surprised me but I do agree with her: I enjoy meeting new folks to listen. Everyone has their own unique story. Giving others the opportunity to share their story relaxes them and me as well. (It also means that I do not have to do the talking as I can be somewhat ...
Aug 08, 2018•24 min
Enjoy this episode Meet L. J. Hyland Mixed experience: Marketing and advertising, sales for a LED lighting company, and financings. Works with companies of all sizes both locally and around the nation. Personal Ran track in college (sprinter). 4 time All-American. Still into fitness today. Primarily Crossfit and Olympic weightlifting Recently became a “world traveler” by visiting Paris. Passion for helping people through education. I love giving webinars and presentations. 3 Key Points: Loves he...
Aug 01, 2018•21 min
Enjoy this episode Let’s meet Paul Grekowicz, Born and raised in Michigan, south of Detroit…cue Journey music Attended the University of Michigan and earned an engineering degree First professional role revolved around maintenance and inspection of nuclear power plants Received my MBA part-time in the evening while working full time in a sales role Got certified in Six Sigma GE moved me to the Milwaukee area 15 years ago, and I’ve lived in the same house in Brookfield since Worked as a pricing m...
Jul 25, 2018•25 min
Enjoy this episode Meet Jackson There are massive changes happening in the insurance world… but nobody knows it yet. Jackson Bubolz is the owner or Elevated Insurance. An independent insurance agency in Waukesha, WI serving the community with home, auto, life, and business coverage. He has discovered that most people aren’t excited about their insurance, but see it as a necessary evil. Between community involvement, donations, and connecting people to ways to reach their goals, Elevated Insuranc...
Jul 18, 2018•37 min
Enjoy this episode The link for Man & Woman of the Year is: http://www.mwoy.org/wisconsin The link to register as a volunteer or to ride the 25 mile bike ride is: http://events.lls.org/pages/wi/2018ScenicShore150/ Matt King – he was diagnosed in 2010 at 4 years old with Leukemia. He was selected as the honored hero shortly after his diagnosis for the Scenic shore 150 bike ride and has been a force at the ride every year. Last year, in 2017, he became our youngest rider to complete the route ...
Jul 03, 2018•18 min
