Just Biz, Omaha Style: Recent Episodes
Grant Dorhout
Small businesses power America. And in Nebraska, nearly 500 thousand people are employed by a small business. So it's essential to keep small businesses strong.
This podcast wants to assist with that mission. Join host, and fellow small business owner, Grant Dorhout each episode as he introduces you to small business owners across the Omaha, Nebraska, community.
Hear their stories. Understand their challenges. And learn from their successes.
If you have questions or want to be a guest, call: 402-281-0750 or email grantdorhout@dorhoutretirementservices.com
On today’s episode, we’re talking with Chevelle (Herring) Saunsoci, also known as Coach Chevy. In 2020, she turned her love of basketball into DVLP, a basketball program that helps kids develop their skills and play at the college level.
Read and learn more at: https://dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-19-coach-chevy-helps-kids-achieve-college-basketball-dreams/
About our guest: https://www.dvlpbasketball.com/
What we discuss:
2:10 – Meet Chevelle
2:59 – Coaching history
7:03 – Opportunity gap
11:11 – Programs she offers
13:42 – Starting a business
20:35 – Staff
23:29 – Marketing
28:31 – How to get involved
On today’s episode, we’re talking with Devon Foster, an entrepreneur who owns multiple businesses, including a trading card game company and an entertainment company.
Read more: https://dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-18-from-trading-card-games-to-entertainment-devon-foster-loves-business/
About our guest: https://www.facebook.com/TheColletivesCorner/
What we discuss on this episode:
2:03 – Collective’s Corner
4:40 – COVID
6:41 – Trading cards as a kid
7:38 – Starting a business
11:15 – Challenges
14:15 – Pokémon
20:27 – Social media
22:58 – DJing and entertainment company
27:40 – Multiple business
31:03 – Future
32:45 – Advice
On today’s episode, we’re talking with Diana Doukas, manager for economic impact for U.S. policy programs at Facebook. Find out how her work helps empower small businesses in Nebraska and beyond.
Read more:
https://dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-17-from-the-white-house-to-facebook-her-goal-is-to-help-small-businesses/
About our guest:
Diana is a public affairs and corporate social responsibility executive with almost 15 years of White House, government, corporate, political and non-profit experience managing budgets of more than $10 million.
What we discuss on this episode:
Listen to the full podcast to hear Diana talk about:
- How her career path led her to Facebook
- Her experience working with the small business community
- Why she couldn’t have plotted her career path if she tried
- How she learned to trust her gut
- How she built a community around her
- What exactly she does at Facebook
- What Facebook is doing to help small businesses
- What tools Facebook has to help businesses
- How businesses can do community outreach
- How she has personally helped small businesses
1:50 – Meet Diana
2:08 – Career path
3:01 – Losing out on jobs and promotions
3:55 – What she learned from failure
6:21 – Her role at Facebook
7:21 – How Facebook helps businesses
10:55 – Re-entering the workforce
13:56 – Business resource hub
16:38 – Most value Facebook tool
18:22 – Outreach in the community
19:45 – How she helps small businesses
22:37 – Digital shift
25:59 – Anything else?
On today’s episode of Just Biz, Omaha Style we’re talking with Kelly Partusch, owner of 402 BBQ Food Truck. She started the business with her late husband Todd in 2014 and opened a drive-thru location in August 2020. Find out how she is carrying on her husband’s legacy.
Read more: https://www.dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-16-bbq-food-truck-owner-carries-on-husbands-legacy/
About our guest: https://www.the402bbq.com/
What we discuss on this episode:
1:48 – Starting the business
2:10 – Where to find the food truck
3:01 – Employees
4:25 – Drive-thru
5:32 – Covid
6:22 – Her own timeline
8:07 – Food truck
10:47 – Advice
12:39 – The challenge of starting
15:34 – Unique business
16:05 – Advertising
18:24 – Favorite social media inspiration
22:05 – Traits of good employees
24:35 – In five years
On today’s episode, we’re talking with Eric Oberembt, president and owner, and Lindsey Pate, marketing director, of D&M Roofing. Find out how they kept business going during Covid and found ways to give back to the community.
Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-15-this-was-always-my-passion-roofing-company-is-a-family-business/
About our guest: https://dandmroofing.com/our-team/
What we discuss on this episode:
2:10 – Eric’s start
2:45 – Business history
4:39 – Efficiency
6:18 – Micromanaging
7:38 – Working on/in business
9:59 – Success
13:06 – Uniqueness
15:51 – Marketing tools
17:45 – Covid
21:27 – Community outreach
29:43 – Contact D&M Roofing
On today’s episode, we’re talking with Colin, owner of Kitchen Table. Find out how Colin and his wife Jessica have turned their passion for the local community into a successful restaurant.
Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-14-couple-turns-passion-for-community-environment-into-sandwich-shop/
About our guest: https://www.kitchentableomaha.com/
What we discuss on this episode:
1:52 – Slow fast food
3:00 – Menu
4:00 – Employees
4:12 – Why they started the restaurant
6:51 – How they pick farmers
8:22 – Marketing
9:12 – Pandemic
17:17 – Business vision
18:00 – Mentors
19:50 – Advice for entrepreneurs
22:24 – Favorite meal
On today’s episode, we’re talking with Monica Freeborn, owner of Amethyst Home. Find out how she has grown her business during the pandemic and why she wants to create peaceful, serene homes through her interior design.
Read more here: https://www.dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-13-amid-pandemic-interior-designer-promotes-peaceful-home-furnishings/
Connect with our guest:
https://www.amethysthome.com/
https://www.instagram.com/amethyst.home/
What we discuss on this episode:
1:49 – Meet Monica
2:43 – Furniture
3:15 – Travel
5:00 – Pandemic
6:03 – Marketing
8:46 – Choosing this profession
13:00 - Hiring
15:10 - Clientele
18:14 – Turning down clients
20:04 – Rewarding client experience
23:38 – Mentors
25:07 – Advice for entrepreneurs
26:57 – Contact Monica
On today’s episode, we’re talking with Dan Thompson, co-owner of Thompson & Thompson 3rd Generation. Find out how he started the roofing business with his brother and how he learned the trade.
See the show notes: https://www.dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-12-for-dan-thompson-roofing-business-is-all-in-the-family/
About our guest: https://www.thompsonthird.com/
What we discuss on this episode:
2:06 – How long Dan has been in business
3:32 – His first week in business
4:40 – Success in business
6:28 – Fear of failure
8:50 – Services he offers
10:33 – Covid
15:17 – Competition
18:07 – Hail damage
22:39 – Turning down business
25:55 - Expansion
On today’s episode, we’re talking with Joe Worthing, president of Glassman Recycling & Repurposing. Find out how he started his business during a pandemic and why he refuses to take any government money.
Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-11-how-joe-worthing-created-glassman-during-a-pandemic/
About our guest: https://glassmanrandr.com/about/
What we discuss on this episode:
1:52 – Meet Joe Worthing
6:57 – In a pandemic?
13:21 – What he does with the glass
17:55 – Marketing
21:50 – Employees
23:46 – Customers
27:14 – How sand is used
29:37 – Failure and disappointment
35:06 – How to contact Glassman
On today’s episode of Just Biz, Omaha Style we’re talking with Zac Triemert, president and master distiller of Brickway Brewery & Distillery. A self-described mad scientist and entrepreneur, Zac is the brains behind the Brickway brand. He strategizes Brickway’s unique product chemistry and distinct culture.
Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-10-how-a-mad-scientist-turned-entrepreneur-crafts-beer-and-whisky/
About our guest: https://www.drinkbrickway.com/
What we discuss on this episode:
2:03 – More than a brewery
3:03 – Why open a brewery and distillery?
5:50 – Biggest business challenge
8:44 – Managing employees and working on the business
15:20 – How Covid has impacted his business
21:17 – What makes his business unique
23:02 – From beer to whisky
24:31 – Bills in the legislature
28:17 – Expansion plans
28:54 – His favorite beer
30:35 – How to contact Brickway Brewery
On today’s episode, we’re talking with Keighley and Branda, owners of Good Life Grooming, mobile grooming and wedding services for men. Find out why they started their new business, what they’ve learned and how social media has helped them grow.
Read more here: https://www.dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-9-how-two-women-created-good-life-grooming-for-men/
About our guest: https://goodlifegroomingformen.com/
What we discuss on this episode:
2:15 – How Covid helped create their business
4:05 – Difficulties women-owned businesses have
4:49 – Using power tools to build the business
5:44 – How social media has helped them grow
8:05 – Something they’d change about their business
9:28 – Where they see their business in 5 years
12:02 – Proudest moment so far
13:32 – How they get new clients
15:15 – What advice they ignore
16:15 – Most influential person
17:39 – Why people think businesses fail
18:52 – Strong operating processes
20:19 – Marketing plan
22:55 – Best compliment
23:45 – How to contact Good Life Grooming
On today’s episode, we’re talking with Akile Banister, who started Banisters Leadership Academy in 2007 after he saw a need to help underserved youth in the Omaha area.
Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-8-after-losing-two-cousins-akile-banister-helps-underserved-youth/
About our guest: https://banistersacademy.org/
What we discuss on this episode:
1:51 – Meet Akile
2:43 – What he wishes he had known
4:02 – New locations
6:38 – How students get involved and what life skills they learn
8:23 – Success story
9:42 – Working on the business vs. in the business
11:46 – Developing skills
12:49 – Learning from failure
14:28 – Mentors and coaches
16:25 – Beliefs, behaviors and habits
18:14 – Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
19:21 – Volunteering with and donating to Banisters
20:15 – Banisters biggest need
On today’s episode, we’re talking with Phil Lee, co-founder LifeLoop, which helps senior care communities communicate. Find out how he created the business and why his lack of experience in senior living has been a positive thing.
Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-7-how-phil-lee-helps-senior-care-communities-communicate/
About our guest: https://ourlifeloop.com/our-story
What we discuss on this episode:
1:50 – Overview of LifeLoop
6:00 – Why Phil started the business
10:00 – How he found mentors
12:50 – Most difficult part of starting the business
20:38 – How Omaha has helped his business
22:06 – How Covid has impacted his business
25:18 – LifeLoop’s future
27:13 – LifeLoop expansion plans
30:00 – Advice for your entrepreneurs
32:27 – How to contact Phil
Julie Imgrund has traveled the world and helped her clients do the same through her business, Bellevue Travel. On today’s episode, find out how the pandemic has affected her business and why she is so passionate about seeing new places.
Read more here about the show here: https://www.dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-6-julie-imgrund-shares-passion-for-travel-and-how-pandemic-affected-business/
About our guest: https://www.bellevuetravelne.com/
What we discuss on this episode:
2:44 – Bellevue Travel
4:25 – Passion for travel
7:13 – Bumps in the road
13:08 – Covid
24:46 – Expansion plans
27:00 – Planning trips in a pandemic
31:23 – Travel prices during a pandemic
34:12 – How to contact Julie
More and more Americans are deciding to move away from cable television but it's not always an easy decision or process. On this episode of Just Biz, Omaha Style, we’re talking with Tim Tritsch, the owner of TNE Technology in Omaha. He created a business that helps people cut the cord and move to streaming.
Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-5-how-tim-tritsch-helps-people-cut-the-cord/
About our guest: https://www.tnetechnology.com/
What we discuss on this episode:
2:38 – A unique business
5:34 – Clients
8:11 – Technology changes
10:40 – Bad recommendations
15:55 – Most influential person
18:20 – Covid
22:02 – Next few years
23:52 – Work-life balance
28:33 – How to contact Tim
On this episode of Just Biz, Omaha Style, we’re talking with Jeff Cremers, who started his own CPA firm in 2012. Find out why he wanted to start a business, who his target customers are and how he handles a work-life balance.
About our guest: http://www.cremerscpa.com/
Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-4-why-jeff-cremers-started-his-own-hands-on-cpa-business/
What we discuss on this episode:
2:11 – How Covid has affected his business
3:17 – Opportunities for his business
4:06 – Boutique practice
5:27 – Retainers
6:34 – Why he wanted to own a business
7:22 – Does he plan to expand?
8:14 – Work-life balance
9:35 – His target customer
11:11 – Has he ever turned down business?
12:40 – Biggest strength of his business
14:30 – Technology he uses
15:55 – Continuing education
17:40 – Biggest surprise
19:12 – Keeping educated clients
20:11 – What he’d tell his younger self
22:07 – Advice for young entrepreneurs
24:49 – How to contact Jeff
On this episode of Just Biz, Omaha Style, we’re talking with Jeff Cremers, who started his own CPA firm in 2012. Find out why he wanted to start a business, who his target customers are and how he handles a work-life balance.
About our guest: http://www.cremerscpa.com/
Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-4-why-jeff-cremers-started-his-own-hands-on-cpa-business/
What we discuss on this episode:
2:11 – How Covid has affected his business
3:17 – Opportunities for his business
4:06 – Boutique practice
5:27 – Retainers
6:34 – Why he wanted to own a business
7:22 – Does he plan to expand?
8:14 – Work-life balance
9:35 – His target customer
11:11 – Has he ever turned down business?
12:40 – Biggest strength of his business
14:30 – Technology he uses
15:55 – Continuing education
17:40 – Biggest surprise
19:12 – Keeping educated clients
20:11 – What he’d tell his younger self
22:07 – Advice for young entrepreneurs
24:49 – How to contact Jeff
On this episode of Just Biz, Omaha Style, we’re talking with LeRoy Peterson about his law practice and how he helps people plan for the most difficult parts of their lives.
Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-3-how-leroy-peterson-helps-people-plan-most-difficult-parts-of-life/
About our guest: https://www.leroypetersonlaw.com/about/
What we discuss on this show:
1:46 – Meet LeRoy Peterson
2:27 – How his business has handled the pandemic
4:39 – What led him to this profession
6:37 – What he wishes he’d known when he started in law
8:15 – Estate planning and elder law
9:26 – How to be most efficient and effective
12:04 – Being detailed and consistent
13:39 – Advertising
15:03 – Has he ever turned down a client
16:52 – Why some people are scared to start a business
18:36 – Examples of failure
20:50 – Best compliment he can receive
22:30 – Work-life balance
25:01 – Success in one word
26:05 – Contact LeRoy
Welcome to Just Biz, Omaha Style. Today, we’re talking with James Kavan, owner of the Imaginarium, an antique and collectibles shop.
Read more and get additional resources: https://www.dorhoutretirementservices.com/ep-2-how-one-man-turned-a-passion-for-antiques-into-a-business/
About our guest: https://www.imaginariumvintage.com/
What we discuss on this show:
1:50 – Meet James Kavan
2:11 – James’ background & business beginnings
5:11 – How Covid has affected his business
7:45 – James’ team
8:17 – His operating process
11:00 – Passion for business
15:08 – How to handle unforeseen cirucumstances
17:47 – Businesses’ great vision
20:45 – Work-life balance
24:23 – Get in touch with James
Welcome to the Just Biz, Omaha Style Podcast. This first episode is a quick one to give you an idea of what to expect on future shows and to introduce you to your host, Grant Dorhout.
Grant is a small business owner of a financial advisory practice in Omaha. Join him each episode as he introduces you to small business owners across the Omaha community.
Small businesses power America. And in Nebraska, nearly 500 thousand people are employed by a small business. So it's essential to keep small businesses strong. This podcast wants to assist with that mission.
Hear their stories. Understand their challenges. And learn from their successes.
If you have questions or want to be a guest, call: 402-281-0750 or email grantdorhout@dorhoutretirementservices.com