Small Business Spotlight: Recent Episodes
Ken Belden
Join host, Ken Belden, and co-host, Miranda Ashley, as they interview local business owners in the Brazos Valley. Our mission is to promote and encourage small businesses, startups, and local businesses in the community, as well as help provide advice from entrepreneurs for people wanting to start their own business.
So much fun. This week we interviewed Ms. Tanya Ingram of Southern Charm Boutique and Salon. Tanya is one of those incredibly genuine business owners who just wants to help build up the community. We had a blast sitting down with Tanya discussing her vision behind the business and how all of this got started. Please go check this one out, and if you haven't been to Downtown Navasota in a while, you need to check it out. Enjoy!
We sat down with Edwina Adams of Clean R Cans this week. Clean R Cans is a trash can cleaning / sanitizing service in Bryan / College Station. Edwina does a wonderful job explaining her company and her vision, and has some outstanding advice for you entrepreneurs out there. This concept is incredibly unique and something you need to know about. Go follow them on social media and see what all this buzz is about!
One of the more interesting businesses we've had the pleasure to interview - but we had a FANTASTIC time learning about 'em. NavaRio is a company that creatively brings together the 4-H, Equine & Equestrian folks of the Brazos Valley. Through putting on ranch horse shows, horse judging and consulting about the equestrian world - these ladies have really put together a special business that brings together people of all skill levels and ages. Amanda and Amanda provided some great history on the business and some great advice for upcoming entrepreneurs. Check them out on social media and give this one a go! Thanks for joining us - as always.
WELCOME BACK! We are kicking off 2021 with an incredible episode of the Small Business Spotlight. Here at the Spotlight, we always work to encourage and teach up-and-coming entrepreneurs and small business owners, and boy, do we have the guest for you. We sat down with the ONE AND ONLY Samuel Smith - owner of Live in College Station, The Texas Media Foundry and most recently, the host of the Small Business Surgeon Podcast. Sam has owned several businesses over the years and has now started a podcast on highlighting the issues that early business owners face. This episode is right up our alley, and we were ecstatic to sit down with Sam and talk through his new podcast. Please go check him out!!
So much fun this week with my dear old friend Reagan Vanzura of Resolute Videography. I've known Reagan since college, and I'm so happy to discuss her growing business and share it with the world! Reagan is an exceptionally well rounded person with some phenomenal ideas and quite the eye for videography. Talented, hard-working and as charismatic as they come - you guys will absolutely love this episode. Give it a listen and go check her work out at resolutevideo.com!
Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm so excited to post the interview we ran with my DEAR friend, Mr. Erik Perez of Perez Jewelers. Erik is a great part of the community who comes from a long line of talented jewelers. He had some phenomenal things to say about starting and owning his own business. This one is well worth the listen!
Here we go, ladies and gents! One of my favorite interviews to date - The Angry Elephant in Bryan / College Station. We sat down with my dear friend, Mr. Aaron Cohen, to discuss his Bar / Restaurant concept and we had a FANTASTIC time. A man of many talents, Aaron had some great input for all you self-starters out there. You'll love this one.
Holy SHINE! Another great one in the books. We sat down with the man behind the new mobile cleaning and detailing service, Holy Shine! Mobile Auto Spa. Dustin Irwin started this business on his own and has been absolutely crushing it lately. Dustin does a great job of explaining some of the best and worst parts of starting a business. We had a great time sitting down to discuss everything, and think you guys will absolutely love this one. Check it out, and make sure to go check out Holy Shine!
OOH! What a great conversation we had with owner and trainer, Mike Hulick, of Last Call Jiu Jitsu. Mike has been training and competing in Jiu Jitsu for several years and has finally had the opportunity to go out and start his very own training gym. This is a great opportunity to hear from a business in its early stages about the ups and downs of starting a business for yourself. Enjoy!
This week, we sat down with a little store in Navasota called Rockin' M Designs. They purchase, renovate and refurbish antique furniture and they do it VERY well. They also offer a large inventory of home décor and DIY products! This is a great story on how Monica started the business very early on and what challenges she faced along the way. This is some great advice from an entrepreneur and some wise words from a very involved member of the local community. Go give this one a listen!
On this episode we sat down with the one and only Mr. Blake Zeitman of Zeitman's Grocery Store in Downtown Bryan. Previously the owner and operator of Blake's Steaks in College Station - Blake decided to bring back an old family concept with the Grocery Store. Great little bit of history on this week's episode, and true words of wisdom from a great operator and huge local business owner. Check it out!
On this episode, we were lucky enough to sit and chat with Mrs. Holly Johnston, the franchise owner and operator of Costa Vida - Fresh Mexican Grill. Holly has years of experience in the restaurant industry - and we were so glad to sit down with her. Her excitement and genuine love of people, coupled with her focus and attention to detail make her a fantastic restaurant operator to learn from. Go check out Costa Vida in South College Station and pay Holly a visit!
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Mr. Dave Ferguson at Savory Fine Foods and Martha's Bloomers out in Navasota for a minute to talk about an incredible operation. A home and garden store adjacent to a very tasteful little café - this place is a hidden gem in the Brazos Valley. Additionally - Savory Fine Foods finds it's headquarters here, home of the snack cracker, Yo-Yo's. You have got to check this place out.
We had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with local restaurant owner and operator, Costa Dallis, to discuss a few of the operations he runs here in B/CS. Recently, he changed one of his restaurant concepts, Cafe Eccell, into a social lounge named Public & Main. In this episode we discuss some of that transition, and also dive into the other projects that he has going on. Enjoy!
Welcome, one and all! On this week's episode we sat down with Miss Ellen Wilcox in Bryan to discuss the two dance studios that she's successfully started and run for the last few years - Pure Energy Dance Productions and The Dance Barre. Informative and entertaining, we had a great conversation! Go check them out if you're ever in the area and looking for some amazing dance lessons for you or the kiddos