Brand in the Making by ThinkTank Thought Leadership

Founder Tricia Mulder of River City Grant Writing joins Brand in the Making to share how she helps nonprofits turn passion into sustainable impact.She explains why structure, collaboration, and humility matter as much as heart — and how staying true to mission can make Michigan a home for everyone.Chapters:(00:00) Welcome + Meet Tricia Mulder of River City Grant Writing (02:10) From Finance to Nonprofits — Finding Purpose in Community (06:30) Starting River City Grant Writing After Career Change (10:45) Making Michigan a Home for Everyone (15:00) Mission-Driven Decision-Making for Clients (18:40) Nonprofits Built on Passion but Missing Structure (22:10) Common Startup Mistakes in Nonprofit Leadership (26:30) Collaboration vs. Competition in the Nonprofit Space (31:50) Real-World Stories of Partnership and Impact (37:20) Becoming “Grant Ready” and Building Trust with Funders (43:00) Why Ego Checks and Team Trust Matter (47:15) Advice for Nonprofit Founders and Leaders (49:00) Closing — Work Together, Not Against Each Other🎧 A must-listen for nonprofit leaders and anyone building purpose-driven organizations.

Carla Flanders, founder of CMF Marketing and Events, shares her journey of entrepreneurship in West Michigan, from creating large-scale community events to launching her own children’s book. Carla talks about balancing visionary thinking with execution, the importance of trying new things, and the inspiration behind On the Day You Graduate. Plus, hear about her exciting upcoming project—Girlfriend’s Getaway.Chapters:(00:00) Introduction and Summer Life(02:31) Journey to CMF Marketing and Events(09:22) Life and Career in West Michigan(16:50) Balancing Vision and Execution in Business(22:43) Staying Grounded and Personal Rhythms(28:05) Creative Inspiration from Travel(32:48) Writing and Launching On the Day You Graduate (41:36) Advice for Taking the Next Big Step (48:10) Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

Greg Austic and Dan TerAvest, co-founders of Our-Sci, share how they’re transforming agricultural research and technology by empowering communities instead of imposing top-down solutions. From handheld tools that measure food nutrition to software platforms that let farmers control their data, this episode explores regenerative agriculture, farmer-driven innovation, and the future of agtech that puts power back into the hands of those working the land.Chapters: (00:00) Welcome & Introduction to Our-Sci (04:20) Mission-Driven Research and Community Empowerment (10:15) The Rise and Plateau of Organic Farming (16:40) From Lab Tools to Platforms for Farmers (22:30) Soil Health, Crop Nutrition, and Big Data (28:50) Challenges and Opportunities in AgTech (34:20) Farmer Cooperatives and Future of DIY Technology (40:15) Where to Learn More About Our-Sci

Anthony Bison, leadership and influence coach and owner of Anony's Asphalt, shares his journey of starting a business from less than $1,000, surviving early challenges, and growing into a leader who inspires others. From managing teams in the heat of asphalt work to building a lasting legacy of mentorship, Anthony reveals hard-won lessons on leadership, faith, and scaling a business beyond just "owning a job."Chapters: (00:00) Welcome & Anthony’s Background (04:20) Leadership Lessons from the Job Site (10:15) Early Challenges in Business (16:40) Self-Leadership and Character Growth (22:30) Scaling a Business Beyond Survival Mode (28:50) Leaving a Legacy and Mentoring Future Leaders

Owen VanEck, CEO of ADAS Find, shares how his family’s long history in auto repair led him to create a platform that simplifies calibrations for modern vehicles. From estimator to ADAS technician to software founder, Owen reveals how he turned real industry frustrations into a fast-growing tech solution and what’s next for innovation in diagnostics.Chapters: (00:00) Welcome & Owen’s Background in Auto Repair (03:20) From Estimator to ADAS Technician (08:15) The Industry Problem That Sparked ADAS Find (13:40) Building Software to Bridge Repair and Insurance Gaps (18:55) Leadership Lessons from Early Challenges (23:10) Future Innovations in Vehicle Diagnostics (28:25) Family Roots in the Auto Industry (32:15) Hobbies, Burgers, and Life Outside Work (35:40) Where to Find Owen and ADAS Find

Jim Vinoski, longtime manufacturing leader and Forbes contributor, shares insights from 30+ years in the industry. From writing 300+ articles to running his own manufacturing podcast, Jim discusses the challenges of reshoring, Michigan’s role in tech and innovation, and why finance and supply chains need rethinking to revitalize American industry.Chapters: (00:00) Welcome & Jim’s Manufacturing Journey (05:20) From Engineer to Forbes Contributor (11:45) Starting a Manufacturing Podcast (16:30) Challenges in Modern Manufacturing (23:55) Michigan’s Legacy and Future in Innovation (30:15) Untold Stories Like Zamboni’s Origins (36:40) The Financial Barriers to Reshoring (42:00) Where to Find Jim Online

Dan Mikita, founder of Devs Operative, joins us to discuss how enterprises can make AI practical and cost-efficient. From Kubernetes optimization to Intel’s surprising take on Nvidia’s dominance, Dan explains how local enterprises can build scalable AI platforms in-house—without breaking their data centers or budgets.Chapters: (00:00) Welcome & Dan’s Journey into Tech (04:20) From Enterprise Software to Founding Devs Operative (09:15) Understanding Kubernetes and Large-Scale Efficiency (15:40) Why Most AI Projects Fail to Reach Production (22:25) Intel vs Nvidia: The Real ROI in AI Chips (29:10) Running AI Models In-House for Security and Speed (35:45) Optimizing GPU Usage in Enterprise Data Centers (41:20) AI for the Midwest: Scaling Without Overbuilding (47:30) Where to Find Dan & Devs Operative Online

Shaw Cash of Insperity joins us to share his journey from retail and banking into HR and how he’s helping West Michigan businesses scale with people-first leadership. Sean explains why HR can’t wait until later, how outsourcing HR empowers rather than replaces in-house teams, and how Insperity helps small and mid-sized companies “punch above their weight” with Fortune 500-level benefits and support.Chapters: (00:00) Welcome & Early Career Journey (05:45) From Retail Grind to Banking (11:30) The Leap to Insperity (17:50) Building Community Connections (24:15) HR That Truly Makes a Difference (32:40) Scaling HR Without Losing Culture (40:20) Practicing a People-First Approach (47:55) How Outsourcing Supports HR Teams (54:30) Why HR Can’t Wait Until Later (59:45) No Contracts, Earning Trust Monthly (01:03:10) Where to Find Sean Online

Curt Kuiper and Rob Monacelli from HUMN dive into how businesses can use human-centered design and StoryBrand frameworks to create marketing strategies that truly connect with customers. They share how to shift from self-focused messaging to solving real customer problems, develop a strong brand script, and align marketing and sales for scalable growth.Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to Human-Centered Marketing (03:45) Why Most Marketing Misses the Mark (07:30) Focusing on Customer Problems, Not Solutions (11:50) Brand Scripts and StoryBrand Explained (17:20) Creating Authentic Brand Voice and Personality (23:15) Building and Applying Scalable Marketing Plans (30:10) Choosing the Right Channels for Your Audience (35:45) Aligning Marketing with Sales for Better Insights (41:00) First Steps to Human-Centered Design

Marissa Fellows, founder of Great Lakes Tinned Fish, shares how a date night sparked the idea for the Midwest’s first tinned fish company. From Lisbon inspiration to building a supply chain with no local canneries, Marissa’s journey is packed with creativity, tenacity, and unexpected mentorship that helped turn a dream into reality.Chapters: (00:00) Welcome & Marissa’s Origin Story (03:40) The Date Night That Sparked a Business Idea (08:15) Lisbon, Whimsy, and Writing the Business Plan (13:25) The Tinned Fish Trend and Sardine Summer (18:50) Key Partnerships and Mentorship from Charlotte Langley (24:30) Challenges of Building a Hyperlocal Supply Chain (29:55) Becoming a Creative CEO and What’s Next

Mark Johnson, co-founder of Michigan Software Labs, talks about sparking innovation in leaders, emerging AI tools reshaping business, and how automation and custom software are transforming industries. From his TED Talk to spotting game-changing startups at South by Southwest, Mark shares insights on trust, technology adoption, and why relationships still matter in a digital-first world.Chapters: (00:00) South by Southwest Stories and Kidney Stones (05:20) TED Talk on Innovation and Leadership (10:30) AI Tools Shaping the Future of Software Development (17:45) Trust, Agents, and Human Connection (23:50) Trends from South by Southwest and Automate (31:10) The Role of Tech Week Grand Rapids in Inspiring Future Innovators

Tami Barnes, HR Director at Belt Power, reveals how companies can boost retention and performance by focusing on employees’ natural strengths. From teaching kids early about their “superpowers” to creating learning pathways for adults, Tami shares her fresh take on HR, employee engagement, and how businesses can truly win by helping their people thrive.Chapters: (00:00) Tami’s Journey to HR Leadership (04:25) Why Businesses Struggle with Employee Retention (09:15) Discovering Superpowers Early in Life (15:50) HR’s Role in Balancing Employer and Employee Wins (22:10) Creating Learning Pathways for Growth (28:30) Advice for High School Graduates and Job Seekers

Elliot Parker, CEO of Alloy Partners, shares the story of Woodchuck AI—a Michigan startup transforming wood waste into clean electricity. Elliot explains how his venture studio teams up with corporations to launch “advantaged startups,” why big companies struggle with true innovation, and how running fast, weird experiments creates breakthroughs.Chapters: (00:00) Welcome & Elliot’s Role at Alloy Partners (03:20) How Woodchuck AI Was Born (08:05) Using AI to Divert Waste from Landfills (12:40) The Future of Clean Energy and Recycling (17:30) Why Big Corporations Struggle with Innovation (23:10) Building Advantaged Startups Outside the Brand (28:15) What’s Next: New Ventures and Industry Shifts

Rohan Repale, Senior Product Manager at Harman, shares how he’s shaping the future of the digital cockpit in cars—from simplifying complex tech for safer driving to developing head-up displays that project critical info directly onto the road. He also explores AI’s role in personalization, the path to full autonomy, and why saying “no” is key to building better automotive products.Chapters: (00:00) Welcome & Rohan’s Journey to Harman (04:10) What Is a Digital Cockpit? (08:25) Tackling Cognitive Overload in Cars (14:05) Head-Up Displays and Augmented Driving (20:30) Balancing Innovation with Human-Centered Design (27:45) AI, Autonomy, and the Future of Mobility (34:15) Advice for Breaking Into Automotive Tech

Keith Elder, CEO of the Grand Rapids Symphony, shares how innovation, risk-taking, and community connection are keeping classical music alive and thriving. From orchestras collaborating with hip-hop artists to Beethoven in a ballpark during COVID, Keith reveals the bold moves redefining what a symphony can be—and why music is essential for healing and unity in every community.Chapters: (00:00) From Tuba Player to Symphony CEO (04:15) Reinventing Orchestras Through Innovation (09:05) Beethoven in the Ballpark During COVID (15:30) Risks That Flopped and Risks That Won (21:45) Expanding Reach and Partnerships Across Michigan (28:00) Balancing Tradition and Modern Creativity (35:40) Music’s Power to Heal and Unite Communities

John Vandervest, co-founder of Decimal Code, shares how an internal research project at Michigan Medicine turned into a startup revolutionizing medical billing with AI. From discovering massive revenue leaks to navigating long healthcare sales cycles and joining Techstars, John reveals the scrappy journey of bringing AI-powered accuracy to one of the most complex industries.Chapters: (00:00) Welcome & Decimal Code’s Origin Story (03:30) Becoming an Accidental Entrepreneur (07:40) Early Wins and University Support (12:05) Learning Curves and Sales Agility (18:20) Breaking Biases Against AI (24:15) Inside Techstars and Startup Growth (29:50) Challenges of Innovating in Healthcare (34:10) Where to Learn More About Decimal Code

Chris Randall left a safe corporate job and, without a degree, launched Sweep LLC—an on-demand cleaning platform that makes booking a cleaner as easy as ordering pizza. From surviving a pandemic launch to creating a transparent, gamified marketplace for cleaners, Chris shares how he’s transforming home services and giving cleaners the respect and earning power they deserve.Chapters: (00:00) How Sweep Got Started (05:10) Surviving COVID-19 Challenges (06:33) Building Trust in Cleaning Services (10:35) Community Networking and Growth (12:31) Expansion Plans and Franchising (16:06) Innovations in Cleaning Tech (18:26) Transparent, Customized Pricing

Brano Vargic shares how Talent Square is disrupting hiring with a platform he calls the “Shopify for job ads.” In just eight minutes, anyone can launch a fully-optimized recruitment campaign—no marketing expertise needed. Brano also opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, from container homes for glamping to the barefoot shoe movement, and how his global experience is fueling innovation in talent sourcing.Chapters: (00:00) Welcome & Brano’s Global Journey (04:20) From HR Leader to Entrepreneur (09:15) The Origin of Talent Square (14:40) How It Simplifies Hiring (21:25) AI Vision for Talent Sourcing (28:30) Early Adopters & Data-Driven Growth (33:55) Exploring Barefoot Shoes and Container Homes (41:10) Where to Connect with Brano

Ryan Gajewski of Truscott Rossman reveals how public relations is evolving in a world of shrinking newsrooms, fast-moving tech, and AI-driven search. From storytelling vs. spin to why every piece of media is “earned,” Ryan shares bold takes on reputation, content, and leading PR strategy in today’s attention economy.Chapters: (00:00) Welcome & Introduction (01:35) From Film School to PR Leadership (07:10) How Technology Changed Media (13:25) AI, SEO & the New Rules of Attention (21:00) Why PR Must Embrace Change (28:40) Failing Fast & Finding What Works (34:55) Truscott Rossman’s Future-Focused Approach

After 25+ years in executive roles, Scott Hays hit reset. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Scott shares what it’s really like to leave corporate life behind, battle imposter syndrome, and start fresh as an entrepreneur. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to reinvent yourself—this episode is your answer.Chapters: (00:00) Welcome & Introduction (01:20) What Predictive Index Really Does (05:10) The WWII Story Behind It All (09:55) Why a 5-Minute Test Changes Everything (14:30) From Wrestling Coach to Talent Coach (20:00) Avoiding Burnout with Job Fit (28:40) Cracking Communication Gaps in Teams (37:25) The Workshop That Changes Culture (46:10) Why Scott Loves This Work (49:50) Where to Find Scott Online

Jonathan and Lauren flip the script to share the untold story of Think Tank and how Brand in the Making was born. From spontaneous podcast ideas to inspiring founder stories, they reveal why every leader is a brand in progress—and how this series aims to capture the raw, real process of building something that matters.Chapters: (00:00) Welcome & Table-Turning Banter (02:10) What Is Think Tank? (06:40) The Birth of Brand in the Making (11:20) Why Every Brand Is “In the Making” (14:45) Inspiration for Future Leaders (18:00) Closing Thoughts

What really happens to your old devices? George Mitri of 2DaLoop exposes the shocking truth behind tech waste—from silver bricks to abandoned servers—and shares how his startup is reinventing the supply chain through circular economy models and material reclamation. This episode will change how you think about sustainability and your role in solving e-waste.Chapters:(00:00) Welcome & Meet George Mitri(03:30) The Birth of 2DaLoop(07:42) Family Legacy & Sustainability Roots(16:40) From Linear Waste to Circular Solutions(27:10) The True Cost of E-Waste(51:22) How 2DaLoop is Scaling Change

Tej Yale shares how he built Think Impact on the belief that relationships come before transactions. From launching a full-service marketing firm straight out of his MBA to integrating AI tools and starting a nonprofit, Tej breaks down his 50/50 content strategy, his favorite campaign win, and what he sees coming next in digital marketing.Chapters: (00:00) Meet Tej Yale and Think Impact (03:42) Starting a Marketing Agency Right After School (08:15) Why Relationships Matter More Than Reach (12:20) How Tej Uses AI Without Losing the Human Touch (20:41) Giving Back Through Think Helping

Ken Bogard and Grace Gavin dive deep into what real communication looks like in leadership. They share the emotional backstory behind Know Honesty, explain why “brutal honesty” is the wrong goal, and introduce a better path: 100% honesty paired with 100% openness. Plus, they break down how to deliver feedback with love, not fear.Chapters: (00:00) Meet the Authors Behind Know Honesty (03:15) The Childhood Moments That Shaped Communication (11:10) From Daycare to Business Partners (18:50) What It Really Means to Be Open and Honest (29:03) Why Brutal Honesty Doesn’t Work

Chelsea Hartner opens up about her leap from corporate marketing to building a life rooted in creativity and authenticity. She shares the mindset shift that helped her stop chasing external success and start designing a brand that actually feels like her. If you’ve ever felt stuck in someone else’s version of success, this one’s for you.Chapters: (00:00) Leaving Corporate to Find Freedom (03:12) Learning to Trust Her Creative Voice (06:45) Navigating Self-Doubt and Redefining Success (10:29) Building a Brand That Feels Personal (14:55) Advice for People on the Edge of Change

Jill Fox shares how her mom’s hand-sewn leotards launched a brand that's still thriving 40 years later. From humble beginnings in Michigan to walking the runway at New York Fashion Week, Jill reveals how Foxy’s stayed authentic, embraced bold designs, and evolved into a lifestyle brand—all while spotlighting the next generation of confident creators.Chapters: (00:00) The Origin of Foxy’s Leotards (05:31) Handmade Roots & Staying Local (12:12) Turning Leotards Into a Lifestyle Brand (17:45) New York Fashion Week & Global Growth (23:08) Staying Authentic While Growing Boldly