Michigan Business Network Michigan Business Network

Jeffrey Mosher speaks with Zack Bishop, President, of 4 Flutes Machining, Vicksburg, MI, a 2024 APEX Accelerator Best Small Business Awardee winner for this year's cycle of Michigan Celebrates Small Business. In its twentieth year held its Gala Celebration May 21st in East Lansing, MI, at the Breslin Center.

In the interview, they cover Zach's career paths, the company's history, the focus of the company in 2024, what winning this award means for the company, additional information, and how to contact them.

4 Flutes Machining focuses on High Precision Manufacturing.

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Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Teresa Moon, Director of Business Development and Marketing at Parabilis, McLean, Virginia, recording from Orlando, FL, but the national organization Women Impacting Public Policy is hosting an event in Detroit on June 17th and Teresa will be involved.

Jeffrey had several questions for Teresa in this conversation:
● What are some reasons for small businesses' falling participation in the Defense Industrial Base?

● What can small business owners do to combat those issues?

● Why is small business participation in the federal marketplace so meaningful?

● How do events like ChallengeHER help Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) enter and learn about the federal contracting space?

● If small businesses do win a prime or sub-contract, how can they make sure they are prepared to execute it on the funding side of things?

● What challenges do small businesses face when it comes to access to capital?

● What other resources are out there for businesses just entering or are early on in their experience with the federal marketplace?

Defense Industry Facts:
● The defense industry in Michigan is worth over 31 billion dollars, offering plenty of opportunities for small businesses to get involved.
● To further grow Michigan's defense industry, businesses should focus on securing set-asides and be prepared to take advantage of growth once they land a federal contract.
● However, there is a great need to address the decline in small business participation in the Defense Industrial Base over the last 15 years and to analyze the underlying reasons for this deficit.

○ Government award allocation figures may not accurately reflect the dollars awarded to meet set-aside goals, posing a challenge for businesses considering further engagement in the federal marketplace.
○ Leveraging contract vehicles to access specific opportunities designated for those vehicles may not always result in cost-effective use of time, emphasizing the need for a strategic approach to pursuing opportunities.

○ Need to emphasize the importance of identifying buyers, cultivating relationships, and engaging in ongoing communication to showcase how a business can provide the necessary resources to support the mission, ultimately leading to increased award dollars.

ChallengeHER Details:
● Teresa Moon will be on a panel at ChallengeHER to discuss Access to Capital for small-to-mid-sized government contractors. At Parabilis, they are uniquely positioned to help government contractors get the funding they need to fund rapid growth, bid with confidence, and protect profits.
● ChallengeHER is put on by Women Impacting Public Policy, Small Business Administration and American Express.
● There will be both basic training for emerging federal contractors and a high-Level track for experienced federal contractors.
● ChallengeHER Detroit is a free federal contract training and matchmaking event specifically designed for women business owners, aimed at providing the necessary information and tools to succeed in federal contracting.
● Matchmaking and Networking opportunities are with primes, agencies, and other Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs).
● The goals are to empower women business owners to navigate and excel in the federal contracting space and to facilitate relationships and collaboration between women-owned businesses, prime contractors, and agencies.

About ChallengeHER:
Women Impacting Public Policy is hosting a ChallengeHER event in Detroit on June 17th to help women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) prepare for the federal contracting space.

About Women Impacting Public Policy
Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) is an organization that focuses on advocating for the needs and priorities of women in the public policy and business sectors.

About Parabilis
Parabilis offers government contract financing solutions, specializing in providing fast, flexible, and affordable lines of credit to small and medium-s

Vic Verchereau welcomes Zac Clark, who is the General Manager for the Lansing Lugnuts.

Pizza Preference: There's not a slice of pizza I've ever had that I didn't like.

Affordable, memorable and fun! Take me out to the ballpark and make some memories! Zac Clark, the General Manager for the Lansing Lugnuts shares his team's talents for creating fun at the ballpark for baseball fans and so much more! Jackson Stadium in downtown Lansing is the home of the Lansing Lugnuts, but also to one of Mid Michigan's greatest family venues!

After joining the Lugnuts originally as Assistant General Manager, Sales, Zac moved up to General Manager in January 2023. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and his master’s degree from East Tennessee State University before entering the baseball world as an intern with the Martinsville Mustangs. Zac has spent a decade in the minor leagues creating many successes and bringing great experience back to his Lansing home market! Get out your calendar and make your plans for fun! Zac and his team are ready to help! Corporate budgets, family reunions and family memories...they do it all down at the corner, the Michigan Corners that is...with Host Vic Verchereau.

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Jeffrey Mosher speaks with Shana Dancer, LMSW, CYT, Owner, of ZENlightenment Wellness Center, Alma, MI, a 2024 SBDC Smartzone Best Small Business Awardee winner for this year's cycle of Michigan Celebrates Small Business. In its twentieth year held its Gala Celebration May 21st in East Lansing, MI, at the Breslin Center.

In the interview, they cover Shana's career paths, the company's history, the focus of the company in 2024, what winning this award means for the company, additional information, and how to contact them.

ZENlightenment Wellness Center focuses on promoting holistic wellness, encompassed across 7 dimensions.

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Jeffrey Mosher speaks with Don Cui, PA-C, Owner /Founder, of Anywhere DOT Exams, Cadillac, MI, a 2024 SBDC Smartzone Best Small Business Awardee winner for this year's cycle of Michigan Celebrates Small Business. In its twentieth year held its Gala Celebration May 21st in East Lansing, MI, at the Breslin Center.

In the interview, they cover Don's career paths, the company's history, the focus of the company in 2024, what winning this award means for the company, additional information, and how to contact them.

Anywhere DOT Exams focuses on Mobile DOT Physicals for Commercial Drivers.

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Chris Holman welcomes Matt Latham, CPA, Principal, CEPA, Maner Costerisan, Lansing, MI.

Topic: Maner Costerisan’s Matt Latham earns Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation.

CHRIS HOLMAN INTRO: My guest today is Matt Latham, CPA and principal in Maner Costerisan’s tax department. Maner is a full-service business consulting, wealth management, technology, and public accounting firm located in Lansing, with an additional Grand Rapids office. Matt recently earned the prestigious Certified Exit Planning Advisor or CEPA designation from the Exit Planning Institute, which is a huge achievement and will benefit Maner’s clients.
CHRIS HOLMAN: First, tell me just how excited you are that tax season is finally behind us and that you can finally have time to relax a bit. (Laughs). Okay. In all seriousness, tell me briefly about the CEPA designation you recently earned, what it means to you personally, and how it will benefit Maner’s clients.
MATT LATHAM:
· First, earning this credential is a significant professional achievement and one for which I worked extremely hard. To obtain the CEPA designation and be among the elite group of business advisors worldwide who have earned the distinction, you must complete an intensive five-day educational program involving 100 hours of pre-course study, 30 hours of classroom instruction, and a three-hour, closed-book proctored exam.
· The CEPA credential showcases my proven expertise in master planning and exit strategy.
· More importantly, it will allow me to guide our clients through the strategic exit planning process and ensure their financial futures and goals are secure.
CHRIS HOLMAN: There continues to be much chatter in the media and even in the day-to-day about how so many people—we’re talking millions here—are set to retire soon and what a drastic shift and disruption that will create. How does this type of credential allow you to help people navigate that unprecedented situation?
MATT LATHAM:
· I’m so glad you asked that question because it does relate to the value-add of this CEPA designation.
· ·According to the Alliance for Lifetime Income, an estimated 4.1 million Americans are set to retire annually through 2027.
· ·To break that down further and provide context, that equates to roughly 11,200 people retiring DAILY vs. 10,000 retirements over a decade in the past.
· ·Therefore, all those looking to retire will need the help of a trusted advisor to help them navigate and truly understand the issues and complexities surrounding their personal and professional situations.
· My job and this credential, in a nutshell, is to eliminate the fear of the unknown and ensure clients facing this next stage in life are set up for success.
CHRIS HOLMAN; So Matt you look well rested after a busy tax season, tell me about the challenges you and businesses experienced this year?...
CHRIS HOLMAN: Wow, that is incredible, both in terms of the number of retirees coming down the pike and your unique ability to help them navigate it all. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
MATT LATHAM:
· Yes, thank you! I am incredibly grateful that I can work at Maner and that they are committed to my success and investing in my career and future so that I can help serve our clients better and more effectively.
· Also, if you’re looking for a trusted advisor or a resource on any complex exit planning issue, please do not hesitate to contact me at Maner Costerisan.

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