Spotlight Podcast

Tim Branyan
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Entrepreneurship

Tim Branyan highlights impactful business owners, entrepreneurs & leaders to discuss personal + professional evolution, entrepreneurial mindset, and advice for the next generation of founders.

  1. 4d ago

    Indiana's $200 BILLION 'Silver Tsunami' -- Only 1 in 10 Family Businesses Survive This

    Brian Schutt, Director of Indiana's Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, joins the Spotlight Podcast to unpack the "silver tsunami" — the wave of baby boomer business owners retiring without succession plans, which threatens nearly 19% of Indiana's GDP. He shares how his office's KEEP Initiative (including a "Zillow for small businesses" marketplace) is tackling this crisis, plus his philosophy on entrepreneurship, community-driven growth, and why he believes there's never been a better time to start a business. 01:30 Meet Brian Schutt: The "Accidental Entrepreneur" 04:00 Building Refinery46 & Reviving a City Block 07:30 Sponsor Break: Community First Bank 09:00 Landing the State Director Role 12:30 Leading with Curiosity, Not Prescribed Solutions 16:00 What Surprised Him Touring Indiana's 92 Counties 20:00 Social Capital vs. Financial Capital 23:00 The Governor's Vision for Main Street Businesses 27:00 What Is the "Silver Tsunami"? 30:00 Inside the KEEP Initiative & SMB.co Marketplace 35:00 Why Indiana Is One of the Best States to Start a Business 40:00 Local Resources for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 44:00 Advice: Show Up, Sign Up, Stay Consistent 48:00 Closing Thoughts & How to Connect with the Office Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vision___studio_/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfbindiana/ Follow & Subscribe to Community First Bank of Indiana: @CFBindiana Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not reflect our official policy. Content is based on guest opinions and is not intended to offend or harm any group or individual. Always seek professional advice for legal, financial, or business matters.

  2. Aug 24

    SBA Loan Secret Banks Don't Tell You - The Insider Guide to Getting Your Business Funded

    Community First Bank's Chief Commercial Banking Officer, Jonathon Malin, breaks down how SBA loans work, why they're a game-changer for startups without proven cash flow, and how local, relationship-driven banking differs from big regional banks. He also digs into Kokomo's downtown growth, the psychology of taking on business debt, and the advice he gives entrepreneurs before they ever walk into a bank. 02:44 – Jonathan's Path: From Part-Time Teller to Bank Exec 03:48 – Why He Loves Working with Small Businesses 05:28 – Local vs. Regional Banks: What Makes Community First Different 06:23 – What a Successful Loan Application Actually Looks Like 07:10 – Sponsor Break: Fraud Prevention Tips for Business Owners 08:42 – Biggest Misconceptions About SBA Loans 10:26 – Conventional Loans vs. SBA Loans Explained 12:40 – Advice Before Walking Into the Bank 17:27 – Kokomo's Hotel & Convention Center Opportunity 19:30 – Is Taking on Business Debt a Bad Idea? 21:10 – How the Economy & SBA Lending Have Changed in 11 Years 24:00 – Behind the Scenes of the Redevelopment Commission 27:52 – "Green Flags" Jonathan Looks for in Business Owners 41:04 – Letting Go of Control & Building the Right Team 45:48 – Loan Regrets, Red Flags & Predatory Online Lenders Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vision___studio_/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfbindiana/ Follow & Subscribe to Community First Bank of Indiana: @CFBindiana Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not reflect our official policy. Content is based on guest opinions and is not intended to offend or harm any group or individual. Always seek professional advice for legal, financial, or business matters.

  3. Aug 17

    From Air Force to Empire: How Paul Wyman Beat 50 Competitors & Built a Legacy in Kokomo

    Air Force veteran and Kokomo real estate entrepreneur Paul Wyman sits down with host Tim Brandon on the Spotlight Podcast to unpack how he built The Wyman Group into a market leader against 50 competitors, and the leadership mindset ("find good, do good, feel good") that got him there. He also opens up about handling public criticism as a former county commissioner, raising his kids as a leader, and why Kokomo, Indiana has become an unexpected magnet for major investment. 01:34 Paul's Origin Story: Jersey to the Air Force 03:22 Landing in Kokomo After the Military 04:47 Sponsor Break: Fraud Prevention Tips 07:12 First Year Building The Wyman Group 11:06 Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe 14:46 Fear Is What Stops Most People 21:01 Dogs Don't Chase Parked Cars: Handling Negativity 25:27 Processing Anger the Right Way 29:49 Do We Have More Leaders or Fewer? 33:10 Vision, Culture & Beating 50 Competitors 38:00 What Makes a Great Realtor: A History of Success 43:18 Find Good, Do Good, Feel Good 48:02 Kokomo & Howard County's Big Growth Story 59:35 Why Paul Never Claps Back at Critics Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vision___studio_/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfbindiana/ Follow & Subscribe to Community First Bank of Indiana: @CFBindiana Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not reflect our official policy. Content is based on guest opinions and is not intended to offend or harm any group or individual. Always seek professional advice for legal, financial, or business matters.

  4. Aug 3

    Data Centers, AI & Millions in Funding: Inside Indiana's Business Boom w/ Vanessa Green Sinders

    Indiana Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Vanessa Green Sinders joins hosts Tim Brandon and Courtney Butler to break down how state and local chambers work together to fuel Hoosier business growth — covering everything from small business health insurance and succession planning to the 2027 budget session and Indiana's data center/AI boom. She also opens up about leaving a 20-year D.C. political career to lead Indiana's economic future, and shares candid advice on leadership, compartmentalizing work/family, and building an "employer of choice." 1:49 Meet Vanessa Green Sanders, Indiana Chamber CEO 2:42 From Capitol Hill to Indiana: Her Career Path 4:09 Sponsor Break: Community First Bank Fraud Prevention 5:35 State Chamber vs. Local Chamber, Explained 6:20 Indiana Chamber's Mission & Advocacy Work 11:09 Chamber Care: Small Business Health Insurance Expansion 13:30 Vanessa's Growth & Vision as State Chamber CEO 15:47 Top Resources Every Indiana Entrepreneur Should Know 20:10 Succession Planning & Buying an Existing Business 21:30 What's Coming in the 2027 Statehouse Budget Session 23:42 How to Become an "Employer of Choice" in Indiana 28:48 Data Centers, AI & Educating Local Government 35:22 Rapid Fire Questions & Closing Thoughts Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vision___studio_/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfbindiana/ Follow & Subscribe to Community First Bank of Indiana: @CFBindiana Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not reflect our official policy. Content is based on guest opinions and is not intended to offend or harm any group or individual. Always seek professional advice for legal, financial, or business matters.

  5. Jul 27

    Your Bank Said NO? Here's How to Turn It Into a YES — Community Bank Insider Bob Hickman Reveals All

    In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast, hosts Courtney Butler and Caitlin Sheets sit down with Bob Hickman, Chief Banking and Credit Officer at Community First Bank of Indiana, to break down everything small business owners need to know about securing funding — from writing a bulletproof business plan to understanding why a bank's "no" might actually save you. Bob shares candid insights from 24 years of community banking, including real success stories and the critical mistakes that hold entrepreneurs back. 02:15 — Meet Bob Hickman: 24 Years at Community First Bank 05:30 — How the Bank Grew from 16 to 150 Employees 09:00 — What Happens When a Small Business Walks Through the Door 13:45 — Business Plans Explained: Who They're Actually For 18:20 — The Drive Competition: Kokomo's Shark Tank 23:00 — How to Write a Business Plan That Works (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How) 28:30 — Financial Projections: Why "It's Just a Hobby" Without Them 34:15 — The #1 Expert Every Small Business Needs to Hire First 39:40 — How to Leverage Small Funding Into Big Growth 44:20 — Grants & Hidden Resources: The Revolving Loan Fund Most People Don't Know About 48:50 — Overcoming the Fear of Pitching Your Business 53:30 — When a Bank Says No — and Why That Can Be a Good Thing 58:00 — Bob's Proudest Moments: The 17-Year-Old Real Estate Investor & More 1:02:15 — Kokomo's Future: Diversification, AI, and Quality of Place Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vision___studio_/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfbindiana/ Follow & Subscribe to Community First Bank of Indiana: @CFBindiana Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not reflect our official policy. Content is based on guest opinions and is not intended to offend or harm any group or individual. Always seek professional advice for legal, financial, or business matters.

  6. Jul 20

    Adrienne Akers Turned a Closet Into a Restaurant (And Now Feeds Downtown Kokomo)

    Adrienne Akers , owner of the Radish Market and Cafe, shares her unlikely journey from kindergarten teacher to farmers market manager to restaurant owner, explaining how a health department ruling forced her tiny local-food store to accidentally become a full-fledged cafe. She digs into her "real food for all" philosophy, the true cost and red tape of running a local food business, and her dream of eventually bringing affordable fresh food to underserved neighborhoods via a mobile market or food truck. 00:00 Intro & Meet Adrienne Akers 01:53 From Kindergarten Teacher to Farmers Market Board 04:41Why Radish Filled a Need in Kokomo 08:52 Sponsor: Community First Bank 10:17 Becoming a Restaurant: Health Dept Forces a Pivot 13:13 The Cafe Becomes the Real Engine 15:50 Learning to Cook Later in Life 19:00 Building a Monthly Menu From Scratch 21:47 Real Food for All: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free 23:13 Defining "Local": Sourcing Within 100 Miles 27:05 Becoming an Accidental Entrepreneur 30:17 The Kindergarten Fruit Grant That Changed Everything 34:15 Barriers: The Real Cost of Starting a Food Business 40:36 Future Dreams: Food Trucks, Bloomington & Staying Focused 45:10 Why Fresh & Local Is Worth the Extra 50 Cents 48:12 Where to Find Radish & Wrap-Up Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vision___studio_/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfbindiana/ Follow & Subscribe to Community First Bank of Indiana: @CFBindiana Visit: https://www.radishmarketcafe.com/ https://www.instagram.com/theradishmarket/ Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not reflect our official policy. Content is based on guest opinions and is not intended to offend or harm any group or individual. Always seek professional advice for legal, financial, or business matters.

  7. Jul 13

    27 Homeless Veterans, One Gym, and a Marine Who Wouldn't Look Away — CrossFit Kokomo's Story

    Marine Corps veteran Kevin Jewell shares how he went from CrossFit Kokomo member to co-owner, and how the gym evolved from a fitness competition space into a true community hub serving grandparents, first responders, and manufacturing shift workers alike. He also opens up about the gym's 24-hour fundraiser for Jackson Street Commons, a local homeless veteran shelter, which has raised over $126,000 in seven years by giving veterans not just what they need, but what they want. 00:00 – What CrossFit Really Looks Like 00:43 – Welcome to Season 3 of the Spotlight Podcast 01:16 – Meet Kevin Jewell: Marine to Gym Owner 03:39 – Discovering CrossFit in the Marine Corps & Afghanistan 04:56 – The Unexpected Offer to Buy the Gym 08:29 – Sponsor Spotlight: Community First Bank of Indiana 09:53 – How Kevin's View of CrossFit Has Changed 13:31 – Why Community Matters More Than the Workout (Covid Story) 18:11 – Why Giving Back to Veterans Became Personal 20:56 – The First 24-Hour Fundraiser for Jackson Street Commons 22:52 – Needs vs. Wants: Rethinking How to Help Veterans 28:36 – Building a Coaching Staff With the Right Values 39:25 – The Senior Class: Keeping Members Independent for Life 47:23 – Scheduling Around Shift Workers & First Responders 50:21 – Childcare, Community Support & the Biggest CrossFit Myth Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vision___studio_/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfbindiana/ Follow & Subscribe to Community First Bank of Indiana: @CFBindiana Visit: https://crossfit-kokomo.com/ https://www.instagram.com/crossfitkokomo Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not reflect our official policy. Content is based on guest opinions and is not intended to offend or harm any group or individual. Always seek professional advice for legal, financial, or business matters.

  8. Jul 6

    I Refused to File Bankruptcy — A Month Later Shark Tank Called" | Brenda "Blondies Cookies" Kaufman

    Brenda "Blondie" Kaufman shares how she turned a college dorm-room cookie business into Blondies Cookies, a 41-year family empire that survived 9/11, the housing crash, and Covid before landing a career-changing appearance on Shark Tank. She opens up about the leadership lessons from her late father, her marriage of 44 years, and the "master of one thing" philosophy that's kept her company thriving through every economic cycle. 0:00 Cold Open: "God Did Not Put Us In This Position to Fail" 00:45 Welcome to Season 3 + Meet Blondie Kaufman 01:30 What Is Blondies Cookies? 41 Years, Mail Order & Charity 04:00 Sponsor Break: Community First Bank 05:15 From College Naivety to Building a Business 07:00 Losing Her Father & Baking to Survive College 09:30 The Florida Expansion Disaster & Near-Bankruptcy 12:00 The Shark Tank Call (In the Middle of Kroger!) 14:30 Behind the Scenes: Auditions, Pitches & 30,000 Applicants 18:00 Life After the Tank: 11 Million Viewers & the Hometown Package 21:00 9/11, Covid & Surviving Multiple Economic Cycles 25:00 "It's All About the Cookie" — The Core Business Philosophy 29:00 Lessons in Leadership From Her Late Father 34:00 Marriage, Partnership & Letting Go of Control 40:00 Pricing, Profit Margins & Why They Pulled Brownies Off the Menu 45:00 Final Advice for Entrepreneurs: "Get Off Your Fannies" Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vision___studio_/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfbindiana/ https://www.instagram.com/blondiescookiesinc Visit https://blondiescookies.com/ Follow & Subscribe to Community First Bank of Indiana: @CFBindiana Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not reflect our official policy. Content is based on guest opinions and is not intended to offend or harm any group or individual. Always seek professional advice for legal, financial, or business matters.

See All (29)

About

Tim Branyan highlights impactful business owners, entrepreneurs & leaders to discuss personal + professional evolution, entrepreneurial mindset, and advice for the next generation of founders.

Information

  • Creator
    Tim Branyan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Tim Branyan
  • Show Website
    Spotlight Podcast