Chamber Amplified

Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce
  • 5.0 (3)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Each week Doug Jenkins of the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce talks to industry experts to help local businesses find new ideas, operate more efficiently, and adapt to ever-changing conditions. 

  1. 3D AGO

    More Local Than You Think: How Franchise Owners Show Up in the Community

    Send a text On this episode of Chamber Amplified, we take a closer look at franchise businesses in the area and why they’re often more local than people realize. Franchises sometimes get lumped into the “big box vs. buy local” debate, but the reality is more nuanced. Many franchise operators are deeply embedded in their communities, creating jobs, supporting local organizations, and investing time and resources right where they live and work. Host Doug Jenkins is joined by Paul Hadde, the franchise operator of Chick-fil-A in Findlay, to talk about what it’s really like to operate a franchise at the local level. They discuss how franchisees engage with the community, how local ownership works within a national brand, Paul’s path to Findlay, and what’s ahead for Chick-fil-A in the area - including updates many listeners are curious about. This conversation is a good reminder that a strong local economy includes a mix of independent businesses, franchises, and larger employers - and that community impact often depends less on the logo and more on the people behind it. Chamber Amplified is a free podcast made possible by the investment of members of the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, highlighting the issues, ideas, and people shaping our local business community. Music and sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

    21 min

  2. FEB 3

    From Planning to Impact: Hancock Leadership’s 2026 Community Project

    Send us a text In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins sits down with Jennie Gilroy from the Hancock Leadership Class of 2026 to talk about this year’s community impact project: building a safer, more usable playground for families in Riverview Terrace. You’ll hear why the project matters (it’s about more than playground equipment, it’s about safety, connection, and giving kids a healthy place to play), how the team is relocating equipment from the former Lincoln School with support from the city, and what’s happening behind the scenes right now - from planning and approvals to painting, layout, and community input sessions to make sure the final result reflects what the neighborhood actually wants. Jennie also shares how Hancock Leadership helps new and longtime residents better understand local challenges, build relationships across industries, and learn to work with different personalities and skill sets, all while doing real work that benefits the community. Want to support the project? You can donate here. The class is fundraising toward a $20,000 goal (including a major $10,000 gift from Flag City Morning Rotary Club). Learn more and donate via the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce website by searching “2026 Hancock Leadership.”  Music and sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

    12 min

  3. JAN 27

    From Public Health to Productivity: Why Businesses Should Pay Attention

    Send us a text Note: This episode is a bit different than our usual format. Due to the level 3 snow emergency and being snowed out of the office, Doug wasn't able to access our normal podcast equipment. As a result, you won’t hear our standard intro and outro this week. We’ll be back to the regular format next week. In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins is joined by Zach Thomas of Hancock County ADAMHS to break down the newly released Hancock County Community Health Improvement Plan and what it means for the local business community. Every three years, community partners come together to assess the biggest health challenges facing Hancock County and identify priorities for action. This latest plan highlights recurring issues like access to care, housing, transportation, mental health, substance use, and chronic disease - topics that increasingly intersect with workforce stability, employee well-being, and economic competitiveness. Doug and Zach discuss: What the Community Health Improvement Plan is and why it existsKey findings from the latest community survey and focus groupsWhat “access to care” really means beyond just having providers availableWhy employers should care about community health outcomesHow businesses of all sizes can engage without becoming health care providersThe connection between housing, workforce recruitment, and long-term economic growthHow accountability and transparency are built into the plan through 2028This conversation frames community health not as a social issue alone, but as a business issue - one that affects productivity, retention, recruitment, and quality of life across Hancock County. If you’re a business owner, manager, HR professional, or community leader wondering how public health planning impacts your organization, this episode provides a practical, local perspective. Music and sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

    16 min

  4. JAN 20

    Inside the Chamber: Leadership, Growth, and What’s Ahead in 2026

    Send us a text In the first new episode of 2026, Chamber Amplified takes a closer look at the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce and the role it plays in supporting the local business community beyond networking events and ribbon cuttings. Host Doug Jenkins is joined by Chamber Director Dionne Neubauer to discuss leadership development, professional growth, and the Chamber’s priorities for the year ahead. The conversation highlights programs like Hancock Leadership, youth and young professional initiatives, women’s leadership programming, and how the Chamber continues to invest in both current and future community leaders. Doug and Dionne also explore how the Chamber has evolved over nearly 140 years, why leadership and collaboration remain central to its mission, and how the organization works alongside economic development and tourism partners to strengthen Findlay and Hancock County. From workforce challenges and quality-of-life issues to education, technology, and community engagement, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the Chamber helps businesses and communities thrive. Whether you’re a business owner, nonprofit leader, or someone interested in the future of Findlay and Hancock County, this episode provides insight into how the Chamber is positioning the region for growth and success in 2026 and beyond. Music and sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

    17 min

  5. JAN 13

    Best Of Chamber Amplified: What Are You Supposed to Tip for Anymore?

    Send us a text Original episode: January 20, 2023 If you’ve ever had someone spin an iPad around and say “just a few questions,” and you weren’t sure what you were supposed to do next - this Best Of episode is your playbook. Doug Jenkins is joined by Daniel Post Senning of the Emily Post Institute to break down how tipping etiquette has evolved, why it feels so confusing right now, and what’s actually expected in the most common situations like restaurants, coffee shops, takeout, delivery apps, and more. This is a practical, judgment-free conversation that helps customers feel more confident, and gives business owners a few simple ways to make tipping feel more seamless while still supporting employees who depend on gratuities. In this episode, you’ll learn: Where tipping is still essentially “part of the deal” (and why)The standard expectations for sit-down restaurant serviceHow to think about tips for counter service (coffee shops, quick-service, retail)What’s reasonable for takeout / pickup ordersHow to handle tipping on DoorDash/Uber Eats when the app asks before service is deliveredWhy “gratitude” matters (and how that mindset reduces the awkwardness)Tips for business owners: how to set suggested tip options that don’t turn customers offWhy a better tipping experience can help with customer satisfaction and employee retentionGuest: Daniel Post Senning — Emily Post Institute  More resources: EmilyPost.com Great for: Customers who want clarity and confidence, and business owners who want to improve the checkout experience without losing the human element of service. Chamber Amplified is produced by the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, featuring weekly conversations designed to help local businesses thrive. Have a topic idea for a future episode?  📧 Doug Jenkins: djenkins@findlayhancockchamber.com Music and sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

    20 min

  6. JAN 6

    Best Of Chamber Amplified: Small Town Revitalization & Downtown Momentum

    Send us a text Originally aired February 24, 2023 Doug Jenkins is back with another Best Of episode of Chamber Amplified, and this one is a must-listen for anyone thinking about downtown development, small town revitalization, and building momentum in local communities. In this episode, Doug sits down with Jason Duff, founder of Small Nation in Bellefontaine, Ohio, to unpack how one small town went from struggling storefronts to a thriving destination through incremental development, local entrepreneurship, and private investment. Jason shares what actually moves the needle in rural communities: creating gathering places, reducing fear around competition, and building a critical mass of businesses that makes a downtown a destination. The conversation also connects the dots to communities like McComb and other small towns that have the “bones” to grow again - if the right vision and investment come together. In this episode, you’ll learn: What Small Nation does and why their model focuses on “places, spaces, and dreams”How Bellefontaine went from 80% vacant first floors to real downtown momentumWhy restaurants and gathering spaces often serve as catalyst projectsThe “critical mass” effect: how more businesses can increase traffic for everyoneReal results from Bellefontaine’s transformation:56 historic buildings renovated7 new restaurants launched34 upper-floor loft apartments created20+ specialty retail stores added$30M in new private capital invested (without public subsidies)Why fear of competition slows growth - and how communities overcome itWhat small towns can do Monday–Thursday vs. how they can win on weekendsWhy remote work, quality-of-life amenities, and community identity matter more than everGuest: Jason Duff — Founder, Small Nation (Bellefontaine, OH)  🌐 smallnationstrong.com  🎧 Small Nation Podcast (available on Apple Podcasts + major platforms) Great for listeners interested in: Downtown development, community revitalization, rural economic development, small business growth, tourism strategy, placemaking, and entrepreneurship in small towns. Chamber Amplified is a podcast from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, featuring practical conversations that help local businesses and communities grow. Have a topic idea for a future episode?  📧 Doug Jenkins: djenkins@findlayhancockchamber.com Music and sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

    23 min

  7. 12/30/2025

    Best Of Chamber Amplified: Planning Your Business Exit Strategy

    Send us a text Originally aired May 24, 2024 As we wrap up the year, we’re revisiting a very important conversation we had on Chamber Amplified: business owner exit strategy and succession planning. In this Best Of episode, Doug Jenkins is joined by Jason Harris of Equitable Advisors to talk about what business owners need to know before they retire, sell, or step away from their company - and why waiting too long can cost owners, employees, and the community far more than they realize. With a massive wave of retirements on the horizon, this episode remains just as relevant today as when it first aired. In this episode, we cover: Why two-thirds of small business owners plan to retire soon, but fewer than one-third have a planThe difference between a “lifestyle owner” and a “value creator”—and why it matters when sellingCommon pitfalls when business owners don’t plan aheadHow succession planning protects not just owners, but employees and the local communityWhy many businesses fail to sell - and what owners can do now to avoid liquidationWhat buyers and investors should be doing today to prepare for upcoming ownership transitionsHow legacy, community involvement, and local ownership factor into exit planning decisionsWhether you’re a business owner thinking about retirement, a second-generation leader, or someone interested in acquiring a business in the future, this episode offers practical insight and timely perspective. Guest: Jason Harris Equitable Advisors 🌐 https://jasonharrisfa.com 📞 419-531-7131 Why this episode still matters: Business exits that aren’t planned often result in: Lost value for ownersDisrupted livelihoods for employeesLocal businesses being sold outside the communityPlanning ahead helps ensure continuity, stability, and long-term community impact. Chamber Amplified is a podcast of the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, focused on issues impacting local businesses—from workforce and leadership to finance, succession, and long-term planning. Have an idea for a future episode?  📧 Email Doug Jenkins: djenkins@findlayhancockchamber.com Thanks for listening—and enjoy this Best Of episode of Chamber Amplified. Music and sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

    18 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    Planning 2026 Events? How CVB Grants Can Help You Get There

    Send us a text As organizations across Findlay and Hancock County start planning for 2026, many are looking for ways to grow events, attract visitors, and create a bigger impact - all without stretching their budgets. In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins is joined by Alissa Preston from Visit Findlay and the Convention & Visitors Bureau to break down the tourism grant programs available to local nonprofits, event organizers, and community groups. They discuss: The different CVB grant programs available - from marketing support to tournament and tourism development fundingWhat’s changing for 2026, including application timelines and new limitsHow tournaments, festivals, and special events drive overnight stays and local economic impactHow organizations can align events with America 250 celebrationsUpdates to the new Visit Findlay website and event calendar, and how businesses can benefit from free listingsIf you’re planning a tournament, launching a new event, or looking to grow something that brings people into the community, this episode offers practical guidance on how to get started - and how to tap into resources already available right here in Hancock County. Chamber Amplified is a weekly podcast from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, featuring conversations with local leaders, organizations, and partners about business growth, workforce development, and what’s happening across our community. Music and sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

    16 min
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5
out of 5
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About

Each week Doug Jenkins of the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce talks to industry experts to help local businesses find new ideas, operate more efficiently, and adapt to ever-changing conditions. 

Information

  • Creator
    Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    192
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce
  • Show Website
    Chamber Amplified