Spotlight Podcast

Tim Branyan
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  • 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. 1d ago

    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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Jun 29

    Firestone, Pinehurst, Pebble Beach… Now Kokomo: The Country Club Turnaround Expert Jay Biggs

    #countryclub #networkingtips #golfclub #businessgrowth Jay Biggs, GM and President of Kokomo Country Club, shares his remarkable journey from a young golf pro at Firestone Country Club to a turnaround specialist who has revived struggling private clubs across the country — including stints at Pinehurst Resort and caddying at Pebble Beach. In this episode, Jay breaks down exactly how he's transforming Kokomo Country Club from a struggling 140-member club into a thriving community hub with nearly 300 members, upgraded amenities, a world-class culinary team, and a culture that's busting the "snobby country club" stereotype wide open. 02:15 — Meet Jay Biggs: From New Albany to the Golf World 06:30 — Breaking Into Big-Time Golf at Firestone Country Club 11:00 — ClubCorp's Turnaround Model & Jay's 14 Moves Across the Country 16:45 — From Pinehurst to Pebble Beach: Caddying in "Retirement" 21:00 — How Ken Lucas & a Golf Outing Led Jay to Kokomo 25:30 — First Impressions of Kokomo Country Club & the Vision 30:00 — Rebuilding the Dining Room, Kitchen & Food Culture 35:15 — The Billing Nightmare (And How They Fixed It) 39:45 — Building the Dream Team: Chef George, Chad Allen & Rick Witt 44:00 — Pickleball Courts, Pool Renovations & the Kid Zone 48:30 — Busting Country Club Myths & Who the Club Is Really For 52:00 — Networking at the Club: Why Entrepreneurs Belong Here 56:15 — What's Coming Next: Simulators, Outdoor Dining & Full Membership 59:30 — How to Try Kokomo Country Club (2-Month Trial Membership Details) 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.

  7. Jun 22

    How Blye's Bridal Loft Became a Community Powerhouse

    This episode is about Heather Duncan’s transition from healthcare into owning Blythe’s Bridal, and how she’s growing the business through community-building, social media, and a standout high school girls program. We cover the challenges of retail trends, online competition, and how local businesses can create memorable in-person experiences that keep customers coming back. 2:10 — Meet Heather Duncan and Blythe’s Bridal 5:05 — From healthcare to bridal ownership 8:40 — Learning the bridal business 11:30 — The Blythe Beauty program 15:20 — Confidence, community, and mentorship 19:10 — Growing the program across schools 23:05 — The scholarship and student expectations 26:10 — Winning Small Business of the Year 29:05 — Early doubts and business slow seasons 32:20 — Trends, seasonality, and retail challenges 36:10 — Competing with online shopping 40:05 — The value of in-person bridal experience 43:10 — The new location and store experience 46:20 — Biggest turning points in ownership 50:10 — Advice for new business owners 53:40 — Small Business Development Center support 56:30 — Closing thoughts and congratulations Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vision___studio_/ https://www.instagram.com/cfbindiana/ https://www.instagram.com/blyesbridalloft/ Follow & Subscribe to Community First Bank of Indiana: @CFBindiana Visit: https://www.blyesbridal.com/ 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. Jun 15

    The Secret to Employee Retention Nobody Talks About (A Salon Owner's Proven System) with Lindsay Pyle

    Lindsay Pile, founder of Posh Salon, shares the raw and real story of growing her business from a small booth salon in 2004 to a 40–50 person team over 22 years — covering expansion, leadership, and the hard lessons along the way. She and shareholder Perry break down their unique leveling system, associate program, and monthly personal development meetings that keep employees motivated, loyal, and financially empowered. From navigating a full building renovation while staying open, to pivoting through COVID with curbside product delivery, this episode is a masterclass in resilient, people-first business ownership. 00:00 - The Reality of Owning a Business 01:54 - Perry's Journey: From Associate to Shareholder 02:45 - What It's Really Like Opening a Business at 25 03:11 - The Biggest Misconception About Being Your Own Boss 04:00 - Reframing Time Investment as Building Your Future 07:18 - Navigating AI & Social Media in the Salon Industry 08:10 - Why Continuing Education Sets Posh Apart 10:36 - The Level System: From Level 1 to Level 7 12:03 - How the Level System Creates Transparent Career Growth 15:11 - When Stylists Become Mentors: The Level 5 Milestone 16:34 - Monthly Personal Development Meetings (PDMs) 18:02 - Building Through the 2017 Expansion While Staying Open 19:51 - Adding Revenue Streams: The Retail Boutique 20:18 - Bringing On New Shareholders & Delegating Leadership 22:14 - Learning to Let Go & Trust Your Team 26:52 - Big Wins: Salon Today Top 200 in America 31:30 - The Difference Between a Boss and a Leader 38:36 - How to Make Confident Business Decisions 41:04 - Building Resilience as a Business Owner 41:34 - What Lindsay's Role Looks Like Today as CEO Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vision___studio_/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfbindiana/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/posh.salon.spa.boutique/ Visit: https://www.poshsalon-dayspa.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.

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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
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Tim Branyan
  • Show Website
    Spotlight Podcast