Rooted and Reaching

Startup South Bend - Elkhart
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

There’s a job to do, and in the South Bend - Elkhart region, a midwestern work ethic is changing the narrative from rusty to ready. Our cities are opening up and working together as a region—universities are engaging beyond their campuses, sharing their brainpower and realizing that they’re bigger and better with the community behind them. Organizations are reaching out to newcomers and helping them build local networks, leveling the playing field. Infrastructure is being creatively adapted to be gathering places where new deals are made, new collisions happen, and new entrepreneurs take root. Join the Rooted & Reaching podcast, where we discuss the startup life with entrepreneurs with connections to the South Bend - Elkhart region. In doing this, we will inform the general public and ourselves about what resources are available and the major pain points of entrepreneurs in our region. This podcast is also intended to tell the amazing stories of our local entrepreneurs in the hope that it will inspire another person in the region considering an entrepreneurial pursuit to take that leap of faith and see the supportive atmosphere in the area.

  1. 3d ago

    From Olympic High Jump to Entrepreneur: Priscilla Loomis on Grit, Resilience & the Athlete Mindset

    Recorded at Idea Week 2026 in South Bend, this episode of Rooted & Reaching brings host Kris Priemer together with Priscilla Loomis, a former Olympian and entrepreneur whose career has been defined by grit, persistence, and resilience. With a background in television and film, Priscilla transitioned into entrepreneurship after retiring from the Olympics, focusing on storytelling, media, and building her own ventures. In this conversation, she traces the winding path from a childhood lawn-mowing business to competing on the world's biggest stage to building a motivational speaking career and nonprofit from the ground up. Priscilla opens up about the parts of entrepreneurship most people never talk about: failing at multiple nine-to-five jobs, hearing "this is going to fail" from the very people she asked for help, and learning the hard way that ideas are a dime a dozen while execution is everything. She explains how she applies the Olympic discipline of training backwards from a fixed deadline to running a business, why she refuses to block her blessings, and how knowing her lane, staying creative in Canva while hiring out the taxes, kept her moving when things got hard. This is a candid, funny, and deeply practical conversation about resilience for anyone building something of their own. Whether you are a creative, a founder, or a community builder in Michiana and beyond, Priscilla's message lands: expect the no's, protect your boundaries, get in new rooms, and keep going, because you are only one yes away. Key Takeaways: ● Ideas are a dime a dozen. Everyone has an idea; the real work is execution and planning, and Priscilla admits she "was not ready" and "was not prepared" when she started. ● Train backwards from the deadline. The Olympics taught Priscilla to set a fixed goal and reverse-engineer the plan yearly, quarterly, monthly, and weekly, adjusting for setbacks while still executing toward the target. ● Know your lane and hire out the rest. Priscilla leans into her creative strengths and refuses to do her own taxes, a lesson Kris echoes after doing his books manually in Excel for years before switching to QuickBooks. ● Be ready for the blessing you asked for. As a mentor reminded Kris, if there is no real problem and everything is going well, you asked for a full plate and you got it, so be prepared to carry it. ● Boundaries are non-negotiable. Athletes have to be "selfish" about their mindset, body, and time, and Priscilla brings that same protective discipline to family, friends, and business. ● Know the difference between a mentor, an advisor, and a coach. A mentor supports you, an advisor pushes you to go, and a coach holds you accountable even when it is uncomfortable. ● Get in new rooms. Growth requires meeting new people in new places; staying in your bubble means nothing grows. ● Expect the no's. Priscilla has been told no many times, which she reads as a sign her asks are big, and reminds entrepreneurs that when people do not see your value, it does not lessen your value, you are just in the wrong room. ● You are one yes away. Resilience and persistence are the throughline from the track to entrepreneurship: "I can fail 10,000 times and I will, then 10,001, I will get it." Connect: ● Rooted & Reaching Podcast: https://www.southbendelkhart.org ● Host: Kris Priemer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristopherpriemer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristopherpriemer YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCL3lsN7A878BtyvR5Y1xQLw ● Guest: Priscilla Loomis, Former Olympian and Entrepreneur - [LinkedIn TK] Website: https://priscillaloomis.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priscilla-loomis-oly/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priscilla_frederick/ #RootedAndReaching #SouthBend #CreativeEntrepreneur #CommunityBuilding #IdeaWeek #Olympian #Resilience #Entrepreneurship #MotivationalSpeaker #Michiana #Elkhart #Grit #StartupSouthBendElkhart

  2. Jul 17

    From Classroom to Millions: Rebecca Rogers on Leaving Teaching to Become a Content Creator

    When Rebecca Rogers started making videos during pandemic lockdowns, she had one goal: getting her students to turn their cameras on during online learning. She had no idea you could earn money on social media, no plan beyond connecting with the kids in her classroom, and no expectation that anyone else would ever watch. Today, that former social studies teacher reaches millions of students online. In this Idea Week 2026 conversation, host Kris Priemer sits down with Rebecca, a Content Creator and former classroom teacher, for an unfiltered talk about the winding road from the trenches of teaching to a thriving creative career. Rebecca is a former classroom teacher who transitioned into content creation. Though no longer teaching in a traditional classroom, she continues to inspire millions of students through online platforms. In this episode, she opens up about the moment a monetization dispute with her county pushed her to put in her notice with no safety net, only to receive a life-changing YouTube shorts bonus the very next week. She unpacks the entrepreneurial mindset she never had a word for, why she refuses to tell current teachers how to teach, and how she engineers a daily content strategy where every post serves a distinct purpose. The conversation moves from laughter over rosé chai and unread text messages to genuinely moving territory, as Rebecca shares why she chose to be publicly open about surviving domestic violence and divorce. What began as personal catharsis became a mission when a younger cousin recognized her own bad situation after hearing Rebecca speak. It is a warm, story-driven look at reinvention, reliability, community, and the courage to talk about the things most people keep private. Key Takeaways: ● You don't need to know the destination to leave. Rebecca put in her notice with no concrete plan, assuming she would land an ed tech job, then discovered a week later she could support herself through her content. ● Respect the work you left behind. Rebecca refuses to coach current teachers on classroom methods because the education climate changes drastically every year, and anyone out of the room simply cannot know what it is like now. ● Reliability is a superpower. Whether it is a friend needing help rescuing dogs abroad or a professional deadline, showing up when you say you will is what builds trust and opportunity. ● Every piece of content should have a purpose. Rebecca posts several pieces a day, each with a distinct goal: reposts of proven winners for guaranteed reach, podcast clips to drive longer views, lifestyle skits for the core audience, and question posts to show personality. ● Solving problems is the throughline. What looked like being a natural teacher and "mom friend" was really an entrepreneurial instinct to make plans, handle crises, and find the way forward. ● Vulnerability can change lives. By speaking openly about her divorce and surviving abuse, Rebecca has helped others recognize warning signs, proving that normalizing hard conversations matters more than protecting privacy for its own sake. ● Community sustains a creative career. In the social media world, the people who succeed tend to be the ones who show up for each other, even when they only connect once a year. Connect: ● Rooted & Reaching Podcast: https://www.southbendelkhart.org ● Host: Kris Priemer, https://www.instagram.com/kristopherpriemer, ● Guest: Rebecca Rogers, Content Creator https://www.youtube.com/@Rebecca.Rogers #RootedAndReaching #SouthBend #CreativeEntrepreneur #CommunityBuilding #IdeaWeek #ContentCreator #Teachers #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #SocialMedia #Michiana #Reinvention

  3. Jul 10

    Grow Where You're Planted: Nate Spangle on Building a Modern Media Company for Indiana

    Recorded during IDEA Week, this special episode of Rooted & Reaching brings host Kris Priemer together with Nate Spangle, an Indianapolis-based entrepreneur and content creator known as a passionate advocate for Indiana and its small cities. After dabbling in various ventures, including e-commerce and real estate, Nate found his stride in media and content creation, and in this conversation, he explains how storytelling, energy, and relentless consistency turned a personality-driven Instagram presence into a full-blown media company covering the state. Nate opens up about the mindset shift that changed everything: the day a friend quoted Scott Welch's line, "dabblers die," and named him "Exhibit A." That wake-up call pushed Nate to stop hedging with side hustles and pour his whole heart into a business where his skill set finally matched the work. He and Kris trade honest notes on first-time leadership, decision fatigue, the loneliness of building without investors, and why "time to friendship" matters as much as time to revenue when you're trying to convince founders and families to plant roots in Indiana. From the data-driven Monday meetings that track every newsletter and follower to the "bulk and cut" strategy behind launching new publications, Nate offers a candid look at the discipline underneath the energy. This is a story about grit, community, and the belief that you can build something meaningful right where you are. Key Takeaways: ● Dabblers die. Nate spent years treating ventures as side hustles with an arm's length of protection, until he committed fully to media and content and found the work that matched his skills. ● Grow where you're planted. Rather than chase mountains or coastlines, Nate built roots in Indiana and became a tour guide for the people, history, and makers of small cities. ● Relevancy is the currency. In a media business built on eyeballs, staying relevant means being chronically online and knowing how to insert yourself authentically into the news that matters. ● Distribution is a craft, not an afterthought. Nate studies what modern brands like Morning Brew and Barstool are doing, then adapts their delivery methods for an Indiana niche and tracks the results every week. ● Transparency builds trust with a team. As a first-time manager, Nate tells his team plainly what he is still learning and invites feedback, leaning on informal mentors for the rest. ● Nate isn't scalable, so the platform is. The goal is to give other creators a voice, because "my Indiana's not your Indiana," and audiences want to see people who share their experience. ● Friendship is the missing piece of relocation. Funding and space aren't enough; people move when they believe they'll have someone to watch the game with on Saturday. ● Celebrate the wins authentically. It's easy to keep raising the bar, but Nate is learning to slow down, recognize the team, and find satisfaction in how far the work has already come. Resources Mentioned: ● Proof of Concept Fund from Startup South Bend Elkhart: https://www.startupsouthbendelkhart.com Connect: ● Rooted & Reaching Podcast: https://www.southbendelkhart.org ● Host: Kris Priemer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristopherpriemer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristopherpriemer ● Guest: Nate Spangle - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-spangle/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natespangle/ #RootedAndReaching #SouthBend #CreativeEntrepreneur #CommunityBuilding #Indiana #Entrepreneurship #ContentCreation #MediaCompany #IdeaWeek #SmallBusiness #GrowWhereYourePlanted

  4. Apr 10

    From Factory Floor to 120 Murals: Alex Ann Allen on Building a Creative Career in South Bend

    Muralist and curator Alex Ann Allen shares the story of quitting his factory job to pursue art full-time, growing from zero murals to over 120 across Indiana. In this conversation, Alex opens up about the discipline of creative entrepreneurship, the business of pricing murals, founding the Mural Mania festival, and why inspiring the next generation of artists matters most. Key Takeaways: ● You don't need permission to start. Alex had never painted a mural before his first commission, but he walked into it with guts and figured it out on the wall. ● Planning makes the leap possible. Before going full-time, Alex journaled budgets and saved six months of expenses to create a financial runway for his creative career. ● Preparation is the real work. Up to 70% of a mural project happens before the artist ever touches the wall, a reality most people never see. ● Versatility keeps the work alive. Shifting between geometric, floral, portrait, and other styles prevents burnout and serves a wider range of client needs. ● Community accelerates growth. A group text with 15 fellow muralists, supportive clients, and mentors who appeared along the way have been essential to Alex's development as both an artist and a business owner. ● Pricing evolves with your portfolio. Alex charges by square footage with a minimum rate, a practice that protects his time and attracts the right clients. ● Showing the process builds the brand. Sharing behind-the-scenes reels of mural creation draws more engagement than posting finished work alone. ● The starving artist myth needs to end. Alex is proof that a creative career is financially viable with discipline, planning, and business sense. Chapters: ● 00:00 - Meet Alex Ann Allen: Full-Time Muralist and Curator ● 01:05 - From Factory Work to Following a Passion ● 03:31 - The First Mural and Falling in Love with Large-Scale Art ● 06:15 - Artistic Evolution: Geometrics, Florals, and Beyond ● 09:20 - The Business of Murals: Pricing, Clients, and Discipline ● 14:06 - Sacrifice, Preparation, and the 70% Nobody Sees ● 17:10 - The South Bend Museum of Art and the Transitory Nature of Murals ● 22:37 - Mural Mania: Building a Festival from Scratch ● 31:13 - Advice for Aspiring Creatives and Inspiring the Next Generation Guest Info: Alex Ann Allen ● Full-time muralist, curator, and creative entrepreneur ● Based in South Bend, Indiana ● Founder and curator of Mural Mania, an annual mural festival in South Bend (entering its 5th year) ● Over 120 indoor and outdoor murals completed across Indiana ● Currently co-project managing a new mini mural festival in La Porte, Indiana with the Lubeznik Center for the Arts Resources Mentioned: ● Mural Mania Festival: July 29 through August 2 (Year 5, South Bend) ● Lubeznik Center for the Arts, La Porte, Indiana: www.lubeznikcenter.org ● Indy Arts Council: www.indyarts.org ● South Bend Museum of Art: www.southbendart.org ● DTSB (Downtown South Bend): www.dtsb.com ● Splice (video editing app for reels): www.spliceapp.com ● Cameron Moberg, curator from Rensselaer who inspired the Mural Mania concept ● J2 Marketing, South Bend (Alex's first mural commission) Connect: ● Rooted & Reaching Podcast: www.southbendelkhart.org ● Host: Marty Mechtenberg #RootedAndReaching #SouthBend #Elkhart #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #SmallBusiness #MuralMania #PublicArt #Murals #CreativeEntrepreneur #SouthBendArt #SupportLocalArtists #CommunityArt Mentioned in this episode: Proof of Concept Funding for South Bend & Elkhart Region Proof of Concept Fund

  5. Mar 27

    From Baby Food to Bold Flavors: Aiye Akhigbe’s Sticky Spoons Journey

    In this episode of Rooted & Reaching, Marty speaks with Aiye Akhigbe, founder and owner of Sticky Spoons LLC. What began as a personal mission to create healthier, homemade food for her children, rather than relying on commercial baby food, Aiye's idea quickly evolved into something much bigger. In this episode, Aiye talks about her journey from making small batches of baby food to developing a full line of handcrafted jams made with simple, real ingredients, fruit, sugar, and time-honored recipes, without fillers or preservatives. Marty and Aiye, talk about the power of community, the importance of staying true to your values, and the resilience it takes to grow a brand. RESOURCES Sticky Spoons Jam: https://stickyspoonsjam.com/ CONTACT Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ Mentioned in this episode: Proof of Concept Funding for South Bend & Elkhart Region Proof of Concept Fund

  6. Mar 6

    Jumping Out of Your Comfort Zone with NutriPop Founder Ujaswin Jain

    In this episode of Rooted & Reaching, Marty speaks with Ujaswin Jain, founder of NutriPop, to discuss Jain’s entrepreneurial journey of bringing a beloved Indian snack, popped water lily seeds, to health-conscious snackers in America. Ujaswin opens up about how his own fitness and nutrition journey sparked the idea to create a snack that hits all the cravings without the guilt. He shares what it was like leaving his corporate data analyst job, stepping out of his comfort zone, and chasing a dream that seemed impossible at times. They also dive into what makes NutriPop special, its nutrient-packed profile, the fun of introducing something totally new, and the clever marketing moves that help it stand out in a crowded snack world. RESOURCES NutriPop: https://snacknutripop.com/ CONTACT Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ Mentioned in this episode: Proof of Concept Funding for South Bend & Elkhart Region Proof of Concept Fund

  7. Feb 20

    Building Momentum: Kris Priemer on Community, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship

    In this episode of Rooted & Reaching, Marty speaks with Kris Priemer, a visionary entrepreneur whose passion for building community has helped shape South Bend’s entrepreneurial scene. Kris shares the story of his career journey and how it led to the creation of Momentum, a dynamic space designed to bring innovators and creators together. They talk about the challenges he faced along the way, the wins that made it worthwhile, and why collaboration and community are at the heart of every successful venture. Kris shares why creating inspiring spaces matters and how nurturing talent can spark long-term innovation across an entire region. RESOURCES Momentum: https://momentumsb.com/ CONTACT Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ Mentioned in this episode: Proof of Concept Funding for South Bend & Elkhart Region Proof of Concept Fund

  8. Feb 6

    Pressing Forward: Ryan Blake on Building Purely Press Organic

    In this episode of Rooted & Reaching, Marty speaks with Ryan Blake, co-founder of Purely Press Organic, a local juicery that has grown dramatically since its early days. Marty and Ryan discuss the power of adaptability and innovation, especially in responding to shifting market trends and consumer needs. They explore what drew Ryan and his wife into the organic food industry, the role of community in their growth, and the strategic choices behind their recent expansion. Listen as Ryan shares key lessons from both triumphs and setbacks, underscoring the importance of passion and perseverance in entrepreneurship. RESOURCES Purely Pressed: https://www.purelypressedorganic.com/ CONTACT Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ Mentioned in this episode: Proof of Concept Funding for South Bend & Elkhart Region Proof of Concept Fund

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

There’s a job to do, and in the South Bend - Elkhart region, a midwestern work ethic is changing the narrative from rusty to ready. Our cities are opening up and working together as a region—universities are engaging beyond their campuses, sharing their brainpower and realizing that they’re bigger and better with the community behind them. Organizations are reaching out to newcomers and helping them build local networks, leveling the playing field. Infrastructure is being creatively adapted to be gathering places where new deals are made, new collisions happen, and new entrepreneurs take root. Join the Rooted & Reaching podcast, where we discuss the startup life with entrepreneurs with connections to the South Bend - Elkhart region. In doing this, we will inform the general public and ourselves about what resources are available and the major pain points of entrepreneurs in our region. This podcast is also intended to tell the amazing stories of our local entrepreneurs in the hope that it will inspire another person in the region considering an entrepreneurial pursuit to take that leap of faith and see the supportive atmosphere in the area.

Information

  • Creator
    Startup South Bend - Elkhart
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Startup South Bend - Elkhart
  • Show Website
    Rooted and Reaching

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