Main Street Success Stories
Welcome to 'Main Street Success Stories', where each month, we deep dive into the journeys, the challenges, and the triumphs of real-world local entrepreneurs. Whether you're dreaming of starting your own venture or just looking for a dose of inspiration, you're in the right place. Join us as we celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship, learn from each other and motivate you to keep growing your own local business
Episodes
59 episodes
Episode 57: How To Organize Your Home And Business For Freedom And Focus
In this inspiring episode of Main Street Success Stories, Jennifer Kok sits down with Lisa Woodruff, founder and CEO of Organize 365, to talk about how women entrepreneurs can create more peace, profit, and productivity starting at hom...
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Season 2
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Episode 57
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25:03
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Episode 56: The Secret Behind Smarter Decisions and Stronger Teams
Do you ever wonder why you make the decisions you make in your business—especially when leading a team? In this episode, Jennifer sits down with wellness and leadership coach Renee Privette-Stutz to explore how understanding your natural decisi...
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Season 2
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Episode 56
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28:44
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Episode 55: Standing out in a Saturated Market
What if your calling isn’t somewhere new, it’s right where you are?Today, Jennifer sits down with Shari K. Hooper, a Grand Rapids financial advisor who literally grew up in the industry alongside her trailblazing mom. Shari shares how sh...
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Season 2
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Episode 55
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38:21
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Episode 54: You Don’t Have a Marketing Problem. You Have a Follow-Up Problem
If you’ve ever walked out of a coffee chat or networking event wondering, “Was that really worth my time?” — this episode is for you.In this solo episode, Jennifer Kok, business strategist and founder of Next Wave Business Coach...
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9:33
Episode 53: How to Build Brand Trust and Uncover Your Unique Messaging
Are you struggling to clearly explain what makes your business unique?In this episode of Main Street Success Stories, Jennifer Kok talks with Beth Hess, founder of Keys to Your Brand and the voice behind Own Your Am...
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Season 2
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Episode 53
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39:19
Episode 52: Every “Yes” Has a Price: Why Saying Yes to Everyone Is Costing You Profit
If your calendar is full but your profit is thin, this episode is for you.So many small business owners are exhausted — not because they’re doing something wrong, but because they’re saying yes to everything. Every new idea, eve...
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Season 2
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Episode 52
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17:08
Episode 51: Stop the Overwhelm: Small Business AI Made Simple
AI doesn’t have to be overwhelming — if you focus on just one thing. In this episode, we explore how small business owners can simplify their operations with AI.What we chatted about: Jeanette’s journey from mat...
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Season 2
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Episode 50
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34:30
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Episode 50: The Hidden Reason You’re Exhausted in Your Business
You didn’t start your business to be this exhausted. ou started it for freedom, flexibility, and a paycheck you could count on or maybe a dream to add more to your family finances.So why does it feel like you’re working...
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Season 2
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Episode 50
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9:15
Episode 49: From Side Hustle to Full Time: Heather Mahoneys Leap into Business and Rising Together
What happens when life pushes you to finally go all in on your dream? In this inspiring conversation, Jennifer Kok sits down with branding and headshot photographer Heather Mahoney to talk about her journey from nurse to full-time entrepreneur,...
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Season 2
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Episode 49
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25:54
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Episode 48: Selling with Heart, Charging Your Worth, and Choosing You
What if choosing yourself was the most powerful business strategy you could implement? In this inspiring and candid conversation, Jennifer Kok sits down with abundance expert Sarah Walton to talk about women, money, mindset, and the truth about...
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Episode 48
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40:18
Episode 47: From Debt to Margin: The Real Profit Strategy for Inventory-Based Businesses
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by inventory, buried in business debt, or unsure how to actually pay yourself—this is the episode you didn’t know you needed. Jennifer sits down with returning guest Ciara Stockeland, founder of Inve...
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Season 2
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Episode 47
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27:42
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Episode 46: Stop Waiting, Start Doing: Carla Flanders on Pivoting, Producing, and Publishing
From pivoting during a career crossroads to creating something meaningful and profitable, Carla shares what it really takes to take action—even when the future feels uncertain.Today’s guest is someone who wears a lot of hats — and ...
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Season 2
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Episode 46
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32:48
Episode 45: The Power of Clarity: How Jackie Benjamin Built a Referral-Worthy Social Media Agency
In this episode Jennifer Kok sits down with Jackie Benjamin, the founder of We Assist Marketing, to talk about how she built a thriving social media agency by choosing a lane, staying consistent, and leading with heart. Jackie opens up about th...
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Season 2
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Episode 45
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28:58
Episode 44: The #1 Habit Creative Entrepreneurs Need
In this refreshingly honest and relatable episode, Jennifer Kok sits down with Courtney Boudet, a seasoned bookkeeper and founder of E Number Cruncher, to talk about what really keeps small business owners from staying on top of their books. Fr...
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35:34
Episode 43: You Don’t Need to Scale Like Everyone Else - A CFO’s Take on Aligned Growth
Jennifer Kok sits down with Brooke Koeninger, founder of Scale with Clarity, to talk about leaving corporate during the Great Resignation, rewriting her identity as a working mom turned entrepreneur, and what it really means to build a...
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Season 2
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Episode 43
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36:39
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Episode 42: From Self-Doubt to Self-Trust: How Embodied Leadership Changes Everything
What if the key to being a more impactful leader wasn’t about learning how to do more, but about learning how to be more present?In this powerful episode, Jennifer Kok sits down with Kristy Mandour, founder of So To...
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Season 2
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Episode 42
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37:51
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Episode 41: Selling Your Small Business: Real Talk on Buyers, Profit, and Letting Go
What if the business you’ve poured your heart into can’t be sold when you’re ready to move on?In this eye-opening episode, Jennifer Kok sits down with Jessica Starks, business broker and Exit Factor expert, to break down everything entre...
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Season 2
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Episode 41
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26:01
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Episode 40: Stop Guessing: How to Truly Understand Your Customers
In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Curt and Rob, co-founders of HUMN Marketing Agency, to unpack the power of customer-centered storytelling and human-first marketing strategy. With complementary backgrounds in design, nonprofit leadershi...
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Season 2
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Episode 40
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35:22
Episode 39: Are you Ignoring the Most Powerful Free Tool for Local Visibility?
In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Geoff Schalow to demystify the Google Business Profile (GBP) and reveal how local business owners—whether brick-and-mortar or home-based—can optimize their presence on Google Maps and search results to a...
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Season 2
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Episode 39
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30:14
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Episode 38: Small Steps, Strong Roots: The Long Game of Entrepreneurship
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Jennifer Kok sits down with Rebecca, the founder of a successful web design studio in West Michigan. From building websites for her dad’s agricultural business to launching her own creative agency, Rebec...
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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35:12
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The Earn More, Stress Less Growth System Explained
I often get asked "How do you work with Small Business Owners". In this episode, Jennifer Kok, small business strategist and founder of the Earn More, Stress Less Growth System, shares the real reason why so many entr...
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17:50
Episode 37: Love, Business and Boundaries: Navigating Entrepreneurship as a Couple
In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Jennifer Kok sits down with relationship coach Kathy Rushing, founder of Lodestar Relationship Coaching, to explore the unique dynamics of marriage, business partnerships, and entrepreneurship. With...
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38:48
Episode 36: Turning Clicks into Clients: Pinterest Strategy Secrets with Jen Dys
In this episode, Jennifer Kok chats with Jen Dys, Pinterest Marketing & Content Strategist and founder of Level Up Business Creative. Jen shares her journey from being a physical therapist to launching a successful Pinterest strategy busine...
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34:20
Episode 35: From Forgettable to Unstoppable: Nail Your Elevator Pitch with Leslie Fiorenzo
Ever fumbled through an introduction at a networking event? Struggled to make people really understand what you do? In this episode of Main Street Success Stories, I’m joined by business communication and speaking expert, Lesl...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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27:42
Episode 34: Ditch the Pitch: The Networking Strategy That Actually Works
In this episode of Main Street Success Stories, host Jennifer Kok sits down with Sara Barco, business and networking consultant and founder of 52 Connections. Sara is passionate about helping business owners strengthen customer retenti...
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Season 2
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Episode 34
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31:34