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
39 episodes
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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37:49
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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33:21
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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26:43
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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30:35
Episode 33: From Bottleneck to Boss: How to Lead Without Losing Control
“If you can develop leaders within your business, you free yourself to actually grow it.” ~Jennifer KokIn this episode, Jennifer Kok interviews leadership development coach Shaina Lane, who specializes in helping corporate professionals ...
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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35:09
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Episode 32: How One Entrepreneur Turned Challenges Into Sweet Success
In this inspiring episode of Main Street Success Stories, Jennifer Kok sits down with Scott Vogel, owner of Nothing Bundt Cakes in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Scott shares his remarkable journey of transitioning from corporate America to e...
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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43:26
Episode 31: The Shocking Truth About Small Business Failure (And How to Avoid It)
Did you know that only 50% of small businesses make it to year five? That statistic fires me up! In this solo episode, I’m diving into the real reason so many entrepreneurs struggle—ignoring their numbers. I’ll take you behind the scenes of my ...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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16:18
Episode 30: Instagram Strategy Simplified: Growth, Nuture and Sell with Ease
Welcome to Main Street Success Stories, where we inspire and equip creative entrepreneurs to stress less and earn more. In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Jenna Harding, a former actor-turned-social media exp...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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37:30
Episode 29: Mastering Money: Profit Strategies for Small Business Owners
In this episode, Jennifer Kok sits down with Jamie Trull, a financial literacy educator and former Fortune 500 finance executive turned entrepreneur, to tackle one of the most challenging aspects of business ownership—managing money. Jamie shar...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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44:01
Episode 28: Maximize Local Business Reach with Social Media
In this episode of Main Street Success Stories, Jennifer Kok chats with Brooke Norlin, a seasoned Virtual Assistant (VA) with a knack for helping business owners streamline their operations and amplify their online presence. They dive ...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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30:50
Episode 27: Adapt & Survive: What's Coming Next For Your Business
In this episode of Main Street Success Stories, host Jennifer Kok dives into her personal entrepreneurial journey, sharing how she overcame challenges during the 2008 recession by pivoting her business model. Jennifer provides insight ...
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12:57
Episode 26: Overcoming Fear and Growing Your Business Step-by-Step
In this episode, Jennifer Kok interviews Stacy Sloan, founder of 3 Little Birds Granola, who shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Stacy reflects on her path from culinary school to creating a clean-label, allergen-free granola that has...
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28:24
Episode 25: Marketing Makeover: Embracing Modern Strategies for Local Success
Molly Bossardt with Bread to Butter Digitial Marketing, started her business in 2020 with a focus on helping small-town businesses—particularly wineries—modernize their marketing strategies. She emphasizes the importance of nich...
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37:36
Episode 24: Customer Collaboration: The Secret Ingredient to Rapid Growth
In today’s episode, we sit down with Tanya Thompson, founder of The Aroma Labs, as she opens up about how a journey through grief inspired her to start a business that now spans multiple locations. Tanya’s story is both touching and empowering,...
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35:32
Episode 23: Fashion, Philanthropy, and Profit: How to Run a Mission-Driven Business
In a conversation between business coach Jennifer Kok and entrepreneur Brittani Clancey, we learn about Brittani's business, Fashion Pact, a unique thrift store in Anchorage, Alaska. Her business donates 30% of every sale to local char...
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Episode 23
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33:03
Episode 22: Mastering the Art of Customer Experience
In this episode of "Main Street Success Stories," Jennifer Kok sits down with Samantha Irwin, founder of Kaizen Consulting and Hospitality Bootcamp, to explore the critical role of customer experience in driving business growth. Samantha shares...
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38:14
Episode 21: Surviving and Thriving: Growing a Boutique in Uncertain Times with Lori Sanborn
In this episode, we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Lori Sanborn, the owner of Urban Threadz Boutique, as she shares her experience transitioning from a salon owner to running a successful online boutique. Lori opens up about her chall...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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31:49
Episode 20: From Financial Stress to Financial Freedom with Ciara Stockeland
Meet Ciara Stockeland, a seasoned entrepreneur and profit strategist, to discuss her journey from a third-generation entrepreneur to a successful business consultant. Ciara shares her highs and lows, from building a seven-figure business to los...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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26:36
Episode 19: From Passion to Published: Writing and Marketing Your Book
Jennifer DiVita, an influencer in positive aging and the author of "Not Your Shoe Size," joins us to discuss her journey, her passion for aging positively, and her experience writing a novel. This episode dives into the following five key topic...
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35:08
Episode 18: Creating Advocates with Heidi Low
Our guest today, Heidi Low, embarked on a profound personal journey. She made the courageous decision to leave her corporate job and establish a retreat for bereaved parents, a cause close to her heart after the loss of her terminally ill daugh...
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29:14
Episode 17: Finding your Niche with Kate Greunke
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Kate Greuneke, founder of The Socialite Agency. Discover how Kate built a successful virtual marketing agency specializing in the home industry, working with interior designers, home stagers, and mo...
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41:00
EP 16: How to avoid business burnout
Owning a business can feel lonely; sometimes, you feel like a hamster on the wheel. I am so excited to share with you today a real case study of transforming a struggling business, a burnout business owner, into a profitable business, and an ow...
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31:32
EP 15: Turn your life experiences into a profitable business
Today’s episode will excite you about your future and the next steps you envision for you personally and your business. Dawn Pick Benson is a transformational travel coach who helps women undergoing major life changes rediscover the...
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33:33