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
44 episodes
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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36:52
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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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25:02
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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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34:23
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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29:15
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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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34:13
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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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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