Community Capital

192: Cabinets for You

This week on the Chamber Podcast, Rob sits down with Kelly LaBelle and Maureen Theodore, designers at Cabinets For You in downtown Brighton. As a locally owned, full-service cabinet company, Cabinets For You offers three cabinet lines ranging from affordable to fully custom, serving homeowners and builders alike. Kelly and Maureen share how their years of experience help prevent costly mistakes by carefully planning measurements, appliance placement, plumbing, electrical, and overall flow before cabinets ever arrive. The conversation dives into builder relationships, why retention matters, and how thoughtful design blends function with personality. They also discuss current kitchen trends, from warm wood tones and jewel colors to the return of bold statements, while encouraging homeowners to design for their own lifestyle rather than resale value. With deep roots in the community and a growing outlook for 2026, Cabinets For You continues to help Brighton families create spaces they love.
Timestamps00:00 Cabinets For You Overview01:36 Why Choose Professional Designers?04:00 Building Strong Client Relationships06:31 Passion for Quality and Client Vision09:00 Navigating Design Trends12:59 Contact and Closing Remarks
Show Notes:Showroom Location: Downtown Brighton, located inside the White Dress buildingParking: North Street parking lot behind the buildingAppointments Recommended: Designers are often out measuring homes or meeting deliveries
Guest LinksWebsite: https://www.cabinetsforyou.net/
Show LinksLearn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website.Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/

191: Thrive Therapy Center

This week on the Chamber Podcast, Rob sits down with Jessica Pomerville, speech-language pathologist and Clinical Director of the new Brighton location of Thrive Therapy Center. Jessica shares Thrive’s mission of supporting families and helping children build communication skills and daily living independence through evidence-based speech and occupational therapy. The conversation highlights Thrive’s family-owned roots, their whole-person approach, and the importance of creating a safe, supportive space for both children and parents. Jessica reflects on the deep bonds formed with families, the emotional impact of the work, and what it means to bring Thrive’s 40-year legacy into her hometown of Brighton. With locations in Davison, Clarkston, and now Brighton, Thrive is focused on growth, connection, and helping more families truly thrive. 
Timestamps00:00 Welcome Jessica Pomerville01:10 Journey to Speech Pathology03:38 Thrive’s Diverse Client Base04:45 Brighton Expansion and New Role06:33 Impact and Family Bonds07:59 Future Growth and Outreach
 
Show LinksLearn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website.Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/ 
Guest LinksWebsite: https://thrive-therapycenters.com/brightonPhone Number: (810) 206-3801

190: Herndon Family Agency - Farm Bureau Insurance

This week on the Chamber Podcast, Rob sits down with Blake Williams, Account Manager at the Herndon Family Agency Farm Bureau Insurance, to talk about local insurance done the right way. Blake shares how the family-run agency has served Livingston County for over 20 years and why staying Michigan-focused matters when it comes to protecting families and businesses. The conversation covers common insurance mistakes like being underinsured or paying too much for coverage, changes to Michigan auto insurance laws, and why reviewing policies regularly can make a real financial difference. Blake also talks about his passion for community involvement, his experience with the Brighton Chamber, and how building personal relationships helps clients feel confident and covered. 
Timestamps00:00 Introducing Herndon Family Agency Farm Bureau Insurance01:18 Choosing Herndon Family Agency03:11 Common Insurance Mistakes06:03 Connecting with Community07:35 2026 Goals & Chamber Discount08:55 Contacting the Agency & Chamber
Show LinksLearn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website.Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/ 
Guest LinksWebsite: https://www.michfb.com/insurance/find-an-agent/geoffrey-herndon-210-s-east-st-ste-1

189: The Rex Effect

This week on the Chamber Podcast, Rob sits down with Rex Streetman, owner of The Rex Effect, a Howell-based DJ and entertainment company built to keep the party going long after everyone else clocks out. Rex shares how a “crazy idea” to look at DJ equipment turned into a full-blown business, starting with karaoke nights and growing into a team of 10+ employees across 10+ venues. Today, The Rex Effect delivers everything from weddings and corporate events to karaoke, trivia, Music Bingo, and even plans to expand into dance floor rentals. Rex and Rob talk about what it takes to build a following, manage a growing crew, and evolve through industry shifts like COVID, all while staying focused on fun, energy, and unforgettable experiences. 
Timestamps00:00 From Hobby to Business: The Rex Effect01:43 The Evolution of Rex’s Karaoke Journey03:52 Karaoke Classics and Industry Shifts05:03 Modern Bar Entertainment: Trivia and Bingo08:18 Future Growth and Team Management11:00 Career Highlights and New Beginnings
Show LinksLearn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website.Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/ 
Guest LinksWebsite: https://www.therexeffectdj.com/Facebook: Rexs-Karaoke/The-Rex-EffectPhone Number: 810-220-9611

188: LOC Credit Union

This week on the Chamber Podcast, Rob sits down with Steve Grech, CEO of LOC Credit Union, and Stephanie Hamlin, Community Impact Manager, to talk about what it really means to be a community-first financial institution. With 90 years of history and more than 50 years serving Livingston County, LOC focuses on doing a few things exceptionally well, from affordable car loans and home equity lending to strong digital banking paired with real human relationships. Steve shares how LOC differentiates itself in a crowded financial market through thoughtful lending practices and service-driven culture, while Stephanie highlights the credit union’s deep investment in financial education, school partnerships, and local programs that build confidence from elementary school through adulthood. The conversation offers a clear look at how staying focused, accessible, and people-centered helps LOC strengthen both financial health and community trust.
00:00 LOC Credit Union’s Journey03:12 What Makes LOC Unique?06:00 Building Trust Through Relationships09:15 Financial Literacy in Schools12:22 2026 Initiatives and Community Engagement15:15 Lending Wider and Deeper
Show LinksLearn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website.Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/ 
Guest LinksWebsite: https://www.loccreditunion.com/
Guest Info:LOC celebrated our 90th Anniversary in 2025 with 6 locations across Livingston, Oakland and Wayne Counties. We like to think LOC stands for Lender of Choice for Auto Loans & Home Equity Loans while focusing on delivering five-star member service.  
Our Brighton Branch opened in June of 2024 and is located on Grand River Avenue just outside of downtown, next to Planet Fitness and AutoZone. 
We have had a presence in Livingston County for 50 years. In 1976 we opened in Howell and have been at our current location on Grand River since 1997. Our current Hartland location opened in 2007 at Old 23 and M59. As we continue to invest in Livingston County, we will be building a full-service branch with a drive thru in 2026. This branch will be adjacent to the Hartland Target parking lot. 
Community Sponsorships and Volunteer Involvement: In 2024 we partnered with Bountiful Harvest when we made large financial donation upon the opening of the Brighton branch in 2024. We continue to support their mission by providing an annual cereal drive where the donations stay right here in Livingston County and our staff volunteers at the food bank. 
Brighton, Howell and Hartland - Athletic Business Sponsorships 
Brighton Chamber Efforts and Events- the Farmer's Market Flower Day- Bouquet Building Station, Volunteering at Chamber Events such as the Smokin Blues and Brighton Holiday Glow Reindeer Game Sponsorship.  For the third year in a row, we sponsored the Tunnel of Lights at the Millpond Bridge for the community to enjoy a seasonable photo opportunity.
Financial Literacy and Education EffortsThe Community Impact Team provides a variety of financial education classroom experiences for grades K -12. Creating hands on experiences that give students a solid foundation for the real world. We also operate 19 student-run credit unions across Farmington and Livingston County that give students an independent interactive experience with banking and managing money.

187: Batteries Plus

In this charged up episode Rob sits down with Kisha Polasky, owner of Batteries Plus in Livingston County, to talk career pivots, franchising leaps, and building a business during uncertain times. They're more than just a battery store, They're committed to providing outstanding service and expertise for a variety of solutions, including power, phone repair, auto batteries, key fobs, lighting, and more! Whether you need help finding a replacement battery or to replace a shattered screen on your device, Batteries Plus is here for you.
 
00:00 Kisha’s Journey to Batteries Plus
03:18 Franchise Opening and Challenges
06:18 Location Selection and Operations
08:57 Hiring and Team Building
11:51 Commercial Focus and Diverse Offerings
14:44 Community Engagement and Services
 
Show Links
Learn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website.
Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/
 
Guest Links
Website: https://www.batteriesplus.com/

186: Whole Mama Michigan

Rob sits down with Emily Stone, founder and CEO of Whole Mama Michigan, a Brighton-based “one-stop” wellness collective that’s changing the way moms are born by wrapping parents in holistic, evidence-based, zero-judgment support from preconception through postpartum. From fertility coaching and prenatal yoga to childbirth classes, lactation help, mental health care, and cozy due-date/play groups that crush isolation, Emily shares how community can turn anxious new parents into confident, connected humans, plus what doulas actually do. Warm, practical, and full of heart, this episode feels like a pep talk and a group hug rolled into one.
 
00:00 Welcome to Whole Mama Michigan
03:19 Understanding the Role of a Doula
05:42 Whole Mama Michigan’s Growth & Uniqueness
07:54 Free vs. Paid Services and future Outlook
09:40 Getting Involved & Impactful Stories
11:03 The Value of In-Person Connection
 
Show Links
Learn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website.
Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/
 
Guest Links
Website: https://www.wholemamamichigan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566562292552
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholemamamichigan/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/whole-mama-michigan/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wholemamamichigan
Email: info@wholemamamichigan.com
Address:
10407 Grand River Ave Suite 600
Brighton, MI 48116
(810) 775-2789

185: Yoganjali - Social Wellness

This week on the Chamber podcast, Rob chats with Krish Kar, developer and founder of Yoganjali, an AI-powered holistic social wellness connection platform where creators and seekers meet “within and beyond.” Krish breaks down Yoganjali’s two-part magic: Inner Connect, featuring mind-body yoga, Pilates, dance, and wellness classes built for everyone from seniors and kids to mental-health and flexibility journeys, and Outer Connect, which uses role-based matching to spark real business connections, pitches, and creative clips without the social noise. Move, Connect and Thrive through Yoganjali!
 
00:00 Introducing Yoganjali: A New Social Wellness App
03:02 How Yoganjali Connects Creators and Seekers
07:00 Background and App Security
09:05 The Evolution of Yoganjali
13:30 Final Thoughts and Holiday Reflections
 
Show Links
Learn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website.
Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/
 
Guest Links
Website: https://nityvision.com/yoganjali
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575523112461
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/krish.kar.9256
Email: nityvision@gmail.com