Brighton Chamber Podcast

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

184: Community Strong: Building Ripples that Last

What happens outside the office affects everything inside it.
In this episode, Jo Self, founder of Practical Strengths and creator of the Community Catalyst Project, shares how local businesses can strengthen engagement, retention, and wellbeing by focusing on what’s right with people and the communities they call home. Discover how small acts of connection can create big ripples of impact, why workplace culture starts long before Monday morning, and how the Community Strong initiative is turning civic pride and collaboration into real economic and emotional wellbeing for all.
 
00:00 Introducing Practical Strengths
03:15 Strengths in a 40-Year Marriage
06:08 Strengths as Weaknesses
09:02 Building Stronger Communities
12:58 Livingston Strong Project
15:05 Final Thoughts and Contact
 
Show Links
Learn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website.
Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/
 
Guest Links
Website: http://practicalstrengths.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoverjoself
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discover_joself
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/joself
YouTube: http://youtube.com/@discoverjoself
Email: jo@practicalstrengths.org

183: 2025 Brighton Ford Santa Night

Rob sits down with Lauren Coffman, Marketing & Communications Director at Brighton Ford, for a festive and feel-good conversation about their 26th annual Toys for Tots toy drive. From a friendly school competition with $5,000 in prizes to Santa Night on December 4th, it’s complete with free photos, food, and toys, toys, toys. The episode bursts with holiday spirit. Lauren shares community support stories all while inviting listeners to join the fun, donate quality toys, and help top last year’s incredible 3,500-toy milestone. Tune in for the joy, nostalgia, and a chance to make a kid’s season brighter!
 
00:00 26th Annual Toy Drive
01:12 School Competition and Giving
03:46 Community Involvement and Nostalgia
06:49 How to Get Involved
09:31 Closing Remarks and Invitation
 
Toys for Tots
Event by Brighton Ford
8240 West Grand River Avenue, Brighton, MI, United States, Michigan 48114
Open to the public:
We are happy to announce the dates for our 26th Annual Santa Night.
TOY DRIVE - Bring your new, unwrapped toys anytime between November 1st - December 4th.
Our in-person Santa Night is December 4th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
- Free photos with Santa
- Drop off donations
- Pizza and cookies
- Holiday fun!
- Switch 2 giveaway!
Brighton Ford is donating $5,000 in prizes to our Brighton Elementary Schools. The school that donates the most NEW, UNWRAPPED toys WINS. The prizes are as follows:
1st Place - $3,000
2nd Place - $1,000
3rd Place - $500
4th Place - $500 See less
 
Show Links
Learn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website.
Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/
 
Guest Links
Website: BrightonFord.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brightonford
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightonfordmi/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/brightonfordmi

182: 2025 Brighton's Holiday Glow & Christmas Market

Kick Off the Holiday Season in Downtown Brighton!
Jennifer Bond (Greater Brighton Area Chamber), Barb Binkley (Cooper Binkley Jewelers), Samantha Gardiner (City of Brighton) host this week's podcast to talk about this year's Brighton Holiday Glow & Christmas Market. They'll fill you in on all the merry details and what you can expect. We can't wait to kick off the holiday season with you in Downtown Brighton!
 
Presented by Cooper & Binkley Jewelers, along with the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce and Supporting Sponsors Terri Fenolen Group, Mt. Brighton, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, will take place: Saturday, November 22, 2025 - 1:00 PM-7:00 PM
 
Website: Brighton's Holiday Glow 2025 Webpage ; https://sites.google.com/view/holidayglowbrighton/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1182059317074819?active_tab=about
 
00:00 Welcome to Holiday Glow
02:30 New Lights & Activities
06:40 Holiday Traditions & Performances
11:00 Santa’s Arrival & Local Businesses
15:20 Magical Moments & Photo Ops
20:25 Lamplighters & Final Details
 
Show Links
Learn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website.
Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/
 
Guest Links
Cooper & Binkley Jewelers
Website: https://www.cooperandbinkleyjewelers.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cooperandbinkleyjewelers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cooperbinkleyjewelers/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CooperandBinkley
&
City of Brighton
Website: https://www.brightoncitymi.gov/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DowntownBrighton

181: TCA Insurance

Get ready for an insightful chat as Cameron sits down with Cliff Miller and Nick Keelin from TCA Insurance for a look behind one of the most personable independent agencies in the biz! From their exciting expansion into Livingston County to their one-of-a-kind SaunaShield product (yes, insurance for mobile saunas!), Cliff and Nick share how TCA’s people-first approach, community focus, and tech-savvy tools make insurance anything but boring. Tune in to hear how they’re redefining what it means to truly protect and connect with their clients.
 
00:00 Welcome and TCA’s Independent Approach
03:19 Expanding to Livingston County and Key Insights
06:11 Personal and Business Insurance Strategies
08:31 Farm Insurance and Unique Offerings
10:36 Payment Plans and Community Involvement
 
Show Links
Learn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website.
Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/
 
Guest Links
Website: https://tcains.biz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TCAinsurance
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tca-insurance/
Ph: 810-295-2630
Email: Cliff@TCAins.biz
Email: nick@TCAins.biz

180: The Canopy Lounge

Cameron chats with Bill Opre, co-owner of Canopy Lounge, the upscale spot that has quickly became the go-to hangout for fine dining and great drinks. Bill shares how the menu changes every few months to keep things fresh, (think wild game, seafood, and creative chef specials) and how Canopy has become a favorite for private events, from birthdays to weddings. With top Google reviews, special themed nights, and a perfect location near Main Street, this lounge is where elegance meets comfort. FEEL LIKE YOU’RE IN YOUR OWN LIVING ROOM, NOT A BAR.
 
00:00 Introducing Canopy Lounge
01:29 Unique Menu & Dining Experience
03:50 Events & Location Advantages
06:14 Special Events & Staying Updated
 
Show Links
Learn more about the Brighton Chamber by visiting our website.
Website: https://www.brightoncoc.org/
 
Guest Links
Website: https://thecanopylounge.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecanopylounge
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCanopyLounge
Email: Bill@thecanopylounge.com