Beth Thieme, President and CEO of Amigo Mobility International, shares the inspiring origin story of Amigo Mobility, how Beth transitioned from nursing to business, and the significant challenges and achievements the company has faced over the years. The episode also delves into the importance of having a visionary leader like Al Thieme, the development of new business avenues, and the company's mission to improve lives through mobility.

Links:

Amigo Mobility's Website: https://www.myamigo.com/

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Sponsor:

Stevens Center for Family Business: http://svsu.edu/scfb

Casey Stevens Contact Information: 989-964-2776

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction

00:25 Meet Beth Thieme: Early Life and Career

02:15 The Birth of Amigo Mobility

04:15 Challenges and Growth

07:57 Overcoming Financial Struggles

17:57 Diversification and Innovation

24:36 Vision for the Future

25:42 How to connect with Amigo Mobility

Youth pastor to frog mogul? That's the path Josh Willard, CEO and founder of Josh's Frogs, an online retailer of reptile and amphibian products. Josh shares his journey from a youth ministry pastor to a successful entrepreneur who turned his hobby into a multi-million-dollar business. The discussion covers Josh's unique business start, his ethical approach to animal trading, and his company's significant growth and impact on the exotic pet industry.

Link:

Josh's Frogs: https://joshsfrogs.com/

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Show Notes:

00:00 A Tough Start: Losing a Job and Facing Uncertainty

01:10 Meet Josh Willard: From Youth Ministry to Frog Enthusiast

01:59 From Pastor to Frog Seller: The Unexpected Career Shift

02:54 Building a Business from a Hobby

04:20 The Leap to Entrepreneurship: Risks and Rewards

05:43 Overcoming Financial Hurdles: The Birth of Josh's Frogs

10:58 The First Steps: Launching the Website and Early Sales

13:03 Explosive Growth: From Hobby to Multi-Million Dollar Business

15:54 Building a Team and Expanding the Business

16:52 Ethical and Sustainable Practices

17:20 Conservation Partnerships

17:55 Innovative Online Retail Strategy

18:57 Challenges of Captive Breeding

21:06 Decision to Stay Online

22:42 Expanding into New Species

24:06 Unique Hiring Practices

27:15 Navigating Legal and Regulatory Challenges

33:04 Conclusion and Contact Information

Raising a child with special needs takes a special kind of love. Leasa Androl, the CEO and founder of Spectrum Autism Center shares her personal journey of discovering her son's autism and the subsequent struggles she faced in finding adequate resources. Driven by a passion to help other families, she pursued a degree in psychology and started her own center to provide ABA therapy for children with autism. The episode delves into the challenges and triumphs of opening multiple centers, the impact of legislative changes on autism services, and the future of her organization.

Links:

Subscribe to our Email Newsletter: https://totalmichigan.com/join/

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Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@totalmichigan

Show Notes:

00:00 Ep 109 Leasa Androl

03:23 When Leasa realized her son was different

09:43 The Search for Family Resources

12:23 Why would God allow this? Depression sets in.

15:28 Hope: Aiden responds to this treatment

19:49 The Journey to Certification

22:21 What is the Autism Manadate

24:40 A Touch Choice is Made

28:56 Confronting Possible Failure

32:32 Growing Pains

34:13 What do Families say about ABA therapy

36:07 How ABA Therapy has changed

38:43 Advice to parents about ABA therapy

41:05 What the Future holds for Spectrum Autism Center

43:21 Resources for Families