Whether you're new to the world of insurance or just looking for practical tips to safeguard your family's legacy, this episode is packed with relatable stories and expert insights.

Brett Johnson and Katie Ellis sit down with Leah Jennings, an insurance advisor with years of experience in helping families secure their futures. Leah shares her journey from starting in a captive agency to becoming an independent insurance advisor at Synergy Financial, where she specializes in personalized life insurance and financial planning—especially for middle America.

In this conversation, you'll learn why the personal touch matters so much in the insurance industry, the key differences between insurance advisors and financial advisors, and why face-to-face meetings are essential. Leah also breaks down common misunderstandings about life insurance, highlights the importance of living benefits and long-term care, and offers actionable advice for people just starting to think about financial protection—including what college grads should know about student loan debt and insurance.

Grandview Heights

Key Takeaways:

1. Face-to-face matters: Sitting down in person with a life insurance advisor helps ensure you fully understand your policy, ask the right questions, and avoid missing critical details.
2. Protection is more than you think: Life insurance isn’t just about what happens when you’re gone—it can include living benefits like long-term care that support you and your loved ones while you’re alive.
3. Start early—especially if you have debt: Even recent grads with student loans should strongly consider life insurance to protect their family from unexpected financial burdens.

To run a successful business, you need resources, valuable connections, and community recognition. Business Inspires will provide you with the tools, resources, and examples to inspire you to create the business you envision.

With more than 60 years as an integral part of the Grandview, Upper Arlington, and Marble Cliff communities, the Tri-Village Chamber Partnership is dedicated to a singular purpose - the success of the business community.

Thank you for downloading, listening, and following Business Inspires, a Tri-Village Chamber Partnership podcast.

This season is presented by:

1. Grandview Heights

To schedule a guest appearance or find out more about sponsoring Business Inspires, send an email to:

Katie Ellis, President/CEO, Tri-Village Chamber Partnership

katie@chamberpartnership.org

Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!

Please leave us a review on Google!

We'd love it if you could please share this podcast with your social media friends!

Discover more podcasts like this at Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/kitchen-dance - License code: U9SOBWUIY0PUOLOY

Copyright 2026 Tri-Village Chamber Partnership

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Mentioned in this...

Welcome to a very special edition of Business Inspires! In this milestone 100th episode, hosts Brett Johnson and Katie Ellis are joined by original host Michelle Wilson for a heartfelt look back at the evolution of the podcast and the Tri-Village Chamber Partnership.

From its humble beginnings in 2017 as a daring experiment in business storytelling, to the thriving platform it’s become—highlighting local entrepreneurial journeys and driving chamber engagement—the trio reflects on the many chapters, challenges, and unique roles the podcast has played over time.

You’ll hear inside stories from behind the scenes, lessons learned as hosts, and the impact of shifting formats. Plus, get a peek at what’s ahead: big anniversaries, innovative events, and evolving roles for both the chamber and Experience Columbus.

Whether you’re a long-time listener or just discovering Business Inspires, this episode celebrates community, adaptability, and the power of connection through conversation.

Moments

00:00 "Business Inspires: Episode 100"

03:22 Tri Village Chamber Podcast Pitch

08:01 Chamber Podcast's Organic Evolution

12:28 "Marketing Platform for Expression"

15:11 Entrepreneur Stories in Tri Village

17:14 Co-Hosting Transition and Support

21:46 "Be Your Best Conference"

Here are three key takeaways from this special episode:

Podcasting as a Chamber Differentiator

Business Inspires broke new ground by being one of the first chamber-led podcasts in Central Ohio, giving members a unique and flexible marketing platform to tell their stories in their own voices.

The Power of Organic Conversations

Both Michelle Wilson and Katie Ellis highlighted how authentic, unscripted interviews offered members space to open up, build confidence, and connect on a deeper level with their community—a win for relationship-building.

Continuous Evolution for Member Value

From shifting to virtual recordings for greater accessibility to introducing new sponsorship opportunities and celebrating significant milestones, such as the upcoming 10-year merger anniversary in 2026, the podcast embodies the Chamber's continual innovation in serving its members.

To run a successful business, you need resources, valuable connections, and community recognition. Business Inspires will provide you with the tools, resources, and examples to inspire you to create the business you envision.

With more than 60 years as an integral part of the Grandview, Upper Arlington, and Marble Cliff communities, the Tri-Village Chamber Partnership is dedicated to a singular purpose - the success of the business community.

Thank you for downloading, listening, and following Business Inspires, a Tri-Village Chamber Partnership podcast.

This season is presented by:

1. Grandview Heights

To schedule a guest appearance or find out more about sponsoring Business Inspires, send an email to:

Katie Ellis, President/CEO, Tri-Village Chamber Partnership

katie@chamberpartnership.org

Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!

Please leave us a review on Google!

We'd love it if you could please share this podcast with your social media friends!

Discover more podcasts like this at Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/kitchen-dance - License code: U9SOBWUIY0PUOLOY

Copyright

Building Culture and Community Through Fast Casual Natural Food at Roots

We’re excited to share the story behind Roots Natural Kitchen, the fast-casual restaurant making waves with its radically accessible, natural food. We sit down with Henry Borgeson, CEO of Roots, to explore how the brand grew from a single college-town eatery in 2015 to a mission-driven company with over 16 locations and a team of more than 750 employees.

Henry shares how a group of UVA students teamed up with local chefs to create the kind of restaurant they—and their university community—craved: a place where great-tasting, wholesome food didn’t have to be complicated or inaccessible.

We discuss Roots’ unique philosophy of combining bold flavors with simplicity, the behind-the-scenes technology and menu innovations driving their rapid growth, and how they’re building a culture rooted in empathy, resilience, and humility.

From catering for major Columbus events to cultivating community partnerships and expanding across the Midwest, hear how Roots keeps authenticity at its core while meeting customers—quite literally—where they are (yes, including drive-thrus!).

Whether you’re a health-conscious foodie, aspiring entrepreneur, or just curious about what it takes to grow a value-driven brand, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Inspiring Moments

00:00 Founding a Healthy Fast-Casual Eatery

05:30 Radically Accessible Opportunities at Roots

07:03 "Signature Bowls: Roots' Unique Appeal"

11:36 Drive-Thru Accessibility Innovation

14:04 "Restaurant Online Ordering Evolution"

15:42 Quick Pivot: Pre-COVID Ordering App

20:50 "Versatile Catering Options"

25:02 "Values-Driven, Principle-Based Success"

27:04 "Challenges in Vision and Capital"

29:55 Restaurant Fundraisers: Community Partnerships

32:58 Roots Menu Innovation: New Steak Offering

Here are 3 key takeaways for anyone interested in scaling a purpose-driven business:

• Radical Accessibility is More Than Just a Slogan: Roots’ focus on making healthy, tasty food convenient and approachable—regardless of your dietary needs or background—has set them apart. Their signature bowls simplify decisions for customers and allow customization while ensuring flavor and nutrition.
• Growth Powered by Customer Feedback: Expansion strategies were informed by listening closely to what each new community wanted, whether that meant developing an ordering app, launching catering, or adding drive-thru service in Columbus. Meeting customers where they are is at the heart of the Roots philosophy!
• Values-Driven Hiring & Culture: At Roots, team members are hired and trained based on shared values like friendliness, empathy, resilience, and humility, not just experience. This commitment fuels a culture of operational excellence and empowers employees to grow within the company.

To run a successful business, you need resources, valuable connections, and community recognition. Business Inspires will provide you with the tools, resources, and examples to inspire you to create the business you envision.

With more than 60 years as an integral part of the Grandview, Upper Arlington, and Marble Cliff communities, the Tri-Village Chamber Partnership is dedicated to a singular purpose - the success of the business community.

Thank you for downloading, listening, and following Business Inspires, a Tri-Village Chamber Partnership podcast.

This season is presented by: