Shows
Small Business TalksVertically Integrated ManufacturingHow it Can Improve Your Business & Your Customers Satisfaction
Vertically integrated manufacturing is beneficial to manufacturers as it provides greater control over the supply chain, improves quality control, reduces costs and lead times, and can lead to increased profits by capturing more value. Implementing vertical integration requires strategy and managing complexity. In this podcast we talk with Landon Geater and Jared Graening of Geater Machining and Manufacturing a vertically integrated manufacturer about the challenges and benefits of their vertical integration journey.
Many Thanks to Geater Machining and Manufacturing for being on this podcast. We have lis...
2025-09-0428 minSmall Business TalksVertically Integrated ManufacturingHow it Can Improve Your Business & Your Customers Satisfaction
Vertically integrated manufacturing is beneficial to manufacturers as it provides greater control over the supply chain, improves quality control, reduces costs and lead times, and can lead to increased profits by capturing more value. Implementing vertical integration requires strategy and managing complexity. In this podcast we talk with Landon Geater and Jared Graening of Geater Machining and Manufacturing a vertically integrated manufacturer about the challenges and benefits of their vertical integration journey.
Many Thanks to Geater Machining and Manufacturing for being on this podcast. We have lis...
2025-09-0428 minSmall Business TalksTMR Mixers & Cattle Feed Mixers : A Buyers Guide on What To Look ForTMR mixers, also known as feed mixers, are essential tools for livestock farmers, offering numerous benefits that enhance the health and productivity of animals and offer cost saving by improving feed efficiency. With so many different types of mixers, which is right for your operation. In this podcast we discuss the types of feed mixers, and which types work best for which situations. In this podcast we are going to discuss what to consider when choosing a cattle feed mixer and why those factors are important.
To help us better understand what to look for we have...
2025-08-2842 minSmall Business TalksTMR Mixers & Cattle Feed Mixers : A Buyers Guide on What To Look ForTMR mixers, also known as feed mixers, are essential tools for livestock farmers, offering numerous benefits that enhance the health and productivity of animals and offer cost saving by improving feed efficiency. With so many different types of mixers, which is right for your operation. In this podcast we discuss the types of feed mixers, and which types work best for which situations. In this podcast we are going to discuss what to consider when choosing a cattle feed mixer and why those factors are important.
To help us better understand what to look for we have...
2025-08-2842 minSmall Business TalksShipping Container Farming & Understanding CEAControlled environment agriculture (CEA) is a broad term for any type of farming that takes place in a controlled environment, indoors and shielded from the elements. This can be done in a variety of settings, including greenhouses, warehouses, including repurposed shipping containers.
Jim Schroeder, principal owner of Alta-CEA, answers our questions about shipping container vertical farming and provides in-depth information about how CEA works and the necessity of training in order to effectively produce crops.
Contact Information:
Alta CEA Website: https://alta-cea.com/
Jim Schroeder : jim@alta-cea.com
Read...
2024-06-2148 minSmall Business TalksShipping Container Farming & Understanding CEAControlled environment agriculture (CEA) is a broad term for any type of farming that takes place in a controlled environment, indoors and shielded from the elements. This can be done in a variety of settings, including greenhouses, warehouses, including repurposed shipping containers.
Jim Schroeder, principal owner of Alta-CEA, answers our questions about shipping container vertical farming and provides in-depth information about how CEA works and the necessity of training in order to effectively produce crops.
Contact Information:
Alta CEA Website: https://alta-cea.com/
Jim Schroeder : jim@alta-cea.com
Read...
2024-06-2148 minSmall Business TalksWhat is Form 5500?If your business or organization offers pension or welfare benefit plans, you’ll want to listen to this episode that explains Form 5500 in detail, in addition to filing requirements and the hefty penalties for incorrect or late submissions.
Ann Myers and Alan Perka from the 5500 tax Group join us to help explain the details and filing of this form, Today on small business talks.
For additional details on Form 5500. You can Contact The 5500 Tax Group thriough their website address listed below.
Website: https://5500tax.com/
Don't foget to visit The S...
2024-06-2022 minSmall Business TalksWhat is Form 5500?If your business or organization offers pension or welfare benefit plans, you’ll want to listen to this episode that explains Form 5500 in detail, in addition to filing requirements and the hefty penalties for incorrect or late submissions.
Ann Myers and Alan Perka from the 5500 tax Group join us to help explain the details and filing of this form, Today on small business talks.
For additional details on Form 5500. You can Contact The 5500 Tax Group thriough their website address listed below.
Website: https://5500tax.com/
Don't foget to visit The S...
2024-06-2022 minSmall Business TalksCo-Managed IT Services – What are They & What Advantages Do They Offer?Most businesses have heard of managed It services but may not be familiar with Co-Managed Services. What are the differences and what advantages do one have over the other. Steve Arndt and Greg Shenefelt of Silver Linings Technology join us to explain the differences and what advantages each type of service offers and how Co-Managed IT may be a solution many businesses are looking for.
Contact Info
Silver Lining’s Technology
Phone: 360-450-4759
Steve Arndt, sarndt@silverliningstechnology.com
Greg Shenefelt, gshenefelt@silverliningstechnology.com
Visit the Small Bu...
2024-06-1830 minSmall Business TalksCo-Managed IT Services – What are They & What Advantages Do They Offer?Most businesses have heard of managed It services but may not be familiar with Co-Managed Services. What are the differences and what advantages do one have over the other. Steve Arndt and Greg Shenefelt of Silver Linings Technology join us to explain the differences and what advantages each type of service offers and how Co-Managed IT may be a solution many businesses are looking for.
Contact Info
Silver Lining’s Technology
Phone: 360-450-4759
Steve Arndt, sarndt@silverliningstechnology.com
Greg Shenefelt, gshenefelt@silverliningstechnology.com
Visit the Small Bu...
2024-06-1830 minSmall Business TalksWhy Should I Use an Outsourced IT Provider?Many businesses ask if they should hire an outsourced IT Provider to manage their company’s information technology. This is especially true for the Legal cannabis industry which has unique challenges and hefty regulations for growers, distributors, and dispensaries in the cannabis industry. In fact, Cannabis IT Services and Solutions is fast becoming one of the largest growing areas in the IT service market.
To help us better understand why an IT provider is beneficial and what to look for in a provider we have Steve Arndt – President Cannabis Technology Partners & Silver Lining Technologies and Greg Shenefelt – Help D...
2024-04-0331 minSmall Business TalksWhy Should I Use an Outsourced IT Provider?Many businesses ask if they should hire an outsourced IT Provider to manage their company’s information technology. This is especially true for the Legal cannabis industry which has unique challenges and hefty regulations for growers, distributors, and dispensaries in the cannabis industry. In fact, Cannabis IT Services and Solutions is fast becoming one of the largest growing areas in the IT service market.
To help us better understand why an IT provider is beneficial and what to look for in a provider we have Steve Arndt – President Cannabis Technology Partners & Silver Lining Technologies and Greg Shenefelt – Help D...
2024-04-0331 minSmall Business TalksZinc Die Casting in ManufacturingZinc is a versatile metal that offers many advantages to product development and manufacturing, yet many products designers and engineers are fully aware of these benefits. Zinc Die Casting is an optimal choice for the right casting. Dave Magner, Director of Sales, and Marketing at Deco Products talks with us to understand when zinc is a good choice and how it impacts both product design as well as manufacturing and profitability.
Deco Products Contact Info
Phone: (563)-387-9058
Website: https://decoprod.com/
2024-01-1526 minSmall Business TalksZinc Die Casting in ManufacturingZinc is a versatile metal that offers many advantages to product development and manufacturing, yet many products designers and engineers are fully aware of these benefits. Zinc Die Casting is an optimal choice for the right casting. Dave Magner, Director of Sales, and Marketing at Deco Products talks with us to understand when zinc is a good choice and how it impacts both product design as well as manufacturing and profitability.
Deco Products Contact Info
Phone: (563)-387-9058
Website: https://decoprod.com/
2024-01-1526 minSmall Business TalksBeam Saws - How to Increase Cutting Efficiency in a BusinessIn this cutting episode of Small Business Talks, we sit down with Dave Brown from The Original Saw Company. Dave dives into the advantages of beam saws, explaining their superior platform, stability, and exceptional cross-cut capabilities. We delve into the practical applications for businesses, both large and small, emphasizing the beam saw's ability in cutting a variety of materials.
Dave also touches on the importance of the right tooling, offering insights into cutting materials beyond just wood. From power requirements to the nuances of manual vs. power cross feeds. Plus, get valuable tips on maintaining your beam...
2023-08-2819 minSmall Business TalksBeam Saws - How to Increase Cutting Efficiency in a BusinessIn this cutting episode of Small Business Talks, we sit down with Dave Brown from The Original Saw Company. Dave dives into the advantages of beam saws, explaining their superior platform, stability, and exceptional cross-cut capabilities. We delve into the practical applications for businesses, both large and small, emphasizing the beam saw's ability in cutting a variety of materials.
Dave also touches on the importance of the right tooling, offering insights into cutting materials beyond just wood. From power requirements to the nuances of manual vs. power cross feeds. Plus, get valuable tips on maintaining your beam...
2023-08-2819 minSmall Business TalksThe Rise of Online Loans and the Importance of Local BanksOnline Loans vs. Local Community Bank Loans
In an increasingly digital world, the financial landscape has witnessed a significant increase in online lending platforms. However, are local bank loans still a viable and advantageous option? Join us in this thought-provoking podcast as we delve into the realm of borrowing and explore the key differences between online loans and the benefits of turning to your local bank for home loans with our guests Amanda and Jo Lea, Vice President of Real Estate Lending and Assistant Vice of President of Real Estate Lending for Farmers National Bank in Illinois.
2023-05-2221 minSmall Business TalksThe Rise of Online Loans and the Importance of Local BanksOnline Loans vs. Local Community Bank Loans
In an increasingly digital world, the financial landscape has witnessed a significant increase in online lending platforms. However, are local bank loans still a viable and advantageous option? Join us in this thought-provoking podcast as we delve into the realm of borrowing and explore the key differences between online loans and the benefits of turning to your local bank for home loans with our guests Amanda and Jo Lea, Vice President of Real Estate Lending and Assistant Vice of President of Real Estate Lending for Farmers National Bank in Illinois.
2023-05-2221 minSmall Business TalksWhat Is an Agricultural Bank?An agricultural bank, also known as an AG bank, is a type of financial institution that provides specialized financial services to farmers, agribusinesses, and other rural clients to help them manage their finances, invest in their operations, and grow their businesses. In comparison to other types of banks AG banks often have a more specialized understanding of the unique risks and opportunities of associated with the agricultural sector.
We recently spoke with Brandt Hutchcraft and Steve Taets, who are loan officers with Farmers National Bank in Illinois to better understand the services and differences agriculture banking offers.
2023-03-1625 minSmall Business TalksWhat Is an Agricultural Bank?An agricultural bank, also known as an AG bank, is a type of financial institution that provides specialized financial services to farmers, agribusinesses, and other rural clients to help them manage their finances, invest in their operations, and grow their businesses. In comparison to other types of banks AG banks often have a more specialized understanding of the unique risks and opportunities of associated with the agricultural sector.
We recently spoke with Brandt Hutchcraft and Steve Taets, who are loan officers with Farmers National Bank in Illinois to better understand the services and differences agriculture banking offers.
2023-03-1625 minSmall Business TalksMarketing Hype: Why 30-Day Collagen Challenges Are Not Realistic.In a previous episode, we learned about Dr. Allen Kramer and his extensive years of research at the National Institute of Health doing years of research on proteins and how he turned that experience into a small business manufacturing type 2 collagen supplements. Since then, we have had many listeners contact us about companies offering a 30-day collagen challenge for joint pain. We reached out to Sr. Kramer to get his view on the subject and wanted to follow up with another podcast to see if these claims were realistic and if not why. Our podcast goes into an understanding...
2023-02-1328 minSmall Business TalksMarketing Hype: Why 30-Day Collagen Challenges Are Not Realistic.In a previous episode, we learned about Dr. Allen Kramer and his extensive years of research at the National Institute of Health doing years of research on proteins and how he turned that experience into a small business manufacturing type 2 collagen supplements. Since then, we have had many listeners contact us about companies offering a 30-day collagen challenge for joint pain. We reached out to Sr. Kramer to get his view on the subject and wanted to follow up with another podcast to see if these claims were realistic and if not why. Our podcast goes into an understanding...
2023-02-1328 minSmall Business TalksCollagen Supplements & Joint Pain: A Company’s Journey to Help PeopleEvery company has a story on how they got started or why they went into business. Our feature small business had extensive experience in the biochemical field and used that knowledge and experience to become a collagen supplement manufacturer to help those with joint pain.
Learn how collagen works and how it may help people with joint pain and learn how Dr. Allan Kramer turned his extensive knowledge and experience into a business to help others.
Company Website: sb-edge.com
Small Business Talks Blog: Collagen Suppliments & Joint Pain A Company’s Journey to Hel...
2022-11-0128 minSmall Business TalksCollagen Supplements & Joint Pain: A Company’s Journey to Help PeopleEvery company has a story on how they got started or why they went into business. Our feature small business had extensive experience in the biochemical field and used that knowledge and experience to become a collagen supplement manufacturer to help those with joint pain.
Learn how collagen works and how it may help people with joint pain and learn how Dr. Allan Kramer turned his extensive knowledge and experience into a business to help others.
Company Website: sb-edge.com
Small Business Talks Blog: Collagen Suppliments & Joint Pain A Company’s Journey to Hel...
2022-11-0128 minSmall Business TalksCreating a Network Connecting Solar Batteries to Communicate with the Grid!As more and more companies look to solar energy for power many new challenges come along that need a solution for it to all work. In this case The Rock River Lumber and Grain Company needed help getting their solar batteries to communicate with the utility grid. We talk with Jake Thompson a Network Engineer at Twin State Technical Services who explains how they got involved and created a network for their solar battery array and the challenges they faced in order to get it to work.
Twin State Technical Services: https://www.tsts.com/ | Phone: 563-441-1...
2022-10-1024 minSmall Business TalksCreating a Network Connecting Solar Batteries to Communicate with the Grid!As more and more companies look to solar energy for power many new challenges come along that need a solution for it to all work. In this case The Rock River Lumber and Grain Company needed help getting their solar batteries to communicate with the utility grid. We talk with Jake Thompson a Network Engineer at Twin State Technical Services who explains how they got involved and created a network for their solar battery array and the challenges they faced in order to get it to work.
Twin State Technical Services: https://www.tsts.com/ | Phone: 563-441-1...
2022-10-1024 minSmall Business TalksDelighting Your Customer | How Focusing on Customer’s Needs & Problems Helped Sell Yard Sign StakesLet’s face it, businesses today are facing a mountain of challenges, the urge to focus on product sales and not your customers are at an all-time high. Some believe price is the only way to get sales and that quality or focusing on solving customer’s problems is no longer important.
A good business is concerned with the customer's needs and how they can help their customers be successful because they recognize that a successful customer is a return customer. That statement is from our guest today, Jon Gainer, President and owner of Stake World, a manu...
2022-09-0630 minSmall Business TalksDelighting Your Customer | How Focusing on Customer’s Needs & Problems Helped Sell Yard Sign StakesLet’s face it, businesses today are facing a mountain of challenges, the urge to focus on product sales and not your customers are at an all-time high. Some believe price is the only way to get sales and that quality or focusing on solving customer’s problems is no longer important.
A good business is concerned with the customer's needs and how they can help their customers be successful because they recognize that a successful customer is a return customer. That statement is from our guest today, Jon Gainer, President and owner of Stake World, a manu...
2022-09-0630 minSmall Business TalksMonetizing Tax Incremental Financing for Municipalities and DevelopersMonetizing TIF
Tax increment financing (TIF) is a financing tool that has been used by municipalities for redevelopment, and infrastructure, projects for over 40 years. TIF was designed to help with the unexpected additional costs of a project like an environmental issue or developing streets and storm drains. TIF can help reimburse some of the additional developer’s costs. Emily Blaylock, president of Untamed Equity explains how TIF helps both municipalities and developers with redevelopment projects. We also discuss TIF Monetization as a way to supercharge the tool to handle TIF eligible costs over time by monetizing the future cash fl...
2022-09-0520 minSmall Business TalksMonetizing Tax Incremental Financing for Municipalities and DevelopersMonetizing TIF
Tax increment financing (TIF) is a financing tool that has been used by municipalities for redevelopment, and infrastructure, projects for over 40 years. TIF was designed to help with the unexpected additional costs of a project like an environmental issue or developing streets and storm drains. TIF can help reimburse some of the additional developer’s costs. Emily Blaylock, president of Untamed Equity explains how TIF helps both municipalities and developers with redevelopment projects. We also discuss TIF Monetization as a way to supercharge the tool to handle TIF eligible costs over time by monetizing the future cash fl...
2022-09-0520 minSmall Business TalksConverting Castings to Machined Parts: A Manufacturing Solution for the Supply Chain Disruption.For small businesses and manufacturers, the past two years have been full of challenges, even ones that continue to cause production problems. Many companies can get the parts they order from their manufacturers because the manufacturers can’t get the raw materials to fill the orders. This supply chain disruption affects products, workers, and our economy.
One company, Plas-Tech Tooling is helping companies who rely on cast parts or components in their products and manufacturers a way to get around the supply chain bottleneck. By converting the cast item into a machined part. By way of production ma...
2022-08-0123 minSmall Business TalksConverting Castings to Machined Parts: A Manufacturing Solution for the Supply Chain Disruption.For small businesses and manufacturers, the past two years have been full of challenges, even ones that continue to cause production problems. Many companies can get the parts they order from their manufacturers because the manufacturers can’t get the raw materials to fill the orders. This supply chain disruption affects products, workers, and our economy.
One company, Plas-Tech Tooling is helping companies who rely on cast parts or components in their products and manufacturers a way to get around the supply chain bottleneck. By converting the cast item into a machined part. By way of production ma...
2022-08-0123 minSmall Business TalksWhat Advantages Does Zinc Die Casting Offer Businesses and Manufacturers?More than ever manufacturers are having to rethink the materials they choose for product design for a variety of reasons, costs, quality, and more recently availability and supply given the supply chain disruption of 2021-22. Therefore, many companies are looking at die casting over other manufacturing methods for their products.
In doing the research for this topic, we noticed a large amount of information on die casting or die cast parts focusing on aluminum, steel, or plastic. So, we wanted to see if Zinc Die casting offers any advantages or benefits to companies and manufacturers. We spoke...
2022-06-2724 minSmall Business TalksWhat Advantages Does Zinc Die Casting Offer Businesses and Manufacturers?More than ever manufacturers are having to rethink the materials they choose for product design for a variety of reasons, costs, quality, and more recently availability and supply given the supply chain disruption of 2021-22. Therefore, many companies are looking at die casting over other manufacturing methods for their products.
In doing the research for this topic, we noticed a large amount of information on die casting or die cast parts focusing on aluminum, steel, or plastic. So, we wanted to see if Zinc Die casting offers any advantages or benefits to companies and manufacturers. We spoke...
2022-06-2724 minSmall Business TalksWhat do Contract Metal Fabricators Do? and How to Choose the Right One!Metal fabrication is the unique process of cutting, bending, shaping metal or steel into parts and products from a specific design or set of drawings. Manufacturers use metal fabricators to develop prototypes or small production items that would be cost prohibitive if they were to fabricate it themselves. Likewise, many small businesses may need a custom shelf or piece of equipment to make their operations run smoother and more productive. A Contract Metal Fabricator has both the equipment and expertise to help businesses meet this need and may often be more price economical than expected and may offer a...
2022-05-2332 minSmall Business TalksWhat do Contract Metal Fabricators Do? and How to Choose the Right One!Metal fabrication is the unique process of cutting, bending, shaping metal or steel into parts and products from a specific design or set of drawings. Manufacturers use metal fabricators to develop prototypes or small production items that would be cost prohibitive if they were to fabricate it themselves. Likewise, many small businesses may need a custom shelf or piece of equipment to make their operations run smoother and more productive. A Contract Metal Fabricator has both the equipment and expertise to help businesses meet this need and may often be more price economical than expected and may offer a...
2022-05-2332 minSmall Business TalksTechnology Advancements in Indoor Grow LightingAn Interview About Indoor Grow Lights & Technology
Grow Lights have been around for decades and have evolved from fluorescent to high pressure sodium to most recently LED. Grow lights are critical to indoor growing operations because they supply the light which is converted into plant energy through a process called photosynthesis. As technological advancements have been made so to has the understand of just how indoor light affects plant growth. New terminology like Far red, UV, and full spectrum have become more important. The other factor in grow lights is the costs, both in initial investment as well as...
2022-05-1146 minSmall Business TalksTechnology Advancements in Indoor Grow LightingAn Interview About Indoor Grow Lights & Technology
Grow Lights have been around for decades and have evolved from fluorescent to high pressure sodium to most recently LED. Grow lights are critical to indoor growing operations because they supply the light which is converted into plant energy through a process called photosynthesis. As technological advancements have been made so to has the understand of just how indoor light affects plant growth. New terminology like Far red, UV, and full spectrum have become more important. The other factor in grow lights is the costs, both in initial investment as well as...
2022-05-1146 minSmall Business TalksAll About Small Business TalksDo you own or work for a small business or manufacturing company? Are you looking for answers or ideas to help you with the challenges you face as a small business? Or maybe you just looking for inspiration or to hear what other companies like you are doing?
Hi, I’m Neal Rabogliatti, for over 25 years I have been helping small businesses and manufacturers to develop strategic and tactical ways to improve their business online. Over the years I have met some amazing people and companies who have some great ideas and interesting stories that could help ot...
2022-05-0901 minSmall Business TalksAll About Small Business TalksDo you own or work for a small business or manufacturing company? Are you looking for answers or ideas to help you with the challenges you face as a small business? Or maybe you just looking for inspiration or to hear what other companies like you are doing?
Hi, I’m Neal Rabogliatti, for over 25 years I have been helping small businesses and manufacturers to develop strategic and tactical ways to improve their business online. Over the years I have met some amazing people and companies who have some great ideas and interesting stories that could help ot...
2022-05-0901 min