Business Inspires

Whether you’re planning a corporate event, a birthday, or just looking for some entrepreneurial inspiration, this episode is packed with insights, stories, and a guaranteed craving for ice cream!On this episode of Business Inspires, Brett Johnson and Katie Ellis sit down with La'Zendra Danforth, the visionary behind Konfetti Carts—a premium ice cream cart catering service making a splash in Columbus, Ohio.With over 20 years of event planning experience, La'Zendra Danforth shares the story behind turning a quest for the perfect “wow factor” into a full-fledged business that brings elegance, fun, and unforgettable ice cream moments to gatherings of every kind.You'll hear how Konfetti Carts customizes every detail—from flavors to cart décor—to match each client’s unique vision, serves up joy all year round with indoor setups, and relies on deep community connections and local partnerships to grow. The conversation explores creative event ideas, crowd-favorite flavors like brown butter bourbon, and the importance of excellence and service in building a standout brand.Moments00:00 "Confetti Ice Cream Experience"06:50 Strategic Networking for Business Success09:43 Custom Fun Ice Cream Bars11:32 "Versatile Event Services Provided"14:17 Brown Butter Bourbon Craze17:31 "Ice Cream Joy Bringers"21:13 Mobile Ice Cream Business GrowthTop 3 takeawaysCustomization is Key: Konfetti Carts goes above and beyond to tailor their offerings for clients—matching event aesthetics with cart decor, flavors, and even branding. From weddings to corporate events, every detail is designed to create memorable experiences.Networking Drives Success: As a newcomer to Columbus, La'Zendra Danforth credits strategic networking and community partnerships for Konfetti Carts’ visibility and growth. Getting involved locally was essential to building a thriving business.Inclusive & Creative Offerings: From specialty ice cream bars (think raspberry sorbet + champagne!) to dairy-free and gluten-free options, Konfetti Carts ensures there’s something for everyone—and easily adapts to fun, off-the-wall client requests.Copyright 2026 Tri-Village Chamber Partnershiphttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/Mentioned in this episode:Brought to you by Grandview HeightsBusiness Inspires is brought to you by Grandview Heights, where opportunity isn’t just a promise, it’s a way of life. This is where innovation meets community. This is where local businesses thrive alongside vibrant neighborhoods. Whether you're building a company, raising a family, or investing in the future, Grandview Heights offers the perfect balance of access, culture, and connection.Grandview HeightsLet's Get Back To the Interview 2We'll be back right after this 1

Join us as we explore the power of local food and the thriving spirit of Central Ohio’s farmers' markets!Welcome back to Business Inspires, the podcast of the Tri-Village Chamber Partnership, where we shine a light on innovative businesses and the passionate people behind them.Hosts Brett Johnson and Katie Ellis sit down with Abbe Turner, Executive Director of Common Greens, a nonprofit organization connecting Central Ohio communities with local farmers and food producers.Abbe Turner shares her journey as an entrepreneur, farmer, and advocate for ethical land stewardship, while diving into the inspiring story behind Common Greens—a network managing five vibrant farmers' markets across Columbus. Discover how these markets generate significant economic impact, foster food access through programs like SNAP and Produce Perks, and serve as a launching pad for beginning entrepreneurs of all ages.From preserving Ohio farmland to dreams of year-round markets and building strong community ties, this episode covers it all. Whether you’re a shopper, potential vendor, or someone passionate about supporting local food systems, you’ll find inspiration and practical ways to get involved.Grandview HeightsMoments00:00 Common Greens Farmers' Market History04:13 "Farmers' Market Impact Highlights"09:52 Expanding Farmers' Markets Nationwide10:54 "Building Community Weekly"Three key takeaways:Farmers earn more. By selling at farmers' markets, local producers make 40-70% more for their products compared to traditional grocery stores, keeping up to 80% of sales at the farm gate.Community food access. Over $35,000 in SNAP dollars were processed last season, and acceptance of programs like Produce Perks and senior coupons means everyone can enjoy fresh, local food.Building vibrant, sustainable economies. Supporting regional farmers helps preserve Ohio farmland, fosters sustainable practices, and creates safe, joyful community spaces for all.Copyright 2026 Tri-Village Chamber Partnershiphttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/Mentioned in this episode:Let's Get Back To the Interview 2We'll be back right after this 2Brought to you by Grandview HeightsBusiness Inspires is brought to you by Grandview Heights, where opportunity isn’t just a promise, it’s a way of life. This is where innovation meets community. This is where local businesses thrive alongside vibrant neighborhoods. Whether you're building a company, raising a family, or investing in the future, Grandview Heights offers the perfect balance of access, culture, and connection.Grandview Heights

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 HeightsKey Takeaways: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.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.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.Copyright 2026 Tri-Village Chamber Partnershiphttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/Mentioned in this episode:Brought to you by Grandview HeightsBusiness Inspires is brought to you by Grandview Heights, where opportunity isn’t just a promise, it’s a way of life. This is where innovation meets community. This is where local businesses thrive alongside vibrant neighborhoods. Whether you're building a company, raising a family, or investing in the future, Grandview Heights offers the perfect balance of access, culture, and connection.Grandview HeightsLet's Get Back To The Interview 1We'll be back right after this 1

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.Moments00:00 "Business Inspires: Episode 100"03:22 Tri Village Chamber Podcast Pitch08:01 Chamber Podcast's Organic Evolution12:28 "Marketing Platform for Expression"15:11 Entrepreneur Stories in Tri Village17:14 Co-Hosting Transition and Support21:46 "Be Your Best Conference"Here are three key takeaways from this special episode:Podcasting as a Chamber DifferentiatorBusiness 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 ConversationsBoth 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 ValueFrom 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:Grandview HeightsTo schedule a guest appearance or find out more about sponsoring Business Inspires, send an email to:Katie Ellis, President/CEO, Tri-Village Chamber [email protected] 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: U9SOBWUIY0PUOLOYCopyright 2026 Tri-Village Chamber Partnershiphttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Building Culture and Community Through Fast Casual Natural Food at RootsWe’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 Moments00:00 Founding a Healthy Fast-Casual Eatery05:30 Radically Accessible Opportunities at Roots07:03 "Signature Bowls: Roots' Unique Appeal"11:36 Drive-Thru Accessibility Innovation14:04 "Restaurant Online Ordering Evolution"15:42 Quick Pivot: Pre-COVID Ordering App20:50 "Versatile Catering Options"25:02 "Values-Driven, Principle-Based Success"27:04 "Challenges in Vision and Capital"29:55 Restaurant Fundraisers: Community Partnerships32:58 Roots Menu Innovation: New Steak OfferingHere 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:Grandview HeightsTo schedule a guest appearance or find out more about sponsoring Business Inspires, send an email to:Katie Ellis, President/CEO, Tri-Village Chamber [email protected] 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: U9SOBWUIY0PUOLOYCopyright 2026 Tri-Village Chamber Partnership https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/Mentioned in this episode:Presented by First Merchants Bank