What's Your Vision Podcast
The amazing Helen Keller once said “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision”.
Welcome to the What's Your Vision Podcast (formerly Fortify Your Finances), where you will hear from "The Best of the Midwest" innovators and entrepreneurs.
Join Elyce Billany; a bank and finance marketer with a side hustle small business that was featured on ABC's Shark Tank. Each episode you'll hear the real life journeys of Midwestern entrepreneurs and how they turned their visions into reality.
This podcast was brought to you by Fortress Bank. Providing banking expertise with a business owners perspective is what makes Fortress the business bank of choice. Find out more about their love of growing businesses at www.bankfortress.com.
Episodes
25 episodes
Colin and Paula Woods - Diamond Builders - Big Vision Edition
In this edition of Big Vision, we will be chatting with Colin and Paula Woods, owners of Diamond Builders. Building a business is like building a house, it takes hard work, persistence, and a positivity that can withstand the challenges. Join u...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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1:11:24
Dave & DJ Necker - Neckers Jewelers - Big Vision Edition
In this episode of Big Vision, we will be chatting with Dave and DJ Necker, owners of Neckers Jewelers. How much fun can you have while designing a gem of a business? Well, the Necker brothers are about to fill us in. Join us as we learn the ro...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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1:12:02
Andrea Belk Olson - Pragmadik - Big Vision Edition
In this edition of Big Vision we will be chatting with Andrea Belk-Olson, owner of Pragmadik. Managing 10 business units across 12 countries garnered Andrea the opportunity to study customer behavior across varying cultures. Now let's find out ...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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1:17:19
Scott Ocel: Domino's - Big Vision Edition
In this edition of Big Vision we will be chatting with Scott Ocel, franchise owner of Domino's. Scott started out slinging pizzas and now owns several Domino's franchises. His journey is one of grit, determination, and dough. Now let's find out...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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1:05:00
The One Minute "Oh Sh$%" Moment
Listen to Lee Garlach explain his first taste of entrepreneurship. Hear him describe that "Oh Sh$%" moment that so many entrepreneurs experience when they dive in!
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1:06
Laquanda Hoskins & Letisha Randle - PRH Group - Big Vision Edition
In this edition of Big Vision we will be chatting with Tish Randle and Laquanda Hoskins of PRH Group. A business partnership built on friendship might sound like stormy weather, but this electrical construction company make it look like blue sk...
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1:04:02
Jake Gervase - NFL, Stay Tiny TX, & Rally for Reid - Big Vision Edition
In this edition of Big Vision we will be chatting with Jake Gervase of Stay Tiny Texas. Jake's NFL career may have led him to the Superbowl and his brother Sam may have led him into a real estate adventure, but a sweet little boy named Reed led...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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54:11
Lisa Wertzbaugher - Wertzbaugher Consulting & Services - Big Vision Edition
In this edition of Big Vision we will be chatting with Lisa Wertzbaugher of Wertzbaugher Consulting and Wertzbaugher Services. Juggling a successful consulting business of over 15 years and a welding and fabrication business with her husb...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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1:04:57
Kristel Whitty-Ersan - Happy Joes - Big Vision Edition
We will be chatting with Kristel Whitty-Ersan of Happy Joes. The franchise of Happy Joes Pizza and Ice Cream Parlor comes with a unique family history that ends up creating a history making business. Now let's find out how Joe became Happy and ...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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1:08:20
Calisse McPherson - J+M Civil Design - Big Vision Edition
In this episode of Vision in Review we will be chatting with Calisse McPherson of J+M Civil Design and RTM Engineering Consultants. Calisse and her business partner started a Civil Design firm to fill a need in the industry and ended up in a di...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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55:53
What's Your Vision Podcast Sample Clips
Get a sneak peak of what our podcast is all about! Hear a sampling of our podcast interviews and the stories they entail.
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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2:02
Troy and Jamie Lewis - Success in Review - Heritage Landscape Design
In this episode we will be chatting with Troy and Jamie Lewis, owners of Heritage Landscape Design. Troy and Jamie started their company so that they could provide the best service possible to their customers and now they are known for their ab...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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1:15:21
Mike Gudat & Brad Stegall - Success in Review - Acceleration Ventures
In this episode we will be chatting with Mike Gudat and Brad Stegall, owners of Acceleration Ventures. Mike and Brad partnered up so that they could expand their real estate footprint. They not only increased their portfolio, but together are m...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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1:12:42
Matt Solis - Success in Review - Smith Filter
In this edition of Success in Review we will be chatting with Matt Solis of Smith Filter. Matt came onboard at Smith Filter as the 5th generation. He not only brought new ideas to support growth, but designed and implemented a game changing pro...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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1:07:38
Dr. Chris Larsen - Success in Review - Larsen Dental & Old Oaks Winery
Dr. Larsen started his practice in 1989 and now owns multiple locations in Illinois. In addition to his dental practice Dr. Larsen has recently taken on a new venture and is putting the final touches on a unique winery and vineyard in Oak Grove...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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43:10
Drew Allen - Success in Review - Grace Technologies
We will be chatting with Drew Allen, President and CEO of Grace Technologies. Grace makes maintenance safer, smarter, and more productive with innovative electrical safety products and predictive maintenance solutions. In addition to his role a...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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1:03:23
Kevin Nolan - Success in Review - Ecogistics
We will be chatting with Kevin Nolan, founder and owner of Ecogistics, an eco-friendly logistics company. Kevin and his wife Wendi have grown their business to a network of more than 17,000 carriers and was recognized as Inc. Magazine's Top 100...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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1:07:02
Katie Castillo-Wilson - Success in Review - TapOnIt
Katie Castillo- Wilson is the Founder and CEO of TapOnIt, a technology company most commonly known for TapOnIt Deals. In 2014, she left her career to launch her company, with a goal of helping brands connect with consumers in the most direct wa...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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1:03:05
Tiphanie Cannon - Success in Review - Oh So Sweet by Tiphanie
Join us in learning how Tiphanie took Oh So Sweet by Tiphanie from a small town cupcake shop to a nationally recognized bakery by getting featured on Food Network's - The Christmas Cookie Challenge! Her marketing and creative flair is evident n...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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1:03:27
*Special Edition* John Deere Classic Chairmen Magic Moments
In this special edition of Chairmen Magic Moments I will be chatting with Lee Garlach, Brian Kardell and Sean McGuire, who all have at least two things in common - they work at Fortress Bank and have all been the Chairman for The John Deere Cla...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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43:46
Eric Langan - Success in Review - Carpetland
Eric Langan, owner of Carpetland, started working in the family business the day after he graduated from college in 2001. In 2004 he bought the business from his father, opened new locations and now owns 9 franchises across Iowa and Illinois. N...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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1:00:36
Kent Pilcher - Success in Review - Estes Construction
Kent Pilcher, owner of Estes Construction, has grown his company to nearly 300 employees, including a location in Des Moines as well as its home office in downtown Davenport. In addition to Estes, Kent has ownership in multiple affiliate compan...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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56:54
Lee Garlach - Success in Review - Fortress Bank
Lee Garlach, who was a former CPA and bank examiner for the Federal Reserve and an owner of a national beer distributing company, brought together his financial background and entrepreneurial experience when he purchased what is now known as Fo...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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1:21:52