Join T.J. Ward and Andrew Gyorkos of Kalamazoo Commercial Real Estate for a focused conversation on Southwest Michigan’s commercial market. With deep experience in brokerage, leasing, investment, and development, they share practical insights on deal structuring, market trends, and what investors and business owners need to know to succeed in today’s environment.

In this episode, we sit down with multi-unit franchisee Charlie Lerg to explore the real-world journey of owning and operating national and regional brands—including Subway, Game Day Health, and Detroit Wing Company. Charlie unpacks the challenges and rewards of running a diverse franchise portfolio, what it takes to scale, how to manage brand expectations, and why local execution still matters most. If you're curious about franchising, business growth, or just love wings and game day vibes, this one’s for you.

In this episode, we sit down with Richard App from Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. to talk about the evolution of downtown GR, current initiatives shaping the city’s future, and how public-private collaboration is driving vibrant, growth. Whether you’re a local business owner, developer, or urban enthusiast, this conversation offers insight into what’s next for the heart of Grand Rapids.