Upcoming Events
Spotlight Speaker - Tim Larson Dingus
Tim Larson Dingus brings a lifetime of storytelling, media experience, and entrepreneurial insight to every audience he meets.
Tim spent a decade in radio, with much of that time at WROK in Rockford, Illinois, where he was both an on-air personality and Promotions Director. His work in promotional partnerships sparked an entrepreneurial tour that led he and his wife to launch Skyward Promotions, a successful imprinted promotional products advertising business they owned and operated for 30 years.
After being diagnosed with leukemia and selling the business, Tim embraced a series of new creative chapters. He became the author of three books, songwriter, professional photographer and podcast host. His podcasts are heard in all fifty states and eighty-four countries reaching audiences through engaging conversations and meaningful connections. Tim currently hosts the podcast Storytellers Studio solo and the Lifes3x5s podcast with Liz Wylder formerly of 97ZOK radio. Unscripted conversations capture the experiences, humor, and wisdom of people from all walks of life around the world.
Throughout his career, Tim has interviewed and shared the stage with notable figures in music and broadcasting, including Barbara Mandrell, Louise Mandrell, Ronnie Milsap, Charley Pride, Bill Cody, Abbie Thomas, and Chicago radio legends Fred Winston and John Landecker. He also announced major entertainment acts appearing at the MetroCentre in Rockford like The Beach Boys.
Today, Tim believes that noticing a light under a door at the end of a dark hall is just the beginning. A life-changing opportunity just might be on the other side if you’re willing to try the knob, open it a tad and ask a basic question. The most they’ll say is no, but the possibilities are endless if they say “sure” without much nudging. He prides himself in connecting the dots, that may be separated by decades, in order to make the next project possible.
Spotlight Speakers - Justin and Theresa Kegley - Movement Fitness
Justin and Theresa Kegley are passionate entrepreneurs, community builders, and proud parents dedicated to making an impact both personally and professionally. Together, they lead businesses focused on health, connection, and serving others, while balancing the joys and challenges of family life. Known for their heart for people, strong faith, and commitment to encouraging those around them, the Kegleys strive to create spaces where others feel supported, challenged, and inspired.
Andy and Isabelle Roiniotis - “Rockin Vodka”
Founders Andy and Isabelle Roiniotis wanted to start their own brand after years of promoting other spirits at their bars. They started by taste-testing different mixtures until they came across a 50/50 mix of wheat and sugarcane. Isabelle wanted to try a 100% sugarcane mix, so the master distiller made it happen. After hundreds of blind taste-tests with their staff, and winning consistently each time, ROCK'N Vodka was born and sold on shelves for the first time in 2019, transforming a vision into a multi-award-winning reality.
ROCK’N Vodka has gained significant traction through celebrity endorsements and strategic partnerships, including Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick’s influence, which has significantly propelled the brand's popularity through social media engagements and high-profile promotional events. If you’d like to become a part of our journey, then you can invest in ROCK’N Vodka today at HERE.
ROCK’N Vodka's founding team brings together decades of experience in entrepreneurship, branding, and the hospitality industry. This group of pioneers, recognized as influential figures within the service industry, has adeptly opened, managed, and profitably sold numerous businesses. Their keen understanding of effective marketing for spirit brands is deeply rooted in their history of bar and restaurant ownership. Co-owner Rick Nielsen, a celebrated Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, leverages his vast network and massive global fanbase to create unique networking opportunities, boosting the brand's visibility and reach.
Andy, one of the founding members, has an extensive background in the hospitality industry, shaped by his family's businesses in Waukegan, Illinois, and a profound work ethic instilled by his parents. His journey took him from managing a family restaurant to creating a show in Hollywood, where he honed his business and negotiation skills, and eventually moved back to Illinois to expand his entrepreneurial ventures.
There are only a few sugarcane vodkas throughout the world, which means ROCK’N isn’t only delicious, but it’s incredibly rare. The sugarcane gives a complex taste of being soft, smooth, and sweet. Being created from sugarcane, ROCK’N is an alternative to any sweet drink that you might be looking for without all of the added calories of a sugary mixer.
Spotlight Speaker - Sandy Brewer - Sweat Tea Yankee Farm
I began my career as a sales representative and trainer for Eastman Kodak Company, later became a business owner, and after retirement started a hobby farm with absolutely zero experience - which turned into one of my greatest adventures.
Today I'm a Facebook content creator who shares life on the farm, decorating inspiration, entertaining ideas, and the joy of creating welcoming spaces and experiences for others.
I love showing that reinvention is possible at any stage of life."
Spotlight Speakers - John and Jan Bowman - TLC Construction
John left Sundstrand a few months after it was acquired by UTC. For some time, he had thought of starting a business but needed to identify the type of business. One day John was having lunch with a fellow church member who described his journey from branch manager of a trucking company to a handyman and advised that John could do the same. As he reflected on the conversation, John realized that he would like to become a general contractor and starting as a handyman was an entry point that would add to skills accumulated over many years. Also, John had various assignments that touched on construction - such as having been the project manager for construction of the Atwood Mobile Products headquarters. The business was launched with a used pickup and 1000 flyers.
Jan had a career in education culminating in doing staff development for the Regional Office of Education, leaving during the great recession of 2008. Over a number of months, they had a rolling discussion about how her talents could apply to TLC Construction and what Jan’s role would be. TLC Construction already had a bookkeeper and that didn’t really seem to be a fit anyway. With construction of new homes coming to a screeching halt, many of the unemployed home builders and construction workers became competitors. This really diluted TLC’s market of renovations and additions. She joined with the emphasis on marketing by getting to know even more people thru joining network groups and serving on community boards.
As a result, TLC Construction is now 25 years old.
Join them June 23rd too hear how this married couple made it work with Tender Loving Care.