Small Business Talks

Shipping Container Farming & Understanding CEA

Controlled 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 more about Innovations in Vertical Farming at our Innovations Blog
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What 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/
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We are always wanting to hear from our listeners and encourage you to send us your comments and suggestions to us via email at: nealr@mfgpa.org.

Co-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
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Why 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 Desk Coordinator Cannabis Technology Partners today on Small Business Talks.
Many Thanks to:
Cannabis Technology Partners 360-450-3687 info＠cannabistechnologypartners.com https://cannabistechnologypartners.com/
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Zinc Die Casting in Manufacturing

Zinc 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 InfoPhone: (563)-387-9058
Website: https://decoprod.com/

Beam Saws - How to Increase Cutting Efficiency in a Business

In 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 saw to ensure longevity and precision with every cut.
The Original Saw Company Website 
Phone: 1-800-733-4063
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The Rise of Online Loans and the Importance of Local Banks

Online 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.
 
Farmers National Bank Website

What 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.
 
Famers National Bank Website
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Marketing 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 of how collagen works and what type of collagen works best and most importantly what is a realistic time frame to see results.
 
SB-EDGE website
Small Business Talks Blog:
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Collagen Supplements & Joint Pain: A Company’s Journey to Help People

Every 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 Help People
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