Business Boon(e)

In this special mash-up episode of Business Boon(e), hosts Shawna Lake and Lauren Byrum of Deep End Talent Strategies pull together the best moments from two standout conversations into one. Missy Krulik, Executive Director of The Heart of Lebanon, and Allyson Gutwein, Executive Director of Discover Boone County, to talk about what's driving Boone County's economy — and now their insights are combined into a single, can't-miss listen. From packed restaurants and busy hotels to thriving small businesses and Small Business Saturday prep, Missy and Allyson's stories show how weekend visitors and hometown pride work hand in hand to fuel the local economy. Together, this mash-up reveals how downtown and destination come together to create lasting economic impact — one visitor, one shopper, one neighbor at a time.

In this warm and freshly brewed episode of Business Boon(e), hosts Shawna Lake and Lauren Byrum of Deep End Talent Strategies sit down with Erika Steele, owner of Just Love Coffee in Carmel and her newest location in Lebanon, Indiana. Erika shares what inspired her to bring Just Love Coffee to life and how she chooses the communities she calls home. We dive into the “Just Love” philosophy and how it shapes every part of the customer and team experience.
She shares the challenges and rewards of growing a coffee shop brand in a competitive market, and what it takes to create a true community hub. From local partnerships to future growth, Erika reveals how Just Love Coffee continues to expand while staying rooted in connection, hospitality, and purpose.
Whether you’re a coffee lover or community builder, this episode shows how one business is brewing something much bigger than coffee.

In this compelling episode of Business Boon(e), hosts Shawna Lake and Matthew Albro of Deep End Talent Strategies sit down with Kassie Frazier, Executive Director of Sylvia’s Child Advocacy Center, for an insightful conversation about the critical role child advocacy plays in building stronger communities.
Kassie shares how Sylvia’s Child Advocacy Center supports children and families throughout Boone County, the challenges organizations like theirs face, and why community awareness and collaboration are more important than ever. Together, they discuss how local businesses and community leaders can become meaningful partners in protecting and supporting the next generation.
From strengthening families to investing in the future workforce, this episode highlights why child advocacy is more than a mission—it’s a shared community responsibility.
Whether you’re a business owner, civic leader, or passionate about the future of Boone County, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how we can all make a lasting impact.

On this special mash-up episode of Business Boon(e), hosts Shawna Lake and Lauren Byrum of Deep End Talent Strategies bring together two dynamic conversations with business leaders who are helping shape the future of their industries. Join Shane Conner President of ATEC Electrical Contractors and Humberto Yanes President & CEO of HYCO Logistics as they share their entrepreneurial journeys, lessons in leadership, strategies for growth, and the challenges they've overcome along the way. Packed with real-world insights, innovation, and inspiration, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build and lead successful companies in today's fast-moving business environment.

What does it take to transform a state into one of the world's premier destinations for sporting events?
In this energizing episode of Business Boon(e), hosts Shawna Lake and Lauren Byrum of Deep End Talent Strategies sit down with Sarah Myer Chief of Staff & Strategy at Indiana Sports Corp, a driving force behind Indiana's sports strategy and the organization helping position the state as the future global epicenter of sport. From hosting championship events and Olympic Trials to developing Indiana's ambitious 2050 Vision, Sarah shares how strategic partnerships, innovation, and community collaboration create lasting impact far beyond game day.
Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, sports fan, or community builder, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how sports can drive economic growth, strengthen communities, and create unforgettable moments.

On this episode of Business Boon(e), hosts Shawna Lake and Lauren Byrum of Deep End Talent Strategies highlight a combined conversation with Dr. Milleman of Lebanon Community School Corporation, Dr. Coffman of Zionsville Community Schools, and Mr. Ramey of Western Boone Schools. Together, they reflect on the changing landscape of Boone County, the evolving needs of students and communities, and how their districts continue to adapt while upholding high standards of excellence. They also highlight the lasting impact of Boone County schools, driven by the dedication and commitment of exceptional teachers and staff who work every day to prepare students for success in the future.

We tackle the topic of mental health in the workplace with experts Dianna Huddleston from Aspire Indiana Health and Laura Weaver from The Cabin. Hosts Shawna Lake and Lauren Byrum of Deep End Talent Strategies lead a powerful conversation. Tune in for valuable perspectives and actionable advice.

On this episode of Business Boon(e), hosts Shawna Lake and Lauren Byrum of Deep End Talent Strategies are joined by Mandy Saucerman of Boone Power, one of our valued sponsors, as Boone Power celebrates 90 years of service to its members and community. Together, they explore how the organization is honoring nearly a century of history while intentionally preparing for the future.
Mandy shares insight into what elements of the organization’s legacy are most important to preserve as it continues to evolve, and how a recent rebrand was approached in a way that builds on trust while introducing a refreshed identity. We also discuss the significance of Boone Power’s new building—not just as a physical space, but as a symbol of progress that bridges past, present, and future.
From a communications perspective, Mandy unpacks the challenge of telling a 90-year story in a way that still feels relevant today, and how Boone Power helps employees and members see themselves as part of both its legacy and its next chapter. She also reflects on community response to recent changes, and what lies ahead as Boone Power continues to grow and evolve.
This conversation offers a thoughtful look at how organizations can navigate change while staying rooted in purpose, people, and history.

On this episode of Business Boon(e), hosts Shawna Lake and Lauren Byrum of Deep End Talent Strategies, sit down with Chris Arnold, Strategic Advisor, Executive Coach at Lasting Legacy Collective and author of his new book From Success to Surrender. Chris shares a deeply personal and practical perspective on what it means to lead when success no longer feels like enough—and how many leaders are ultimately invited into a deeper journey from success to significance. He unpacks why surrender is not about giving up, but about letting go of control in order to lead with greater clarity, purpose, and strength.
We explore how leaders can navigate crisis, avoid common pitfalls in uncertainty, and make grounded decisions when everything feels unstable. Chris also shares moments from his own journey where success was redefined through adversity, reshaping his understanding of impact and legacy.
Whether you’re leading a team, a business, or simply trying to move through a challenging season of life, this conversation offers practical tools, and powerful mindset shifts to help you move from survival into growth.

What does it really take to lead a town growing at lightning speed?
On this episode of Business Boon(e), hosts Shawna Lake and Lauren Byrum of Deep End Talent Strategies sit down with Katie Barr, Town Manager of Whitestown, to pull back the curtain on one of Indiana’s fastest-growing communities and the leadership behind it.
We dive into what a Town Manager actually does, what the day-to-day role looks like, and how local government quietly shapes everyday life in ways most people don’t see.
We also explore Whitestown’s rapid growth, how fast it’s happening, how it compares to other communities, and what it takes to manage that growth in a way that stays smart, sustainable, and community focused. Katie shares insight into the behind-the-scenes work of running a town, along with what it takes to lead in a high-pressure public role and how residents can help shape Whitestown’s future.
Fast growth, real leadership, and the decisions shaping a town in motion—this is Whitestown from the inside out.