Recycling Transparency
Meet Scott DeMuth the President of g2 revolution an engineer who found a way to turn recycling into a sprawling business. Join us and see how...
How Coaching Transforms Automotive Shops with Jennifer & Jimmy
In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Business, we’re joined by Jennifer Hulbert, shop owner and coach, and Jimmy Lea, VP of Business Development—both...
Mayor John Antaramian on Supporting Local Business in Kenosha
In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Business, we’re joined by Mayor John Antaramian of Kenosha, Wisconsin for a wide-ranging conversation about local...
Bill & Bob Seitz on Evolving a Family Business Across Generations
What happens when you take over the family business—and have to modernize it? In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Business, we talk with Bill and Bob...
Tara Panasewicz on Leading a Nonprofit That Changes Lives
Have you ever wondered what it takes to lead a nonprofit—or whether that path might be right for you? In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Business, we...
Heidi Carey on Launching a Luxury Brand After Motherhood
In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Business, we sit down with Heidi Carey, a luxury brand designer who started her business after raising her...
Greg Milligan on Serving Community Through Habitat for Humanity
In this special giving-season episode of Blood, Sweat & Business, we’re joined by Greg Milligan, affiliate director of Habitat for Humanity of...
Dave Hinz on Leading a Business After 17 Years as a Technician
After 17 years as an automotive technician, Dave Hinz made the leap into entrepreneurship—and never looked back. In this episode of Blood, Sweat &...
Erik Vega on Running a Business Without a Formal Education
In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Business, we sit down with Erik Vega, owner of R.E. Burke Roofing and Sheet Metal, to talk about navigating...
Mike Hagi on Hiring Smart and Growing a Family Business
There’s a fine line between modernizing your business and staying true to what made people love it in the first place—especially in a family-run...
Dino Katris on Leading a Multi-Restaurant Business with Vision
Family-owned restaurants are nothing new—but running several of them successfully? That’s something else entirely. In this episode of Blood, Sweat &...
Eric Joern
Eric is a graduate of Columbia College of Missouri with a degree in accounting and joined Kaizen in 2013. He is a licensed CPA and business advisor.
Small business runs deep for Eric. Coming from generations of entrepreneurs, he understands what it takes to build, run, and grow a company because he’s lived it.
Before stepping fully into accounting, Eric spent years getting his hands dirty. From working with concrete to managing an automotive service department, he’s been on the front lines of business. That experience shapes how he approaches his work today, helping business owners improve profitability, tighten operations, and make smarter decisions.
Eric now leads Kaizen’s automotive focus, working with top auto repair shops across the country. His background as an Automotive Service Advisor, combined with strong industry relationships, allows him to bring practical, real-world insight to his clients.
Outside of work, Eric enjoys live music, hands-on projects, and spending time outdoors with his wife and their two dogs. He’s also a dedicated Chicago sports fan and will take any chance he can get to see the Bears, Cubs, Bulls, or Blackhawks live.
John Chiappetta
John is a CFP® professional and licensed financial representative who focuses on helping clients plan for a strong, sustainable financial future. He works closely with individuals and families to think through long-term decisions, weigh tradeoffs, and build plans that actually hold up in real life.
Family is a big part of John’s world. His wife, Helen, shares that entrepreneurial drive and runs a family diner in Antioch, IL. Being part of a small business household gives John a firsthand understanding of the challenges and rewards that come with it. Together, they have two children, Nico and Gianna.
On his days off, John stays active with pickleball, golf, and the occasional pickup football game. He also makes the most of Kenosha’s lakefront, often taking long walks along the beach and catching sunrises over HarborPark.