BLOOD, SWEAT AND BUSINESS PODCAST

Real business owners, telling real stories about their
real business experiences.

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Matt and Danny Carlson of Platinum Systems next to podcast title “First Tech, Now Crops,” highlighting topics like IT strategy, AI, cybersecurity, and vertical farming.

From IT to Indoor Farming: The Evolution of Platinum Systems

Technology is a game changer, and it is changing faster than ever. On this episode with chat with Matt (Founder) and Danny Carlson (CEO) of...

g2 revolution, led by President Scott DeMuth, is revolutionizing recycling through transparency and hard work.

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...

Podcast title “Do It Because It Inspires You” with boxing gloves image, featuring guest Dimitri Kallianis of The Shanty Restaurant discussing cross-industry entrepreneurship.

From Restaurant Roots to Multi-Brand Success with Dimitri Kallianis

We’re joined by multifaceted entrepreneur Dimitri Kallianis of The Shanty Restaurant. What began as a love for food has grown into a collection...

Podcast title “Entrepreneurial Navigation: Where Style and Success Converge” with boxing gloves image, featuring Jose Vazquez of Match Kicks.

Jose Vazquez on Building Match Kicks and Investing in Yourself

In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Business, we sit down with Jose Vazquez, partner at Match Kicks—a brand that began as a sneaker-focused site and...

Podcast title “Crafting a Business Legacy” with boxing gloves image, featuring Tom Jiaras of International House of Wine and Cheese and ForWineLovers.com.

Tom Jiaras on Building a Wine & Cheese Brand That Lasts

Tom Jiaras, owner of International House of Wine and Cheese and founder of ForWineLovers.com, joins Blood, Sweat & Business to share the story...

Podcast title “Serving Local Business Owners” with boxing gloves image, featuring Mayor John Antaramian of Kenosha discussing small business growth and community development.

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...

Podcast title “Running a Family Business” with boxing gloves image, featuring Bill and Bob Seitz of Libertyville Car Spa discussing ownership, customer needs, and family dynamics.

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...

Podcast title “Running a Nonprofit” with boxing gloves image, featuring Tara Panasewicz, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha, discussing nonprofit leadership and youth mentorship.

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...

Podcast title “Finding Your Speciality in Business” with boxing gloves image, featuring Diane Yetter, accountant and business owner, discussing the power of niche expertise.

Diane Yetter on Finding Your Niche and Building a Thriving Firm

In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Business, we sit down with Diane Yetter, a seasoned accountant and founder of her own firm. With more than 26...

Podcast title “Running a Business Without a Formal Education” with boxing gloves imagery, featuring Erik Vega discussing commercial roofing, leadership, and business growth.

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...

Podcast title “Finding Your Ideal Customer” with boxing gloves image, featuring Rob Stoner and Mike Sokolski of Horizon Managed Services on targeting and systems.

Rob Stoner & Mike Sokolski on Finding Your Ideal Customer

Do you have trouble finding your ideal customer? This week on Blood, Sweat & Business, we sit down with Rob Stoner and Mike Sokolski, co-owners of ...

Podcast title “The Power of Referrals” with boxing gloves image, featuring Gus Harris of Flex & Burn Fitness on growing a brand through word of mouth.

Gus Harris on Turning Referrals Into a Growth Strategy

The best marketing technique also happens to be free: referrals. But that doesn’t mean they’re automatic. In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Business,...

Meet Your Hosts

Eric Joern

Eric Joern

Eric is a graduate of Columbia College of Missouri with a degree in accounting and joined the firm in 2013. He is a licensed CPA and a key business advisor at Kaizen. Coming from generations of entrepreneurs, small business is in his blood.

He has spent his working career getting his hands dirty with concrete, increasing profits and efficiency, managing an automotive service department, and currently is a key resource for many small business owners. Eric is currently the lead on our Automotive concentration, with years of experience as an Automotive Service Advisor and connections in the industry to better serve his clients.

Eric enjoys live music, working with his hands, and spending time outdoors with his wife and their two pooches. A big fan of the Chicago Bears, Cubs, Bulls, and Blackhawks, he jumps at the chance to catch ‘em live and in person when he can.

John Chiappetta bw (1)

John Chiappetta

John is a graduate of Carthage College in Kenosha, WI and the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul in Chicago, IL. In 2003, John purchased a small tax practice in Antioch IL. He continued his entrepreneurial adventure, purchasing and merging with multiple accounting firms, and in 2022, merged his firm with Kaizen CPAs + Advisors. John has predominantly focused on tax planning and compliance. He also has his CFP® and is a licensed financial representative. John enjoys helping clients plan for a healthy financial future.

John enjoys spending time with his family. His wife Helen also has the entrepreneurial spirit, running a family diner in Antioch, IL. John and Helen have two children, Nico and Gianna. On John’s days off, he likes playing pickleball, golf, and the occasional pickup game of football. John appreciates Kenosha’s lakefront and frequently takes long walks on the beach. (He takes some amazing pics of the sunrises over Kenosha’s HarborPark!)