This week's guests are Nick Dane and Jaime Rowland of Citizens State Bank, who now lead ROYAL, the Young Professionals group within the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce. They walk us through how the group has grown since the pandemic and what’s made that growth possible. We hear about how they were tapped as young leaders within Citizens State Bank (a proud Chamber member!) to help rejuvenate ROYAL and how that responsibility has aligned with their professional strengths—Nick in finance and lending, and Jaime in marketing and outreach.

Nick shares how his career took him from Michigan to a high-stakes finance job in New York before COVID shifted his priorities and brought him back home. Jaime reflects on how her passion for community-building and her role at CSB make her a natural fit for this kind of work. They both agree that the group has evolved quickly, learning on the fly, and seeing great results—monthly meetings are drawing strong attendance, and new faces regularly become familiar ones. Word-of-mouth momentum is strong, with people attending events without much promotion.

We also learn about the demographics of the group—primarily entrepreneurs, small business owners, salespeople, and Royal Oak professionals looking to expand their networks and give back. Events like the upcoming “Pitch and Mingle” baseball mixer (June 25) and the May 22 HopCat after-hours show how ROYAL mixes fun with networking. ROYAL is inclusive, welcoming, and easy to join. You don’t need a perfect pitch—just show up and plug into the network.

Throughout the conversation, we get a personal feel for Nick and Jaime—whether it’s Jaime missing her adult ninja gym days or Nick’s family legacy of competitive croquet. We end on a playful note with a zombie apocalypse question, where Nick leaves Jaime hanging!

Outside the apocalypse, though. these two are a team, committed to building a space for young professionals to grow, connect, and thrive in Royal Oak.

To get involved, email our guests:

Nick Dane: ndane@miscb.com

Jaime Rowland: JRowland@micsb.com

Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/

Connect with our hosts:

Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/

Lisa Bibbee from Century 21 Northland - http://soldbylisab.com/

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we sit down with Christina DeGregory, an independent insurance broker with Health Markets, to talk through her journey from a biology major (!) to health insurance and how she’s using her science background to educate and empower clients. Christina shares that she holds a master’s in biological sciences and once worked as a teaching assistant in cell biology and microbiology. That experience, she explains, helped shape her ability to explain complex topics—like health insurance—in clear, simple terms. She’s now channeling that same teaching energy into her role as a broker, with a personal motto: “Insurance is hard, let me make it easier for you.”

We talk through how she transitioned out of academia and into insurance after facing a stagnant job market post-grad school. What drew her to this career was the opportunity to connect with people, educate them, and help them understand their options. As an independent broker, Christina runs her own business under the Health Markets umbrella, helping individuals find coverage through the Affordable Care Act. She explains open enrollment, special enrollment periods, and how certain life events can trigger eligibility to enroll outside the standard window.

We also touch on the most common challenges her clients face, such as confusion around deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. Christina emphasizes her goal of making sure clients truly understand their coverage, payments, and what to expect in case of hospitalization or routine care. She works primarily with people who aren’t eligible for employer-sponsored insurance—1099 workers, part-time employees, or those in between jobs—and particularly helps those in lower-income brackets who may qualify for subsidized or even $0 monthly premium plans.

Christina also works with supplemental insurance like dental, vision, and indemnity plans that offer payouts for accidents, illnesses, or hospital stays. She outlines how these offerings can protect against crushing medical debt, especially for vulnerable populations. Soon, she’ll also be licensed in Medicare to help retirees navigate yet another complicated health care system.

Outside of work, Christina’s passionate about music and community. A long-time fan of Detroit’s EDM scene, she talks about attending Movement and Electric Forest every year. We also learn about her positive experience joining the Royal Oak Chamber and her love for being involved in local networking events.

Throughout the episode, it’s clear Christina brings not only technical knowledge to her work but also empathy, patience, and a genuine passion for helping people navigate the confusing world of health insurance.

Call Christina: 248-981-3610

Visit her website: https://www.healthmarkets.com/local-health-insurance-agent/cdegregory/

Or find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christina_degregory/

Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/

Connect with our hosts:

Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/

Lisa Bibbee from Century 21 Northland - http://soldbylisab.com/

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we sit down with Mark Friday of RJ Telecommunications to explore how his company has grown from a family-run operation to a full-scale managed service provider. Mark walks us through the company’s origins, starting in 1996 and his joining in 2004 as a teenager. Back then, RJ focused mainly on physical phone systems, but with the rise of VoIP and the decline of traditional systems like Nortel, the company evolved. By 2013, they were developing their own phone software and expanding into managed internet services, fiber, and network infrastructure.

We learn how this growth led RJ to become a true MSP, offering IT services, cybersecurity, and full network management while maintaining a commitment to transparency. Mark emphasizes his mission to grow honestly, in contrast to other IT vendors who often sell fear-based solutions or unnecessary services. His goal is to provide practical, effective, and affordable tech solutions—especially for fellow small businesses.

Mark also shares his experiences working with family, explaining that trust has been critical to the company’s culture and customer service. His older cousin, who once babysat him, now plays a key role in the business. As RJ has scaled from three to nine employees in just two years, he’s been able to delegate roles while ensuring the customer-first approach remains central to their work.

Looking ahead, Mark is focused on growing RJ’s presence in the IT space with integrity. He wants to build a team that can run day-to-day operations, freeing him up to engage more with the community, attend networking events, and explore interests in real estate investment. He shares his past ventures, including flipping a house and running a sandwich shop and video store before returning to RJ and becoming the sole owner.

We also touch on RJ’s approach to security camera installations, which is guided by customer needs and budget, avoiding one-size-fits-all solutions. Mark speaks positively about his experience with the Royal Oak Chamber and how its lively, supportive environment has helped RJ build local relationships.

You'll also find our how actor Donald Faison enters our conversation. More on him here:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0265668

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Faison

More on RJ Telecommunications: https://now.rj10.com/

Phone: 248-442-2100

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/RJ-Telecommunications-inc/61554279984531/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rj-telecommunications-inc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rjtelecommunications/

Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/

Connect with our hosts:

Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/

Lisa Bibbee from Century 21 Northland - http://soldbylisab.com/