Today on The ROCC Pod, we sit down with Kyle Vandeventer from the Royal Oak Sandlot League to talk about baseball, softball, and community engagement. Kyle shares how the league, which has been a staple in Royal Oak since 1959, continues to provide affordable, high-quality youth sports opportunities for kids aged 4 to 18. With roughly 1,000 athletes participating annually, the league is powered entirely by volunteers dedicated to fostering a love for the game.

Kyle's journey into the league began when his then-four-year-old son wanted to play baseball. He initially signed up as an assistant coach, but after voicing concerns about areas that needed improvement, he was invited to step up and make changes himself. Four years later, he plays multiple roles, from coaching to managing registration, marketing, and social media.

A major focus for the league is keeping costs low while maintaining a high-quality experience. Registration fees start at just $60 for tee-ball and cap at $160 for older players. Sponsorships and fundraising efforts help keep expenses manageable, ensuring that all kids, regardless of financial background, have a chance to play. Businesses can sponsor teams, with their logos featured on jerseys that kids wear around town, offering great local exposure.

Beyond affordability, the league emphasizes three core principles: fun, safety, and learning. Starting kids as young as four allows them to develop fundamental skills and a love for the game early. The league also partners with the Royal Oak Leprechauns, giving players access to special events and games.

Kyle also shares his background in the beer industry, where he spent 15 years before transitioning to financial planning. He reflects on how fatherhood has taught him patience and laughs about his self-proclaimed Olympic-level laundry skills.

For those looking to get involved as sponsors, coaches, or volunteers, all information is available at royaloaksandlot.com. Registration for summer baseball is open until April 1, with late sign-ups accepted afterward. Practices start in late March or early April, with games running through July.

We wrap up with a fun discussion about balancing work, family, and volunteer commitments, and, of course, some hopeful thoughts about the upcoming Detroit Tigers season.

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/

Today, we sit down with Alex Bartell from Cinch I.T., a new Royal Oak Chamber member. Right away, Alex shares his unique talent for impressions, though he keeps them for in-person encounters—so if you see him at an event, be sure to ask! He also recounts a hilarious story of accidentally taking a ferry into Canada- you've got to hear this.

Moving into business, Alex explains that Cinch I.T. is a franchise, started by his partner Josh Fett. Josh initially sought sales team members but ultimately realized he needed a business strategist. That’s where Alex came in. Together, they’ve been working to expand the company by focusing on customer service first, believing that while technical skills can be taught, strong communication and problem-solving abilities set them apart.

Speed is another key factor. The industry average for IT response time is four hours, but Cinch I.T. boasts an impressive 11-minute average over the last three years. Their ideal client ranges from 10 to 100 employees, where they can offer either full-service IT support or co-managed services alongside existing IT teams. Beyond troubleshooting, they emphasize consulting, ensuring that IT strategies align with business growth plans.

Alex also shares ambitious goals for 2025, aiming to add 560 new users to their client base. The Chamber has already been a valuable resource, and he’s enjoyed engaging with its networking groups like ROYAL (young professionals) and N1.

For those interested in working with Alex and Cinch I.T., he’s active on LinkedIn and can be reached directly at alex.bartel@cinchit.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 Amy Claeys, owner of Daisy Blue Photography, to discuss her journey into wedding photography, her unique approach to capturing special moments, and how she ensures a stress-free experience for her clients.

Amy shares that her love for photography started with a simple point-and-shoot camera after the birth of her first child in 2001. As she honed her skills, she eventually found herself photographing bands and later, somewhat reluctantly, shooting her first wedding in 2010. That experience sparked a passion, leading her to pursue wedding photography full-time in 2015. Today, she focuses solely on weddings, providing couples with a highly personalized experience from start to finish.

One of the standout aspects of Amy’s business is her incredibly fast turnaround time. She provides a preview gallery of 25–30 images by the Monday after the wedding, with the full gallery delivered within 30 days. Unlike many photographers who simply send a link, she personally walks her clients through their photos and helps design their wedding albums, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable process.

Beyond digital photography, Amy also offers a rare and artistic service—handmade film prints developed in a traditional darkroom. This process, which involves physically developing and printing images, provides couples with a timeless keepsake unlike anything in the digital age.

Amy explains that her role on a wedding day extends far beyond just taking pictures. She often acts as a problem solver, a calming presence, and even a "protector" for brides who might need a discreet way to step away from stressful situations. Whether it’s whisking a bride away from an overbearing relative or making sure the timeline stays on track, Amy ensures the day runs smoothly.

We also learn about Amy’s ties to the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce, which she joined nearly a decade ago. She credits the Chamber for helping her grow her business and loves supporting fellow members, even collaborating with Quix Chocolate in Ferndale to create custom-branded treats for her clients.

The conversation wraps up with Amy emphasizing the importance of communication—both in life and in business. Being able to listen, understand, and express oneself effectively can make all the difference in personal and professional relationships.

For those interested in Amy’s work, she can be found at daisybluephoto.com and on social media:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daisybluephoto

Book: Detroit Modern on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Detroit-Modern-1935-1985-Peter-Forguson/dp/1736273132

Photostock Festival in Cross Village Michigan: https://www.photostockfest.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/