Shane Buerster is founder and CEO of Z Beans Coffee. As a student at Mercer University, a trip to Ecuador led him to a friendship and now business partnership with Arturo Penarreta, the tour guide for that mission trip.

Shane shares the journey from student to entrepreneur in this episode, and shares how Z Beans has created a way for Ecuadorian farmers to export coffee, create sustainability, and earn more than fair trade prices.

For additional information about Z Beans, visit www.zbeanscoffee.com and follow Z Beans social media - Z Beans Coffee on Facebook and Instagram.

David Aiello is GM of the Macon Centreplex (Coliseum, Auditorium, and Atrium Health Amphitheater). He discusses venue management, opening up a brand new building, show routing, and how many steps he and his team take during the day Macon is hosting a show at one of the venues he manages. We also find out more about strange requests he's seen on artists' riders.

More information, including ticketing information, for the venues we discuss is available at www.maconcentreplex.org

Scott Mitchell is one of Downtown Macon's most ardent supporters since 2015. He owns two businesses - The Bohemian Den and Sweet Eleanor's Divine Desserts - and has served on the Main Street Board of Directors, helped create the downtown Hype Team, and has been a huge supporter of other businesses. He helped create Macon Pride and is the President of the Macon Pride Board. Scott was Macon-Bibb Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Leader of the Year in 2022, and The Bohemian Den won the OUT Georgia Business Alliance Small Business of the Year that same year.

On this episode, Scott talks about the upcoming Macon Pride event (September 19-29) as well as the investments he's made in owning businesses in Macon.

Check out the Macon Pride schedule of events at www.maconpride.org. For information about The Bohemian Den, visit www.thebohemianden.com and Sweet Eleanor's at www.sweeteleanors.com.