Leadership Lunch Club

02/05/2026

What an incredible event today! We loved learning how AI can help small businesses grow in practical, approachable ways. With an almost sold-out room, we’re so grateful to everyone who joined us, showed up curious, and invested in their growth as leaders.

More photos and highlights coming soon—stay tuned!

02/04/2026

We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow! Be sure to come prepared for an engaging, inspiring day of excellent food, leadership development, and valuable networking opportunities. And don't forget your business card for a chance to win some great prizes!

01/30/2026

At Leadership Lunch Club, we value partnerships with local businesses that show up every day to serve their community — and Precision has been doing just that for 25 years.

Providing trusted plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical services to homes across Northern Michigan, Precision Plumbing and Heating was built on a people-first mindset and a commitment to doing the right thing. That dedication to reliable service and strong values is what has earned the trust of neighbors throughout the region.

We’re grateful for Precision’s support of Leadership Lunch Club and for their continued investment in both the homes and the community they serve.

Learn more: https://precisiontc.com

At Precision, we actively support the non-profit organizations and events that make such a difference in our community.

01/29/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions about AI is that it removes human decision-making.

In reality, strong AI use demands better judgment: knowing when to trust an output, when to verify it, and when “good enough” is actually good enough.

PwC research shows that leaders who succeed with AI focus less on automation — and more on calibrated trust. That’s where real leverage comes from.

Our upcoming event will explore how leaders can:
• Sanity-check AI outputs
• Reduce costly mistakes
• Turn ideas into executable next steps

This isn’t about hype. It’s about using AI responsibly — and effectively.

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to register for our February 5th event. Don't miss out: https://leadershiplunchclub.com/eventbrite-event/ai-without-the-overwhelm-outsized-results-for-small-business/

01/28/2026

Great events don’t just happen — they’re brought to life through clear visuals, thoughtful design, and high-quality materials. For more than 40 years, The Copy Shop has helped Traverse City businesses do exactly that with professional printing, signage, and graphic solutions that make ideas stand out.

We’re grateful to have The Copy Shop as our Print Sponsor and thank them for helping elevate the Leadership Lunch Club experience at every event.

Visit: https://www.tccopyshop.com/

The Copy Shop Traverse City. Copies, Color Prints, Color Scanning, FedEx and UPS, Large Format Printing, Business Cards, Letterhead, Forms, Menus, Brochures, Logo Design and more!

01/27/2026

⏳ Just TWO days left to register — and only a handful of seats remain!

In this short clip, Rob Patterson shares what he’ll be covering at our February 5 Leadership Lunch Club event—and why AI doesn’t have to be overwhelming, risky, or reserved for big teams with big budgets.

This session is designed for business and nonprofit leaders who want practical, responsible ways to use AI to save time, reduce friction, and make better decisions—without guessing or overhauling their organization.

Join us for LIVE demos and learn how to approach AI with clarity and confidence in creative, new ways.

Registration closes on Thursday Jan 29, so save your spot now: https://leadershiplunchclub.com/eventbrite-event/ai-without-the-overwhelm-outsized-results-for-small-business/

01/27/2026

⏳ Just 2 days left to register for our February 5th event!

AI is moving fast—and the leaders who benefit most aren’t the ones chasing every new tool. They’re the ones who know how to ask better questions, choose the right use cases, and build confidence step by step.

At AI Without the Overwhelm, Rob Patterson will show how small businesses can use AI responsibly and effectively—without big budgets, big teams, or big risk. You’ll leave with a practical starting playbook and a clearer sense of what actually matters.

Registration closes soon. Don’t miss your chance to learn how to move forward with AI—calmly, confidently, and strategically: https://leadershiplunchclub.com/eventbrite-event/ai-without-the-overwhelm-outsized-results-for-small-business/

01/23/2026

Heather’s Weather Lessons Are Making Waves!

UpNorthLive’s own Heather is visiting local schools and bringing weather to life for students through fun, engaging, and educational lessons! Recently, she stopped by Glen Lake Elementary, where students learned firsthand about weather, forecasting, and what it’s like to work in meteorology.

We love seeing our local schools connected with real-world learning experiences like this—what an awesome way to inspire curiosity and spark interest at a young age!

Learn more here: https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/heathers-weather-lessons-glen-lake-elementary

01/22/2026

📚 A huge thank‑you to Vensure Employer Solutions for sponsoring our book!

We’re truly grateful to partner with an organization that invests in leadership, learning, and the growth of their teams. Their commitment to ethical, people‑first business practices aligns perfectly with our mission.

If you're a business leader or owner, here’s the #1 reason you should read this Vensure blog 👇

1. Because ethical AI in hiring isn’t optional anymore.
AI is transforming recruitment—but without careful oversight, it can reinforce bias, introduce transparency issues, and create compliance risks. Vensure’s experts break down how biased training data, unclear decision‑making, and data‑privacy concerns can impact your business and what leaders must do to stay ahead. [vensure.com]

👉 Dive into the full article here:
https://vensure.com/resources/blog/navigating-the-ethical-challenges-of-ai-hiring-tools-insights-from-industry-experts/

No matter what size your business is, VensureHR offers comprehensive HR and technology services such as payroll, employee benefits, compliance, and recruiting.

01/21/2026

We’re getting excited to welcome leaders and small business owners to our upcoming session, AI Without the Overwhelm: Outsized Results for Small Business with Rob Patterson.

This conversation isn’t about chasing shiny tools — it’s about clarity, confidence, and practical ways to use AI to save time, reduce decision fatigue, and move your business forward without burning out your team. We’re looking forward to a thoughtful, hands-on discussion that cuts through the noise and focuses on what actually works.

If you missed this one, don’t worry — more timely, practical leadership conversations are coming soon. Make sure you’re on our email list so you don’t miss the next opportunity.

👉 Stay in the loop: https://leadershiplunchclub.com/

01/21/2026

🎙️ Tune in this morning on NewsTalk WTCM!

Our founder, Barbara Jordan, will be live on WTCM Radio NewsTalk 580 at 8:15 AM with our next featured speaker, Rob Patterson, sharing highlights from our upcoming event: AI Without the Overwhelm.

They’ll be talking about how practical, approachable AI can help local businesses and nonprofits save time, make better decisions, and move forward with confidence—without big budgets or technical teams.

📻 Listen live on the radio or stream online and get a preview of how this conversation could help your organization thrive:

WTCM is Traverse City’s first radio station, broadcasting to Northern Michigan since January 8th, 1941. Fifty years later, on January 8th, 1991, we introduced the News-Talk format to northern Michigan. WTCM brings you local news, information, and conversation every weekday.

01/19/2026

❤️🍒 Valentine's Day is just around the corner! Looking for a gift that’s thoughtful, local, and irresistibly sweet?

Twiggs Legendary Cherry Products has you covered. From their iconic chocolate-covered cherries to beautifully crafted jams, salsas, and treats, they’ve been helping people share a little love from Traverse City for decades.

We’re especially grateful to Benjamin Twiggs for being our Sweets Sponsor, providing a sweet treat for every Leadership Lunch Club attendee and making each event just a bit more memorable. Thank you for helping us spread joy, connection, and local love — one cherry at a time!

Find the perfect Valentine’s gift: https://benjamintwiggs.com/

Our Northern Michigan climate is ideal for growing cherries. Cool breezes off the bay temper summer’s heat. In winter, the warmer water protects trees from winter’s grasp. At Benjamin Twiggs, we select only the very best and freshest of the local bounty to make our jams, jellies, and preserves. ...