In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker and the Heritage Foundation's Rachel Greszler discuss the pressing issues surrounding vocational education and the workforce crisis in the U.S. They explore the demographic and fiscal challenges, the importance of apprenticeships, the impact of regulations, and the need for policy changes to attract industry experts into teaching roles. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of vocational training as a viable alternative to traditional four-year degrees, highlighting the skills gap and the role of unions in workforce development.

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker and the Heritage Foundation's Rachel Greszler discuss the pressing issues surrounding vocational education and the workforce crisis in the U.S. They explore the demographic and fiscal challenges, the importance of apprenticeships, the impact of regulations, and the need for policy changes to attract industry experts into teaching roles. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of vocational training as a viable alternative to traditional four-year degrees, highlighting the skills gap and the role of unions in workforce development.

Main Street Matters with Elaine Parker and Alfredo Ortiz explores the intersection of small business and government policy. With more than 90 million Americans either owning or depending on small business for their household income, policies like taxes, regulations, and access to credit have a huge effect on the American Dream. Elaine and Alfredo talk with small business owners, government officials and office holders, and experts about everything from education to the labor market on this interesting and entertaining podcast.

Main Street Matters with Elaine Parker and Alfredo Ortiz explores the intersection of small business and government policy. With more than 90 million Americans either owning or depending on small business for their household income, policies like taxes, regulations, and access to credit have a huge effect on the American Dream. Elaine and Alfredo talk with small business owners, government officials and office holders, and experts about everything from education to the labor market on this interesting and entertaining podcast.

Main Street Matters

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker and the Heritage Foundation's Rachel Greszler discuss the pressing issues surrounding vocational education and the workforce crisis in the U.S.

Bridging the Skills Gap: The Role of Vocational Training

What does it really take to build a billion-dollar business—and why do global entrepreneurs still choose America to do it?

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with serial entrepreneur Chad Zani, whose journey spans continents, industries, and multiple high-growth ventures. From buying his first home at 19 to scaling a company to a $1 billion exit, Chad shares the hard-earned lessons behind building, scaling, and reinventing businesses across Australia and the United States.

Chad offers a unique, unfiltered perspective on:


The key differences between doing business in Australia vs. America


How pro-growth policies, tax cuts, and deregulation fuel entrepreneurship


Why the U.S. remains the best country in the world to start and scale a business


The cultural mindset shift that separates thriving entrepreneurs from the rest


His move from California to Florida—and what it reveals about business climates in America


The future of entrepreneurship, including the rise of functional beverages and health-driven innovation

Plus, Chad shares insights from his latest venture, Avarna, and why the next wave of business success will come from reimagining everyday products in healthier, smarter ways.

If you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, or anyone passionate about economic freedom and opportunity, this episode is packed with real-world insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

👉 Subscribe to Main Street Matters for more conversations amplifying America’s small business voice.

What does it really take to build a billion-dollar business&mdash;and why do global entrepreneurs still choose America to do it?
In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with serial entrepreneur Chad Zani, whose journey spans continents, industries, and multiple high-growth ventures. From buying his first home at 19 to scaling a company to a $1 billion exit, Chad shares the hard-earned lessons behind building, scaling, and reinventing businesses across Australia and the United States.
Chad offers a unique, unfiltered perspective on:
<ul data-start="978" data-end="1504">
<li data-start="978" data-end="1049">
The key differences between doing business in Australia vs. America
</li>
<li data-start="1050" data-end="1127">
How pro-growth policies, tax cuts, and deregulation fuel entrepreneurship
</li>
<li data-start="1128" data-end="1216">
Why the U.S. remains the best country in the world to start and scale a business
</li>
<li data-start="1217" data-end="1299">
The cultural mindset shift that separates thriving entrepreneurs from the rest
</li>
<li data-start="1300" data-end="1394">
His move from California to Florida&mdash;and what it reveals about business climates in America
</li>
<li data-start="1395" data-end="1504">
The future of entrepreneurship, including the rise of functional beverages and health-driven innovation
</li>
</ul>
Plus, Chad shares insights from his latest venture, Avarna, and why the next wave of business success will come from reimagining everyday products in healthier, smarter ways.
If you&rsquo;re an entrepreneur, small business owner, or anyone passionate about economic freedom and opportunity, this episode is packed with real-world insights you won&rsquo;t hear anywhere else.
👉 Subscribe to Main Street Matters for more conversations amplifying America&rsquo;s small business voice.

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with serial entrepreneur Chad Zani, whose journey spans continents, industries, and multiple high-growth ventures. From buying his first home at 19 to scaling a company to a $1 billion exit, Chad shares the hard-earned lessons behind building, scaling, and reinventing businesses across Australia and the United States.

From Startup to $1B Exit—Why America Still Leads for Entrepreneurs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/49cf0aa8-b74e-4ba9-8c41-b3fc010cbb7c/transcript

What if small businesses could offer better healthcare than big corporations—at a fraction of the cost? In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with Dr. Chad Savage, founder of Choice Direct Care, to break down the fast-growing Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement and why it’s becoming a game-changer for entrepreneurs and working families.

Dr. Savage explains why the traditional employer-based system is overloaded with bureaucracy and “middlemen,” driving up prices while shrinking the doctor-patient relationship. He walks through how DPC works as a simple monthly membership (often $49–$99/month) that includes unlimited primary care visits, longer appointments, and faster access—without the inflated costs and delays of the insurance-driven model.

You’ll also hear real-world examples of how transparent, cash-based pricing can slash costs dramatically—plus how small business owners can pair DPC with catastrophic coverage to protect employees while lowering premiums. Elaine and Dr. Savage dive into how HSAs can support DPC membership, the role of ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements) for employers, and why giving workers more control over healthcare dollars can improve affordability and outcomes.

If you’re a small business owner tired of sky-high premiums—or an employee who wants better care without the runaround—this episode is your roadmap.

What if small businesses could offer better healthcare than big corporations&mdash;at a fraction of the cost? In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with Dr. Chad Savage, founder of Choice Direct Care, to break down the fast-growing Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement and why it&rsquo;s becoming a game-changer for entrepreneurs and working families.
Dr. Savage explains why the traditional employer-based system is overloaded with bureaucracy and &ldquo;middlemen,&rdquo; driving up prices while shrinking the doctor-patient relationship. He walks through how DPC works as a simple monthly membership (often $49&ndash;$99/month) that includes unlimited primary care visits, longer appointments, and faster access&mdash;without the inflated costs and delays of the insurance-driven model.
You&rsquo;ll also hear real-world examples of how transparent, cash-based pricing can slash costs dramatically&mdash;plus how small business owners can pair DPC with catastrophic coverage to protect employees while lowering premiums. Elaine and Dr. Savage dive into how HSAs can support DPC membership, the role of ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements) for employers, and why giving workers more control over healthcare dollars can improve affordability and outcomes.
If you&rsquo;re a small business owner tired of sky-high premiums&mdash;or an employee who wants better care without the runaround&mdash;this episode is your roadmap.

What if small businesses could offer better healthcare than big corporations—at a fraction of the cost? In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with Dr. Chad Savage, founder of Choice Direct Care, to break down the fast-growing Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement and why it’s becoming a game-changer for entrepreneurs and working families.

Direct Primary Care Explained: How Small Businesses Can Cut Healthcare Costs & Improve Employee Car

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/72f29cc1-b3df-4d8d-b7c1-b3f701388951/transcript

Housing affordability is collapsing for America’s middle class—and small businesses are feeling the impact.

On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with real estate developer Michael Burkentine to break down the growing U.S. housing crisis and what it means for working families, entrepreneurs, and first-time homebuyers.

With the U.S. facing an estimated 5 million home shortage, Burkentine explains how rising costs, restrictive zoning laws, labor shortages, and institutional homebuyers have turned America into a “renter nation.”

They also dive into the proposed “Trump Homes” initiative—a bold plan to build up to 1 million entry-level homes through private-sector partnerships, deregulation, and innovative rent-to-own pathways designed to help Americans achieve homeownership again.

In this episode:

Why the U.S. is millions of homes short—and how we got here

How housing impacts small businesses and Main Street growth

The real reason starter homes disappeared

The role of Wall Street investors in driving up home prices

How zoning reform and deregulation could unlock supply 

The feasibility of building 1 million new homes

Why trade jobs and workforce training are critical to solving the crisis

As policymakers debate solutions ahead of key elections, this conversation highlights what must change to restore the American Dream of homeownership.

Housing affordability is collapsing for America&rsquo;s middle class&mdash;and small businesses are feeling the impact.
On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with real estate developer Michael Burkentine to break down the growing U.S. housing crisis and what it means for working families, entrepreneurs, and first-time homebuyers.
With the U.S. facing an estimated 5 million home shortage, Burkentine explains how rising costs, restrictive zoning laws, labor shortages, and institutional homebuyers have turned America into a &ldquo;renter nation.&rdquo;
They also dive into the proposed &ldquo;Trump Homes&rdquo; initiative&mdash;a bold plan to build up to 1 million entry-level homes through private-sector partnerships, deregulation, and innovative rent-to-own pathways designed to help Americans achieve homeownership again.
In this episode:
Why the U.S. is millions of homes short&mdash;and how we got here
How housing impacts small businesses and Main Street growth
The real reason starter homes disappeared
The role of Wall Street investors in driving up home prices
How zoning reform and deregulation could unlock supply&nbsp;
The feasibility of building 1 million new homes
Why trade jobs and workforce training are critical to solving the crisis
As policymakers debate solutions ahead of key elections, this conversation highlights what must change to restore the American Dream of homeownership.

On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with real estate developer Michael Burkentine to break down the growing U.S. housing crisis and what it means for working families, entrepreneurs, and first-time homebuyers.

Crisis Explained—Trump Homes Plan & 5M Home Shortage

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/1fdbcf93-3064-4ff7-a220-b3f50033c38b/transcript

Bridging the Skills Gap: The Role of Vocational Training

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