Join We The Community for a conversation with Melissa Villanueva, owner of Brewpoint Coffee and Democratic candidate for DuPage County Board District 1. In this episode, we talk about what it means to build a business, run a campaign, and live a life grounded in your core values.

Melissa shares her journey from growing a successful local coffee business to stepping into local politics. We discuss the importance of finding your “why,” standing up for what you believe in as a small business owner, and how community impact can shape both entrepreneurship and public service.

This episode is an inspiring conversation about leadership, purpose-driven work, and the power of community. From small business ownership to civic engagement, Melissa offers insight into how values, vision, and resilience can guide your next step—whether in business, politics, or life.

In this episode we discuss:

• Building a mission-driven small business

• Finding your “why” in local politics and public service

• Standing up for your values as an entrepreneur

• The connection between community, leadership, and advocacy

• What’s next for Melissa Villanueva and her campaign

Keywords: podcast, entrepreneurship podcast, small business podcast, community leadership, local politics, civic engagement, women in business, women in leadership, small business owner story, purpose-driven leadership, community podcast, political leadership, Illinois politics, DuPage County, entrepreneurship journey

In this powerful and timely episode, host Amanda Zahorak sits down with Jordan Vernoy, a national leader in hunger relief and founder of See What I Mean LLC, to unpack the real stories, systems, and stigma behind food insecurity in America.

From the classroom to the food pantry, Amanda and Jordan dive deep into how hunger impacts working families, older adults, and immigrant communities—and what it really looks like when people have to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table. They also break down how large-scale food banks operate, what SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) actually does, and how proposed federal cuts could devastate families and local economies alike.

Together, they explore the intersection of policy, compassion, and community action—and leave listeners with tangible ways to make an impact.

• Defining “food insecurity” and busting common myths

• What hunger looks like in rural, suburban, and urban America

• How food banks and pantries work behind the scenes

• The critical role of SNAP and why cutting it hurts everyone

• The ripple effect of federal policy on local communities

• How individuals can take action to fight hunger

• Jordan’s journey as a changemaker and his work with See What I Mean LLC

“For every one meal food banks provide, SNAP provides nine.”

“If we’re serious about protecting taxpayer money, we need to look at the real problem—not families just trying to eat.”

“Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways we can create change.”

Jordan Vernoy is a seasoned nonprofit leader, policy advocate, and the founder of See What I Mean LLC, a consultancy focused on elevating mission-driven organizations through strategy, storytelling, and systems thinking. Jordan’s career has been dedicated to tackling food insecurity and empowering communities to build long-term solutions to hunger.

Connect with Jordan: 🔗 See What I Mean LLC 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: Jordan Vernoy

SNAP cuts are going into effect today—and the impact will be felt immediately in homes, schools, and neighborhoods across the country. 👉 Listen now to understand what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do to help ensure no family goes hungry.

🎧 Stream We the Community wherever you get your podcasts.

#WeTheCommunity #FoodSecurity #SNAP #EndHunger #PolicyMatters #CommunityImpact #Podcast

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