Mike King: King Of Richmond Business Radio
Mike King didn’t come to Richmond to blend in. He came to build. A son of West Philadelphia with a natural gift for conversation, King has become one of the most recognizable voices in Central Virginia’s business ecosystem, broadcasting “On The Mic With Mike” daily at 5:00 AM on 106.1 ESPN Richmond, live from the Call Federal Studio. His show is more than a microphone and a clock. It is a daily gathering place for leaders, dreamers, doers, and the people quietly changing the region from the inside out.
King’s RVA story started long before the studio lights. He arrived in Richmond in 2014, first working as a salesman with the Henrico Citizen publication. That early role did more than teach him the grind. It put him face to face with the heartbeat of local commerce. He learned how businesses think, how they grow, and how much they rely on relationships to survive. It also taught him something that would later define his on air approach. Most success stories do not begin with a spotlight. They begin with one yes, one small break, one connection that changes the trajectory.
From there, his path expanded into media with the CW Richmond, sharpening his instincts for storytelling and audience connection. King was learning how to hold attention, how to ask better questions, and how to make everyday people feel like the most important person in the room. That skill, making others feel seen, would become a core ingredient of what makes his brand so magnetic.
Then came the Summer of 2019, when Mike was approached to host his own radio show. That opportunity did not just give him airtime. It gave him a platform to build something with purpose. King shaped the show around a belief that has become his calling card. Business can help society become better because there is power in business. It is a simple idea with big implications, and it explains why his voice resonates with entrepreneurs, executives, nonprofits, and community leaders alike.
The Mike King difference is intention. He does not book guests just to fill a segment. He builds conversations with a mission. He helps listeners see what is possible, highlights opportunities hiding in plain sight, and elevates voices that deserve a seat at the table. Richmond is a city of builders, visionaries, side hustlers, nonprofit champions, and corporate leaders, and King created his lane by turning that ecosystem into a daily broadcast.
If you have spent time around Richmond’s business community, you have probably seen Mike, or heard someone say, “Yeah, Mike connected me with…” Because when it comes to promoting the Richmond business ecosystem, he is not hard to find. Mike created his own lane by leaning into business niche topics, intentional guests, and real world networking that goes beyond surface level shoutouts. He does not just interview people. He links them. In many ways, he has become the ultimate connector in Central Virginia, someone who makes introductions that turn into partnerships, sponsorships, collaborations, and sometimes life changing career moves.
That is why his show has earned its “Business ish” identity. The conversations may revolve around business, but the real focus is the journey. Mike understands that behind every brand is a person, and behind every person is a story worth hearing, especially the stories that do not always get the spotlight. His platform gives entrepreneurs the space to explain how they started, what they have survived, what they have learned, and what they are building next. That “Business ish” lane is what makes the show feel human. It is not just about revenue or titles. It is about purpose, impact, and the resilience it takes to keep going.
Mike does not keep that energy confined to the studio.
Mike King is not afraid to take the show on the road, hosting events and activations in Petersburg, Brunswick County, and the Hilton in Richmond, just to name a few. That willingness to meet the community where it is has become a signature of the Mike King Biz brand. He is not waiting for the right moment to connect people. He creates the moment. It is one thing to talk about building relationships. It is another thing to literally create rooms where relationships can be built.
At the center of his approach is a philosophy he calls CP1, Cost Per One. It is not about chasing the biggest reach for the cheapest price. It is about value. Mike believes one powerful connection can outperform a thousand impressions because one introduction can unlock a contract, a strategic partnership, a mentor, a donor, or a new market. That mindset is the engine behind MIKEKINGBIZ, a brand built on getting businesses into the Right Rooms with the RIGHT PEOPLE at the RIGHT Time.
In a world obsessed with metrics, King is focused on outcomes.
That is also why collaboration is key to everything he does. His ongoing partnerships, like his work with organizations such as the Chesterfield Chamber, reinforce his role as a champion for Richmond’s business community. He is not just covering the ecosystem. He is actively strengthening it. He amplifies businesses and leaders who are committed to serving others, and he gives brands opportunities to be seen, heard, and supported by the people who can truly move the needle.
The guest list on “On The Mic With Mike” proves how wide King’s network reaches. From mayors and senators to CEOs, NASCAR, nonprofit leaders, and more, Mike has rolled out the red carpet for voices across industries and communities. But what makes him stand out is not just who shows up. It is why they show up. King creates a space where people can share value, build trust, and leave with something real, insight, strategy, exposure, or even a connection that changes what is next.
Behind King is a powerhouse team, Anna Sothen, Jawanda Smith, and Jo Oliver, a trio that helps elevate the mission and expand the impact. They are not background names. They are part of the force that keeps the brand moving forward, shaping opportunities and building momentum that extends far beyond the broadcast. In a city where collaboration is currency, the strength of the team matters, and Mike’s team reflects the same values his brand represents, relationships, visibility, and community growth.
In the Richmond business world, some opportunities happen quietly. A conversation after an interview. A handshake at an event. A text that says, “You need to meet this person.” Mike King lives in that lane, where amplification turns into access, and access turns into action.
He does not just host a show.
He builds bridges, daily at 5:00 AM, and Richmond keeps crossing them.
