On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, Josh gets the chance to sit with David Drier, the executive director of Pedal the Cause. Pedal provides critical funding for cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital through their annual cycling challenge. Since 2010, over $45 million has been raised – with 100% of those funds directly supporting 223 cancer research projects. This is an organization that is hugely important to Josh and his team at Companion. They’ve participated since the beginning – in a handful of events throughout the year and feeding 3,000-4,000 riders breakfast the morning of the event each September.

David and Josh talk about his long-term involvement in Pedal in honor of his daughter Victoria who passed away from brain cancer in 2018, staying relevant as a maturing organization and the process of strategic planning for the next 15 years. Lessons applicable to all kinds of companies. Let’s roll…

Please note: if you’d like to get involved with Pedal the Cause this September as a donor, rider or volunteer, please visit - https://pedalthecause.org/

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, I have the chance to catch up with Trip Straub from Straub’s Fine Grocers, the 123-year-old specialty market here in St. Louis. Trip and I share very similar family upbringings and it’s nice to talk legacy with someone carrying the torch for the fourth generation of his family’s business. We talk about the changing landscape of the grocery industry, the lessons learned from his big expansion mistake in 2008 and bringing in the next generation of leadership. Good one today. Let’s roll…

On this week’s episode, Josh sits down with good friend, Doug Stritzel—founder and owner of Pickleman’s Gourmet Café who developed a love for food and an entrepreneurial mindset from an early age. Doug worked as the Chief Operating Officer in the QSR field with Jimmy John’s and Ritter’s Frozen Custard along with lots of experience with Wendy’s and Tim Horton’s. During that 15 years, he was creating and evolving the Pickleman’s brand which he eventually opened in 2005. Doug is a whirlwind of passionate drive on building systems and culture. They talk about the most important attributes of a restaurant franchise, his hands off approach to leading people and the power of deliberate growth in the hospitality industry. Take a deep breath and let’s roll…

#franchise #deli #business

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, Josh has the immense pleasure of chatting with Nicole Indovino of IndoVINO Wines, a young, energetic, passionate winemaking entrepreneur producing wines in both Spain and Colorado. She also happens to be the daughter of two of his most favorite people in the world – Jill and Jay Indovino whose generosity and community service via Girls on the Run and Pedal the Cause respectively are hugely inspiring to him.

It's great to hear Nicole’s story of falling love with agriculture and harvests and the routine and monotony of winemaking – incredibly familiar to Josh relative to breadmaking. They talk about the challenges of launching a business in Spain, making bets on yourself and how important it is to find a sense of place in what she’s doing. To learn about Nicole’s business and projects, please visit www.indovinowine.com. Lots of great stuff in this one. Let’s roll…

On this episode we’re joined by Dave Holler, GM of the United Football League’s St. Louis Battlehawks. As a general sports fan I really enjoyed learning more about the structure of the league, how their helping develop players for the NFL, and have been of an experimental playground for innovative rules and technology. We talk about the hub league model with all the players living and training in Texas, fixed salaries for all positions, and the all hands on deck approach to launching a startup league… it’s a lot like any entrepreneurial journey, let’s roll! #UFL #Battlehawks #Football #StartUp #StLouis

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, Josh sits down with Fred Burmer, the newly appointed CEO of St. Louis’ beloved Lion’s Choice. Burmer started working in quick-service restaurants as a part time worker at Pizza Hut restaurants while attending the University of Central Florida in Orlando and ultimately grew that franchise company from six to more than 50 locations. He later spent years with Yum Brands – the corporate leader of Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut. He brings all that expertise to the 57 year-old, 30 unit Lion’s Choice. They talk about the value of working in the service industry, his initial focus after extensive customer research and the future plans of expansion. Lots of great stuff in this one. Let’s roll…

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m sitting down with Chris Eckert, the president and CEO of Eckert's Country Store and Farms in Belleville, Illinois. He is a seventh-generation farmer overseeing a vast operation that includes fruit and vegetable crops, a farm market, restaurant, garden center, and the country's largest pick-your-own business. Chris holds a degree in Agricultural Economics and has experience working in the produce industry outside of the family business. We talk about leading a multi-generational enterprise, lessons learned from Mother Nature and continuing to expand the entertainment aspect of their business. Great lessons in this one. Let’s roll…

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, Josh catches up with Lucas Farrell of STL Bucket List and Bucket List Creative. STL Bucket List is an independently owned media source right here in Downtown St. Louis that was originally created and founded by Lucas and his wife Marissa to share foodie adventures and everything great about our town. It’s blown up to have over 180,000 followers on social. Lucas parlayed that success to launch Bucket List Creative in 2019 to help local partners build their brand online through social media management, content creation and web design. Lucas handles all Josh’s social media – both Companion Baking and the podcast. They talk about the general state of social media and where’s it’s headed, the rise of influencers and their role in the landscape and how to measure success. Lucas gets it and it was fun to dive deep. Let’s go…

#marketing #content #stlmade #stlouis #bucketlist #podcasting