From providing Lewis and Clark Trail markers to enabling election security through digital tracking, Berntsen International has quietly evolved from a Wisconsin foundry into a technology innovator serving over 6,000 surveyors nationwide. Mike shares insights on managing dual businesses, fostering innovation in traditional industries, and why the future belongs to companies that can bridge the gap between physical assets and digital data systems.

In this episode, we explore:

(02:15) Berntsen International's origin story

(04:17) Shifting from shaping metal to communicating digital data

(06:09) How RFID gives physical infrastructure a digital signature

(08:53) Customer stories: Lewis and Clark Trail to 200-year mountain surveys

(11:47) Leadership: clear visions, small wins, and passionate consistency

(16:25) Connected survey markers in an AI-driven world

(18:22) Real-world uses: ballot bag tracking and chain of custody

(21:22) CEO lessons: aim 5-10 years ahead and look outside your industry

Resources Mentioned

Berntsen International

Geo Week

Esri GIS software platform

Dinosaur bone tracking video

From starting in their home office to establishing a brick-and-mortar presence after 15 years, Tina and her husband Doug have built a comprehensive accounting and business advisory firm that serves Wisconsin and Arizona. Their three-part approach – stabilize, strategize, and scale – has helped countless entrepreneurs move from "receipts in a paperclip" chaos to predictable profitability and compliance readiness.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Opening thoughts on peace of mind versus profit in business

(02:10) Tina's journey from home office to brick-and-mortar success

(03:25) The three-part structure of Lockwood Enterprises

(04:53) Scale Up Milwaukee program experience and networking benefits

(06:11) The power of mentorship through SCORE

(08:19) What business owners commonly overlook about their finances

(09:39) The stabilize, strategize, and scale process

(15:27) Success story: moving a client from crisis to profitability

(18:13) What drives their passion for client empowerment

(19:32) Leveraging AI in accounting and business advisory services

(21:54) Key lessons learned: structure, compliance, and mindset shifts

(25:27) Building a business for generational impact and legacy

Resources Mentioned

Scale Up Milwaukee: 10-week entrepreneurial development program

SCORE: Mentorship program for small business owners

SBA 504 loan program

Lockwood Enterprises

From humble roots on an upstate New York "farmette" to opening acclaimed restaurants and teaching classes that feel like family reunions, Chef John Bogan has built a culinary community that celebrates local farms, changing seasons, and the joy of cooking together.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Culinary evolution with Chef John Bogan

(05:03) Elevating your home cooking and culinary skills

(11:47) Why seasonal ingredients matter

(16:09) Food holidays and dining trends

(17:41) Restaurant dreams and hard lessons

(21:22) A chef’s emotional connection to food

(28:51) Reflecting on John’s journey and community support

Links mentioned in this episode:

Lake Geneva School of Cooking

Chef John Bogan’s Instagram

Recipes from the Seasons of My Life – Cookbook

You’ll hear the research behind the loneliness epidemic, the surprisingly scrappy sticky-note origins of Sit By Me, and how the app makes real-world connections safe, consensual, and effortless. Brad Steckart breaks down the user journey, startup launch lessons, and why community-driven relationships are a win for people – and the local businesses that bring them together.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Loneliness and why connection matters

(06:10) Turning loneliness into real connection

(07:30) The sticky note experiment that sparked it all

(11:31) Simple icebreakers that actually work

(16:56) How conversations build real relationships

(20:36) How social media became passive consumption

(22:44) Creating real-world community connection points

(25:41) Why consistency and belief drive momentum

(27:57) Lessons on traction, timing, and startup reality

Links mentioned in this episode:

Sit By Me App

Brad’s Executive Briefing: Reconnecting in a Digital World

Connect with Bradley Steckart on LinkedIn

He breaks down lessons from corporate life, innovation in dairy, and why compassion, adaptability, and honest facts are key to winning in specialty food.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Finding purpose in building a small business

(06:56) Making handmade cheese the traditional way

(10:49) Patents vs trade secrets in food innovation

(12:24) Flexible assets vs brittle business models

(15:08) Dairy trends, diet drugs, and a growing dilemma

(17:53) Why adaptation drives long term success

(22:51) Safety first inside the cheese plant

(24:55) Building trust with facts and transparency

Links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Paul Scharfman on LinkedIn

Specialty Cheese Company

Steve’s entrepreneurial journey includes the start-up Sprinklr, a creative agency built by empowering college students. After selling the business, Steve shifted to connecting people, ideas and opportunity.

In this episode, Steve shares his origin story, the resilience needed to build without an inherited network, and why community is the real growth engine. From margarita-fueled tech meetups to developing the Walker’s Point Innovation District, this conversation explores entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and community-driven growth.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Experience Milwaukee and the power of giving back

(04:18) The first iPhone moment that changed everything

(07:00) Why entrepreneurship is really about human connection

(10:43) Rebuilding connection through community and innovation

(15:59) Building a vision while life keeps moving

(18:31) Why you must participate in your own rescue

(20:01) Survival, leverage, and the founder mindset

Links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Steve Glynn on LinkedIn

Experience Milwaukee

Walker’s Point Innovation District

Find out about the challenges of building a craft distillery from the ground up, from navigating regulatory hurdles to sourcing local ingredients and championing sustainability. This episode also delivers invaluable lessons for entrepreneurs – including the hard realities of sales, market volatility, and the power of adaptability in an ever-evolving industry.

In this episode, we explore: 

(00:00) Pioneering Wisconsin craft distilling

(04:05) Trailblazer’s journey into craft spirits

(06:22) How bourbon is made and planned

(10:06) Reviving absinthe after re-legalization

(15:37) Making spirits vs selling them

(17:37) THC cocktails and production challenges

Links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Guy Rehorst on LinkedIn

Great Lakes Distillery

From the fascinating origin of Glacial Lake Cranberries to the year-round work of growing and harvesting, Mary shares wisdom passed down through generations and lessons in patience, resilience, and gratitude - a wonderful fit for our Thanksgiving episode!

In this episode, we explore: 

(03:57) Spring frost protection and pollination

(07:31) Harvest: tradition and progress

(11:17) Farming: a lesson in faith

(16:07) From idea to product

(19:42) How big is local?

(21:42) Be true to yourself

(23:36) Reality check through honesty

Links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with:

Mary Brazeau Brown on LinkedIn

Glacial Lake Cranberries

Honestly Cranberry

He built 3 Sheeps Brewing from the ground up, balancing passion with practicality, and along the way learned how to build a brand that stands out in a crowded market, manage supplier relationships the right way, let customer demand drive innovation, and keep cash flow king while staying creative. He calls this creative twist 'one off of normal'.

In this episode, we explore: 

(00:00) Barrel-aging beer explained

(04:13) How barrel aging enhances flavor

(07:41) Hops, prices and recipe stability

(11:27) Rebel Kent, a unique amber

(15:12) Crafting drinks for Wisconsin

(18:00) Boosting grocery store sales

(21:50) Why entrepreneurship takes grit

(23:06) Teamwork, challenges, and beer

Links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Grant Pauly on LinkedIn

3 Sheeps

Andrew shares how a fine arts degree – and even getting fired from his first bakery shift – led him to discover the discipline and patience behind great bread and great leadership. He and Bill explore how fermentation, teamwork, and time shape not only dough but culture and business.

If you believe success is built through consistency, not shortcuts, this one’s for you.

In this episode, we explore: 

(00:00) Passion forged through persistence

(05:44) Why the French prefer milder bread

(08:14) Crafting unique, fresh-milled loaves

(10:36) Guiding the magic of fermentation

(13:16) The patience behind perfect shaping

(16:48) Building connections in the Midwest grain network

(19:59) Breeding winter wheat for Wisconsin

(26:23) Planning for business legacy and exit

Links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Andrew Hutchison on LinkedIn

Madison Sourdough

Eric shares how Great Wolf grew from a clever idea into a nationwide phenomenon, the hurdles of financing a brand-new resort model, and why a people-first culture still drives success. He also looks ahead at the future of hospitality: tech, personalization and keeping family experiences at the core.

In this episode, we explore: 

(00:00) Birth of Great Wolf Lodge

(04:53) First indoor water park success

(06:40) Family-centric water park culture

(11:30) Family fun at Great Wolf Lodge

(14:29) Entrepreneurial journey and business culture

(19:26) Building a smart, leisure-driven culture

(21:05) Sharing unique experiences

(26:57) Adapting to next generation needs

(28:04) Passion for hospitality industry

Links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Eric Lund on LinkedIn

S&L Hospitality

Great Wolf Lodge

It’s about human connection, fostering a culture where it’s okay not to be okay, and making sure every worker hears the same message: tomorrow needs you.

In this episode, we explore:

(00:00) Holistic workplace wellness approach

(04:24) Redefining strength in construction

(06:39) Workplace stand-down initiative

(11:47) Conversations save lives

(13:46) Persuasion through active listening

(19:10) Tomorrow Needs You campaign impact

(22:03) Evolving values at Miron

(23:38) Focus on one priority at a time

Links mentioned in this episode:

Miron's

Mental Health Hub

Connect with Meredith Baciak on LinkedIn

Cindy shares how the company evolved from traditional recycling to innovative manufacturing, all while championing sustainability and navigating the challenges of tariffs and global trade. You’ll also hear insights on leading a multi-generational family business, adapting to supply chain turbulence, and building a culture of continuous learning.

And if you’ve ever received a package at your door, you’re already part of this story.

In this episode, we explore: 

(00:00) Wisconsin’s specialty paper industry insights

(04:22) Label blanks diversification success

(09:00) Environmental leadership in the label industry

(11:20) Challenges and success in family business

(15:51) Tariff uncertainty amid trade agreement

(18:52) Navigating tariffs in global markets

(21:05) Networking boosts business knowledge

(21:51) Cindy’s top success lessons

Links mentioned in this episode:

Cindy welcomes you to reach out to her!

Contact Channeled Resource Group

Connect with Cindy White on LinkedIn

In this episode, we explore: 

(02:01) The origin story of Riverbend Winery

(05:13) The family dynamics with two generations in the business

(06:28) Modern communication in winery operations

(09:18) Technology’s impact on winery operations

(12:52) Wisconsin-inspired wine label design

(15:41) Winery marketing strategy reimagined

(18:26) Customer care and knowledge

(22:24) Chippewa Valley grape-based winery

Links mentioned in this episode:

Riverbend Winery & Distillery

Connect with Sara Antonson on LinkedIn

The Experience Economy – Book

Listen in as Dr. Kara Nelsen, founder of Allied Emergency Veterinary Services shares her journey from emergency vet to building a five-location clinic network. Discover how her commitment to harmony and empowering her team fuels resilience in a competitive industry.

3 Key Takeaways

Team Focus Drives Quality Care

Through an ‘administration-light’ structure Kara makes sure the teams are directly involved in decision-making. Allied maintains a strong culture where teams feel heard and are invested in quality care.

Privately Owned

Kara experienced the limitations of corporate veterinary practices and applied those lessons to her privately-owned clinics which benefit from autonomy and team members with a true stake in their workplace.

Growth and Efficiency

Allied’s organic growth benefits from careful investments in technology, internal talent development and accuracy in patient services (for patients who cannot speak!).

Miron Construction

In this episode, Eric Marcoe shares the story behind Miron Construction’s innovative Dream Project, how coaching has evolved within the company and lessons for fostering personal growth and safe conversations at work.

3 Key Takeaways:

Dream Project Origins

Inspired by the book The Dream Manager by Mathew Kelly, Miron Construction embraced the concept of supporting employees’ personal and professional growth. Over time, Eric’s role grew into “Dream Coach 2.0”, broader leadership and life coaching.

Safe Spaces Boost Engagement

Eric emphasizes the importance of creating safe, judgement-free environments for employees to open up about work or personal matters. Trust and confidentiality are the core of this work, and even resource-limited businesses can create these trusted spaces.

Coaching is Most Effective When Welcomed

Coaching only works when employees are ready and willing to engage. Tune in for practical advice for fostering growth, connections and well-being in any workspace!

The Dream Manager by Mathew Kelly. Beacon Publishing, 2007

In this episode, host Bill Mitchell welcomes Wayne Breitbarth, one of the nation’s top LinkedIn trainers, to talk about all things LinkedIn for business professionals and entrepreneurs.

Wayne shares his journey from office furniture salesman to LinkedIn authority, discusses how the platform evolved from a job search site to a broad business hub, and reveals practical strategies for leveraging LinkedIn for sales, networking, recruiting, and personal branding.

Here are 3 Key Takeaways

1. LinkedIn is a powerful business database, not Just a social media platform. Wayne’s “aha!” moment came when he realized LinkedIn allowed users to see not just who their friends are, but also who their friends know—a game-changer for expanding business networks and finding decision-makers.

2. Successful LinkedIn profiles start with authenticity: a compelling LinkedIn profile should genuinely represent you—avoid marketing jargon and instead write in the first person, using your own voice. When sending connection requests or messages, make them personal, specific, and reflective of your personality (within the 200-character limit). This builds trust and encourages meaningful engagement.

3. Engagement is about quality conversations, not just posting content. Don’t feel pressured to post constantly—engagement comes from starting conversations. Use   post ‘likes’, comments, and “who’s viewed your profile” to initiate relevant dialogues with your audience. Posting is only effective when it leads to real interaction; proactive outreach and follow-up are where business opportunities flourish.

Connect with Wayne Breitbarth

Book

Connect with Bill Mitchell

Ever wondered what it takes to swap milking cows for managing fairways? In this episode, Jessica Blaska-Grady, the general manager at Kestrel Ridge and The Oaks golf courses shares the inspiring journey from her family’s dairy tradition to running two thriving Wisconsin golf courses.

Tune in as she uncovers the lessons in a Midwest work ethic, family business dynamics and succeeding in a local community.

Here are 3 Key Takeaways:

Farmer’s Grit Builds Business Resilience:  Jessica credits the 24/7 work ethic from her dairy farming roots as a key driver of success in golf course management. “You reap what you sow” pays off both in the fields and the fairways.

Community Connection is Essential: Honoring community commitments is non-negotiable for the family owners. Hosting local events, supporting clubs and offering a welcoming space for customers and visitors is an uncompromising standard.

Family Business: Jessica’s experience reveals the challenges and successes of a family business and how Thanksgiving dinner features both.

Listen in and learn how entrepreneurship runs its course in two very different industries.

This week ConversActions welcomes Chef Lauren Posa, wellness advocate and energy force behind The Farmacy –A Restorative Eatery. We learn why so many common foods are making you sicker – often without you realizing it. In this episode Lauren explains how the right foods can fight inflammation and improve our overall wellbeing.

Chef Lauren reveals her journey through a devastating illness, the 

business mistakes she made and a few strategies to help us master healthy eating.

Here are 3 Key Takeaways: 

1.Food as Medicine: Chef Lauren revealed how conventional 

“comfort” foods can fuel inflammation and slow healing, while brain-friendly foods like avocados, turmeric and berries actively fight disease. 

2.Self-Development Fuels Success: Chef Lauren learned her

business would only grow as far as she did. By prioritizing personal 

growth, setting boundaries, and making downtime non-negotiable, her restaurant thrived – proving you can’t pour from

an empty cup. 

3.Educate to Elevate: The Farmacy isn’t just about serving meals,

it’s a vehicle to teach. Chef Lauren empowers customers and staff 

with nutrition education, hands-on classes, and a vision for online learning to spread knowledge far 

beyond her kitchen. Lauren shared her anti-inflammatory recipe for Avocado Mousse:

Ingredients:

2 ripe avocados

1/3 cup maple syrup

¼ cup cacao powder (not cocoa powder)

¼ cup coconut milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Pinch of sea salt (preferably Celtic Sea Salt)

Blend all ingredients until

smooth and creamy. Chill for 30+ minutes.

Here’s what’s on tap in this episode:

The Magic of Contract Brewing: It’s more than brewing beer—it’s a smart, scalable business model that’s all about growth by catching the next product wave.

Rolling with the Punches: Growth isn’t without speedbumps. Isaac talks about preparing for things to go wrong and maintaining sufficient cash – the fuel of growth.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Blending a killer team culture (rooted in values like best-in-class quality) with curiosity. Then peppering suppliers for insights and trends makes for a winning formula.

If you’re not driving, grab a brew and tune in for some actionable tips and inspiration from Isaac's journey!

How does an electrical engineer create an innovative early childhood education model? Bob Davis, founder of Little Explorer and Inspire Early Childhood Learning Center, faced countless funding rejections before breaking through. In this episode, learn how Bob turned every setback into an opportunity, engineering a unique educational model that fosters creativity and future success.

3 Key Takeaways from This Episode   

Turning Passion into Impact – Bob’s journey proves that passion, paired with persistence, can lead to groundbreaking innovations in childhood education.

The Science Behind Early Learning – Discover the key personality traits that shape a child’s future success and how educators can nurture them from an early age – building a love for learning.

Scaling for a Better Future – Why collaboration among struggling childcare centers could be crucial for improving teacher pay, resources, and overall educational outcomes.

Tune in to see how innovation and determination can reshape entire industries.

Check out Bob’s Website HERE.

Connect with Bill HERE.

Connect with our Sponsoring Partner’s Website HERE.

Here’s what you’ll discover:

From Munich to Milwaukee: Matt and Katie experienced the flavor of genuine Bavarian pretzels during their year-long stay in Munich. This connection to German culture and the amazing quality of the pretzels sparked a dream. They brought that dream home to Milwaukee, founding their business in 2013 with serious commitment to authenticity.

Scaling with Purpose: For Matt and Katie, growth is all about focusing on what truly matters: quality, customer care, and most importantly, their people. They leverage their individual – and complementary - strengths for effectiveness as leaders.  

Innovation and Community Spirit: While honoring their core Bavarian pretzel product, they’re expanding into exciting new areas like craft mustard and gourmet cheese spreads. They’re also committed to making a difference, with a fundraising division that has already given back over $1 million to local organizations. It’s all part of their vision: The best pretzels come from Milwaukee!

Explore the transformative power of localized food systems with groundbreaking Flex Farm technology. President Alex Tyink shares how Fork Farms is making fresh food accessible, revolutionizing indoor farming and fostering sustainable growth.

We Harvested 3 Takeaways:

Food Systems Innovation:

Learn how Alex took his passion for fresh food and turned it into a scalable technology that operates on 75% less energy. Fork Farms' innovative approach is revolutionizing how we think about eating local and sustainable produce.

Iterate with Intention: Alex shares how a relentless focus on the "why" of the company enabled him to ‘fail fast’ with over 30 prototypes on the way to a customer-centric product. Find out why agility, reactiveness and iteration are essential to long-term startup success.

Community Engagement: Fork Farms is more than food technology; it's about engaging communities and educating future generations on the importance of fresh food. Learn how Fork Farms is impacting local food systems and improving community health.

Explore the inspiring story of Benz Metal Products and learn how strategic relationships have propelled this family-owned business to new heights. Tune in to uncover the secrets behind their nearly 100% customer retention rate.

Here are 3 Key Takeaways:

1. Building Strong Relationships:

Benz Metal's incredible customer retention rate is a testament to the power of fostering strong, problem-solving relationships rather than treating customer interactions as mere transactions.

2. Strategic Growth:

CEO Jacob van der Kooy emphasizes the importance of strategic investments and partnerships, demonstrating how to turn vision into reality with smart, forward-thinking decisions.

3. Transparency in Decision-Making:

In a ‘Google world’, almost any information is public, so letting team members know the ‘why’ in decisions that affect their role builds commitment. It shows leadership integrity and builds a caring culture. 

A pizzaiolo (peet-suh-yoh-loh) can refer to anyone contributing to the success of pizza making, whether chefs, restaurants, or manufacturers of pizza like our podcast, guest, Nick Fallucca.

Palermo's Pizza transformed from a small family bakery and restaurant into an innovation leader in the frozen pizza industry. Nick shares many insights that would be of value to entrepreneurs and growing business owners alike.

Here are 3 Key Takeaways:

1️⃣ Embrace Fast Innovation: Learn how Palermo's Pizza quickly brought a "Stranger Things" (Netflix) - themed pizza to Walmart, cutting typical time-to-market significantly. This success story highlights the power of agile thinking and rapid market tests.

2️⃣ Leadership With a Heart: Discover Nick's approach to leadership, balancing inspiration, accountability, and autonomy. He emphasizes servant leadership, respectful communication, and the importance of being supportive with your team.

3️⃣ Innovation via Customer Feedback: Nick speaks to the critical importance of staying adaptable and responsive to consumer feedback. His advice on "failing fast" and pivoting based on market readiness can transform your approach to product development.

Tune in to uncover more of Nick’s industry insights, leadership tips, and the role of endless curiosity – asking why-why-why?

Ever wondered what it takes to thrive in a multi-generational family business? Join us as we uncover the journey of Matt Powell, CEO of Century Companies, and learn the secrets of leadership, stewardship, and personal growth.

Here are 3 Key Takeaways:

1️⃣ Legacy of Resilience: Understanding your organization's origin is crucial. Matt shares how his great-grandfather's perseverance during the Great Depression shaped the company's DNA and how maintaining that legacy fuels long-term success.

2️⃣ Leadership Through Self-Improvement:

Leadership starts from within. Matt emphasizes the importance of reading, listening to podcasts, self-reflection, and having great mentors for developing effective leadership skills.

3️⃣ People-Centric Vision:

Putting humanity at the forefront can inspire incredible loyalty and effort. Matt’s focus on creating an environment where employees feel inspired, safe, and fulfilled drives the organization's success.

Discover more at ConversActions: www.conversactionsllc.com