On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Jeff Stevens, the visionary founder of Wellbeing Brewing. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a mission-driven company that not only thrives in a competitive market but also challenges industry norms, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Jeff has taken the craft beer world by storm with a bold idea: creating non-alcoholic beers that don’t just taste great but also align with a lifestyle of balance, health, and mindfulness. From humble beginnings to national recognition, Wellbeing Brewing is redefining what it means to enjoy a beer. In this insightful conversation, we dive into the NA category and talk about who are his real competitors and who are his real consumers. We tackle the challenges of scaling a business while staying true to your core values? And what are the things that keep a founder like Jeff up at night? Pour yourself a glass and let’s roll… #brewing #nonalcoholic #stlouis #craftbeer

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Matt LaMartina, owner of Tony LaMartina Plumbing Co., a family business serving St. Louis since 1982. When Matt’s father, a beloved and larger-than-life plumber, passed away in 2023, Matt found himself stepping into a role he had never planned for. Despite having worked in the company for a decade, Matt is not a licensed plumber and initially came from a career in pharmaceutical sales, armed with an MBA and a fresh perspective on business.

In this candid conversation, Matt shares the challenges and triumphs of taking over a business as the next generation—from earning the trust of a skilled team with all of the institutional knowledge to navigating the emotional weight of filling his father’s shoes. We’ll explore how Matt’s background in sales and business education prepared him to lead, the unique strategies he’s implemented to drive growth, and his vision for the future of Tony LaMartina Plumbing Co.

So, grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and get ready to be inspired as we explore what it means to lead with intention, adapt to change, and keep a legacy alive. Let’s roll…

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Sarah Schlafly, the founder of *Mighty Cricket*, a company that’s revolutionizing the food industry with products made from—you guessed it—cricket protein. Sarah is not only building a brand in an emerging industry but also tackling some of the biggest challenges in food sustainability and consumer perception. Sarah found herself this week in the middle of President Trump’s political agenda with the recent freeze on federal grant dollars—including $650,000 she had secured threw the USDA to grow her business—and how she’s adapting to this unexpected hurdle**. Additionally, we touch on her experience on the new Amazon game show “Buy It Now”, how she’s overcoming the ‘ick factor’ of an insect-based food source, building a direct-to-consumer brand, and navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship in a space that’s still finding its footing. From leadership lessons to her vision for the future of alternative protein, this episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in innovation, resilience, and thinking outside the box. Let’s roll…

**Please note, as of the release of this podcast on January 30, the federal government’s freeze on funding has been rescinded. It doesn’t change the impact and chaos created by the initial action, so Sarah’s challenges and the unexpected online hate that has accompanied the freeze certainly remains valid and important. #proteinpowder # crickets #newtechnology #research #trumpfreeze #science