Get Deep

Jared Day: co-founder and COO of Gigli and Nuleev! Join us for an engaging conversation spanning Jared’s growing wealth of entrepreneurial expertise. From building a brand from the ground up, the incredible benefits of collaborating, and the challenge of reinventing the wheel, we loved hearing the backstory of both our guest and the Gigli brand. Our guest opens up about his biggest challenges to date and the legal awareness needed to operate a THC-focused company. Stay tuned for minute 40:09, where Jared shares the scaling opportunities (and drawbacks) that come with using fresh ingredients

Tim Flynn - “Master Tim” - owner of Kato Karate! Join us as Tim shares his mission of peace through self-defense. From his earliest experiences of being bullied, Tim explains how the early breakdown of self-confidence can have lifelong mental, emotional, and even physical effects. His unique approach to the education of anti-bullying has brought him national acclaim - and positively affected countless lives. We loved hearing our guest’s origin story, his mentors along the way, and most memorable students. Stay tuned for minute 16:05, where Tim shares the strange, surreal dream that changed how he saw the value in his life

Ted Marti: president of August Schell Brewing Company in New Ulm! Ted’s roots in the brewery run deep; from his earliest memories of playing on the company grounds as a child to his first challenges as president, our guest and his family have kept the tradition alive (and thriving). Join us as Ted shares insights into his success with sustaining an exceptional brand - and keeping his community relationships strong. We loved hearing the rich history of Schells from the local expert! Stay tuned for minute 57:00, where Ted shares what he (really) keeps in the mansion on the brewery property

Tim Murray & Myron Erstad: community leaders and entrepreneurial experts! Join us for an incredibly open and honest conversation with two of our new favorite mentor figures. From intense involvement in 40+ startup opportunities to the journey to sobriety journey, we were thoroughly captivated by the expertise of our guests. Recounting big wins and big failures, this episode is perfect for the risk-taker in all of us. Stay tuned for minute 44:20, where Tim shares his take on the 71% success rate through the lens of recovery 

Maria Brown: third generation fine jewelry vice president and co-owner at Exclusively Diamonds! A Mankato native with deep roots in the community, Maria’s connections are astounding. Our guest shares how growing up in a highly successful entrepreneur family shaped how she sees the essential role of small businesses. From the pressure of keeping inventory moving during the Covid shutdown to spearheading new initiatives with social media outreach, we loved hearing our guest’s fresh take on ownership and client satisfaction. Stay tuned for minute 1:18:25, where Maria shares how Tudor and Rolex came into their collection of inventory. Tune in to Wine Wednesdays today with Exclusively Diamonds!

Cate DeBates: principal and chief strategy officer at NAI North Star, partner to boutique hotels Arch + Cable and Hotel Alexander! Join us for an incredible conversation with skillful entrepreneur Cate. From her earliest memories moving all over the country to her most recent ventures in the world of hospitality, we were captivated by our guest’s enthusiasm and wide variety of expertise. Cate shares how her philosophy of “a rising tide lifts all boats” has proven essential in both community growth and throughout her own personal life. Stay tuned for minute 1:41:40, where Cate explains some of the common misconceptions about commercial real estate agents 

John Couchot: Vice President of Alcohol Operations at Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery! Woodchucks. California. Biotech. NDAs. Kids. Micro-roasting. Chupacabras. Nike beer. Ed Hardy. From his first brewing experiences at the age of 15 to his journey to Minnesota, our guest this week has a fascinating story that crosses multiple careers all over the country! John’s engaging manner of storytelling and incredible wealth of experience kept us captivated throughout the entire conversation. With his willingness to experiment and “why not give it a try” attitude, his journey of success has been truly remarkable. Stay tuned for minute 1:24:57, where John shares his most memorable tattoo stories from his time as an artist

Pete Matejcek: owner and president of Schmidt Siding and Window! Meeting the needs of the client in their own home is a responsibility that Pete accepts as a vocational calling. With a deep-rooted passion for exceeding the client’s needs, our guest has established himself as a key figure in the Southern Minnesota home improvement industry. Join us as we dive deep into Pete’s earliest memories as a Mankato native, how his start as a siding installer informed his transition into sales, and his intense dedication to making music. Stay tuned for minute 1:14:30, where Peter shares the secret of his success at Schmidts

Jake Schrom - KBM President and entrepreneur!  Kitchen, Baths & More (KBM). Hometown Fitness. Swass Block. Our guest this week is a hidden gem in the Mankato community - an adept entrepreneur with a wide range of expertise! From earliest childhood memories to making Cuban’s Cuts on Shark Tank, Jake takes us on a wild ride unlike any other. We enjoyed hearing our guest’s take on the most pivotal moments in his career (and his preparations for the future). Stay tuned for minute 1:16:26, where Jake shares the inside scoop on how Swass Block first began.

Joe Bach: VP of Business Development at MEI Total Elevator Solutions! Anything but an average Joe, our guest this week has a wealth of experience in leadership and cultivating a culture of growth at MEI. Joe shares what he’s retained after over a decade in the industry - from field operations to successful failures. We loved hearing about the projects MEI has spearheaded, including the (giant) Barclays Center elevator in Brooklyn - and so many more. Special thanks to Andy Wilke for guest hosting with Aaron this week! 

Brandon Smith: Vice President of Operations & Development at Tailwind Group! Join us as our guest this week breaks down the commercial real estate industry, sharing his insight into Tailwind’s unique expertise in off-campus student housing all across the country. From Brandon’s own college experience to his responsibilities today, we loved this discussion of growth and success in (often) uncharted waters. Stay tuned for minute 02:07:48, where Brandon gives his projections into the future of real estate - and Bill Gates’ farmland investments

Emily Schumacher: Miss Minnesota 2024! Join us for an incredible conversation with Mankato’s own Miss Minnesota. From her earliest local memories to her journey to Miss Minnesota, Emily takes us through her mission and goals for the future. Her dedication to raising awareness about heart health, CPR education, and nutrition left us deeply inspired. Next stop: Miss America! We can’t wait to see all that Emily accomplishes in the next year (and beyond). Stay tuned for minute 27:44, where our guest shares one of the most unexpected questions she’s been asked as a pageant contestant

The 100th episode of Get Deep: an ultimate recap with Aaron and Wes! Join us for a celebration of community, past episodes and craziest moments with your two favorite hosts. From small business strategies to the future of the podcast, strap in for an engaging discussion unlike any you’ve experienced before! Stay tuned for minute 2:07:10, where Aaron and Wes share their personal goals for Get Deep - and its next 100 episodes.

Jim Makovsky - head coach of MSU Maverick’s Wrestling Team! Our guest currently upholds a legendary wrestling program spanning decades. With a career rooted in grit and determination, Jim recounts his mentors and key moments that have helped define his trajectory. From rookie breakouts to unbelievable wins (and losses), Jim's story has it all! Stay tuned for minute 1:32:50, where our guest provides insight into the unique team dynamics of an inherently solo sport

Jen True: real estate titan, entrepreneur and community champion! Join us this week for an unforgettable discussion with an industry leader in properties. From her earliest beginnings on a horse farm just south of Mankato to her first forays into the brokerage arena, Jen recounts the wins and losses that have shaped her successes today. Stay tuned for minute 18:54, where our guest shares the unexpected manner in which she was first pitched a career in real estate!

Brian Taylor: Owner of Mankato Motors and Army National Guard veteran! Join us for one of our new favorite discussions with an automotive expert and awarded soldier. With a winning combination of deft interpersonal skills, work ethic and strength through adversity, Brian takes us through the key moments in his life that shaped his present success. Stay tuned for minute 1:39:20, where Brian shares his hot take on charging stations and electric vehicles.

Justin Ek: owner of 108 Alchemy, partner in Bellissimo Paint & Coatings, muralist, community event planning, artist in resident - and so much more! If it’s related to the arts culture in southern Minnesota, odds are really good that Justin is involved! With a true passion for fostering the community through visual expression, our guest this week shares how his shared family work ethic has shaped his approach to entrepreneurship. From going viral on social media to the role that color plays in his artistic method, we had a blast learning from this community leader. Thank you, Justin, for sharing your insights with us! 

Tyler Freyberg: fourth generation co-owner of Freyberg Petroleum with his brother Corey! From overseeing multiple gas stations to the newest venture of the Mankato Travel Center, Tyler has wide expertise in everything from managing vendors to striving for the highest quality of customer service. Our guest this week shares his secret for fostering healthy relationships within the family business, and what he’s learned from a decades-long career serving the community. Stay tuned for minute 1:17:04, where Tyler shares the story behind the earliest beginnings of the Mankato Travel Center

Joe Krause: Creative Services Manager at FUN.com and founder of DIY Cold Plunge! Our guest this week is an up-and-coming entrepreneur right here in Mankato, MN. We had a blast hearing everything from Joe’s college experiences to his innovative side hustles. Well-read, hard working and intuitive, Joe takes us through his favorite stories and life lessons. Stay tuned for minute 1:30:05, where Joe shares the inspiration behind the one and only Plunge Buddy 

Jessica Potter: Blue Earth County Historical Society (BECHS) Executive Director! With a deep joy and passion for history, Jessica’s commitment to preserving the stories of our region is truly unmatched! Join us for a lively discussion covering everything from specialized curation to the National Register to drunk carp (the prohibition era was wild). Our guest has an impressive wealth of knowledge in local lore, and we are here for all of her compelling stories from Southern Minnesota’s rich history!