Brand Lincoln

Jessica Runge — Penelope’s Little Cafe

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2377494/fan_mail/new]   Jessica — Owner of Penelope’s Little Cafe   Episode Description  In this episode of Brand Lincoln, Christopher Beecham and Henry Schmidt sit down with Jessica Runge, One of the owners of Penelope’s Little Cafe, to talk family, food, and what it really takes to build a beloved local restaurant.  Jessica shares the story behind opening Penelope’s Little Cafe as a way to bring her family closer together, how the concept evolved from dinner service to a breakfast-and-lunch favorite, and the realities of running a family-owned restaurant in Lincoln, Nebraska. The conversation dives into the challenges of the restaurant business, the importance of community support, and how Penelope’s has built a loyal customer base that truly feels like family.  They also break down how social media and creative marketing—like themed events and local promotions—helped grow visibility and engagement, including participation in Munch Madness. Jessica highlights customer-favorite menu items, the thought behind evolving the menu, and the personal meaning behind the name “Penelope’s.”  This episode is for restaurant owners, small business operators, and anyone who appreciates the heart, hustle, and community behind local dining.   Sponsored by Perch Merch  [https://perch-merch.com/] This episode of Brand Lincoln is sponsored by Perch Merch [https://perch-merch.com/], a relationship-first merch company helping businesses and nonprofits stand out with custom apparel, promotional products, and branded online stores.  Perch Merch works with growing local brands that want to look professional, consistent, and memorable—without corporate fluff or confusing processes.   Topics Covered  * Building a family-owned restaurant * Transitioning restaurant concepts * Social media marketing for local restaurants * Community engagement and loyalty * Signature dishes and menu development * Creative promotions like Munch Madness * Navigating challenges in the restaurant industry * The personal story behind Penelope’s Little Cafe   Episode Takeaways   * Family can be the foundation of a strong business * Community support is everything for local restaurants * Social media isn’t optional—it’s essential * Consistency builds a loyal following * Creative marketing helps small businesses compete * Signature dishes create repeat customers * Adaptability keeps restaurants alive * Personal stories strengthen brand connection   Sound Bites   “It’s a fantastic problem to have.”  “We went balls to the wall.”  “We have a cult following.”     Episode Chapters   00:00 – Introduction to Penelope’s Little Cafe  01:34 – The Journey of Opening the Restaurant  05:37 – Evolving the Menu and Concept  10:10 – Social Media Strategy and Engagement  16:16 – Signature Dishes and Customer Favorites  20:25 – Community Impact and What’s Next  22:13 – The Story Behind the Name Penelope’s    🎧 Brought to you by Perch Merch [https://perch-merch.com/] — where your merch game doesn’t flake, fade, or fall apart like a bad business partner. Check out the fun stuff: Perch-Merch.com [https://perch-merch.com/]

Paul Larsen — Owner of Crepe Cafe

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2377494/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Brand Lincoln, we sit down with Paul Larsen, owner of Crepe Cafe, to talk crepes, community, and what it really takes to build a food business in Lincoln, Nebraska. Paul shares his journey from military service to entrepreneurship, how Crepe Cafe became Nebraska’s only crepe-focused food truck, and the hard lessons learned while transitioning into a brick-and-mortar location. The conversation breaks down what makes crepes different from pancakes, why National Crepe Day matters more than you’d think, and how offering both sweet and savory options helped Crepe Cafe stand out in a crowded food scene. They also dive into the reality of the “lean years,” the importance of local support, collaborating with breweries and other businesses, and why perseverance and consistency matter more than hype. Paul wraps by sharing what’s next for Crepe Cafe, including menu expansion, gluten-free and protein-focused options, and creating a space built for both food and community. This episode is for food lovers, aspiring restaurant owners, and anyone curious about the real, unfiltered path from idea to execution in a local business. Sponsored by Perch Merch [https://perch-merch.com/] This episode of Brand Lincoln is sponsored by Perch Merch [https://perch-merch.com/], a relationship-first merch company that helps businesses, nonprofits, and organizations show up professionally with custom apparel, trade show merch, and branded online stores. Perch Merch [https://perch-merch.com/] isn’t about cheap giveaways or confusing corporate jargon. It’s about helping brands look legit, feel consistent, and build long-term relationships through quality merch that actually gets worn. Keywords crepes, food truck, entrepreneurship, National Crepe Day, Crepe Cafe, local business, food history, culinary innovation, Nebraska, food pairing Topics Covered * What makes a crepe different from a pancake * Building Nebraska’s only crepe-focused food truck * Transitioning from food truck to brick-and-mortar * National Crepe Day and crepe culture * Military discipline and entrepreneurship * Surviving the lean years of business ownership * Collaborating with local breweries and businesses * Expanding menus and testing new ideas * Using social media to grow a local brand Sound Bites “What is a crepe?”  “Free crepes for everybody.”  “Hard work does pay off.” Episode Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Season Two of Brand Lincoln  01:00 – Meet Paul Larson of Crepe Cafe  02:55 – What a Crepe Really Is  08:40 – National Crepe Day  10:29 – From Food Truck to Brick-and-Mortar  16:18 – Starting a Food Business  18:21 – From Concept to Reality  21:26 – The Lean Years  24:39 – Community and Collaboration  27:34 – Expanding the Menu  29:59 – What’s Next for Crepe Cafe  🎧 Brought to you by Perch Merch [https://perch-merch.com/] — where your merch game doesn’t flake, fade, or fall apart like a bad business partner. Check out the fun stuff: Perch-Merch.com [https://perch-merch.com/]

Ep 61 Jason Hellbusch- Kawasaki

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2377494/fan_mail/new] Kawasaki isn’t just about motorcycles anymore — and if you live in Lincoln, Nebraska, you’ve probably seen their work without even realizing it. In this episode, Chris Beecham sits down with Jason Hellbusch to unpack the incredible story of Kawasaki’s Lincoln plant — from cranking out the iconic KZ400 motorcycle in the ’70s to building rail cars for NYC’s subway and cargo doors for Boeing 777s. We dive into how a Japanese manufacturer became a Nebraska powerhouse, employing over 3,000 people and leading innovation in rail, aerospace, and now… personal transportation vehicles that look straight out of the future. Jason shares insider stories about manufacturing at scale, the skills Kawasaki is desperate to hire for, and what’s next for the largest Kawasaki plant in the U.S. If you like business, engineering, or just a good “how the heck did that happen in Nebraska?” story — this one’s for you. Key Takeaways: * Kawasaki has called Lincoln home for over 50 years. * First U.S.-built Kawasaki motorcycle? The KZ400. * Expanded into rail cars, aerospace, and now next-gen personal transportation. * The Lincoln facility is the largest Kawasaki plant in America. * Employs 3,000+ with major demand for skilled welders. * Builds subway cars for East Coast cities and airplane cargo doors for Boeing. * Always innovating — from motorcycles to the NAV vehicle. Keywords: Kawasaki, Lincoln Nebraska, motorcycles, jet skis, rail cars, aerospace manufacturing, product innovation, skilled trades, factory jobs, manufacturing history, economic impact, transportation design, subway cars, Boeing, personal vehicles, welders wanted  🎧 Brought to you by Perch Merch [https://perch-merch.com/] — where your merch game doesn’t flake, fade, or fall apart like a bad business partner. Check out the fun stuff: Perch-Merch.com [https://perch-merch.com/]

Ep 60 Hillary & Cody- Nebraska Aces

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2377494/fan_mail/new] In Episode 60 of Brand Lincoln, we welcome Hillary Swain and Cody Morris from Aces Hockey Club for a deep dive into how they’re building more than just athletes—they’re building a sports community. From bringing together youth hockey players across rival towns to introducing kids to the cultural roots of lacrosse, Hillary and Cody share how Aces is giving young athletes opportunities to grow on and off the ice. You’ll hear the story behind Aces Hockey Club, its mission to make travel hockey more accessible and less pressured, and the importance of team bonding in youth sports. Hillary and Cody also open up about their growing lacrosse program, the role of diet and fitness in player development, and their vision for expanding Aces into a full competitive team. Whether you’re a parent, coach, or simply believe in the life lessons sports can teach, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how community, culture, and competition come together to shape the next generation of athletes. Key Takeaways: * Aces Hockey Club unites youth players from across Nebraska for skill development and camaraderie. * Travel hockey is made fun, accessible, and low-pressure for kids and families. * Team bonding helps unite players from rival communities. * Upcoming camps focus on speed, skill, and athletic growth. * Lacrosse is a key part of Aces’ programming, honoring its deep cultural roots. * Nutrition and fitness are emphasized for peak performance. * Future plans include expanding into a full competitive team. Keywords: Aces Hockey Club, youth hockey Nebraska, travel hockey, youth sports development, lacrosse Nebraska, coaching youth sports, team bonding, hockey skills camp, youth sports community, sports culture  🎧 Brought to you by Perch Merch [https://perch-merch.com/] — where your merch game doesn’t flake, fade, or fall apart like a bad business partner. Check out the fun stuff: Perch-Merch.com [https://perch-merch.com/]

Ep 59 Melanie Rezac- 555 Boutique/Creative Collabs

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2377494/fan_mail/new] Episode 59: Melanie Rezak | 555 Boutique & Creative Collabs What happens when a corporate career meets a calling to create? In this episode of Brand Lincoln, host Chris Beecham and co-hosts Joe Cruz and Henry Schmidt sit down with Melanie Rezak, founder of 555 Boutique and Creative Collabs. Melanie shares her inspiring leap from the corporate world into entrepreneurship during the height of the pandemic—and how a little idea in her basement turned into one of Fallbrook’s most buzzed-about boutiques. We dive into the power of community events, the strategy behind 24/7 local shopping, and what it really takes to grow a small business in today’s fast-moving world. From e-commerce to inventory chaos to angel numbers, this one’s for the doers, dreamers, and shop local believers. 🔑 Topics Covered: * Why the number 555 means change (and how it shaped Melanie’s brand) * How Fallbrook is quietly becoming a retail and event hub in Lincoln * The origin and evolution of Creative Collabs * Challenges of managing staff, inventory, and growth as a boutique owner * Why community-driven shopping is the future of local retail 📍 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska  🎧 Brought to you by Perch Merch [https://perch-merch.com/] — where your merch game doesn’t flake, fade, or fall apart like a bad business partner. Check out the fun stuff: Perch-Merch.com [https://perch-merch.com/]