ConversActions

Nick Netley on Innovation, Risk-Taking, and Competitive Advantage in the Express Car Wash Industry

What does it take to compete with billion-dollar companies when you're a small business owner? In this episode, Nick Netley, founder of Sota Shine Car Wash, reveals how he's disrupting the booming car wash industry through bold innovation and calculated risks. From selling the #1 Camp Bow Wow franchise in the United States to building what will be the world's longest car wash at 305 feet, Nick shares his journey of creating unique customer experiences that set his business apart from corporate giants. Broadcasting from his million-dollar self-service dog wash called Sota Pup, Nick discusses how he combines sustainability, customer experience, and creative thinking to build a competitive moat against private equity-backed competitors. In this episode, we explore: (02:15) From exercise science degree to dog daycare empire in Minnesota (05:29) The million-dollar dog wash gamble and the power of animals (07:51) Engineering complexity behind modern express car washes (09:41) Building environmentally responsible washes with solar and water reclamation (13:49) Finding diamond-in-the-rough employees/leadership lessons learned the hard way (18:06) Creating customer experiences that build loyalty when things go wrong (23:22) Success lessons on traffic counts, site selection, and taking calculated risks (26:18) The fun of brainstorming and building something no one has seen before Resources Mentioned Sota Shine Car Wash [https://sotashine.com/] Sota Pup self-service dog wash [https://sotashine.com/sota-pup-dog-wash/] Camp Bow Wow franchise [https://www.campbowwow.com/franchising/] WBD SBA Lending [https://www.wbd.org/] SBA 504 loan program [https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/504-loans]

Digital Innovation in Survey Tech: Bridging Physical and Digital Infrastructure with Mike Klonsinski

How do you transform a 50-year-old metal foundry into a cutting-edge digital technology company? In this episode, Mike Klonsinski, President of Berntsen International, reveals how his company made the dramatic leap from forging metal survey markers to developing RFID-enabled smart infrastructure that connects the physical world to digital twin systems. 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 [https://www.berntsen.com/Home/gad_source/1/gad_campaignid/21517837131/gbraid/0AAAAAD9qq6jeiSpuG42nbSkQ-mFW8PNNX?gclid=CjwKCAjw46HPBhAMEiwASZpLRCcH7wfP6f839UoQ5JJ93zRusCAFm6ztl421aRwIXzCwfwt7uLNYFRoCio8QAvD_BwE] Geo Week [https://www.geo-week.com/] Esri GIS software platform [https://www.esri.com/en-us/home] Dinosaur bone tracking video [https://www.inframarker.com/training-how-to-videos/v/dig-to-display-bridging-the-past-and-future-with-rfid-and-gis]

Building Strategic Financial Foundations for Small Business Success

What's the difference between surviving and thriving as a small business owner? In this episode, Tina Lockwood, co-founder of Lockwood Enterprises, reveals how proper financial structure and strategic thinking can transform a new or struggling business into a profitable, scalable enterprise. 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 [https://thebusinesscouncilmke.com/programs/] SCORE: Mentorship program for small business owners [https://www.score.org/] SBA 504 loan program [https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/504-loans] Lockwood Enterprises [https://www.lockwoodenterprises.biz/]

Chef John Bogan on Seasonality, Local Pride, and Creating Unforgettable Culinary Experiences

A great meal is about more than just the food – it’s about connection, seasonality, and a dash of storytelling. In this episode, Chef John Bogan, founder of the Lake Geneva School of Cooking, invites us behind the scenes of his high-energy kitchen and reveals how he’s reimagining culinary education by making it as welcoming as a gathering at home. 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 [https://www.lakegenevacookingschool.com/] Chef John Bogan’s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/chef.j.bogan/] Recipes from the Seasons of My Life – Cookbook [https://www.lakegenevacookingschool.com/product-page/chef-john-bogan-recipes-from-the-seasons-of-my-life]

Tackling Loneliness and Isolation in a Hyper-connected World

Despite all our technology, one in three adults in America reports regular loneliness. This week’s guest, Brad Steckart, founder of Sit By Me, shares how his own experience working remotely inspired him to create an app that helps people break down social barriers in everyday spaces like cafes, bars, and libraries. 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 [https://sitbyme.co/] Brad’s Executive Briefing: Reconnecting in a Digital World [https://sitbymeapp.substack.com/p/reconnecting-in-a-digital-world] Connect with Bradley Steckart on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-steckart-a1b60063/]