How To Win In The Midwest

Podcast by Peter Schmidt

English

History & religion

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20 hours of audiobooks / month
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About How To Win In The Midwest

This is a show that will tell the stories of success for the Midwest. The modern media landscape loves to talk about outliers. The unicorns. The world-ending supernovas. Companies that have global impact. But the reality is that our lives are more frequently impacted by companies in our own backyards. The formula to win in New York or San Francisco might not be the same formula to win in Cincinnati, Milwaukee, or Nashville. The playbook for success in the Midwest, The Heartland, is mostly unique to the region. Unfortunately, it's not well studied. Harvard Business School doesn't write a lot of case studies about tool and die shops in Dayton, Ohio. We don’t have New York Times best selling books being written about the companies that employ our families and friends. And we don’t even have a business journal of record that covers anything other than new real estate projects - no offense to those publications. But these companies are worth studying because the Midwest isn't going anywhere. In fact, the Midwest is the beating heart of our country. Many of the companies located here have an outsized impact on our global economy and have more impact that a lot of buzzier names on the coasts. And while the Midwest has had some tough times, everyone knows that those don't last, but tough people do. And so do tough lessons. So we want to study them, track them, dissect them, and find ways to put these lessons into action. We are going to study success stories in business and culture and who and what makes them work so well. We will answer questions like What's the story behind this enduring ice cream brand that's been around for 156 years? Why does that bank with a funny name seem to be everywhere and what makes them so successful? And why does the local orchestra proliferate and seem to own every concert venue in town and much more? We are writing a new playbook for how to win in the Midwest.

All episodes

3 episodes

Episode 3: Gorilla Glue - All 600 lbs of Brand Power

The conversation delves into the history of glue, the acquisition of Lutz Tool, the success story of the Gorilla Glue Company, and the expansion of the business. It also explores the marketing strategy, SKU expansion, and leadership transition, highlighting the brand's growth and expansion over the years. The conversation delves into the incident involving Gorilla Glue, its public image, business expansion, resilience, financial growth, market position, industry comparison, growth trajectory, market impact, regional influence, CPG dominance, branding strategy, brand differentiation, brand consistency, brand power, market positioning, growth potential, playbook themes, industrial inheritance, hero company spinoff, talent acquisition, market expansion, channel expansion, market education, market innovation, cost structure advantage, geographic centrality, economic resilience, bear case, and bull case. Takeaways * History of glue dates back to 200,000 BC * Gorilla Glue's success and expansion * Marketing strategy and SKU expansion Gorilla Glue's success is attributed to its focus, steady expansion, and understanding of the companies it has acquired. * Gorilla Glue's branding, product quality, and hard work have contributed to its success as a great Midwestern success story. Chapters * 00:00 The History of Glue * 11:20 Mark Singer's Polyurethane Adhesive * 21:19 Gorilla Glue's Marketing Strategy * 31:45 Gorilla Glue's Growth and Expansion * 39:14 Expansion and Marketing in 2013 * 46:20 Gorilla Glue's Facility Expansion * 51:20 Leadership Transition and Business Growth * 57:24 Gorilla Glue's Business Expansion * 01:03:03 Gorilla Glue's Growth Trajectory * 01:08:18 Gorilla Glue's Brand Differentiation * 01:14:25 Gorilla Glue's Playbook Themes * 01:20:18 Gorilla Glue's Market Education * 01:26:06 Gorilla Glue's Geographic Centrality * 01:31:08 Gorilla Glue's Bull Case

19 May 2026 - 1 h 40 min

Episode 2: TQL - Just Win, Baby

The conversation covers the history and evolution of freight brokerage, the founding of Total Quality Logistics (TQL), and the impact of the Great Recession on the logistics industry. It also explores the competitive landscape, hiring practices, and the role of technology in the industry. TQL's journey from 2009 to 2025 is marked by impressive growth, geographic expansion, technological advancements, and a strong sales-driven culture. The company's focus on sales, technology, and people has propelled it to become a major player in the logistics industry, with a significant increase in market share and revenue. TQL's ability to adapt to industry changes and maintain a strong sales culture has been key to its success. Total Quality Logistics (TQL) is a company known for its competitive culture and high earning potential. The company's focus on technology, expansion, and potential acquisition of a sports franchise are key discussion points. The competitive nature of TQL's culture is evident in its approach to business and growth strategies. Takeaways * Freight brokerage is a complex and essential part of the logistics industry. * TQL's success is attributed to its hiring practices, focus on core competencies, and ability to adapt to industry changes. Sales-driven culture * Geographic expansion * Technology integration * Market share growth Competitive Culture * Technology and Expansion * Potential Acquisition of a Sports Franchise Chapters * 00:00 Understanding Freight Brokerage * 09:15 Founding of Total Quality Logistics (TQL) * 18:05 TQL's Growth and Competitive Landscape * 30:12 Industry Changes and Technology * 35:35 Navigating Threats and Growth * 41:08 Technology Offerings and Business Automation * 46:16 Industry Disruption and Business Strategy * 54:17 Market Share and Competitors * 01:03:00 Sales Strategy and Customer-Centric Approach * 01:08:58 Earning Potential and Competitive Culture * 01:15:21 Technology and Innovation in Freight Market * 01:20:53 Exploring New Business Opportunities * 01:26:25 Potential Expansion and Sports Franchise Acquisition

31 Mar 2026 - 1 h 37 min

Episode 1: Graeter's Ice Cream - 156 Years of Stalwart Success

Pilot Episode: How to Win In The Midwest, Graeter's Ice Cream Hosts: Sean Cox, Peter Schmidt

27 Feb 2026 - 1 h 59 min

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