Three Questions, Three Drinks with Chris Mikolay

Ep. 21 - Rhinoceros Success with Matt Kaulig and Tim Clepper

ENTREPRENEURSHIP!  Matt Kaulig and Tim Clepper are rockstar businessmen and philanthropists with an enviable track record – both literally and figuratively.  Starting their partnership as friends first, Matt and Tim have built the single member family office, Kaulig Companies, into a juggernaut: the business now encompasses Kaulig Racing (with 3 cars in NASCAR’s Xfinity series and 2 teams set to race in NASCAR’s 2022 Cup series), consumer home products, marketing and events, finance and financial services, and a philanthropic powerhouse – Kaulig Giving – that supports over 100 nonprofit organizations benefiting children and families across Northeast Ohio and beyond.  In this episode you’ll hear how Matt discovered a new type of direct-to-consumer product, LeafFilter, and started a company out of his basement that has grown to become one of the largest DTC home products companies with over 118 offices across the US and Canada.  And you’ll hear how Tim, as President and CEO of Kaulig Companies, has used a “rhinoceros” mindset to propel his career and combine forces with Matt to build something very special.  Episode 21 of 3Q3D is the story of Matt and Tim’s rise, their serendipitous introduction and subsequent partnership, and how their brand’s “infinity” logo has become the touchstone for the symbiotic success that propels their mission.  Drinks in this episode: >> The Green Flag cocktail: 2 oz Tito’s vodka, ¼ oz Mr. Boston melon liqueur (green color), 1 oz white cranberry peach juice, 1 oz Sprite, ½ oz lime juice; pour ingredients in a tall glass filled with ice and garnish with a lime wedge >> Watershed Distillery Old Fashioned; pour over ice >> FLOH Pink Grapefruit and Dragonfruit vodka; pour over ice

Ep. 20 - DORA and the 3 Drink Explorers

RANDOM QUESTIONS.  The 3Q3D team takes a field trip to their local “Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area”, aka DORA, and scavenges a variety of drinks to share under the town clocktower while debating the best 80s movies, the worst states, and the best day on the calendar.  Stick around for the grand finale as Chris regales Matt and Amanda with a heartwarming story from his youth involving a Highlights for Kids magazine.  Drinks in this episode: >> Negroni cocktail from Hudson’s Restaurant:  Tito’s gin, Campari, Sweet Vermouth, garnished with orange peel >> Old Thyme Sour cocktail from Downtown 140:  Jameson, Thyme, Cinnamon infusion, ginger beer, garnished with a sprig of Thyme >> Lavender Muse cocktail from Downtown 140: Empress gin, Lavender honey infusion, Lemon, Prosecco float >> No Effen Way cocktail from One Red Door:  Effen cucumber vodka, Giffard elderflower, Basil, Prosecco float

Ep. 19 - Big Risks and Corn Dogs on Sticks

RISK.  Risk is ever present in our lives; some of us embrace it, some of us do our best to avoid it, and many of us routinely take potentially life changing risks every single day without realizing it (witness anyone texting and driving).  Between sips of local IPA’s and fueled by kobe beef corn dogs on a stick, Chris, Amanda and Matt debate their respective risk tolerance, whether it’s okay to let your 10 year old ride his bike around town alone, and why “safety” is a myth.  Drinks in this episode: >> Bookhouse Brewery “Patio Season” New England IPA, 5.2% ABV >> Threes “The Things We All Do”, IPA, 6.4% ABV >> Rhinegeist “Truth”, IPA, 7.2% ABV >> R. Shea Brewing “709er”, IPA, 8.0% ABV

Ep. 18 - Shots of Laughter with Colt and Doug

LAUGHTER.  Proving they’re no one-hit wonder, Colt and Doug are back in the 3Q3D studio for another entertaining conversation.   Only this time they’re doing shots of crappy rum while pondering where funny comes from in this “Laughter” themed episode.        Drinks in this episode: >> Salty Dog cocktail – 1 ½ oz Tito’s vodka, 3 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.  Pour vodka and grapefruit juice in a glass, mix and garnish with a salted rim.  >> Captain Morgan “Cannon Blast” shot >> UFO Big Squeeze Grapefruit Shandy

Ep. 17 - Creating Conversational Chemistry

THE ART OF CONVERSATION.  Small talk is lame.  But how does one push past the superficial and have better conversations?  Chris and Amanda are joined by podcasting guru and “Master Provocateur” Brian Howie (host of the #1 dating and relationship podcast The Great Love Debate), for a fascinating conversation about…conversation.  If a good conversation is like a ping pong warmup, then this is one spirited volley.    Drinks in this episode: >> Lemon Lavender Shandy, Burnt Marshmallow Brewery >> High Noon pineapple vodka and soda >> French 75 Cocktail – 1 oz gin, ½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice, ½ oz simple syrup, 3 oz Champagne (or other sparkling wine); combine ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice, shake and strain into Champagne flute.  Garnish with a lemon twist.