Building Nebraska

From His Father’s Business to His Daughter’s Future | Part 2

In Part 2 of this conversation, Mark Whitehead reflects on growing up in the family business and eventually taking over leadership of Whitehead Oil Company and its U-Stop convenience store brand. He shares stories from his early days in the industry, the realities of working alongside his father, and the challenges that often come with family business succession. Mark also discusses scaling the company, lessons learned from business mistakes, and the advice he gives young entrepreneurs about creating real value for customers.

How Gas Stations Really Make Their Money | U-Stop Owner Mark Whitehead | Part 1

In Part 1 of this episode, Mark Whitehead shares the strategy behind growing U-Stop and Whitehead Oil Company into nearly 40 locations across Nebraska and Kansas. We go inside the economics of the convenience store business, how fuel pricing really works, and why most of the profit isn’t made at the pump. Mark also explains how the company differentiates itself in a crowded market and what it takes to stay competitive in the retail fuel industry.

How They Scaled Across the State | Ryan Clark, Eustis Body Shop | Building Nebraska

What does it take to grow a small-town business into something much bigger—without losing what made it work in the first place? On this episode of Building Nebraska, we sit down with Ryan Clark, Vice President of Eustis Body Shop, to talk about the journey from a single shop in rural Nebraska to eight locations across the state. Ryan didn’t grow up in the business. After marrying into the family, he started from the ground up—driving to Eustis early in the morning, sweeping floors, detailing vehicles, and learning the trade before stepping into leadership. In this conversation, he shares what it took to earn trust inside a family business, how culture has driven long-term growth, and why keeping employees invested has been key to their success. We also talk about how the collision repair industry is changing—from advanced vehicle technology to rising repair costs—and what that means for customers and the future of the business. Building Nebraska is powered by the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

People Say They Want Local Food… So Why Aren’t They Buying It? | Robinette Farms | Building Nebraska

Robinette Farms started with a simple idea: connect people to the land through food. But building that vision hasn’t been easy. In this episode, Alex Robinette shares the journey — from launching a local food business to navigating a life-changing accident that reshaped his role on the farm. We also dive into the realities of building a direct-to-consumer ag business, the tradeoffs between control and risk, and detail Alex's philosophy for the future of agriculture: commerce, conservation, and community. Building Nebraska is presented by the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln — developing the next generation of agricultural leaders and entrepreneurs.

From High School Graduate to Popcorn Shop Owner | GoodyPop | Building Nebraska

Just days after graduating high school in 2024, Emory Conrad took a leap that most people her age wouldn’t consider — purchasing the local popcorn shop where she had worked throughout high school. Instead of heading to college, she chose the entrepreneurial path and became the owner of GoodyPop. What started as a small downtown shop has become a destination for popcorn lovers, offering more than 200 unique flavors — from sweet classics to bold combinations you wouldn’t expect. In this episode of Building Nebraska, Emory shares what it’s like to buy a business at 18 years old, the lessons she learned working there as a student, and how she’s putting her own stamp on the shop while honoring its history. She also talks about the risks, the creativity behind developing new flavors, and why small businesses play such an important role in rural communities. Discover how one young Nebraskan turned opportunity into ownership — and how a popcorn shop is becoming a symbol of the state’s entrepreneurial spirit. Building Nebraska is powered by the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.