From Service to Self: Healing Beyond the Uniform

Reinvention After Chaos- Golf Ball Bandits

Patricia Muelle and Carisa Mendyk  talked about the versions of themselve  people still remember versus the women they've  become. The mistakes. The lessons. The stories that are funny now but weren't funny at the time. They talked business, relationships, being underestimated, healing, growth, and why sometimes people struggle to let go of who you used to be. This one felt less like an interview and more like two women having a real conversation about life. Carisa Mendyk co-owner of Great Lakes Home Design talks about being in a male dominated industry and shares the unbelievable story behind her nickname being a “Golf Ball Bandit,” including how she became involved in a nationwide golf ball retrieval operation that eventually led to arrests, national headlines, and Golf Digest articles. What could have become a shame-filled chapter instead became part of the journey that shaped her entrepreneurial mindset and personal growth. Change is a good thing and ao is your past!  The conversation also dives into: * Women in business and emotional burnout * Difficult customers and customer service stress * Toxic relationships and rebuilding confidence * ADHD, anxiety, and post-COVID life * Healing from past mistakes * Authenticity and personal growth * Learning boundaries in business and relationships * Letting go of other people’s opinions This episode is funny, emotional, relatable, and deeply inspiring for anyone navigating entrepreneurship, reinvention, or learning to own every chapter of their story. www.greatlakeshomedesign.com/ [https://greatlakeshomedesign.com/] Carisa on instagram [https://www.instagram.com/risa_ru/] Built This Way, created and hosted by Patricia Muellen - story teller, entrepreneur, survivor, creator, marketing strategist, and owner of agency P. Muellen & Associates, LLC Patricia spends her days helping businesses grow and having honest conversations about what it really takes to build something from nothing. If you liked this episode, follow the podcast, share it with a fellow builder, and come connect with Patricia online. Because around here we believe in hard work, real talk, and building things that last. After all… some of us are just Built This Way. @Patriciamuellen @pmuellenassociates  @builtthiswaypodcast Builtthiswaypodcast@gmail.com

From Service to Self: Healing Beyond the Uniform

In this episode of Built This Way, host Patricia Muellen sits down with veteran advocate Donna McClendon to explore life after military service, the importance of boundaries, and the reality of healing from trauma. They dive into the challenges veterans face when transitioning into civilian life, including navigating the VA system, accessing benefits, and rebuilding identity after service. Donna shares her experience working with veterans through Let’s Talk Vets, helping individuals find support, purpose, and direction. This conversation also unpacks how trauma impacts both mental and physical health, why setting boundaries is essential for personal growth, and how individuals can begin reclaiming their power after years of prioritizing others. If you are interested in personal development, mental health, veteran support, or learning how to set stronger boundaries in your life, this episode delivers real, actionable insight. 🎧 Topics covered: * Life after the military and veteran transition * VA benefits and support systems * Mental health and trauma recovery * Boundaries and self-worth * Personal growth and healing Listen now to discover how to move from survival mode into a life of clarity, strength, and purpose. VA Resources – https://www.va.gov [https://www.va.gov/] Donna McClendon Let's Talk Veterans Instagram @letstalkveterans Intro & Connection Military Experience Life After Service Veteran Support Systems Boundaries & Healing Trauma & Health Retreats & Growth Closing Thoughts Built This Way, created and hosted by Patricia Muellen - story teller, entrepreneur, survivor, creator, marketing strategist, and owner of agency P. Muellen & Associates, LLC Patricia spends her days helping businesses grow and having honest conversations about what it really takes to build something from nothing. If you liked this episode, follow the podcast, share it with a fellow builder, and come connect with Patricia online. Because around here we believe in hard work, real talk, and building things that last. After all… some of us are just Built This Way. @Patriciamuellen @pmuellenassociates  @builtthiswaypodcast Builtthiswaypodcast@gmail.com

Reinventing Success

In this episode of Built This Way, Patricia sits down with retired VP of Operation and Purchasing now DJ Dirk Handlin to unpack what it really means to redefine success, leadership, and life after corporate. From leaving a high-level executive role to reinventing himself as a DJ, Dirk shares why waiting to “enjoy life later” is a risk not worth taking. Together, they explore workplace culture, the difference between managing and leading, and how true leadership is built through connection, accountability, and authenticity. This conversation is a reminder that reinvention is always an option and that the life you want doesn’t have to wait.   Intro & Guest Background Corporate Career & Leadership Early Retirement & Reinvention Workplace Culture Leadership & Accountability Entrepreneurship & Identity Closing Thoughts @DangerousDirkHandlin Dirk.handlin@outlook.com Dj_Dirk@yahoo.com Built This Way, created and hosted by Patricia Muellen - story teller, entrepreneur, survivor, creator, marketing strategist, and owner of agency P. Muellen & Associates, LLC Patricia spends her days helping businesses grow and having honest conversations about what it really takes to build something from nothing. If you liked this episode, follow the podcast, share it with a fellow builder, and come connect with Patricia online. Because around here we believe in hard work, real talk, and building things that last. After all… some of us are just Built This Way. @Patriciamuellen @pmuellenassociates  @builtthiswaypodcast Builtthiswaypodcast@gmail.com

SEO Is Not Magic

We explore: * What SEO really means and how it impacts your business * Why most websites fail to generate traffic and leads * The difference between SEO and paid advertising strategies * How to optimize your website for better search rankings * The role of AI in modern marketing and search behavior * Common SEO mistakes business owners make * How to build a sustainable digital presence that drives results Whether you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or marketer, this episode provides practical insights into improving your website, increasing organic traffic, and turning visibility into real business growth. If you’re not actively working on your SEO strategy, you’re missing opportunities to be found by the people already searching for what you offer. Intro & Guest Background What SEO Really Is Why SEO Gets Ignored SEO vs Ads Website Conversion AI & SEO Closing Thoughts   🔗 RELEVANT LINKS * Odin Agency – https://odinagency.co.uk [https://odinagency.co.uk/] * P.  Muellen & Associates, LLC - * https://pmuellenandassociates.com * Google Search Central – https://developers.google.com/search [https://developers.google.com/search] * Yoast SEO – https://yoast.com [https://yoast.com/] * Rank Math – https://rankmath.com [https://rankmath.com/] Built This Way, created and hosted by Patricia Muellen - story teller, entrepreneur, survivor, creator, marketing strategist, and owner of agency P. Muellen & Associates, LLC Patricia spends her days helping businesses grow and having honest conversations about what it really takes to build something from nothing. If you liked this episode, follow the podcast, share it with a fellow builder, and come connect with Patricia online. Because around here we believe in hard work, real talk, and building things that last. After all… some of us are just Built This Way. @Patriciamuellen @pmuellenassociates  @builtthiswaypodcast Builtthiswaypodcast@gmail.com

Risky business & Practice

In this episode of Built This Way, Patricia sits down with Dan Crist, owner of Centsible Heating and Air Conditioning, to dive into the real story behind entrepreneurship. From life as a teenager to building multiple businesses in construction, restaurants, and HVAC. We real talk about whay motivation "haters" provide when they ask questions like "What are you doing now?" and unpack one of his biggest business risks, a multi-million dollar development during the 2008 financial crisis, and the lessons that came from navigating loss, partnerships, and starting over. Dan also breaks down the realities of being in the HVAC Industry, the importance of asking hard questions early, and why helping people, not just making money, has been the foundation of his success. This episode is for entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone building something from the ground up who wants an honest look at risk, failure, growth, and long-term success   00:00 – Starting over and learning through failure 02:00 – Introduction to Dan Crist 06:30 – Early entrepreneurial journey 12:00 – Restaurant ownership 22:00 – Biggest business risk 30:00 – Financial collapse and lessons 44:00 – HVAC business realities 52:00 – Helping people first 58:00 – What success really means 01:05:00 – Closing thoughts   Want to connect with Dan?  @dannyvcrist https://centsiblemichigan.com/ [https://centsiblehvac.com/] Built This Way, created and hosted by Patricia Muellen - story teller, entrepreneur, survivor, creator, marketing strategist, and owner of agency P. Muellen & Associates, LLC Patricia spends her days helping businesses grow and having honest conversations about what it really takes to build something from nothing. If you liked this episode, follow the podcast, share it with a fellow builder, and come connect with Patricia online. Because around here we believe in hard work, real talk, and building things that last. After all… some of us are just Built This Way. @Patriciamuellen @pmuellenassociates  @builtthiswaypodcast Builtthiswaypodcast@gmail.com