Joel Fleischman Happy Hour Podcast

Happy Hour Podcast #165 - Legacy, Tech, and the American Made Kitchen: Ken Marsh & Jake Kosloske

Pull up a seat for this week’s Happy Hour podcast, featuring Ken Marsh of Marsh Cabinets and Jake Kosloske of JK Cabinet Sales and Service. We’re bridging the gap between old-school craftsmanship and the new digital frontier in a candid conversation about legacy, grit, and innovation. In this episode, we explore the weight of family-owned businesses and why American-made jobs remain the industry’s heartbeat. Joel dives into how he’s integrating AI into his business while Ken and Jake share the perspective on Marsh’s secret to quality and enduring partnerships. We discuss how selling to the builder has changed and why staying open-minded and killing "sacred cows" is the only way to survive in a changing market. From a full recap of the latest kitchen trends and colors at the Expo and IBS Conference to the balance of tech and tradition, this episode is packed with wisdom for builders and business owners alike.

Happy Hour Podcast #164 - ESOP, Diamond Kote, and Keeping Karma Shiny

Grab a drink and join us for a high-energy Happy Hour featuring Chris Hermansen of Wausau Supply. In this episode, Chris shares his professional journey and the strategic "why" behind Wausau Supply’s unique position in the market. The duo dives deep into the evolution of industry partnerships, the transformative power of the ESOP model, and the continued innovation of Diamond Kote. From fresh takeaways at the Expo and IBS conference to master-level sales insights, we explore what it really means to "be the salt" in business today. It’s a conversation packed with industry wisdom, billboard-worthy advice, and a look at the cultural foundations that drive long-term success.Wausau Supply https://www.wausausupply.com/

Happy Hour Podcast #163 - The Big 5 with Andy Rettler

In this episode, we sit down with our COO, Andy Rettler, to pull back the curtain on the five major initiatives shaping our company this year. Whether you are a business leader looking for scaling strategies or a partner curious about where we’re headed next, this episode offers a transparent look at the mechanics of our success in 2026!

Happy Hour Podcast #162 - Carpet 101, Color Trends, and a Backwards Clock with Jason Dedering

This week, Jason Dedering of Engineered Floors joins the Happy Hour podcast to talk about the evolution of the flooring world. From the legacy of industry titan Bob Shaw in Dalton, GA, to the newest color trends spotted at the Surfaces Convention, we're covering it all. In this episode: * * Engineered Floors: The story behind the brand and Jason’s background. * * Trends: What is in and what is on its way out! * Carpet 101: Jason breaks down the basics every pro (and homeowner) should know. * The Billboard Question: Jason’s advice for how we spend our time. https://www.engineeredfloors.com/

Happy Hour Podcast #161: 150 Years of the Pig: A Legacy with Aaron Laatsch

In this episode of the Happy Hour, Joel sits down with a man who has the history of Kewaskum in his DNA. Aaron Laatsch, owner of the Kewaskum Piggly Wiggly, joins us to celebrate a staggering milestone: 150 years in business. As a 5th-generation owner with 36 years of experience behind the counter, Aaron shares what it’s like to balance a massive family legacy with the modern-day hustle of the grocery world. Grab a drink and join us for a conversation about community, consistency, and the "personalized touch" that keeps Kewaskum coming back to the Pig! Resources: https://kewaskumpig.com/ Book: Kewaskum, Wisconsin: The Making of a Village