The Owner's Journal

#42: The Last Ride | Klay Welter & Drew Korf, The Owner's Journal

Klay Welter is an owner of Proof Donuts & Coffee and Drew Korf is a podcaster and the owner of Storyline Media Company. This is the final episode of the Owner's Journal Podcast. This project was born over coffee, donuts, and conversations about how dang crazy it is trying to create something impactful in the world. We've been lucky enough to be friends with business owners, musicians, artists, athletes, and everything in between - and we started this show to share some of them with you. Over the course of the show, we got to make friends (and mentors), connect with each of you about topics that really matter, and give some of our favorite people a platform to share ideas that had the potential to impact lives.  In that sense, we're chalking this up as a win. Thank you to everyone who listened to the show, watched a clip, offered us a word of encouragement, shared it with a friend, or took the time to come onto the show as a guest. This project is only as good as the community around it - and we have a really freakin' cool community. So thank you. Please enjoy this last episode where we talk about Klay being excited about becoming a father (spoiler alert), Drew launching his Pressed for Presence podcast, some of our favorite moments and takeaways from the show, and some of the things we're looking forward to in life down the road. It was one heck of a ride. To quote the great Dr. Seuss (you know we love quotes around here), "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." Screaming from the mountaintops for one last time: Be Where Your Feet Are. Love,  Drew & Klay 👣 Follow Drew at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/ [https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf [https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf] Follow Klay at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaptainklaytaylor/ [https://www.instagram.com/kaptainklaytaylor/] Follow Pressed for Presence at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pressedforpresence/ [https://www.instagram.com/pressedforpresence/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pressedforpresence [https://www.tiktok.com/@pressedforpresence] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drewkorf [https://www.youtube.com/@drewkorf] Show Chapters: 00:00 Focus 01:02 Balancing Multiple Responsibilities 02:26 Spreading Yourself Too Thin 06:56 The Muddy Middle 12:42 Vision and Support Systems 27:15 Therapy & Personal Growth 36:14 Doing Things in the Right Order 41:16 Prioritizing 44:07 The Value of Youth and Being Present 47:41 Alignment 53:17 The Journey 01:05:56 Introducing 'Pressed for Presence' 01:11:54 The Origin of The OJ 01:17:06 Anticipation of Fatherhood 01:22:35 Reflections on Personal Growth 01:31:01 The Journey Ahead 01:38:28 Farewell Follow the Owner's Journal at: Website: https://www.theownersjournal.com/ [https://www.theownersjournal.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ownersjournalpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/ownersjournalpodcast/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559657083691&s [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559657083691&s] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theownersjournalpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@theownersjournalpodcast] Follow Drew at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/ [https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf [https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf] Follow Klay at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaptainklaytaylor/ [https://www.instagram.com/kaptainklaytaylor/]

#41: How Do You Know When It's Time to Pivot? | Todd Welter, Totally Whipped Soft Serve

Todd Welter is the owner of Totally Whipped Soft Serve. In this episode, we got the chance to sit down with Todd (Klay's Ol' Man) and talk about everything from his upbringing in small-town Montana to his variety of pursuits that has led to his current food truck business.  Todd takes us through his journey, which started with his time as an aircraft mechanic (a career born from his passion of aviation... and his father telling him he didn't want him to fly a crop duster), and went on to tell us about running various businesses and eventually opening Totally Whipped. Some of our favorite pit stops along the journey of this conversation were his stories about running events in Billings, MT where he worked with high-profile celebrities, his personal stories about growing up watching his father run successful businesses and invent farming equipment, and his outlook on what success means. It was awesome getting to have Todd on the show, and we're excited to introduce those of you who haven't met him. Thanks for listening🍊 Be Where Your Feet Are, - Drew & Klay👣 Follow Totally Whipped At: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Totally-Whipped-Soft-Serve-100093319287531/ [https://www.facebook.com/p/Totally-Whipped-Soft-Serve-100093319287531/] Show Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:50 Reflecting on Business Ventures and Failures 04:47 Lessons from Grandpa's Innovations 14:32 Aviation Dreams 22:25 Aircraft Maintenance 28:22 Leadership Lessons from Security Role 32:13 Meeting Ron White 33:13 Backstage with Gene Simmons 34:01 The Reality of Meet and Greets 34:39 Running Security 36:48 The Chaos of Rock Concerts 41:45 The Pressure of Fame 50:19 The Tiger King 53:45 From Trucking to Ice Cream 01:09:10 Finding Your Niche in the Food Truck Industry 01:09:27 Dole Whip 01:11:47 Challenges of Consistency 01:14:24 Scaling Up 01:16:39 Balancing Growth and Quality 01:22:55 Reflecting on Business Lessons 01:35:11 Defining Success Beyond Money 01:39:08 Closing Thoughts Follow the Owner's Journal at: Website: https://www.theownersjournal.com/ [https://www.theownersjournal.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ownersjournalpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/ownersjournalpodcast/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559657083691&s [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559657083691&s] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theownersjournalpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@theownersjournalpodcast] Follow Drew at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/ [https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf [https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf] Follow Klay at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaptainklaytaylor/ [https://www.instagram.com/kaptainklaytaylor/]

#40: 10 Quotes and Frameworks for People Chasing Their Dreams | Drew Korf & Klay Welter, The Owner's Journal

Drew Korf is the owner of Storyline Media Company, and Klay Welter is an owner and founder of Proof Donuts and Coffee. In today's celebratory every-10th-episode solo podcast, we try a new format where each of us bring five quotes or ideas gathered from the world to discuss for about ten minutes each.  We explore themes from Viktor Frankl's 'Man's Search for Meaning' to real-life experiences about sacrifice, trust, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. Highlights include discussions on delayed gratification, balancing dreams and family, and the power of self-discipline. We also touch on the impact of sincere compliments and the importance of immersing yourself in learning, and end the episode diving deep into the price tag of success. These episodes are a real treat for us to record, and we're excited to hear what you think about the format we tried out for our solo shows!  Thank you for listening!🍊 Be Where Your Feet Are, - Drew & Klay👣 Show Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:47 Exploring 'Man's Search for Meaning' 01:27 Who You Are vs. Who You Want to Be 11:47 Delayed Gratification 18:46 Trust and Taking Risks 25:16 Recognizing When to Pivot 32:29 The Cost of Sacrifice 33:17 Navigating Career Choices 35:34 The Power of Saying No 42:32 Balancing Free Will and Fate 49:57 The Price of Success 01:05:56 The Importance of Rest 01:10:35 The Importance of 'Me Time' 01:13:05 Cooking as a Meditative Practice 01:22:14 Impactful Compliments and Self-Reflection 01:29:46 The Harsh Truth About Success 01:36:09 Final Thoughts and Reflections Follow the Owner's Journal at: Website: https://www.theownersjournal.com/ [https://www.theownersjournal.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ownersjournalpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/ownersjournalpodcast/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559657083691&s [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559657083691&s] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theownersjournalpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@theownersjournalpodcast] Follow Drew at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/ [https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf [https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf] Follow Klay at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaptainklaytaylor/ [https://www.instagram.com/kaptainklaytaylor/]

#39: Why Real Estate Developers Should Focus on Local Relationships | Levi Wanner, Infinity Homes

Levi Wanner is a real estate developer based in Billings, Montana. In today's episode, Levi shares his journey of growing up from humble beginnings in the small Montana town of Sidney, Montana, moving to Billings, and transitioning from working at a truss plant to becoming a large-scale real estate developer. He discusses the changes and growth in Montana, the importance of supporting local businesses, and the challenges and triumphs of starting his own development projects. Levi provides insightful tips on building long-term relationships with subcontractors, the significance of maintaining humility, and the impact of mentors on his journey.  He also opens up about personal growth, discipline, and how the 75 Hard challenge has played a pivotal role in his life.  We enjoyed the heck out of this episode and hope you do too.🍊 Be Where Your Feet Are, - Drew & Klay👣 Follow Levi at: Website: https://www.infinityhomesmt.com/ [https://www.infinityhomesmt.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leviwanner/ [https://www.instagram.com/leviwanner/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/levi.wanner [https://www.facebook.com/levi.wanner] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@levi.wanner [https://www.tiktok.com/@levi.wanner] Show Chapters: 00:00 Growing Up in Montana 01:36 Local vs. Corporate 03:48 Strategies for building community 08:48 Alaska Adventures 12:39 Early Struggles and Successes in Business 20:42 The Real Estate Market 32:35 Growth at Infinity Homes 40:53 Mastering Humility in the Blue Collar Industry 41:33 Building Trust & Loyalty with Subcontractors 43:01 The Importance of Finding Good People 47:00 Core Values 53:48 The Role of Family in Business 01:02:04 Delegation 01:07:52 Wins and Losses 01:14:41 75 Hard 01:18:49 Visualization 01:21:15 Stacking Small Wins 01:28:03 Mentorship 01:40:34 Balancing Work and Personal Life 01:45:58 Defining Success and Staying Driven Follow the Owner's Journal at: Website: https://www.theownersjournal.com/ [https://www.theownersjournal.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ownersjournalpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/ownersjournalpodcast/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559657083691&s [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559657083691&s] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theownersjournalpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@theownersjournalpodcast] Follow Drew at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/ [https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf [https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf] Follow Klay at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaptainklaytaylor/ [https://www.instagram.com/kaptainklaytaylor/]

#38: Exploring AI: Threats & Opportunities in 2025 | Tully Hogan, Tel-Net Systems

Tully Hogan is a specialist in telecommunications and technology at Tel-Net Systems. In this episode, Tully dives into a comprehensive discussion about the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the world. He walks us through a handful of perspectives, including AI's influence on human creativity and its potential threats from a military and security standpoint.  The conversation also touches upon ethical concerns about AI becoming sentient and deciding the future of humanity. We also detoured into issues of climate control and the implications of interconnected military systems vulnerable to AI hacking, especially with advancements in quantum computing.  Finally, we got around to the integration of AI in cybersecurity, the future of telecommunications, and smart home technology, examining how everything from large language models to NVIDIA's latest chips can revolutionize our daily lives. We've been looking forward to bringing in guests to deep-dive on topics, and we're excited to bring you this episode on AI. Let us know what you think! Follow Tully at: Website: https://www.telnetsystemsmt.com/ [https://www.telnetsystemsmt.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tully.hogan.9 [https://www.facebook.com/tully.hogan.9] Follow The Owner's Journal at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ownersjournalpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/ownersjournalpodcast/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559657083691&s [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559657083691&s] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theownersjournalpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@theownersjournalpodcast] Show Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Is AI Going to Ruin the World? 01:00 The Threat of AI and Quantum Computing 01:58 Humanity's Impact and AI's Potential Decisions 05:07 Elon Musk's Warnings and Privacy Issues 07:32 The Inevitability of Technology Integration 13:22 Guest's Career Journey and Early Experiences 14:45 Transition to Security Systems and Network Learning 21:23 Understanding Internet and Fiber Optics 26:31 Smart Homes and Future of Telecommunications 33:21 Understanding Low Voltage Lighting 34:06 Smart Homes and the Role of Electricians 35:35 The Future of Home Automation 36:50 Privacy Concerns with Smart Technology 40:55 Cybersecurity Threats and AI 50:42 Real Estate Investment Journey 52:53 Challenges in Residential Real Estate 55:12 Transitioning to Commercial Real Estate 01:06:47 Navigating the Property Market 01:07:59 Balancing Multiple Jobs 01:09:27 The Importance of Side Hustles 01:16:36 Investing Wisely 01:23:18 The Value of Experiences 01:26:47 Podcast Recommendations 01:31:28 Reflecting on Life Choices 01:37:15 Final Thoughts and Farewells Follow the Owner's Journal at: Website: https://www.theownersjournal.com/ [https://www.theownersjournal.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ownersjournalpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/ownersjournalpodcast/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559657083691&s [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559657083691&s] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theownersjournalpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@theownersjournalpodcast] Follow Drew at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/ [https://www.instagram.com/drewkorf/] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf [https://www.tiktok.com/@drew.korf] Follow Klay at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaptainklaytaylor/ [https://www.instagram.com/kaptainklaytaylor/]