Listen Now

Today, we’re talking with Angie Hundley, author of the book, A Recipe for Bad Lemons, Ingredients for Success from Life’s Sour Moments. Find out how she overcame traumatizing events in her life. TRIGGER WARNING: There are some very sensitive topics discussed on the show.    Read more here: https://www.kcbusinesshuddle.com/business-owners/ep-16-foster-care-prodigy-authors-book-on-overcoming-lifes-sour-moments/238/    About our guest: https://angiehundley.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  1:00 – Meet Angie Hundley 13:40 – Her turning point 14:54 – From adoption to current life 19:53 – Car crash and other struggles 27:00 – Concealing her childhood 31:33 – An anger phase 35:00 – How to get Angie’s book

Today, we’re talking with Master Bronson Ko, owner and operator of Ko Martial Arts, also known as KOMA. Find out how he got started in martial arts as a young child, why earning his black belt was monumental and how he hopes to help students worldwide.   Read more and get additional resources: https://www.kcbusinesshuddle.com/sports/ep-15-why-master-ko-wants-to-expand-his-martial-arts-business-worldwide/232/    About our guest: https://komafranchise.com/   What we discuss on this episode:  0:59 – Meet Bronson Ko 7:09 – How he opened his business 11:43 – Fast growth 16:17 – How martial arts helps people 18:42 - What drives him to build his business 20:02 – Have kids gotten soft? 22:18 – How Covid affected his business 24:13 – Why students enroll in KOMA 30:40 – Explorers program 33:32 – Franchising program 37:53 – Future of KOMA 39:43 – How to contact Bronson Ko

Today, we’re talking with Angela Pugh, founder of Kansas City Recovery. KCR is an addiction and recovery resource that offers a range of services, including intervention services, recovery coaching, and continuing education and workshops.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://www.kcbusinesshuddle.com/non-profit/ep-14-am-i-an-alcoholic-angela-pugh-uses-personal-story-to-help-addicts/227/    About our guest: https://kansascityrecovery.com/angela-pugh/    What we discuss on this episode:  1:25 – Meet Angela Pugh 2:41 – How Angela became a life coach 12:37 – How she overcame alcoholism 19:00 – How she knew she was miserable 20:31 – How addiction works 25:41 – Alcohol and lifestyle 27:37 – How she started Kansas City Recovery 29:08 – TV show “Intervention” 36:33 – After treatment 39:42 – Recovery period 42:36 – Follow Angela 43:23 – Advice for entrepreneurs

Today, we’re talking with Sandy Malone of Mindfully Driven. She explains how her love of entrepreneurship and meditation can help business owners thrive.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.kcbusinesshuddle.com/leadership/ep-13-sandy-malone-uses-meditation-to-help-business-owners-thrive/221/    About our guest:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandybartow/    What we discuss on this episode:  1:01 – Meet Sandy Malone 1:47 – Sandy’s professional path 12:04 – Mentoring women 15:00 – Starting another women’s business center 19:18 – Meditation and yoga 22:03 – Mindfully Driven 24:10 – Taking away the stress 26:48 – What Sandy’s most proud of 28:44 – Changes in entrepreneurs 30:42 – Biggest mistake 32:18 – Contact Sandy

Today, we’re talking with Blake Hodgson, who has turned his passion for product development into a fascinating business. If you can dream it, he can build it.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.kcbusinesshuddle.com/business-owners/214/214/    About our guest: https://www.kcproto.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  1:08 – Meet Blake Hodgson 1:43 – How Blake got into the business 3:30 – Projects he’s worked on 6:09 – How he started his business 7:21 – Big picture view of his business 8:48 – The building process 16:27 – Getting products to market 19:52 – Does he have competitors? 20:39 – Ideal clients 21:38 – How Covid has affected his business 25:36 – What drives him 26:14 – Why should people do business with him

When Chris Steinlage coaches business owners, he often feels like a hostage negotiator, trying to free the owners from their businesses to help them grow. Find out how Chris started his business and how he helps leaders improve.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.kcbusinesshuddle.com/business-owners/ep-11-meet-business-coach-and-hostage-negotiator-chris-steinlage/208/    About our guest: https://aspirekc.com/    What we discuss on this episode:  0:44 – Meet Chris Steinlage 4:35 – Aspire Business Development 5:32 – Responsibility of being a leader 7:20 – Business coaching 10:26 – Helping businesses 16:54 – Getting business leaders to buy in 23:46 – Dealing with difficult business owners 31:33 – Covid 35:00 – How to contact Chris

The culture of a company can go a long way towards determining success or failure and it needs to be a priority for all CEOs. David Komar, a Brigadier General, built a business that works with leaders all across the country to envision and establish exceptional cultures within their organization. He joins us on the show to talk about his military background, why he’s made culture his focus, and the framework he’s developed for improving culture.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.kcbusinesshuddle.com/leadership/ep-10-improving-the-culture-within-your-business-with-david-komar/203/    About our guest: https://guidingculture.com/    What we discuss on this show:  1:23 – Personal background on Komar 2:10 – Military experience 3:24 – Redesigning the Army 4:40 – How his military experience prepared him for business 8:03 – The framework he developed for implementing culture 11:29 – Self-reflection and holding yourself accountable 14:43 – People element of the framework 16:04 – What happens if you don’t do the things you’ve told your employees you would do 20:26 – Employee engagement rate 21:38 – Process element of the framework  24:50 – Does he get much resistance or pushback on his framework? 28:56 – The reasons he started this company 24:50 – How to contact Dave

For more than 50 years, Meyer Music has been providing lessons, instruments, and education to Kansas City. This true family business continues to be a big part of the community, which speaks to their business acumen. Today we talk with Mike Meyer about the family dynamics, their growth, lessons learned, and how the pandemic has been the biggest challenge yet.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.kcbusinesshuddle.com/business-owners/ep-9-the-family-business-behind-meyer-music/197/    About our guest: https://www.meyermusic.com/    What we discuss on this show:  1:10 – Who is Mike Meyer? 1:46 – How did the family get into the music business?   6:13 – How Mike became part of the business 9:01 – His first job after college 10:44 – When he moved into the business full-time   12:43 – Challenges of running a business in his 20s   16:53 – Building processes and consistency   20:12 – What he attributes to the growth 22:46 – Mom and dad still in the business   24:17 – Mistakes he’s made along the way 27:05 – Another big change in the business model 35:13 – Competition between siblings 37:22 – Big picture view of what to expect from the business 38:46 – How has COVID impacted the business? 41:16 – The evolution of the music business 46:45 – How to get in touch with Mike and Meyer Music

If you’ve ever watched the Kansas City Royals on television, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with broadcaster Joel Goldberg. He’s been in the industry for more than 25 years and that’s taught him a lot about team-building, maintaining relationships, and leadership. Today we’ll look back through his broadcasting career, the transition into speaking, and the things he’s learned along the way.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.kcbusinesshuddle.com/sports/ep-8-networking-lessons-from-a-career-in-sports-broadcasting-with-joel-goldberg/186/    About our guest: https://joelgoldbergmedia.com/    What we discuss on this show:  1:34 – Background on Joel  3:05 – How he got his first job  7:46 – Getting in front of the people that were hiring 12:09 – His mentors along the way  16:43 – Any regrets along the way?  20:45 – His approach to interviews 26:25 – What drives you?  29:10 – His view of the local economy 32:19 – About his new book 34:30 – Getting in touch with Joel

With the level of uncertainty we’re facing right now, it’s essential that people advocate for themselves. We cannot rely on governments and institutions to open the door and create opportunities for us. This approach is known as the ‘Economy of One’ and it’s a powerful idea that can help people find their passion. Our guest today, Elizabeth Allen, will explain what we’ve been doing wrong and how we change the outcome.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.kcbusinesshuddle.com/business-owners/ep-7-taking-control-of-your-career-and-future-through-an-economy-of-one/187/    About our guest: https://economyofone.com/    What we discuss on this show:  1:04 – Background on Elizabeth 2:25 – The teacher that had a huge impact on her life. 5:52 – An entrepreneur at age 25 9:33 – Her big break was a failure 12:53 – Becoming the Economy of One 16:15 – Where our workforce and economy is headed 21:55 – The program she put together for the US military 24:46 – Why the hiring system is broken and what you can do 31:03 – Tips on how to nurture a relationship 33:15 – Understanding your skillset and being proactive with your career 35:52 – Mental health struggles across the country 39:44 – The side-effects of unemployment 44:43 – Let’s talk about what DOES work 50:00 – Elizabeth shares a personal experience 52:54 – Getting people into small accountability groups 58:25 – What’s her vision for the Economy of One 1:00:45 – How to get in touch with Elizabeth.

Many of our countries great leaders spent time in the military before heading into the civilian world. That’s the exact path Colonel Drew Meyerowich took on his way to becoming the president of Defense Logistics in Kansas City. From leading more than 1,200 soldiers and earning multiple medals to the where he is now has been a smooth transition and one where he can apply the highly-skilled training he’s had over decades.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.kcbusinesshuddle.com/leadership/ep-6-bringing-a-decorated-military-background-to-business/179/     Connect with our guest: https://dl-ammo.com/    What we discuss on this show:  0:45 – Drew’s military background 1:34 – Tell us about yourself   3:23 – How his leadership training carried from the Army to the corporate world 4:34 – Defense Logistics   5:34 – Foundations of leadership 7:23 – Ammunition shortage 11:53 – Who mentored Drew   13:36 – How often he gets to shoot 14:56 – Military backgrounds at his business   16:23 – What’s the future of the company? 17:30 – The difference between good ammunition and bad ammunition 20:05 – Perception vs reality of guns   22:41 – How to connect with Drew

Our guest on this episode didn’t take a traditional route through his career nor did he back down from challenges along the way. Join us as we talk with Randy Powell, owner of Heartland Print & Design, as we learn about work experience, how he created this business, and his philosophy on building a team.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://www.kcbusinesshuddle.com/business-owners/ep-5-taking-challenges-head-on-with-randy-powell-of-heartland-print-design/162/    About our guest: https://heartlandprintanddesign.com/    What we discuss on this show:  0:45 – Quick note on today’s episode 1:49 – Background on our guest today 3:34 – From accounting to running a construction company 8:02 – How do you motivate your team?  10:41 – What processes did you have to install early on? 14:19 – How Heartland got started  17:09 – COVID’s impact on the business 18:36 – What’s the future of the economy look like?  22:28 – Any mentors? 22:59 – Best advice you’ve ever received 25:46 – What advice would you give young entrepreneurs? 27:42 – The story behind why he started writing notes to his staff 29:59 – Where you can find his writing and other content  30:32 – Final message from Randy

David Smale is one of the great sportswriters in our country, and he resides right here on the outskirts of Kansas City. You might have heard about his new book chronicling the history the Chiefs, which we’ll discuss on the show, but we wanted to hear more of the stories behind the other 20+ books he’s written during his career.   Read more about this show here: https://www.kcbusinesshuddle.com/sports/ep-4-the-stories-behind-the-books-with-author-david-smale/163/     About our guest: https://davidsmalebooks.com/    What we discuss on this show:  0:45 – Background on David 2:32 – How he got started in the media 6:17 – The story behind his first book 8:26 – How many books he’s written 9:02 – What he’s written about and which are his favorites 16:29 – The story behind his newest book on the Chiefs 20:37 – How do you decide what to write about? 23:14 – What is the typical timeframe for writing a book? 24:34 – How COVID has impacted his business? 25:40 – What is this pandemic doing to college towns? 27:40 – What goals do you have? 30:35 – What he does when he’s not writing books? 31:36 – Ways to connect with David and find his books 33:00 – If you have an idea for a book, here’s how to get it to him.

In a year where staying home has become a necessary choice for everyone, a business that provides home care for seniors becomes even more important. To get an idea of how that’s being handled locally, we asked Kristy Whitney to join the show to tell us more about Home Care Assistance Kansas City and her role overseeing operations.   Read more about the show: https://kcbusinesshuddle.com/healthcare/ep-3-providing-home-care-for-kansas-city-seniors-with-kristy-whitney/144/    About our guest: https://homecareassistance.com/Kansas-City   On today's show:  0:36 – Kristy Whitney joins us in the studio today. 1:19 – How did you pick this profession? 2:37 – Is it difficult getting attached to the people and families you work with? 3:55 – The transition from hospice to home care. 5:38 – Her competitive advantage in the healthcare field. 6:58 – Working with the extended families. 8:56 – Business philosophy 10:00 – How has COVID affected the business? 11:32 – Future challenges 12:48 – Mental health concerns 14:19 – What fuels her drive within the business? 16:40 – Why do business with Home Care Assistance? 17:42 – Final thoughts

Leaving a legacy behind isn’t something everyone wants to do, but if it’s a priority for you, then estate planning is a big piece of that process. Whether you’re a business owner or an individual, estate planning attorney Steve Brown will help you get a better grasp of the process and why it’s so important.   Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://kcbusinesshuddle.com/business-owners/ep-2-estate-planning-guidance-tips-with-steve-brown/138/    Today's show schedule:  0:38 – Estate Planning Attorney Steve Brown joins the show today. 1:06 – Background on Steve  1:45 – How did you decide to be an attorney and specifically estate planning? 3:20 – What approach do you take to the job? 5:46 – What is the net worth of your typical clients? 6:42 – How does the lifespan process work? 8:55 – Everyone has a default estate plan once you turn 18. 10:20 – Bernie shares a story of an inheritance at 15 years old and how it caused issues within a family. 12:10 – How can someone structure an estate plan to have control over how the inheritance is spent? 13:48 – What’s the process he uses that sets him apart from other attorneys?  16:54 – Many people have an unfunded trust. 19:20 – Business succession planning 22:59 – 5 levels of asset protection 25:01 – What’s the process of determining your level? 28:02 – What estate planning advice would you give business owners? 29:15 – Best way to get a hold of Steve for any questions.

On the debut episode of the KC Business Huddle, we head out to the country and visit with Bill Gaughan of the Rural KC Team to talk real estate. The Kansas native has years of experiencing selling properties like country homes and farmland so we’ll talk to him about the business, real estate trends, and what made his choose this niche.   Read more and get additional resources here: https://kcbusinesshuddle.com/business-owners/ep-1-country-living-real-estate-with-bill-gaughan/130/    Learn more about our guest: https://www.ruralkc.com/staff/Bill    Today's conversation:  0:47 – Bill Gaughan joins us on the show today. 1:50 – How did you pick this profession? 3:01 – How did you get into the farming side? 3:42 – In a highly-competitive industry, what’s your competitive advantage? 5:10 – Bill’s business philosophy. 7:04 – Have far will you travel for a property? 8:36 – What kind of impact do you think COVID-19 has had on our local economy? 11:45 – Do you think there will be a downturn in commercial real estate properties? 13:36 – Things to consider if before moving out to the country? 14:53 – Is it difficult to find properties in the country with seemingly less available? 16:01 – What drives you to make your company great? 17:10 – Why do business with RuralKC.com?          18:42 – Have you ever thought about retiring from real estate as you get older? 20:00 – If you could go back in time, what would you change about your business? 20:44 – What makes real estate different from other sales jobs? 23:19 – What advice would you give someone else in this profession? 24:30 – How can someone get in contact with you? 27:15 – Final thoughts from Bill.

New podcast from Bernie Wurts is coming soon. Bernie will interview business owners from Overland Park and throughout the greater Kansas City area.