Shows
Brothers, Battles & Bounty3rd Generation Family Business | BBB PodcastIn this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, the Gfesser brothers sit down with Ira and Scott Lichtenstein, 3rd-generation owners of Richardson Seating, a proud Chicago-based manufacturing company.Ira and Scott share their family’s remarkable journey — from their grandfather founding the business, to their father carrying the torch, to the brothers leading Richardson Seating today. They discuss what it takes to continue a legacy in American manufacturing, the challenges and triumphs of a multi-generational business, and how they’re shaping the company’s future in a competitive industry.Whether you’re passionate about family business, manufactur...2025-07-3033 minBrothers, Battles & BountyReal Steel, Real Grit: How Lexington Powers American ManufacturingDave shares how he got started in the steel industry after college, what it takes to succeed in industrial sales, and how the U.S. steel market has evolved over the years. From shifting customer needs to global supply chain changes, Dave offers an inside look at what it really means to sell Real American Steel in today’s marketplace.Whether you're in manufacturing, sales, or running a family business, this episode delivers valuable perspective on resilience, relationships, and staying sharp in a competitive industry.2025-07-0930 minBrothers, Battles & BountyHow Digital Marketing Can Explode Your Brand | BBB PodcastHow can digital marketing explode your brand? Patrick Panayotov of Proceed Innovative shares how his team helped Trendler triple their website traffic—and what every business needs to know about SEO, strategy, and scaling smart. A must-listen for any leader serious about growth.2025-06-1835 minBrothers, Battles & BountyThe Truth About Running A Family Business | BBB PodcastIn this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, the Gfesser brothers get candid about what it’s really like to run a family business. From heated debates to unified vision, they unpack the challenges and rewards of building a company with your blood relatives.They share how they've structured leadership to match their unique strengths, the importance of defining roles, and what it takes to create a culture that empowers the entire team.Whether you're in business with family, thinking about starting one, or simply leading a team—you’ll walk away with real strategies you can ap...2025-06-0433 minBrothers, Battles & BountyChanging the Face of Accounting with Deanna Salo | BBB PodcastIn this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, we sit down with Deanna Salo, Managing Partner at Cray Kaiser, to explore how she’s changing the face of accounting. From her early days in the industry to becoming a leader in one of Chicago’s most respected accounting firms, Deanna shares what it takes to lead, grow, and break the mold.Whether you're an aspiring CPA, a business owner, or a woman navigating leadership—this episode is for you.🎯 Topics Covered:Rewriting the rules in a traditional industryNavigating leadership as a woma...2025-05-1433 minBrothers, Battles & BountySupplying Success: What The Food Industry Really Want in 2025 | BBB PodcastIn this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, we dive deep into Chicago's food and restaurant industry with Cary Miller, VP of Food Industry News. From marketing to restauranteurs to becoming a trusted partner for operators, we explore how suppliers can better serve the food service world.Cary shares expert insights on post-COVID industry trends, key challenges, and how to stay ahead in a competitive market. If you're a supplier, vendor, or restaurant operator trying to grow and stay profitable—this episode is for you.🎯 Topics Covered:How to market to food industry professionalsWhat...2025-05-0130 minBrothers, Battles & BountyStrategic Partnerships That Drive GrowthIn this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, we’re digging into what it really takes to build strong, strategic partnerships that fuel long-term business growth.We’re joined by Jerry Saviano, President Regal Seating in Chicago, a fellow family-owned manufacturer, to talk about how partnerships have helped both of our companies thrive in a competitive market. From OEM and vendor relationships to long-standing collaborations built on trust and shared goals, we share what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how we’re approaching partnerships in today’s fast-paced business landscape.Whether you're leading a manufacturing company, man...2025-04-1733 minBrothers, Battles & BountyBack to the Booth: Why We’re Returning to Tradeshow MarketingIn this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, we’re diving deep into tradeshow marketing.We break down how tradeshows used to be our bread and butter for growing our family-owned manufacturing business, why we pulled back during the rise of digital marketing, and what finally pushed us to return to the in-person marketing game. From B2B connections and networking on the show floor to the realities of budget and ROI, we’re sharing real stories, wins, and lessons learned.If you're a business owner, marketing director, or anyone in the manufacturing or service industry tryi...2025-04-0327 minBrothers, Battles & BountyWhat It Takes To Build Success In BusinessToday, we’re sitting down with David Bochniak, the driving force behind Chicago Booth Manufacturing. Join the Brothers, Battles, and Bounty podcast as we dive into his entrepreneurial journey—how he built a thriving business, overcame industry challenges, and the key lessons he’s learned along the way. Whether you're a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or just love a great success story, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!2025-03-0729 minBrothers, Battles & BountyStrategic Partnerships In Business and How To Build ThemWhat partnerships can you make in business that are truly beneficial to both parties. Regardless of it is a client, vendor or any other relationship. Having Strategic Partners with valuable partners makes the difference in success and businesses going out of business.Join us as we break down the role Strategic Partnerships have played in our business and helped us remain as a leader in our industry world wide.2025-02-2028 minBrothers, Battles & BountyInside the Mind of a CFO: Finance & Business StrategyWhat does it take to manage the financial future of a growing company? In this episode, we dive into the journey of a CFO—how a career in finance shapes leadership, decision-making, and business growth. From accounting foundations to strategic planning, hear firsthand what it’s like to navigate the world of numbers in a family-run business.2025-02-0529 minBrothers, Battles & BountyExpanding Our Product Line | Podcast ShortTrendler has been the WorldWide Leader in Swivel Manufacturing and Sales for a very long time.But how did we feel when we begin to get into producing the chairs and barstools that went along with those Swivels?It was a match made in heaven, like a hand and glove. Be sure to catch up on Season 1 of our podcast Brothers, Battles and Bounty and be on the look out for season 2 coming all platforms podcast are available in early 2025.2024-12-0600 minBrothers, Battles & BountyShortClip | When Our Competition Tried To Take Us Out Of BusinessWe hope you enjoyed the holiday. And we hope the Turkey, Ham, Stuffing and Mac&Cheese doesn't have you too sleepy to start the week. We're also enjoying our little break from the Brothers, Battles and Bounty Podcast. But we will be back again early in 2025 with Season 2 and new episodes!Hear about when our competition tried to take us out of businesshashtag#brothersbattlesandbounty hashtag#businesspodcast hashtag#blackswanevents2024-12-0200 minBrothers, Battles & BountyThe Secret That All Successful Brands DoWell folks! We've wrapped up our first season of our podcast Brothers, Battles & Bounty and it has been a great ride so far sharing our first 16 episodes!We're going to be coming back with new episodes for Season 2 at the beginning of 2025 but in the meantime, check out some of our Best Of the first season right here for you to listen to. The Secret that all successful brands dohashtag#businesspodcast hashtag#brothersbattlesandbounty hashtag#trendlerinc2024-11-2500 minBrothers, Battles & BountyOur Early Wins In Business | BBB Podcast Ep 16When you have been in business as long as we have, you will have some ups and downs to talk about. In today's episode we want to talk about a few of the high moments. Join us a we talk about some of the early wins we had in business! Big contracts, new equipment, even knew locations. We talk about it all in today's episode. 2024-10-2528 minBrothers, Battles & BountyFamily Business Structure: Secrets to Our Success | BBB Podcast Ep 15In a family owned and operated business, probably one of the most important things to do, is to make sure that everyone is doing the role that best fits their skillset. In today's episode Family Business Structure: Secrets to Our Success we talk about just that!Today join Andreas, Martin and Stefan as we talk about our structure and how we achieved it. And how it has been the secret sauce to our success!2024-10-1127 minBrothers, Battles & BountyBROTHERS GONE WILD! Our CRAZIEST Business Stories | BBB Podcast Ep 14Stop listening to business podcast until your hear this episode! The Brothers Gone Wild as we share our craziest business stories over the years.Today join Andreas, Martin and Stefan as we walk down memory lane and re-live some of our wildest stories in travel and business!Listen to our new podcast episodes here and gain valuable business insights as the brothers share fascinating stories, strategic decisions, and the unwavering legacy of Trendler Inc.2024-09-2529 minBrothers, Battles & BountyEp 13 Learning From Your Past In Order To Succeed In BusinessWe've all made mistakes, and/or have success stories that have left clues on what to do and not to do in our businesses.Today join Andreas, Anton, Martin and Stefan as we walk down the road of how our past has shaped the businessmen we are today!#businesspodast #businesssuccess #learningfromthepast2024-09-1129 minBrothers, Battles & BountyEp 12 Finding A Work Life Balance While Running A BusinessJoin Andreas, Anton, Martin & Stefan in this week's episode as we talk about how having and Finding a work, life balance while being an entrepreneur.Yes, it can be stressful, and there are test. But also rewards in finding the right path for you and your journey to what success looks like for you.2024-08-2822 minBrothers, Battles & BountyEp 11 Building The Right Business NetworksJoin Andreas, Anton, Martin & Stefan in this week's episode as we talk about how having and developing the right relationships in business can help your business flourish.But the wrong relationships and not only weight you down, but bring down your business! 2024-08-1430 minBrothers, Battles & BountyEp. 10 The New Normal | Doing Business In A Post-COVID WordTrendler has been in the Swivel and Seating Manufacturing game since the 1960s and since that time, a lot of things have changedFrom Material Sourcing, to Transportation to Even Labor, things since COVID have changed and this is how we have adjusted to the new normal of a Post-Covid World! 2024-07-2426 minBrothers, Battles & BountyEp. 9 Whoa! That's a lot of Swivels!Trendler has been in the Swivel and Seating Manufacturing game since the 1960s and since that time, we've sold over 100 Million Swivels.I guess we really are the world leaders when it comes to this. Check out how we did it in this week's episode! 2024-06-2629 minBrothers, Battles & BountyEp 8 You Said What About Me?Listen today as the brothers express their true feelings about themselves as brothers and in business. You don't want to miss the wild stories and heartfelt moments. 2024-06-1246 minBrothers, Battles & BountyEp 7 Black Swan Events | Our Business Horror StoriesEveryone likes the stories about success, but what about when things don't go your way. When something happens in your business that is so extreme it threatens to end your company right then and there. That's where you learn, and that's where you see if you have the metal to keep moving forward for growth and success. That's what we're talking about today. Black Swan Events and how they helped develop us as the leaders and company we are today! 2024-05-2229 minBrothers, Battles & BountyEp 6 A Talk With Mom; The Co Founder Of Trendler IncToday we have a very special guest! Kate Gfesser, who is the Co-Founder of Trendler and also our mother!We get to re-live incredible moments with her, including a funny memory with... umm... Dr. Ruth...Kind of...You're in for a great ride with this episode! #businesspodcast #familybusiness2024-05-0832 minBrothers, Battles & BountyEp. 5 Our Company's Brand - How We Developed ItNow let's get down to business. In this episode, we're going to be talking about something that is needed in any business and that is developing your company's brand. What is it, why is it important and why EVERY company needs to develop it!You don't want to miss this! 2024-04-2429 minBrothers, Battles & BountyEp. 4 Running A Family Owned BusinessYou've heard about our story, but how are we NOW running our company. Pull up a seat as we pull back the curtain and let you see exactly how we're able to co-run a successful company as brothers in business. You don't want to miss this! 2024-04-1028 minBrothers, Battles & BountyEp. 3 BountyYou've heard about our start in the industry and you've heard about the battles we've faced trying to come together as partners in this business. But how did we finally pull things together and begin to see success in this business?Well, the "Bounty" is what we talk about today. Don't give up on your sibling/business partners just yet. Check out this episode and see how we overcame ourselves and begin to see success! 2024-03-2732 minBrothers, Battles & BountyEp. 2 BattlesWell you now know the story of how Trendler Inc. came into our family's lives. Now let's tell you the story of the Battles we faced when taking over the company from our father. It's not like the HBO Show "Succession" stole anything from us... Or did they??? If you and your family are struggling trying to co-run a business together, you're not alone. Let us give you a little hope. 2024-03-1529 minBrothers, Battles & BountyEp. 1 BrothersJoin the Brothers and Co-Owners of Trendler Inc, as we share the journey of being a part of a family owned business. In this episode we tell the story (from our perspective) of how the business became a part of our family's lives through our father. And how that in turn took as from being just ordinary kids, to now employees for the family business. You don't want to miss this! 2024-03-1523 min