In this episode of Brothers, Battles and Bounty, we go live from the ASI Show in Chicago — one of the biggest trade shows of the year for suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors.

Andreas, Martin, and Stefan Gfesser share their experiences from the ASI trade shows they’ve attended this year, and dive into the impact that trade shows have on sales, networking, and long-term business growth.

They also sit down with one of Trendler’s newest team members, Jason Reed, who joined them at the show to talk about his first-hand perspective on connecting with clients and prospects in a trade show environment.

If you’ve ever wondered how trade shows fuel sales pipelines, build relationships, and strengthen brand awareness, this episode gives you an inside look — straight from a family-owned manufacturer with over 85 years of industry leadership.

#BrothersBattlesBounty #Trendler #TradeShows #ASIShow #AmericanManufacturing #FamilyBusiness #SalesGrowth #Networking #B2BMarketing #OEM #HospitalityFurniture #RestaurantFurniture #Barstools #Chairs

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In this episode of Brothers, Battles and Bounty, the Gfesser brothers take on three of the biggest challenges facing manufacturers today: navigating new technologies like AI, finding and keeping reliable workers in a tough labor market, and managing the impact of tariffs as a domestic hybrid manufacturer. From hiring struggles to global trade pressures, hear how Trendler is adapting while staying true to its values.

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In 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, manufacturing, or leadership, this episode offers an inspiring inside look at preserving tradition while driving innovation forward.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329705
📊 Learn more about Trendler Inc.: https://www.trendler.com
🎥 Video produced by Dominion Designs & Media: https://www.dominiondesignsmm.com

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#familybusiness #manufacturing #chicagobusiness #brothersbattlesandbountypodcast

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Dave 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.

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How 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.

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In 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 apply to your own company.

🎯 Topics Covered:

What makes family business dynamics different

Organizing leadership for impact (and sanity)

Lessons learned from early missteps

Advice for friends or siblings going into business

💡 Don’t miss this real, behind-the-scenes look at how to make business and family work—without losing your mind (or your mission).

🎧 Listen to the full podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329705
📊 Learn more about Trendler Inc.: https://www.trendler.com
🎥 Video produced by Dominion Designs & Media: https://www.dominiondesignsmm.com

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#familybusiness #businessstrategy #brothersbattlesandbountypodcast

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In 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 industry
• Navigating leadership as a woman in accounting
• Building legacy in family-owned firms
• What business owners need from their advisors

Don't miss this powerful conversation on leadership, legacy, and leveling up in the accounting world.

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In 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 professionals
What restauranteurs need from suppliers today
Post-pandemic challenges and trends in hospitality
Growing your brand in the food service space

Don’t miss this conversation packed with value for anyone serving or operating in the food industry.

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In 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, managing supplier relationships, or trying to scale your service business, this episode offers powerful insights from people who’ve been in the game for decades.

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In 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 trying to figure out whether to invest in tradeshows again—this one’s for you.

🎯 Topics Covered:
Why we stopped doing tradeshows
How digital marketing changed our approach
What’s changed in the tradeshow world today
Our strategy for making tradeshows worth it again
Face-to-face vs. digital connections

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