Get Deep

Tim Murray & Myron Erstad: community leaders and entrepreneurial experts! Join us for an incredibly open and honest conversation with two of our new favorite mentor figures. From intense involvement in 40+ startup opportunities to the journey to sobriety journey, we were thoroughly captivated by the expertise of our guests. Recounting big wins and big failures, this episode is perfect for the risk-taker in all of us. Stay tuned for minute 44:20, where Tim shares his take on the 71% success rate through the lens of recovery 

Maria Brown: third generation fine jewelry vice president and co-owner at Exclusively Diamonds! A Mankato native with deep roots in the community, Maria’s connections are astounding. Our guest shares how growing up in a highly successful entrepreneur family shaped how she sees the essential role of small businesses. From the pressure of keeping inventory moving during the Covid shutdown to spearheading new initiatives with social media outreach, we loved hearing our guest’s fresh take on ownership and client satisfaction. Stay tuned for minute 1:18:25, where Maria shares how Tudor and Rolex came into their collection of inventory. Tune in to Wine Wednesdays today with Exclusively Diamonds!

Cate DeBates: principal and chief strategy officer at NAI North Star, partner to boutique hotels Arch + Cable and Hotel Alexander! Join us for an incredible conversation with skillful entrepreneur Cate. From her earliest memories moving all over the country to her most recent ventures in the world of hospitality, we were captivated by our guest’s enthusiasm and wide variety of expertise. Cate shares how her philosophy of “a rising tide lifts all boats” has proven essential in both community growth and throughout her own personal life. Stay tuned for minute 1:41:40, where Cate explains some of the common misconceptions about commercial real estate agents 

John Couchot: Vice President of Alcohol Operations at Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery! Woodchucks. California. Biotech. NDAs. Kids. Micro-roasting. Chupacabras. Nike beer. Ed Hardy. From his first brewing experiences at the age of 15 to his journey to Minnesota, our guest this week has a fascinating story that crosses multiple careers all over the country! John’s engaging manner of storytelling and incredible wealth of experience kept us captivated throughout the entire conversation. With his willingness to experiment and “why not give it a try” attitude, his journey of success has been truly remarkable. Stay tuned for minute 1:24:57, where John shares his most memorable tattoo stories from his time as an artist

Pete Matejcek: owner and president of Schmidt Siding and Window! Meeting the needs of the client in their own home is a responsibility that Pete accepts as a vocational calling. With a deep-rooted passion for exceeding the client’s needs, our guest has established himself as a key figure in the Southern Minnesota home improvement industry. Join us as we dive deep into Pete’s earliest memories as a Mankato native, how his start as a siding installer informed his transition into sales, and his intense dedication to making music. Stay tuned for minute 1:14:30, where Peter shares the secret of his success at Schmidts

Jake Schrom - KBM President and entrepreneur! 

Kitchen, Baths & More (KBM). Hometown Fitness. Swass Block. Our guest this week is a hidden gem in the Mankato community - an adept entrepreneur with a wide range of expertise! From earliest childhood memories to making Cuban’s Cuts on Shark Tank, Jake takes us on a wild ride unlike any other. We enjoyed hearing our guest’s take on the most pivotal moments in his career (and his preparations for the future). Stay tuned for minute 1:16:26, where Jake shares the inside scoop on how Swass Block first began.

Joe Bach: VP of Business Development at MEI Total Elevator Solutions! Anything but an average Joe, our guest this week has a wealth of experience in leadership and cultivating a culture of growth at MEI. Joe shares what he’s retained after over a decade in the industry - from field operations to successful failures. We loved hearing about the projects MEI has spearheaded, including the (giant) Barclays Center elevator in Brooklyn - and so many more. Special thanks to Andy Wilke for guest hosting with Aaron this week! 

Brandon Smith: Vice President of Operations & Development at Tailwind Group! Join us as our guest this week breaks down the commercial real estate industry, sharing his insight into Tailwind’s unique expertise in off-campus student housing all across the country. From Brandon’s own college experience to his responsibilities today, we loved this discussion of growth and success in (often) uncharted waters. Stay tuned for minute 02:07:48, where Brandon gives his projections into the future of real estate - and Bill Gates’ farmland investments

Emily Schumacher: Miss Minnesota 2024! Join us for an incredible conversation with Mankato’s own Miss Minnesota. From her earliest local memories to her journey to Miss Minnesota, Emily takes us through her mission and goals for the future. Her dedication to raising awareness about heart health, CPR education, and nutrition left us deeply inspired. Next stop: Miss America! We can’t wait to see all that Emily accomplishes in the next year (and beyond). Stay tuned for minute 27:44, where our guest shares one of the most unexpected questions she’s been asked as a pageant contestant

The 100th episode of Get Deep: an ultimate recap with Aaron and Wes! Join us for a celebration of community, past episodes and craziest moments with your two favorite hosts. From small business strategies to the future of the podcast, strap in for an engaging discussion unlike any you’ve experienced before! Stay tuned for minute 2:07:10, where Aaron and Wes share their personal goals for Get Deep - and its next 100 episodes.