OUTdrive

In rural America, we do business with people we know, like and trust, especially with major purchases or services. Buying a home is typically one of the largest investments a person will make in their lifetime and it helps to know someone to be by your side throughout the process. That's where the family team of Dave and Ryan Wiedeman have come to find success in the real estate market for over four decades.

What you'll learn:

• How the real estate business became a Wiedeman family affair
• What separates Ryan and Dave from other real estate agents in the area
• How the buying process and consumer buying habits have changed due to home buyers' access to data
• The benefits of being associated with REMAX and being under the umbrella of a larger organization
• Dave and Ryan's perspective of the people of rural America
• The difference between marketing real estate in a small town versus a big city
• The new emergence of people moving across the country to rural areas and the recent interest in older homes around Sedalia

When it comes to "branding," there is a lot of ambiguity. What is a brand? Can you measure how a brand works? How do you use it as part of a marketing plan? This is where our guest Karley Cunningham, business owner and branding strategist at Big Bold Brand, comes into play. In this episode, Karely offers up a paradigm shift and insightful perspective on how to approach branding as a way to define fundamental values and core messaging, and differentiate from competitors.

Join Karley and Cliff as they take a deep dive into brand leadership, the strategy before the strategy, and the difference between branding and marketing.

Surefire Audit & Guide download: https://www.bigboldbrand.com/surefireaudit/

What you'll learn:

• Karley's background growing up in Ontario, and the similarities between that area of rural Canada and rural America
• Karley's experience as an endurance cycling athlete and the comparison of adrenal fatigue in sports and in business and how to address it
• Karley's journey from a graphic designer to a strategic business owner
• Karley's concept of "the strategy before the strategy"
• Karley's current day-to-day role at Big Bold Brand and the type of clients she works with
• Defining brand leadership, Karley's "surefire method" of differentiation and how to take the strategy off the page
• What the rural lifestyle means to Karley

In honor of Memorial Day and the extra-long weekend, Cliff is sharing a bite-sized podcast with some practical business advice. At Callis, Cliff's team places an emphasis on education and professional development. One of the ways Callis accomplishes that is through involvement with the Agency Management Institute and by being part of a peer network.

Agency Management Institute (AMI) is a management consulting business specializing in helping owners of small and medium-sized marketing communication companies move up to their next performance level—and keep improving. The Agency Management Institute was founded in 1995 (formerly known as the Agency Management Roundtable or AMR) to teach and promote the highest standard of business practices and professional ethics among privately-owned agencies in North America.

Tune in to this special episode to learn more about the benefits of peer networks, then come back next week to hear from an international branding expert who Cliff met through AMI's many connections.

What you'll learn:

• The time and place where Cliff first heard about Google
• How Cliff got involved with AMI
• The benefits of joining a peer network group
• Examples of best practices Cliff has learned from his peer network group over the years
• How Cliff's peer network helped guide business decisions through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic

Arrow Rock is a village in central Missouri with a total population of 37. And, each year, more than 33,000 patrons travel to this community to enjoy Broadway-caliber productions at the Lyceum Theatre. Celebrating its 61st season in 2022, the Lyceum is one of Missouri's oldest professional regional theatres. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff sits down with Quin Gresham of the theatre's leadership team to hear all the ways the Lyceum has been drawing crowds for over half a century.

Quin is the Producing Artistic Director at the historic Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre. 2022 marks his 18th season in this role. During his career, he has directed over two-dozen productions at the Lyceum. On the other side of the curtain, Quin has been a frequent Company member at the Lyceum since 1999. With more than 20 years of acting experience, he has appeared in over 50 productions. Quin is a graduate of the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University in St. Louis, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting.

The Lyceum's 61st season opens on June 2. Tune into this episode for a full show run-down on 2022, and learn more about how the Lyceum went from a dilapidated church to the first theatre in the state to receive the "Missouri Historical Theatre" designation.

What you'll learn:

• The background story of how Quin decided to pursue acting and his journey to directing at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre
• A description of Quin's role as Producing Artistic Director and his day-to-day responsibilities
• The difference between a producing theater, like the Lyceum, and a presenting theater
• A short history of the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre
• Details on the shows of the 2022 season and how Quin selects which shows to bring in
• How to find more information and the best ways to share the Lyceum experience
• Quin's connection to the LEAD Institute and service on their Board of Directors
• What Quin loves about living in mid-Missouri

While it may seem like the world of advertising is all headed toward the Metaverse, there is still value in traditional marketing. Radio, television, and newspaper, combined with digital components, can make an impact. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff sits down with Aric Bremer to discuss how businesses can use a multichannel approach to reach their goals and objectives.

Aric is a sales manager at Zimmer Radio and Marketing Group, where he works with numerous local businesses to put together comprehensive marketing plans that bring a positive return on their investments. Aric has been a radio personality with Clear 99 in Columbia, Missouri for over 20 years and still hosts the weekly Afternoon Drive show spot. Aric is also the voice of Mizzou Arena as the public address announcer for the Missouri Tigers men's basketball and Mizzou volleyball teams. Aric got his start in radio at KDRO in Sedalia when he was just 15 years old. He went on to earn a degree in communication from the University of Missouri.

Tune into this episode of OUTdrive to hear Aric's tactical team approach to client marketing plans, how he became the voice of Mizzou Arena, and details behind starting "Blended, Blessed, & Always a Mess," a podcast hosted by him and his wife, Angie.

What you'll learn:

• Aric's background growing up in Sedalia, Missouri, and his journey to working in radio
• Aric's experience as the voice of Mizzou men's basketball and volleyball
• What goes into Aric's role as sales manager at Zimmer Radio Marketing Group, which includes digital marketing and on-air work
• The story of Aric's blended family and how he and his wife decided to start the "Blended, Blessed, & Always a Mess" Podcast
• Marketing strategies Aric is seeing that are working well for his clients
• How Aric entered into the voice-over industry, working for regional, national, and even international companies
• Updates on the Mizzou basketball program and the 2022 Cardinal baseball season
• What Aric enjoys about living in rural America and why he loves the opportunity to come home to Sedalia

To put it simply, the rural American lifestyle builds character. The people raised in rural America are often the ones who go on to feed, lead, and serve our country. Today's guest, Missouri Soy's CEO Gary Wheeler, has done all three. In his role, he continues to spearhead legislation and representation for Missouri's soybean farmers.

Wheeler has a Bachelor of Science in agriculture and a Master of Business Administration. He also proudly served his state and country for 11 years in the Missouri Army National Guard. He has been involved in many agriculture organizations including the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, U.S. Grains Council and U.S. Meat Export Federation, Missouri Society of Association Executives, Missouri Farmers Care, Missouri Economic Development Council, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson City Environmental Quality Commission.

Tune in to this episode to hear more about what Missouri Soy is doing to educate consumers and support rural America.

What you'll learn:

• Gary's background growing up in the small town of Risco, Missouri where his passion for agriculture started at an early age
• Gary's experience in the military and how it shaped his perspective of rural America
• Gary's journey to a career in the Missouri Department of Agriculture
• The importance of having the right people on staff and how to make that discernment
• The big picture initiatives that Missouri Soy is working on, from education to communication to policies
• The challenges of politics and legislation in state-funded organizations
• Details on the Center for Soy Innovation and the opportunities it provides for education

Happy 100th Episode! We're celebrating the big 1-0-0 with a very special episode of OUTdrive. This week, guest host Ivy Reynolds turns the mic around to interview our host, the founder and CEO of Callis, Cliff Callis. In this episode, listeners get an in-depth listen to Cliff's story, the origins of Callis, and life lessons from 35 years of business.

Cliff has over 35 years of experience and expertise in marketing, advertising and public relations. He grew up in the retail business, working alongside his father and brother, where he first learned about the customer experience. Today, he oversees a full-service marketing and advertising agency that specializes in marketing to rural America. Cliff focuses his efforts on client, employee and public relations and working with clients to help them strategically grow their business. He is also president of the Board of Directors of the Center for Human Services. Cliff is a graduate and former trustee of Missouri Valley College, where he studied business, economics and communications and competed in intercollegiate tennis. Cliff and his family reside outside Sedalia, Missouri, where he enjoys outdoor sports, travel and the inspiration of life's experiences.

Tune in to celebrate the 100th episode of OUTdrive and hear Cliff's thoughts on marketing, life achievements, and 35 years of business.

What you'll learn:

• What it was like for Cliff growing up outside of Sedalia in the 1960's, being part of a family business, and his experience during the Ozark Music Festival
• How Cliff's career path changed from when he was in high school to the time he graduated from Missouri Valley College
• The story of what prompted Cliff to leave retail and start an advertising agency
• How Cliff's role in the agency has changed throughout the years and the way the business has evolved over time
• The details behind Cliff's morning routine and how it came to be a staple in his day
• Cliff's favorite part of being in the marketing industry and how he approached taking the agency through the digital revolution
• Lessons Cliff has learned from over 35 years of business and what advice he would give his younger self
• What rural America means to Cliff - as a resident and a business owner

Small business owners have an inherent responsibility to be active and invested in their community. That's especially true for OUTdrive guest John Kehde, who took his passion and civic duty to the highest commitment, serving and eventually leading the local government for the city of Sedalia. In this episode, John takes listeners back in time, giving a guided history of the city of Sedalia, Kehde's Barbeque and his career span from the military to a restaurateur to a small-town mayor.

John is a local business owner and most recently served as the mayor of Sedalia. He has lived in Sedalia since his parents moved here in 1947. After serving in the Vietnam War and living in Denmark during his stint in the military, John, and his wife Chelsea, returned to Sedalia. John took over the family restaurant, Dog N' Suds, and rebranded it to Kehde's Barbeque. Along with running a family business, John served as a city councilman early in his career, and in 2018, he was elected mayor of Sedalia, and recently retired from that role. He is a Smith-Cotton High School alum and studied at the University of Missouri before going into the military.

Tune into this episode to hear all about his amazingly diverse life story and you'll soon discover why every day is "the best day ever" for John.

What you'll learn:

• John's background and the origin story of Dog N' Suds
• What it was like growing up in Sedalia back in the 1960's
• John's story of being drafted into the military, meeting his wife, Chelsea, and their experience living in Denmark during the Vietnam War
• How John made the necessary decision to transition the family restaurant to a barbeque joint after the fast-food chains came to town
• How the now-famous railcar came to be home at Kehde's
• What attracted John to local government and ultimately serve on city council
• How John's passion for his community and neighborhood prompted him to run for mayor some 30 years later
• The revitalization of Sedalia neighborhoods and what the city is doing to help clean up and revitalize areas of town

Now more than ever, people are invested in where their food comes from. Those who frequent local farmers' markets have the luxury of knowing exactly where their food is grown and how it's raised, and they have a chance to connect with the people who produce it. In this episode, Cliff had the chance to sit down with Bonita Riley and her daughter Taylor, members of the family behind Back Yonder Farms, to dive into the day-to-day of running a family farm and small business.

Back Yonder Farms is a diversified farming operation in Cole Camp, Missouri. Bonita and Rich Riley and their children and grandchildren make up the fourth, fifth and sixth generations of the family farming operation. The farm was homesteaded in the mid-1800s and has been operated by the family ever since. Back Yonder Farms specializes in pasture-raised meats, including pork and poultry, eggs, homegrown produce and baked goods.

Tune in to this episode to hear from Bonita and Taylor about what it takes to keep this family farm business running generation after generation.

What you'll learn:

• Background on the Riley family, the longevity and history of their family farm, and details on the current diversified operation at Back Yonder Farms
• How the Riley family initially got involved with area farmers' markets and how important the markets are to their business
• The story behind Back Yonder Farms' famous giant cookies
• Where customers can find Back Yonder Farms, both at farmers' markets and online
• How their social media has played a role in sharing their story and brand
• How they differentiate from other producers in the area, especially when it comes to the genetics of their pigs
• How the Riley's have grown their business through experience and by continually seeking out new tools and ideas
• The characteristics of rural America and the importance of agriculture education in today's youth

There is no shortage of beef producers in Central Missouri, but Brook and Larry White of White Angus Ranch are doing things a little different: raising grass-finished beef. Unlike "grass-fed" beef, "grass-finished" means corn and grain are never part of the animal's diet, resulting in a leaner product. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff sits down with the Whites to learn more about their business, passion for customer service, and commitment to consistent quality in both their product and their brand.

In 2010, Brooke and Larry White purchased a plot of land and moved their cattle from Nebraska to Missouri, formally establishing White Angus Ranch. After selling products exclusively to neighbors, in 2013 the Whites decided to make raising beef a full-time business and get involved with local markets. White Angus Ranch specializes in raising premium quality, Black Angus Cattle, for grass-fed and finished beef sales. The Whites are active vendors in the Sedalia Area Farmers' Market, Camdenton Farmers' Market, and the Pulaski County Farmers' Market. In 2016 they launched their website and online presence to sell their products online, shipping beef across the country.

Tune into this episode to hear the story behind White Angus Ranch and what you can do to help support local farmers, producers, and farmers' market vendors in your community.

What you'll learn:

• Background on the White family and the story behind White Angus Ranch and their grass-finished operation
• How they got involved with local farmers' markets and what it takes to be a consistent vendor
• The community, relationships, and partnerships the Whites have formed by being involved in farmers' markets
• How the farmers' markets themselves help market their products and business, primarily through social media
• Some of the other ways the Whites market their products and business outside of local markets and their emphasis on branding
• What sets the Whites apart from other beef producers in central Missouri
• The characteristics of rural America and the importance of supporting the lifestyle
• The short story of how the Whites became Boston Red Sox fans