The A/B Test Podcast

Step inside one of the most advanced—and human-centered—manufacturing facilities in America.

We toured DeGeest Corporation, a third-generation family business in Tea, South Dakota, that’s redefining what Made in America really looks like.

They’re the only U.S. dealer of Lesta robots They’ve built a full production research facility They’ve installed a cutting-edge automation track system for robotic painting And most importantly? They’ve created a culture where master welders and robots work side by side.

Written on the walls at DeGeest: “Rising tides lift all boats.” That’s not a slogan. It’s how they operate—with collaboration, craftsmanship, and a long-game mindset.

▶️ What you’ll see in this tour:

A spotless, highly efficient factory floor

Advanced automation that supports—not replaces—skilled people

A company deeply rooted in faith, family, fitness - and the future

If you think bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. means going back in time—this will change your mind.

🎥 Subscribe for more big stories from bold builders in Sioux Falls.

🔗 Learn more about the DeGeest Corporation: Website | https://degeestcorp.com/ LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/degeest/

🔎 Follow Spotlight Sioux Falls Website | https://spotlightsiouxfalls.com/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575170684228

📍 Filmed in Tea, South Dakota 🎙 Sponsored by MAGNETIC

#DeGeestCorporation   #SpotlightSiouxFalls   #AmericanManufacturing   #SelfLearningRobots   #AutomationInnovation   #SouthDakotaBusiness   #FaithFamilyFitness   #FutureOfWork   #TeaSouthDakota   #MadeInAmerica

Fresh-roasted coffee. Farm-grown wheat buns. Drone donut drops. Welcome to Flyboy Donuts—where nostalgia meets next-level innovation.

In this episode of Spotlight Sioux Falls, we meet Ben Duenwald, the visionary founder of Flyboy Donuts. A former food scientist turned entrepreneur, Ben has grown a small donut shop in Tea, SD into a multi-location brand serving 10,000+ donuts a day—with a flight simulator and race simulator right inside the shop.

🚀 What you’ll discover: How Flyboy grew to 5+ locations and mobile trucks Why they roast their own coffee in-house ☕️ How Ben uses wheat from his own farm for their sandwich buns 🌾 What it means to make official SDSU donuts His experiments with drone donut drops 🍩✈️

This isn’t just a donut shop - it’s a creative engine built on grit, nostalgia, and serious flavor.

🎥 Subscribe for more big stories from bold builders in Sioux Falls.

🔗 Learn more about Ben & Flyboy Donuts: Website | https://www.flyboydonuts.com/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/flyboydonuts

🔎 Follow Spotlight Sioux Falls Website | https://spotlightsiouxfalls.com/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575170684228

📍 4117 W 41st St, Sioux Falls 🎙 Sponsored by MAGNETIC

#FlyboyDonuts   #BenDuenwald   #SpotlightSiouxFalls   #SiouxFallsEats   #LocalLegend   #DonutShopStory   #LegacyBusiness   #SouthDakotaEntrepreneur   #CoffeeAndDonuts   #SmallBusinessSuccess

In this episode of Spotlight Sioux Falls, we take a walk-through with Spencer Mannes, a local real estate agent, entrepreneur, and one of the go-to names in the Sioux Falls luxury home scene.

Spencer gives us a private tour of one of his favorite projects on the east side of town — a stunning spec home complete with 12-foot ceilings, multiple laundry rooms, a pool-ready backyard, and the potential for a golf simulator or home theater in the basement.

He talks design, function, market trends, and why homes like this represent more than square footage — they represent a lifestyle.

🔗 Learn more about Spencer Mannes & Core Companies: LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-mannes-155ba699/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/Spencermannesrealty/ Core Companies | https://www.linkedin.com/company/core-companies/

🔎 Follow Spotlight Sioux Falls Website | https://spotlightsiouxfalls.com/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575170684228

📍 East Sioux Falls 🎙 Sponsored by MAGNETIC

#SpotlightSiouxFalls   #SpencerMennes   #SiouxFallsRealEstate   #LuxuryHomeTour   #SouthDakotaHomes   #RealtorLife   #InsideTheBuild   #ModernHomeDesign   #EastSideSiouxFalls   #HomeTour

In this episode of The A/B Test Podcast with Steve and Melissa, we dive deep into the social platforms we've been testing relentlessly—Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. From why intent data is flawed to what’s actually driving results on Meta, we break down strategies, surprises, and lessons from the front lines of digital marketing. Whether you’re building a brand, running ads, or trying to get seen, this is a must-listen for anyone navigating social in 2025.

Topics covered:

Why Facebook still matters (especially locally)

Instagram’s tricky ad landscape and what’s working

Why YouTube is the ultimate search engine for content

LinkedIn ads: Are they worth it?

The power of thumbnails and first seconds in video content

Why clickbait will kill your credibility

MAGNETIC Steven Schmidt | https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenwschmidt/ Melissa Goodwin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacgoodwin MAGNETIC | https://www.linkedin.com/company/magnetic-content-led-sales/ Website | https://www.magnetic.services/

#ABTestPodcast #DigitalMarketing2025 #FacebookAds #InstagramMarketing #YouTubeStrategy #LinkedInTips #MetaMarketing #VideoMarketing #ContentStrategy #SocialMediaGrowth

We were stuck. No ideas, no growth, and no clue what to do next.

In this episode of The A/B Test Podcast, Melissa and Steve open up about a real-life pivot that reshaped their business. From a season of frustration and creative burnout, they launched something unexpected: a hyper-local, story-driven content platform. And it worked.

🎙 You’ll hear:

How to recognize when it’s time to pivot Why most businesses fail to find product-market fit The surprising truth about creativity under pressure How content + community created new demand What it’s like to turn a personal idea into public traction

If your business feels stuck—or you’re sitting on an idea you’re afraid to test—this episode might be the sign you need.

👉 Subscribe for more insights on growth, marketing, and making bold moves in business.

MAGNETIC Steven Schmidt | https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenwschmidt/ Melissa Goodwin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacgoodwin MAGNETIC | https://www.linkedin.com/company/magnetic-content-led-sales/ Website | https://www.magnetic.services/

#businesspivot  #startupjourney  #contentmarketing  #productmarketfit  #founderlife  #TheABTestPodcast #creativebusiness  #localmarketing  #growthstrategy

In this episode of The A/B Test, Melissa and Steve break down what real innovation looks like inside companies today—from small tweaks to major shifts. They explore how businesses can innovate across sales, marketing, and content—especially when the market is pulling back and budgets are tight.

🎯 You’ll learn:

• The difference between disruptive vs. incremental innovation
• How to innovate your go-to-market motion in 2024
• Why “doing more with less” creates opportunity
• How to know when to kill an idea (and when to double down)
• Why resistance is a sign you’re actually onto something

Plus: how AI is changing the game (and where it’s still falling short).

Whether you're a small business owner feeling stuck, a marketing professional looking for an edge, or a sales leader trying to break through the noise, this episode delivers the straight talk you need.

As Steve says, "Innovation isn't about being the guy with funky glasses and shoes - it's about research, decision-making, and testing."

Sponsored by IT Outlet.

📩 Subscribe for more sales, marketing & business insights

MAGNETIC Steven Schmidt | https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenwschmidt/

Melissa Goodwin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacgoodwin

MAGNETIC | https://www.linkedin.com/company/magnetic-content-led-sales/

Website | https://www.magnetic.services/

#businessinnovation #salesstrategy #b2bmarketing #gotomarket #contentstrategy #startupgrowth #aiinsales #leadgeneration #abtestpodcast

Are your LinkedIn DMs helping your pipeline or getting you ghosted?

In this episode of The A/B Test, Melissa and Steve break down everything you need to know about LinkedIn DMs in 2024 — from what not to do (spoiler: stop saying “Hope you’re doing well”) to how to write messages that get replies and results.

🎙️ They cover:

• The three DM streams that drive the most engagement

• How to use LinkedIn Live and events to create demand

• The 75-word DM rule that changed their business

• How to personalize outreach with voice notes

• Why cold outreach alone isn’t enough anymore

Whether you're a founder, sales rep, or marketer—this is your LinkedIn outreach survival guide.

🚀 Tune in, take notes, and level up your LinkedIn game.

#LinkedInOutreach #B2BSales #StartupGrowth #Founders #LeadGenTips #TheABTestPodcast #DMStrategy #ContentMarketing #VoiceNotes #ColdOutreach

In this episode of The A/B Test Podcast, Ben and John share the gritty details of how they scaled their business to over $100K/month in revenue — without spending a cent on paid advertising.

They reveal:

• The exact strategies that worked for organic growth

• Why email and content were game-changers

• The cost of over-automating too early

• Lessons learned from growing lean and smart

If you're trying to grow a business without relying on big ad budgets, this episode is packed with hard-earned insights. Tune in now to learn how to build momentum through high-signal outreach and content that converts. 💥

👉 Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts!

#founderstory #bootstrapper #organicgrowth #startuplife #emailmarketing #coldoutreach #growthstrategy #abtestpodcast #nocode #nocashgrowth #contentmarketing

Tired of posting on LinkedIn and getting no engagement?

In this episode of The A/B Test, we break down the art of writing LinkedIn posts that actually get read and drive engagement. From crafting compelling hooks to leveraging AI wisely, we share everything you need to create impactful LinkedIn content.

🎧 Tune in to hear: ✔️ The biggest mistakes people make when posting on LinkedIn ✔️ How to write a LinkedIn post that gets engagement ✔️ The role of AI in content creation (and when to avoid it) ✔️ The importance of engagement beyond just posting

🚀 Whether you're a founder, marketer, or sales leader, this episode is packed with insights to help you grow on LinkedIn. Listen now!

Thinking about going into business with your spouse?

In this episode of The A/B Test Podcast, Melissa and Steve share the raw truth about running a business together. From financial struggles and personal challenges to learning how to balance work and life, they unpack everything they’ve learned along the way.

🎧 Tune in to hear: ✔️ The real struggles of working with your partner ✔️ How they went from divorce to business partners ✔️ Why trust, communication, and therapy were game-changers ✔️ The biggest mistakes to avoid when working with a spouse

🚀 If you’ve ever considered mixing love and business, this episode is a must-listen!

 

#entrepreneurship #businessgrowth #marriage #startuplife #salesandmarketing #b2bbusiness #leadgeneration