In this episode I sit down with Shirley, Tom, and Kim to reminisce about the hands-on processes we used to do, from handwritten ledgers to managing schedules with pen and paper. Trust me, some of these will shock you!

I’m sharing our real-world lessons in hiring, firing, and promoting and why putting the right person in the right seat (not just the most experienced one) changed everything for us.

You’ll hear how making (and learning from) mistakes made us better leaders. Find out why we don’t rush into a new policy over one complaint, and how listening (a lot) turns small changes into big wins.

Managing people isn’t easy, but I’ll break down the shifts in my leadership style, from being the “because I said so” manager to someone who values input (and yes, sometimes needs a reminder to stay calm).

Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com.

Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ready to crush the family business game?

Hear how Shirley, Tim, Tom, and Kim share the real stories behind running multiple businesses across generations, from hayfields and grocery stores to fast-changing tech and POS systems.

We dive into:

• Childhood lessons that shaped powerhouse work ethics 💪 • The wild evolution of learning, from handwritten ledgers to instant YouTube tutorials 📚 • How to survive (and thrive!) when change comes at you faster than ever • The best advice for younger business owners feeling overwhelmed (hint: just jump in—and don’t let worry steal your energy!)

Tune in and get ready to level up your business…and maybe laugh at a vacuum cleaner chase story or two.

See you next episode, keep mixing family, business, and a whole lot of grit!

Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com.

Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

What can YOU learn from your team? Join me, as I sit down with Joe Moy, Kim, and Shirley to explore the real-life wisdom that employees of all ages bring to the workplace. We’re sharing stories of energy boosts, from morning routines to heavy metal, sunshine to quality time and talking about those surprising “aha” moments when younger team members introduced us to game-changing ideas like using cell phones and YouTube to solve problems in seconds.

Ready to unlock the power of listening and tap into the innovations happening right inside your own team? Discover how simple conversations can spark trust, culture, fun, and fresh ideas that make your business better.

Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com.

Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ever wondered what truly happens behind the scenes when you mix family and business? In this episode, I sit down with Shirley and Tom to share the real-life moments that have shaped our journey across multiple businesses. From heartwarming stories about customer kindness, like someone snapping a pre-internet photo of a decorated cake so special it had to be displayed in the store, to the surprising ways people stepped up with trust and support during tough transitions, we get honest about the unpredictable rewards that keep us going. There's something powerful about those unexpected gestures, and they remind me why I love what we do.

But it's not all butterflies and grocery store celebrations, running a family business means tackling challenges head-on, from learning to manage stubborn personalities to bouncing back after failed ventures. In this episode, I open up about the lessons I've learned: why taking breaks is non-negotiable, how a little stubborn positivity goes a long way, and what it really means to lead (hint: it’s not just telling people what to do).

Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com.

Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

In this episode of Mixing Family and Business, I sit down with Tom, Shirley, and Kim to dig into the real heart of what it takes to run multiple businesses as a family. We share the lessons we learned watching our parents work, whether it was growing up on the farm, keeping the grocery store afloat, or pitching in at Dairy Queen. Along the way, we talk about how those early days instilled a powerful work ethic and shaped our approach to raising the next generation. You’ll hear honest stories about chores, responsibilities, and the everyday realities that built our values from the ground up.

I also get practical with advice for families who want to involve their kids in the business, including how to set clear expectations, pay fairly, and lay the groundwork for lifelong financial habits. We even discuss a strategy I wish I’d known sooner: paying your kids through the business in ways that truly benefit them for years to come! If you’re an entrepreneur or a parent looking to mix business with family, this episode offers stories, actionable tips, and ways to create lasting success, for both your business and your children. Tune in now and let’s keep building together!

Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com.

Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ever wonder if I really did walk uphill both ways to school? Or how my family managed to squeeze a dozen kids into a single car before anyone even thought about seatbelts? Join me, Brian Hahn, on this week’s episode of Mixing Family and Business, as we unwrap stories from our childhoods and the real-world advice that’s shaped our journey running multiple businesses together.

Tune in as I swap memories with Shirley and Kim about getting to school in the 1940s and ’50s—bicycles, jam-packed school buses, and those legendary farm-country carpools. Spoiler alert: Iowa really is that flat!

Then, we turn from nostalgia to the power of advice, what’s worth acting on, what you can leave behind, and the honest truth about the lessons that stuck (including the ones I ignored at my own risk). I’ll share the best business wisdom I ever got, the worst, and how I’ve learned to filter advice from trusted friends, family, and experts alike.

Hit play and take the ride with us! Whether you’re running a family business, starting a new venture, or just curious about how life lessons shape leadership, you’ll find something here for you.

Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com.

Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ever wish you could go back and give your younger self some straight-shooting business advice? We get brutally honest about what we’d do differently, from investing smarter to making sure we actually love the businesses we’re in.

Hear firsthand why doing your research, working in the industry before going all-in, and writing a no-nonsense business plan changes everything. No more jumping in blind, learn how careful groundwork sets you up for long-term success.

Thinking about investing in a franchise, expanding, or just figuring out what equipment is worth every penny? I walk you through our very real decisions, share the wins, the “uh-ohs,” and the times when we just had to trust our gut.

We talk through the rewards and the headaches. How sometimes even after all your prep, sleepless nights happen, and surprises (like parking lot sinkholes!) can shake things up. Spoiler: you CAN make it through.

Whether you’re running a side gig or wrangling seven locations, my goal is to help you make confident decisions with your business, your money, and your family.

Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com.

Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Mixing family and business isn’t for the faint of heart but you don’t have to do it alone!

Join us on this week’s episode of the Mixing Family and Business Podcast where you'll hear firsthand stories about the toughest business conversations we’ve ever had, from the heartbreak of closing stores to the breakthrough moments that unlocked new growth and why honest, proactive communication is at the center of it all.

Learn the art of “borrowing” (and sometimes avoiding) ideas from competitors! We share our favorite examples of learning from others in the industry — and even how a single clever trick (like cutting through a brick counter for table service!) can change your business forever.

Discover why you should welcome competition, constantly keep your eyes open for inspiration outside your field, and never stop tweaking and improving — even if that means letting go of old habits or clearing out inventory that just won’t move.

Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com.

Make sure to check out our website to learn more!