On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m joined by my wonderful wife and best friend, Melissa Allen. Over the course of a 30+ year career, she has worn many hats—literally and figuratively. She’s been a Ringling Bros. circus performer, a touring Broadway chorus girl, a Las Vegas showgirl, a Sacramento Kings NBA cheerleader, a burlesque dancer, an aerial artist, a Pilates instructor, a dance teacher, and, perhaps her most demanding role, a baker’s wife and a mother of five.

While her career may seem like a dazzling whirlwind of sequins and spotlights, beneath it lies a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and entrepreneurial spirit. As the seller, producer, and product all rolled into one, she has navigated the complexities of constantly marketing herself, balancing opportunity with opportunity cost, and building a fulfilling career while managing limited resources.

In many ways, she embodies the ultimate entrepreneur—creative, resourceful, and always thinking about the next move. In this conversation, we’ll dive deep into her fascinating journey, the lessons she’s learned about personal branding, the business side of performing arts, and what her story can teach all of us about managing risk, seizing opportunity, and thriving in unpredictable environments.

So, whether you’re leading a company, growing a side hustle, or just looking for inspiration, this episode has something for you. Let’s roll…

#wife #vegas #showgirl #dancer #mom #friend #circus #badass

On this week’s episode present by Busey Bank, we’re diving into the world of hospitality, leadership, and creative business models with Matt Longueville, founder of STL Barkeep and the owner of two standout St. Louis bars—The Vandy and the newly opened Off Elm. Matt’s journey is a fascinating one. Back in 2018, he was thriving as a consultant in the beverage industry, convinced that owning physical locations wasn’t for him. Fast forward six years, and he’s not only opened two bars but is also pioneering a co-op-inspired approach to reward his core leadership team—a bold move designed to navigate the seasonality and challenges of the hospitality business. In this conversation, we’ll unpack what led Matt to transition from consulting to brick-and-mortar, explore the behind-the-scenes work that keeps his businesses running smoothly, and dig into the metrics that guide his decisions. We’ll also discuss the innovative ways he’s supporting his team and his vision for the future of STL Barkeep and beyond. Let’s roll… #stlouis #stlmade #craftcocktails #collective

On this week’s episode presented by Busey Bank, I’m joined by good friend Rick Oleshak, the Global Strategic Marketing Director at AB Biotek, a division of AB Mauri. Rick is at the helm of crafting global strategies and driving innovation for a company that leads in fermentation solutions across industries like consumer alcohol, bioethanol, and nutrition. But Rick’s expertise doesn’t stop there.

With a career that spans nearly three decades, he’s brought brands to life at household names like Anheuser-Busch, where he led marketing for Stella Artois and Budweiser, and earlier in sports with NASCAR and the Orlando Magic. From building global marketing campaigns to fostering customer insights, Rick has a unique ability to connect strategy with storytelling, all while staying ahead in fast-evolving industries.

Today, we’ll uncover the lessons he’s learned, the challenges of adapting to new industries, and his vision for the future of marketing and brand growth. Let’s roll… #beer #abmauri #marketing #stella #shaq #dalejr