Behind the Business | Founders in the 605

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Steve Kirby, founder of Bluestem Capital.Bluestem is a venture capital firm featuring 450 plus investors investing in more than 20 funds, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. 

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus Mahlen sits down with Jon Schemmel of Tidewater Companies and SBL Ventures, which is a firm focused on acquiring and operating laundromats across the Midwest.Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. 

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Tamien Dysart of Think 3D Solutions.Based in Sioux Falls, Think 3D Solutions is a business management consultant that unlocks the power of a strong, thriving culture with proven strategies to improve employee engagement, leadership, and performance.Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. 

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Karla Santi of Blend Interactive.Based in Sioux Falls, Blend Interactive guides teams through complicated web and content problems — from the first strategic questions through design, development, and the years of work that follow. Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. 

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Amy Stockberger of Amy Stockberger Real Estate and the Lifetime Home Support™ model.Based in Sioux Falls, Amy Stockberger Real Estate is the top ranked real estate team in South Dakota and is ranked 33 nationwide.Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. 

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Joe Zueger of Workplace By Direct, SCHEELS IcePlex, and TRUELUC Advisory.Based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Workplace By Direct is a company that delivers managed IT services, business IT support, and security solutions to organizations.Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. 

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Kurt Loudenback of Grand Prairie Foods.Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Grand Prairie Foods is a food manufacturing enterprise specializing in Ready-To-Eat food products for hospitality, convenience and retail food industries.Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. 

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Todd Ernst, founder of Ernst Capital Group.Ernst Capital is a South Dakota-based real estate investment firm that connects investors with quality local real estate projects. Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. 

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Dave Austad of Austad's Golf.Dave’s father, Oscar, started the company in 1963 when Dave was three years old. The company, which began out of their family home, quickly gained traction right when golf legends like Arnold Palmer were hitting their prime. In this episode, Dave explains as he’s learned to adapt to the changing industry, Austad’s attention to their customers and aiming to be the best golf retailer in the market has remained constant. Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. 

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Chris and Annie Mello of SISU Fit.SISU Fit is a modern 24/7 fitness studio located in downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This new concept of mixed usage fitness facility has taken off in the market, as the Mellos are no stranger to pioneering new trends in the fitness industry in Sioux Falls.Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. 

On the latest episode of Behind the Business, Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Riccardo Tarabelsi, owner of Vinyahd Restaurant Group in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which consists of R Wine Bar, Maribella, Trio Jazz Club, Brix Wine Bar, and Vespa Catering.Riccardo explains as his businesses have grown over the years, one thing has remained constant: the importance of family and making his customers feel like family. Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. 

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Bobbi Thury and Jayna Voss of Legacy Law Firm.Both raised on South Dakota farms, attorneys Jayna Voss and Bobbi Thury met as coworkers at a law firm before deciding to join forces and open their own firm in 2016. Legacy Law Firm serves clients in estate planning, elder law, and business planning.Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠ to stay connected. 

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Jeff Scherschligt of Pendar Properties.Pendar Properties is known for its iconic developments in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, like the Cherapa buildings, the Carpenter Building, and Railyard Flats.Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. 

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Dean Sorenson of Sorenson Broadcasting.Dean Sorenson’s career in radio began with a part time job at a Rapid City radio station he found to help get him through college. By age 22, he was managing his first radio station. In 1971, after a few years of managing a Pierre, South Dakota radio station, he founded Sorenson Broadcasting with his friend-turned-business partner Jerry Simmons.Follow 605 Founders Podcast on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. 

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Eric Weisser of Weisser Distributing. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Weisser Distributing provides fulfillment services for dozens of marketplaces and has become one of the fastest growing employers in the Midwest.Follow 605 Founders Podcast on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Jim Soukup of Soukup Construction. Listen now!Follow 605 Founders Podcast on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

On the latest episode of Behind The Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Jael Thorpe of Gameday Social. Listen now!Follow 605 Founders Podcast on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

On the latest episode of Behind the Business | Founders in the 605, Marcus Mahlen sits down with Dusten Hendrickson, founder of Mailbox Money. Listen now!Follow 605 Founders Podcast on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

On the latest episode of Behind the Business, Founders in the 605, Marcus and Alexis Mahlen sit down with Adam Weber, founder and lead pastor of Embrace Church. Listen now!Follow 605 Founders Podcast on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

From a single store on a gravel road to a household name in Sioux Falls, Kevin Nyberg shares the Nyberg’s Ace legacy on Behind the Business, Founders in the 605. Learn how this family-owned business has stayed ahead of the curve, thrived in the face of competition, and remained committed to the community for over 65 years. Listen now!

From a small high school lawn-mowing business to a multi-location landscaping company, Cole Weller’s journey is a true testament to hard work, persistence, and smart business growth. On the latest Behind the Business, Founders in the 605, Cole shares how he and his brother Brent built Weller Brothers from the ground up—focusing on quality service, a strong company culture, and doing the basics well.

From a tire shop waiting room to bestselling bookshelves and feature films, Amy Daws is redefining success as an author! Hear her story on the latest Behind the Business, Founders in the 605 with hosts Marcus & Alexis Mahlen. From indie publishing and spicy romance to global audiences, this Sioux Falls native’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

From Brookings roots to business leadership, Van Fishback shares his inspiring journey on the latest episode of Behind the Business, Founders in the 605. As Chairman of First Bank and Trust and Fishback Financial Corporation, Van discusses his family’s 140+ years in banking, his dedication to supporting innovation in South Dakota, and the importance of education and community partnerships.

This week’s Behind the Business | Founders in the 605 podcast episode features Rory Kelly, a Sioux Falls entrepreneur who built a business empire with 58 Verizon Wireless stores and overcame personal challenges to redefine success. Tune in with Marcus and Alexis for a deep dive into leadership lessons, the power of persistence, and what it takes to grow and mentor others.

Dr. Vance Thompson, Founder of Vance Thompson Vision shares his journey of turning an eye care practice into a community-focused hub of innovation and compassion on the latest episode of Founders in the 605. Growing up in small-town South Dakota, inspired by his family’s legacy in medicine, he discovered his passion for eye microsurgery.

Meet Brandon Maddox, the CEO and Founder of Silencer Central. Brandon saw a gap in the silencer market and set out to make a difference. By overcoming skepticism and focusing on customer education, Brandon transformed the perception of silencers into must-have accessories.

Ken Cutler, a fourth-generation Sioux Falls lawyer, shares his family’s legal legacy and entrepreneurial ventures, from law firms to campgrounds and even a wax museum! Listen to the full episode!

Listen in to the latest episode with Alex Jensen, a proud Sioux Falls native who has built a successful entrepreneurial career in the city he loves. From his early days working at Uncle Ed's Specialty Meats to his current roles as a partner of Max Muscle Nutrition and DakPak Solutions, Jensen's journey is a testament to hard work, resilience, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

Cindy Peterson, the CEO and Founder of Maximizing Excellence, recently shared her inspiring journey on the 605 Founders podcast. Through Maximizing Excellence, Cindy has created a collective impact, helping organizations do more with the resources they have, and her work continues to make a significant difference in the Sioux Falls community. Listen to her full episode at the link below!

Tune into the latest podcast episode featuring Chief Strategy Officer at ISG, Chad Suprenant! Chad has seen the company grow from an idea in his family home basement to a multi-disciplinary firm with 14 offices across five states, serving clients nationwide. In this episode, Chad shares the challenges of scaling a business, maintaining high standards of service, and fostering a company culture that attracts top talent. Listen to his full episode at the link below!

Join Marcus and Alexis Mahlen on the new episode of Behind the Business, Founders in the 605 with guests, Dan and Joe Kirby! This podcast dives deep into the Kirby Family history and what was once Western Surety Company. Big names like Warren Buffet and Charlie Munger make this episode one you will not want to miss!

Ever wondered what it takes to create a world-class golf experience? Join us on the latest episode of 605 Founders as we chat with Danny Amundson, the visionary behind the upcoming Mapleton Golf Club in Sioux Falls. From the club's unique origins to its exciting amenities and construction progress, you'll get an inside look at this one-of-a-kind project. Listen at the link below!

Join Behind the Business, Founders in the 605 with Marcus and Alexis Mahlen, as they dive into the incredible journey of Miles Beacom, CEO of PREMIER Bankcard. Transforming Premier Bankcard into a top ten credit card issuer, Miles shares invaluable insights on leadership, teamwork, and community impact.

Craig and Pat Lloyd, co-founders of Lloyd Companies, join Alexis and Marcus on this podcast episode of Behind the Business, Founders in the 605. They share their journey from modest beginnings to becoming prominent figures in the real estate industry.

Discover the inspiring journey of Cayla Rush, Owner and Director of Precious Angels Child Care Center, on the latest episode of Behind the Business, Founders in the 605. Learn how she balances family and business, tackles challenges in childcare, and creates a trusted environment for kids and parents alike. Tune in on Spotify now!

Step into the world of event design and production with Addie Graham-Kramer, the dynamic Founder and CEO of The Event Company, as she joins hosts Alexis and Marcus Mahlen on a captivating episode of Behind the Business. From orchestrating her first public party in middle school to leading an internationally recognized company, Addie shares her inspiring journey of entrepreneurship.

Discover the journey of Jodi Schwan, the dynamic entrepreneur behind Align Content Studio, Sioux Falls.Business, and Pigeon 605, on the latest episode of Founders in the 605! From her early days in journalism to becoming a savvy business owner, Schwan's story is inspiring and insightful. Join us as we delve into Schwan's vision for the future of Sioux Falls and the vital role of supporting local journalism and businesses in fostering community growth and connectivity.

On our next episode, we have the privilege of sitting down with Scott Lawrence, the President and CEO of Lawrence and Schiller, a powerhouse in the world of marketing and advertising.

Welcome to the first episode of Behind the Business: Founders in the 605! We're diving into the fascinating journey of entrepreneurship with Matt Paulson, the Founder and CEO of Marketbeat. Matt's story is one of innovation, perseverance, and a passion for technology that began with his very first computer.