Brothers, Battles & Bounty

In this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, Andreas, Martin, and Stefan Gfesser sit down with Wally Ayres, Senior Design & Product Development professional at Se-Kure Domes & Mirrors, to discuss the world of designing licensed products for major brands.

Wally shares how his career began as a traditionally trained artist and illustrator in Chicago before transitioning into computerized design and eventually specializin...

In this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, Andreas, Martin, and Stefan Gfesser talk about going back to their roots in manufacturing and what that means for their growth strategy in 2026 and beyond.

The brothers reflect on their early days producing residential-style chairs and furniture, the shift toward corporate OEM and government products, and why now is the right time to reintroduce residential offerings into ...

In this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, Andreas, Martin, and Stefan Gfesser sit down with Sam Pipras, Director of Commercial Development at Americanstruction, to talk about leadership, growth, and the experiences that shape who we become as professionals.

Sam shares his story — from his early life in sports as a quarterback and team leader, to traveling and living abroad in Australia — and how those experiences ...

In this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, Andreas, Martin, and Stefan Gfesser break down the resurgence of trade shows as a powerful marketing and sales channel — especially for manufacturing companies.

They discuss why trade shows are making a comeback, how in-person events are driving stronger relationships, and why face-to-face conversations still matter in a digital-first world. Drawing from real experience, t...

In this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, Andreas, Martin, and Stefan Gfesser sit down with Frank Motola, Vice President of Operations at Trendler, to discuss leadership, growth, and change in today’s manufacturing world.

Frank shares his journey through engineering and manufacturing, the challenges he’s faced along the way, and how his career evolved as he stepped into leadership. The conversation also explores the differe...

In this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, Martin and Stefan Gfesser turn the tables to interview their brother Andreas Gfesser, Partner at Trendler Inc. and Founder & President of Crossroads Business Partners, about his brand-new book — The 12 Levels of Business Performance.

Andreas shares a practical framework for entrepreneurs and leaders to elevate performance through every stage of their business journey. ...

In this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, Andreas, Stefan, and Martin Gfesser sit down with David Trupiano, VP of Commercial Sales – Private Equity at Zscaler, to explore what it means to operate like an intrapreneur inside a global organization.

David shares his journey through business and leadership — how adopting an ownership mindset drives performance, innovation, and accountability within large-scale compani...

In this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, we bring you Part 2 of our ASI Trade Show series in Chicago — one of the largest events for suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors.

Andreas, Martin, and Stefan Gfesser are joined by Ira Lichtenstein (Co-Owner & President of Richardson Seating) and John LeDrew (Business Development Officer at Melco International LLC) to talk about the comeback of trade shows as a powerful sal...

In this episode of Brothers, Battles and Bounty, we go live from the ASI Show in Chicago — one of the biggest trade shows of the year for suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors.

Andreas, Martin, and Stefan Gfesser share their experiences from the ASI trade shows they’ve attended this year, and dive into the impact that trade shows have on sales, networking, and long-term business growth.

They also sit down with one of Trendler’s ...

In this episode of Brothers, Battles and Bounty, the Gfesser brothers take on three of the biggest challenges facing manufacturers today: navigating new technologies like AI, finding and keeping reliable workers in a tough labor market, and managing the impact of tariffs as a domestic hybrid manufacturer. From hiring struggles to global trade pressures, hear how Trendler is adapting while staying true to its values.

🔗 Follow Trendl...

In this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, the Gfesser brothers sit down with Ira and Scott Lichtenstein, 3rd-generation owners of Richardson Seating, a proud Chicago-based manufacturing company.

Ira and Scott share their family’s remarkable journey — from their grandfather founding the business, to their father carrying the torch, to the brothers leading Richardson Seating today. They discuss what it takes to cont...

Dave shares how he got started in the steel industry after college, what it takes to succeed in industrial sales, and how the U.S. steel market has evolved over the years. From shifting customer needs to global supply chain changes, Dave offers an inside look at what it really means to sell Real American Steel in today’s marketplace.

Whether you're in manufacturing, sales, or running a family business, this episode de...

How can digital marketing explode your brand? Patrick Panayotov of Proceed Innovative shares how his team helped Trendler triple their website traffic—and what every business needs to know about SEO, strategy, and scaling smart. 

A must-listen for any leader serious about growth.

🔗 Follow Trendler on All of These Social Platforms:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trendler
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile....

In this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, the Gfesser brothers get candid about what it’s really like to run a family business. From heated debates to unified vision, they unpack the challenges and rewards of building a company with your blood relatives.

They share how they've structured leadership to match their unique strengths, the importance of defining roles, and what it takes to create a culture that em...

In this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, we sit down with Deanna Salo, Managing Partner at Cray Kaiser, to explore how she’s changing the face of accounting. From her early days in the industry to becoming a leader in one of Chicago’s most respected accounting firms, Deanna shares what it takes to lead, grow, and break the mold.

Whether you're an aspiring CPA, a business owner, or a woman navigating leadership—this ep...

In this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, we dive deep into Chicago's food and restaurant industry with Cary Miller, VP of Food Industry News. From marketing to restauranteurs to becoming a trusted partner for operators, we explore how suppliers can better serve the food service world.

Cary shares expert insights on post-COVID industry trends, key challenges, and how to stay ahead in a competitive market. If ...

In this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, we’re digging into what it really takes to build strong, strategic partnerships that fuel long-term business growth.

We’re joined by Jerry Saviano, President Regal Seating in Chicago, a fellow family-owned manufacturer, to talk about how partnerships have helped both of our companies thrive in a competitive market. From OEM and vendor relationships to long-standing collabo...

In this episode of Brothers, Battles & Bounty, we’re diving deep into tradeshow marketing.

We break down how tradeshows used to be our bread and butter for growing our family-owned manufacturing business, why we pulled back during the rise of digital marketing, and what finally pushed us to return to the in-person marketing game. From B2B connections and networking on the show floor to the realities of budget and ROI, ...

Today, we’re sitting down with David Bochniak, the driving force behind Chicago Booth Manufacturing. Join the Brothers, Battles, and Bounty podcast as we dive into his entrepreneurial journey—how he built a thriving business, overcame industry challenges, and the key lessons he’s learned along the way. 

Whether you're a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or just love a great success story, this episode is packed with insigh...