Mixing Family and Business Podcast

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 “...

Ever wondered how your business could reshape your family forever?

Join me on this episode of the Mixing Family and Business Podcast, as I sit down with Kim, Shirley, and Tom to unpack the real impact of building and running multiple businesses with your family alongside you.

You’ll hear our honest stories—when the “ownership moment” really hit, how a cabin, boat, or even a move changed our perspective, and why sometimes the bigges...

Are you thinking about taking your business from one location to many? You won’t want to miss this episode! This week on the Making Family and Business Podcast, I sit down with Kim, Shirley, and Tom to unpack the real ups and downs of what it’s like to scale a family business. We dive deep into the moments that seemed “crazy” at the time—from buying our first car wash to jumping into Dairy Queens just two weeks apart—and why those ...

In this I dive deep into what it’s really like to run multiple businesses alongside family—and not just any family, but one that’s weathered the storms together for over 62 years!

I sit down with Tom, Shirley, and Kim to uncover the biggest challenges they’ve ever faced as a couple in business, including stories of setbacks that almost cost them everything and how sticking together (and staying honest) got them through. We also exp...

Ever wondered how to balance gut instinct with hard data in business—and still sleep at night? In this episode, I sit down with Shirley, Kim, and Tom to share stories of our very first cars and what those memories taught us about risk, reward, and decision-making in both life and business.

We open up about the moments when trusting our gut paid off, and the times we had to learn the hard way. You’ll hear how decades of experience—p...

Ever wonder what it truly takes to juggle multiple businesses, especially when family is involved? In this episode of the Mixing Family and Business Podcast, we kick things off by sharing those memorable moments when we felt we had “made it”—from the excitement of buying a first brand-new car without worrying about the price tag, to the quiet pride of paying every bill on time, to the fulfillment found in family milestones that mea...

Are you looking for real stories of what it actually takes to run and promote a family business? In this episode we dive deep into the wild world of business promotions—sharing everything from our earliest jobs (and surprising pay rates!) to the creative ways we’ve brought customers through the doors over the years. I talk about the legendary car giveaways and the chaos of selling 10,000 Dilly Bars in just six hours, as well as the...

On this episode of the Dixon Family and Business podcast, we took a nostalgic journey into the foods and kitchen traditions of our childhood—long before juice boxes and Lunchables were ever a thing. I loved hearing Shirley and Beth reminisce about life on the farm, from homemade bread and bacon fried in lard to that weekly tradition of oven-baked beans and Oscar Mayer hot dogs. We talked about all the handmade meals, the lard-fried...

On this episode I’m joined by Kim, Tom, and Joe Moy for a warm, nostalgic conversation about what it really takes to run multiple businesses as a family. We start off by sharing vivid childhood memories of Christmases before age twelve, touching on everything from decorating the house with lights, favorite meals (think ham, turkey, duck, and goose!), lively gift exchanges, and annual traditions like singing around the piano and the...

In this episode we're back after a much-needed sabbatical, joined by Tom, Beth, Shirley, and Kim for a heartfelt and honest conversation about what it really takes to mix family and business. We kick things off by sharing our most vivid childhood Thanksgiving memories, from big family suppers around fancy tablecloths and homemade pumpkin pie, to kitchen mishaps that still make us laugh today. But it’s not just nostalgia. We dig dee...

In this episode of the Mixing Family and Business podcast, I, alongside Shirley, Tom, and Kim, take you behind the scenes—sharing REAL stories from our journey growing and sustaining family businesses.

Hear candid memories: how our families marked Labor Day (or didn’t!), with everything from small-town celebrations in McCausland, Iowa to quiet days spent prepping for back-to-school.

Then, buckle up as we dive into some of the tough...

In this episode of the Mixing Family and Business Podcast, I’m joining Kim, Shirley, and Tom as we head way back into childhood memories. We swap stories about our favorite birthday meals (spoiler: homemade noodles, chicken, and a legendary lemon cake), those classic small-town surprises, and the simple joys of old bikes and “sloppy” chocolate cupcakes at school.

I open up about what birthdays were like when you shared them with Ch...

We down with Kim, Tom, and Shirley to swap stories about Fourth of July traditions on the Iowa farm, grandma’s fried chicken, backyard fireworks, and big family gatherings. Then, we dive into the realities of working with Gen Z: what motivates them, what challenges come with managing them, and why things like technology and social skills are shifting the workplace in new directions.

Tune in for real talk, some good laughs, and prac...

Join me as I sit down with Kim, Tom, and Shirley to look back at how our family's small businesses grew while staying true to our local roots. We share stories from our early days, how Father's Day wasn’t always a big deal, and the changes that come with going from knowing every customer to running stores across several towns. If you want a real look at balancing growth with community connection, this episode’s for you.

We also dis...

Join host Brian Hahn on this episode of Mixing Family and Business as we look back at childhood Memorial Day traditions and explore how technology has transformed family businesses—from the days of charcoal grills and party-line phones to QuickBooks, scanners, and AI.

You’ll hear real stories and practical advice on staying open to change, the challenges and rewards of adapting to new tech, and the importance of listening to the ne...

On this week’s episode, I’m diving into what it truly takes to keep family and business running smoothly during the holidays. Joined by Tom, Shirley, Kim, and Don, we reminisce about the old days—when Mother’s Day gifts were handmade at school, holiday meals brought everyone together, and family traditions had to bend around the relentless schedule of running grocery stores and restaurants. It’s a candid look at the ways we learned...

On this episode of the Mixing Family and Business Podcast, I take you right to the heart of what it really means to blend the two, family and business, drawing from memories, wisdom, and a few laughs along the way. Joined by Shirley, Kim, Beth, and Don, we reminisce about our classic family Easter traditions from the 1940s and beyond, from sugary Easter baskets and church sunrise services to those one-of-a-kind candy hunts that onl...

Are you ready to dive into the real stories behind running multiple businesses with your family? In this episode, I’m joined by Shirley, Tom, and Beth as we open up about what it truly takes to mix family and business—from our earliest holiday memories to the behind-the-scenes grit that launched our first ventures. You’ll hear about our journey starting everything from grocery stores and car washes to Dairy Queens and digital agenc...

Ready for a trip down memory lane? In this episode, I’m diving into the world of small-town grocery stores, reflecting on the wild days before credit cards and digital systems took over. Join as we swap stories with Joel Fenton, Jonathan Bannister, Tom, and the rest of the Mixing Family and Business crew. We’re talking about the chaos and charm of counterchecks, rolling “bad check” lists, cash-and-carry loyalty programs like Green ...