Where's Willie?

If you're traveling through Nashville, Tennessee, you may find an all-black trolley with gold font lettering, giving folks over the age of 21 a memorable experience that transports them back in time: boutique cigars, a shoeshine, and a conversation with a true gentleman, today's guest, Daniel Hooberry, also known as Daniel Dark. Hear about his history as an electrical engineer, chocolatier, smokeshop owner, and culinary student, and how his health challenges altered the course of his career. Daniel tells us about his cookbook on Catsup, before sharing the story of how he narrowly avoided signing a lease for commercial property before the pandemic. Next, he gives us the inside scoop on how he found and restored the trolley that he runs his business from today, we talk about how to book a visit to Gentlemen's Cigars, and Daniel describes the experience he offers his customers when they step aboard. He also gives us a glimpse of his cigar selection process and describes the experience he facilitates, including a range of glasses for the drinks you bring on board, and we touch on the rules around the resale of rare cigars. In closing, Daniel tells us how to find out where he is parking next and how to book a visit with him. We hope you join us to hear about the phenomenal service he offers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listeners are likely to recognize today's guests, Jess and Dub McCorkle, from their tremendous success on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. In today's episode, we get together with Jess and Dub to discuss their seemingly instant success on social media, how they decided to pursue the RV lifestyle and what they have learned from it thus far. Tuning in you'll hear them share the story of their daughter's drawn-out battle with an autoimmune disease and how her unexpected recovery prompted their decision to travel. They share how their overnight success on TikTok provided them with the opportunity to earn an income for their family by doing videos for various brands and how the exposure has affected their lives. Later, the McCorkles' unpack their approach to homeschooling and discuss why this lifestyle has made them interrogate and question the assumptions they grew up with about a successful life. Join us today for a candid and inspiring conversation on the opportunities afforded by RV travel and why it's a great way for kids to learn, gain social skills and see the country! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Pennsylvania Recreation Vehicle & Camping Association, or PRVCA, is a nonprofit organization representing nearly 400 RV dealers, manufacturers, campgrounds, component part suppliers, lenders, and insurance and service companies. Their mission is to enhance the recreation vehicle and camping industry through education and promotion by being a resource and partner to all segments of the recreation vehicle and camping industry. With the 52nd annual edition of America's Largest RV Show coming up on September 15th, 2021, please join us in welcoming PRVCA's Communication Director, Elizabeth Peroni! In today's episode, Elizabeth highlights the importance of education and industry standard training in the RV industry, and she shares some exciting highlights from this year's program. Tune in today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many of us have big dreams, but only a small percentage of people get to live them. Jenn and Kendall, also known as the Dashboard Drifters, are a young couple who are living their dream life, having traveled from Canada to Mexico while living in an RV and working as digital nomads. On today's episode, you'll hear what life is like living on the road in La Paz, Mexico, and how reading The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss sparked a huge lifestyle change for Jenn and Kendall. Next, we talk about their business, RVSpotDrop, which connects boutique locations and smaller campgrounds to customers, working to supplement your online booking system. You'll learn about the mechanics of RVSpotDrop for both businesses and RV'ers, which territories are listed, and what is required to match the right customers to destinations tailored to their preferences. We hope you join us for some valuable insider tips on how to maximize the amazing service that Jenn and Kendall offer, and to get inspired by this wonderful young couple's commitment to living their dream. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the Where's Willie Podcast, we are talking about RVLove! You may be wondering, what is RVLove? Well, with over 100,000 miles traveled, Marc and Julie Bennett are much more than just the bestselling authors of Living the RV Life: Your Ultimate Guide to Life on the Road and RV Hacks, the number one new release on Amazon! They have been featured on the New York Times, CNBC, Fox, and The Wall Street Journal, helping hundreds of thousands of people hit the road in an RV, while saving them money, with their time-tested and proven tips and advice. In this episode, Marc and Julie share how they launched their life's journey in an RV six years ago, which of their bestsellers you should read depending on your needs, and some of the tips, tools, and advice they offer, as well as where you can connect with them on social media. Tune in today to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we welcome to the show Jennifer Mercer, who is the Director of Development for an amazing and impactful organization known as Care Camps — a charity founded to help children battling cancer and their families experience the healing power of the outdoors. One of the most neglected aspects of diagnosing and treating childhood cancer is the emotional aspect, which is what Care Camps focuses on. By bringing joy, happiness, healing, and hope to the campers and their families, the charity shows every child that they don't have to fight their challenging journey alone. Tune in Where's Willie today, to hear more about Care Camps and its incredibly powerful mission that is changing lives across the United States and Canada! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want to take your family to an amazing destination but you don't currently own an RV, or if you have an RV and you'd like to make a bit of extra cash when you're not using it, this episode is for you! Today we are discussing the Airbnb of RVs, RVnGO. In this episode, we are joined by Richard Saling and Paul Kacir of RVnGO, one of the fastest-growing companies in the North American RV industry. Paul shares how he came up with the idea for the company and how, in the interests of bringing people together, he is determined to keep it a free service. We talk about the massive growth their business has experienced and why their website is the best place to find an RV for rent. We also talk about how the company makes money through value-added services, how their insurance works, and other features they offer such as 24-hour roadside assistance and a call center. Tuning in, you'll find out why the second and third biggest fleets in the United States use their services, how you can even sell or buy an RV through them, and how you can get a special discount or even a referral payment through their affiliate program. Whether you would like to rent an RV or you have an RV that you'd like to rent out, tune in today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Packing up your family and pursuing the dream of life on the road sounds close to impossible, but today's guests, Luke and Mel Lahr have been full-time RV'ing for five years with four kids, a dog, and a cat. You may recognize them from Instagram, Facebook, or their own website Lahrs with Latitude. As a family who has always been honest about the realities of full-time RV'ing, today they open up about the challenges and the rewards of this kind of lifestyle. Tuning in you'll hear what made them decide that this was the life they wanted to pursue, how Luke got a travel job to enable this dream, and how the discovery of Mel's pregnancy with their fourth child postponed their original plans. Find out what ‘unschooling' is, how their kids have learned so much more through their travels than they would have in a traditional school system, and how they have personally grown as a family throughout the process. While making drastic changes to pursue a dream like this sounds daunting, the Lahr family explains how they baby-stepped their way into it, and you can too! Luke even has some RV-lifestyle-compatible job ideas for you. For all this and more, tune in today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Establishing a WiFi connection on the road is one of the most frequent topics our listeners ask about. Whether you're looking to accommodate your teenage child, or hoping to carry on with your work responsibilities from the road, a steady WiFi connection in your mobile home is a common non-negotiable. Today, we speak with a phenomenal resource in the RV community, the Senior Director of Business Development at Winegard, Marvin Metzler, who distributes all the products you need for a seamless network on the road. We dive into our episode with a summary of the history of Winegard and the work they do, before Marvin tells us what it means for an RV to be WiFi prepped. We talk a bit about the hardware that Winegard offers and the practicalities of the installation process. Next, Marvin tells us about the different services available and highlights Winegard as the only hardware provider that connects with all three major carriers. We talk about the difference between using mobile data and setting up your vehicle with hardware to accommodate connectivity. Marvin gives us his predictions for the future and closes with a word about how Winegard has successfully moved from a TV company to getting involved with all kinds of wireless devices. We hope you tune in for some practical tips from this inspiring leader in the field! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you have a fifth wheel, travel trailer, or toy hauler, you will usually find dual propane tanks on every single one of these units. These propane tanks can be quite dangerous so when you and your family venture off to amazing destinations, it's important that you make sure that you are safe and protected. To help you to ensure your RV's safety, today we talk to Mike Ray from GasStop. Mike explains that GasStop is the only product in the USA like it. He sheds some light on how GasStop shuts down the flow of propane instantly if you have a major leak, how it allows you to check the integrity of your propane system in two minutes, and how its high-quality gauge will help you make sure you don't unexpectedly run out of propane. Mike explains that there are two different types of GasStop units and how to install each one. To hear about the quality of this innovative product, its price, where you can find it, what serious RV'ers think about it, and how it can offer you peace of mind on the road, tune in today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet Kelly Beasely, the founder of Camp Addict and a woman who has explored the country thanks to her RV and adventurous spirit. In this episode, Kelly talks about everything from how she began this journey, to becoming a full-time solo RV'er and boondocking. She also talks about how although this lifestyle can seem intimidating to some, it's not much different then living in any given town–you just have a much greater level of freedom, and potentially a smaller fridge. Kelly also discusses the incredible community she has found through RV'ing, and how she is working on building up that community even more so through her website, campaddict.com. Established in 2017, this website provides RV'ers with accurate, trustworthy, and helpful information in one place to assist those who are looking to experience RV'ing full-time for themselves so that they can stop digging through the internet for information and can do more of what they love – exploring. Tune in today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's show, we introduce someone that can save you money and help you learn how to take care of your coach. We are really excited to welcome Jeff Malatesta, the Founder and a technician at RV Diagnostics. Jeff has held a multitude of mechanic positions over the past 40 years. The most memorable being his service in the United States Army where he worked on all types of vehicles including M1 tanks. He served in both Germany and Iraq. Over the past 25 years, Jeff has worked with a steady increase of electronics and electrical systems, giving him an edge over the competition. He was also an instructor for both advanced electronics and engine drive-ability classes. Jeff is ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) master certified in automobile, medium and heavy trucks, gas and diesel, and advanced gas and diesel. Today we just simply dive into how to save money, how to learn more about your own RV, why going to RV Diagnostics is the way to go, how to take care of your RV, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No matter how many miles we’ve traveled, we all have a story to tell. On today’s episode of the Where’s Willie podcast, we speak to Jason and Abby Epperson, who we’ve dubbed the Walter Cronkite and Barbara Walters of National Parks and RV industry news with very good reason! Jason and Abby kick off with the story of how they started the full-time RV journey in a converted school bus with their kids in tow. We talk about how the pandemic-related restrictions snowballed the RV industry. Jason and Abby walk us through the concept behind each of the Eppersons’ three podcasts. Next, we touch on the RV industry’s components and how that has been sustained throughout the pandemic. Our guests get real about the highs and lows of full-time RV life behind the veil of social media. Jason and Abby talk about how to choose an RV that’s best suited to your needs and explain to us why the RV with the most features is not always the best option. The Eppersons emphasize the value of educating yourself according to what you need before buying a fully kitted-out vehicle. Finally, we discuss what digital publishing entails and the perils of peddling a false narrative on social media instead of sharing who you truly are. Jason and Abby reveal to us that their focus is to create something that reaches further than their personal identity in order to build long-lasting stability. Tune in to hear about raising a family on the road, building a sustainable brand and choosing a vehicle that’s best suited to you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Paris is an impressive athlete who consistently takes the male-dominated motorsports world by storm. In today’s episode, Melissa tells us about her background and upbringing and tells the story of how she was able to start racing professionally. She goes on to share insights about the challenges she has faced with imposter syndrome and why being a mom is the craziest thing you’ll ever do. Melissa also describes her pandemic experience, starting with a state of emergency being declared at the Daytona 200 and ending with unexpected camping and RV adventures. Next, we talk about the value of female support in a male-dominated space, Melissa lets us in on her predictions for 2021, tells us how to go about trying to become a sponsor, and how the nature of sponsorship is changing. Melissa Paris is an inspiration in motorsports and in life. Tune in to hear more about her journey and find some fresh inspiration of your own! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was about three years ago that Brentt and Brittnee Proha decided to leave their home life on a small farm, in a small town for life on the road. Joined by their two boys, three girls, and playful bulldog, the Proha Family is showing the world how to live life with nothing but an open mind and the open road. While it might seem like close quarters, the Proha family has learned how to do just about everything, from homeschooling and making new friends to running their essential oils and remodeling consulting businesses while immersed in the great outdoors. In this episode, you’ll hear from Brentt and Brittnee as they share how they met, what the transition to RV life was like, and tips for the nomadic lifestyle. Having created a life that inspires, the Proha family is proof that simple living is wonderfully worth it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of Where’ Willie we get together with talented musician, husband, and father John King. John’s journey has led him across the US performing in hundreds of venues and cities and now, for the first time in his adult life, he was able to take the summer off due to a COVID-enforced hiatus. John shares how he first realized he could sing, the many hours he spent with friends at band practice, and how their silly songs turned into good songs and then great songs. Hear about why John is proud to have graduated from Georgia State and how Athens was a fantastic place for a young musician like himself. John talks about what moving to Nashville has meant for his career and shares an unbelievable anecdote about Randy Houser and a 100 dollar bill. Listeners can expect to hear all about Nashville and why it’s so successful at fostering talent thanks to the high standards and sense of community. Join us today for an awesome conversation about transformation, honoring your fans, and country music! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Where’s Willie podcast, we are sitting down with Demian Ross, the publisher of Rootless Living Magazine. We talk about his foray into nomadic life, what it means to be rootless in today's globalized world and how he hopes that Rootless Living can foster empathy and excitement for those who have chosen or been forced by circumstances to live outside of their initial comfort zone and take to the road.  The thing about traveling or working from the road is that you don't have to put your life on hold to do what you love, as Demian dives into - some days are travel days, some are workdays, but everything remains flexible. Working from the road does take some adjustments though - like finding reliable Internet service so that projects can be done remotely. Hear his incredible story by tuning in today!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kennedy Leighton is a Central Michigan University student and self-published author from Schoolcraft Michigan whose vulnerable story has uplifted, supported, and encouraged many struggling with grief and loss.  In 2014, Kennedy and her family experienced the tragic loss of her mother. As her role model and the woman she admired most, Kennedy felt at a loss — confused and brokenhearted — as she prepared to start high school. For a brief period, she found herself on the wrong path, with the wrong group of friends.  But a turning point arrived on her sixteenth birthday, in which Kennedy fully realized the potential to transform her life, and the lives of others, by sharing her loss and the tremendous kindness she received from others through writing.  Ultimately, Kennedy self-published two books, Dear Kennedy and Miraculous Every Day, and created an online store called Kennedy Marleen. Kennedy’s story is one of encouragement, vulnerability, and love. Her books and personal experiences are a testament to the notion that refocusing pain for a greater good can lead to an avenue of self-healing and healing for others. Today, Kennedy remains grounded by her faith, the guidance of her father, and her belief that everyone has a story worth sharing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Professional Guide is a professional at all times — they are mentally alert and physically prepared for a strenuous day of guiding. Their self-confidence can be observed but not heard — they are totally prepared for the day and ready to accept its challenges, good or bad. Their appearance and dress show pride in themselves and the operation they represent. They immediately become a teacher to their clients and the client readily accepts their leadership. The motto belonging to our guest’s Fly Fishing outfitting company. Today we welcome a good friend of Willie’s, and a former college and AHL hockey star, Dana Lattery. Dana is now the president and CEO of Fly Fishing Bow River Outfitters, as well as First Cast Last Pass Media, a full marketing video agency, located north of Montana, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is quickly becoming one of the most sought after fly fishing experience providers around the world. Dana has been featured on the cover of Fly Fusion Magazine, Home Water for Orvis Down the Hatch Film Festival, and he continues flying around the world in pursuit of catching and capturing his greatest passions. Born in Alberta, raised in the back-country. Fishing, hunting, nature, the wild, all run thick in his blood. Stay tuned for our show today as we hear from Dana all about how he got into the outfitting business as a fly fishing guide, how he supplements that income with other businesses and creative outlets, what Fly Fishing Bow River Outfitters has to offer, and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the travel bug bit Chris and Molly, it bit hard! The COVID-19 pandemic led to a huge decline in income for them, but instead of giving up traveling with their family, which has always been a big part of their life, they decided to give up their house instead. For the past four months, Chris, Molly and their three children have been living in a 400 square foot RV, and they are loving it. Of course, there are challenges, which Molly and Chris share with us on today’s show, but as you will also hear today, the positive aspects of their experience far outweigh the negatives. They have no interest in returning to their old life and have made some exciting travel plans for the next few months. For any listeners who have a desire to shed excess material things and focus on family and adventure, Chris and Molly offer advice to get you started on your journey (more of which can be found on their blog, The Flying Hens. Whether or not the RV lifestyle is for you, we can guarantee that you’ll learn something from this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Whenever there’s chaos, whenever there’s disruption, there are always opportunities for people to thrive.” This powerful takeaway comes from today’s conversation with global business celebrity, bestselling author, and C-Suite Network Co-Founder and Chairman Jeffrey Hayzlett. We open our discussion with Jeffrey by exploring the important role that content and branding play in modern businesses. With an especial focus on podcasts, Jeffrey dives into the topic, highlighting the need for companies to serve their communities and embrace new content platforms. After chatting about how you can measure a podcast’s returns, we talk about how Jeffrey’s content empire feeds into his business strategy. We then touch on the bright future of virtual speaking, the benefits and disadvantages of work-from-home, and how the pandemic has bolstered the RV industry, among others. Near the end of the episode, Jeffrey pulls back the curtain and shares his vision for the C-Suite Network. Tune in for more of Jeffrey’s insights on adapting to change and how content can connect you to your client base.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to today’s episode of Where Willie Podcast! Willie’s virtual travels take him to Herriman, Utah, to talk to the legendary Jake Ricks, the Director of Marketing for the greatest company in the world, Bullfrog Spas. Jake has a background in digital marketing, as well as the marketing and operations of hospitality businesses, having overseen some of the most iconic boutique lodges in the Western United States. Jake is an avid fly fisherman and has spent several years on competitive fly fishing circuits and owned and operated guide/outfitter operations. Jake continues to enjoy time outdoors, especially time on the water with family or friends, as well as time in the hills with his trusty English Setter. He graduated from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor’s in English and Literary Studies. Jake has been published in a variety of publications with topics that include the pool and spa industry, the outdoors, and digital and content marketing. Stay tuned as we dive into a great interview with Jake Ricks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real-world problems are becoming increasingly complex, along with many of the technological solutions that we employ. Keeping up with this pace can be a struggle, but those who stay behind get left behind. Enter the America Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) — an organization devoted to advancing the future of both engineering and engineers. Today we speak with key ASME members Debbie Holton and Christine Reilley, the respective ASME Managing Director of Events and Senior Director of Strategy and Innovation. After sharing details of their extensive careers, we explore the role that the ASME plays within the engineering landscape. Debbie and Christine then discuss ASME’s philanthropic contributions in supporting innovators within emerging economies. With so many concurrent advancements, we ask Debbie and Christine about how digital-enabled technology has been affecting manufacturing. They highlight how many small to medium manufacturers feel that they’re being left behind before focusing on ASME’s work in helping companies adapt. We dive into the future of the industry and our guests share insights into the skill sets that manufacturing engineers will need to adopt. Near the end of the episode, Debbie and Christine talk about how ASME has responded to the pandemic and their role in connecting volunteer engineers to sites where they would have the most impact. Few organizations do as much for the engineering world as the ASME. Tune in to hear more about their incredible work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our personal development and the support we get can determine our potential success and overall happiness. Today, Willie’s virtual travels take him to Chelsea, Michigan where he talks to coach Trisha Terns. Just as you would upgrade your phone, Trisha believes that your true potential can be activated by upgrading your habits, mentality, and energy. She teaches people to step into their next level through the scientifically proven process of certified high performance coaching. In addition to being a certified high-performance coach, she is a neurolinguistic programming and timeline therapy practitioner and owner of Be Here Now LLC, a growth coaching company teaching people how to stop flying by the seat of their pants, reclaim their agendas, manage their energetic state, and activate their ability to influence at a new level. She is also the co-founder of Strong Together, a series of six group fitness locations in the north-east United States, as well as being a bestselling author. To learn how to get to the next level in your life and business, be sure to check out this episode!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes you get an idea that seems so good you’re sure it exists already. Today’s guest is Chris Meade and when he got the idea for CROSSNET he had that same thought, except that after googling it, he found nothing! CROSSNET is the world’s first four-way volleyball game and since its conception in 2017 it has grown to become the fastest-selling consumer product in North America, partnering with giants like Walmart, Amazon, and Wilson. Today we were lucky enough to get Chris, now a celebrity and a Forbes 30 Under 30 nominee, on the show to talk about how he came up with the idea and what it has been like in the driver’s seat as CROSSNET has ballooned in the last three years. Chris talks about growing up in Woodstock, Connecticut, a small town where kids needed to make their own games up if they wanted to have a good time, and how he came up with the idea for CROSSNET one night while he was burned out working for Uber in New York. Chris explains the simplicity of how CROSSNET works and then we take a deep dive with him into the process and timeline of growing the business, starting with the design blueprint to finding manufacturers, making millions of dollars, and partnering with major retailers and e-commerce sites. Along with this, we talk to Chris about what it isreally like scaling the business behind such a picture-perfect story, and what is in store for CROSSNET as far as partnering with celebrities and famous brands, and Chris’s dream for it to become a globally recognized sport. Be sure to tune in! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today our destination is Irving, Texas, as Willie chats to Alex Carroll from Stand Up Stations! Alex is the co-founder of the company along with his wife Kelsey, and he tells us about this new venture that was born as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. After their previous business, Toss Up Events, came to grinding halt with the social restrictions, Alex began looking for other ways to stay afloat and came across the shortage of available sanitizer stations, a need he and his wife then set out to service. We hear about their earliest choices, the first prototypes, and how quickly they have grown in just a few months. Alex also shares some information about the different products they currently offer, their pricing model, and how he goes about networking and looking for companies to partner with. The conversation takes in a wide range of issues facing manufacturing during this difficult time. We think about the tasks of preparation and forecasting, making sure to be present online, and also the adjacent question of locally manufactured versus imported goods. Alex generously shares some of the lessons he and the team have had to learn to adapt quickly to this new landscape and his example is a great one for manufacturers trying to find their footing at the moment. Join us to catch all of this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the podcast today, Willie’s virtual travels take him to Chennai, India, to talk with Karthik Chidambaram. Karthik is the founder and CEO of DCKAP, a company that he bootstrapped in 2005 from his small apartment in Chicago, Illinois. DCKAP was started with two people, two computers, and two desks and is now a global team with headquarters in the Greater Austin area and operations in Chennai, India. He reckons industry setbacks and renders solid and practical solutions to organizations. Karthik holds a Master’s degree in computer engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology, in Chicago, IL. Today on the show we talk more about his company and what solutions DCKAP can offer to their prospective customers. Karthik shares on reasons why the manufacturing industry is so slow to change, how the implementation of technology has shortened sales cycles, and why it is important for manufacturing companies to start their digital transformation and the integration of e-commerce programs and technology for the future. Stay tuned for all this and more on the Where’s Willie Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the podcast today, Willie’s virtual travels take him to Reno, Nevada, where he chats with Tatsuya Nakagawa. Tatsuya “Tats” Nakagawa co-founded Castagra and where he is currently the COO. He is also the host of Specified Growth Podcast and co-authored Overcoming Inventoritis: The Silent Killer of Innovation. Tats is passionate about innovation and loves the challenge of developing great ideas that can change the world! When he’s not working, he likes to spend time with his family and read as much as possible (mostly books about innovation). He’s not all business though! He played college tennis in California, occasionally alongside professional players. Stay tuned for our conversation today as we talk through company growth, marketing, leadership, plus how to prepare for the unknown and what the future holds! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Willie's virtual travels take him to Eden Prairie, MN, to talk to his good friend Dave Varner. Dave is a speaker, award-winning author, and the founder of The Millau Group Global; a sales training company focused on providing their clients with The Sales Checklist — a simple to use, easy to coach sales process, which produces immediate, and measurable results. Additionally, Millau's solutions are designed to complement existing sales curriculums. Upon graduation from Michigan State University, where he was the first industrial marketing student, Dave went to work for a machine tool manufacturer and robotic systems company as an application engineer. From there he transitioned into sales, sales management, and finally, into corporate leadership. Over the last 20 years, he has helped hundreds of companies and thousands of salespeople across a broad spectrum of industries to improve their sales effectiveness. Dave works with clients on a global basis and brings a unique blend of engineering, manufacturing, and sales process to his customers. He is a zealot who believes companies should run their sales organizations with the same level of process, control, and continuous improvement as is expected of every department. Stay tuned for this insightful conversation filled to the brim with incredible advice!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Willie’s virtual travels across the country take him to Orange County, California, to talk to – in the words of his 12-year old son – the coolest man in the world, Aaron Aders. Aaron is the founder of Summerboard, an electric snowboard designed so that he could snowboard anywhere. Summerboard is wildly popular among snowboarders, but it is also loved by surfers, rock climbers, musicians, and engineers who get lost in their own passions. In this episode, Aaron shares a bit about his background and what led him to creating Summerboard, to emulate the feeling of snowboarding, and providing an experience that you can’t find anywhere else. We talk about marketing, production, and customer service, as well as raising capital and finding angel investors. Aaron talks about the importance of durability testing and the voice of the customer, and he encourages those with hardware ideas – like hoverboards, because Summerboard is eager to produce one! – to reach out to him with pitches. Tune in today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the Where's Willie podcast, Willie’s virtual travels take him to Dayton, OH, to talk with Ms. Teri Shaub. Teri has a background in the motion control industry with a strong foundation in industrial automation technologies — having previously worked for a leader in precision motion, Kollmorgen. She has experience evaluating technical and commercial application requirements in order to provide complete solutions to manufacturers. Teri also worked in project management for several years as a contractor to GE Aviation. There, she managed large scale, multidiscipline aerospace, and industrial projects, from conceptual design to product testing with full accountability for all aspects of project execution; cost, schedule, and technical quality. These experiences allow Teri to maintain focus on the customers’ needs. As Motion Product Manager for C&E Advanced Technologies, Teri is responsible for championing business development for pneumatic products, implementing additional product lines, and working with sales and the corporate marketing department to promote all motion products. Her energetic personality and fierce ambition make her a great asset to the C&E team. According to Willie, C&E is leading all of North America in what value-add distributers in the world of manufacturing are doing and he credits that to Teri and her outstanding leadership team. So stay tuned for an insightful talk with a leading expert in manufacturing!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Willie's digital travels take him Nashville, Tennessee to chat with author, speaker, and co-founder of Metacake, Ken Ott! Metacake is an e-commerce growth team who have helped many influential brands all over the world to achieve healthy growth in online sales. The company provides coaching, one-on-one services, as well as guides and courses for businesses of all sizes. In addition to this, Ken is also the host of the Agency Exposed Podcast, where he talks all about his business strategies and philosophies with a variety of guests. In our conversation today, Ken lays out his 'anything can happen' approach to business and we talk about how the e-commerce side of things can fit into a holistic perspective for any business. Ken unpacks exactly what Metacake does with their clients and how much this can aid their bottom line and sustainability. This conversation falls in the current climate of the pandemic, which underlines the value of what Metacake does and Ken reminds us that all businesses need to be flexible and ready for upheavals of this sort. Ken talks about the coaching they do, what this role means to him, and the buy-in that is needed in order to fully adopt an e-commerce platform. At the end of our chat, Ken also shares some great online resources from Metacake and directs listeners on how they begin their journey and get in contact with the company! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stopping off in Mesa, Arizona for today's chat, Willie hosts Brian Nunes of APS Payments to talk about the amazing ways the company can save money for manufacturing companies! Brian has more than 20 years of e-commerce experience, and we get to hear all about how he brings that expertise into his work at APS. Our guest breaks down Level 3 rates and the issue of ignorance around them, explaining how they apply directly to the manufacturing sector. Brian also shares his special guarantee offer for a payout from APS if they are not able to save you money! That part of the conversation is worth the price of admission alone! We also get into the markets that APS service and the limits of their reach, we talk about PCI compliance, the future of e-commerce and what it means for manufacturing companies to bounce back from the current downturn. Brian does an amazing job of walking us through what he does with his customers, and just how much this can improve customer experience on the other side. Listeners can expect to learn a great deal and have more than one reason to call up Brian and APS after this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re talking with the veterans of VETtoCEO, a nonprofit organization that supports veterans and transitioning military members to succeed in business ownership. We meet the co-founders, Michael Horn and John Panaccione, the First Executive Director, Monty Heath, and current Executive Director, Rob Campbell. Michael served as an Airborne Ranger for 21 years in the US Army, and also owns Brothers Body and Equipment, a specialty vehicle manufacturer in Galion, Ohio. John served 6 years on active duty as a US Army Officer, mostly as a Paratrooper and Jumpmaster in the 82nd airborne division. John is also the co-founder and CEO of LogicBay, working with leading companies to develop and implement strategies for scaling indirect sales channels, using a combination of services and technologies. Monty, the first Executive Director of VETtoCEO in 2017, is a veteran who served as a US Navy SEAL for over 10 years. Rob, VETtoCEO's current Executive Director, began his career in the Army as an Infantry Officer in 1990. He served in a variety of command and staff positions in a career spanning over 27 years. Rob has since written two books – At Ease and It’s Personal, Not Personnel – and found his calling as a business consultant. In this episode, we discuss VETtoCEO’s purpose and mission, advice for transitioning from military to entrepreneurial life, and the mindset shift necessary, as well as why manufacturing is sexy. Michael, John, Monty, and Rob highlight the importance of passion and share the opportunities and struggles with starting a veteran-owned business. They also outline some of their ideas for the future of the VETtoCEO curriculum, and tell listeners and potential investors how to support their cause, even in ways that aren’t monetary. Tune in to find out more about going from veteran to CEO!

Willie touches down in Greenville, South Carolina today to chat to Mark McClure, Vice President of International Plastics! The company is a second-generation family business and Mark has an immense 36 years of experience in the flexible packaging industry with an extensive resume of knowledge in the field. We get to hear about the history of the company, how it was started by Mark's father, the way it grew, and its current response to the pandemic and the instability of the industry, that is so prevalent. International Plastics has managed to continue to provide value to clients and stay open and functioning through this difficult time and Mark comments on the usefulness of tariffs in bolstering the domestic sector. We talk about the services that the company has provided this year and the plastics they have made to transport PPE during the health crisis. Mark also comments on tricky issues in the supply chain, the company's marketing strategy, approach to new business, and how all of this fits into their general mission statement. The last part of our conversation focusses on the future; Mark talks about the possibilities offered by digital printing and some exciting new products they are currently bringing out. So for all of this and a whole lot more, listen in today!

Today Willie's podcasting travels take to him Nashville, Tennessee, where we find James Soto, the CEO of Industrial Strength Marketing. James and his company fulfill a vital role that is often neglected and underplayed in the manufacturing sector - making sure that your company is marketing itself to its full potential! We discovered James on YouTube and instantly reached out to have him on the show because of the desperate need for more attention to this part of the manufacturing business. James' reputation speaks for itself. He has helped a huge number of companies get on track with their marketing and a lot of these are familiar to us here at Koganei! We hear from James about why there is such a dearth of expertise in this area and the issues that contribute to bad marketing. James shares some thoughts on how to become a leader in your space and upping the service that you offer to a sector of the market. For James, it is not about reaching everybody but instead making sure that you reach who you should be capturing! He aims to help companies improve communication, become more engaging and provide them with useful and actionable steps to grow their business. James is also dedicated to creating a cohesive community within the industry in a larger sense. Our guest underlines the power of analytics and just how much they can help marketers and the leaders of organizations in their endeavors. For all this very useful and necessary info from an industry powerhouse, be sure to join us!

Today Willie’s travels take him to Wilmington, North Carolina where he talks to John Panaccione, the CEO of LogicBay. John has over 18 years of experience, leading teams that focus on using technology to improve corporate performance. They help companies develop and implement strategies for scaling indirect sales channels using a combination of services and technologies offered by LogicBay. Before founding the company in 2003, John has led sales and marketing at Cognitive Arts, an innovative leader in high-end workplace simulation software. In this episode, John discusses the what, why, and how of their software solution, describing their product as a complete toolbox for manufacturers to sell to their distribution channels. But far from focusing only on the technological prowess of the LogicBay solution, he stresses the importance of correct implementation and integration with all other systems. Over the last few decades, the sales landscape has transitioned from a push to a pull strategy, and manufacturers need to gear themselves toward these changes and start thinking differently about their engagement with end customers—all of which take precedence in the LogicBay solution. In the sea of confusing software options, LogicBay sets itself apart through its transparency and clear communication around what manufacturing customers can and cannot expect from their offering. Be sure to tune in to learn more!

In this episode, Willie’s travels take him to Benton Harbour, Michigan, to talk with Jennifer Deamud – the executive director of the Manufacturing Growth Alliance (MGA). Jennifer has over twenty years’ experience leading teams, establishing strategic direction, and achieving operational excellence. Respected for helping organizations innovate, thrive, and grow, and known for optimizing resources to achieve core mission while satisfying stakeholders, Jennifer has a successful track record as a forward-thinking leader who has a passion to serve others. Jennifer earned a master’s degree in Public Administration and a second master’s degree in Communications from Grand Valley State University (GSVU). She participates on a number of national, state and community boards and, in her spare time, Jennifer is also a Girl Scout troop leader and mentor to women exiting jail through the New Beginnings program at the Women’s Resource Center. A very impressive portfolio! Today’s episode covers how Jennifer Deamud’s organization, the Manufacturing Growth Alliance (MGA), seeks to nurture and support second stage manufacturers in the state of Michigan – helping them get ‘future-ready’ by attracting both women and young people to the industry, even partnering with the education sector to ensure that training is provided for future talent! Jennifer also defines ‘opportunity zones’ in the state of Michigan and how attractive they are to manufacturing businesses. Finally, Willie and Jennifer discuss how the MGA helps small and second stage manufacturers, particularly those with 100 employees or less, through the various phases of their development, as well as six key areas that small manufacturers should consider in order to remain competitive. Tune in to this great episode today!

As we are in the COVID-19 jungle and are unable to meet face-to-face, finding new technologies that can get your product to customers may be just what you’re looking for. Today’s guest on the Where's Willie Podcast is Larry White. As CEO of Interlynx Systems, he might be able to help with the new challenges brought to the manufacturing industry by COVID-19. Interlynx is a sales lead management system that provides beautifully crafted sales leads every month. Their primary goal is to foster a better relationship between the manufacturer and distributor when it comes to lead management and they do this by optimizing and automating communications between the two that usually cause tension. Specifically, Interlynx offers lead management systems that provide data to each party that helps them more effectively pursue sales leads. We kick things off today hearing about how Larry got into the business of sales lead systems and then hear about some context regarding the logistics behind manufacturing a product and then distributing it to clients. Larry talks about the roles of each party and he lists some of the reasons they might not synchronize and how this affects the service they provide to customers. He gets into the ways that his product intervenes at each step to resolve these issues and the benefits this provides. Finally, we look at the current crisis and consider how manufacturers using a distribution model could solve the problem of growing using Larry’s services in the coming months. This leads to the subject of charitable work and Larry touches on some of the awesome community work he has already been doing as well as how he plans to extend it at present. Tune in and hear all about the benefits of lead management software to manufacturers, distributors, and customers from somebody that knows the business inside out!

Today we touch down in Florida to explore Madico Inc., a manufacturing and distribution company specializing in a broad range of protective, functional and decorative material-based solutions. Their CEO, Shawn Kitchell, joins us on the Where's Willie podcast today to talk about how they have transformed the company in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how they are aiming to aid those whose lives have been impacted by the crisis. Shawn and his team quickly pivoted their production line of coatings and laminates to suit the shortage of protective materials used in the relief of the coronavirus. Shawn has worked in the industry for more than 25 years and his experience has been essential to the huge operation of responding to these unprecedented circumstances. Shawn recently purchased a large new facility for the company with an eye on the future and the growth of Madico and he tells us about his ideas of having the company serve more market segments. Having graduated with degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Management, Shawn has gone on to apply both Six Sigma and lean manufacturing principles in his impressive career. We finish off our conversation with Shawn sharing his thoughts on what this pandemic has taught him and Madico, and the effect it will have on their future. Join us to hear it all!

The destination of today's episode is Westborough, Massachusetts where we are talking to Ryan Mannion from Coghlin Companies. Ryan and Willie met in Boston recently and immediately hit it off, so it only makes sense that he would make an appearance on the podcast! Ryan holds a degree in business management and now works at Coghlin, a fourth-generation family company that does $400 million in annual revenue! On top of that they are servicing some of the coolest technology that America has produced and if you don't believe us, just wait till you hear what Ryan has to say! In this conversation, we cover the sexy side of manufacturing, the one that is often forgotten and gets left out of the conversation. We also get into the role of America as a leader in the hardware technology space and the centrality of the people involved in manufacturing and how they make all the difference! Ryan also shares what is special to him about building equipment and what excites him most about his current position in the industry. Coghlin Companies relies almost solely on refer-ability and Ryan explains their decision to not pursue trade shows and similar events. To hear from a great young and enthusiastic contributor to the exciting field of manufacturing, make sure to tune in!

In this episode, Willie shares his excitement about the upcoming MD&M West show. Now in its 35th year, this is the event where engineers and executives from across the world come together to change and improve the lives of patients. In addition to the three-day conference covering MedTech, 3D printing, and smart manufacturing, the show offers visitors the opportunity to meet the suppliers and experts who are disrupting the medical space.Willie talks about the projected growth of the medical device manufacturing industry, the innovation process from concept to finished product, the new technologies emerging in the market, and the changes that are happening in the materials used. Listeners will also hear about cloud-based devices and the implications for the privacy of patients, what the future of sensor fusion might look like, and why Willie reckons miniaturization will soon become the new buzzword. Tune in today!

This week's show brings us to Pleasant Grove, Utah, to have a conversation with John Keller, Co-Founder and President of REDLIST. For as long as manufacturing has existed, different divisions have been managed independently or regulated by separate entities. This means that within companies, there are vacuums and powerful operational silos. Not only is this an inefficient way to manage a manufacturing business, but it also means that one when one area is optimized, the other ones suffer. John Keller looks to tackle this last-standing problem through his company, REDLIST, based in Pleasant Grove, Utah. As a SaaS company, REDLIST is a cloud-based, mobile-ready app that works to close the data gaps between managers, teams, and machines. In this episode, John dives into the groundbreaking work that REDLIST is doing. There is a growing realization from companies that there is a better way to share information but they know they cannot do it alone. REDLIST is leading the charge, helping break down these entrenched silos to allow businesses to focus on what they’re supposed to – capturing the market share or finding and securing the best talent. We also discuss details of how the product works across platforms, the possibilities that implementing this system offers, and what the future of manufacturing looks like now that these tools are available. You won’t want to miss this fascinating conversation,... tune in today!

In today’s episode, Willie travels to Minneapolis, Minnesota where he has a conversation with Sunny Han, founder and CEO of Fulcrum. Sunny started learning how to code from the age of seven when he taught himself to write his own games as a child. After studying engineering, he used his business acumen to help struggling manufacturers through the recession. For the last 15 years, he has helped countless mid-size manufacturers around the globe to grow and expand their capacity. Sunny explains to listeners how Fulcrum introduces and implements the latest technology in the manufacturing industry and what their mission and vision for the future looks like. Tuning in to this episode, listeners will learn the many ways manufacturers can benefit from Fulcrum’s software capabilities, why partnerships and connectivity among manufacturers are inevitable, and how the Fulcrum team collaborates with companies to enhance their strong points while also helping them to push toward innovating for the future. 

For today's show, we are joined by a wonderful friend, colleague and manufacturing industry expert! Scott Bailey, the Director of Sales at TECO Technology is here to tell us all about his work at the company, the particulars of their successful model for manufacturing and how they built out from a strong footing in pneumatics. TECO is based in Pleasanton, California and is well established in a huge number of industries, locally and further afield. In our conversation, we cover Scott's own journey in manufacturing and his position now at TECO, something he values greatly. Scott also gives us some of the company backstory and reasons that they have experienced success over such a sustained period. We get into who they serve, the range of services they offer and the value adds that keep customers coming back. The conversation also covers the divisions at TECO and how these have been established over the years to meet the growing demand. TECO technologies have continued to grow and improve their service, with certifications such as the ISO 9000 and Scott shares with us why this sort of constant improvement is vital at the company. For all this and then some, listen in!

Today on the show we are in San Jose for day two of the BIOMED show to meet Kevin Mullen, a sales engineer at RTP Company. After graduating from CalPoly Pomona and working in engineering for 20 years, Kevin found RTP and branched out into the world of sales. RTP Company is committed to providing solutions, customization, and service for all thermoplastic needs. They offer a wide range of technologies available in pellet, sheet, and film that are designed to meet even the most challenging application requirements. In our conversation with Kevin today, we get to hear his story as well as that of RTP, getting into what they do, who their ideal customers are, and why to work with them. You’ll hear about the wide range of engineers at RTP who consult clients from all industries with a need for hybridized plastic formulas. Kevin also talks more about the partners that RTP works with to take their formulas into the molding phase, as well as the applications for plastic in the medical world. Additionally, he gives us a great idea of the process and timeframes that one could expect working with RTP from handshake to touchdown. A big thank you to Kevin for teaching us so much about plastic today in what has been a great conversation that you should not miss.

On today’s episode of the Where's Willie podcast, our travels bring us to the city of Sarasota, Florida to talk with Discovery Technology International Inc. (DTI), a manufacturer of piezo motors. Our guest today is Nic Copley. Nick joined DTI in 2018 as Vice President of Business Development. DTI is an early-stage company bringing an exciting new range of innovative Piezo Motors to the motion and control market. Prior to joining DTI, Nic held a position of Vice President of Innovation and Technology for Parker Hannifin’s Automation Group, which comprised of pneumatic, electromechanical, and fluid control technologies. Nic’s career in the motion and control industry spans 30 years, starting initially with several years designing ventilators and anesthesia control in the medical sector before moving into broad-based industrial pneumatics component level and system engineering roles. Inside this episode, we talk about DTI’s innovative piezo technology and how they help customers from product-design to collaboration. Stay tuned to hear more about how DTI is serving their target marketing and helping OEM’s integrate a piezo solution.

This week on the Where’s Willie? Podcast, Willie travels to Winchester, Virginia to talk to George Hoddinott and his associates from the City of Winchester about the central role of manufacturing and how the city supports this. Recognized by Forbes as the number one place in Virginia for business and careers, the city is resolutely committed to attracting and retaining young talent for its industries. We discuss all the things the city is doing to positively impact lives through manufacturing, including coordination of various departments of local government, the education system, and incentive programs. The panel talks about the way the city views promoting college versus career decisions and also how there is still some work to be done in changing negative connotations of the manufacturing sector. We look at the rise of robotics, virtual and augmented reality, as well as the use of virtual tours for the prospective workforce. For this fascinating conversation about a city that is clearly engaged and dedicated to growing its manufacturing sector in the right way, tune in!____________________________________________________________________________To keep up with your host, William Miller, follow him on Twitter @williekoganei and on Instagram @williekoganei_

This week on Where’s Willie? we travel to Rockford, Illinois to the home of RJ Link International Inc. to speak to their Vice President of Business Development, Terry McCormick. Terry is a tech-head who admits that he just loves making things, having been in manufacturing, quality, and operational management for the past 30 years. He has spent a lot of that time in gearing and hydraulics. His background has given him a springboard to traverse the areas of strategies and business management. Willie and Terry talk about increasing growth and profitability, how to tie responsiveness and value back to the customer, and aligning a business process to encourage these areas. Terry has a degree in mechanical engineering and since then, has done a lot in the world of manufacturing. The conversation covers some examples of how the company works with customers to meet their custom gearbox needs, their ideal types of customer relationships, Terry’s belief in Lean Six Sigma, and some of the exciting new technologies for the field. Terry also comments on his personal emphasis on learning and listening, sharing how these areas keep him energized on a daily basis. For all this and more, tune in to Episode #3!____________________________________________________________________________For more on RJ Link, visit https://www.rjlink.com/. To connect with Terry McCormick on LinkedIn, click here.____________________________________________________________________________To keep up with your host, William Miller, follow him on Twitter @williekoganei and on Instagram @williekoganei_

In this week’s episode of Where’s Willie? we have our first interview with Jackie Luciano, the Vice President of Manufacturing Operations at ZaGO Manufacturing in Newark, NJ. ZaGO is a producer of sustainable, high-tech, self-sealing solutions and components that has been in business for almost two decades. Jackie’s story is really inspiring, working her way up through the company from her initial position as a part-time bookkeeper. As her role has grown over the years, she has played an integral part in the company’s growth and evolution. Jackie is highly skilled in management, customer service, sales, strategy planning, business development, lean practices, and continuous improvement practices. ZaGo places a big emphasis on paying it forward and sustainability, something they live out through their different community programs. For a wonderful conversation with a truly inspiring guest, tune in!____________________________________________________________________________Guest, Jackie Luciano Jackie Luciano, Vice President of Manufacturing Operations: Received Bachelors of Science in Business Management 2002 from Rutgers University, Newark New Jersey, in 2017 received Executive MBA in Finance and in 2019 received Green Belt Certification for Lean Six Sigma, both from Rutgers University, Newark New Jersey.  For over 11 years, Jackie Luciano has played an integral role in the growth and evolution of Newark-based ZaGO Manufacturing, a producer of sustainable high-tech sealing solutions and components used globally in industries like robotics, electronics, LED exterior lighting, medical devices, transportation, and others. Jackie started as a part-time bookkeeper re-entering the workforce after having a child and quickly started to learn all the ins and outs of the business.  After 5 years, she was appointed General Manager/Marketing Director and after completing her MBA at Rutgers she was appointed V.P. of Operations.  Jackie is highly skilled in Management, Customer Service, Sales, Strategic Planning, Business Development, LEAN practices and Continuous Improvement practices.  Part of her mission is in paying it forward both internally through training and development opportunities and externally through community service projects. This includes a new endeavor, ZaGO Sustainability 360, which promotes sustainable practices and STEM education and manufacturing as viable pathways for success. ____________________________________________________________________________Connect with Jackie Luciano on LinkedIn and follow ZaGO on Twitter at @ZaGOMfgCo 

The first episode of Where's Willie is finally here! In the debut episode, host, William Miller, talks about how this podcast was born out of his love for the magic of manufacturing. He shares a bit about how he got to where he is today, his career at Koganei America International Inc., and what listeners can expect from future episodes!Along his amazing journey, Willie has met many amazing and brilliant leaders that have a story to share, and who give a face to the already fantastic world of product manufacturing! These are the people you will meet on the show, so tune in to join Willie and his incredible guests.Episodes are available to download on iTunes and Podbean. Visit whereswilliepodcast.com for more.Follow along on Facebook @whereswilliepodcast, on Instagram at @whereswilliepodcast, and on Twitter at @whereswilliepod